Tastes
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Balcones True Blue 100 Proof
Corn — Texas, USA
Reviewed November 23, 2020 (edited September 18, 2021)I got to be honest, it wasn't the amount of prizes won by this whisky that seduced me into buying it, what really got my attention was that this american spirit is made using 100% blue corn. I was eager to experience special flavors and aromas from blue corn spirit, but it actually was very much like a good bourbon. Bottled at 50%abv, deep copper color. On the nose, very refined and very "bourbonish". Lots of bananas, stewed bananas, rum and raisins ice cream. Vanilla, banana bread, brown sugar, creamy vanilla ice cream. On the palate more of the same, but pretty smooth and soft for a 50%abv dram. Banana bread, pepper and a metallic note that i have only found on a Pappy Van Winkle, it is like tasting a copper coin. Vanilla, prunes. Some sour note also. Strong but smooth, fancy. Aftertaste is pretty nice, mild smoke, peppery and spicy. Feels fancy and rewarding. Overall, even if i wasn't surprised with this whisky tasting notes, and even if it is a little one dimensional, it is still a good dram. It is better than most bourbons out there, and i'll definitively would buy it again. My score for it is an 85 over 100. -
I am an Ardbeg fan, a committee member, and a peat head. I know what to expect when tasting a new Ardbeg, which is something like a whisky creature from hell, in a nice way. But this, this was quite a rollercoaster. Blaaack was released to commemorate the 20th anniversary of its committee, and has been marketed as the "black sheep" of Islay. They even matured this spirit in new zealand pinot noir wine casks, since new zealand is the only place, like Islay, where there is 7 sheep for each person. So, Pinot Noir meets Ardbeg... let's see what happens: Bottled at 46%abv, this is the standard release, with a burnished gold color, which is darker than most Ardbegs. On the nose, crazy stuff. Starts with Red fruits and shoe polish. It smells like cows and a farm. Hay. Salty, it has this aromatic grassy note. After the first sip it gave me seaweed, vanilla; and salt, but (and i don't know if this even exists) it is like old and damaged salt. Very weird stuff. On the palate, it is fantastic. White chocolate, mild pepper, a pleasant sulphuric note. it is super sweet, very lovely. Then, the aftertaste. It is a hell fire. Very sulphuric, pepper, salt and iodine. Meaty, like lamb. But after the first sip... it became amazingly sweet, with cotton candy, red fruits and nougat. Overall, i dont know what to tell you. In my tasting, the other 26 people loved it, but for me, even if it is a good, interesting dram it feels unbalanced and just crazy. It feels like it wanted to be complex with lots of flavors and aromas, but instead of developing them systematically, they just threw all notes in there with no order. That doesn't mean it is bad, it is actually pretty good, but unbalanced. At least for me it is. My final score is 90 over 100, and it is the first time the "balance" criteria of my scoring system is lower than the palate, nose and aftertaste.
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Whistlepig 10 Year Straight Rye Barrel Strength
Rye — (bottled in) Vermont, Canada
Reviewed November 10, 2020 (edited December 30, 2023)My first Whistlepig was a very interesting dram. I got to say that i enjoy it a lot, i found great and rare tasting and aroma notes, and when i get new things from a whiskey, i appreciate the effort. This is a Straight Rye, bottled at 57.6%abv. Nice tawny color. On the nose it is special, with some crazy aroma notes. Bbq sauce is tje main aroma; glazed pork and rich spiciness. It really smells like pork and a glass of Coca cola without gas. Rye spirit, Cotton candy. The bbq / greasy notes are predominant. Sweet cheap sugar hard candy. Meaty. Sweet and greasy. Very interesting, It doesn't change after having a few sips. If you let it breath, after 10 mins, it releases burnt caramel. Even a grassy burnt hay note appeared. On the palate it is less complex but enjoyable. Starts very sweet, with Red fruits; Sweet red fruits syrup. Then a spicy powerful bomb explodes with chilli, wasabi but pleasant. Caramel. It is nice and rewarding, but way too "one directional". Aftertaste is rewarding but simple. Dry rye grainy finish, long with a nice spiciness. Overall, this was a fairly enjoyable dram, with meaty and greasy notes, mixed with sweetness that comes from the rye spirit. I got to say i liked it, and i wished it was more complex. My score for it is a solid 84 over 100. Cheers! -
Johnnie Walker Blenders' Batch Red Rye Finish
Blended — Scotland
Reviewed November 6, 2020 (edited November 8, 2020)I had this bottle for a long time, unopened since it just looked like something i would not drink and of course it will be a dissapointing dram. I had some time to spare today, and i found the bottle when reorganizing my bar, and i did not want to spend one of my high end samples tonight, i just didn't feel like it. So, i guess i decided to finally open the Experiment #1 of Johnnie Walker. I had most of the other experiments and they are not all that bad, without being anything memorable either. Well, this is a 40%abv, blended scotch, matured in bourbon casks, and finished in Red Rye whiskey casks. On the nose, it is not bad. It actually fights for some points. Starts with an instant grain whisky note. Raw rice, corn, very perfumed in a cheap but not bad way. Acetone, feels young. After a minute, it releases red fruits, cotton candy, sweet gum. It is very grainy on the nose. I liked the bubble gum note. The palate is nothing. Vanilla, very light. Nothing else. I actually had it for 20 seconds to see if something happens and nothing. There is some kind of spice trying to emerge but it just doesn't make it. It actually has no flavor. Ok, maybe vanilla. Aftertaste is poor, but still better than the palate. Rye whiskey aftertaste, dry. Barley, grassy and grainy. Nothing interesting really. Overall, for a 20-30$ whisky, this is really boring. A dull whisky, that i guess you can use to make the most unappealing cocktail or something like that. My score for it is 49 over 100, and you know i am used to give high scores to whiskies, so maybe this has even a lower score for everybody else. -
GlenDronach 1990 27 Year Sherry Butt Single Cask #2257
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed November 4, 2020 (edited November 6, 2020)So, i managed to get my hands on a super Glendronach once again. This time one of the amazing Single Cask vintage expressions: a 27yo (plus those 6 years of every Glendronach), matured solely in a Pedro Ximenez Puncheon. Bottled at 50.9%abv, bottle 397 out of 641, barrel #1014. First, anything matured in a Pedro Ximenez cask immidiately catches my attention since i have a sweet tooth. Lets start reviewing the notes: On the nose, once again my dear Glendronach friend, you are perfect. Dates, figs, blackberries, raisins (so perfect and clean note), dehydrated fruits, you get the idea. There is this glazed pork note, Bbq sauce note, simply amazing (can i dip a nugget on it?). Maraschino cherries, chocolate milk powder. Sherry. Thick caramel, plums. After the first sip, it transformed into an amazing maple syrup note. Hanuta snack (hazelnut), milk chocolate.... and.... bloody mary cocktail??? On the palate, it is great. Starts super sweet, with a maraschino cherry flavor. Lots of red fruits. Pepper surrounds everything. Blackberries. Very astringent. Thick caramel. Aftertaste is a proper conclusion to a wonderful whisky. Smoke, red fruits and tobacco. Very mineral. A long ginger mouthfeel that lasts forever. Overall, this is one great whisky. It is what a Glendronach must be. Maybe it lacks the normal dark chocolate, but it replaced it with lots of red fruits. Great expression, for me, it is a 98 over 100. Sláinte Mhath!!! -
Laphroaig 10 Year Cask Strength (Batch 11)
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed November 3, 2020 (edited November 12, 2020)As a Laphroaig lover, and a Cask Strength fan, i was really excited to finally have a higher abv expression, and i held a cask strength whiskies tasting night, leaving this one for last. But, was it good? Let's see: Bottled at 58.6%abv, burnished gold color. On the nose, it is very herbal. Starts with a very recognizable aroma note of a cigarrette ashtray that someone threw water to put out. Grassy. Salty, maritime, old oranges. After first sip it gave me burnt wood and socks. On the palate, it is normal. Toffee, oranges, a pepper bomb, oranges. Very one directional. Aftertaste is dry. Burnt grass, a little ashy. Aromatic peat, very powerful. Overall, i believe this is a boring inferior Laphroiag. Almost all other Laphroaigs are a lot better. Even the standard 10yo is a nicer whisky than this one. Very one directional, not fun at all. It is not an off-putting dram, but i would not buy it again. As i told you i tasted this along with other 9 people, and almost all of them said this was the worst laphroaig they have had. My score for it is a very dissapointing 82 over 100. -
Amrut Peated Indian Single Malt Cask Strength
Single Malt — India
Reviewed November 2, 2020 (edited December 19, 2022)Almost every Amrut i have had, are great whiskies. But, the last one i had, the "normal" Amrut peated Single Malt, was not memorable. I had a Cask Strength Whisky Tasting a couple of nights ago, and one of the drams i had was the Amrut Peated CASK STRENGTH, which i was a little skeptical about, since the "softer version" wasn't really good. But, this actually was a very good whisky, let's talk about it. Bottled at 62.8%abv, tawny color. On the nose, it is very close to a perfect score. "Lulo" fruit (Naranjilla), fruit salad, strawberry, oranges. A heathery peat, medicinal notes, bananas, chocolate. Very earthy also, but mostly tropical. Old oranges; bananas bathed in chocolate. After a couple of sips, it becomes very maritime. Ceviche, passionfruit and oysters. Bacon also present. On the palate, it is fairly enjoyable, with a very fancy toffee note that turns into a sulphuric peppery note. Milk chocolate. Oranges. Aftertaste is where the peat really is found. Very peaty, grassy, very sulphuric. Spicy: wasabi and ginger. Overall this is one great whisky, very balanced. It can definitively surprise you. My score for it is a solid 90 over 100 and i do recommend it, specially since in my tasting class i was the one with the lowest score for it; there where people who absolutely loved it to the point of saying this was maybe the greatest dram they had so far in their lives. -
GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 8
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed November 1, 2020 (edited May 4, 2021)Perfection. That is my review, thank you very much, we will meet on my next whisky review... Ok, i think you deserve more analysis from me, a guy who loves Glendronach, and now is obsessed with this bottle. This whisky is just amazing. I now know there are other 7 batches, so, we can safely say the journey on great drams has just started. Bottled at 61%abv, tawny natural color. Matured in Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso Sherry casks. On the nose, a work of art. The most powerful Mocca Aroma, Coffee, Chocolate. Oranges, Orange Marmalade, dark chocolate. Dehydrated oranges, like turkish delight. After the first sip, you get maraschino cherries and more chocolate. Cough syrup, cotton candy, sugar syrup; humid notes also present, like an old library. The palate is so good, no alcohol, just amazing flavors: orange syrup, milk chocolate, brown sugar, maple honey and peaches in syrup. Everything surrounded by a peppery note, absolutely incredible. Aftertaste is also marvelous. Coffee, oranges and some sulphuric notes. There is this pepper note mix with dark chocolate. It also gave me hay, chocolate milk powder and a mild smoke. Even the empty glass is an experience. It smells like an american breakfast restaurant, pancakes and maple. OUT OF THIS WORLD. Overall, go buy this now. Great price, great whisky i have no doubt it will be in my top ten whiskies of this year, and i have give it a 100 over 100 score, because it is perfect. Don't even share it, keep it to yourself. Sláinte Mhath. -
Kilkerran 8 Year Cask Strength (56.2% ABV)
Single Malt — Campbeltown , Scotland
Reviewed October 31, 2020 (edited September 30, 2021)I usually love whiskies from campbeltown since they often give me a little from each scottish whisky zone, the balance from Highlands, the fruitiness from speyside, the peat from the islands, the chocolate from the lowlands. And i have to say, that i've seen this bottle a lot in social media, and some whisky groups, and it always called my attention. Now i have tasted it, and i can tell you about it, in my own subjective way, because that is the way reviews work. Kilkerran actually comes from the Glengyle distillery, bottled at 56.5%abv, amber natural color. On the nose, it is great. Starts with chocolate, the switches into a little, very well balanced, smoke. Prunes, lemon, creamy vanilla. Wet grass, almond oil and meringue. Nice. After the first sip, it becomes very maritime, with saltiness overall. Toffee, orange and grapefruit appear. Champagne cola. On the palate, it is a solid dram. Dulce de leche, toffee; pepper, vanilla and salt. Powerful but pleasant. Aftertaste is long, and well delivered, even though it is very spicy. Smoke, salt, red chilli. Sulphuric; mostly salty, pleasant. Overall i believe this is a good whisky, specially for a 8yo age statement, because you don't actually feel any alcohol, or anything off-putting, and it is fairly delicious. I believe it has good tasting and aroma notes, but it feels it could be better with 2-4 years more, without losing its abv. My score for it is 89.50 over 100, and i took away for the first time 0.50 points, only to keep it under the 4.5 stars score, since it actually doesn't feel like it deserves it, even if it is a nice, pleasant dram as i recognize it is. Sláinte! -
Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban Port Cask Finish 14 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed October 29, 2020 (edited March 20, 2021)Before making the actual review of this whisky i have to give you some facts about me, that are important to this review: First, i am not the fondest fan of port matured whiskies; and Second, when i had the original Quinta Ruban, i was starting in the world of whiskies and i loved it, i even gave it a 100 points. Maybe nowadays i would give it a little less, but i have good memories about it. Having said that, i had high expectations for this 14yo Quinta Ruban, since it is supposed to be better than the 12yo but in the world of whisky, things are really not that easy. Let's see if this one is really better or not. Bottled at 46%abv, matured initially im bourbon casks and then finished in Ruby Port Casks. On the nose, it is very appealing. Oranges, a rare tonic for skin wounds called "Piovidine". Very Winey, Red fruits and Vanilla cake. It is mostly Buttery, with a nice Toffee note. On the palate it is sweet and quite nice. Strawberries, Cherry syrup, pepper and caramel. Aftertaste is a little straightforward, but still very pleasant. Mineral and smokey. I actually find this interesting in a Glenmorangie. Overall this is a very good whisky, very balanced but it also plays safe, maybe too safe to be interesting enough to earn a higher score. I truly believe that 87 over 100 for it is fair, and for what i remember, the 12yo was better ;)
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