Tastes

Gala apples, spearmint, licorice, clover honey, black cherry, bavarian creme, biscoff, nutty, creamy grits, coffee, bitter oak, spicy. Not bad, but the nose was more interesting than the palate.

Closer to Jim Beam line than other knob creek labels. Jim beam peanut funk, nutty barley, grassy rye, succulent oranges, cream soda, sweet tobacco, big brand maple syrup, clove, peppery, roasted plantains. Fantastic. Would also recommend Russell's Single Barrel.

Rich lemon curd, buttery, roasted corn, vanilla cake & buttercream frosting, fresh mint, toasted coconut, nutmeg, peppery, burnt sugar, a bit of nutty barley, soft oak tannins. Superb and still affordable.

Hot & more heat. Animal cracker, cinnamon bark, clove, nutmeg, vanilla pudding, butter, prominent lemon pith, herbal, heavy oak tannins, grassy, fennel, praline. Not as good as previous years, especially before statesman release.

Bottled 10/21. Signature Laphroaig 'green' peat lays itself down heavy but I think 'monster' is a bit of a misnomer. Laphroaig peat has a brighter vegetal character than other Islays. Juicy anjou pear, orchard honey, nonspecific baking spices, baked red apples, leather, grassy, mild chocolate, nutty, sea brine, wet hay, shortbread, vanilla buttercream, meyer lemon, real tannic french oak bite cuts through all the sweetness at the end. Probably the lightest colored whisky I've ever had. The palate leans closer to caol ila. Like other compass box labels, does not develop well with oxidation. But that's coming from someone that never tried the legendary Brora releases.

Signature buffalo trace maraschino cherry & char, creamed corn, vanilla creme, peppary oak spice, ceylon cinnamon, a bit malty, grassy rye, herbal, candied orange peel, puff pastry, clover honey. Develops well with some oxidation.

Deep, lasting caramel all the way through. Candy corn, bitter French oak spice, nonspecific cognac/ugni blanc grape, red plum, nutmeg, clove, buttery, caraway, apricot, herbal mint, mandarin oranges, floral dew. The PX Sherry influence was more subdued and pleasant compared to other whiskys. Reminds me of dickel a little. Could be since it's a blend.