Tastes

Ive seen glowing reviews on this(really high score at Whiskey Jug) and was excited to try. This is basically Rittenhouse100 aged two more years with 10 more proof. Pikesville is only $11 more in my neck of the woods($39.99). Poured neat, nice dark color with nose of baking spices, cotton candy, smoky oak, dusty rye and faint dill. There is a whiff of ethanol but not overbearing. 110pf coats the glass well and has oily mouthfeel. Palate is a juggernaut of sweet spice, cooked molasses, burnt pie crust, raw vanilla, rye and oak with smoky heat throughout. Rich and absolutely delicious! It runs a little hot at proof yet still remains smooth. Finish goes into next week with lasting sweet smoky charred wood, toasty cinnamon and rye spice. Bold, brash and full of flavor the extra proof really bringing it. The powerful taste delivery reminds me of Old Grand Dad 114. If you are a fan of ryes buy it, its exceptional !! You will not be sorry......92/100.......New top dog rye for me. Going through this bottle Im now picking up a wonderful rich chocolate note. This rye is truly complex and fantastic!!...

Last of my Balvenie sampler pack. Poured neat, thick glasscoat leads nose of dense malt and subdued yet rich fruit with soft wood and absolutely no hint of ethanol. Inhale all you want its just not there. Palate is blend of malt,fruits and wood with spices and honey aged to a degree of silky smoothness that is just wonderful. Long finish of more malt (still rich) and polished wood with mild peat coffee note and lingering spice. Dries out a bit but not bitter. This is another quality scotch. Of course you have to pay for the 17 year privilege. I would not pony up with the 15 year available for much less but hey if you got it you cant take it with you. Regardless of price this is tasty scotch..........89/100...........minor deduction for value

Had the 12 year DW so wanted to go side by side. Poured neat, deeper color and thicker on the glass. Nose has the same rich fruit but much more depth and smoothness is very evident. The malt and wood notes are polished and warm and it smells expensive. Palate brings a balance of delicious heavy malt with fruit, oak and spice. Just a hint of peat tops it off. The rum barrel finish delivers sweet complexity and elegance. Finish is excellent with long malty fruit, honey and wood, faint coffee and some drying but not a trace of bitterness. Overall a tasty scotch with no rough edges, rich deep flavor and a great finish....86/100........I find it better than the 12yr

Well another blend to try. Ive read some good reviews on this and 86 proof is a plus as well. Poured neat, nose is some malt, sherried fruit and gentle wood. Bit of grain sneaks in there too but not overdone. The classy elegance of the Bunnahabhain single malt shines through the palate with soft sherry soaked malt and wood. Yes the grain holds it back but this is one of the best NAS blends Ive had. Finish is traditional fading malt, mild fruit with drying wood but no real off notes. Overall Im pleased with this blend. Its changed dramatically from the former heavy peat version. This doesn't really have much peat ( just a hint of sweet smoke) The only Islay left is the Bunna and that's fine with me. This is fairly rounded and the grain doesn't ruin the whole experience. Good solid blend......78/100 (blend score).......All that being said I would spend the extra Jackson or so and get the Bunna 12yr and explore high quality single malt

Ok finally bit the bulleit(sorry) and got this. Im familiar with the mash as its very common in the rye world(Thanks MGP). Im not gonna go all in on tasting notes as past reviews have that covered. This is a tasty rye with nice balance and its very enjoyable. For the money its a good buy and I recommend . What I will add though is this is without a doubt the same juice and flavor profile as James Pepper Barrel proof that I so heavily lauded. Yes the JPBF is superior but the Bulleit is no slouch. Bottom line is if you are a fan of this rye than seek out the JP if you can find it. Same situation as Rittenhouse vs Pikesville. As for Bulleit........78/100........a solid rye whiskey and strong value

At long last the Lag 16 is mine. Poured neat, the nose ....ok wait a minute, there is a lot going on here. This is a scotch that needs to be thoroughly explored. Smoke, menthol, malt, nougat, leather, bacon, sea salt mined from the Mediterranean sea or some exotic place, black grapes and more all await . You just have to dig, its worth it. This is an advanced scotch. Palate is so rich, succulent and enlightened it makes Lap 10 and Ard 10 seem like kindergarten. Smoke and malt sure, but its so much more. Its the smoke from the fires of Asgardian temples. The malt carries the weight of Mjölnir. There's sweet nougat, the highest quality smoked cured meats, the richest roasted coffee grounds with delicate sherry overtones and dark chocolate. Are you F...ing kidding me? BDanner calls out layers and he's spot on this keeps unfolding and morphing into intricate flavor nuances. This is for true lovers of peated scotch. If you are not fanatical about smoky whisky don't spend your money here as you will not see the value. If you are a real peathead there is no other experience that will equal this imo...........99/100 ......near perfection in this heavenly elixir

Found this for $53. Poured neat, thick globby coat and legs. Nose is smoky sweet with nougat, malt, fresh hay, bread dough and campfire. Palate brings delicious smoked malt, peaty vanilla and dark coffee bean. Not a lot of barrel, more about the malt. Finishes with long Islay smoke and malt, fading bread, light oak and peat. Some bitterness does creep in but not overdone. This is young for age stated scotch and has a little sizzle to it but delivers complexity and depth. In line with Ardbeg 10 profile moreso than others. Another winning smoky scotch, I absolutely adore them! ......89/100.....This is great but not worth the extra $ over Ardbeg or Lap 10 as those are both excellent as well. Bottom line is the Islays are money, you can count on the quality. Nothing out there like smoky scotch!

Im a fan of the Deanston Virgin oak so been looking at this one for a while. $41 on sale so had to go for it. Poured neat, nose brings bananas foster, malt and spicy oak. 86 proof is higher than some other Glenfidds but deep inhales are unencumbered by ethanol. Palate is lots of sweet vanilla, caramel and rich malt bolstered by the spicy oak. Carries a little sizzle and heat but the deep flavor is worth it. Has a kind of cream soda vibe to it. Finishes with fading malty vanilla, cinnamon oak and char. This is another candidate for bourbon guys looking for a scotch. Plenty for the scotch lovers too. Its got robust malt, good sweetness and strong barrel char influence all with a 14yr age statement(though it drinks like a 12). I think this is a tasty albeit hot single malt........84/100.......better than the 12 yr but the 15 and 18 are cut above

Got the last bottle at specs for $38. Most rye drinkers are familiar with MGP 95/5 mashbill as its the source for many popular brands. What sets this one apart is the 114.6 proof , natural color and non-chill filtered creating a robust oily whiskey. Poured neat, nose is menthol, clove, ginger, tea leaves, tobacco and a hint of maple. Its a very rich herbal experience. What im not getting is ethanol or the trademark dill note, maybe it will come in time. Palate is punch in the face of aggressive rye spice, strong peppery heat, more menthol and clove balanced with Terry's chocolate orange and honey sweetness. Mouthfeel is thick and clingy coating with flavor that rushes in like the Ride of The Valkyries and lingers. Finish is all day with chocolate orange, rye and clove spice leading to barrel oak, heavy char and fading menthol. This is legit rye. You know how the cask strength bourbons are richer and full of flavor well I guess same holds true for rye. Make no mistake , smooth this is not. We're talking grown mans rye not for beginners.This is a powerhouse whiskey that I highly recommend to experienced drinkers if you can find it..........88/100..........completely different profile than Pikesville but almost as enjoyable as a pure high %rye...........update: I pick up the dill after glass rests for a while but its shrouded in all the other notes

Spotted this for $16 and figured I like sweet bourbons so I should try this........mistake. Poured neat, nose is some caramel and spice with some heat and a dose of oak. Palate is slightly nutty with more caramel, heated cinnamon, strong oak and a bit of peppery spice. Finish is where it goes to hell for me. Drying caramel, cinnamon and oak turns bitter and even a bit sour(like you swallowed some acid reflux). This wont hit you at first. It seems pretty decent then slowly it develops the bile-like aftertaste and it really ruins the whole thing for me. I actually dumped out a couple pours which I never do. This was just not for me...........60/100.....one of my lowest bourbon scores, very disappointed I thought I would like this...ymmv