Tastes

As a lover of smoky scotch I may be at a disadvantage with this one. Im used to powerhouse Islays and the like which blow the doors off this. For me Im searching for the peat and smoke. Where is it? I would say this is mild smoke/peat at best. Mainly tastes like standard Grouse with some ashy char overtones. Its not bad but if I want smoke im not coming here. The grain component is all too present just as the regular release. If youre looking to tryout peated scotch don't buy this get a single malt such as Ardmore or Spey river or step up to the Ardbeg/ Laphroaig camp and thank me later...........71/100.....too much grain hit for good(80) rating but has enough honey malt to be decent.

Was able to get a 375ml for $26 so not bad. Poured neat, dark color leads nose of toasted marshmallow, banana nut muffin and smoky charred oak. Minor whiff of ethanol but my bottle is 133.7 pf so less than expected. Oily mouthfeel leads out palate of rich deep sweet banana taffy with sturdy oak and char supported by a nutty, singed pie crust note that is to die for. This is succulent and delicious, a universe away from standard Jack. I tried a drop of water which added more butter, nuttiness and oak however even at proof neat is wonderful and my preference. Finish is long with drying sweet candied nuts,char and buttery oak. Amazing!!!! Drinks like a 100 proofer so lookout. Im in total agreement, this whiskey is fantastic. I prefer a sweeter taste and this brings it in spades yet is still balanced with oak/char. Bookers is still the best "bourbon" Ive had but this JDSBBP (Tennessee whiskey)stands shoulder to shoulder with it.......96/100.........I am a fan of #7 and know many are not but would be SHOCKED if anyone didn't rate this at least a 4/5..........world class stuff just buy it already!

Found a sampler pack of Balvenie 12,14,17 this is first up. Poured neat, nice amber color with moderate glass coating. Nose is rich fruit, slightly overripe yet still fresh walking the line nicely. Apple, pear, peach and plum all come through with some sweet spices and gentle hints of malt and barrel. Quite a delightful nose. Mouthfeel is a bit thin and palate starts off heated. Some malt and wood with light fruit and honey but a step down from the nose. Lacks power and depth but is tasty nonetheless. Finish is medium with fading malt, distant fruit, clover honey and some drying wood transitioning to slight bitterness. Overall a little thin and lacking for top rating but the nose is great and flavors are definitely enjoyable. I like it better than Glenmo 10 and some others but there are stronger choices for the $ imo............82/100......... good scotch just not great

At long last I grabbed a bottle of this heavyweight bourbon. I love OF Signature 100 so this stuff has a lot to measure up to. Poured neat, deep dark color sets the stage. Swirling it coats the glass like motor oil with thick globby legs. Nose is rich and pungent with melted brown sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon, cooked molasses, caramel apple, hardwood varnish and sweet wood. Complex and powerful. Luscious mouthfeel leads massive palate of creamy dark caramel, candy apple, rye spice, dark chocolate covered cherries and singed graham cracker crust all bolstered by sturdy oak. Great weight and depth. The flavors keep surging and morphing as you ride the wave of 115 proof to long lasting finish of baking and rye spice, raw cinnamon, fading dark toffee/caramel and rich sweet butter and oak . Slightly drying near end to balance out all the sweet notes. Warming sensation from the 115 heat is like a comforting hug. Absolutely fantastic! Easily drinkable neat or add some water to taste. I recently had KC single barrel and Stagg JR, two superb high proof contenders but will take this over both. Its more accessible, smoother and deeper. Bottom line this is one of the best bourbon Ive ever had. Its super rich with perfect sweetness and balance(OF100 on steroids)...........93/100.....cant recommend enough, buy this high octane candy!!!..........damn I love this mashbill!

Nose is wonderful butterscotch with spice. Palate has caramel, maybe even a little graham cracker, just enough spice and heat carries over to the long finish along with the sweet caramel. Oily texture which I love. Easy drinking not at all harsh at 101 proof. Overall very solid at this price($22 on sale)

Realized I haven't reviewed this Irish sales leader. Have had plenty through the years. Poured neat, nose has some mild vanilla and spice, little bit of wood and a good dose of grain cutting through. Palate brings some smooth vanilla notes with mild spice and oak but again the grain dominates. Finish is bitter wood, fading light sweetness and again with the grain alcohol . This gets a lot of love but I think it used to be much better, now its too much vodka like grain notes to enjoy neat. Still better than ALL Canadian but I will never purchase this standard release again.............69/100........like a lower end scotch blend only with less taste

Just opening the bottle I smell the smoke! Poured neat, oily in the glass it coats well. Nosing this is unlike anything ive ever had. Yes I get the bandaids, the pungent powerful smoke, the salt air, menthol, as advertised. No pun its intoxicating. Its the smoke.......it is so present, but it has a sweetness buried in it. Like you threw a marshmallow right into the campfire, screw the stick. A whole bag of em, plastic too and it burnt to a charred crispy glob, yeah baby! Tasting starts with smokey char morphing into creamy burnt marshmallow sweetness, sizzling thick cut salted bacon, then back to applewood smoked bbq with a loooong finish of sooty malty goodness ( finish is so long you'll taste it next day!). The luscious smoke surrounds the whole experience. More notes come in time. Just as it sits in the glass it mellows some and I can taste the malt coming through more with touch of honey. As it continues to open up and my palate adjusts I can get clarified butter on nose and milk chocolate on palate. This is meaty and ultra savory. Very complex and rich with an abundance of flavor. Also at 92pf there is no burn just quality. Contrary to some reports it does not taste like an ashtray or a burning hospital. This stuff changes my perception of what whisky can be. There is nothing to fear , Ardbeg is magnificent!!! I don't know why I waited ......91/100 ...smoke nirvana.

This is great whiskey. Another hit from the Buffalo Trace distillery. Nose for me is vanilla and some root beer and butter, on to vanilla with plum sweetness and a little heat that fades to oak(very nice) water brings out more oak in nose and palate, finishes with slight dry bitterness but in a good way. Medium mouthfeel, overall an excellent bourbon ...86/100....great value for 10 yr age statement

Been looking for this for a while. Comes in wooden box with plexiglass front panel adding to the special nature of this bourbon. Poured neat, nose is surprisingly subdued. There's nutty caramel, cinnamon, dry cocoa and oak but the proof is masked. Yeah there is ethanol but not what you would expect. There is also a delightful maypo cereal note that I love! As it rests baking spices(nutmeg/clove etc)come in and the nutty notes step up to the front. Palate is rich and succulent with amazing refinement and sophistication for such a high proof. Caramel and cashew explode with spicy cinnamon, melted butterscotch, real maple syrup and toasted oak joining in but it all backs down and evens out to an elegance Ive only experienced with high end scotch. Ive never had Pappy but this is what I would imagine it would be like with all the hype. The mouthfeel is oily and wonderfully thick and sustains all the way through to finish. Fading cinnamon, caramel and spicy oak combine with cocoa powder, maple butter and gourmet premium nuts to produce a long satisfying end to this masterpiece. Gets better with each pour as more flavors get teased out and complexity increases. It is remarkable as it drinks like a 90 proof wolf in sheep's clothing. The flavors are powerful yet the silky smooth delivery is unrivaled. This batch is truly magnificent bourbon imo...........95/100.........best of the best of the best as Will Smith said in MIB...the overriding nutty caramel butterscotch quality balanced with perfect oak is fantastic and the lack of heat interference at 124pf is hard to believe. Be careful as this will kick in despite easy time emptying your glass. Highest recommendation......Spend some time with this, at first taste I figured around a 94 score but it kept improving and developing until I realized this is absolute bourbon perfection...... I will be buying another bottle of this batch before its gone regardless of price, maybe two or three, hell if I can get a case I will

I really enjoy this for what it is...solid bourbon. Has that nice Beam spice with a vanilla custard note and good oak. No its not complex or special but that's ok when you just want a good pour youre not gonna ponder over. I realize there are better cheaper options but I still come back to this in my rotation