Tastes

Maybe not a 96, but damn! This bottle is under $30 and is well worth every penny. If you haven't picked this one up yet, now is the time. What are you waiting on?

So Ralfy named this his whisky his Whisky of the Year for 2016. I went took his advice and bought a gift set that include Ugadail and Coreyveckan. Great choice my friend. The peat is unmistakeable but this is a complex whisky that goes beyond peat and satisfies my palate unlike any other. I would much rather have this than Laphroig in all its glory. A must try for the Islay lover.

The first bottle I ever had took months to disappear. And that was after sharing it with friends who tried to give it back. But after dipping my toe into less peated whisky, my craving for more grew. Although I prefer Ardbeg 10 over this dram I can now say this is a dram I enjoy. The smell of bandaids is there but it is so much more. I can smell the ocean crashing against the Scottish shore, feel the sea breeze flowing through my beard, and taste the rich earth and fire used to peat this whisky. Not a beginner dram but once you find an enjoyment for peat you have to try Laphroig. The aftertaste is my favorite part. It lingers longer than any other whisky I know. It is where the sweetness and smoke seem to be in perfect harmony.

One of my new favorites. Gave me a new look at Islay whisky. Now I'm a fan.

The smell is intoxicating. I could smell it all day. Sweet honey and tobacco, homemade bread, seaside breeze, and fresh cut orange, carmel apple. The flavor is enjoyable with more of the same coming through. Finish has some bitterness that takes away from the experience. But I see why this is liked by so many. Reminds me of a speyside, but a bit more complex than I remember Glenlivet 12 being. Update: not sure why, but over the days as I work my way through this bottle the bitter aftertaste has disappeared and the sweet tobacco and honey flavor seems to linger longer on my palate. Really enjoying this whisky.

Wow! Absolutely worth the $10 a glass I paid at Puckett's on Nashville. Best whisky I have ever tasted. Perfect balance. Complex.