Tastes

750ml poured neat in Glencairn at home. I candidly fear the oak on this one. Here goes... Nose is vanilla forward, with some honeydew and chocolate (i know, odd combo), strong peanut butter, and then alcohol heat. Rich. Taste brings on the spice and heat to the fore, with more vanilla and peanut, some definite oak, and then black pepper ramping up. Long spicy finish. I like this, maybe quite a bit, but not something I foresee thinking of on a random night of considering tasting options. I need to come back to this after a bit and see where I end up. For now, good not great. 12/4/19.

Neat in a rocks glass at Uncle Mark's in South Plainfield following Grandpa's internment service. Nice oak and spice, with a slight bite on the finish. Very drinkable. 11/20/19

Neat in a Sutherland tasting glass at Thanksgiving in Freeport, NJ at Uncle Michael Hoo-ha's.. Rich with vanilla, butterscotch, some distinct spice. Taste has oak and spice coming on. Pretty nice. 11/28/19

Neat in a Sutherland tasting glass at Thanksgiving in Freehold, NJ, at Uncle Michael Hoo-ha's, courtesy of Renny the Stump. Beautiful spice, well rounded without any uneven spike. 11/28/19

Neat in a Sutherland tasting glass at Thanksgiving at Uncle Michael Hoo-ha's in Freehold, NJ. Nose has lite spice, some mild butterscotch and vanilla, some lite fruit notes. Taste brings out wood and vinous notes, lingering spice. Decent. 11/28/19.

Neat in a Sutherland tasting glass at Thanksgiving at Uncle Michael Hoo-ha's in Freehold, NJ. Nose is odd, with some soap and spice notes. Taste is more spicy, with some smoke peaking through. Nah. 12/28/19.

2oz neat in rocks glass with big round ice cube, then several more drams neat in a Sutherland tasting glass over three days of Thanksgiving at the Uncle Michael Hoo-ha's in Freehold, NJ. Initial smokiness over fruity front, with some apricot wafting in and out. Lacks the initial smoky punch of the 16 and 8, but it does rear its pleasant head in the middle. Finish has lasting smoke and mild spice. Awesome. 11/26-8/19

2oz in rocks glass with big round cube with Uncle Michael Hoo-ha in Freehold, NJ. Smooth and buttery, like the Small Batch, but with a vibrant kick that brings in an even spice note and much more character than the smaller siblings. Is this the 2020 Whisky of the Year? No. No it is not, imho. But it is damn nice. 11/27/19

Neat in Glencairn at home. Nose has vanilla, candied oranges, mild pepper spice, oak, nutmeg. Moderate spice. Taste is full of oak, vanilla, some baking spice, drying grass. Again, moderate spice for a rye. Decent, and very drinkable. 11/22/19.