Tastes

If you like wheated bourbons, and are not in a place where you can get Weller Special Reserve for less than $30, then this could be your go-to budget bottle. Smooth, rich and sweet. Vanilla and caramel. Not much more to say...

This is one that I might revisit as I consume more. I like the nose better than the palate, which is OK. It's a fairly robust dram with more alcohol than I expected from the nose. Although this is unpeated, there is a moderate smoke that tastes an awful lot like peat to me. The smoke shows up very early in the palate. Overall, the palate is nice, but lacking anything distinctive The finish is long, with a slight bitterness. Overall, I'd say it's decent, not a buy for me. But I'd still like to try it a couple more times to see is I pick up more on the palate.

Very interesting! I don't tend to like higher rye mashbills, especially at a higher proof. But I like this. There's copious amounts of ethenol on the nose and palate, but it never overwhelmes. Fruits and cinnamon on both the nose and palate as well. The finish is perhaps the most unusual aspect to me - I consistently get a long and strong peanut butter note that fades in and out with some vanilla. There are obviously plenty of other cask strength bourbons out there, but I have yet to try one quite like the 1920

A good dram, especially if you like high proof Bourbons. Having said that, of the two Russell"s Bourbons, I have a preference for the 10 over this one. There's just a slight bitter note on the palate and the finish of the Single Barrell. It doesn't feel out of place, nor does it overwhelm the other flavors. But it's not my thing I suspect that the bitter note comes from the rye in the mashbill; rye lovers may well be drawn to it. The 10 is more mellow, but still has many of same nice notes as the Single Barrell.

This is grain whiskey, and probably a bit on the young side. If you don't like young-ish grain, this isn't your whiskey. Otherwise, it's a lovely dram. The nose is simply beautiful, with poundcake, honey, floral notes, and just a touch of citrus. The palate is all that, with a strong vanilla note that rolls in and out as you work through the palate. For me, the vanilla holds through for a long time on the finish. I've picked up a couple of bottles while traveling. I'm at a loss to understand why Suntory doesn't sell it in the US.

A nice easy drinker. It's not dramatically complex, but there are nice tastes of caramel, nuts, raisins, and a touch of saltiness on the palate. The peat is very light. I bought this in a 375 ml bottle at the Reykjavik airport (perfect size for the amount of my time in Iceland). Certainly not a must buy for me, but was enjoyable and a good value. I've also tasted Jura's seven wood (excellent), and this whisky has encouraged me to further explore Jura's offerings.

A nice, completely inoffensive expression. The Sherry notes are not overwhelming, but we'll integrated. I do find it to be lacking anything compelling or exciting, and personally, I find that the Balvenie standards (like the double oak) have more character.

I probably come to this one with high expectations, given that I think the Glenglassaugh Evolution (the only other Glenglassaugh I've tried) is lovely. The grape is definitely prevalent. I really don't pick up the smoke at all. Overall, it's reasonably full, not overly dry, and moderately sweet. There's nothing bad I can say about it, but I didn't find any part of the experience to be particularly compelling. A nice whiskey, one I would never turn down, but the Evolution is unlikely to get a partner on my shelf.

This is a very nice and interesting whiskey, While it's not radically different from the other Laphroaig's I've tried. I do find it to be unique. It packs in all of the familiar Laphroaig notes, but played at a somewhat lower volume. This actually makes it easier for me to pick up certain notes more readily, like smoked meats Overall, I find it to be smokey, fruity and creamy. Interestingly, I consistently get a very mild note of chlorine on the nose. It's almost like slightly chlorinated fruit. I've spent a ridiculous portion of my life at pools, so it's a smell I like. And the overall scent is great. My wife, who loves rums and piscos but not Scotch, gave me an unsolicited, "that smells really good". I tried this with a one ounce sample bottle; I suspect that once I've had the chance to pick it up while traveling I'll find more as I delve in.

Creaminess, check. Fruit and spice, check. Very nice nose, even better on the palate with vanilla and cream and fruit. Nice smooth finish. Wonderful!!