Tastes

I know I am late to the game on this one with the piles of accolades it has received, but I just haven't been a huge WT fan in the past. My local shopkeep saved me a bottle though so I couldn't just leave it there. I go in with lower expectations that the WT fanboys on this one so let's see if it surprises. Nose is bringing some different notes than a traditonal rye here. I am getting an almost maple pecan nose on this one. Also remarkably low on ethanol for a barrel strength offering. Maybe I was a little to biased against this bottle.... First sip carries some traditional rye backbone, but there are also some really nice caramel notes on the edges. I am definitely getting some much more prominent sweetness on this than a usual rye. There is a warming burn that comes on mid sip that never gets overwhelming and slowly fades to the finish. I have to say the finish is rather interesting as it almost has a burnt marshmallow lingering note. Not like an up in flames burnt offering, more like the one that got a little close to the campfire and got a quick torching - sweet with a touch of char. Overall this one over performed to my expectations. It really is a nice bottle and I would gladly buy again. For the proof it is really much softer to drink than one would think and it brings the sweetness I have enjoyed in some finished ryes in a straight package. Pick one up and try it if you find it on the shelf.

My lovely wife continues to enjoy the Irish category so I continue to add new offerings that appear in our local shop to the shelf. There were several age statements of this brand and the 10 year seemed the most interesting to me at a mid level price point. Let's see how it goes... Nose is very softly sweet. The sherry finish shines with some prominent berry notes. First sip is a little unexpected. Off the bat I am getting an almost cherry cola taste. On the edges there is some vanilla and a slight cinnamon burn. The finish is mellow like a lingering cherry cinnamon cobbler. Let's start by saying this is different. Maybe it's just my limited Irish experience, but this comes off very fruit and cola forward which is not something I have seen in this category. That being said I am really enjoying this pour. The finish definitely takes center stage almost to the point of a mixed drink. I would see this being polarizing to some, but since I love variety I would definitely recommend a bottle. At the price point it gets a little nudge up in my overall scoring as a decent deal.

Haven't had a ton of experience with Pepper, but this A&B store pick was recommended as a nice bottle so I grabbed one. As with all single barrels they will vary so take this review with that in mind. Nose is traditonal peppery rye. Nothing too special. First sip is definitely spicey. Has that light rye flavor in the background and a ton of peppery bite. Follow up sips bring a bit of brown sugar on the tips. The finish is really the nicest part of this dram. After that overpowering pepper burns off there is a lingering fresh baked cinnamon muffin note that closes an otherwise middle of the pack pour. Overall this isn't a drain pour, but I wouldn't be beating down doors to find another. To me it's just another basic entry in the Rye category. Suggest you pass this one for something more interesting on the shelf.

This is the first chapter of Little Book that I have landed. Have heard some pretty high praise for these so I am very interested to see how this stacks up. Nose checks the traditional boxes. A little vanilla and some brown sugar with a little hint of ethanol. First sip is a mouthful of cinnamon. Wow, I was not really expecting that from the somewhat traditional nose. There is some complexity here with some very subtle fruit notes on the edges and a fairly strong hint of french toast. On the backside that cinnamon heat just lingers on as the dram comes to a toasty end. Final thought on this one is that they could have called it Chapter 4 Cinnamon French Toast and called it a day. Based on the layers I really enjoyed this one, but as with many of these one off experiments I can see why some give it poor marks. For me this is a great pour and I definitely recommend it (especially for all of you cinnamon fans).

This is my third vintage of Blood Oath. The previous pacts each had their own distinct style and this one looks to as well with the unique barrel finishing. Let's dive in... Nose is really sweet here. I am getting hints of vanilla and sugar like sweet vanilla icing. Not getting any ethanol at all with this one. First sip definitely plays to something different. Bourbon purists probably should stop here and find something else to sip on. For the rest of us there is a bit to decode. There is an almost immediate effervescent tingle with cinnamon notes. The dessert wine finish almost has shifted this to a soft fruit brandy experience. I am getting some sweet notes here (apricot or peach maybe). The finish brings more cinnamon with some light heat trailing off to a faint sweet finish. This one is really a very nice dram for something different. I can see why some would cast shade on it as a tater bottle, but that doesn't really do it justice. I genuinely enjoy the variety finishes can bring to whiskies. This one delivers a high quality enjoable sipper. If you like finished barrels this is a must try. If you think they are a gimmick move along, nothing to see here.

Trying this one at my brother's place. No nothing about it or the source. Thinking maybe Dickel based on location, but don't hold me on that one. Let's see how she drinks.... Nose is a little hot. Still getting a Dickel profile overall so I am pretty sure on that as the source. Getting some toasting and a little heavy on the ethanol. First sip is a little charry. Definitely corn heavy here and a little ethanol burn. The finish is pretty short and the alcohol burn is short lived. Overall this is ok, but I don't think I can recommend a bottle. This one tastes like they tried to do a toasted barrel finish and just missed the mark a bit. Something to sample, but not one I'd keep on the shelf.

Heading into the holiday weekend I got chatting with my local shopkeep and he started raving about this bottle. I will admit I have considered trying the Portwood, but never really looked at the CMR. Upon his glowing review I pulled the trigger on my first Dalmore. I am a little concerned I will like this since so many "experts" write this whole brand off, but then again who cares about them and their $10,000 bottles. Let's see if I got suckered or led to a gem. Nose is very figgy and raisin forward. This is almost like opening the lid of a Turkish fig jam. No peat or familiar scotch notes jumping out on this one. First sip is a mouthful here. There is an overload of flavors with notes of figs and dried cherries. A little heat joins the party mid sip, but the twist comes with the finish of coffee and dark cocoa. The finish could be a little longer, but isn't underwhelming. Dalmore has really done a masterful job with the finishing barrels here leading to a really nics dram. Overall it would appear I am a sheep so I will give a hearty "BAAAHHHH". Maybe this isn't the purist single malt expression, but it is a damn tasty one! Now for the tough part of giving this a rating. This really is enjoyable to sip, but that price is up there a bit. At $180 I won't be using this as an everynight go to, but it is a really nice bottle to have on the shelf for an occasional treat or to share with friends and family. If you can afford it this is definitely worth a pickup. After this bottle I am very likely to pick up that Portwood sooner than later.