Tastes

On the nose, candy sweetness and light oak toast. Reminiscent of cherry Twizzlers. The plate brings vanilla cream, but specifically more like vanilla almond milk. There’s an almondy nuttiness that I’m digging. Also, rice crispy treats. The finish is barley and more light oak, with a pretty long finish. Killer scotch for the price.

This was rich, viscous, mature, and complex. Light wood notes bring a little spice, but the Sherry cask brings all the best fruit notes, and no bitterness. The finish is rich and lasts a good while. Pricey bottle, but excellent pour.

The nose is a sweet smoke, like the crust of a brisket or pork butt. I’m getting some Andalusia Stryker notes, but with corn rather than malt. It’s not quite as rich, though. Lightly fried and buttered tortilla with some shredded chicken thigh. Good long smoky finish.

More bold than the 10, but similar profile. It is more full of grain and wood, and not as one-dimensional. Caramel and barrel.

Herbal and ethanol primarily. Otherwise, basic bourbon.

Classic bourbon notes of corn, spice, and barrel. Some orange, vanilla, cinnamon, and anise as well. It’s fairly rich and the finish last a good while.

Second taste edit: Nose: iodine, asphalt, onion bread from Capital Grille, Woodshed, gasoline on the return. Palate: rustic herbed bread toasted, campfire, lemon, iodine, oily, long finish. It’s the refined elder statesman of Laphroaig. Smoke, rich, oily, viscous, apricot, lingering smoke, bready, savory, a little barrel tannin.

BBQ smoke, berries, chocolate, brine, green pepper freshness and spice.

Oak and herbs, mostly sage, vanilla cream with some banana aromatics, potpourri spice, black tea, strawberries.

First impressions, cola and mint. Smooth, bready texture. It’s well-rounded and mature. There are some floral and lemongrass notes. Very nice. Finish is caramel and gentle Christmas spice.