Tastes

Gentleman Jack purports to be an improvement over the standard Jack Daniel's Old No 7 but I'm not buying it. This whiskey sacrifices flavor in the name of "smoothness." It's got a watery mouth feel and nothing of interest to those who look for complexity and character in their whiskey. Jack Daniel's have proven that they can deliver a good product (I would point you to their Single Barrel) but this certainly isn't it! I'll take the standard Black Label over this anemic snoozefest.

The Balvenie is one of my favorite distilleries and this 15 Year Old Single Barrel Scotch is just fantastic! It's got one of the most pleasant noses I've ever experienced in a Speysider and just a drop or two of water produces an explosion of vanilla flavors on the palate. Classy stuff!

This scotch has a lovely nose which is redolent of red fruits (cherry and cranberry in particular). There's a lovely tug-of-war between sherry and wood on the palate and the finish lingers in a pleasing fashion. When it comes to entry-level sherry bombs, I'll take this over The Macallan 12, which tastes a bit more "manufactured" in comparison.

Don't bother looking for recognizable flavors of The Macallan or Highland Park in this blend (two of the component single malts) because you won't find them. What you will find is a nice interplay between vanilla and citrus on the nose and palate. The finish is a little bitter but that's to be expected from a budget blend. Cutty Sark's lightness makes it ideal for mixing and it works good over ice on a hot day.

Take a whiff of this stellar bourbon and your senses are flooded with notes of vanilla and oak. The palate packs a similar punch, with wonderful spices rounding out the corn flavors. This whiskey tastes very "dense" and the full-mouth feel is quite pleasing. Eagle Rare also boasts a surprisingly gentle finish which can probably be attributed to the decade-long maturation. Ranks alongside Elijah Craig 12 and Evan Williams Single Barrel as one of the best values in bourbon today.

Mortlach is known for its meaty flavor profile but you would never know that by tasting this NAS expression. There are muted sherry notes on the nose and palate. I can't help but feel that the component sherry casks could have used a few more years in order to impart a more robust and full flavor. This scotch is slightly redeemed by its spicy finish that evokes cracked black pepper. I get the sense they were going for a sweet-and-savory experience but I wish they went for more bold flavors. After all, isn't this supposed to be the "Beast of Dufftown?"

Port Ellen 30 Year Old 1979 9th Release (2009)