Tastes

Review #072 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 58.4% Comments: aged 7 years, peated to 50ppm, matured in a 1st-fill PX hogshead Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Mahogany color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, it starts to bead up quickly, but legs are slow to form. Nose: 17/20 Dark chocolate, wisps of campfire smoke, prunes, baked apples, honey glazed ham, and cinnamon. Palate: 34/40 Cinnamon raisin toast, plumbs, charcoal, more dark chocolate, a hint of dark cherries, and a little bit of something else that reminds me of grilled vegetables. Finish: 31/40 Medium finish. Smoky ash gets things started, then there’s a small splash of orange citrus before it turns bitter and drying. Oxidized and rusted metal comes to mind actually. The ending notes are of bitter oak tannins. With Water: A few drops of water brings out some additional sweetness on the palate and introduces some apricot, also adding a bit of salinity to the end of the finish. Total: 82/100 Final thoughts: When I purchased this bottle I was in a bit of a Kilchoman deep dive, and had wondered what a single cask Kilchoman might taste like. Then I found this bottle matured in PX (a favorite of mine) and couldn’t resist. I probably built up too great a hype in my mind, and it didn’t measure up. I’ve found that it needs a good 10-15 minutes to breath before finding it’s footing. It’s a good whisky but not worth the price tag. Price: $129 Would recommend: no Would buy: no Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

Review #071 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 46% Comments: NAS, matured in ex-fino sherry butts from Bodega Miguel Martin, one of 10,500 bottles Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Tawny color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 16/20 Sweet on the nose, it reminds me of mesquite smoke and barbecue, but without any pepper or spicy aromas. It’s got sweet notes of molasses, tomatoes, plumbs, even a little salt, some mild vanilla, and mushy banana as well. Palate: 33/40 Nice oily mouthfeel, but it’s also got a strong alcohol bite. Not sweet at all in stark contrast to the nose. Smoke is the dominant flavor, reminding me of smoke off a well used and sooty charcoal grill. There’s also some other bitter flavors, like pencil shavings and rubber, which are balanced out by hints of honey and pineapple. Finish: 32/40 Medium finish. Starts off an a mildly metallic note before transitioning to something sweeter, mainly honey, then burnt honey accompanied by more smoke. As the sweetness fades it’s replaced by bitter lemon peel and oak tannins, ending on a dry note. With Water: A couple drops of water brings out some extra salinity on the palate and finish, but it’s almost overpowering. I think I prefer it without the water. Total: 81/100 Final thoughts: At the time I purchased this bottle, I was on a bit of a Kilchoman kick, I stumbled across it while on work travel and scooped it as I knew I wouldn’t have access to this back home. It’s a different experience than the other Kilchoman expressions I’ve tried as it’s got some unique industrial and metallic flavors. I’m glad I bought this and had the opportunity to give it a try, but I won’t be buying another to replace it once this bottle has been emptied. Price: $89 Would recommend: maybe Would buy: no Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

Review #070 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 56% Comments: aged 11 years, matured in ex-bourbon American Oak hogsheads Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Golden straw color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 17/20 Very sweet and fruity with crisp apples, soft juicy pears, and tart pineapple. There’s also just a little sawdust and cinnamon also to help round it out. Palate: 36/40 Really enjoyable full mouthfeel. Sweet here again with honey, apples, apricots, toasted almonds, white pepper, and some spicy oak tannins. Finish: 34/40 Medium-long finish. Grain cereal and cinnamon, gradually a bit sweeter with honey and lemon pastries, then slighter bitter oak notes to end. With Water: A few drops of water adds a mild saltiness to the nose and a slight floral edge. Caramel and lemon citrus are now added to the palate, and some dark chocolate helps to kick off the finish. Total: 87/100 Final thoughts: This was a nice treat, I haven’t been able to try many Cardhu expressions, but this one is by far the best from my limited experience. The Diageo special releases are polarizing, but I rather enjoy them. Sure, some fall flat on their faces, but others are absolute gems that take the distillate in a whole new direction and reveal another side of their character, and that is the category that I think I’d place this bottle in. Recently I think these special releases have gotten a bit too pricy for a gamble on an entire bottle, but I love that they produce cask strength very unique expressions that are always at least worth trying. This one got me looking around at retail prices and it seems to still be sparsely available for around $100, give or take. If I stumbled across one for that price I’d most likely grab it, but I don’t know that I love it enough to specifically order it and also pay shipping costs. Thanks to my brother @Mark-Watson2 for the sample. Price: gifted sample Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

Review #069 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 50% Comments: NAS, matured in ex-bourbon barrels, the distillery’s first peated single malt release since reopening, peated to 20 PPM Tasted after: Glenglassaugh Evolution Appearance (no score): Russet color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 14/20 Mild peat smoke, vanilla, caramel, bacon, a little lemon zest, and a hint of salty sea breeze. Palate: 32/40 Nice oily mouthfeel. For flavors, there’s a little smoke, crisp and mildly sour green apples, dark chocolate, vanilla, and a bit of lemon citrus. Finish: 30/40 Medium-short finish. Starts with an interesting charred and burnt flavor, then becomes a bit sweeter with notes of licorice and baked apples, ending on a dry and slightly spicy note with oak tannins and a little salt. With Water: A few drops of water emphasizes the vanilla scent on the nose and the sour flavors on the palate. Total: 76/100 Final thoughts: I purchased this bottle and the Evolution at the same time, and was expecting to enjoy this expression more given the reviews I had seen and my fondness for a good peated whisky. Initially I believe I did, but then I forgot about these bottles on the back of my shelf for probably over a year, and they both changed during that time. This is a solid bottle and was a good value for the price, but if I could only go back and buy one of these, I’d pick the Evolution, time was a much better friend to it. Price: $50 Would recommend: maybe Would buy: maybe Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

Review #068 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 50% Comments: aged 3 years, matured in ex-Tennessee whiskey casks from George Dickel distillery, 1 of 6,000 bottles Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Pale gold color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, it starts to bead up quickly, but legs are slow to form. Nose: 15/20 Vanilla, crisp pears, apple skins, white bread loaf, and lemon peel, but more the rind than the zest. It’s nice, but also simplistic. Palate: 33/40 Very smooth (especially at this ABV) and nice mouthfeel. Oak tannins are the leading flavor, but they’re softer and a bit more subdued. Accompanied by vanilla, butterscotch, and the smallest hint of cinnamon. None of the flavors are bold, instead they all mingle together into something that’s subtle yet enjoyable. Finish: 32/40 Medium finish. Starts with intensifying butterscotch flavor, then transitions to burnt caramel, before becoming slightly spicy with oak tannins taking over. With Water: Adding a few drops of water didn’t have any noticeable affect. Total: 80/100 Final thoughts: I surprised myself with how fast I sipped through two sample pours of this while taking notes. It really is a lovely easy drinker, and I’m astounded by the quality for a 3 year old whisky. I’m glad they decided to bottle at 50% and not dilute it further. I’d wager that any casks from this same batch that make it to 10 years old will be something special. Price: $50 Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

Review #067 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 43% Comments: NAS, matured in refill American oak hogsheads, European oak Sherry casks, and refill casks with new ends, then married and finished in small oak casks Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Tawny color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 15/20 It’s fruit forward on the nose, with crips apples and orange zest. Sweet honey accompanies floral notes, and there’s a hint of black coffee as well. Palate: 28/40 Spicy and fruity. Stewed apples, mushy pears, orange peel, black pepper, cinnamon, and bitter oak tannins. Finish: 30/40 Medium finish. Starts off as grain cereal before becoming dry and a bit bitter. Transitions to apple peel and grapefruit, then ending with more oak. There’s a wisp of smoke throughout the finish also, but it’s so faint you might miss it if you’re not looking for it. With Water: A couple drops of water enhanced the honey profile on the nose. It also introduced some nice charred notes on the palate and made the smoke on the finish a bit more evident. Total: 73/100 Final thoughts: Not a bad bottle by any means, it’s definitely an easy drinker. Glad I picked this one up when I saw it on sale and had the opportunity to try it, but I won’t be replacing it once it’s gone. There’s other easy drinkers that I prefer and I don’t think it’s worth it at full retail price. Price: $51 Would recommend: no Would buy: no Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

Review #066 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 57% Comments: aged 11 years, matured in refill hogsheads then married in a fresh sherry butt and finished for 20 months Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Old oak color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 18/20 Peaty and ashy, sweet and savory. Smoky barbecue, candied bacon, chocolate covered cherries, apricots, and vanilla. Palate: 35/40 On the first sip, I’m greeted by heavy smoke, but it’s sweet. Driving deeper there’s dark berries, sooty ashes, orange zest, black pepper, and a little honey. Finish: 37/40 Medium-long finish. This is exceptionally well layered, whereas there’s a transformation of flavors lingering on your palate, while throughout there’s also a definitive sooty and ashy undertone which remains consistent. It starts of sweet with plumbs and honey, becomes a bit savory with hints of candied bacon, then a bit bitter with dark chocolate and coffee grounds, ending on a mildly salty and slightly maritime note, yet also filthy with wet ashes and a bit of tar. Absolutely terrific! With Water: A few drops of water didn’t alter this much, only bringing out a little additional citrus on the palate, maybe a drop of lemon juice? Total: 90/100 Final thoughts: I really enjoy IB Caol Ila releases. It’s such a dynamic and fantastic spirit that takes so well to so many wood type finishes, but I’ve got a soft spot for a good sherry finish especially. This bottle is a fantastic representation of exactly that. It’s been a real treat to savor and will leave behind big shoes to fill on my shelf. Price: £90 Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

Review #065 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 58.8% Comments: aged 7 years, matured in a dechar/rechar hogshead Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Chestnut color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 18/20 Dominated by lots of peat smoke. It’s thick and sooty, but also has a hint of grilled meats, perhaps heavily charred salmon? After giving it some time it becomes subtly salty, with hints of barbecue and molasses sweetness in the background, and lemon zest also. It reminds me of a charcoal grill on an ocean beach, and it’s mouth watering. Palate: 35/40 Greeted initially with more intense smoke flavors. I’d wager this is on-par with Octomore levels of peat, though it’s more sooty and salty. It’s not just smoke, it’s also greasy charred logs from a beach fire, just extinguished with a bucket of ocean water. Burnt toast mingles with toasted seaweed, other low tide muck, a hint of something interesting I can’t place and makes me think “burnt electrical”, but also sweet brown sugar and sour lemon citrus. Finish: 33/40 Medium-long finish. It’s not complicated, mostly just being the slow retreat of the soot and charcoal flavors. There’s also some spent coffee grounds, along with mild salinity and citrus notes that accompanies it. Not remarkable, but still very enjoyable. With Water: A couple drops of water brings out some interesting herbal scents on the nose, most notably oregano and other subtle floral notes. The palate is largely unchanged, but the finish is what I can only describe as “juicier”, for lack of a better term, but in the same way you might think of a double IPA as being juicy. There’s definitely more grapefruit and orange citrus influence there now. Total: 86/100 Final thoughts: I think maturing this whisky in a dechar/rechar hogshead took the already heavy peat influence and dialed it up to an 11. It hints at having a dynamic flavor profile even with all the peat smoke, but I think the marriage of this distillate with that cask type for full maturation was too much and masked that. This bottle takes to heart the phrase “don’t half ass two things, whole ass one.” It’s very good at being a great heavily peated scotch, and only that, so I’m very happy with this purchase. It’s a great Octomore equivalent at less than half the price. Price: $89 Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

Review #064 Type: bourbon Proof: 44% Comments: aged 2 years, mash bill consisting of corn, barley, caramel malt, and wheat, matured in new American oak barrels, bottle originating from batch no. 30 Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Burnt Umber color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 17/20 This one need a couple minutes to open up. I always get a whiff of paint thinner immediately after pouring, but time does wonders for it. Circling back, I can’t help but think this is what a wet empty bourbon barrel would smell like if I dropped a warm apple pie into it. Its first and foremost oaky on the nose, but there’s cinnamon, apples, caramel, and even a little vanilla ice cream. It smells like dessert in a glass. Palate: 34/40 Very smooth, but none of the sweetness from the nose comes across into the palate. The dominant flavor is toast, accompanied by walnuts, molasses, bitter dark chocolate, and cinnamon. It’s sufficiently tasty and complex to be interesting without being overly sweet as I find is the case with too many bourbons. Finish: 34/40 Medium finish. Starts off hot and sweet, chili peppers mingling with apricots, a drizzle of maple syrup, and just a little vanilla, then becoming drier. The flavor of charred toast takes over and there’s some oak tannins, then ending on a mildly salty note, just the perfect amount to wet the palate and invite the next sip. With Water: A couple drops of water emphasizes the vanilla notes on the nose, and gives it an almost creamy characteristic, like homemade whipped cream. The palate is also a bit sweeter, revealing mushy baked apples and a hint of caramel. Not overpowering, just enough to complement the other more bitter elements. Also the heat of the finish is dialed back a bit, but the flavor profile otherwise remains mostly unchanged. Total: 85/100 Final thoughts: I don’t always drink bourbon, but when I do, this is usually the one I’ll reach for. It’s hands down the best bourbon for the price I’ve come across. I’ve used it on blind taste testings with friends, and when I ask people to rank their favorites, this one always places very highly. It punches way above it’s price point in terms of quality. I think this is maybe my third bottle that I’m polishing off, with a fourth already on standby. It’s a keeper for sure, you just need to remember to give it a few minutes to breath. Price: $45 Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

Review #063 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 46% Comments: NAS, matured in ex-bourbon, finished in tokaji dessert wine casks Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Tawny color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 16/20 Very light, sweet, and delicate. Port wine, vanilla, caramel, apricots, and a sweet pastry note that reminds me a little of a frosted fruit danish. Palate: 33/40 Nice almost creamy mouthfeel. Honey, green apples, yellow pears, orange peel, and bitter dark chocolate. Finish: 30/40 Medium finish. Honey, almonds, nutmeg, and candied oranges get it started, then chalk, black pepper, and bitter oak tannins on the backend. With Water: The Port wine I was smelling on the nose is gone, instead I’m now reminded of a Cabernet Sauvignon. Less sweet, with hints of cinnamon and baking spices that I don’t recall smelling earlier. The palate has some additional mineral and malty notes, and on the finish I get some creamy vanilla, which helps round out the oak bitterness. Total: 79/100 Final thoughts: This is an enjoyable easy sipper for sure but it’s not exactly very dynamic or inspiring. I think I really struggle with how bitter the finish is relative to the nose and palate, it doesn’t match up with the sweet profiles they convey. It’s very sweet and mellow, and I don’t regret buying it, but to be honest there’s other bottles I’ve found myself reaching for when I’m in the mood for something like this, such as Clynelish 14 (which is also a better value). Price: $99 Would recommend: no Would buy: no Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.