Tastes

Sipped neat I wouldn’t guess it is cask strength. Excellent balance of sweet fruits, spice and delicate smoke. Loving it.

I just finished this bottle last night. Initially I was disappointed in it. But, as I kept going back to it I found I really began to appreciated the underlying sweet notes and the changing smoke (not peat) influence. It just all of a sudden became more interesting and more complex then what I initially thought was an unbalanced blend. So, ultimately at its price point I think I will buy this again. Just goes to show that you have to stick with something despite first expressions. Except for Bowmore 15 Darkest. That’s terrible. I’m actually afraid of it at this point and have moved it to the back corner of my bar. And I like the 12 so go figure.

I’m not quite sure what compares to this expression. It has everything I love in a whisky. The fresh coastal smells of the sea combined with dark sugar molasses. The finish is so long and complex with bold cracked pepper, sweet dark sherry, and lingering brine. It’s honestly amazing. And as much as I’d love the more affordable and almost equally as delicious Glen Scotia 15, this is such a treat. It’s well worth the $100 if you can throw in a few other favorites to extend the visit.

To continue my review on the Irish Whisky bandwagon. While I have yet to pull the trigger on say a Redbreast or yellow spot/green spot, which I’m sure are in a class of their own, this is a nice easy drinking pleasant whisky. It’s fairly straightforward and not incredibly complex, but what what it does it does well. What I really like is the creamy mouth coating sweet spice I get on the palate. The finish is shorter than I’d like but for sure this is a good whisky to enjoy.

This is a really solid whisky. Nose is honey, orchard fruits and barrel spice. Some vanilla I believe as well. My first impression on the palate is surprising because I expected it to be a thin mild Irish whisky at just 40% abv. It has a medium mouth feel and full flavor of sweet honey, vanilla, some apple in the background, barrel spice. A slight bitter note on the finish but not that off putting. Not bad at all.

I had to spend some time with this one. At first I found the ABV over powering the flavors. I had the Green 15 blowing this away. As the bottle oxidized and I experimented with some added water it really opened up beautifully. The expert review is pretty spot on. The amazing Springbank flavors . . . brine, lingering barrel spice, and a thick sweet molasses. It’s not the 15, but it’s very nice.

I like the nose on this one. Mild peat drifting in and out with a sweet (pear note) and sour note. On the palate it’s just a bit thin, but not lacking in flavor. It just seems a bit confused to me. Not balanced. Peat, that sweet and sour note and some spice. Not bad, but a lot better out there for $50 in my area. I actually liked it better on the rocks than neat.

Anyone know where I can order this in the States. It’s the last Game of Thrones bottle for my set?

Okay, about halfway through the bottle so time for the review. I have to confess that I have been absolutely chomping at the bit to post this review. This is to date one of the finest scotches I have ever had. Coming from Southern Louisana I am a fan of bold, savory, salty, and spicy foods. One of my favorite local delicacies are raw oysters. The briny taste is spectacular. I’ve had briny Islays, notably Talisker that are very enjoyable. This however takes briny to another level. You can actually smell salt on the nose. But, that’s not all, you also get a syrupy molasses on the nose. And in the background on the nose you can even find faint orchard fruits...I want to say apple, and some barrel spice. On the palate, there is a thick viscous explosion of salt/brine, with waves of spice and a background of sweet orchard fruits. Medium to long finish. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would. And now, another sip......