Tastes
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Deanston 2009 Organic Cask No. 28
Single Malt — Scotland
Reviewed May 30, 2024 (edited June 16, 2024)Review #055 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 54.9% Comments: single cask bottling, distilled in 2009 and bottled November 2021 so either 11 or 12 years old, olorosso maturation, hand filled at Deanston Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Brown Sherry color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 17/20 Chocolate covered cherries, raisins, baking spices, and a rich dank earthy aroma. Additional time resting also revealed some roasted malty sweetness. Palate: 34/40 The initial taste is very spice forward, but opens up with additional sips. Orange peel and lemon citrus, milk chocolate, and vanilla. Finish: 36/40 Nice long finish. Mildly salty, starts with notes of charcoal (especially notable in the back of my mouth), gives way to black tea, then oak tannins and cinnamon, ending with a raspberry jam sweetness. With Water: A couple drops of water brings out rich toffee and vanilla notes on the nose. The spice is also scaled back some on the palate revealing some raspberry sweetness. Total: 87/100 Final thoughts: This bottle is what put Deanston on the map for me as a great distillery. It taught me that this spirit takes well to sherry casks and can be exceptional at a higher ABV. I picked this bottle up about two years ago during my first trip to Scotland while visiting the Deanston, and while it represents some great memories, it has reached a point where I need to resentfully finish it up. Price: 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.120.0 GBP per Bottle -
Redemption Rye Rum Cask Finish (Batch 2)
Rye — Indiana , USA
Reviewed May 1, 2024 (edited June 16, 2024)Review #054 Type: rye whisky Proof: 47% Comments: NAS, 95% rye and 5% malted barley mash, finished in Plantation Caribbean Rum casks Tasted after: Pike Creek 10 Year Rum Barrel Finish Appearance (no score): Auburn color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 15/20 Very rye forward, but it’s got a subtle sweetness that rounds it out. Molasses, brown sugar, a generic citrus that I can’t quite pinpoint, and maybe graham crackers. Palate: 32/40 Sweet honey and brown sugar lead. There’s a subtle mint flavor that’s interwoven with black pepper, nutmeg, and vanilla. With the exception of these sweet flavors being amplified, it’s hard to discern any distinct influence from the rum barrels. Finish: 33/40 Medium long finish. Bold and spicy here with loads of rye and cinnamon, but more honey balances is out. Towards the end there’s a brief appearance of something that hints of being metallic, and reminds me of holding a nail in my mouth while working on some project. Then there’s a pop of milk chocolate sweetness in the last moments. With Water: A couple drops of water brings out vanilla on the nose. The palate has more spicy rye and oak flavors which nicely balance out the sweetness. On the finish I notice some caramel with mild salt and pepper throughout. The momentary pop of milk chocolate is gone unfortunately, and interestingly the new ending flavor reminds me of having just chewed through a green banana. Total: 80/100 Final thoughts: I rather enjoy how this rye has a comparatively minimal rum influence, as compared to some other “rum bombs” I’ve tried, like Pike Creek and Angel’s Envy. Rye is not among my favorite types of whisky, but this one is well balanced and enjoyable to sip. Price: $49 Would recommend: yes 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.49.0 USD per Bottle -
Pike Creek 10 Year Rum Barrel Finish
Canadian — Ontario, Canada
Reviewed May 1, 2024 (edited June 16, 2024)Review #053 Type: Canadian rye whisky Proof: 42% Comments: aged 10 years, white oak ex-bourbon maturation, finished in rum barrels Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Auburn color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 15/20 Vanilla and spicy rye notes are most notable on first pass. Letting it sit for a minute and continued nosing makes me think of bananas foster. The fried fruit, the brown sugar, the cinnamon, and the vanilla ice cream are all here. Very sweet, the more I nose it the more I’m finding and enjoying it. Palate: 29/40 Nice mouthfeel but a little watery flavor wise. It’s sweet and very mellow, almost a complete lack of any alcohol burn. The first thing that comes to mind is rum raisin vanilla ice cream. Searching some more I can discern a mild cola flavor, honey, and some rye bread also. Finish: 27/40 Short finish. Rye spice and oak are most noticeable but they don’t exactly pop. I get hints of molasses and black pepper also, but it’s mild throughout. With Water: Water makes this a much more interesting dram. A couple drops further enhance the vanilla on the nose. On the palate, the rye spice pops and rounds it out very nicely, and the finish takes on a little bit of a lemon citrus edge. Total: 71/100 Final thoughts: This one is such an easy sipper. It’s not a bottle I frequently reach for but usually goes over well with friends who are just getting started with whisky. I stacked some promos together to buy this bottle at an incredibly discounted price, and am very glad I had the opportunity to try it. It’s an awesome value buy and good example of how sweet rum and spicy rye can work well together, but I don’t think I’ll be replacing it once it’s gone. Price: $22 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.22.0 USD per Bottle -
LONGROW RED 15 YEAR OLD RED PINOT CASK MATURED
Single Malt — campbeltown, Scotland
Reviewed April 13, 2024 (edited April 14, 2024)Review #052 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 51.4% Comments: aged 15 years, matured 11 years in bourbon barrels followed by four years in fresh pinot noir barriques from Grant Taylor’s Valli vintage in Central Otago, New Zealand. One of 9,400 bottles. Tasted after: Springbank 10 Appearance (no score): Brown sherry color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 17/20 Raisins, charcoal, and leather stand out most. The more I nose it the sweeter it becomes, also now picking up red currants and strawberry jam. It has a creamy smoothness to the nose that makes me think of frosting, maybe vanilla? It’s absolutely mouth-watering. Palate: 35/40 Nice oily mouthfeel. Here the wine influence is very noticeable. The predominant taste is of smokey wine tannins and salt, but just the right amount. Digging beyond that I get a little bit of orange zest and dark chocolate also. Finish: 36/40 Medium long finish. Meaty and sooty and savory. Immediately I get a peppery and tannin rich flavor that makes me think of taking a sip of Cabernet Sauvignon as I’m chewing smoked pork. Some of that Springbank character comes though also as I catch faint hints of hay, wood, and metallic flavors. It’s mildly salty throughout which plays nicely against the ending grape sweetness. With Water: Do not add water to this whisky. It’s very seldom I come across a dram that doesn’t love water, but this here is one. Even just a drop will transform the entire glass to brackish salt water. Total: 88/100 Final thoughts: Great combination of peat and wine, very enjoyable. The wine influence is substantial on this one, which is alright by me. I’m looking forward the trying the next annual release I’m able to find. Price: $140 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.140.0 USD per Bottle -
Glen Scotia 10 Year Peated
Single Malt — Campbeltown, Scotland
Reviewed April 10, 2024 (edited May 1, 2024)Review #051 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 46% Comments: aged 10 years, matured in 1st fill bourbon barrels Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Pale gold color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 13/20 Surprisingly herbal, got me thinking of smoldering cooking herbs actually but I can’t quite pinpoint which ones. There’s some fruitiness also though I’m more inclined to say it reminds me of applesauce than fresh apples. Digging deeper I also get some nuttiness and notes of grain cereal. It’s smooth but all over the place. Palate: 15/40 Salt leads the way here, followed by more herbal notes. I may have just discovered the liquid equivalent to a dry rub for chicken! I get dry oak spice also but it’s truthfully very hard to sift past the salt to find a deeper profile. Finish: 31/40 Medium finish. Finally a little redemption for this poor bottle! There’s still salt but now it’s also sooty and smokey and savory. More of that oaky wood influence also which really dries it out. Some orange zest and vanilla are hiding in the background. Ending flavor hints at black pepper and is mildly bitter, as if I’d just chewed and swallowed some walnuts. With Water: A couple drops of water bring out vanilla and caramel apple notes on the nose. The palate is muted substantially (which isn’t a bad thing in my opinion) and I now taste some mild lemon zest as well. The finish is graced by some cinnamon which rounds it out and makes it a bit more complex. Total: 59/100 Final thoughts: I believe this is the first whisky I’ve scored below a 60. I’ve tried to give it time in hopes it would open up more after the neck pour but the flavor profile just doesn’t agree with my palate. Water is its best friend, and that discovery is probably the only reason I have not poured it down the drain. This is my first Glen Scotia, and I’ve often seen reviews by others describing it as having a “Campbeltown Funk” (which is a phrase I don’t like to affiliate with whisky, but I’ll set that aside) so I was disappointed not to find any of those machine, barnyard, or industrial profiles myself which I often affiliate with Springbank. This is a bottle that I immediately moved to my “kill” pile, and a single dram is okay but I don’t ever go back for a second. Price: $80 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.80.0 USD per Bottle -
Springbank 10 Year
Single Malt — Campbeltown, Scotland
Reviewed March 4, 2024 (edited June 24, 2024)Review #050 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 46% Comments: aged 10 years, ex-bourbon and ex-sherry, 2023 bottling 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 Musty and sweet are the two words that best describe this. Juicy apples, kiwis, and lemon citrus lead, but it also immediately reminds me of my grandfather’s workshop. Hay, old wooden planks, buckets of nails, chain saw bar oil, and the faint electrical smell of a power tool that’s been running for a long time. Palate: 35/40 Very enjoyable and oily texture. Primarily I get grain cereal, but also some charcoal, a mild saltiness, olive oil, and a hint of tropical fruits like pineapple and nectarine. It definitely imparts an overwhelmingly earthy flavor profile, though I can’t really point to why that is. Finish: 33/40 Medium finish. Kicks off with some burnt toast, closer to the back of the throat very interesting, but that departs as quickly as it arrived. Those tropical citrus notes turn sweeter, more akin to honey now, while in the background I get the first gentle whiffs of sweet smoke. It ends on a mildly bitter note, like one would find in dark chocolate, but without any of the chocolate flavor, just the bitterness. It’s not unpleasant, and if anything makes me want another sip to quench my thirst. With Water: A couple drops of water does wonders, it really opens up the palate to some of that sweetness I was picking up in the nose. Apples, brown sugar, and cherries are evident now, and they meld nicely with the other flavors. The sweetness also carries into the finish which now has some white pepper notes added on the back half. Total: 85/100 Final thoughts: There’s so much complexity in this dram, it truly is a great spirit. My only complaint is lack of availability. It’s too bad Springbank isn’t available in my home control state, so I try to snipe the occasional bottles when I see them sub $100 in my work travels. Price: $99 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.99.0 USD per Bottle -
Review #049 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 49% Comments: NAS, finished in Caribbean rum casks, from an undisclosed Islay distillery 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 Really enjoyable, savory and sweet, full to dripping and sizzling smoked meat, also brown sugar and vanilla, with hints of charcoal and some citrus in the background, like someone cutting up tropical fruits next to the smoker. Palate: 25/40 A little mellow on the palate, moderately sweet molasses mixing with sooty smoke and very salty bacon. Maybe some caramel too… make that salted caramel to help account for the salt-forward flavor. Mouthfeel is also noticeably thin. Finish: 28/40 Medium length. There’s a moment where it becomes a little lighter and sweeter with grilled pineapple and honeycomb, but it’s brief and gives way to bitter ashes and black pepper. It’s not an unpleasant ride, and ends with a peculiar and mildly sweet smoked coconut aftertaste, which I rather like and think may be one of the highlights. With Water: A couple drops of water opens up the nose to big vanilla notes, also getting past the smoke to find some nutty banana bread in there. That hint of coconut on the finish is also a little more evident. Total: 69/100 Final thoughts: I wanted to enjoy this bottle so much more than I actually did. It’s fine but I’d struggle to drink a second dram of it in one sitting and I won’t be buying another bottle once this one is gone. I’ve read a number of comments online from people who claim they have the “inside scoop” that this is Ardbeg, but I’m unsure that Ardbeg (owned by Louis Vuitton) would sell casks of their whisky to an IB in any volume. I also don’t see a strong correlation here between this dram and Ardbeg Drum based on my recollection of that spirit, but suppose a side-by-side comparison is in order now! Price: £45 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.45.0 GBP per Bottle
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Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed January 15, 2024 (edited February 28, 2024)Review #048 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 44% Comments: NAS, marriage of ex-bourbon barrels, ex-olorosso butts, and ex-Cabernet Sauvignon casks Tasted after: Dalmore Port Wood Reserve Appearance (no score): Auburn color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 18/20 Very fruit forward, juicy crushed raspberries, ripe plums, sugary cherry frosting, milk chocolate, banana bread, vanilla, and cinnamon. It’s very sweet and balanced and enjoyable to nose. Palate: 30/40 Initially very dull on the palate, freshly baked warm wheat bread and walnuts, but nothing really pops. After a moment there’s some oranges, just a hint of plumbs, dark chocolate, and some caramel. I really wish some of those bold juicy fruits from the nose would make an appearance here, because while it’s nice, it’s still just a bit dull. Finish: 31/40 Medium length. It could be that it’s because I’m accustomed to sipping this when smoking a cigar, but I always get a hint of tobacco smoke at the onset of the finish. Some brown sugar is introduced here, and I also get hints of cinnamon, salted nuts, and orange peel. The ending flavor left behind is a bit bitter. With Water: Baking spices are added to the palate and the plumb flavor is more prevalent. These are a welcome “pop” of flavor. The finish pays the price though by being noticeably shortened and taking on a more intense bitter nutty flavor. Total: 79/100 Final thoughts: It’s important to mention that I’m rating this whisky here as a stand-alone product. This is always a fun bottle to break out when smoking cigars with my buddies, and I keep one on hand for that (if I can find it on sale), and pretty much no other reason. It’s a completely different whisky when paired with a cigar, it becomes sweeter and does a terrific job balancing out the bitter tobacco smoke, but it’s not a bottle I’d ever reach for to sip on inside as a post-dinner dram. Therefore my recommend and buy comments below are situational and pertain to enjoying with a cigar, which is not how I graded it in this review (that’s me acknowledging the inconsistency). Honestly I think the distillery does a grave disservice to this spirit by chill filtering it and bottling below 46%, but I’ll continue to purchase as long as I can find it below $150 or until I find something else which does an equally good job at a better price point. Price: $145 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.145.0 USD per Bottle -
Dalmore Port Wood Reserve
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed January 15, 2024 (edited February 28, 2024)Review #047 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 46.5% Comments: NAS, American white oak maturation and tawny port finish 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 Lots of fruit notes, predominantly I get cherries, raisins, plumbs, and strawberries. There’s sugary notes too including brown sugar, molasses, and milk chocolate. There’s a good amount going on here, but it’s still very inviting and somehow a bit subtle at the same time. Palate: 35/40 Stewed prunes immediately come to mind on the first sip. None of the fruit flavors are fresh, it’s all dank and cooked and fermented and delicious, almost syrupy but not in an overly sweet way. There’s some oak tannins, milk chocolate, and cinnamon after a moment. On the palate it goes from being rather dark and rich to very light and airy, reminding me a bit of the sweet but finish to a dark soda like a cola or root beer. Finish: 31/40 Medium length finish. More oak spice here before ending on a nutty and creamy milk chocolate note. It’s simple but enjoyable and just the right length for what it’s offering. With Water: A couple drops dulls the flavors on the palate, reminds me a bit more of cream soda now. More walnut flavor on the finish and also a hint now of sea salted caramels. Total: 83/100 Final thoughts: This review is on the neck pour, and it’s truthfully the only Dalmore I’ve really enjoyed besides the Dalmore Cigar Malt. Not awesome value for what this bottle offers, but I was able to steal it by combining some sales and coupons so I’m happy with what I got for the price I paid. I’ve also yet to find a Dalmore that is a solid buy at MSRP. Overall this is a nice port bomb, very flavorful and an easy drinker. Would be elevated by having a more lengthy and complex finish. Price: $77 Would recommend: yes 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.77.0 USD per Bottle -
Black Flannel Distilling Black Gold
American Single Malt — USA
Reviewed January 4, 2024 (edited February 26, 2024)Review #046 Type: American single malt Proof: 43% Comments: distilled from unhopped stout, aged a minimum of two months, matured in heavily charred American white oak casks Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Chestnut color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 15/20 Cinnamon, coffee grounds, butterscotch, and overripe bananas. This honestly reminds me a bit of a Guinness, or rather what a Guinness would be with some additional heat and depth. Palate: 30/40 Vanilla, dark chocolate, and spicy oak tannins stand out most. I also get some molasses and coconut after letting it rest for a little bit. It’s very smooth on the palate, almost too smooth and a bit dull. Finish: 34/40 Big stout flavor front and center, here is where the flavor pops and this spirit really shines! Finish is medium-long, which for some reason surprised me. Slowly this transitions to bitter baking cocoa and a hint of chili peppers before becoming ashy and salty. Really nice. With Water: On the nose I’m now getting crips green pear and… watermelon rinds? It’s a uniquely sweet and also bitter aroma that wasn’t there before. The palate is unchanged but there’s some additional chili pepper heat in the finish. Total: 79/100 Final thoughts: Overall this is a solid whisky. I can’t get over how much the finish reminds me of having just swallowed a sip of a barrel-aged stout. I’ll attribute that to not enough time in the cask to get a proper amount of wood influence. It’s an enjoyable and easy sipper, but lacks complexity. It’s not something I’d seek out but I definitely know folks who’d be very happy with this spirit. Ultimately I’m very grateful to my friend Chris who got me this bottle, and grateful for the opportunity to open and share the first couple pours with him. Price: gift 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.
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