Tastes

Captivating with its deep amber hue, this dram is an elixir that clings to the glass like resin. The nose blooms enticingly slowly, and I sense tart cherry preserves, aromatic tobacco, and banana tarte tatin; as it continues to open up a sweet oiliness becomes apparent. The palate features so many qualities at once, and the mystery is that each note you find plays seamlessly together, not distracting you from one that you'd think would be out of place. Among these are raspberries and cream, polished leather, gentle brine, an unreal woodiness, and mellowed peat. These are discovered in the midst of a leathery mouthfeel. The opposites keep attracting in the finish, where the burn is intensely tannic yet delicately suave, spicy like chili powder yet refreshing like mint. This was accompanied brilliantly by a My Father Nicaraguan cigar rolled exclusively for Federal Cigar in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. All in celebration of Mitch's wedding. Cheers.

Oily, marine scent with an unassuming floral character on the palate. The finish is also maritime, and the smoke wisps into salty air. Sweet aftertaste. Light, youthful, easy, pleasant.

Sweet smelling, with cereal, light honey, and an even lighter smokiness. The taste is straightforwardly malty but is helped by the sticky sherry influence. Actually, no, the sherry turns quickly into a less pleasant medicinal wave, which unfortunately seems to dominate the finish too. There might be some cinnamon and slight smoke hiding beneath it all, but it seems rushed, thrown together, unsure of itself.

I love how light in color this gem is. Rubber freaking band. A green leather armchair (and the sound you hear when you sit in it). Seaweed, smoke, and the char of a smoked beef brisket. Finishes to infinity and beyond with peat and slight hints of wintergreen. Update: My incredible wife surprised me with a bottle of this. Further nosing reveals a sweeter, more buttery whisky than I remember—smoked Gouda and Macintosh apples in addition to all that phenolic goodness. The palate's more nuanced notes beneath the peat and oil include bergamot and caramel cream.