Tastes
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Compass Box The Peat Monster Cask Strength: Origin Story
Blended Malt — Scotland
Reviewed December 3, 2023 (edited December 7, 2023)One of Compass Box most popular expressions from the core range is the famous Peat Monster. It seems that the tentacle smokey creature had an origin story, which takes us to New York, where John Glaser created a peaty whisky that they called it "a monster" for the Goldstein Family at Park Avenue Liquor Shop in 2003. Then, with the recipe already done, they released the peat monster for ever. This is the cask strength version of that one, to celebrate its 20th anniversary. It is called, Peat Monster Origin Story. Bottled at 56.7%abv, it is described as Skyscrappers of smoke. On the nose, well delivered peat. Gooseberries, rubber, merthiolate, red chilli and caramelized onions. After a first sip, i got grapefruit and lotion for burnt skin. On the palate, it starts with a very fancy vanilla note, gooseberries, ashes and gunpowder. Corn flakes. After a first sip, flavor changed into a waxy white chocolate. Aftertaste is rich in peat. Gunpowder, fireworks, bonfire. Smoky stuff. Nice. Overall, i have the same critic for the cask strength version, that i had when i tasted the core range one: it is not THAT peaty. When you have a whisky called "The Peat Monster" you expect this to be something like a powerful Lagavulin or an Ardbeg Supernova. Actually it is a very velvety and easy to enjoy whisky, that most people would love and can be used as a first glimpse to the peat world for unexperienced drinkers. Not bad at all, just not a peat monster, my score for it is 89 over 100. -
Suntory whisky special reserve
Blended — Japan, Japan
Reviewed December 3, 2023 (edited December 7, 2023)Back in the late 1960s, Suntory, who is truly a giant of the whisky industry nowadays, introduced a popular blended malt called Suntory Special Reserve. It is basically the blend of two legendary Japanese whiskies, Yamazaki and Hakushu, and it comes in a pitch black bottle, at 43%abv. Well; i tried it and the liquid inside was fabulous. On the nose, this is quite good. It starts with the most amazing white chocolate note ever. Very buttery on the nose. Sherry, peaches and almonds. Dehydrated oranges. After a first sip, the aroma changed into a Milka Caramel chocolate. Hot honey, prunes and caramel. Incredible. On the palate, again this impressive white chocolate note, almonds and orange peel. The second sip gave me impalpable sugar, caramel and aniseed. Aftertaste had every flavor you can imagine: it was sweet, bitter, spicy and salty. Salt, red berries, tobacco, liquorice and ginger. Neat stuff. Overall, this was a super enjoyable whisky. It is not the best whisky in the world but i had a very good time with it. I shared with some people and they were all impressed by it. My score for this complex dram is 91 over 100. -
Johnnie Walker Old Harmony
Blended — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed November 30, 2023 (edited December 7, 2023)I love mythical whiskies. There is something very special about drinking whiskies that might dissapear at all after you have them. One of such cases is this 1970s Johnnie Walker Old Harmony, a special release for the taiwanese and japanese market 5 decades ago. This one can only be found nowadays on the secondary market for quite a hefty sum of money. Bottled at 43%abv, Johnnie Walker still used to walk to the left in that era. On the nose, i get almonds, a very nutty profile. Pie and grain whisky. Lemon. Afer a first sip i get chocolate cake. On the palate there are just two notes: Creamy cake and almonds. Aftertaste follows the same rythm but with a hint of peat. Hay & vanilla custard. Overall, this is a very rounded blend, nothing to die for, but i guess this was very popular back in the 70s. It is always nice to drink a piece of whisky history, my score for it is a honest 87 over 100. -
Glen Garioch 11yo Battlehill
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed November 29, 2023 (edited December 7, 2023)Battlehill is a brand of single malt and single grain whiskies, independently bottled by the Duncan Taylor company. They have a wide range of offerings, and some of them are drawn from very popular distilleries. Such is the case of this 11yo GlenGarioch; bottled at 52%abv, one of only 1200 bottles ever made. On the palate, i get pineapple notes, impalpable sugar, cheap soap and some spices. Air freshener. On the palate, pineapple appeared again, meringue sweets, milk with sugar. Bananas. Aftertaste is all about spices and a very small banana called "Orito" in Ecuador. Overall, this was a very average dram, that is quite enjoyable but nothing too special. It manages to score enough points to pass the test, but it might be a little straightforward, and some people might consider it a little bit boring. My score for it is a fair 80 over 100. -
GLENDRONACH 25 YEAR OLD 1992 MACE WINDU LIMITED EDITION
Single Malt — highland, Scotland
Reviewed November 28, 2023 (edited December 7, 2023)A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there was this great Jedi Master, perhaps the most skillfull lightsaber practitioner; one of the very few who mastered the vaapad variation of form VII technique of fighting; i am talking about Mace Windu. Yes my friends, this is my last review of the fourth expression from Glendronach's (unofficial) Star Wars releases. Again a Danish Whisky Retailers exclusive; a 25yo "Glendro" vintage 1992. Matured in Oloroso Casks, this is a 48%abv single malt. It is called "Mace Windu" because the label resembles the color of this Star Wars character lightsaber. It was the fourth and final release of this collection, after the very popular Luke Skywalker, Yoda and Darth Vader; all of them, great whiskies. On the nose, it is soooo complex. Blackberry marmalade, red fruits syrup, red wine, Moka coffee. A buttery sensation of chocolate with purple grapes. Dark cake and dates. Wonderful stuff. The palate has 4 flavors, which were perfect. Blackberries, moka Coffee, sawdust and grapes. Aftertaste was the perfect ending to this single malt. Coffee beans, orange peel and bitter dark chocolate. Overall my friends, the force is really stromg with this one. It might be one of the best Glendronachs of this star system and it will definitively be on this year's top ten whiskies that i have tasted. Marvelous stuff, perfect score, 100 points here. Sláinte and may the force be with you! -
Highland Park Thor
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed November 27, 2023 (edited December 7, 2023)There was one last expression of Highland Park's "Valhalla Collection" bottles that i haven't reviewed yet. But the time has come. This is the nordic god of Thunder, Thor. Nowadays, this mythical deity is best known for his appearances in Marvel Comics, but back in the vikings era, he was the most important god alongside Odin. He is often wields a hammer called Mjölnir (that does not look at all as the one in the Avengers movies), which was a powerful artifact forged by two dwarf blacksmiths. Well, this is a 16yo whisky, that comes in the most impressive decanter ever, with a wodden nordic boat. Bottled at 52.1%abv. On the nose, peaches and dried oranges. Heather, peat and lemon. Dates. Meringue sweets with peaches. After a first sip, the aroma changed into a super spicy bomb, with indian curry notes. More sips made the aroma sweeter, like creme brulèè. The palate is peaty and acid. Ashes and oranges. On the secomd sip the spices produced me again this feeling that reminded me of Indian food. The third sip was incredibly sweet, meringue. Aftertaste was a little short. Starts tropical, like Jamaican punch, some acidity. The second sip had a slightly longer finish. Peppery and salty. Overall, this was the most expensive expression out of the four (Loki, Odin & Freya are the others) but it is also the one i least liked. It is not a bad whisky at all, but it is not a super memorable one either. I believe this one is good but it lacks some "soul". My score for it is a honest 88 over 100. -
Edradour 22yo Barolo Cask Finish
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed November 23, 2023 (edited December 7, 2023)Edradour is always fantastic. The only problem i have with it, is that there is not too much whisky from this distillery in the world due to its small size. I would definitively be happier if i had more Edradour in my life. Having said that, just imagine a 22yo Edradour that has been finished for at least 9 years in a Barolo Wine Cask, the true king of wines. You just can get anything better. This marvelous dram was bottled at 55.2%abv to make it even better. The bloodish red color is the first beautiful experience that i had with this single malt. On the nose, this is so complex and beautiful. Chocolate, red wine, red fruits, marmalade and some herbal profile. It is like a frozen drink made of pralines and spices. Very floral, very grapy, very winey. It is like a Lindt chocolate with almonds. If you have ever been to a vineyard, that is the exact aroma here. On the palate, it is soooo rewarding! The most marvelous chocolate note ever, with some spices and red fruits. Cotton candy and hazelnut. More chocolate. Outstanding. Aftertaste was as good as the nose and palate. Dry and winey; it has ginger notes, chocolate and a frozen strawberry juice. Overall this is one great whisky. If most single malts were something near to this, nobody would drink water. An incredible dram, full bodied and very complex; the Barolo influence here is enormous. My score for it is 96 over 100 and i feel i am being a little harsh because it deserved more. Slàinte! -
Lagavulin Distillery Exclusive 2023
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed November 22, 2023 (edited November 28, 2023)This year's Lagavulin Distillery Exclusive release, was a different looking one. An Ex-Bourbon & Heavily Charred American Oak cask matured single malt, bottled at a nice strength of 56.5%abv. I was actually very interested in this dram, since i had a previous heavily charred Lagavulin, the third Offerman edition, which was fantastic. It only made sense that a cask strength version of that whisky should be even better. On the nose, i get some bourbon & peat notes. A pair of wet Converse shoes; Rubber tires. Vanilla custard and coconut, but also a Sharpie marker. Crazy but appealing. Vanilla fondant, coconut and meringue. On the palate, three very bourbonish notes, well delivered. It is like a vanilla ice cream with ashes. Lemon and gooseberries. Aftertaste was fantastic. Ashes, bonfire, chilli. A very "meaty" finish. Lots of character here, with a slight maritime ending. Overall, i believe that most Lagavulins are stunning; but this one was too straightforward and not complex. Nevertheless, the notes it had, were very well crafted and delicious. It is a wonderfull whisky, but it loses some points because it feels like it has a sleepy soul, i mean that it could be better. My score for it is 94 over 100. -
GlenDronach Port Wood
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed November 17, 2023 (edited November 22, 2023)It might sound crazy, but after 1200+ whisky reviews, i was checking my notes and i realized that i have never tasted the core range mainstream Glendronach Portwood. I have even sold this bottle to some friends because i was completely sure that i have had it before, being the "Glendro" super fan that i am. Well, good for me, i had the chance to rate one more single malt. Bottled at 46%abv, this one has been matured in Port casks. On the nose it is wonderful. Blackberries, school glue, dark fruits, purple fruits. Blueberries and moka. It smells absolutely incredible. After 4 minutes it started giving me port wine notes. Sawdust and bitter coffee beans. Burnt hay and tobacco. I also loved the palate. Red fruits, gooseberries. A powerful winey spirit. Mocaccino and oranges. Aftertaste lost one point in comparison to then great nose and palate. Tobacco, red fruits and tomato cherry. Dark chocolate 100% cocoa. Overall, this might be the best whisky ever if you consider price vs quality. It is not expensive at all and it is absolutely rewarding. Great single malt, very complex and full of flavor. Listen to me, go grab one now. Always have one in your house. Impressive, my score for it is 94 over 100. -
Douglas Laing's Double Barrel Highland Park & Bowmore
Blended Malt — Scotland
Reviewed November 17, 2023 (edited November 18, 2023)I had my second "Double Barrel", a special brand from Douglas Laing, where they made a limited blended malt from to prestigious distilleries; was this beautiful Bowmore & Highland Park. A 10yo expression, bottled at 46%abv, makes me feel like i am going to have a peaty time. On the nose, some peaty notes, but delivered in a mild way. A pair of rubber shoes, red chilli, mud. It also has a buttery/cake profile, like recently made brownies. Oily feeling on the nose. After a first sip, the aroma changed into a sandy beach. More sips released a lactic profile. On the palate, only three notes: ashtray, spices and sweet peat. Aftertaste was very smoky and appealing. Ashes, super salty. Nice spiciness. Overall, this one delivered the peaty profile, but everything was mild and even can be described as muted. I think this was a safe dram, enjoyable but not memorable. When you hear Bowmore & Highland Park, you think of a Rollercoaster, that just did not happen. My score for this one is 84 over 100.
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