Tastes

EXPLORATION: A good deal of green apple on this one. Too much, for my taste. A bit bright. Still love the Starks though. Arya forever. EXHORTATION: Your call. If you like apple-y stuff, perhaps this one was made for you.

EXPLORATION: Sampled with the Glenmorangie tasting kit, this was the climax—the crescendo. It’s like the 10 but amplified in every way: the citrus, the clover honey sweetness, the fruity finish. Would enjoy again! Of note: when tasted after this (and the other 2 offerings in the kit), the 10 was quite dank. Almost like overripe fruit. EXHORTATION: Seek a dram, at least. A bottle of this is twice the price of the 10...but over twice the flavor.

EXPLORATION: (Tasted this just prior to the Octomore 7.1, so you’ll forgive me if my recollection is wanting after bathing in that smoky moonlight.) The nose is a carmel-y sugar, a bit of fruit. Doesn't burn too hard for being 50%. The taste is very nice—a salty sweetness mixed with fruit, maybe apple, but not too green. Very smooth, almost honey-like, with a finish I can't recall...but I know I liked it. EXHORTATION: Seek if in need of a great standby whisky. Easy to drink, approachable, but not lacking complexity.

EXPLORATION: Oddly, this one took some getting used to. For the first week of the bottle being open, it hit bitter on my tongue. With some time for the bottle (and perhaps my palate) to settle, it smoothed out. This is helped by a few drops of water. Fairly silky, fruity, and easy. Occasionally I’ll get a nice pear lingering afterwards. EXHORTATION: Seek if you're on the first steps of the whisky path, perhaps in the Glenmorangie sampler pack. A solid and reasonably priced Highlander.

EXPLORATION: Had alongside the 12. A bit more syrupy and woody, with the same cherry/fruit in the front. I prefer the 12, but this is just fine. Wouldn’t get a bottle though. EXHORTATION: Seek for a dram, but you might be just as pleased with the younger, cheaper, 12.

EXPLORATION: Tasted this over the summer along with the 15 year. I had some thoughts then, but lost some of them by now. Damn. I remember it being pretty smooth, with some cherry and fruit notes. Preferred it over the 15. EXHORTATION: Seek a dram, if you think of it.

'twas the first bottle I ever bought, and I have since revisited it. FIRST EXPLORATION (3.5 Stars): Carmel-y with some salt/sea brine notes. Not overly smoky, just enough. Worth another visit. SECOND EXPLORATION (3 Stars): Not quite as complex as I remembered, but still nice enough. I enjoy the peppery brine, and the subtle sweetness. Finish doesn’t last long. EXHORTATION: Seek a dram for a taste of Talisker, and a bottle if you're looking to try something with a seaborne edge on a budget.