Tastes

12 yr single malt scotch for 35 bucks. How bad can it be. Well.... its not bad really just a lot of other offering SM or not are better. This has dank overripe fruits like golden raisins and apples that fell on the ground. There is some spice, a bit of malt(not enough) and barrel influence that supports to an almost bitter level. Flavors are just not very deep and the overall vibe is nothing special. I love scotch so I easily plowed this bottle but would never repurchase. Monkey/Naked/JWB/Chivas12/ Deanston Virgin/Speyburn plus others all superior.............74/100.....drinkable cheap single malt thats all

No grain nas blend of all the Campbeltown malts how can you go wrong. Seriously with the rarity nowadays of Springbank and others this is a major score. Who cares if its young its got a damn SB stamp on the f-ing bottle. Dusty creamy malt with some salted caramel/toffee. Tanned leather hung up by the seashore with ocean breeze blowing in. There are hints of the farmy SB funk but the pungent grapefruit/blood orange zest is not here, think Hazel is more forefront. There are some nice medicinal notes and hits of char and wispy smoke with earth tones. Its a bit dirty in a good way and overall worth a purchase. That said all the other offerings from region Ive had were better. Prices have shot up so much this appears to be a strong value but in reality its probably not. I think I (we) are so desperate for SB products that just acquiring raises score a bit. Its good solid quality malt blend I just wish it was $10-15 cheaper and I would feel good......88/100... cant go 4 star...yet

Been outta the loop for a while with a delightful case of Kraken Covid. Completely lost taste and smell as well as being totally ravaged by the virus symptoms. Still dealing with lung/phlegm issues but taste/smell is slowly returning. Zero whiskey for several weeks but now getting back to some drams. We've all had Woodford at one point its a solid entry level bourbon that fancies itself a bit upstream. Not going note crazy with my condition but this delivers plenty of standard flavors with a smooth pot stilled texture. Decent depth and finish with an occasional off note but overall pleasant. Value is good but honestly all the Old Forester Whiskey Row series offerings are superior regardless of price. I cannot deny this is nice for beginners and fairly well rounded but I will go upstream for my bourbon fix.....84/100.... its good not great

Gifted this bottle but it seems to be a decent value for a 14yr of this quality. Nose is soft and sweet berry compote and tangerine with a drop of Aunt Jemima sitting on a freshly lacquered bench. There are some malt notes in the background if you search. Palate is rich and creamy with good depth. Maple candies melted down into black raspberry and orange marmalade lead the way. Figs/dates add support with a nice helping of leather and oak. Baking spices accumulate throughout the pour. Finish fades the dark fruit with walnut shells fringing on bitter. Just a touch of peat on the back end alongside a trailing maltiness. This is a step up from the 12yr and is very enjoyable. Flavors are flattened out and darker than many sherry finished scotches which can be bright. I would probably take Glendro 15 over this in price range but this is a worthy contender especially if you are a Dalmore fan..........89/100......just short of vaunted 4 star for me but worth a repurchase under $95

Well this is a step back from the prior version. The nice fruity flavor saturation is gone. This has some malt and oak and traditional scotch notes but the grain presence shouts loudly and drops this out of rebuy status. This is less money but JW Black or Chivas 12 easily best this. It isn't bad by any means but not worth the time imo.......76/100.........put the 25 bucks toward something better

I have overlooked this for a long time as I did not realize it was an Arran product. It was always under $40 I just figured it wasnt worth my time. Saw it at the Twin liquor sale for 33 so picked up the bottle and read it was Arran that was all I needed. I enjoy everything from Arran and will always buy what is available. This punches way above weight class. Nose is rich fruit with nice heavy malt and seasoned wood. Not bright or thin despite suspected youth its full and rounded. Palate is creamy malt and dried apricots simmered in some baking spices. Red grapefruit sprinkled with sugar and barrel tannins lead to finish that fades the palate leaving a slightly dry malt/oak/fruit pit residue. A little sharp on the initial taste but not out of line. It has more of a blended malt feel with the notes mixed and not overly complex. Tremendous value I would say this is easily one of the best malts under $40 and I will certainly repurchase. I would of course prefer the 10 yr as well as other Arran offerings to this but the price point is the story here.........87/100......You get the bonus of Robert Burns story/heritage to ponder as well

Twin liquor sale spurred me to finally grab this. Nose is fruity and floral with some malt and cardboard. Palate is bright and crisp with plenty more orchard fruit as advertised. Barley sugar, honeysuckle and malt accompany some young tongue depressor oak. Finish is fading malty fruit with a flash of smokeless peat and drying barrel. This is pleasant and tasty but lacks real depth and heavy flavor punch. I think it does deliver on the agenda of an easy drinking fruity/floral blend with a decent malt presence. This is made for those new to scotch imo but has enough to keep experienced fans engaged. I would not repurchase at regular pricing of $50-55 but certainly rotation worthy at price I paid.....85/100

This started out decent for me. Neck pour was pretty good but coming back after some Dickel8yr this tasted strange. Tried again another night and was picking up something under the main flavors that was off. I dont know if its the youth of the whiskey or the new make in general but I couldnt drink it. Some kind of funky sour ethanol note that once detected was all I could notice. I gifted it to a co-worker hopefully he will enjoy it as I think most people like this stuff.....65/100.....Im sure I could choke this down if I had to but decided against it

Let me start by saying I am a Dickel fan. I enjoy the flintstone/smoky vanilla custard vibe in the 12. This is a little different. Its great that we get an age statement of 8yrs for under 30 bucks that is a win for sure. Nose and palate repeat with caramel for wrapping apples, some of the 12's smoky vanilla and some distant watermelon jolly rancher. There are a couple flavors that come to the front though. Its brown sugar but not deep or dark and its got a not quite leather note. I keep thinking light brown sugar and suede over and over just saturating my taste buds. Decent charred barrel oak as well this is very flavorful and crushable at same time. Good coconut milk and vanilla finish with the char fading last. Not complex by any means but an easy rotation spot with amazing value.......88/100.......will need to put this up against the 12 but think for most this is the way to go. I got this for $23 at the Twins sale so screaming deal imo

Chasing this for a long time. Nose has vanilla mint, chocolate chip ice cream and lotsa charred oak. There is some caramel and traditional Turkey funk for enjoyment as well. Palate blasts sweet smoky toffee/caramel notes while adding white pepper and spicy heat. Transitions to a long fading sweet/spicy/smoky barrel finish. Cooks the sides of your tongue with spice and oak heat. Not a high rye bourbon but sizzles like one so be prepared. This is high quality and well worth tagger if you see it. Id take it over Rare breed however the amazing value of the RR10yr and also 101 cannot be overlooked....87/100