Tastes
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Highland Park The Dark 17 Year
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed May 24, 2020 (edited January 5, 2023)There will be a time when marketing schools will offer a class called "Don't be Highland Park". A brand that has exceptional respect among whisky drinkers, but seems hell bent on ruining their brand equity with what can only be seen as the worst marketing perhaps ever. Highland Park The Dark takes this to all time extremes, offering a highly sherried whisky in a black opaque bottle, throwing it in an expensive yet cheaply finished "wooden" display box, throwing a CHEAP black bag over it, and then putting some god awful horrible looking snake or something on the bottle...ok honestly I don't even know that I've looked at the thing on the bottle, it's just too stupid. Then the best part is they mention "only" 28,000 bottles as if we're supposed to see that this is mass produced and think "oh it's rare". No...28,000 bottles that retail for about 300 USD aren't rare and will ultimately be sold at a discount (which is why I am bringing this to you, I didn't pay 300). OK marketing aside, heavily sherried highland park is one of my favorite things out there. I'm a fan boy and while I don't believe this is CS, it's over 50% which is another win. I'd also assume non chill filtered and natural color. I'd try and find out but the only information on this bottle from HP is on this packet in the box where I'm only assuming a summer intern wrote it up and then had an 8 year old proof read and frankly I'm not going back through the incoherent ramblings to see if they mentioned it. My incoherent ramblings here are free! Nose - I let this one sit out for about 40 minutes to let it open up and it's really changed from my first few nosings. When I have nosed this in the past it was sweet and to the point I thought a more dessert/waxy type wine cask was used. Now I do get distinct sherry notes though I'm not sure what kind (and I don't believe we know more than European oak casks). I wouldn't be surprised to hear PX, but I hesitate for one reason. This isn't a classic HP malt back, this is dark and charcoal smoke influenced. There isn't a touch of HP peat here but a good couple of a dashes of a very assertive peat. It's almost off putting at first but quickly becomes the highlight of this one. The sweetness seems to generally win out on what dominates the nose but that smoke back there is different and it's playing with everything. I can't compare it really to any other peat out there and I like that. Sweet and dirty charcoal smoke, if that doesn't scream scotch lovers scotch nose I don't know what does. Taste - when i first poured this a friend commented that my eyes watered. I was in bliss with the depths of complexity. I'm no less excited by this one today. A classic aged but not OLD sherry influenced malt opens this one up, sweet, almost bubble gum like, very PXy to me (watch this be oloros). Then the whisky takes on transitions and depth. Tannins give way cinnamon that bites, then burnt smoked meat, and charcoal, and next day grill notes come out. This all explodes in richness, power, and depth. HP often is a good mix of sweet and peat, but this different. This is sweet THEN peat and both have been turned up to 11. I can totally see drinking this on a bitter cold night outside by a campfire and it just taking me to a special place and frankly I can't think of a better dram for that having had this. The peat here I can't stress enough is just charcoal and smoke, not earthy clay, not medicinal, just charcoal smoke and perhaps complemented by some hot cinnamon (this isn't red hots cinnamon). Overall for me the spice levels and bite on the finish are a bit more than I find truly enjoyable. I know I raved on and on about it and for good reason. It's both a unique experience and truly special. I just you know, would rather get to explore and enjoy that sweet sherry with a bit more classic HP malt/peat. That said I also can't stop going back to this glass. 4.25 a completely wow level whisky and if you can get this at a discount, get it. At 300, lets be real, those stores are going to discount or you can ask for one. That said it's well worth the 300, it's a unique experience and a really good one. There's still plenty of it to go around and I expect these will still be on shelves in a few years.250.0 USD per Bottle -
Well shoot, missed being the first review and I'm SURE this is an old bottling. Sunday on a holiday weekend and ohio is kinda opening but not open. What else to do but drink all day and write up some reviews on my recent purchases? Nose - this is a fairly light and delicate nose backed by a decent abv and some thicker malt. Apples, vanilla, some slightly more sour fruity notes, light but very distinct oak, some light cinnamon/baking spices, and as I get more into it more and more spices come out. At first nosing it was a bit of a sour apple pie, but those notes have shifted into a day old cinnamon role. Each time I go back I get something similar but different in terms of these nice desserts. That said again it's delicate with some body, but it isn't rich at all. I'm not finding any distinct impact on the nose from the 6 month maturation in sherry casks but I suspect it's blending in nicely with the speyside sweet fruity character and hiding a bit in the oak. Taste - A wonderfully complex and nuanced whisky with a full spectrum of flavors and a range of experiences. At first it's somewhat sweet but muted, the older whisky is trying to come out and show itself off but it's a bit closed off, perhaps this one will open up with more time and oxidation, but it's been open a few weeks so it's had some time. Then it transitions to a bit more oak spice with cinnamon and toasted oak notes. But we're not done, the cinnamon deepends and bites down as the sweetness turns more dark fruits, perhaps hints now of the sherry as I get a light chocolate note, and then the finish is a touch sour really focusing on the back of the tongue as it creates a really different flavor, but make no mistake the oak and sweet are all still coating the rest of the mouth leaving you with a complex and highly enjoyable whisky. I do find this one a bit more spicy, drying, and perhaps heavy on oak for some drinkers. I'm not one of these, but I have had this a few times and there have been nights where I was a bit sensitive to oak bitterness and this came off pretty poor. It's a challenging dram for what I generally see as tamer malts. I'd be in the 90-91 range on this one and for me that's 4 stars. This is a great dram and well well worth the price of admission. if you see this and you're digging the bourbon maturation and oak notes with a bit of sweetness added for balance, I think this will be one for you.180.0 USD per Bottle
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How do you rate a whisky when youth defines the complexity. It's an issue oddly on all my reviews tonight. Nose - YOUNG, spices, citrus, and yes earthy. Taste - So this is spices, citrus, vanilla. Then we got some oak, light earth, darker vanilla. A toasted barrel oak even. A really nicely made whisky, doesn't offer the value of the 12 or 18 tomatin but it's unique. Would I buy it again? no. Would I buy it again for 20 bucks? No. Am I glad to have tried it? I'm not upset. 1.25 score - I don't get it. It's and there's quality to this, but I'd never push anyone to waste money on this one.75.0 USD per Bottle
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Really happy I wasn't the one to add this. A touch sad I'll have to lower the score since a 5.0 seems comical if someone has you know drank whisky. So full disclosure I've had the pleasure of getting some samples from the guys involved in this. I got to try their 5.5 year for free and got a sample of this while it was aging, well before it was done aging in the toasted barrel. Lets just say, I'm REALLY glad they weren't done aging the sample cause that was NOT good. But yeah I might have been biased but this all started with my praise for their batch 2 12 year which I fell in love with. Nose - vanilla and over ripe banana. Now my scotch fans will be like "omg YOUNG" and while that's not false this one kinda works. Honestly I get a white board marker with that alcohol and sweetness note big time. As I dig in I get more cream and vanilla and just robust flavors. Taste - Now I get more shoe varnish, vanilla, creme, bananas, and chocolate. That said there's a funky oaky and cardboard and water oak and what not going on. This is normally a flaw in a bourbon but here it's crazy complex and unique. I can't lie for under 70 this is a fun whisky. Solid 2.25 and a winner imo. I mean guys 2.25 for a 65 dollar whisky and it's polarizing? Oh yeah that's one to buy and checkout.67.0 USD per Bottle
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New Riff Backsetter Peated Backset Rye
Rye — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed May 17, 2020 (edited June 18, 2020)Nose - Spicy as hell rye with this vegetable funky note. I jokingly have said there's a note of swamp ass and I'm not backing down on that. Still mint and steamed vegetables and wet oak are here. taste - A complex as hell whisky to real extremes. That said a disjointed whisky is complex, but it's not good. This is somewhere between a disjointed mess and actually good. You get all these rye notes of mint and spearmint, and just this rye spice sweetness that I get so often. There's a hint of christmas. Still this comes off young and spirited and youthful. It's funky and weird and odd. 2.0 it's actually pretty interesting and it's so complex I have to score it that high.50.0 USD per Bottle -
Well, lets just do this. Nose - so the bourbon is really light on the nose. Vanilla. So I gave it a bit of a shake and I'm getting some vegetable notes. So I don't get peat here, just vegetable notes and some vanilla notes. It's kinda boring. When I shook it I get some alcohol, it was harsh but that's not normal, unless you're shaking the hell out of a glass to get a nose, this won't happen. Add 10 minutes in the glass. OK I get more traditional bourbon oak and vanilla notes. There's a hint of a mint too which I associate with rye, not sure where that's coming from. This is a bit higher rye mash bill than some bourbons. Taste - This is the most disjointed whisky I can think of. Now that's not bad by itself. The taste to finish is about as long and complex as I can think of with a 4 year old whisk. So it's vanilla, steamed funky vegetables, hints of oak, and really minty spearmint and oak. So is it good? Not really. I love the long lingering finish and the complexity. I however don't really enjoy any of the flavors or what we get with all that. A lot of those notes I think are harping on this is young bourbon AND they added this odd peat that doesn't work here. I think these needed 5 or so more years of age to work. I just can't see why or who would like this. If you're looking for strange and unique whisky this is one to try. I don't hate it and I don't think this is without any value. So 1 star. I'd avoid the hell out of this. Given this was a one off distillery pick only and they sold out in an hour. Don't chase this secondary unless you're just a fan boy of weird. If that's you then have at it.50.0 USD per Bottle
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Nose - At first I really can't get past the dusty oaky and nutty notes. Instantly has me thinking Jim Beam though Heaven Hill isn't impossible either. However if you dig down you get into a really rich leathery sweetness. There's some classic bourbon but it's being shifted and sweetened by the XO casks. They really do come off rather nicely here. Taste - Up front it's smooth and light, almost instantly the XO sweetness picks as it moves back. I've let this open a bit and the oak and dusty/nutty notes that make me think Beam are already fading, still there and there's still peanuts and corn nuts. But the real showcase is the bourbon vanilla notes and the xo sweetness. The finish I feel is fairly decent despite some other reviews. The dry nutty oak comes and goes a few times while the sweetness admittedly drops off but finds a way to come back as well. A surprisingly rich mouth feel on what is a somewhat thin bourbon...I know that sounds odd but it's one of those bourbons where you can tell you're drinking a thin bourbon BUT it's oily and viscous which gives it a really creamy mouth feel too. There's a part of me that was hoping for a bit more given the use of 14 year old bourbon and my just general love of XO finished bourbon. There was also a part of me praying it wasn't another batch 5, it's not. Anyway I'm going with a firm 2.75 with this one. Very nicely done, clearly a step above average bourbon, but I'm reaching for any deeper notes or complexity that isn't more or less beam with xo casks at an OK but not great proof. 108 bucks and for that, it's not a must buy but if you're into these kinds of finished bourbons I don't think it'll upset you either. It's funny how I'm becoming more and more forgiving of over priced bourbon while getting ever more frustrated with younger scotch prices.108.0 USD per Bottle
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The Glenrothes Whisky Maker's Cut
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed May 12, 2020 (edited July 6, 2020)Another "90" eh? Nose is vanilla and sweet sherry. There's a bitter oak note here as well, a bit off putting and giving me lingering feelings of young raw whisky. I even get what could be a hair of banana. Taste - Citrus fruit, creamy milk chocolate, some dark fruits, spices, and young oak on the back end. Overall this is a pretty run of the mill NAS sherry whisky. I think the casks are decent. The ABV is a really nice place where I think most will be able to go right in drinking but adding water is perfectly acceptable as well. Yes it's a bit sparky and young, but it's 75 bucks and I think it's hitting a sweet spot between the spice and sweet notes. 2 stars, very average whisky. I think those who enjoy younger whisky will find this more like a 3 star and the price while I would still say it is a bit high it's getting hard to be critical of a bottle at an ok proof, with sherry casks, under 100 bucks today.75.0 USD per Bottle -
GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 8
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed May 12, 2020 (edited July 8, 2021)Gotta love these "expert" reviews. Jake Emen gave this a 90...I can't even get to words how absurd that is. but anyway. So yeah this is supposed to be mostly 10 year whisky but it's NAS so we're sure they dumped bad low age stated stuff in here. Nose - so sharp and acidic, the alcohol is brutal. Chocolate and vanilla along with citrus and again more alcohol. Water tames the alcohol but same notes otherwise. taste - young and spirited. The PX gives sweetness and vanilla and chocolate while the oloros gives some dark chocolates and perhaps some fruits. Water makes the whisky more bitter though still focuses on the same profile, I am ok with or without. A perfectly drinkable super proofed scotch but the youth and quality here are nothing special. A solid 2.0 average whisky. Again the idea this is a 90 is so absurd I can't even start. This is more a 75 if you're a big fan of this style or a 65 if you aren't. in no world is this a 90. That said this is massive HUGE upgrade from the terrible batch 7. I rather am enjoying this but the price at 100 for this seems off. This isn't close to 100 dollar whisky.100.0 USD per Bottle -
Macallan Classic Cut (2019 Release)
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed May 12, 2020 (edited November 21, 2021)Of course there are 2 of the same bottles posted here....anyway. So macallan the distillery who makes our skin crawl, but darn it if they don't have some good malt they water down and ruin and then bottle incorrectly and then over charge us for! This their 2019 "classic cut" which is a proofed down (they pour water into the whisky) fake NAS CS bottling...again marketing. Is their newest in the classic cut line. A line I've really enjoyed despite macallan's dreadful marketing, and their odd commercial with the guy committing suicide only to I assume in a dream state while falling to his death growing wings. Suicide support aside lets get into the whisky. Nose - an inviting mix of vanilla and chocolate. Accentuated by ginger and only lightly hinting at young unrefined alcohol notes. Then I get a bit of citrus as it opens up almost coming in with orange notes. Interesting when sitting in the glass I get those chocolate and vanilla notes but when keep going back and don't let is build up, it's orange vanilla cream and alcohol. Taste - So elephant out of the room, there's zero question in this being young whisky. This is a super sweet dram up front that goes bitter and more bitter as it goes down. Vanilla and a mix of bitter and citrus fruits really come on hard and punchy. The finish is all vanilla and cream and wonderful milk chocolate and even perhaps as the box says honey. Overall the finish is great but the flavor is really a bit off putting in the context of everything else. . So 17 vs 18 vs 19? The 17 brings in far more oak but in an extremely inviting way for these younger casks. Richer and sweeter and just fuller in body. The 18 feel thin next to these. It's more spices and frankly thin and almost dismissive. The 18 feels like an odd ball in the lineup. oak is not really playing a role until the finish where it is a nice change of pace. So the 19 vs them? Well the 17 still stands out as the most drinkable and enjoyable while packing the most abv punch. For me that's a true standout thought my 4.0 score does feel like me hyping a bottle I just really felt was a good value vs a fair and honest score. I think I need to review that score and move it back to a more fair score. The 18 still to me is not an enjoyable whisky vs the other two, but still very good. The 19? Well it's good. But not special. I'm going with a 3.0 here and frankly I think i've overrated both the 17 and 18 before this. I still think this is better than a lot of vastly higher priced macallan but my standards are going up for what is a 3.0 and certainly a 4.0. So full disclosure while this bottle is going 120-135 at actual fair prices around me, I somehow found this for 80. At 80 it's a must buy for sherry fans. At the 100 mark it's a good buy and over that it's a pass. I will be reviewing the batch 8 glendronach and glenrothes blenders or makers cut...so two more NAS higher proof sherry whiskies and I'll be going back to this 19 in reference so I reserve the right to adjust this score. But I suspect both will come in below this as 3.0's are not low scores for me.80.0 USD per Bottle
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