Tastes

A juicy nose with aromas of barley, blossoms, and berries beckons. Big red wine notes of ruby port to start, quickly followed by golden honey, lightly toasted cereals, sharp fresh strawberries in a strawberry balsamic, a dollop of vanilla cream, a hint of red delicious apple, red pears, a touch of rose, plus a pinch of cocoa, and finally caramel. A little hot and prickly on the tongue, revealing its youth, but still quite enjoyable. Initially syrupy sweet, honey with a hint of chocolate, then quickly followed by a nice citrus hit, sour orange and ruby grapefruit, along with some hot pepper and cinnamon. Then the sweetness returns with strawberry jam, musky grape, and a little nuttiness taking it from scotch to cream sherry territory. Medium bodied, with a milky texture. Legs are fast at first but multilayered and interesting, streaking down the glass at the start, but ending up in a beautiful ring of heavy udders. The finish is moderate in length, fairly dry yet soft and pleasant. Chocolate covered raisins, a hint of maple, a drop of balsamic glaze, walnut like oak tannins, and vanillin. Nose: 9 Palate: 8 Body: 8 Finish: 8

The nose holds a heavily yet somehow delicately peated opening, with a whiff of sea air, subtle grassiness, slight sweetness, and mild spiciness. There’s a barnyard funkiness to the peat smoke at first that calls to mind wet hay and oily wool. Given time to breathe this gives way to vanilla sweetness, apple perfume, a touch of lemon, a pinch of pepper, stale cinnamon stick, cocoa dust, and just a hint of licorice root. On the palate it is initially malty sweet, then quickly becomes spicy and smoky with sharp orange citrus, cracked pepper, cayenne, and ash. Then the apple and vanilla take over while the heat subsides. Light to medium bodied, with sufficient viscosity, the whisky recedes in the glass like waves from the beach, leaving no legs behind but just a smattering of droplets. The finish is semidry, and slightly metallic at the start. Then the peat smoke returns, along with spicy oak, some more cocoa, cool slate, lingering malty sweetness, and finally oily hazelnuts. Nose: 9 Palate: 9 Body: 7 Finish: 9

The nose is alive with robust peat, warm spice, sweet vanilla, creamy wood, green and golden barley, charred stone, and a touch of citrus. Smoke dominates at first, then complexity unfolds revealing rich vanilla sweetness, charred oak spiciness, oud, sandalwood, vetiver, baked Bosc pear, honeycomb, rose water, orange peel, lemon blossom, and even a pinch of lime zest. On the tongue it’s spicy, smoky, sweet and rich. There’s just enough pepper and heat to make it challenging but not uncomfortable. The smoke is more sweet meaty barbecue than medicinal or tarry. Vanilla saltwater taffy, toffee, pears baked in syrup with cinnamon, and baking spices are all there. Then ashy orange peels, and lemon shortbread cookies round out the palate. Medium to full bodied, it has a slick and satiny feel to it. A bit disappointing in the glass, as legs hesitate only to quickly fall, leaving a wide ring off droplets in the top third quarter. It finishes long but mild, slightly dry, with dusky peat, slate, some caramel sweetness, a bit of citrus zing, and mildly tannic oak akin to chopped walnuts. Nose: 10 Palate: 10 Body: 8 Finish: 9

The nose is nicely balanced, soft and sweet while equally spicy and lively. Maraschino cherries, red plums, apple blossoms, a dash of lemon zest, Demerara sugar, tootsie rolls, vanilla egg nog, pink pepper, unseeded soft rye bread, fresh dill, a hint of menthol, watermelon chewing gum, a touch of tobacco, a pinch of cloves, and mildly charred wood. The palate too is complex, sweet and spicy with brown sugar, lots of syrupy fruit in the form of Fruits of the Forest pie filling, more pepper, slightly sour apple skins, mandarin, some cayenne, and a pinch of cinnamon. The body is above average, with a silky mouthfeel. Proper legs take some time to develop after an initial quick run of veins down the wall of the glass. These tease as they develop into near perfection only to dissipate into a smattering of mist immediately thereafter. The finish is slightly dry, and not too intense though lasting, with plenty of sweet dark fruit leather balanced by semi bitter nuts, especially macadamias, herbs, tea, a drop of vanilla, and a whisper of oak. Nose: 9 Taste: 8 Body: 8 Finish: 8

An initially subtle, sweet and floral nose with a hearty dose of char that you really need to give time to develop. Notes of vanilla candy, caramel syrup, juicy plums, apple blossoms, Rainier cherries, charred wood, dried figs, and subtle yet sharp rye hinting at a bourbon character emerge. Caramel sweet and quite spicy on the palate, with gobs of vanilla and candied dark fruits, quickly followed with heat in the form of cayenne, ginger, and cinnamon, as well as a few green notes - rye and dried dill. Then, bitterness takes center stage, akin to Tung oil finished wood. It’s a bit unbalanced honestly. The body is thin at first, then fluffs up a little (but not as much as the original Crown Royal) as it sits on the tongue. There are no legs, and the sheets that drape the glass after a swirl go down fast leaving a few dots. The finish is mild and moderately long, with a fair amount of lingering dark honey sweetness, a hint of mint gum, green wood, plus a touch of cocoa and raisin. Intended to be a step up from classic Crown, but I personally feel it sacrifices what Crown excels at to be just a little spicier and darker, but without the balanced refinement of its predecessor. Nose: 8 Taste: 7 Body: 7 Finish: 8

Butterscotch candies, caramel and honey overshadow spicy notes of white pepper mixed with a pinch of cinnamon, ginger powder, clove, and even a hint of turmeric. Very mild smoke coming from the wood, apple brandy, and a bit of flaky vanilla pastry with almond slices are perceptible as well. Given time, red grapes and cocoa come out. Spicy and sweet on the tongue, with loads of pepper, grains of paradise, cinnamon, honey, and Demerara sugar. There is also some orange peel, a touch of coriander, and vanilla cream. The body is syrupy but not at all heavy, becoming almost fluffy as it rests on the tongue. Legs are scarce, nearly nonexistent, appearing briefly then immediately disappearing into receding sheets that leave behind a field of oblong droplets of extremely varying sizes. The finish is lasting and really highlights the barrels with lots of gently delivered oaky wood spice, vanillin, mild nutty astringency reminiscent of chopped dry pecans, and an inkling of milk chocolate covered raisins to remind you that there is sherry cask influence here as well as the ex bourbon. Nose: 9 Taste: 9 Body: 8 Finish: 9

The nose is full of vanilla, spice, and everything nice. Top notes of both dry and buttery florals, potpourri and plumeria, as well as fruits in the form of Fuji apple and pomelo emerge. These are quickly joined by allspice, clove, fresh dill, and a little chili pepper. Base notes of vanilla taffy, suede, and charred oak with a tinge of tobacco plus a hint of peanut shells permeate the entire experience. Sweet and spicy on the tongue with some funky bitterness and a bit of tang. Typical bourbon sweet notes, dark corn syrup, candied apple, and a bit of peanut brittle are mixed with bitter herbs, cayenne, cinnamon, and tangy orange like citrus. The body is adequate, with a semi thin mouthfeel. In the glass it shows quick paced legs that are sporadic at best and leave behind just a few scattered droplets. The finish is mildly smoky, and oaky, with soft tannins and a bit of copper tinged sweetness hanging on in the form of apple skins, dried cherries, vanilla extract, and just a touch of cocoa nib. Nose: 9 Palate: 8 Body: 6 Finish: 9

A subtly sweet and fruity nose, with floral top notes, a bit of ethanol, green apple, unripe nectarine, and even some Concord grape. Base notes include soft vanilla taffy, caramel cream chews, and a sprinkling of oaky spice. Sweet and mild to the taste at first, with thin caramel, stone fruit with vanilla cream, and a drop of citrus. Then spice erupts, first in the form of cinnamon, and then zesty rye with a pinch of red pepper heat, but then it subsides rather quickly. Light to medium bodied, with an interesting texture that transforms from almost watery to downright velvety as it rests in the mouth. Legs are fairly quick but attractive, like beads of melting wax dripping down a candle. The finish is short in its intensity, mildly spicy, with sweet vanillin, a touch of banana, maple, a little lingering cinnamon warmth and just a hint of nutty oak. A very pleasant dram, albeit a bit watered down. Although, I imagine if the proof were much higher the ethanol might become harsh acetone. It’s a sweet treat best enjoyed neat. Nose: 8 Taste: 8 Body: 8 Finish: 8

A fruity nose opens with a bouquet of sherry notes and sweetened grains all wrapped in a very thin caramel. Noticeably young at first nosing, with a slight note of nail polish remover from the alcohol appearing on the tail. As you let it breathe for a few minutes however, this off note eventually disappears, though the nose stays quite feisty for the low ABV. I get red currants and fresh strawberries, then a bit of orange marmalade and a whiff of lemon meringue pie. Next the cereals, coated in corn syrup, along with a hint of pistachio nut, a whisper of oak, and vague chai-like spices. On the palate it’s equal parts fruity, sweet, bitter and spicy. Right off I get sweet sherry and malt, but also dried herbal bitterness, citrus pith tang, and a copper-like note. Then, the heat picks up with loads of black pepper and a little chili but quickly fades. Medium bodied, and no legs at all, it just falls in jagged sheets. The finish is bittersweet, with more of the same from the palate, but with more oak plus some tobacco, unsweetened chocolate, and leather. Take your time with this one and you won’t be disappointed. Think: “poor man’s Macallan”. Nose: 9 Taste: 8 Body: 6 Finish: 9

Spicy, rich, and darkly sweet to the nose. Top notes include hot cinnamon candies, sour dill pickles, alcohol, and brown sugar syrup. Underneath I get butter, vanilla, stewed dark stone fruit, plums and black cherries. Eventually, a perfume like floral note appears reminiscent of apple blossoms laced with a wisp of smoke and a dusting of cocoa. The palate is equally spicy, rich, and sweet. Brown sugar and butter syrup seasoned with white pepper and red pepper flakes explodes on the tongue. Then I pick up Red Delicious apple with that slight astringency from the skin, dill, a touch of licorice root, and a smidge of milk chocolate. The body is full and thick, thoroughly coating the mouth. Legs develop very slowly, first forming a string of a myriad tiny pearls, then merging into heavy tears thot drop neatly in cascades. The finish is pleasant, mildly spicy, oaky with lots of vanillins and some lingering tannins, plus a suggestion of chocolate covered raisins. Nose: 9 Taste: 8 Body: 10 Finish: 9