Tastes

I love Lag 16 and very much enjoy Lag 8. I had high hopes for this one(actually didn't know I got Guinness casks till I read label at home thought I bought standard release) Well Im pretty disappointed considering the price. Ok its not all bad were talkin Lagavulin Islay but too thin for my tastes. You get solid nose of smoky meats and brine. Palate is initially tasty with smoky vanilla and malt but its so short leading to the finish that is lacking with fading smoke and malty barrel dryness. If this was 20 bucks less sure ok but at $75+ I honestly have no use with the 16 out there for not too much more and the 8 for less. Of course I enjoyed the bottle(cmon its Lag) but would not repurchase..............84/100....hit for value and lack of depth/creaminess........I realize this review is harsh for a pretty solid score but I expect automatic 4+ stars for Lagavulin

This is a wonderfully satisfying rye separating itself from the sea of mgp 95 and barely legal. Poured neat nose is Christmas tree, dark chocolate, brown sugar, baking spice and zesty wood leaping out of the glass. Its strong and deep but without overbearing ethanol. Palate is loaded. There's sweet with melted toffee, nougat and cocoa powder. Pinecone, vibrant rye spice and barrel tannins provide the confectionary counter. There is a straw/hay note adding a touch of dryness to the experience. Its very complex changing sip to sip morphing flavors back and forth. Finish is long with lingering malted milk balls, spicy rye, pipe tobacco and toasted oak. This is what pure rye should be offering plenty of sugar and spice. ....83/100

I have not had an Arran that wasn't very good. This is no exception. The nose brings sweet peat and resinous smoke ala Balvinie week of peat. Malty rich vanilla, dusty blanket and weathered oak as well. There is some crisp fruit undertones if you are patient. Palate is familiar Arran malty blast with soft sugary smoke riding shotgun. Fruit takes a backseat to antique shop and earthy peat with a healthy dose of salinity. Finish is malty smoke with sea salt drying to aged leather and wood. This is not the heavy handed Islay profile more in line with Bunna/Balv/Benriach smokers. Overall a delicious example.....88/100....All the Arrans Ive had are very good not amazing but as I keep trying other offerings the consistency of quality elevates the whole line.

8 yr blend in port cask finish for 21$ why not. Okay the grain presence is still there and its not complex blah blah blah. This is a nice fruity blend with just a twang of peat. Good and tasty enough to consume neat but cheap enough to mix without a thought. This is better than standard Dewars but alas the 12 yr takes it for only a few$ more in my area. I think that gulf is greater elsewhere though adding to the value. At $20-25 you really cant go wrong so give it a try if you like wine finished scotch........76/100

03205 is the stave profile. 111proof-This is Full Belly restaurant in San Antonio selection. Heavy sweet cornbread and poundcake, coconut flakes with some good baking spices and toasted barrel on the nose. Cinnamon and caramel lurk in the background teasing the palate. Strong flavor delivery of crumbcake drizzled with melted caramel, dark chocolate, oak and spice lead to finish of drying woods and spices but the sweet caramel cake holds its ground to add balance. This is very good bourbon though a tick overpriced imo. Barrel strength is almost as good for less winning the value equation. This is more buttery and complex and honestly you win with either one.........89/100.....okay just re-read my MMCS review and have to say this is better rounded and is laced with caramel sweetness so despite price I will even them up....86/100 . Major thanks to two of my favorite co-workers who got this for me as a wonderful gift. Thanks again!!

Full on sherry bomb this has been on my hit list for a bit. On sale for $53 and I need a sherried scotch to replace the wonderful Balvenie 15 I just finished off. This stuff is a similar profile to good ole Mac 12 with less body and mouthfeel. Nose is candied fruits, some good malt notes and splintered wood. You have to dig a little as its a little reserved. Palate reminds me of those sugared orange slices jelly candy surrounded by rich malt ,vanilla coconut milk, baking spices and toasted barrel. Its quite tasty and repeated sips elevate the flavors. Finish is a tad short with the fruity spiced malt fading fast and the wood drying just so ever slightly bitter. It delivers what you'd expect from a quality sherried scotch. It cannot keep up with GD or Mac but in line with many other competitors. Im willing to bet the vaunted batch strength or the 15 yr are fantastic. Overall glad I purchased and will continue with this distillery......86/100

I have been burnt by Total Wine brands in the past and told myself enough already and sworn them off. Alas the attraction of low price single malt keeps calling but I held my ground and refrained. We've all had the total wine employee pitching one or another house brands only to be disappointed in the end. They were at it again as I scoped out the Islay section....Oh have you tried this Shieldaig, its said to be Caol Ila you know. Yeah right sure I thought and blew him off. Just then some guy rushes down the isle stops where I am looking and grabs the last two bottles of this stuff. I left intrigued to say the least. For whatever reason this was out of stock every subsequent visit making me want it all the more. I strolled in the other day with the Ardbeg Wee Beastie promo truck outside the store and blam this was in stock on sale for $19.99. Talk about a setup for a big letdown. Ill tell you this is by no means as good as Ardbeg or Lap 10 or even wee beastie. I also do not know if this indeed is a Caol Ila product. What I do know is this is hands down the best budget Islay in existence. For 20bucks could be the best value scotch as well. Its got the nose and palate peatheads want. Plenty of ashy smoke and salty cured meats, malt and barrel. Not super deep or complex but great straightforward flavors. Finish is only soft spot but its an Islay after all so there is always good smoke duration even if it mostly trails off quickly. Looking for a smoke 'n coke partner you've found it. Im not trying to oversell this but at pricepoint it really is awesome. Easy repurchase without a thought and also a great way to introduce someone to peated scotch. Keep expectations in check and you will be very pleased....85/100...bump for value

Balcones High Plains 131 proof it brings the heat in typical Balcones fashion. In fact for a while after opening this just seemed overly hot like the Mirador. However air has helped this calm into another delicious Balcones malt. This splits the difference between the Peated, Single malt and Lineage. Its got the rich chocolate malted milk ball sweetness and thick raw honey alongside malty wood notes, baking spices, pipe tobacco and a flash of peachy fruit. Great depth and power its integrated very well, this is another home run for Balcones. If you cant find this no worries you will be just fine with the standard single malt/Peated /Lineage. This is kinda cool as the barley was grown in Texas making this State sustained single malt. I am not on the Balcones payroll but Im telling you these mofo's are bringing it.....lookout. As for High Plains yeah its real good if you let it breathe for a while...90/100

Well I must say I prefer the old 95 pf version(reviewed) more than this. This is a bit hotter and more oaky. Its still decent but seems to fall away from the KCSB Reserve path and ends up being more like a supped up JBBlack with some citrus notes. Value is not awful at low 30ish but no way would I repurchase. Ive seen some comparison to Bakers but imo Bakers crushes it with a rounder sweet nut profile. Perhaps Im being harsh as my overall score is decent.........80/100