Tastes

Decent whiskey, and the lower proof here is ideal, carrying the notes of malted rye, spices and dill quite well. It's not my cup of tea, but then again... this ain't tea. Cheers!

Basically a Bowmore Tempest with rough edges. Still quite delicious and well crafted. The peat, medicinal quality and sherry play nice together. I like.

Good, but not great. The refill Bourbon can is obvious, with wood spices on the finish. It's ok.

Good whisky, and reminiscent of a Lagavulin 16. Peat and honey play nice here, with a smooth finish. I recommend.

Pleasant. A light whiskey with predominance of wood. The oloroso comes through much more than the american oak. I wouldn't buy it.

I bought this bottle at the Cadenhead shop in Edinburgh a year and a half ago, but never opened it until tonight. I had no clue what I was doing truthfully, and purchased it on the strong prompting from the sales clerk. A sucker move? Perhaps. But in hindsight, here's my review: OMG SWEET MOTHER OF THE MOST HIGH GOD! This is my 349th review, and I have never begged everyone to get their hands on a whisky. EVER. Until today. Which unfortunately sucks because barely 500 bottles of this dram were ever bottled. But if you can, you absolutely must. This is, arguably, the greatest Speyside whisky I have ever tasted. Flawless is an understatement. And in its simplicity, it truly is sophisticated and complete. The nose is humble yet regal, with notes of honey, hay and a floral blossom that reminds me of walking through Kensington Gardens two summers ago. I was wowed, and still it paled to the palate. This whisky envelops your mouth with notes of brown sugar, all-spice, honey and carnations, with an oily mouthful and a finish that last ad eternum. I may just never open this bottle again, for fear of eventually finishing its content. Perfection!

Some cherry and charred oak on the nose, with faint apples and spice on the tongue. The finish is dry and long. Not bad, but there are much better choices out there.

One of the better Bushmills - lightly charred oak, ripe pear, sugary breakfast cereal (the kind that makes Dr. Atkins roll over his grave), and a light spiciness on the back of the palate. Good stuff.

77 is a little cruel; I would have given it something in the mid-80s. Ok... it doesn't excite, but it doesn't need to either. Sometimes all you want is a dram that isn't flawed and satisfies. The Gold Reserve does. Applesauce and baked spice on the nose, with wood spices and cinnamon on the palate. For 25€, worth it. Cheers!

Look like they selected the flimsiest casks on this one... Smoke on the nose, though mostly a watered down Laphroaig 10. Some citrus on the palate with the typical medicinal note you expect here. Laphroaig is my favorite distillery, bar none, but this was a disappointment. Still... even at their worst they still distill good stuff.