Tastes

Super-Ardbeg, cranked up to 11. Preferred without water (amazingly). NOSE: Sweet chimney smoke on a crisp night Near-ocean peat Chocolate & peanut butter Sweet ginger & lime Pickle brine Grilled whitefish Honey-butter A little Laphroaig-like “band-aid” Beautiful mossy note in the background PALATE: Intense & syrupy Indian Pakora (breaded fried onions) Dark maple syrup FINISH: Eternal Earthy smoldering pine Roasted parsnip A certain metallic note lingers, copper? By a far measure, my favorite Ardbeg. Their Uigedail was delicious, but Lagavulin 16 integrates peat & sherry much more cohesively. For straight-up smoke-on-the-ocean, Corryvrecken is sovereign. Dry glass: smoky beeswax.

NOSE: Sweet unripe pears Vanilla Floral bar soap Gentle cinnamon Faint roasted peanuts Touch of milk chocolate & caramel PALATE: Astringent Ripe kiwi More caramel, almost salt-water taffy FINISH: Medium length Menthol Powerful, sweet oak sustains A generous gift from my father, from his last business trip in the UK. Dry glass: fresh baked blueberry scones!

NOSE: Without water (50% ABV) On very first impression, the faint odor of latex paint... like a freshly painted room (in a strangely comforting way). With water (down to around 43%) Sweet vanilla custard Fresh baked French baguette Browned butter Old-fashioned dry ginger ale Some distant gentle smoke, incense? Hints of nutmeg Mouth-watering PALATE: Unripe Anjou pear Sweet barley sugar Candle wax Slightly medicinal FINISH: Musty oak Bittering Slightly skunk-like at the very end (but again, in a strangely comforting way)! Dry Glass: simple malted barley.

Yet another Talisker doppelgänger! NOSE: Woody smoke, less peat, more smoldering resinous pine needles Savory corned beef and cabbage Sweet fresh cracked peppercorn PALATE: Sharp orange marmalade Ocean brine Barley and malt chocolate FINISH: Quick but complimenting Orange zest and oak Quite happy to nab the very last bottle I could find, 300 miles from home... and dangerously easy to quaff on these chilly winter nights! Dry Glass: Roasted nuts and smoky beeswax.

NOSE: Sweet smoky baked beans Smoked ham hock Strawberry jam Smoked paprika Salty sea air & crushed seashells PALATE: Strangely refreshing Juicy grilled nectarine Dark chocolate FINISH: Roasted vegetables with salt & pepper Luxurious peat Slight medicinal hint Thanks to Jason Wu (AKA Dreaming of Islay) for the generous sample! Dry glass: dark chocolate ganache & salted caramel.

Long time, no see! NOSE: Deep Rich & figgy sherry Scones with raisins Winter spices Star anise Clove Dark oak with along with a hint of it’s varnish. PALATE: Intense Sharp at the edges Slightly medicinal Cherry-cola FINISH: Powerful oak Hint of varnish returns Powdered cocoa lingers Tolerates added water well. “Sherry-bomb” as defined in a dictionary should just have a picture of this... recently shared at a tasting party and damn it, they guzzled half the fifth... winner of the night! Dry glass: tart frozen strawberries.

Nose: Rich dark cocoa Vanilla Browned butter Caramelized salt Palate: Sweet and earthy Baked apple skin Crispy edges of scratch-made brownies Something “grassy” in a pleasant way Finish: Peat smoke Roasted red pepper Deep oak Bittering “Eminently delightful”. Belated kudos to Jason Wu (AKA Dreaming of Islay) for the sample. Dry glass: Walking through a damp and mossy old-growth spruce forest.

1.25oz w/ 2tsp. water NOSE: Intense warm vanilla Cake batter Roasted macadamia nuts Sweet and savory sherry Loose Darjeeling Plain bar-soap PALATE: Rich and oily mouthfeel Sharp caramel Vegetal, but not quite "celery" FINISH: Deep oak Sweet cinnamon Cracked black peppercorn Ginger lingers longest Sample shared by our beneficent Pranay (AKA PB Michigan Wolverine). Dry Glass: Rooibos

Nose: Seawater Diesel fumes Moldering oranges Boiled peanuts An antique car's disintegrating leather seats. Tiny hints of rose & chocolate chip cookie dough. Palate: Sweet charcoal Spicy oak Dried apricot Finish: Brazil nuts Grilled salmon Touch of parsley or cilantro The smell of your clothes the day after burning all your earthly possessions. Sample graciously supplied by Jason Wu (AKA Dreaming of Islay). Dry Glass: Macaroni and cheese...

(B517) Single small ice cube. NOSE: Sweet horseradish Stewed carrots Marshmallow topped sweet potatoes Madagascar vanilla Overripe peach PALATE: Viscous Grade B Maple syrup Some white birch or mint FINISH: Sweet & Spicy Horseradish returns Hot cinnamon accumulates Balanced. Easily the most enjoyable Bourbon I've ever sampled! Kudos to Jason Wu (AKA Dreaming of Islay). Dry glass: sweet marshmallow.