Tastes

Another NAS Laphroaig. I’ll be honest, I don’t really understand this whisky. There’s still the typical TCP, medicinal taste up front, but this time it’s very understated. It’s a bit all over the place, with little of the usual Laphroaig character coming to the fore. Smoky, peaty, sweet, brine, citrus, apple, bread - it’s got all of it vying for attention, but making the whole flavour less than the sum of its parts. The aftertaste doesn’t last long. Sweet and peaty, but quickly forgotten. As I’ve said many times now, Laphroaig is my go-to dram. I won’t be adding the Select to my standard cabinet. It’s OK but I’d pick up a standard 10y/o before this one. It’s not quite right for me, but then I’m not really sure who it’s for. If you want a peat monster, this isn’t it. If you want something that shows you all the depth of Islay whisky, this isn’t it either. If you want a soft introduction to Laphroaig, this isn’t it either - I just don’t get it. I’m confused by this whisky. I’ll have to have another couple of drams to try to work it out.

The first taste is smoky, peaty and seaweedy. It does have hit of citrus and toffee, but these are background notes. The aftertaste is long, warm, peppery and smoky. It lingers pleasantly for a long while. This is a very well balanced whisky. I would consider it an ‘entry level’ Islay malt as it doesn’t stretch too much into some of the wilder, stronger tastes the island is famous for, but it’s still very obviously an Islay.

This is an unusual Bunnahabhain - in a good way! This is a peated NAS expression, which while not unusual for Islay, Bunnahabhain is usually an un-peated whisky. The first taste is smooth, caramel sweet and smoky. As it develops in the mouth, you get the typical brine, alongside citrus and pepper which stays right through the medium long finish. The aftertaste is citrus, pepper and sweet smoke. Overall, a delicious NAS dram. Definitely a favourite from Bunnahabhain.

Another NAS Laphroaig. This is an interesting one that I suspect will divide opinion. First off, it still has the typical TCP, medicinal taste up front, but this time it’s all about the smoke. There’s a lot of character in the smoke, but it’s not as oily and full-bodied as you’d tend to expect from a Laphroaig. I’m mostly getting a vanilla and toast, with a hint of some citrus and salt, but that’s about it. The aftertaste doesn’t last long. What there is is really just more of the ashiness, with a bare hint of salt and vanilla. It does taste young and a little ashy, but it is still an enjoyable dram. It’s lighter than many Islay and pretty unassuming. It’s not bad, but I’d generally pick up a standard 10y/o before this one.

Often when a whisky is finished in rum casks, it overpowers the whisky and becomes an odd mongrel that doesn’t complement either spirits. This whisky is well balanced whisky. It has a lovely creamy vanilla taste upfront, but there’s plenty of fruit with apples and oranges and topped off with subtle molasses. The finish is long, with a lot of citrus and vanilla. Overall, a lovely well-rounded, sweet vanilla dram.

You can absolutely taste the standard 10y/o in this NAS whisky, but it’s sweeter, oilier and with a good smack of vanilla. Creamy with ginger, pepper nutmeg and oranges, with a lovely dessert wine kick. I’ve always liked a Glenmorangie, but this is quite delicious.

The barrel influences are very noticeable in this whisky. At first you get the bourbon influence; sweet caramel and vanilla. It then mellows a little on the palate and you start to get the sherry notes; dried fruits and spices. The aftertaste is quite layered; spicy, dry and almost tannic, and ultimately well rounded. I’ve had this whisky in bars in dozens of countries and cities around the world. There’s a reason it’s considered a classic, it’s easy to drink, and it’s pretty good.

This is one of Lidl’s own brand whisky range. The first impression is that it is very light and that it tastes young and sweet. As it develops it maintains the sweet but adds a lemon/lime bitterness and a light oak that stays with you. Overall, it’s a decent dram for the money. It’s pretty cheap, it’s light and easy to drink and it’s better than a lot of whiskies in the same price band. I wouldn’t run out to buy a bottle, but it’s unassuming and not too bad.

Cask number: 31524-31528 Distilled: November 2000 Bottled: May 2012 Cask type: First Fill Bourbon Barrels Soft, sweet and peaty upfront. There’s a good hit of vanilla which fades slowly away to a salty, ashy aftertaste. Part of the Secret Stills range, it’s not much of a secret that this is a Bowmore - it’s all over the internet! This is a nice light peaty dram. It’s very dry on the aftertaste which means it doesn’t really work as a ‘session’ whisky, but it is a pleasant dram.

The first taste is sweet and peppery. It has a slightly alcohol heavy initial taste with some light oak and fruit, but it’s reasonably smooth with it. Salty and very slightly bitter on the aftertaste and a medium long finish. As a NAS Bunnahabhain it’s not bad. Unfortunately, it promises more than it delivers. Still a decent dram, but it just tastes too young and loses some of the layers and complexity of a typical Bunnahabhain for it.