Tastes

Since I was a huge fan of the previous, 12 y.o. version of Quinta Ruban (and still am though it's pushing from hard to impossible to get a bottle), I was expecting a similar if not a greater approach on this Glenmorangie style of finishing whiskies in casks that previously contained different sorts of spirits, and in this case particularly, in ex-ruby casks, what constantly provides a distinctive tone both in aroma and taste. Although I would prefer to steer clear of the term "disappointed", I feel kinda fooled this time. A bit plainer in overall, bit harsher, bit poorer in balance, somehow lacking this "port" flavor, which was really the point, yet still it is a remarkable (or close to that) whisky to consume, and at least I appreciate the distillery's versatility in a sense of trying to develop things that worked perfectly good in prior, even if it's not quite the successful case. To the nose: sweet, full yet not really directed, a bit spirituous - caramel, tight and ropy sugar syrup, molasses, avocado with olive oil, warm chocolate covered cherries, mint, cocoa and coffee beans. To the palate: not very pronounced nor smooth, sometimes bold, with sweet herbal tones (like clover), sugary cough syrup, pineapple, plums, definite citruses, buckwheat honey, honey with rose petals, cayenne pepper, peppermint bubblegum. In the aftertaste: bitter wood, conifer, tree gum, tangerines, hot spices, sweet mustard, a bit of chocolate. Is this whisky bad? Not at all. It is decent but it could have been much more than just that.

The Peat Monster truly lives up to its name, but probably not in the terms it was meant to impress, and I should mark it in the beginning, it dwells somewhere far from the Islay peat whiskies. It really is that type of a mighty beast that I would never want to face as it's powerful yet tricky and intelligent but still very young and consequently reckless and gawky. The aroma is full of heavy peat and smoke, which are combined with rich apple juice. The first nose is very masculine - with notes of fatty well-done steak, grilled onion and burnt wood (and I'm not throwing a barbecue party). Then come some heavy cigar smoke and smoldering ashes - that makes it a perfect match for a silent standing near a bonfire during a heavy rain somewhere in Cascades. In addition, some vanilla appears closely to an end. The peat and smoke are again dominant in the taste overshadowing all the other nuances. Also some great variety of hot spices here - cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, cayenne pepper. Some minerals, iodine, olives and pickles in the back. Also a few bitter medicinal notes and resin. The aftertaste is moderately bitter, full of hot spices again, not very salty with wooden tones and notes of fresh grass, neither long nor processive. In a rough and nasty conclusion, I would say that it was a nice experience but I doubt an idea of trying this exact version of Peat Monster any time soon. It is young, sometimes harsh and lacking depth in many directions but might be really enjoyable under some very certain circumstances in fact.

(Double Matured in Moscatel Oak Wood: Distilled 2006/Bottled In 2017). Perhaps, there is a legitimate reason to say that this particular version of Distillers' Edition is quite clear and comprehensible in a way of its intentions but it still is enjoyable as hell. Perfectly balanced, powerful, yet quite opposite to fierceful in terms of peat and smoke. To the nose: apart from the strong general peatiness, iodine, smoke and medicinal tones there are many pleasing upper notes of ripe tropical fruits, sweet citruses, lemon pie, lollipops, yellow pear, peach jam; and also quite a few spicy nuances which include cinnamon, cardamom, a little bit of vanilla and ginger. To the palate: smoky ashes again, light citruses, phenolic notes quickly fade to some secondary tones of bursting spices like cayenne pepper and heavy fruits; light but pronounced honey and caramel in the background, Juicy Fruit bubblegum. The aftertaste develops much through time and lasts long enough to highlight its perks once again: bold peat, light malty/grain bitterness, citruses, raisins, many spices like cloves, nutmeg, anise and cinnamon, unused oak. To sum up, CIDE appears to be a gentle and delicate whisky in a sense. Probably all due to the post-Moscatel oak barrels, what makes him versatile and light (comparing it to sherry-finished Islay whiskies).

The aroma is very thick and massive, with distinctive notes of dark chocolate, coffee beans, some coriander, nutmeg, salted peanuts, unkempt dried grass. It reminds me of an old, scuffed, threadbare paper soaked with port wine. A little bit sharp and spicy on a palate: cloves, cardamom, cinnamon. Some chocolate again, some bread and malt, soy. It is still very solid, consistent, thick and even a bit heavy as an old dusty carpet. Some acetaldehyde notes appear in the finish, as well as greek yoghurt, pine nuts, vegetable oil, yet still the certain spiciness remains to be present. The aftertaste is palpable though not very long nor pleasant. As a sum - not very complex nor varied but decent blended malt worth of a praise. It shows a certain character though the majority of values commonly found in single malt whiskies are buried deep down in a quite poor balance, spirituous-ness and overwhelming "wallop". But it is optimal for its price and it certainly wins over other representatives of blended malt whiskies market (yep, I'm talking about Monkey Shoulder). Well done, Naked Grouse, but it's not quite enough to buy you again.

A typical Auchentoshan. Springwood obviously comes short of the intensity and complexity of the taste if comparing it to the Three Wood or even 12 yo, so this brings it closer to the basic and mediocre American Oak. But still, if I had to choose between American Oak and Springwood, I'd prefer the last one. The aroma is intense but muted or even tender, a bit stale, spirituous, creamy, with notes of a raw egg, grass, citrus fruits, a hint of vanilla and malt. It's sweet and chemical on the palate (though those chemicals are less pronounced when compared to the basic range): floor varnish, paint, some berries, honey, lemon zest, a little bit of alcohol, bright vanilla, heavy oak. That makes the taste truly resemble of a springtime. The finish is fast, watery, relatively sweet with a light bitterness in the end. In overall, this whisky is pretty average and predictable, and its components pretty much lack of complexity though I can't bring myself to call it bad. I suppose 2.75 or 3 is a fair and a proper score for this one (which one exactly depends on a mood).

While drinking Taketsuru I could have not resist a feeling that I have had already tried it before. And, yes, to my taste there are some definite structural similarities to Mortlach, notably and eminently the 12 y.o., but the Japanese doesn't quite match the Scot's intensity and vigor. This might have been an advantage since I found Mortlach a bit insolent in a way, but here it seems to be a weak point cause it lacks a certain character. The aroma is very well balanced and nice, really sweet, rum-alike, peaty, with notes of brown cane sugar, honey nut treat (shout outs to Skyrim), candied berries, caramel, red fruits, dulce de leche, molasses, maple syrup and milk chocolate. The taste is spiced, savoury, a bit spirituous, with nuts and brown sugar again; also some raisins, dates, peaches and figs appear through the tasting, though the general structure stays a bit thin and watery yet viscous enough. The finish is spicy like a hot chili sauce, really malty, with tones of walnuts and almonds. I can't really call this one a disappointment (despite paying a hell of a price for such a youngster), but I must admit that my expectations do not match the reality I face. I really liked the label, and the bottle and its contents, but since it is a gift from my ex-girlfriend (though she was an actual gf when presenting it) and that makes me feel kinda uncomfortable I wouldn't consider giving this whisky any extra points. (This sounds obviously subjective and even lame but, to make it clear, I just use this moot excuse to justify my score).