Tastes

I was pleasantly surprises at the amount of maturity I found with the Hazelburn 10 despite being relatively young. The flavour was truly delicious and well-balanced - even blind-tasted you know you're having something from the Hebrides (or Campbeltown): a touch of smoke, sweet peat, iodine, and a certain herbacious quality. The finish likewise is solid and fairly long. I truly enjoyed this!

A solid whisky and one I found truly pleasing. While the nose was quite shy and subdued, the palate confidently displayed notes of honey, roasted barley and a touch of hazelnut. And while the finish was unfortunately short, I can still say I enjoyed this dram. At the right price, I'd put my money on a bottle.

Not a bad whisky, though quite boring and underwhelming (and who really wants that in a scotch). The nose is faintly fruity, with pears and honey making a shy appearance. The body is better structured and balanced, and almost reminds me of a Dalmore 12. The finish is medium-long and decent. Conclusion: if the Glen Garioch 12 was a tune, it would be a lullaby. UPDATE: I have come to appreciate the chamomile note to this whisky, as well as the way all of the elements mesh together nicely. I'm giving it an additional star and consider this expression a classic malt that should be a staple to every serious bar.

Good whisky, but not really the best Glenfarclas has to offer; however, if you consider both the price point and the ABV, this is a probably a steal. The nose was underwhelming, with sweet sherry notes being predominant. The palate is much stronger and suprisingly different. Whereas the nose was nuttier and floral, to the tongue this whisky is fruity, with sultana raisins really peering through. The finish is fairly long and pleasant, reminding you how robust the entire product is at 60%. All in all enjoyable.

Lagavulin can do no wrong! Man, this is outstanding stuff. Start to finish there's very little to reproach it, and so smooth, especially surprising considering the ABV. If I had to analogize it to the point of bastardization, imagine grilling pineapple slices on a charcoal fire. Or here's a better one: picture having a cigar and a Jolly Rancher candy in your mouth. Yeah there's peat, smoke, salt, and tropical fruit notes, but there's nothing special or remarkable about that. What makes THIS EXPRESSION so successful is the perfect union of all these flavors into something wonderful and unique. I can't rave enough.

A good scotch with enough alcohol to grow hair on your chest; I suggest starting off neat and adding water with incremental sips so that the flavors are allowed to expand. The bouquet is fruity and sweet - picture faint oranges and caramel. The body is buttery and spicy, with sherry the predominant profile. The finish is quite long and cinnamony (did I just invent a word?), with just the right amount of fire to make any whisky lover happy. Enjoy!

Enjoyable, but for a comparable price I think their Dark Origin is a better whisky. It's an unusual Highland Park in that your typical sherry, sweet peat and light smoke flavours are either absent or severely subdued. Fortunately, there's no such thing as bad scotch coming out of Orkney, and the Einar is no exception. It's well-balanced, sweet and briny, oily, and delicious. The finish is nice though a little short, and overall a good choice. Cheers!

You don't have to spend a lot of money to enjoy a pleasant scotch. Shoulder Monkey's proof of that, and speaking of proof, I think something north of 46% ABV would have improved the final product. The nose lacks complexity, though faint notes of citrus and honey are evident. The palate is a little flat and thin, yet still balanced and pleasant. The finish is where I personally struggled the most, and where the spiced oak casks are most obvious - it doesn't work together with the remainder of the dram's flavor profile. Still, it's not bad.

94 on Distiller is a bit of a stretch (talk about straining credulity), however this is still a good whisky. The nose lacks complexity, though the rye and oak are predominant. The palate is slightly syrupy, with a finish that is pleasant though short. Again, it's good but quite boring.

A very pleasant and balance whisky for the price point, and interestingly better than its more expensive brother the Amber. I would assume it was aged in ex-bourbon casks because both the nose and palate display the typical notes: vanilla and honey. There's a certain added element of tropical fruit which gives it a pleasant sweetness, and the final product is quite enjoyable. Enjoy!