Tastes

Smell: Milk chocolate, light peat smoke, vanilla, sultanas, ginger, rock sugar and a light herbal/hay touch. It's a light smell overall but quite pleasant. Taste: The taste follows the nose quite well. Milk chocolate, light peat smoke, vanilla sultanas, ginger and white sugars are there. Note for note. Taste is about as strong as the smell was too. WITH WATER: The milk chocolate takes more "space" and that's pretty much it. Finish: Light pepper, vanilla and ginger are the main notes of the finish. It's not very long lasting, which isn't surprising for the ABV and since it's a blended whisky. Mouthfeel: Light and watery, worst part of this whisky easily. WITH WATER: Makes it a bit less watery. Overall: "Pleasant" is how I would define this whisky. It's pretty darn good tasting for the price, nothing surprising and somewhat harmless but not too boring to distract. It's a great whisky to drink when you feel like drinking a scotch but don't plan on giving it too much of your attention. It's a great "standard issue" scotch. Water didn't change much the whisky.

Smell: Peppermint and bubblegum are the main notes I get from the nose. There is a light grass/hay note in there too. Some caramel, baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg) and vanilla extract. Green apple skin and light chlorine. Taste: Caramel and baking spices are on the forefront in the taste as well as the vanilla extract. The peppermint and bubblegum are still there but not as strong. The hay is barely there. Surprisingly decently strong flavors for 40% ABV. Finish: Light milk chocolate, almonds, cinnamon, peppermint. Some light green apple juice. Decently long again for the ABV. Mouthfeel: Medium to light, but it's impressive it's not completely watery considering the minimum proof. Some oiliness. Overall: For the price, this is quite a surprisingly decent whisky. It's got good flavors and intensity, it's a little complex and it drinks easily. A great everyday whisky. I did notice it benefited quite a bit from breathing a little bit. The first glass of the bottle was nowhere near as good as this one (beginning of the second half of the bottle).

Smell: Cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, peppermint and vanilla are the main notes on the nose. Then, it's lightly floral with and orange zest note. Light rubber, pepper and burnt wood. Tiny amount of caramel. WITH WATER: Opens up quite a bit and balances things nicely. Much less spicy and a lot more caramel and floral notes. Taste: Powerful taste. The taste is quite a bit less spicy than the nose. You get a lot more caramel on the get go with a strong vanilla note. Then, it's all about the spice with the cinnamon, cardamom, peppermint and cloves. The floral notes are still there too, right before the finish. WITH WATER: Just like the smell, it really does help balancing everything. It does lose on intensity but I think the tradeoff is worth it. Finish: The finish is mostly orange zest, vanilla, pepper and tiny rubber. Pretty darn long to be frank, considering the proof. Mouthfeel: Medium to light body with medium to low level of oiliness. One of the low points of this whisky. WITH WATER: Interestingly enough, body got bigger, going to a strong medium. Overall: It's a strong rye and punches about it's ABV flavor wise for sure. Although it's quite straightforward in its flavors, the intensity is very much welcomed. No dill at all here. One of the rare non malt whisky that benefits from adding water.

Smell: Candy corn and vanilla are the first thing that hit my nose. Then, the sauternes influence shows up with notes of green grapes, pears, apricot and a strong mineral note (flint). The barrel influence is quite light with spices (cinnamon and cloves mostly) but a solid amount of brown sugar. It does smell a bit young, but it's much better now (bottle half full) then when I first opened it. Surprisingly complex when I take the time to analyze it. WITH WATER (0.75 tea spoon): Much much sweeter on the nose: it's all honey, vanilla and brown sugar. The barrel and the wine finish notes are just not there anymore it seems. Taste: Much less sweet and balanced than the nose sadly. It's a bit nondescript at first and it's pretty hard to identify the notes. It's quite waxy and has a strong brown sugar note on the get go. It's then slightly sour from the wine finish but the fruit isn't very strong (but still there). It's also surprisingly spicy considering the smell with strong cinnamon and cloves. There is a weird coffee/earthy note in there that sticks out too but it kind of works. WITH WATER: Much better balance. The candy corn is the main note now with the brown sugar and vanilla and the other notes are better integrated (much less sour, the earthy note doesn't seem there anymore). It's buttery and spicy (again cinnamon and cloves) too. Sadly the wine finish takes a back seat here and isn't as present but there are still light notes of apricot and flint. Finish: Candy corn, cinnamon, vanilla and the wine finish notes (flint and apricot mostly) are what dominate the finish. It's a medium length/medium strength finish but still quite complex. WITH WATER: pretty much the same here, a bit longer and on the more traditional corn whisky notes. Maybe an orange note that wasn't there at first. Mouthfeel: Quite light considering the 48 ABV. I expected it to have more residual oils than that considering it is non-chillfiltered but there are only a little it seems. WITH WATER: The mouthfeel got bigger somehow (never seen that before) and is much oilier. Overall: It's not a bad whisky. It's a good second effort from one of the rare craft whisky distilleries in Quebec. I suppose the entry proof might be a bit too high (not sure though). Also, 4 years for corn whisky is a bit on the low side (plenty enough for rye though) and I suppose it would benefit greatly from at least two more years of aging. BUT, adding water really changed everything, it improved the whisky on all fronts. I have never seen that before on a whisky that wasn't a single malt. It bumps the score by 0.5 to 3.75. Definitely, adding water to this whisky is borderline necessary.

Smell: Rich buttery caramel comes up first with a nice dark raisin note. There is some candy corn (and wax like smell), vanilla and lightly charred oak notes too. Not as woody and spicy than other bourbons, definitely smoother and pleasant. Ethanol is a little present in the back. WITH WATER: Vanilla gets much more intense and that's pretty much it. It's a nice note but it's a bit one note with water. Taste: Rich buttery caramel is also the first note to come on the taste as well as dark brown sugar. You definitely get some of the dark raisin note bringing a touch of acidity and a different dimension to the sweetness. The oak notes are not as dark (mostly light tannins and leather) as other bourbons which leads me to think the oak wasn't charred as intensely as other bourbons. There is a solid amount of vanilla as expected but some light rye notes in there with light herbal notes and even lighter menthol. Maybe a touch of bourbon cherry. WITH WATER: Rye spice and vanilla become much more upfront in the taste. It becomes much less sweet and drier which is surprising considering the nose got much sweeter. The cherry also comes up stronger. Finish: Oatmeal is definitely there as well as the candy corn, its waxiness being especially strong in the finish. Classic bourbon cinnamon and rye notes (herbs and menthol) lingers to the very end with the oak notes (leather and light tannins). A bit shorter than expected but still a very solid finish. Mouthfeel: Very nice creamy medium-heavy feel with a decent amount of residual oiliness. This is satisfying mouthfeel for sure. Overall: This is definitely very solid. You get plenty of complex and intense flavors while still being very easy to drink. It's definitely one of Buffalo Trace strengths, to make flavorful and satisfying whisky that doesn't offend most whisky drinkers. Only added water as an exercise as I know it rarely improves a bourbon and it definitely did not improve things here either.

Smell: It has quite a complex smell and multiple notes hit at the same time whereas other whiskies usually kind of "cycles" from note to note. You get camphor, green cardamom, caramel, honey, green apples, cloves, cinnamon, cream, peach (?). Maybe some maple? Definitely smells like a rye, even though it's a barely legal one apparentley (51%). WITH WATER: No apparent change except it appears to smell less sweet and I detect the barrel char. Taste: Follows the nose quite well. You get the caramel, honey, green cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, green apples, artificial cherry (and a little camphor) and peaches. Really well balanced but nothing surprising or "amazing". WITH WATER: Not much changes, the flavors just get a little bit more muted and it's a little less sweet. Do not add water. Finish: Quite creamy in the finish with cream-y notes, vanilla, cloves, apples, black pepper and oak. Maybe some orange zest in there, not sure. Nice decently long finish. Mouthfeel: Medium to light with decent oiliness. Overall: It's just a very nicely balanced rye. It's sweet and spicy, as you'd expect from a pleasant rye. It doesn't shock nor wow, but it's very solid. Definitely a really good value proposition, even if it's quite overpriced up here in Canada compared to its price down south.

Smell: Varnish is the first thing that comes to mind. Then, there is vanilla, dry oak, rosewater, butter shortbread and some light oloroso notes with light vinous notes and almonds. WITH WATER: Not much change except the shortbread isn't as present. Taste: Butter shortbread is the main central note to me, then like in the smell, quite a bit of vanilla, toasted coconut, dry oak, rosewater, cloves, almonds (marzipan), figs and cream like sweetness. WITH WATER: Less rosewater and that's about it, maybe a tad sweeter. Finish: Quite vinous in the finish, this is where the oloroso comes out the most. Marzipan, figs, raisins and european oak tanins come out the most here. Mouthfeel: Quite a bit better than expected considering the ABV. It's medium to light but there is quite a bit of oil in there that helps (which is doubly surprising considering the chill filtration). Overall: The vanilla and butter shortbread notes being so central is quite different than regular "single malt" whiskies out there. It's very different and it's pretty good. The rosewater and marzipan notes were quite strong and also not very usual but they fit very well. This is a very good whisky, but I found it doesn't impress unless you pay close attention to it while you drink it (some whiskies like Glendronach 15 you will notice their quality even if you aren't super attentive while drinking it).

2017 edition Smell: Pale sultana raisins are there from the start with a light vineous quality. Then, it goes mineral with slate and then you get the light smoke, pepper and rubber you expect from Oban but with some sweeter notes at the same time with vanilla, pears and light honey. Some ginger and light walnut in the back. WITH WATER: The peated notes come out much stronger in the smell and there is a light bubble gum note coming out. Taste: Surprisingly enough, the first note I get in the taste is a lot more cereal-like than I expected (didn't get in the smell at all, which is quite rare) with strong granola, walnut, honey and vanilla being at forefront of the flavor. Around that, there are the other notes I had in the smell with the vineous notes, pears and sultanas. WITH WATER: Just like with the smell, the peated notes come out much stronger and faster in the taste and changes this whisky quite dramatically considering the low amount of water that I added (a third of a teaspoon ish in a little above an ounce). Just like in the smell, there is a bubble gum and also strawberry jam notes coming out with water. Fascinating changes. Finish: The finish is where the light peated notes come out more with light smoke, pepper and ginger (and the tiniest amount of rubber). Vanilla and granola still lingers. Mouthfeel: This is medium to light with absolutely no oiliness. The chill filtration and the low alcohol count hurts it the most on this point. Overall: Palomino Fino is a great pairing for the Oban distillate, two of the main notes of this kind of wine are the nuttiness and minerality which are present in the "regular" Oban. Although, just like the regular Oban, this whisky is hurt by the chill filtration and the 43% alcohol content hurts it a little. I think this would be great at 48% (and no filtration obviously). Still, this is a quality whisky, there's not doubt about it and it's quite impressive how much it accomplishes considering all of its handicaps for something that appears to be such a delicate distillate.

Smell: Straight out of the bat, candied ginger, fresh pale sultana raisins and vanilla stands out first. It appears quite sweet from there. But, as you keep smelling, there is a roasted green pepper note coming out. A little black pepper and brine. The peat is light but it's there. Sweet, savory and a little vegetal. WITH WATER: Less sweet than at first and more in line with the taste with water. Taste: Less sweet than the smell, but the notes are relatively the same except it's the savory notes that come first. The roasted green pepper comes out first with the pepper and salinity/brine. There is an added slight rubber/soot note in there that I didn't find in the taste. Then, candied ginger come in strong with the pale sultana raisins bringing a touch of acidity. Vanilla is ever present throughout the taste. WITH WATER: The balance is quite a bit better. There is a malt/granola note that comes up that I didn't notice before. Maybe the peat is a little bit more on the soot side than rubber too. Finish: The finish is mainly the candied ginger, pepper, brine and rubber/soot notes. Last quite a while. There seems to a solid amount of oil content in there. Mouthfeel: Decently thick and viscous for only 46% ABV. It won't compare to cask strength bottlings I had but it's much better than the average 46% bottle. Overall: This is a bottle that from the very first sip I knew I loved it and it was something special. It's very very good and complex. For the original price I paid (74.50 CAD, now 88.50 CAD), it was an incredible steal. It is by far the best whisky under 100$ I've had in my life so far, no contest.

Smell: First thing apparent are the strong spices with a ton of cinnamon, mint/menthol, cardamom and even a little cloves. The roasted oak notes come then which bring a nice burnt note (dark roast coffee) and even a little rubber/medicinal quality. Some sweetness is also present with maple, caramel and vanilla and some butter. WITH WATER: Better balance with floral notes coming out as well as an orange zest. Taste: As expected, the spices hit first with a strong attack of peppermint, cardamom, menthol, cinnamon and cloves. Then, some warm sweetness with a strong maple, caramel and vanilla note. A little floral (like some Chardonnay's). WITH WATER: Better balance here too, a little less sweet with the spices and oak taking more space. Maple take a little more space in the sweet notes. A little orange/marmalade coming out. Finish: Sweet with a ton of maple and butter (very Canadian). The roasted notes come in the finish with dark espresso and tiny bit of rubber (but nothing medicinal that was in the smell). The finish then evolve back to the spices that started it all but with a light bubblegum note in the very very end. Long finish. Mouthfeel: Medium to heavy body with a distinct oiliness. This is very good and coats the mouth very well. Overall: This is an excellent whisky, easily the best Canadian whisky I've had. It would be a 4.5 but the light rubbery note brings it down a mark. It's quite excellent and is great value for the money.