Tastes

Equal parts rye, corn, malted barley and wheat. A burnished, chestnut oloroso color. This took a bit to come together after opening. However, once it did, it almost felt too homogenized -- too clean. The rye element sings the most for me in the nose. It's very bright with an abundance of orange zest, orange blossom, rose water, and rye spice. There's also subtle caramel and vanilla notes that come across as the somewhat plasticky remnants of a mass-produced taffy candy. On the palate the rye stays strong with plenty of herbal zing, but there's also a malty sugar, orange peel, and an abundance of pear. The finish is sugared pears, cinnamon, maple, vanilla cream, pecans, and brown sugar. It's a very clean, well-made, and focused spirit from a producer that obviously knows a thing or two about eau de vie and maximizing fruit flavors in a spirit. I really enjoyed it, but I could see it turning off many bourbon drinkers looking for more oomf and less refinement.

A bright old gold or amber color. Nice blend of barrels. Bountiful orange blossom, heather, white sugar, Turkish fig, golden raisin (sultanas), orange zest, honeyed vanilla, heather & cream. Very soft and ethereal on the palate with a bounty of vanilla and orange, a slash of peppery peat and smoke, sugary white grape, some fig, and old oak. A bit of spice on the finish. Very easy going for a subtly peaty whiskey.

A deep auburn to burnt umber color. Opened straight out the gate with an obnoxious imitation vanilla, green banana, banana nut bread aroma that somewhat dissipates as one drinks down the bottle. However, banana and vanilla flavors continue to dominate this 'rum-esque' whiskey. Aromas of unripe banana, baked banana, dark char, toasted rye bread, grape preserves, pecan, peanut, vanilla, honey, burnt marshmallow, molasses and Christmas spice. The charcoal mellowing process definitely masks the hefty barrel proof ABV in the nose. On the palate, it's sweet and fiery with an abundance of maple syrup, birch syrup, brown sugar, buttered pecans, peanut brittle, earthy Central American coffee, and cinnamon. On the finish, there's plenty alcohol and spice. However, there is also a slightly bitter element, like burnt wood or Brazil nuts. While this bottle packs significant punch for the price, it just doesn't seem very focused or intentional. It's Jack Daniels on 11. I imagine EW BiB would taste similar at the same proof. Very nutty

A deep copper/burnished color. An abundance of peat aromas lilting towards smoke. The sherry, marsala, and ex-bourbon barrels add plenty of sweet vanilla to the nose, but also orange sherbet, honey cookies, honey biscuits, peach, and tangerine. Thick, oily, and creamy on the palate with rich grape spirit notes -- Turkish figs, sultanas, lemon custard, and sugar. There's plenty of sweetness, but the peat permeates the whiskey from start to finish keeping things from becoming too cloying or syrupy. There's more vanilla bean and orange sherbet on the finish with a buoy of dry barrel spice and black pepper. The influence of each cask is evident throughout the whiskey providing great depth and complexity. Really, a master class in blending.

Light amber color. It takes a bit to settle, but there is a rich nose of cereal, white sugar, vanilla, raisin, oat, honey, heather and orange citrus zest. This is a farm-pretty Speyside for sure. The palate is honeyed malt, apple, pear orchard fruits, biscuity cookies and honeyed tea. Has a very sugary, vanilla finish with subtle black pepper, brown sugar, dried apricot, and banana notes. This is Speyside done right. It's original, but familiar. I could easily see this becoming a favorite in the years to come.

A deep russet muscat color with rich aromas of dried fruits, apricot, dark raisin, prune, Touriga Nacional, vanilla bean, toasted almonds and pecan. Very soft and luxurious on the palate with muted bourbon alcohol spikes, a bevy of butterscotch, cherry, brown sugar, honey, vanilla, and orange zest. This is a very pretty bourbon and I completely understand the criticisms levied against it. It isn't a bourbon for hardcore aggressive alcohol-heavy bourbon fans. It's more refined and demure -- a bourbon for the Speyside crowd.

Deep gold color. Surprisingly restrained in smoke and ABV at 43 % compared to Ardbeg. This is downright civil and ladylike. Rich aromas of peat smoke, brine, seaweed, shortbread cookie, honey, heather, malt syrup, and vanilla wafers. Soft, delicate, and pretty on the palate with ample honey and biscuit flavors. This is far from a manly Scotch. This is a mermaid -- a delicious and sweet treat surrounded by a salty sea.