Tastes

The first thing you experience in this whiskey is a nose with hints of brown sugar and vanilla. Inside your mouth you're welcomed with more bourbon than sherry, with oak really taking dominance. The body is regretfully light, almost to the point of being ridiculous, and the finish is terribly short. This isn't a bad whiskey. Simply an uninspiring one.

Not an unpleasant whiskey... The nose is clearly fruity and woodsy - think apples and oak with a touch of vanilla. The mouthfeel is light with a palate that has an added dash of cinnamon as well as sweetness. The finish is somewhat decent, without burn, though a tad disappointing. I don't dislike it, and the bourbon dimension is a nice touch, but I'm not sure it's worth my dollars.

Monumentally delicious, this is a whisky you sip, not chug. The nose is herbaceous and briny, with subtle notes of honey and berries. The palate is fruity and well-balanced, with a full and oily mouthfeel. Sherry is foundational to its overall flavor, with peat and smoke both present and complimentary. The finish is prolonged and spicy, with cinnamon and vanilla enveloping your tongue for minutes on end. An accomplishment!

Serviceable and pleasurable, but nothing to rave about. The nose has notes of pear and cinnamon, with oak and vanilla added in good measure at the palate. The mouthful is a tad flat and the finish short. It's alright.

Terribly disappointing for something so expensive. It's good whisky, but not $450 CAD good. PROS: the most amazing mouthfeel you will ever experience. It's full, thick - almost creamy and outstanding. The nose has hints of tropical fruits that are quite pleasant, and the palate is complex with fruit, vanilla and cinnamon. There's hardly any peat, unusual for an HP, which isn't necessarily a bad thing – just unusual. CONS: The finish is quite strong on spice, almost to the point of unbalancing the dram - water will go a long way, especially considering how high it's ABV is. Conclusion, I liked it, but I didn't love it.

How can anyone complain about a whisky that's delicious and inexpensive? Sure it won't blow your mind and palate, but it's $60 CAD! A touch of oak, a touch of caramel... wonderful, though it lacks body and finish. Good stuff.

Great blended whisky, with much complexity. The nose a tad underperforms, but the palate is quite satisfying. The finish is incredibly smooth. Sure there's a faint hint of peat, a touch of sweetness from caramel, a little bit of brine, and a certain herbaciousness to the dram... but like a great orchestra, the sum of all its parts is what you really enjoy.

Smoke, smoke and more smoke. Wood is clearly a dominant component of this whisky's flavor profile, with smoke, spice and bacon to boot. The body is pleasantly oily with a finish that is satisfying and clean.

A great Japanese whisky. The nose is pears, with a palate that is nutty and fruity. The finish is light and sweet. Well worth the little you'll pay for it.

Fantastic, and much more complex and developped (obviously) than the 12. The peat is restrained and the smoke complimentary. There are hints of sweetness, spice and herbs (floral) all working together as a harmonious musical quartet. Delicious!