Tastes

Tasting Methodology: Neat in a Canadian Glencarin class. Rested 10 minutes. Nose: pear, red apple Palate: spicy bite (citrus oil), slow heat. Balanced besides the spice. Medium body. Light mouthfeel. Pear. Undertones of coconut citrus. Sweet. Finish: heat spice. Rating: 9/10 for it’s niche (floral whisky) - reminds me of glenfiddich Value rating: 8/10. I prefer peatier whiskies

Tasting Methodology: Neat in a Canadian Glencarin glass. Rested 10 minutes. Nose: dark vanilla oak, cacao, high notes of green apple Mouthfeel: smooth Palate: bitter bite. pear 🍐 Finish: harsh. Rating: 6/10 Price paid: $60 Value rating: 7/10. Overall Notes: it’s refined, but it has no soul or character. Would I get again? No, it’s not worth having in rotation compared to scotch

Tasting Methodology: Neat in a Canadian Glencarin glass. Rested 10 minutes. Nose: ripe yellow pear with hints of green apple Mouthfeel: oily, astringent apple peel, white oak Palate: apple. ripe boutique of fruits. Dry. Finish: woody oak Rating: 8/10 Price paid: $80 Value rating: 9/10 Overall Notes: this is a more dryer, riper, woody style of Japanese whiskey. I enjoy this more than Nikka yoichi and miyagikyo, but less than Kamiki. Would I get again? Yes. A solid, staple but not unique like Kamiki cedar.

Note: I have finished the entire bottle. Tasting Methodology: Neat in a Canadian Glencarin class. Rested 10 minutes. Nose: Nutty sherry, musky old wood on the nose. Sandalwood. Mouthfeel: Incredible. Perfectly balanced (neither wet/rich nor astringent) - soft supple mouthfeel. Sherry. Palate: Dry musky wood. Straw finish. Empty sweetness, souless. Finish: balsa wood dry sandpaper Strengths: mouthfeel Weaknesses: lack of soul/character on palate. No second level peat complexity (vs the 10 having a distinct vegetative peat character) Wonderful smoky whisky for mixing, but not complex enough to be enjoyed neat IMHO. Value: 9/10. Would I get this again? No. Spent 20 more dollars for the 10. Overall rating: I like it for a peaty themed drink. But it doesn’t have enough character to distinguish itself within the ardbeg lineup - it’s a try it once but I will never miss it

I much prefer the Corryvreckan or the 10

Tasting Methodology: Neat in a Canadian Glencarin glass. Rested 10 minutes. Nose: bright tropical fruit Mouthfeel: light oil Palate: peaty oak. Finish: lame. Rating: 5/10 Price paid: $90 Value rating: 1/10. This will make a fine $30 whisky - I would rather have the Costco stuff. Note: this is not a bold whisky. Too subtle for my palate. Would I get again? No. It lacks character and direction. Perhaps this is a good entry-level peat, but it feels like a very watered down talisker/lagavulin

Nose: olive, sherry nutty (Cask: PX sherry aged!) Mouthfeel: Palate: vegetative green peat undertones. sweet Finish: toasted nori finish, Texture of white pepper. Complex Rating: 9/10 - the Price paid: $77 Value: 8/10 Notes: sweeter front than peat. The finish is the most complex aspect about this expression

Tasting Methodology: Neat in a Canadian Glencarin class. Nose: fresh cut green apple (candy green apple + oxidized green apple). Apple orchard. Delightful. Palate: green apple, hints of citrus. Zero bitterness. Rating: 8/10 Price paid: $30 Value rating: 10/10 Overall: delightful fruity whisky. Apple version of Glenfiddich at 1/2 the price.

Compared to Laphroaig 10: the peat is more of a vegetative brinstone Lacks the sweet mouthfeel of Laphroaig Less structured and nuanced

Tasting Methodology: Neat in a Canadian Glencarin class. Rested 10 minutes. Nose: green apple, vanilla Mouthfeel: smooth. Palate: caramel Finish: nothing notable Rating: 7/10. Probably won’t get again. Price paid: $30 Value rating: 9/10 Overall: interesting fruit on the nose from the sherry

Tasting Methodology: Neat in a Canadian Glencarin class. Rested 10 minutes. Nose: sandalwood, cedar. Sweet red apple. Mouthfeel: dry hardwood bite. sharp warm tannins Palate: sweet sandalwood cedar. No floral or fruit, just wood 🪵 Finish: aged apple cider. lingering balsa wood that turns into bitter driftwood (ironwood) Rating: 8/10 - only because I prefer the Kamiki intense Price paid: $80 Value rating: 8/10 Overall: lovely, but the Kamiki intense is better