Tastes

Review #035 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 43% Comments: aged 15 years, finished in Oloroso sherry casks Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Burnished color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs begin to form moderately quickly. Nose: 16/20 Initial impression is this smells very sweet. It’s dominated by honey and grape juice, with some subtle nutty and floral scents in background. Palate: 33/40 Nice almost milky mouthfeel. Honey continues to be the prominent theme, but the flavor is less sweet and more reminiscent of mead. I also get subtle tastes of vanilla, grain cereal, and almonds. Finish: 33/40 Medium length. A nice mild chili pepper heat gets things started, interestingly it blends well with a sweet blood orange citrus that soon develops and then gradually grows mildly salty. The lingering taste in my mouth is that of molasses. With Water: Didn’t notice much change with a few drops of water, the previously mild alcohol burn is a bit more noticeable though. Total: 82/100 Final thoughts: It’s been awhile since I cracked this bottle and I forgot what an enjoyable easy sipper this is. It’s not complex and awe inspiring, but very few Diageo core releases are, it’s just generally good and sometimes that’s the type of bottle I want to reach for. Personally I this bottle on sale, not sure it’s worth the $90 MSRP, but I may end up buying another anyway once this one is kicked as long as it doesn’t go much north of that. Price: $76 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 #034 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 56.8% Comments: aged 10 years, ex-pedro ximenez, ex-oloroso, virgin oak, and ex-Rioja casks Tasted after: Glenallachie 13 Year Madeira Wood Finish Appearance (no score): Burnt umber color. Was Unable to look for legs due to an apparent water-repellent coating on the glass I was tasting with. Nose: 17/20 Plumbs, figs and raisins initially dominate a syrupy sweet aroma. After some rest and more time nosing it starts to reveal some red wine tannins and ripe pears also. It walks the line of smelling sweet without coming across as sickeningly sweet. Palate: 32/40 Syrupy and very sweet, almost like cough syrup but without the medicinal menthol element. Looking past that I’m also getting cherries, honey, strawberry preserves, and dark chocolate. Finish: 32/40 Long finish. The cough syrup sweetness from the palate never really goes away, but some chili pepper heat spice things up a bit and get things started. That fades away to oak spices and leather before finally transitioning to a menthol flavored ending. The finish is nice but the ending menthol flavor left behind in my mouth makes this too medicinal for me. With Water: A drop of water brings out some extra spices, nutmeg on the palate, then cinnamon and oak spice in the finish, also minimizing the ending menthol flavor. Total: 81/100 Final thoughts: It’s just too sweet, it’s very good but not well balanced, a drop of water is needed to bring it to a truly enjoyable state. 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 #033 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 54.3% Comments: aged 13 years, American oak maturation, madeira barrique finish Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Tawny color. Was Unable to look for legs due to an apparent water-repellent coating on the glass I was tasting with. Nose: 14/20 Sweet and spicy, but also lots of discernible alcohol. There’s bold cinnamon that reminds me of rye whisky with hints of raisins and gingerbread. Palate: 29/40 Black tea, lemon peel, and dark chocolate. Not very complex and semi sweet, maybe also a hint of pineapple, but otherwise not getting any major fruit flavors shining through. Finish: 36/40 Long complex finish, this is where this dram really shines. It’s an interesting blend of black pepper and dark chocolate to get things started, then just the briefest hint of grapefruit before being dominated by cinnamon and ending on an okay and slightly salty note. With Water: A drop or two of water adds some apricot to the palate and mellows out the finish some. Total: 79/100 Final thoughts: I wasn’t impressed by the nose or flavors on the palate, but ultimately this is dram that’s still worth drinking for the finish, which is fantastic. Thanks to my brother @Mark-Watson2 for the sample. Price: gifted sample 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 #032 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 43% Comments: aged 18 years, ex-bourbon maturation Tasted after: Auchentoshan Three Wood Appearance (no score): Auburn color. Was Unable to look for legs due to an apparent water-repellent coating on the glass I was tasting with. Nose: 16/20 Very mild, almost delicate. Apples and vanilla are the only two I can detect faint smells of. Despite this, it’s strikes me as sweet, bright, and musty all at once. Palate: 34/50 Once again, everything is very subtle. Vanilla clearly dominates, but there’s also cinnamon, milk chocolate, and almonds. Finish: 31/40 Medium finish. It’s very smooth with little to no burn. Black pepper and charred wood trails off to oak tannins and leaves behind a bitter ending taste. With Water: A drop or two of water didn’t result in any noticeable changes. Total: 81/100 Final thoughts: Another easy sipper, but it’s nothing remarkable. I would probably recommend to someone just starting to get into scotch if they enjoy bourbon or even new to whisky in general. My bottle featured in the photo is missing the top half of the front label - it just wasn't there when I took it out of the box at home - so that’s a lesson to always check the bottle in every box before leaving the store. Price: $115 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 #031 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 43% Comments: NAS, ex-bourbon, ex-oloroso, and ex-pedro ximenez Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Tawny color. Was Unable to look for legs due to an apparent water-repellent coating on the glass I was tasting with. Nose: 14/20 Red wine tannins, dark chocolate, raisins, and oranges. Palate: 30/40 Light and dry mouth feel. Mostly black pepper and chili peppers, some plumb sweetness, and bitter extra dark chocolate. Finish: 33/40 Medium length with a moderate ethanol burn. The chocolate becomes a bit sweeter and introduces some walnut bitterness, before ending with a wisp of smoke. With Water: Opens up a bit with a drop of water, the peppery notes on the palate are tamed a bit allowing the others to shine through some more. A hint of salt to the finish. Total: 77/100 Final thoughts: This is an easy sipper, but ultimately isn’t anything special. I won’t be rushing out to replace it once the bottle is empty. Price: $75 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 #030 Type: single malt Japanese whisky Proof: 43% Comments: aged 12 years, American oak, Spanish ex-sherry, and Japanese Mizunara Tasted after: Kaiyō Japanese Mizunara Oak Appearance (no score): Chestnut color. Was Unable to look for legs due to an apparent water-repellent coating on the glass I was tasting with. Nose: 16/20 Very mild, none of the aromas take a dominant role. There’s apples, honeysuckle, and apricots, with the slightest whiff of mint on the back end. Remarkably I can’t smell any alcohol. There’s not a lot to smell here, but somehow I’m excited for it anyway, my mouth is watering, it seems to hint at being very good and complex without actually giving away how that might be. Palate: 33/40 Like the nose, it’s soft and balanced. I get honey, vanilla, pears, and apricots. Overall it has a mildly sweet and pleasant flavor. Finish: 35/40 Long finish. Starts with walnuts and buttered bread at first, then comes the dark baking cocoa, orange zest, and cranberry bitterness. This whisky wants to take its time and be sipped very slowly. With Water: A drop of water adds a little saltiness to the finish. Total: 84/100 Final thoughts: I did this review on the neck pour, I’ve read this bottle becomes remarkable a couple months after being opened and given some time to oxidize, so I may end up re-writing this at some point. Price: $190 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

Review #029 Type: blended Japanese whisky Proof: 43% Comments: NAS, mizunara oak maturation, ocean-finished on a vessel at sea for up to three months Tasted after: Suntory Toki Appearance (no score): Deep gold color. Was Unable to look for legs due to an apparent water-repellent coating on the glass I was tasting with. Nose: 16/20 Vanilla, pears, and orange zest dominate. It’s also lightly floral with a hint of honey. Palate: 33/40 The mouth-feel is thin, and more floral and earthy than other whiskies I’ve tried, but not in a bad way at all. It works well with the other flavors of vanilla, angel food cake, and banana. Finish: 32/40 Medium finish with a mild ethanol burn. I get coconut, cereal, and clove spices, with the surprising ending semi-sweet flavor of bubblegum being the last to linger in my mouth. With Water: A drop of water adds some saltiness to the palate, much of the floral sensation is gone, and now I’m maybe tasting a hint of grilled pork chops on the finish? Total: 81/100 Final thoughts: This walks the line of being delicate, balanced, and easy drinking, and also complex and flavorful enough to keep my attention. Definitely unique to others I’ve previously tried. Price: $57 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 #028 Type: blended Japanese whisky Proof: 43% Comments: NAS, American and Spanish oak maturation Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Pale straw color. Was Unable to look for legs due to an apparent water-repellent coating on the glass I was tasting with. Nose: 14/20 Predominantly green apples, also pears, walnuts, and subtle hints of flowers and honeysuckle. Palate: 31/40 Very delicate, almost oily. Apples, graham crackers, lemon zest, and vanilla. The flavors are well balanced but not remarkable. What little ethanol flavor there is here is very bright and mild. Finish: 28/40 Short but still enjoyable. I get the briefest hints of bananas, pancakes, and marshmallows, ending with oak tannins. With Water: A drop of water seems to give it a more oily mouth feel and brings out a bit of clove spices in the finish. Total: 73/100 Final thoughts: Great whisky for the price, just not the type of bottle I’d typically reach for. I think someone looking to get their feet wet with whisky might find a bottle of this to be a good start just because of how smooth and easy to drink it is. I’ve got enough friends who fit that profile that I generally keep one on hand. It’s proven to be my go-to for occasions that call for drinking as opposed to tasting and appreciating. Price: $35 Would recommend: maybe 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 #027 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 48.9% Comments: NAS, ex-Hudson Baby Bourbon Barrels (25-100 liters) maturation, finished in virgin, first-fill, and refill American oak Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Amber color. Unable to look for legs due to water-repellent coating on the glass I was tasting with. Nose: 15/20 True to name, the nose is both sweet and peaty, reminiscent of campfires on cool fall nights, some vanilla and floral notes too, pleasant but not overly complex. Palate: 34/40 Nice oily mouth feel. Honey dominants, but there’s also caramel, green apples, semi-sweet pastries, and just a hint of vanilla. Finish: 32/40 Medium-long finish. This is where the campfire smoke makes an appearance, and it smolders down to ashes as a mild peppery ethanol burn carries through to an ending which reminds me of the flavor left behind in your mouth after eating a heavily buttered piece of bread. Th finish seems to mostly be a continuation of the palate, not a roller coaster for your taste buds but builds well on the palate. With Water: No major changes adding a drop of water, maybe just tones down some of smokiness Total: 81/100 Final thoughts: Grabbed this at the Edinburgh Airport duty free store in 2022, it’s not overly remarkable in flavor profile or complexity but well balanced and easy to drink, and a good value for the price I paid then. If someone who is a beginner with peated whiskies asked me to recommend a bottle, I’d point them towards this one. Price: £50 Would recommend: maybe 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 #026 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 43% Comments: aged 25 years, ex-sherry and ex-bourbon Tasted after: Bowmore 18 Year Appearance (no score): Burnt umber color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs form quickly. Nose: 18/20 Sweetness and fire embers, grilled pineapple, smoke, vanilla, hay, leather, and a light mustiness that reminds me of old books. Palate: 38/40 The flavor comes out of no where, but it’s a welcome bold uppercut to my tastebuds. It’s remarkably sweet, cherries and red currents dominate, accompanied by oak spice, campfire smoke, something tropical like mangoes, limoncello, and sea salted dark chocolates. Finish: 36/40 Medium-long finish. The alcohol burn and oak spice remain in perfect balance, gradually some cinnamon makes an appearance but there’s no flavor roller coaster here, it knows it’s delicious as-is and is content to let it ride until the last stop. With Water: Didn’t try with water unfortunately. Total: 92/100 Final thoughts: This is a really, really good dram, it’s a shame it takes 25 years to produce a scotch this good but certainly it well worth the wait! The price tags I’ve seen on these bottle may intimidate me from making a solo purchase, but would likely buy on site if I found one on sale. Price: taste from a friend’s bottle 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.