Tastes

I may have just encountered my favorite Balblair yet - there's a lot to enjoy here. I'm particularly impressed by how fruity this whisky is despite being exclusively aged in bourbon casks. The nose has notes of fruitcake and almonds, both quite pleasurable though they eventually over welcome their stay. The palate is almost sherried, with a faint touch of smoke, like matching sticks. And while the finish is a tad bitter, it is also quite smooth and long, with hints of pepper lingering on your tongue. I very much enjoyed it, and there's much complexity here despite a color that approximates white wine.

The first thing we need to address is just how laughable the color is: tawny, which means there's almost no doubt in my mind coloring was added here. Mind you, it's not impossible some of the sherry casks that were obviously used to age this whiskey played a large role in the color, since it clearly did so in the taste. There are elements of dates, old wood and nutmeg here, with the finish exhibiting notes of tobacco and pepper. The finish is quite nice and long, but I have to admit I have a difficult time enjoying this spirit.

Grape-Nut cereal: I think Stephanie Moreno nailed the description here. It's precisely that. There is also a pleasant note of malt, like shortbread cookies, with a whiff of earth. I must admit this whiskey is quite complex. I'm just not sure it all works together - the aromatic profile can be disjointed at times, though the finish is good and long. It's different.

Man oh man are your senses in for a treat if you get to try this! Start to finish this was a delicious and satisfying whisky, especially if you have a weakness for PX. The moment you open that bottle, hints of coffee, oranges and raisins greet your nose - you KNOW it's a sherry finish. The palate is a continuation of the nose, fruity, and it's here that you encounter this spirit's only pitfall: it's flat and weak (a little more alcohol here would have gone a long way). The finish is complex and long, with different spices working in tandem for minutes on end. Great stuff!

This is a nice Irish whiskey; it's not better or worse than the 12, just different. The nose has nice hints of ripe peaches and white glue (sounds crazy but actually works really well), with pears and caramel becoming evident on the palate. The body is light and refreshing, leading me to believe that this dram wound play nice with a few ice cubes, and the finish is quite satisfying with wood notes finally making their presence known. I really like it!

What an unusual whiskey! If you're looking for something for its sheer originality, this one's definitely it. My first impression was of a strawberry dessert wine: sweet. Too sweet. And while I really enjoy a nose that is reminiscent of strawberry pie, its one-dimensional aspect is just too much for me. The palate has a touch of wood, and a spice that is pretty indiscernible to my tongue (and not great), with a body that feels a little flat and a lot underproofed. Towards the finish, there's a bizarre deviation where the sweetness gives way to bitterness only to then end on a very short note. Strange but worth trying.

This whisky starts off on a bad note with a sulfurous element to the nose that's very difficult to get past. Once you do however, you encounter touches of maple and apple. The palate is a little bland but fruity, though the finish is actually quite good and lengthy. It's alright.

Don't judge this book by its cover; despite the cheap look to it, it's great stuff. The nose has really wonderful notes of walnuts, vanilla, and caramel, with a nutty palate that has a pleasant dose of charred oak. The body is quite full at 44% ABV and the finish is quite smooth with a dash of cinnamon.

Proof you don't have to spend a lot of money for a good scotch whisky, what this expression lacks in sophistication it more than makes up in balance. The toasted barley, honey and cinnamon play nice, with a smooth finish you keep drinking considering it's only $50 CAD.

Despite being a NAS, this expression is actually more pleasant than the 12, and the 48% ABV really allows the full aromatic profile of this whisky to please the palate. While the use of virgin oak casks is similar to bourbon, the difference in taste couldn't be more pronounced: cinnamon, apricots, mint, and barley. The finish is particularly rich and satisfying, lingering in your mouth for minutes on end. Delicious!