Tastes

GLASS: Glencairn Whiskey Glass NOSE: Banana, cereal and acetone. Not a pleasant nose at all. PALATE: Oddly light mouthfeel with chemical/alchohol dominating the flavors. Waxy notes and some candied orange finish this dreary dram off. CONCLUSION: If Ted Cruz were a Whiskey. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

GLASS: Glencairn Whiskey Glass NOSE: More composed than the 16 year. Citrus notes with subtle paraffin wax. The wood is more prominent as expected. PALATE: Glycerin mouthfeel. Candied orange, herbacous, a hint of cola on the finish. A bit cloying. CONCLUSION: A fine dram but not my personal style.

GLASS: Glencairn Whiskey Glass NOSE: A nice nose. Toasted malt, banana, a hint of buttered popcorn with a lovely waft of ocean air. PALATE: Smooth entry. Sweet Apple and brioche coupled with cereal and baking spice. Sweet but not cloying. Some good salinity balances things. CONCLUSION: A sweeter style I don’t usually like, but this one had me leaning in. Well done.

GLASS: Glencairn Whiskey Glass NOSE: Apple pie by a campfire. PALATE: Smoky salinity leads off with a balanced sweetness following. The flavor remains savory, never cloying. Very elegant and restrained. CONCLUSION: If Isabella Rossalini were a drink. Elegant and always intriguing.

GLASS: Glencairn Whiskey Glass NOSE: Beeswax and grassy notes blend with cinnamon and the sea with a fire in the distance. Some citrus too. A very nice nose. PALATE: Oily but pleasant mouthfeel. Well balanced orange, oak, smoke, spice and a hint of black tea. Well done. CONCLUSION: I'm an Islay guy so this is in my wheelhouse. That said, this is a good bridge to Islay Scotch for people who are new to it. The peat and smoke is more subtle than other Islays but it’s there.

GLASS: Glencairn Whiskey Glass NOSE: Spiced apples, banana, vanilla, oak and, cereal PALATE: Even with a generous amount of water added the alcohol was overpowering any other flavors. More water didn’t help. This was chemical and medicinal. A hot mess on the palate. CONCLUSION: Hard pass. Like drinking a burning tire.

GLASS: Glencairn Whiskey Glass NOSE: Butterscotch/caramel, oak, cereal, a hint of smoke. PALATE: Well balanced. Golden raisins, baking spice, and some citrus to lift things at the end. CONCLUSION: Very well done. I’m an Islay fan but this is a fine dram.

GLASS: Glencairn Whiskey Glass NOSE: A beautiful nose of leather, fine aged red wine, and candied ginger PALATE: Oily banana and spice. An awkward bitter finish. CONCLUSION: Not a fan.

GLASS: Glencairn Whiskey Glass NOSE: Predominantly orange marmalade, with secondary notes of toasted oak, some white flowers, and a hint of acetone. PALATE: Viscous mouthfeel, with orange as the dominant flavor, followed by some butter and melon. CONCLUSION: I’m not a marmalade fan so 'nuff said. If you are….buy marmalade for a lot less.