Tastes

Review transfer from Barreled from August 2016. This is the 43% ABV version sold in the States. Other than the Bowmore 15 YO Darkest and the Talkisker Dark Storm, this is the darkest natural color scotch I've had. Rich copper/bronze. The sherry cask influence on the nose is apparent right off the bat. Dried figs, dates, toffee, with faint orange peel and vanilla. The box states wood smoke and ginger but I do not pick up much if any. Hardly any alcohol smell after sitting for 5 minutes. There is an unpleasant sulfur smell that comes and goes. I have heard that can happen with some heavily sherried whiskies. Sweet and mildly spicy on the palate. Toffee and caramel linger on the finish with the ginger faintly coming through and oak spices. Definitely an after dinner/dessert whisky. Very nice for a 12 YO. 3.75-4

Review transfer from Barreled from February 2016. My favorite Canadian whisky. Dark copper in color. Intense butterscotch and toffee on the nose with hints of rye and brown sugar. Sweet with a subtle rye spice on the palate. More of the butterscotch coming through in the development and finish. It's like a small batch craft version of Canadian Club with a price that is very easy on the wallet (I paid $32 for a 1L bottle). On a recommendation from a well respected whisky reviewer, I added a few drops of a peated Islay malt (Laphroaig). As expected, it added a nice smokey component without taking away its identity. 2017 Update: it's a little harsher than I remember but still good. Found it pairs well with a splash (maybe 15%) of Dr. Pepper. It was a 4 upon first review but now I would say 3.5-3.75

Review transfer from Barreled from February 2016. What an amazing scotch is this Laphroaig Quarter Cask! It has caramel colorant added but it is non chill filtered and weighs in at a nice 48% ABV. Wonderful peat and brine/salt come through on the nose and palate. It lingers on the tongue and is perfect for a cold winters night or a cool summers eve in front of a nice bonfire. Laphroaig is in a constant battle with Lagavulin and Talisker for my favorite scotch, and a fierce battle it is. Quarter Cask is my go to Laphroaig and I highly recommend it. 4.5 Addendum: I doubt this is still my go to Laphroaig since the release of Lore and since I’ve gotten to know the 10 a little better.

Review transfer from Barreled from February 2016. I’d love to have another go at this one and write a better review. Typical coloring for JW, perhaps a shade lighter than JWB12. 43% which is up from their usual 40%, and only single malts used in this blend. This is the 2015 rerelease for the States. I did not try the original release so I cannot compare it to that. Crisp red apples on the nose, hard to get past that but also some floral notes. Very light peat on the palate/finish compared to JWB12. Slightly peppery, probably using Talisker. A good scotch. Better than JWB12, but not by much. 3.75

Review transfer from Barreled from May 2016 An unexpected pleasure coming off of a recommendation from a friend. This is the non-barrel strength version, barrel # 75-4P. Signature dark copper/bronze I've come to expect from quality bourbons with longer maturation periods. 50% ABV, not sure if it is chill filtered. Toffee, butterscotch, oak spices, maple and caramel dominant on the nose with what I think is a bit of mint or menthol and vanilla peeking around the corner and of course the corn sweetness that comes with most bourbons. A very complex and lovely nosing bourbon. A bit hot on the palate at 50% but nothing excessive. Burnt toffee or caramel is the dominant palate flavor, but red fruits come through later in the development. The finish has a decent length and is dryer than expected. Not quite as good as Elijah Craig in my opinion which is my benchmark bourbon, but it's not far behind. EC is about $12 less so that plays a part as well. Still a very high quality bourbon that I will go back to. 4.5

Review transfer from Barreled from March 2016 A dark amber or copper form the charred barrels being used and at a deceptive 50.5% ABV. Corn sweetness and spicy rye, rich toffee and vanilla and oak spices are on the nose with some some fruity note I can't quite pin down. For a 50.5% ABV bourbon this has little alcohol burn on the nose. Immediate, intense,spicy arrival with rye and slight butterscotch/toffee. The finish is spicy sweet with medium long length. Pretty good stuff and surprisingly smooth given its high alcohol content. Great neat or with a splash of water. 3.75

Review transfer from Barreled from April 2016 Simply fantastic. Dark amber suggesting caramel coloring and it is chill filtered, but I can overlook that for this amazing single malt. Bottled at 43% ABV. Heavy peat smoke on the nose, but it is a more elegant and sophisticated smoke when compared to Ardbeg or Laphroaig no doubt from the longer maturation period. There is also a salty sea air and a rich sweetness from the sherry oak casks and some light citrus notes. Peaty and salty smoke immediately on the palate with oak developing once the smoke starts to wane. The finish is long, mouth watering and silky smooth. The only negative is the price tag, but I will gladly pay it for this beautiful dram. 4.75

A bonus sample for the tour provided by @LeeEvolved I loved the original Peat Monster from Compass Box Whisky. Let’s see how this cask strength version does. Bottled at a whopping 57.3% ABV, this blended malt is natural color of pale gold and non chill filtered. The nose is sweet and peat all the way. Creamy vanilla, apricots, peaches and lemons. Brine, peat smoke and bonfire ashes. The nose was little more than that so I had to add some water to see what it could unlock. Water brings out more vanilla and some light oak. Smoky prunes and a nice waxy note. Not much more after that. The palate is peppery and hot. Lots of peat smoke. Very closed off due to the ABV and the sheer overwhelming pungency. Had to add some water. Ashes, creosote and some medical notes. Much of the heat remains though. Light orchard/stone fruits, but it’s all muddled together. Quite the chore to get through. Full bodied mouthfeel, oily and mouthwatering, also, boiling hot lava. A long finish, ashy, peppery, semisweet and some mild oak. What can I say...it’s just too intense for me right out of the cask. Glaser knows what he is doing and the standard Peat Monster shows that. This is just a big peaty, peppery punch in the face with no subtlety. I feel sorry for Lee, having to go through that 1.75L bottle. Hope he can find a new tongue on Amazon. 3.75 Cheers

Review transfer from Barreled from February 2016. I’m glad I have a bottle of the 12 still in my collection. A superb bourbon. Lovely deep amber color. Intense vanilla, apples and oak spices on the nose, layers upon layers with this one. Very complex. Vanilla and slight maple with oak on the palate. Not a huge finish but very smooth and incredibly easy to drink, even at 47%. It's a shame that Elijah Craig has taken off its 12 year age statement but it can only be attributed to their success and dwindling supplies. I hope the new NAS version, which will contain 8-12 YO bourbon, will not lack in quality and I suspect it will still be a great dram. 4.5