Tastes

Review #085 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 45.8% Comments: 2021 release, aged 10 years, matured in ex-bourbon, finished in ex-amoroso sherry 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: 16/20 Dark chocolate covered cherries, orange marmalade, butterscotch, a few whiffs of peat smoke, beach sea breeze, and a hint of wood polish. Palate: 33/40 Creamy mouthfeel. Honey, salt, and pepper stand out most. There’s also campfire smoke, some of that classic Talisker minerality, ripe juicy plumbs, and orange zest. Finish: 33/40 Medium finish. Ashes and dark chocolate to start, some orange citrus too, transitioning to black pepper and old leather, than a dash of salt, and ending with smooth vanilla. With Water: A few drops of water adds an airy freshness to the nose, I don’t like saying that but I’m really struggling to define it, like the breeze off a lake after a rainstorm? On the palate, peat smoke is more evident, and the finish has a slightly more medicinal and savory character. Total: 82/100 Final thoughts: This is one of my favorite of the Diageo DE expressions. It’s classic Talisker (enough said?), and the amoroso sherry finish adds a nice creamy and mildly sweet dimension to that. I’ve heard rumblings that the newer NAS releases of this aren’t as good, and that’s a shame if it’s true. This bottle is a great balance between complexity and value and I’ll definitely be buying another to replace it once it’s gone. Price: $68 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 #084 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 43% Comments: aged 18 years, matured in American oak casks Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Russet color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 17/20 Baked apples, cinnamon, zesty lemon bars, dried apricots, strawberries and cream, honey, and a subtle earthy musty scent to help balance out the sweeter ones. This bouquet of aromas is really just a joy to nose. Palate: 34/40 The mouthfeel comes across a little thin, but it’s not lacking in flavor. Salted caramels, more dried apricots, cinnamon, buttermilk, almonds, and milk chocolate. It’s very smooth, yet also complex. Finish: 34/40 Medium finish. Starts off with a nice creamy lemon flavor, gradually becoming a little spicier with oak tannins and a sprinkle of black pepper. Then it becomes smoother again as walnuts and vanilla take over, before ending with a small puff of peat smoke. With Water: A couple drops of water made berries much more evident on the nose, accompanied by some butterscotch. On the palate there’s an addition of milk and honey which unfortunately masks some of the other milder flavors - they’re still there but you need to really be searching for them. Total: 85/100 Final thoughts: First and foremost, I genuinely love this expression. I believe that the bottle I’m sampling from tonight is my third in as many years. It’s rare to come across one so smooth yet complex, and it’s hard to do better than Oban 18 for those times when you just want an easy-sipper. That said, I generally prefer punchier expressions, which is why I cant bring myself to give it a higher score. I think this whisky had the potential for more but was watered down too much and has been handicapped by the 43% ABV. The aromas and flavors are terrific but all seem a bit muted, the mouthfeel comes across a bit thin, and the finish feels cut short. This will always be a really enjoyable dram and a crowd pleaser, but it’s too agreeable and smooth to rise above and stand out. Price: $110 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 #083 Type: single grain scotch whisky Proof: 55.7% Comments: aged 21 years, finished in an Oloroso quarter cask for 6 months Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Mahogany color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, it starts to beed up quickly, but legs are slow to form. Nose: 16/20 Delicate, sweet, and fruity. It’s subtle but also warming, reminding me of freshly baked bread and jam. And there’s a creamy buttery scent layered in along with some coconut and cinnamon. Palate: 33/40 Thick, syrupy, almost chewy texture. Comes in very hot on the first sip, but by the second it starts to reveal raisins, figs, stewed apples, vanilla, a little nutmeg, and some mango. Finish: 32/40 Medium finish, but it packs in a roller coaster of flavors. Starts off zesty and spicy with lemon peel and chili peppers, becoming milder with mixed nuts and a hint of orange citrus. Gradually it becomes creamier and ends on a semi-dry note with vanilla being the ending flavor on my tongue. With Water: A couple drops of water did not yield any discernible differences. Total: 81/100 Final thoughts: When I try a sample from a shuttered distillery, it’s always with mixed emotions. Port Dundas closed in 2011 I believe, so there’s a little less of its product available after I enjoyed this sample. Truthfully I haven’t tried a lot of single grains previously, and those I did were generally underwhelming. This one moves the needle though, it’s the first of these that I’ve really enjoyed. Also at a retail price of just a little over $100 it’s a great value, and worth buying. 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 #082 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 46% Comments: aged 24 years, matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Treacle color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 17/20 Apples and cinnamon are most prevalent, accompanied by more subtle scents of milk chocolate, brown sugar, and mango. And just a whiff of something like wood polish? Palate: 36/40 Nice creamy mouthfeel. Good balance of sweet caramel, vanilla, and berry jam with bitter black tea, some oak spice, and black pepper. Finish: 35/40 Medium-long finish. It’s got some light honey sweetness throughout, with hints of ripe pears and zesty lemon. Gradually it becomes drier, eventually ending on a very dry note with mildly bitter tea tannins. With Water: A couple drops of water introduces some honey to the nose and very mild baked bread flavor to the palate. Total: 88/100 Final thoughts: This was a well-balanced and tasty dram. It certainly hints at the sweeter end of the flavor spectrum, but the spicy and peppery flavors help to keep that in check and make it a bit more dynamic and complex. I don’t know that I’d go as far as seeking this out, but I’d definitely buy a bottle if I stumbled across it at the right price. 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 #081 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 50.1% Comments: NAS, spirit made using roasted black malt, cask types not disclosed Tasted after: Ardbeg Ardcore Appearance (no score): Pale straw color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, it beads up very quickly, but legs are slow to form. Nose: 15/20 Sweet vanilla, caramel, oak spice, nuts, brown sugar, and little peat smoke. There’s also a hint of something chemical, pool chlorine perhaps? Palate: 28/40 Very mild. It’s nutty with a whiff of savory smoke, a little dark chocolate, and a drop of molasses. I’m really struggling to find anything else. Finish: 30/40 Medium finish. Ashes and oak spices transition to a flavor which reminds me of having just ate some extra dark chocolate. It ends with a slight menthol note and cooling sensation. With Water: A couple drops of water add yellow pears to the nose, a little salt to the palate, and amplifies the oak spices in the finish. Total: 73/100 Final thoughts: Generally I really like the Ardbeg committee releases, but this one falls short. It was fun though to try this after the 46% release and see how different the flavor profile is. This whisky is very smooth for being 50.1%, but it’s also lacking bold flavors and complexity. It’s a fine sipping dram but not one that I’d ever seek out. Thanks to my brother @Mark-Watson2 for the sample. Price: gifted sample 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 #080 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 46% Comments: NAS, spirit made using roasted black malt, cask types not disclosed Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Pale straw color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 14/20 Nutty, earthy, and something that reminds me of a log of rotting wood. I’m also smelling spent coffee grounds, vanilla, and just a hint of smoldering embers, more of a burnt/charred smell than smoke. Palate: 27/40 Ashes, bitter baking cocoa, spicy oak tannins, black pepper, salt, and coffee grounds. It’s very mild compared to other Ardbeg’s I’ve tried. Finish: 30/40 Medium finish. Starts off with smoke, then a hint of lemon citrus cuts through and it becomes mildly sweet. Milk and honey maybe? It doesn’t last long, fading quickly to salt and more smoke, albeit milder now. The ending taste left behind is of a dark chocolate covered espresso bean, and this may be my favorite part of this dram. With Water: A couple drops of water brings out some nice maltiness on the nose and palate. Total: 71/100 Final thoughts: Overall this bottle ended up being a disappointment. Rather than a “spiky ball” as advertised, I find it to be very mellow and subdued compared to other Ardbeg’s I’ve tried. When I grabbed the last bottle on the shelf, I was thinking about other single malts I’ve enjoyed that used roasted chocolate malt and assumed this might be similar. Now after doing a little homework I know better, these are very different animals which produce wildly different flavors. It’s a decent bottle, but so many other superior ones for a better price that I’d rather spend my money on. In my opinion, this is probably the biggest disappointment yet of the Ardbeg special releases to date. Price: $115 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 #079 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 46% Comments: NAS, matured in ex-bourbon casks, finished in ex-rum casks 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: 15/20 Molasses, caramel and grilled pineapple stand out. The smoke is here but it’s softer, more subtle than I’m accustomed to with Ardbeg, accompanied by a bit of lime zest a briny coastal breeze. Palate: 33/40 The classic Ardbeg ashy smoke flavor shines through here. It’s mingled with a plethora of fruits too. I can pick out bananas and pineapple but it tastes like there’s more, a hint of coconut too maybe. Brown sugar and molasses add to the sweetness. None of its punchy though, all these flavors are subtle and blend into something enjoyable, just not great or wow-worthy. Finish: 30/40 Medium-long finish. Sooty smoke throughout, mingling with burnt bacon and black pepper. It’s fairly consistent throughout, but ends on a softer note with a hint of vanilla. No noticeable rum cask influence here. With Water: A couple drops of water brings out a little vanilla on the nose and banana on the finish. Very minor changes, almost imperceptible. Total: 78/100 Final thoughts: I’m a big fan of peated whiskies, and of rum cask finishes. I had high hopes for this bottle. The kaleidoscope of flavors here is wonderful, but they’re all too subtle. Instead it’s another disappointing Ardbeg special release. It’s enjoyable to drink, but not worth the price tag, and leaves me wishing I’d been able to track down a committee release version instead. Price: $95 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 #078 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 46% Comments: NAS, matured in heavily charred ex-bourbon casks Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Russet color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 16/20 Black smoke and vanilla are most prominent. There’s also hints of barbecued meats, rusted metal, and briny coastal breeze. Strangely enough, maybe a few soap suds also? Palate: 34/40 Sooty ashes and smoked ham greet the palate. Searching deeper, there’s adhesive bandages (reminds me of how Laphroaig 10 smells), heavy cream, vanilla, black pepper, and citrus zest too. Finish: 32/40 Medium-long finish. It’s soot and wet ashes that kick it off, and this runs through to the end mingling with some mild briny and rubber flavors, then a bit of oak spice appears at the very end. With Water: A couple drops of water makes the nose is a bit sweeter, with yellow apples and cinnamon sugar. It also introduces some spicy oak tannins to the palate, but dilutes the other flavors too much. Total: 82/100 Final thoughts: This is a really nice whisky, but it’s not worth the price tag. I’m glad I had an opportunity to try it, but I’m sorry I had to buy a whole bottle to do so. I like the influence that the heavy charred casks had on the spirit, but watered down and muted a bit too much I think. I can’t help but wonder what the committee release version tastes like. Price: $110 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 #077 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 47.4% Comments: aged 5 years, matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-oloroso sherry casks Tasted after: first up 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 Vanilla, peat smoke, and lemon zest are most prominent. Some additional nosing also reveals some orange peel, molasses, and honey. Palate: 30/40 Oak spices and campfire smoke lead on the first sip. There’s also sweet honey, some vanilla, white pepper, and toasted bread. Finish: 31/40 Medium finish. Starts off with bold spicy oak tannins and black pepper. It becomes mildly salty throughout, fading from spice and pepper to bitter citrus notes, then becoming nutty, and eventually ending by leaving an ashy aftertaste behind. With Water: A couple drops of water emphasizes the honey sweetness on the palate and somewhat mutes the pepper and spice notes on the finish. Total: 75/100 Final thoughts: I’m actually very impressed with this bottle, for an Ardbeg it punches way above its price point. I think it’s better than a number of limited release expressions they’ve come out with. It’s not a whirlwind of complex flavors but it’s a solid dram at a good value. I actually bought this bottle with the intention of making some old fashioned cocktails with it. That said I’ve sipped my way through more than half the bottle already and haven’t tried one yet! Price: $40 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 #076 Type: single malt scotch whisky Proof: 46% Comments: aged 14 years, cask types not disclosed Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Russet color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 17/20 Sweet here, but also mellow. Honey mostly, with some stone fruit in the form of apricots and cherries as well. And there’s a subtle aroma of a fermented grapes, but I can’t quite pinpoint the wine type. All rounded out with hints of fresh baked bread and butter. Palate: 33/40 I never get tired of the waxy impression this imparts on the first sip. It’s more subtly sweet here as compared as the nose. Instead it’s pasty forward, like buttered and lightly salted fruit scones. Tart crisp apples accompany this with a little savory caramel and a dash of cinnamon. Finish: 32/40 Medium finish. It starts on a savory and salty note, then shifts back towards highlighting more more of those bread flavors. The sweetness is gone though, now it’s more of a hearty wheat loaf, maybe salted crackers too, before ending on a leafy and earthy tobacco flavor. Then oddly enough I had a small burp after finishing my second sip, and the flavor that came to mind was canned peaches. With Water: The tart and crisp apples I was tasting on the palate are now very evident on the nose, and there’s some vanilla that I’m noticing now which I don’t remember smelling before. It’s also a totally different animal on the palate - still sweet and pastry forward but bolder now, and a bit hotter. And that tobacco note that ended the finish is a bit smokier now, like I just took a drag on a cigar. Total: 82/100 Final thoughts: This bottle is a favorite of mine to begin tastings with. It’s a downright good whisky and easy sipper on its own, but is also very dynamic and foundational. I’ve found that it lends itself well towards supporting a number of different flavor profiles. It’s starting to get a bit expensive up my way, but is still a bottle I that I try to keep a spare of on hand. Price: $68 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.