Tastes

I love the smoke so was looking for a low cost Islay to try as most are well over $40. This was only $20, went in with low expectations as reviews were mixed. At least its a single malt and theory is its from Bowmore as they own the McClelland brand(some speculate 5 yr old). Poured neat, clings to the glass pretty good. Solid peat smoke, bandaids and olives on the nose. As it opens the smoke wanes a little and salty cured meat moves in with some malt. Thin oily mouthfeel brings more sweetness than expected. Its malt, caramel and brine with char. Has a fatty/greasy note that comes as sweetness fades. Still brings some smoke but not as much as nose promises. Finish is medium with ashy smoke and greasy char. This lacks the refinement, intensity and complexity of the true peat monsters(such as Ardbeg).. its not on that level but is priced accordingly. What it does have is Islay smoke, good maltiness and a budget price, this bests blends in this range imo. Its not for everyone though, its kinda dirty and rough around the edges. It did grow on me though as I spent time with the bottle. I would pay the extra and get the real deal but for $20 this is a good cheap Islay intro. 72/100 ........If this is the Bowmore throwaway stuff Im looking forward to trying what they actually put their name on

This bottle is barreled 2/3/11 bottled 8/19/19 barrel # 1108.........Better than the 2008 vintage I had before. Poured neat nose has plenty of caramel and butterscotch with oak and resin and a touch of stewed fruit. Palate is buttery smooth with rich caramel, heavy oak, anise and peppery spice. Excellent flavor delivery and has some depth. Finish is standard dry barrel oak but the sweet buttery notes linger setting this apart. Not super complex but great value here at high 20$-low30$ for a single barrel age statement bourbon. Im gonna grab another of this years edition........88/100.....very impressed, best EW ive had to date despite lower proof. Will become a mainstay for me

One of the higher rated blends out there so happy to finally purchase. Reviews seem to be mixed with a lot of claims of overrating. Poured neat, nice slick glasscoat. Nose is honey lemon-menthol cough drop along with mild sweet smoke and dusty wood. Its better than it sounds. Soft mouthfeel leads to palate of smoky honey, smooth malt, cocoa powder and wood. Slight cooling menthol note carries through to finish of fading honey, malt, smoke and drying wood. This is a tasty blend. Has a nice overall roundness to it with good weight and balance. There is a trace of grain but the 12 yr aging has tamed any concerns. Not a fruit profile scotch such as Dewars 12, leans more on the smoke and honey. I really enjoy this approach and will tell you if you like this than Bruichladdich Classic will rock your world. Overall easily one of the top blends and very good value at high $20-mid $30.......85/100......will definitely repurchase full 750ml(bought 375)

Ok so I really like the Storm and have been wanting to get my mitts on this for a while. Poured neat, nose is smoky caramel and malt with a little fruit and spicy oak. Creamy mouthfeel leads palate of rich malt, raw vanilla and butterscotch, roasted coffee bean, sweet barrel wood all wrapped in a luscious layer of smoke. Not the heavy handed Lap/Ard campfire with sizzle and fire. Think more along the lines of Lag16 refinement, yeah its good. Finish is forever with smoke and wood and malt and buttery salted caramel.......you get the idea. Just has a fullness and roundness to it that is great. I love this scotch...94/100........ I cant imagine how good the 18 or 25 is. I usually don't spend into that territory as Im a drinker not a taster. My bottles don't usually hang around long without concerted effort or just putting away. Better than the Storm imo

Purchased for $35 in MA, great buy! Nose is smooth malt and sweet fruits with honey. Orange and fig balanced with barrel wood. Palate is strong dose of oranges, honey, rich malt and more oak. The finish is dry wood and fleeting malt with fruit. Its really a refined scotch. Wish I had more time to ponder over and refine my tasting notes but this bottle went quick due to circumstances along with the Lap select. Overall I really enjoyed the citrus notes and good malt presence. Its a little too oaky dry for my elite upper rankings but is still top notch imo.....88/100

Ok finally opened this puppy for review. Still had some Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare saved to compare. Neat, coats glass well with sticky legs. Noses deep caramel, toffee and butterscotch with rye notes ( bread dough, baking spices, faint dill) heat is subdued for proof. Lush creamy mouthfeel carries powerhouse caramel toffee with spice rack and nutty cashew note. Finishes long and delicious with the nutty sweet caramel and spice with oak. Some cinnamon comes in late. Never goes bitter maintaining the richness of the palate. This tastes like a cross between Buffalo Trace and Old Forester Signature100, only better. It has the velvety sweetness of BT with the robust power of OF100 all kicked up a notch. Absolutely fantastic!Balanced sweet with rye notes and 100 proof heat yet smooth and delicious, what more could you ask for an absolute gem of a bourbon .....90/100

This is a budget blend that divides opinion. Ive read this is bottom shelf rot gut scotch. Ive also read this is a great scotch for the money. Im with the second group, this is a solid value. High malt ratio of 45% with Ardmore as the core plus 86 pf. Poured neat, nose has some peat but not strong like an Islay, its subtle but present. Notes of malty honey, distant fruit, buttered bread dough and sweet wood. The weight and heft are very surprising at this price point($25 for a handle 1.75). Creamy mouthfeel leads to palate of nice thick sweet malt, light peat smoke, toffee and some barrel char. Finish is some lingering mild smoky peat and good amount of oak and char with toffee and malt. More flavor than you would expect from a low price blend. Seriously this does not taste like a cheap scotch, its quite good(for the $). Yes it does have some grain note detriment but it is a blend so some is normal. It runs a little hot with some edge but is not an issue. Not complex but has lots of flavor, rare peat influence and plenty of malt. Huge bang for the buck and recommended............76/100.......value factors into score but this blend can stand on its own. It blows away JW Red and Dewars for about half the $$..This is the Ezra Brooks of scotch blends.

Eager to try EWSB as it has great reviews. I understand this is year/batch dependent. Barreled 8/26/08, bottled 9/27/16- barrel # 408. Poured neat, good glass coat. Deep dark caramel and butterscotch nose. Dusty oak, slight nutty character and rye spice. Standard mouthfeel brings a well of sweet caramel and baking spices, some rye and oak carried by good heat. Very rich and velvety. Finishes long, caramel, cinnamon and oak lingering. I find Heaven Hill bourbons to have more barrel influence than other distillers. This is hella good, sweet and savory. Great value too at mid $20's( $26 paid). Easily worthy of a rotation spot..... 86/100 ........Is good from the get go but improves quickly once bottle is opened. Will try other vintages for sure!

Looks like I have the 2017 edition. Poured neat the color is very light but so is Ledaig 10. Nose has a farm like quality like a bucket of right from the cow milk. Of course there is smoke along with earthy malt and youthful wood. Palate is filtered smoke with malt and light French vanilla coffee. Despite the lack of aging it is very refined. Finish is long carrying the smoke and creamy malt/coffee with gentle non drying barrel. Pretty tasty indeed reminds me of Bunna Toiteach profile with the smoky vanilla. This of course means I now have to try their other expressions....darn........89/100......If you enjoy Islay this is worth it

Have seen many positive reviews on this so I went ahead and got it for $33 on sale. This is sourced bourbon though they will be producing their own soon. Poured neat, good legs and nice mouthfeel. Nose has vanilla, black cherry and a touch of rye spice. Some heat on the nose but not overbearing. Palate is sweet vanilla with cherry oak, mild caramel nuttiness and heat. Not a lot of body but the cherry vanilla is focused. Finish is medium with spice, oak and lingering sweetness. It runs a little hot as the proof doesn't expand and bloom the flavors just adds heat. My preference leans to the sweet side but would not repurchase. Its not bad, just not enough complexity, balance or depth to warrant price......71/100.....I paid $33 but at $40 or more there are so many better choices for same or less just steer clear imo