Tastes

The distiller notes are accurate. I was really looking forward to this when I bought it...but it's been a let-down. A year on and my bottle is still 2/3 full. I'll occasionally I'll pour a half dram deciding what else I want to drink, wondering what else I could've picked up for the money. I'll call this one boring and uninspiring- the standard lager of the whisky world. It's scared me away from Glenfiddich for now. But that's my opinion, highland malts might not be for me...still better than a Jura.

getting a mandarin bitters on the palate as the bottle begins to oxidize

To begin, I almost feel like I could notice a very faint wiff of the rubberiness similar to what's in the Port Charlottes. I'm told this is likely barrel char coming through. A few more smells and I start to get a mix of barley sugars and lemon peel. More of the same when tasting- and extra lemon. The 50%abv doesn't come across as heavy. This was a small taste of a newly opened bottle...I feel like it will get better with time. 3.5 stars for now....I've started to really enjoy this one now 3 1/2 to 4 stars.

I'd rather not give this one a rating, as I bought this mainly as a mixer so I didn't feel guilty using my expensive stuff. Added to that, in Australia the Bulleit is watered down to 40% abv (as are most of the standard bourbons- I really hate that- you have to hunt for the untouched product). I don't feel like this is a true representation of what it is. That said, I almost feel like this is a rye more than a bourbon, nosing and tasting it. I don't get much vanilla at all, but lots of spice, orange peel, and oak. Even at 40% there's a bite. It's reasonably good, and for the price. I'd like to compare the 45% to this, I feel like it would be apples and oranges.

The An Oa's peat has a more vegetal character to it, not the upfront medicinal style that I like so much about the 10yr. It's softer too, with less of a sting on the cheeks. Salt, sweetness (honey and lemon), a little nutty (peanuts?), and a slight bitter finish. I like the 10 more, and for a lower cost. 3 1/2. Newly opened bottle...maybe it'll open up given time.

Here are my thoughts- On the nose- red apples straight off (maybe toffee apple- there’s a candiness to it), dark cherries, slight acetone (in a good way), with a burn. Very faint wood in the background (which was a nice change for bourbon- I’m used to oak heavy) Taste- More apple (with apple skins rather than just the juice from the nose), tartness. I don’t get orange…or vanilla. Faint clove is the only spice I really get---smooth. Finish- Very light oak, no burn, and a fade to what I’d expect if I’d eaten an unpeeled red apple ten minutes ago. There’s a waxy feel… After coming off Evan Williams Single Barrel 2008 (that was a bit of a letdown…the previous one I’d had was impressive), American Eagle 10yr was a step up in satisfaction. Happy- I won’t miss the money. I'll put it between 3 1/2 to 4 stars.

Salty sweet, grilled orange peal, with nutmeg and a chili heat. I prefer the 10 (+VFM), but there's a more to think about in the 18. Bottle killed :(