Tastes

Nose: Rich nutty sherry, madeira-like caramel, leather, savory/umami smoke, walnuts, a thin seam of spearmint and an underlying note of overripe banana (Reminds me so much of my very first bottle of Highland Park 12, sadly consecutive bottlings have been less impressive). Palate: The thickest, most syrupy mouthfeel I've enjoyed yet. Sweet malty grain and citrus spice. Finish: Starts strong with a touch of hot menthol, light smoke, slightly bitter oak, ending with a soft, lingering bourbon-like hot cinnamon! So unusual for a speysider, a must-try. The quality of casks is easily recognizable. Can't wait to track down a fifth of the 15 year. Dry glass: a stiff whiff of "peat-reek"...

So after a halcyon month of May off hooch (try it sometime, I learned new things about myself and others), I let fly the cork of the first fifth of this year's summer drinking collection. And believe-you-me, I was worried my palate would be mossy, even a trifle askew from disuse, but much to my delight, it's still with me, because I could readily tell this stuff is, well... sorta-kinda-crappy. Don't get me wrong, for the price, it's perfectly drinkable, even enjoyable, but if I started my whisky odyssey with this blend, I don't think it would have had the same momentum... Nose: "Son of Aberfeldy 12". Uncanny resemblance. It's a "core malt", I know, but still stands out above the other 39 players. Mostly oak, light pear and ginger ale, plus a touch of mustiness, like an old library book. Seriously, if you like this nose, you'll LOVE Aberfeldy on its own. Palate: Here's where the apple falls far from the tree... A surprisingly creamy, yet thin flavor of tired oak and vanilla stumbles awkwardly over tangerine and a not entirely welcome bittersweet, tea-like astringency. Finish: more of the same. Both palate and finish are less bittersweet with (just a half-teaspoon) of water, but unfortunately softens the nose (it's only redeeming feature, IMHO). The grain components are better integrated and less noticeable than other blends I've sampled... but still a suboptimal dram. Dry glass: sweet grain and dry orange peel.

Tasted at Foundry Craft Grillery, Lebanon, PA. The richest, sweetest, most complex sherry finished whisky I've nosed to date... Rich rum-raisin and candied nuts, like fresh almonds and honey-roasted cashews. Makes we want to run out and find a bottle of Pedro Ximenez... Also a hint of something savory like smoky caramelized onions. Palate is less intense, wood spices and buckwheat honey. Finish is long and sherry-sweet with white pepper and a touch of mint. There's something deep about this dram, something ephemeral... I'll have to procure a fifth... "I'm not sure what's up with this bottle of whisky, but I'm going to get to the bottom of it!"

Oh my... The richest of the Glenrothes sampler I've compared, the whole chorus singing out in harmony! Nose opens with intense golden honey, sweet sherry, apple-blossom and Anjou pear. Petrichor like bright crepuscular rays bursting down into an ancient forest after a thunderous summer squall. Added water also seems to reveal something earthy and dark in the background, maybe freshly ground coffee? Palate is immediate, baking spices and zesty ginger. Pear returns for the finish along with buttery malt and a touch of humming sherry... An impressive showing, I'll be searching for a fifth of this. Dry glass: No thank you, pour me another.

Compared with the Select Reserve, the nose is richer with (toned-down almost Macallan-like) sherry. Apple, some ginger, sharp honey, mild oak and more beloved petrichor, Glenrothes seems to have a more pronounced note of this than other distilleries... earning them my admiration. Creamy vanilla follows you to the palate, which also conveys apple and nutty malt. Finish is medium length with a touch of baking spices. A light and easy-to-enjoy dram, quality, but nothing earth shaking. Dry glass: malt chocolate.

Cheerful nose that's intensely sweet and aromatic, apple-blossom, sugared cereal, wildflower honey, all atop a wonderful layer of fairly pronounced petrichor... One of my favorite notes! Satisfying palate of sweet spiced apple-butter and malt, followed by a short-but-sweet, complimenting finish. For this gentle, simple style, I'm impressed. Despite being NAS, it has no obvious flaws (i.e. overly hot or disparate flavors) and it's quality and character redeem itself. Fairly priced (for now), this would be perfect for new single malt whisky drinkers, even if hardened old Islay fans turn their nose up at it...

Tasted at The Bluebird Inn, Cornwall, PA. Nose grins up at you with sweet, bright, fragrant apple and caramel. Bold (almost Irish) vanilla carries into the palate with oak and a touch of hot menthol. Drying finish, some cinnamon, woody and a bit resinous, but in a pleasant, satisfying way. A cheerful, mellow-bourbon-like experience.

Sweet nose, rich and aromatic. Friendly welcoming sherry, the opposite of Macallan's aggressive style. Wisps of vanilla. Floral, crisp, juicy apple and hint of tangerine. Sentimental petrichor. Added water seems to dull the sherry note but reveals a hint of old musty oak that I love. Bright fresh burst of fruits on the palate with bold spices, cedar and a satisfying little kick. Finishes long and fruity, bittersweet. A touch medicinal, hint of mint. A balanced, mature, satisfying, quality dram, will definitely buy older bottlings, I think this would age well. Dry glass: hearty banana bread.

A good friend shared a sample of this with me, earning himself buko brownie points. Nose reminds me of juicy summer nectarine, cola and sarsaparilla. Beneath the sweet layers, white pepper and a singe of horseradish call up. Hints of peppermint and anise. The palate is thick, syrupy, smooth with Sweet cinnamon and a satisfying burn. Oak, clove and hot cinnamon finish leaves your mouth humming... Just simple enough to be approachable and just complex enough to hold your interest. Im really a Scotch man... But this is the first bourbon I've really enjoyed. Now that's saying something! Dry Glass: Mexican hot chocolate.