Tastes

So its been a long time since I had any Canadian whisky so I thought I would try some to see where it stacks up. Expected it to be bad from memory but hey its a new day so here we go. I nosed this so many times looking for anything resembling whiskey I almost hyper- ventilated. All I get is some watered down diet ginger ale splashed with witch hazel. Oh and there is an off note too, kinda like cod liver oil. I debated even sipping it. Braved it out and got more ginger water/alcohol with some bitter oak. Finish is mercifully short, dry and bitter. I don't see how they can even call this whiskey its brown vodka. This was a 50ml for a buck........would rather lite the dollar on fire. Still have a Canadian Mist 50ml to try, that will have to be another night cant take any more. Overall I'd call it undrinkable and good luck mixing with it. 20/100 sorry if ive offended any canucks

Waited till I had another bottle in hand to review this masterpiece. Believe the hype, believe the rankings. Its not the boldest or most complex but it doesn't matter. It is crafted to such a high level its accessible to everyone. This broad appeal is likely why its rated so highly and lauded across the web. For my sweet palate easily the best bourbon you can purchase for the money(hell Id buy it for double the cost). Poured neat, It coats the glass like a pro. Noses soft caramel and brown sugar butter drizzled with butterscotch, is there even alcohol in here?? Luscious oily mouthfeel tastes warm caramel and toffee with a dash of pepper for balance, all enveloped by a perfect oak foundation and just a kiss of heat to round it all out. Its like an oak toasted werthers infused with just the right amount of alcohol. Finish is long with butterscotch and light oak transitioning to a cinnamon aftertaste. I get no burn just contentment, this is liquid gold. With less time in the barrel than eagle rare(which is also great) it doesn't fade to dry oak instead maintaining its sweet richness. Yeah I know there are better bourbons out there from BT, I love Colonel Taylor and Stagg Jr. There is however no doubt this is the best you can get for the price($26 in my area) and will contend with bourbons costing much more. 95/100 Exceptional !!! Okay gotta bring this back a bit. Ive had much more bourbon and scotch since this early review and have a bit more perspective. Still a quality dram and great vfm but not the world beater I made it to be(maybe its gone down a bit too with all the popularity)...... 84/100

Been wanting to try this for a long time. Finally pulled the trigger. The whiskey wizards on youtube praised this and kinda convinced me to seek it out. Those guys are hit or miss and I much prefer the expertise of reviewers here and at proof 66. That said this is actually a nice bourbon. Poured neat, has a real pleasant nose of sweet vanilla, caramel, varnish note I enjoy and some soft spicy oak. Palate is bursting with flavor despite lower proof. Vanilla crème donut with sprinkles, hazelnut and baking spice with gentle oak barrel. Must be the reused supply giving the mellow wood notes. Yes this is scotch like in that way but not in flavor at all. Finish is traditional drying wood and caramel with nutty vanilla hanging around. Overall it reminds me of a golden brown toasted marshmallow over the fire. Its a VERY EASY drinker and you have to be careful not to plow through the better part of a bottle. Seasoned bourbon guys may find this underproofed but its not lacking in taste that's for sure. Beginners or someone who shy's away from stronger products will love this as its approachable, enjoyable and flavorful. The only flaw is with the price. I paid about $40 and think that's just too high for this nas non bourbon. I do really like it though and am close to elite 90/100 4 star rating but gotta dial it back for value so 88/100.........I recommend for bourbon people who want an easy drinking yet high flavor whiskey

Excited to experience this after reading reviews and ratings plus I love the 10 yr. Poured neat, darker color than 10yr with thick oily legs and complex powerful nose. Dense pinewood smoke with strong heat settles to rich salted chocolate sweetness wrapped in bacon with hints of malt. Heavy thick cream mouth feel delivers intense smoke, sweet malt with dark chocolate, burnt fatty end from a char grilled ribeye with fresh ground sea salt and peppercorns ending with a tar like note. Savory and luscious, the flavor explodes on your palate. The finish is long with strong smoke, char, tobacco, trailing malt sweetness and drying barrel wood. Its not overbearing or least bit harsh even at 114 pf( wouldn't believe it if not on bottle). Its warming, rich and delicious. Yes it costs a bit but wow its fantastic. I will probably get a bottle of this and stash for special occasions/limited use. I drank this side by side with the 10yr for comparison. It is meatier, heavier and packs a wallop. The 10 yr has the smoke more dominate in its profile and for the money is better value but hey you only live once so get both! .........96/100

Back to back with the Glendronich 12 I will say this. The GD12 is delivering more from the standpoint of a sherried scotch with the juicy fruity notes engulfing the delightful experience. There is something about Macallan that makes it unique, sets it apart. The specialization of the barley and the cut and the barrels etc. You are onboard or youre not..Im in 100%. I love this and the other Macallans Ive tried. The nose, palate and finish are familiar and close to the double cask12 as well as the 15 with rich thick texture and maltiness but the sherry fruit notes are cranked up. The malt and fruit sweetness lasts throughout as well without typical drying tannic notes. Overall its a magnificent single malt imo and worth the $58 I paid all day. Yes Macallan has a little heat to it and lacks in smoke but they have delivered such a balanced and flavorful product that the claims of overpriced don't hold water for me. Wonderful scotch......91/100

This is superb sherry finished scotch. Easily beats out 12yrs by Dalmore, Benriach, Glenmorangie, Balvenie etc. Only Macallan is on its level imo. Poured neat, nose is juicy red fruit and malt with some lovely oak and a twinge of spice. Palate carries succulent fruit and plenty of malt and spice with rich flavor density. The quality is quite evident removing any misgivings of the $58 price tag. Finish is drying wood and fruity malt that lingers long for a sherry bomb. Even get some coffee with cream notes in there as well. Overall its fantastic. Creamy texture with heavy barley malt and luscious red fruits balanced against the barrel notes and sherry dryness. Battles Macallan for my top sherry finish scotch, results to follow......92/100

Had a little scotch session at my buddy's, this was one I picked up based on the glowing 98%tile ranking on Pf66 ( plus it was on sale for $40). Neat, decent legs and coat. Nose is extremely fresh and inviting. No damp/dank notes at all. Lemon buttercream frosting, sweet sliced apple and mild honeysuckle all come through the delicate aroma. When it opens up a solid malt presence arrives. Rich mouthfeel brings dense malt flavor with some honey, peppery spice and fruit. Finish is long malt and cinnamon honey with a touch of spicy smoke and drying wood char. Carries some warming heat with it. This is balanced, crisp and lively; a bit on the dry side but still quite enjoyable. It has a subtle nature but delivers a good maltiness with flavor complexity as well. This one requires time as it may not make a huge first impression. It does come in nicely and you can taste the quality and refinement for sure. I think its a strong non-peated example. 84/100............as I progressed through the bottle this got better and better. The big takeaway for me is just how fresh and lively this smells and tastes

Fan of the 10 year and Bradan Orach this was next up the food chain. Poured neat , fresh red apple and wood with some good malt notes. Light and inviting. Palate is alive with fruity malt, some vanilla and heavy dose of oak. Must be the first fill casks coming through. Finishes with drying malt and oak, distant fading fruit (apple) and vanilla. This reminds me of Ancnoc 12 and Glenfiddich Bourbon barrel combined. Has the lively fruit and malt with the vanilla and oak. Dry finish but very fresh enjoyable scotch especially at $33. This is one I will repurchase............84/100.........really all the Speyburn line is good quality and value

Saw this on sale for $19. I had the 10 year and liked it so gave this a shot. Neat, ok legs and glass coat. Nose is lemon drops and honey with rich malt. Palate has thick malt, more honey and light candied fruit. Finish is fairly long with tasty malt drying slowly to oak. This is more refined and has more body than the 10 year. I am extremely impressed with the quality and flavor here. Very smooth and drinkable with little heat yet still robust maltiness. For under $20 this is a slam dunk. Will absolutely purchase again 85/100......fantastic value imo Update: latest bottle I purchased was not as good. Had some bitterness to the finish and lacked robust flavor as before. Still good for money but gotta lower score 78/100

This scotch goes for close to $50 in NH but I found it on sale here (Texas)for$ 35 out the door so jumped on it. Mainstay in Dewars blends and I really like the 12 yr ancestor so high hopes for Aberfeldy 12. Has coloring and only 80pf but.......Poured neat, nose has that Dewars 12 smooth fruit and malt with light smoky vanilla and even some melted butter. Its mild and inviting with ethanol nowhere to be found. Sticky glass coat and soft creamy mouthfeel bring on silky flavors of rich malt, bubble gum,honey drenched bosc pear and golden apple with some more smoky vanilla and oak at back end. Maybe just a flash of peat coffee note in there too. Finish is medium honeyed malt drying to oak with fruit and light smoke. Its not the most complex or powerful single malt but it is pretty tasty. Its everything good from Dewars12 with none of the grain alcohol harshness or drawbacks. We're talking smooth flavor and supreme drinkability with weight(none of that thin flavor delivery). One of my favorite budget non peated scotches............82/100