Tastes

Neck pour I’ve been on a bit of a Glen Scotia kick lately, tasting some new bottles, opening some old bottles and have a generally positive view of their offerings. They are no Springbank or Hazelburn, but are a tasty and enjoyable Campbeltown whiskey none the less. This took a long time and some melted ice to open up. Nose: Earthy peat, toffee, vanilla, salt, plus some fruitiness and general sweetness. Palate: Thick, viscous and semisweet, with youthful heat, sweet peat, some tropical fruits and peppery notes. Finish: Darn thick coating of the tongue and mouth, general sweetness, lasting pepper and baking spices. The PX influence is subdued. The 8 year age does not show overtly, other than the heat. Not my favorite of the recently tasted Glen Scotia’s, but certainly an acceptable, better than average Scotch whiskey.

Neck pour. Nose: Super fruity, but not overly sweet, raspberries, oranges, blackberries, plus malt and vanilla. Really like this nose. Palate: Weighty, rich, coating, semisweet, bunches of red fruit, malt, vanilla, baking spices, sea salt, caramel, hot and peppery, a bit of citrus. Finish: Long and spicy, with red fruits, caramel and malt notes. Can definitely feel the ABV. Liked the palate better with a little water, but it detracted from the nose. Just a lovely whiskey.

Neck pour. I needed a dribble of water. Dried fruits, vanilla , sherry and mild baking spices on the nose. Rich on the palate with vanilla, nutty sherry, heat and spices. Finish is long, with vanilla, nutty sherry notes, heat and lasting spicy notes. Initial impressions are that this is somewhat simple, but well executed.

Pappy’s of Oceanside barrel pick. Fragrant and powdery on the nose. Rich, buttery palate. Long semi bitter finish.

Pappy’s of Oceanside store pick. The clerk recommended this bottle, saying he was on his third bottle already. Now I believe him. This is pretty good. Almost as good as the last Blanton’s bottle I opened. Nose: Cherry cough syrup, ethanol, light baking spices, hint of orange marmalade. Palate: Silky, coating, rounded, cherry, baking spices, a little bitterness hiding in the shadows. Finish: Longish, some latent heat, cherry and orange notes. Not complex, but delicious.

Mild oak, creme brulee, vanilla, light baking spices, no off notes, crushable, delicious!

2019 edition. This is nice. Sweet sherry pairs well with the smoke, brine, leather, anchovies and bacon notes on the nose and silky palate, long warming finish. Overall, a beautiful sweet and savory whiskey, just fantastic!

This one took me awhile to warm up to. Bottle is 3/4 full, open 6 months +/-. Nose: French vanilla, slightly burnt buttered popcorn, straw, dried apricots, graham cracker and light baking spices. Palate: Rich, viscous, coating, vanilla, baking spices, smoke notes and heat, the longer held, the hotter it gets. Finish: Sryupy, sticky, numbing. Maybe this could be a good substitute for Novocain if you are going to have dental work done. To quote Pink Floyd, “ I have become comfortably numb. “ In the end, I fell in love with this bottle and wanted more. Bumped 1/4 point.

Found on clearance for $11.99 for a liter bottle. Nose : Butterscotch, toffee, French vanilla, maple, ethanol, and hints of sherry. Not necessarily in that order. Palate: Slightly creamy and rich with butterscotch, vanilla, toffee, rum raisin, baking spices and coffee notes. All fairly subtle. Finish: Medium length, a little warming, with hint of vanilla and sherry. Very subtle yet enjoyable enough to me, acceptable straight, but probably better as a mixer.

I think I get it now. I didn’t truly appreciate this the first couple times I tasted it, well few times. Tasting it today, I find hints of citrus, probably orange, with wheat and shortbread cookies on the nose.  On the palate, it’s somewhat silky, with wheat bread, porridge, malt, citrus, honey, vanilla, and very slight baking spices. The finish is medium length with a smoldering warmth which I find delightful.