Tastes

Well from reviews I expected this to be a solid blend. Its better than bottom dwellers but short of class leaders like JWB/Chivas. There is some creamy fruits kinda like the old Dewars 12 but the grain kicks in a bit too much for my liking. Decent but not a repurchase......76/100

This is a bourbon I was actually excited to try, its been a while since I could say that. What we have here is 14 yr age statement MGP juice wrapped in a Colorado blanket for $60-65. That's a lot of good news for the price range nowadays. Only 84 proof so don't expect a flavor punch to the head but I think that is just fine for what you do get. Nose is deep and sophisticated with rich marshmallow creme and dense fragrant applewood. Ethanol is nowhere to be found making it easy to inhale. In the background lurks some scotch tape and fleeting tobacco leaf. Palate is soft and warm. Heavy sweet oak alongside bullseye caramels and some melted butter. Its not super complex but has heavy flavor saturation and baby butt smooth. Adding a water drop or two opens things up a bit but still solid neat. Finish pours on the barrel tannins but doesn't go bitter deftly walking the over-oaked line. Lingering raw vanilla sweetness and flash of coconut milk add balance. This is a well executed seasoned bourbon for someone that does not demand high proof excitement and is an overall great value. I generally prefer the bombastic style of higher proof whiskey but this is good stuff.......88/100.... not quite A level but I'm betting many will enjoy this smooth operator more than myself

This is a budget 12 and much better than I expected. Plenty of heft in the nose and palate no thin weakling here. Bubble gum malt with poached pears simmered in butter and nutmeg. Rich deep savory flavor accentuated by the dry oak barrel influence. Has a little bit of a scotch tape vibe along the lines of Blue Peak. Decent finish with trailing sweet malt and drying almost bitter tannins. Welcome surprise that I would buy again. If you like Aberfeldy 12 give this a go its got more going on.....86/100

This is a very pleasant sherried scotch. Nose and palate are rich and full with dark red fruits and malt. Plenty of seasoned oak for balance with some nice spices as well. Long soft finish dries out short of tannic. Actually quite surprised , was expecting it to be decent but this can hold its own against the other heavy hitter 12 yr sherry bombs.....88/100

Okay let me preface by saying I am a fan of Talisker. I love the 10yr and think storm is great too. Distiller Edition was ok but not worth it to me. This falls in that camp. Its of course a lovely scotch and had no problem emptying the bottle. I just dont see it worth the upcharge from the 10. Might even take the 10 straight up. The nose is refined and the flavors are rich but overall its just good. I want to be blown away by an 18yr living in this price range(I did get mine on sale for $106). The trademark Talisker toffee is there but its like you had a forgotten hard candy in your pocket for a year then peeled off the stuck on wrapper and ate it. There is less smoke than I remember as well. Im being overly critical because this should be flat out amazing and its not. Despite all the negative ranting I cannot in good faith kill this on a score so....86/100.....Damn bottle is getting better right at the bottom...maybe it needed more air ageing

I was honestly hoping this could be a replacement for the magnificent Belle Meade Sherry. I live in Texas, I love Texas, I love Texas whiskey but this does not stand up to Belle Sherry finished. Its another Texas wheat mash bourbon so it has some dusty funk thats take it or leave it for most. Cornbread and light caramel are present but overshadowed by the sherry. They have used wet casks and rushed the whole process to market(no substitute for proper ageing). That said this is full of richness and heavy sherry flavor. Deep dark red fruits run rampart in a young immature fashion. There is some barrel wood and a hay like quality that offsets the wine but loses out overall. The positives outweigh the negs but this is overpriced at $ 60ish. I am not sorry I bought bottle but will not repurchase at price point.........85/100.....Its a tasty sherry blasted treat but needs to shave some $$ off

More Campbeltown joy. Heavy flavors of malty sugar and peated vanilla with a dusty woodsy resinous smoke profile. Creamy and delicious animal crackers and well oiled leather combine with a touch of Springbank to deliver another winner. To quote Aliens " some sort of secreted resin....yeah but secreted from what"....solid A rated scotch....90/100

This is a very nice blended malt(no grain). Fragrant and floral on the nose with a sweet waxy note. Plenty of palate richness with baking spice, creamy honeyed malt and waxy overtones alongside toasty barrel woods. Flavors are nice and full. Not a lot of fruit influence maybe a bit of golden apple. Finishes long and non bitter with breakfast tea, spicy maltiness and a sweet nectar vibe I really enjoy. The waxy honey toast takeaway here is delicious. This was a great value at my purchase point but even normal cost is worth it imo......90/100.....I'll go vaunted 4 star/90 's territory its that good

Okay this is a decent finished bourbon but its overrated imo. Port adds some nice dark fruit notes but they are subdued. This is mainly said fruit with lotsa oak closing in on bitter in the finish. Sure you can tease out some standard bourbon vanilla caramel but flavors overall are lacking depth. There is nothing really off here, its a pleasant pour that newish drinkers will pump the tires on. I think seasoned whiskey lovers will be bored at the price point. Glad I finally tried a bottle(after reading hype) but would not buy again.........81/100

This adds a little bit of flair to the solid core Kilchoman malt. There's some fruit to pick up from the Calvados cask but its masked nicely behind the salty smoke character. Fallen apples fermenting on the ground join the farmey unpasteurized cream notes of Machir Bay. Charred vanilla and maritime rope lashings in the finish with heavily seasoned wood. The smoke is not typical Islay long slow burn bbq meats more of a seared steak vibe. Yes its young but still provide plenty of flavor and depth to enjoy. Overall I really like this but don't think its worth the price bump over Machir Bay. Nonetheless another quality offering form Kilchoman ......87/100