Tastes

Nice peat, not as deep and impressive as a Lagavulin or similar. Lots of honey on the palate. Very enjoyable and easy to drink.

NOSE: Smoke is there, but it's not the first thing I notice, that would be the salty, seaweed / iodine notes. There is a good amount of honeycake in there, and some grapefruit. PALATE: Not very oily or rich, but plenty of that peaty smoke on the nose comes through here, and more of the honey and some citrus. FINISH: I don't think I'm exaggerating to say this is the longest finish I have yet experienced. I know for sure I have never cited the finish as my favorite aspect of a whisky, but there it is. This thing just goes and goes with smoke, and some caramelized onion, and salt, and the iodine from the nose. It's come full circle and it's great. THOUGHTS: Oh no. For years I have been saying I don't like Scotch, that I'm more of a bourbon or rye guy. This may have revealed that I do in fact like Scotch. I like good Scotch. This is quite good Scotch. The peat is wonderful, and balances out the malty flavors that are not my favorite in less smoky whiskies. And of course that finish is great. The only negative is that I wish it felt a little heavier or meatier or oilier in the mouth. It's a small quibble though, and this is a dangerous gateway Scotch to a much broader (and more expensive) world.

NOSE: Honey, sandalwood, kettle corn, very faint acetone note, faint stone fruit, bananas foster, not overly complex nose, veering very much to the sweet side. PALATE: classic vanilla, corn pops, mild cinnamon tones but subtle, not terrifically oily but has a decently coating mouthfeel, at the same time there is some astringency and a good bit of lemon or citrus flavor. FINISH: Minimal burn, cornbread, white chocolate, fairly long finish. THOUGHTS: Enjoyed this. Reminds me of EH Taylor single barrel at a better price point (which given where they both come from probably makes sense). There's not anything really unexpected here, but it's got the right notes of that classic bourbon profile. I personally would prefer some more cinammon and rye spice in my bourbon, but I would buy this again.

NOSE: Butter browning in a skillet, sea salt, hint of caramel, bit of second hand marijuana smoke (I originally said cigar here, but if I'm being honest this is what I smell), a little apple cider vinegar. PALATE: Balanced smoke and sweet, bit more caramel or toffee, earthy, honey. FINISH: smoke coming through more here, some very faint lime, more bready. Nice and long. THOUGHTS: Really great and complicated. To my tastes I wish it were a little higher proof, but it's thoroughly enjoyable. Keep finding new tastes and aspects every time I come back to it. One of my favorite Scotches.

NOSE: sour apple, vanilla, kiwi?, brown sugar in unmixed cookie dough, hint of an unpleasant varnish smell but it's fleeting and hard to pin down. PALATE: oily, apricot, subtle apple pie flavor, some sweet pipe smoke, burns the tip of my tongue. Opens up very nicely with water, burn about gone, more cinammon and nutmeg spice. FINISH: long in length, slight hint of mint, more cinammon than I got on the palate, fried banana, burnt toast, Topps bubble gum. THOUGHTS: I had read reviews that did not think highly of this compared to George T Stagg. I've had that and loved it. This is an obviously younger version, but I quite enjoyed it, especially with some water. Given how much easier it is to get than daddy Stagg, I'd definitely recommend it. It's not my favorite well priced barrel proof (here's looking at you Elijah Craig), but I would certainly buy it again. Tasted in NEAT glass. 132.2 proof

NOSE: Nutmeg, rich vanilla bean, dark wood, worn leather. PALATE: caramel, toffee, molasses soaked bread, but somehow not overtly sweet, hint of pine, rich mouthfeel, oily. FINISH: Spearmint, salted caramel, touch of smoke, very long. With a couple spoonfuls of water nose is more caramel, less wood and leather. Palate opens up nicely, and more sweetness comes through. Finish does not seem overly changed. Superb bourbon.

Act 3 Scene 2

NOSE: Lots of vanilla, little bit of date or plum maybe, and some cinnamon. A little strong on the alcohol for the proof. Nice, not overly complex. PALATE: Classic bourbon flavors, sweet, caramel and vanilla, nice cinnamon notes a little stronger than they were on the nose. Somewhat thin mouthfeel. Mellow nicely, the strong alcohol on the nose does not make the palate, which is good. FINISH: smooth, ever so slightly smoky, more cinnamon and spice, slightly peppery. THOUGHTS: Nothing too complicated here, but a very nice pour. Enjoyable, am not going to kill myself to find the 7 year anywhere I can, interested in the 10 year and when they start distilling their own.