Tastes
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Augier L'Océanique Cognac
Cognac — Bois Ordinares, France
Reviewed February 18, 2023 (edited February 19, 2023)What a wonderful cognac. Very unique, with its maritime notes being reminiscent of a coastal scotch. The nose is full of brine and mint. The arrival is salted caramel and ripe orchard fruits. Im not a cognac connoisseur but this is easily the best I’ve tried. -
The nose hits with a strong herbaceous funk. Damp wood, dates and walnuts. Toffee and brown sugar. A creamy, full bodied arrival of vanilla, sweet pears, oranges and apples. Summer flowers. The development turns dry and brings baking spice and rhubarb. The finish is medium in length and has lingering white pepper notes.
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The palette follows the nose on this one. Banana, honey and vanilla. Gentle wood spices. Pears apples and light citrus fruit. The gentlest hint of peat. Not particularly memorable or challenging, but undeniably pretty and drinkable. Nicely balanced as you’d expect from a Japanese blend. Would make a fantastic first whisky recommendation for a beginner. Hard to dislike.
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Blair Athol Sipping Shed
Single Malt — Scotland
Reviewed December 28, 2022 (edited February 9, 2023)On the nose - citrus fruits, vanilla, green herbaceous notes and the faintest wisp of smoke. Arrival - a big burst of oranges and red fruits. Toffee and creamy fudge. Despite the hefty 59.1% there’s no harshness, but a little water definitely helps open up the flavour. There’s a pleasant sour edge to the finish, nicely balanced with lingering sweet, dark fruit. The worst thing about this whisky is they only made 114 bottles. If you see one, grab it! -
A gentle ashy peat comes in first on the nose, followed by green apples, honest and vanilla. The arrival is sweet and creamy, with big caramel and toffee flavours combining elegantly with the salty peat influences. There’s a minty development with a fennel note and the finish, although not long, continues the balance between the phenols and the sweet orchard fruit. An underrated, tasty dram.
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Ardnamurchan AD/02.22
Single Malt — Highland , Scotland
Reviewed December 8, 2022 (edited February 16, 2023)Nose Honey and sweet vanilla beautifully balanced by ash and seaweed. Taste Oily mouthfeel, thick and creamy arrival. Black pepper and salt. Toffee. Grilled ham and pineapple. Chilli spices. Strawberries. Finish Long. Very long. The saltiness and sweetness persist, with a hint of dark chocolate coming into the mix. This is made with predominantly peated barley, but it’s so beautifully balanced and integrated that it definitely can’t be described as a peat monster. A quite spectacular cask-strength whisky. -
The nose has cereal, mint and biscuit notes, along with a floral undertone. The arrival brings intense orchard fruits, and toffee and brown sugar in spades. A strong note of almond emerges in the development and finish. A great example of bourbon cask maturation - a real toffee bomb. And, for now at least, fantastic value.
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Tomatin 12 Year Bourbon & Sherry Casks
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed November 5, 2022 (edited February 9, 2023)Very restrained nose. Pencil shavings, unripe banana, freshly mowed lawn. The palette is dry and tart with grapefruit, pineapple and mango. A medium finish with celery and a hint of sweet ginger. -
Glen Scotia 12 Year (2022 Seasonal Release)
Single Malt — Campbeltown, Scotland
Reviewed November 4, 2022 (edited February 17, 2023)That famous Glen Scotia character is here in spades. This is the best seasonal release I have tried from them. Nose: stewed fruits, burnt matches, dark tobacco and hazelnuts. That classic Glen Scotia salty, briny background. Palette: Caramel, toasted nuts, brown sugar, smoky barrel char. Needs a little water to tame the high ABV. Delicate strawberry and banana notes linger in the finish.
Results 11-20 of 96 Reviews