Tastes

Sweet toffee, vanilla, oak, a hint of peanuts and a fairly intense, slightly floral burn that can be tamed (but not eliminated) with some water. It comes across as a higher ABV, richer version of Four Roses Single Barrel. Definitely a worthwhile step up from Wild Turkey 101. Not my favourite profile but for barrel-strength it's a great deal at $60 in Ontario.

Review for Gibson’s Finest 18 Year Venerable. Dangerously smooth and sweet. Well balanced with soft caramel, oak, floral, and soft spice notes. I assume it’s more robust than the 12 year but it’s so smooth it’s hard to tell. It’s great but for the age and the price I wish it had a bit more oomph to it. The original 18 Year Old Rare has such rave reviews. I wonder if this is really true to that legacy? $90 in Ontario.

I understand the controversy over this one. It’s got great underlying flavour. Rich toffee, vanilla, oak, a hint of tobacco up front. I’ve got no problem with it having some heat but it can hit mid palate a bit astringent and thin and spoil the finish. It’s a decent “bang for your buck” bourbon. My advice? Just spend the extra $20 and get Rare Breed. $38 in Ontario.

The best of the Glenmorangie core range. The Original’s floral woody spice is masked and given added depth by dark fruit sherry sweetness and a hint of baking spices. It’s still a little thin and unrefined to be ideal. $91 in Ontario.

The darkest and my least favourite of the Glenmorangie range. Dark chocolate and a very slight hint of dark fruit sweetness on top of The Original’s woody spice. Too dark for my taste, like Bowmore 18 year without the peat. $96 in Ontario.

It is what it is. The Original’s floral woody spice with a sweet white wine influence. Not being one for The Original or white wine it’s not my cup of tea, especially for the price. $123 in Ontario.

Thin, floral woody spice and slight pear sweetness. Decent flavour. If it was a little smoother with a bit more richness it would be great. As it is it’s thin and unrefined. A perfect place to start but not one to go back to. $72 in Ontario.

An utterly flat and boring replacement for my dearly departed Wiser’s Legacy. Sweet woody oak and dry rye spice. Thankfully I got this as a sample with another purchase and didn’t waste my money on a bottle. $50 in Ontario.

The best heavily peated scotch I’ve had so far. I love the sweet, rich sherried influence that comes through and compliments Ardbeg’s intense meaty campfire smoke. Very nicely balanced. $176 in Ontario and worth every cent.

The best value, if not the best of the JW range. Very smooth, well balanced with sweet honey, a hint of dark fruit and soft peat smoke. It still comes across as just a little thin/very slightly charred to be ideal. For the price it’s a great buy. $80 in Ontario.