Tastes

Nose: a little sharp with ethanol/fuminess off the cuff but will subside some if you let it sit. A few drops of water helps it out as well. Apple, honey, cereal grains, slight herbal note, oak, others have suggested sandalwood and I can see that, hint of vanilla and cherry perhaps. Palate: better than the nose, light sweetness, apple, honey, barrel spices, black pepper, woody oak, a little smokiness, a nice herbal quality on the finish. Solid, but not a great Japanese whiskey, imo. However, some may really like this as it is just different enough from what you would get from a scotch.

Nose: rich, great depth, malt, hint of ripe fall orchard fruits of apple and pear, dark dried fruits, fig, raisins, orange peel, honey, light toasted nuttiness, sherry, leather, oak, and a whisper of smoke. Palate: full and rich, bright fruits, dried fruits, orange zest, vanilla, touch of dark chocolate, sherry, pleasant oily character on the tongue. Finish is fantastic, medium in length, with peppery barrel spices, some interesting herbal notes, a touch of tobacco smoke, old leathery notes, and a hint of more vanilla. An absolutely fantastic dram. A very expensive purchase, but, imo, well worth it.

Nose: smoky campfire, smoked meats, sea salt air, with dried fruits, orchard fruits, malt, and vanilla trying their best to poke through. Palate: as you would expect, peat smoke, savory, spices, hint of fruits, earthy, peppery barrel notes, with medium finish that is ashy, peaty, and a light touch of sea salt brine. This is straight up a Ron Swanson dram without question. And by the end of your dram, if you’re a woman, you’ll probably have a lustrous beard. And if you a man, you’ll straight up look like Sasquatch when you finish it.

Nose: not broad but surprisingly pleasant with orchard fruits, honey, brown sugar, a light peat, ocean sea salt air, toasted nuttiness, hint of a sherry finish. Palate: fruity, honey, baking spices, hint of chocolate (more on the finish), oak, peaty and barrel ashiness, mild peppery barrel spices, somewhat short finish. For a very friendly budget blend, this is actually quite pleasant. The nose may not be complicated or impressive, but the palate is actually better than it noses. A fun little find.

Nose: honey, crisp fruit, cereal grain, vanilla, cherry, light hint of citrus, a little smoke, a little oak. Palate: fruit, a slight herbal/grassy note, ashy smoke, barrel spices, a hint of bourbon, decently balanced. Not a bad offering by Jameson, but not the ideal Irish whisky I’m after.

Nose: rich, crisp, fall orchard fruits, apple, pear, honeysuckle, vanilla, sweet hay, oak, toasted malted cereal, toasted nutty notes. Palate: wonderful sweet fruity notes, vanilla, pleasant malty toasted granola or cereal, toasted almonds, cooked sugar just before it starts to get to that caramel brown color, baking spices, a light white peppery finish with a touch of salt and the end, touch of smoky barrel char. Balanced and smooth. A fantastic dram by Balvenie. And at 12 years old, very impressive. If you have the dime to spare, check this one out. Worth it.

Nose: wonderful ripe orchard fruits, pleasant dried fruits, light honey, malty toasted grains, slight nuttiness, hint of vanilla, spice, oak. Palate: fruit, dried fruit mix, sherry, spiced cake, hint of cinnamon, vanilla, a little roasted nuttiness with a touch of smokiness, tobacco. Finish is lightly peppery with the barrel char and slightly grassy note that has the mildest of bitterness. Overall, a very solid 12yr old compared to plenty of others I’ve had. Worth a try.

Nose: deep malt notes, brown sugar, dense dried fruits of holiday fruitcake, ripe orchard fruits, orange zest, baking spices, sherry, oak. Palate: dark fruits, sherry, orange zest, malty breadiness, all with peppery spices, baking spices, and a smoky tobacco touch on the finish. Although slightly hotter for an 18yr scotch, it drinks very well for the price.

Nose: green orchard fruits, pear, apple, sweet hay or straw, vanilla, light malt, not a ton of depth but still pleasant. Palate: fruit, vanilla, light toffee, short to medium finish with a peppery note and a touch of barrel char. A quality 15yr old at the price that will service well enough when you want a dram that’s a little on the lighter side but not too sharp.

N: dried fruits, pear, apple, toffee, caramel, vanilla, baking spices, and unfortunately a slight ethanol or paint fume like note (the youngness showing up) that will subside a little if set to sit. T: nearly identical to the nose with an added orange citrus to it. Short to medium finish with some floral and pepper from the barrel spices. Overall, not exactly my speed for a Speyside. But that’s what you get for a budget Scotch.