Tastes

Nose reminds me of cold mornings of my childhood, tearing open the Quaker Oats Instant Oatmeal packet of maple and brown sugar. Mouthfeel is gentle/light, but plenty of sweet cinnamon, raisins, quickly transitioning to black pepper/anise, fading slowly to a nice long dry oak finish. Just a hint of astringency on the finish is the only detractor. Proof hounds need not bother with this one. Probably not worth the secondary price, but a nice pour nonetheless.

Read a bunch of notes while tasting, and wondered if I was tasting the same whiskey. I get sweet corn, rye bread, heat, hint of mint, and pine on the nose. A sip delivers sweet spices to the front of the tongue, transitioning to grainy corn and rye notes, fading to anise and spearmint. A healthy dose of heat throughout, unfortunately it tends to amplify the graininess on the mid palate. Honestly, $100 for a rye pour that fails to deliver a bonafide rye punch, lacks the complexity of a more mature product, and really fails to differentiate itself from a sea of average $20-$35 ryes on the market is laughable to me. Grateful that I got this as a sample, and did not have to spend the coin to be this disappointed. Maybe when this is an 8-9 year product it MIGHT be worth the asking price. Until then, it’s a hard pass for me. I’ll gladly buy 2 bottles of Pikesville, or any number of lower priced MGPs, or even step up to a Kentucky Owl.

Pleasant nose of caramel, vanilla, peppeer, oak, with a hint of ethanol and burnt popcorn. Hot on attack, burnt popcorn, heavy char, lingering heat and peppery spice. Very rough around the edges. Grainy and hot finish. Not my style.

Nose sweet bubblegum, cinnamon, Werther’s originals, hing of oak. Mouthfeel not thin at all. Hint of oiliness. Very nice. Sweet viscous entry, candy apple, cinnamon, quickly transitioning to sweet clove spice, fading to a warm lingering sweet oak finish. Perfectly proofed. Slightly herbal finish is only detractor for me. Outstanding.

Candied nose of bubble gum, mint, vanilla, overtop caramel and hint of pine. Very sweet and slick on entry, bubblegum dominating slowly fading to a delicious spice, lingering to anise. Slightly thin and short on finish, but overall a delicious pour.

Herbal nose of white pine, pine cones, hint of vanilla and caramel. Mouthfeel full and viscous. Palate sweet and fruity on attack, but punchy and spicy like a rye should be. Finishes like a light IPA. Lingers long with a slow and low burn, slight KY hug. Easy sipper. Does not disappoint.

Very interesting pour! I get apple cider, caramel, vanilla, barrel notes, and spice with a hint of ethanol on the nose. Overall very pleasant. Drinks a bit young and grainy on the attack, but very oily and thick on the back end. Sweet cinnamon spice and warmth slowly fading to barrel spices and low warm hug. Finish is fantastic. Needs more time in the barrel, but could be amazing with time (oh the potential).

My first Islay, so I would not do it justice with a novice detailed tasting note. What is readily apparent, is that underneath the smoke and brine, there is a beautifully crafted, delicious whisky. I’m so glad I purchased it, and have no doubt as I grow accustomed to this style, I’ll enjoy this bottle more and more with each pour.