Tastes

I don't know if this justifies the $400 CAD price point, but here's a testament to this whisky's craftmanship: you can have someone poor you a dram, 10 feet away, and I swear your will smell its wonderful bouquet! From start to finish it's an accomplished scotch WITHOUT BURN (forget those who say otherwise - they simply can't distinguish between burn and the higher ABV's naturally anasthesizing effect on the tongue). The nose is simple yet solid, like a 4 piece band rather than an orchestra, with hints of plum, raisins, caramel, peat and some salt. The palate remind you that it has aged in sherry, with a really wonderful syrupy quality to the body. The finish is... it doesn't finish. Your mouth is enveloped with an aftertaste of dried fruits for minutes on end (in my case nearly 17 minutes). This one's for the ages!

I'm not gonna lie: the start is a little weak here. While the nose isn't off-putting, it really isn't inviting either, as you force yourself to strain your nostril, searching endlessly for a hint of something, anything. Luckily, the palate is mesmerizing. Hell, it feels like a smack to your face as your tongue is hit with incredible complexity all working together in perfect unison: mangoes, oranges and even acetone (yes, nail polish remover - love that smell). There's also toffee and sugar towards a satisfying finish that really does make up for the slow start. I love it!

Good stuff, with the sherry finish really elevating this highland whisky. The nose is complex and lofty, with notes of popcorn, dried fruits and buttery caramel. The body is full and sweet, with additional nuttiness to complement the flavor. The finish is complex and pleasant, with a nice layer of granulated brown sugar. I enjoyed this.

A run-of-the-mill whisky with nothing unpleasant or extraordinary. The nose has a nice touch of apple juice and caramel, with a simple palate that adds a layer of salt and spice (maybe cinnamon). The finish is... kinda boring, truthfully. Not bad.

Quite enjoyable I must say. The sort of whisky I could describe as a Lowland with touches of fruit and sherry. At 40% ABV it's a tad flat and weak, however still quite flavorful. The nose and palate are, again, sherry with hints of dried fruits and honey - there's even an ever so slight touch of mangoes (quite nice). The body is regretfully not there and the finish is as short as I have ever come across for a whisky. In sum: I liked it, and would perhaps even buy it for those guests I may have who are not naturally inclined to drinking whisky.

I have found the idea of an unpeated whisky from the Islay region to be enchanting. What wonderful concoction could be created from something so probably complex and yet laid bare by the lack of peat? Quite a bit it turns out. The nose and palate both showcase notes of toasted barley, vanilla, honey, a delicate floral touch, and a certain difficult to describe element that is typical of Islay scotches (think iodine, seaweed, and the ocean). The mouthfeel itself is full and somewhat oily, with a finish that is long and with gusto (at 50% ABV it needs some water to be appreciated). This is pleasing whisky.

I hate to use a word so often abused on Distiller, but I have to make an exception here: the Auchentoshan 18 is smooth. The nose has pleasant hints of almonds enveloped by honey. Augmented by that nutty flavor, the palate is a touch sweet with hints of ripe oranges and lime. The finish itself is neither long or short, though the fragile quality of this whisky makes it unsuitable for any water being added. I liked it - I didn't love it though.

Nice, balanced, and smokier than it is peated, though I wouldn't describe it as smoky either - considering how partial I am to anything coming out of Springbank, I'm actually glad I blind-tasted this whisky. I would have perhaps overhyped it in my head. The nose is a tad underwhelming, with hints of smoke and pear (maybe mandarins as well); it's actually much more pleasant than it sounds. The palate is medium-bodied and oily, with a touch of nutmeg and mineral (pleasant spices). As for the finish, it was alright. All in all good scotch, but not more than that.

Wow! Just wow! I was not expecting something this well-crafted from such a young distillery. Sure it has the full backing of J&A Mitchell, but this is accomplishment at another level. From beginning to end the whisky enchants your lips and tongue - pears (and crisp green apples) marry sweet peat and honey to offer your nose true complexity. The mouthfeel is oily and full-bodied, with a touch of smoke and saltiness to compliment your first impression. The finish is fairly long and balanced, inviting you for further sips. BUY IF YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON IT!

This is quite good... The nose is particularly pleasant, with toasted barley, almonds and RAISINS impacting your nostrils. The palate is more or less the same, with sherried oak rounding out this whisky's flavour. And though the finish is a tad weak and short (a highter ABV would resolve this, and a cask strength release would take this expression to another level), the end result is still something delicious. I don't think I'd purchase a bottle, but I also wouldn't turn down a dram. Cheers!