Tastes

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.

Review #062 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 48.3% Comments: aged 14 years, cask details not disclosed Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Deep gold color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 17/20 Peat smoke, but it’s light and sweet, along with mushy overripe bananas, vanilla, honey, freshly baked bread, and orange citrus. Palate: 31/40 More light fruity peat smoke, but I can’t quite discern what type of fruit, it’s just that mild. This is accompanied by sweet honey, grain cereal, and a hint of white pepper. Finish: 33/40 Medium-long finish. Buttery to start, like heavily buttered bread, then transitioning into bitter grapefruit, gradually becoming sweeter, a bit of a floral note and some honey now, finally ending on a flavor reminiscent of mint leaves. With Water: After a couple drops of water, the banana I was previously getting on the nose is more prevalent, maybe even a bit rotten? The palate also has a new slightly briny flavor to it which is not a characteristic I’m used to with this distillery. Total: 81/100 Final thoughts: I’d sum this dram up with two words: sweet smoke. It’s rather good just not very complex, but remains one I recommend to folks who are trying to branch out into peated scotch. I actually had the pleasure of touring the distillery a couple of months ago and saw the coal and peat furnaces they use, which have a shared flue. I was surprised when our guide told us that they no longer clean this after their peat week, and instead just sort of arbitrarily use the liquid in subsequent weeks for various blending until the peat has mostly dissipated. In recent years they started to cleaning it just prior to peat week so as to make the peat smoke as pure as possible. I wonder how (or if at all) that will affect this expression once the stock created from this new process has aged enough to begin appearing in future bottles. Price: $76 Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes, if I can find it again for a reasonable price 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 #061 Type: bourbon whisky Proof: 43% Comments: NAS, made with unprocessed spring water from the Adirondack mountains Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Tawny color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs start forming quickly. Nose: 14/20 Although this is a bourbon, the first thing I notice on the nose is the sent of rye, which (aside from the name) leads me to guess there’s a decent amount was used in the mash bill. It’s also sweet, with notes of apples, dates, and gingerbread. Palate: 28/40 Orange rind, almonds, baking spices, and a hint of vanilla. It’s a bit hotter than I would have expected given the ABV but light overall, none of the flavors really pop. Finish: 26/40 Medium-short finish. The rye I picked up on the nose really makes itself known here, accompanied by dry oak tannins and a hint of orange marmalade before ending on a mildly bitter note. With Water: A couple drops of water does wonders. It adds a buttery shortbread note on the nose. On the palate, it dulls the heat a bit and brings out some sugary pastry notes. That sweet and tangy orange marmalade on the finish is also amplified a bit, and these two really tie in very nicely together. Total: 68/100 Final thoughts: This is the first high-rye bourbon I’ve tried. It’s definitely drinkable, especially with a couple drops of water, but probably makes a better cocktail than a neat sipper. Price: gift 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 #060 Type: Indian single malt whisky Proof: 45% Comments: NAS, matured in ex-bourbon barrels then finished in European oak ex-sherry casks Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Russet color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs start forming moderately quickly. Nose: 15/20 Yellow pears, apple cider, grain cereal, and apricots. Overall it’s subtle but the aromas mingle nicely together. Palate: 33/40 Dark chocolate, honey, more grain cereal, raisins, and vanilla. Like the nose, it’s simple but enjoyable. Finish: 28/40 Medium-short finish. Burnt toast alongside something that’s almost but not quite fennel, which gives way to a dry earthiness, and a bit of wintergreen coolness ending on the mouth. With Water: A few drops of water brings out some cinnamon and nutmeg notes on the palate and finish. Total: 76/100 Final thoughts: This is an easy sipper with a unique flavor profile versus other single malts I’ve tried. The finish was especially unique, and while I didn’t love it on the first few sips, it grew on me over the course of my dram. It’s a nice summer night as I write these words, and I re-filled my glass a couple times while my dogs and I were sitting out on my back porch. If it were half the price, I’d likely replace replace this bottle once I finish it off, but at the current price I can’t justify another buy. There’s other easy sippers that are easier on my wallet. Price: $85 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 #059 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 43% Comments: aged 18 years, matured in American and European oak, finished in 1st-fill PX and Olorosso sherry casks Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Brown sherry color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are very slow to form. Nose: 15/20 Dark chocolate stands out most. I also get notes of licorice, raisins, and coffee. Palate: 33/40 The mouthfeel is a little watery. Bitter and spicy oak tannins lead, accompanied by black pepper, well done toast, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Finish: 30/40 Medium finish. The flavor of toast persists, gradually it turns more into a buttered burnt toast, before ending on mild nutty and milk chocolate notes. With Water: On the nose, I get the addition of the missing stone fruit, with plumbs and cherries making an appearance. Unfortunately the addition of water doesn’t do any favors to the palate and finish, they remain largely unchanged. Total: 78/100 Final thoughts: I think my favorite part of this whisky is the color, and I just wish I knew if it’s natural. The sherry cask influence here is interesting, I was expecting more sweetness and stone fruit influence I suppose. Instead I was surprised by how the oak cask dominated the flavor profile, in a blind tasting I likely would have guessed this to be an older whisky based on how much this stood out. It’s a shame they diluted it to 43%, I feel like at 46-48% it would be a remarkable whisky with a very interesting flavor profile. Instead it’s a nice easy drinker, but for the price I’ve seen it retail for I’m not sure I’d buy a bottle of it. Thanks to my brother @Mark-Watson2 for the sample. Price: gifted sample 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 #058 Type: bourbon Proof: 45% Comments: NAS, distilled from a mash bill of corn, rye, and malted barley, then infused with Vermont maple syrup that was aged in ex-bourbon barrels Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Auburn color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 15/20 Vanilla, cinnamon, graham crackers, maple syrup, and an interesting musty, woody, oak aroma. Palate: 30/40 Very smooth. Cinnamon sugar and charred oak are most prevalent. There’s oak tannins also, and hints of chili peppers and maple sugar candies. Finish: 28/40 Medium length. Once again, more smooth than remarkable. Vanilla to start, which slowly morphs to black pepper, and ending on a charred wood note. With Water: There’s a distinct flavor of apricots on the palate after a couple drops of water. The finish seems to be a bit extended also, there’s a hint of applesauce at the beginning to accompany the vanilla, then it’s mildly salty for the remainder. Total: 73/100 Final thoughts: This is a very very easy drinking bourbon. It’s not overly sweet, which is something I was worried about initially, rather just subtlety hints at the maple influence. For me this balances out the typical bourbon spice imparted from the charred virgin oak nicely, but it’s just not exciting. Every phase brings on more of the same 3-4 flavors, so while enjoyable it just doesn’t rank for me. Price: $45 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 #057 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 61.2% Comments: NAS, matured in Spanish oloroso sherry butts, this bottle was from batch no. 70 Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Auburn color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, begins to bead quickly but legs are slow to form. Nose: 16/20 Raisins, milk chocolate, nuts, raspberries still on the vine (subtle aroma, a bit sweet, but grassy and floral also), and a hint of an earthy, oaky aroma lingering in the back. Palate: 34/40 I’m never prepared for how hot this one hits, you can taste all of the 122.4 proof. My taste buds acclimate after a couple sips though, and I first notice bitter oak tannins and leather. It’s subtly sweet also, and a few more sips starts to reveal plumbs, red berry fruitiness (can’t quite pinpoint a specific type), and dark chocolate. Finish: 32/40 Medium length. Big tobacco notes to start with, then it becomes almost harshly bitter for a moment and I can’t help but think of grappa here. The bitter flavor subsides slightly but carries forward with lemon and orange peel. Ends on a mildly salty note with a subtle earthy flavor lingering in the background throughout. With Water: A few drops of water bring out sweet caramel notes on the nose. The sherry bomb explodes on the next sip now, way sweeter! Juicy honeycrisp apples and red currants on the palate. The bitterness of the finish has been significantly reduced, replaced by a honey sweetness. The semi-bitter citrus is still here but now leaving behind a semi-sweet chocolate flavor on the end. Total: 82/100 Final thoughts: This is a whisky that doesn’t just love water, it needs water. I went back and re-scored every category adding points after adding four drops. For me that was when it really started opening up as I wasn’t getting a ton of sherry influence prior. It’s too bad the finish isn’t longer, but overall this is a yummy one! Price: $77 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 #056 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 40% Comments: aged 16 years, matured in ex-bourbon American oak and sherry butts, this bottle was from batch no. AB16 2-21 Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Mahogany color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 17/20 The nose is subtle, but hands-down the best part. Vanilla and sugary caramel are most evident. Also picking up orange zest, nuts, and fruity pastries. It’s not complex, but I rather like how inviting it is. Palate: 26/40 The first thought that crossed my mind upon taking a sip was how watery this is. Like someone drank half the bottle and refilled it with water. What’s discernible is mildly floral, with hints of red delicious apple, orange peel, oak tannins, and brown sugar. Admittedly my palate is adjusting to this as I sip it more, but it’s still very underwhelming. Finish: 24/40 Medium-short finish. More dry oak tannins, actually noticeably drying out my mouth, accompanied by mild chili pepper heat and cinnamon. With Water: I almost skipped this step as I think the distiller already checked the box, but diligence calls for a few drops. The chili pepper heat on the finish is kicked up a notch, now more noticeable in the back of my mouth. There’s a new salty flavor introduced as the finish unfolds also. Total: 67/100 Final thoughts: I’ve lamented when reviewing bottles before about low ABVs and wished some had been left a few percentage points higher, but this so muted that it’s something else entirely. This bottle is criminally under-proofed. That being said, this isn’t a bottle that I disliked. The flavors that are here are good and play nicely together, they’re just incredibly stifled to the point of being almost dull. If this was a $50 bottle I would have given it a higher rating, but for the price it’s just a mistake I made with my credit card. Price: $102 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.