Tastes

I guess I don't like wheat...very thin, can taste the alcohol, and the only notes are average to below average waves. It's too sweet. There's light oak and vanilla, but the sweetness just takes over. Everything else is weak and soft.

Smooth and delicious. This is the best Irish I have had due to the complexity and smoothness while still being rich with flavor - better than RB Cask 12 and any of the spots (even Blue). There is a thick beeswax and orange blossom hit right away that melts into a dark brown sugar, sweet cereal, and almost grape jelly note. There's a puff of smokey leather too. A slight pepper heat is present but very mellow, along with a chocolate and orange finish that lasts a bit, with a hint of metals (in a good way). The doubters will say this should be a higher proof to be worth it but I disagree. As it stands, the smoothness and balance of flavors, especially at $60-$80 range makes this a must buy.

I've been searching for a few years and finally found a bottle for under $200 to split with some friends for an Irish Whiskey night. I've found it before but refused to pay $250-$400 for it. This was the favorite bottle of the 3 Irish whiskies we had for 7/10 people but the 2nd best for me (Powers John's Road was my favorite). It's delicious....but not as delicious as the hype and lore of finding a bottle left me expecting. I actually like the Green Spot chateau montelena better, especially at around $115 a bottle. Anyway, as I said: delicious. It's spicy but not hot, more of a wood zest and Szechuan pepper tang. It's full and complex. Nutty and oak. The overall texture is oily and rich but the spice continues to fight through. There is a fullness of hot chocolate as well as an apple crispness. Warm throughout. Overall, this is excellent and you should try it if available....just understand that after the $200 price point the taste probably diminishes.

This floats just above the line of "mixer" quality. It's a bit hot and underdeveloped/young. There's wiffs of the Caribbean but no major components in the taste. My experience with any Glenlivet cask- or finish-type usually ends in disappointment due to the NAS base whisky that shows it's youth. I guess the counter argument is why waste a 12 year or older on a cask-centered offering? My counter to the counter is that's it's still Glenlivet, so....how high was the quality to begin with? Yes, there is a vanilla, coconut, and citrus hint but there's more wood notes than expected and much less rum. It creates a hotter and more peppery finish than I wanted from a bottle that screams sunscreen. Overall, the young and below average whisky is the culprit. I didn't expect Balvenie Caribbean 14, which is overrated for the price, but I expected a better gimmick (in a positive way) sipper.

Definitely the younger version of it's other offerings but that creates a lighter and softer version of the standard Lagavulin taste, not a hot or one note dud. Although all tastes are lesser than the 16 or the distiller's (the Guinness 11 is it's own taste) this has it's place in the lineup as a great introductory for those not ready to jump into the depths of Lagavulin 16. It's thinner and sweeter, with slight vanilla and baking spices. It's dry and smokey, but more vegetable smoke than meaty BBQ. It's definitely Lagavulin though. The age is mostly noticable in the lack of Sherry influence compared to the 16. This one is sweeter, but in a candy way, not a berry way. Overall, I wouldn't buy a bottle (this was a gift) since the 16 is my favorite go to sipper and superior in every way for another$20-30 but I would happily sip this when offered. At $50-60 a bottle this is a great way to introduce someone to Lagavulin who is only beginning to dabble in the Islay profiles.

Rich with citrus and sweet evaporated milk. The wood notes come in quick with a slight char and a nutty bitterness that is easily cut by the overall sweetness of the sip. Vanilla is there but it's more like a melted ice cream. Cinnamon and clove with more of an old wood spiciness. The finish is dry apple cider without the tartness and pine needles. While complex, I enjoy their other offerings at the lower price point (this is around $100/bottle when the coffey ones are $60).

I mean, it's corn....and you taste the corn. Not sure if they use native New England corn, but as a New Englander I can attest to not being known for corn. That regional showcase of terrible corn is omnipresent. There's an underlying wood from start to finish. Initial hit is of dark cherry and car leather. It's earthy and old leaves. It's charred while also sweet but doesn't have much depth between.

Very good. Nice spice and caramel. Clean. Has a sweet Maker's vibe to it. Good amount of charred oak. Just enough heat.

I enjoyed this. It wasn't a sherry bomb and the flavors were an enhancement, not a distraction. It's definitely cherry and berry. Raisin. Sweet but not crazy. Light caramel and oak come through to remind you it's bourbon. Sherry is still a better finish for scotch but this was good for something different.

Smooth. Definitely maple. Turns into a melted maple vanilla ice cream. In line with other "novelty" whiskeys but not bad at all.