Tastes

So, I'll give this a go from memory (somewhat hazy due to the subject of the review itself) I'm new to scotch and smokey bottles in particular. Bought this one as a gift for my brother. Having just gotten into peaty whiskey myself, I tend to go for more burning fire wood type peatyness like Bowemore, and he, liking the tarred rope type peat, goes for Laphroaig stuff. I got this thinking it might be smoky enough for him to enjoy and perhaps a good next step for me to try (not hiding the fact that I wanted him to crack open the bottle right away! :) ) . So, whats the verdict? We both really liked it! The smoke and peat is forward, both at the nose and mouth, but its balanced with sweet honey, salmiak and vanilla once it hits the palette. The smoke felt more like fire wood and perhaps tobacco than tarred pirate boat. I did not get any medicinal hints, but perhaps some seawater. As far as I remember this one is more smoke forward than my old favourite Bowemore but thats not a bad thing. The Moine also had really nice sweet notes that (at least to me right now, 20 hours later) felt a bit less crass. This one was an excellent next step up the peat latter for me. I would like to have some more. It was way more layered than i expected, especially for the price point.

Nose: Oaky, sweetness, some smoke. Not much alcohol. Taste: Oakey sweetness probably from the bourbon cask. Really nice, mellow smoke, like sitting in Infront of a fire that's down to it's last embers on a summer's evening. The smokey notes develops in the middle. Perhaps a hint of something flowery like heather at the end. This one has a long finish. Conclusions: I really like this one! I am new to scotch, so most bottles are first time tries for me. I image many of you who like high abv and complexity will find it a bit tame. But for me, the sweet goes great with the peat. Goes down real easy. I would recommend this for those who like myself have been geared towards bourbon and just getting into peaty stuff. Or just a smooth, sweet and smoky whiskey.

I am new to whiskey tasting, but here goes... Nose: Not much, but faint sweetness and some smoke. Not much alcohol. Taste: Sweet, not bourbon sweet, but probably some cask influence. Some smoke and what I guess is peat, I noted a streak of salmiak (sweet and salty liqourice) but not at all heavy. Conclusions: I am new to whiskey and have never really liked smokey spirit. But this was really good, the sweet was familiar having had some experience with bourbon. The smokey notes was really pleasant, something new for me. I think I will try and find some other peated/smoked whiskey now that the door has been opened. I would not mind another sip of this one either.

Nose: Alcohol, but also a nice sweetness, can't find the words but maby something like golden syrup, not plain sugar. Nice. Taste: Man, its much nicer than I remembered. The flavours are light, and not really deep. First sip I taste more syrup... Turns a bit more like honey, with hints of really ripe fruits, like you ate a yellow pear half an hour ago. It has a really nice oily texture to it. Conclusion: Im surprised! I remember this as abit simple from a few years back. But this time i really like it. Sure there are other whiskeys that are more complicated and packs more punch, especially for a little more money, but compared to Jim Beam (from what I can remember), this can compete. I think I will have some more!

I'm new to all this but I will give it a try. The nose: Starts off really heavy, smells mostly nail polish. After a few minutes I can get hints of vanilla behind it. Taste: Still prominent nail polish, but maybe, more like white pepper. After that ther is a direct sugery sweetness. With a bit of water, the sweet beats the nail polish into submission. With a bit of time some banana emerge. The white peppar lingers a bit. Conclusion: This was one of the first bourbons I purchased, and I dont know what I payed. But I don't think I will get it again. This is mainly due the nail polish start. But I must admit I liked it a lot more as it spent a little more time in the glass.