Tastes

Like others are stating, there’s a bit of heat here. It’s not too much for me, though. Underneath the spice is a nice sweetness and a long finish of sweet and wood spice. With a few drops of water the flavor opens up a bit more and leads to leather and dark chocolate notes. This whiskey is all about classic bourbon notes and it’s a really good one.

On the nose, this is undoubtedly an Islay whisky, with peat and brine presenting themselves, though not at the level of an Ardbeg or Laphroaig. It’s more subtle. When tasting it, a wonderful and complex sweetness that was present in the nose prevails and sort of takes center stage. There’s peat here, but all I can think about is the slightly tart and sweet taste of green apples, citrus, and black tea. The finish of this whiskey almost leaves me feeling like I just ate a pear. It’s so easy to drink. Maybe too easy. Haha!

It’s weird, maybe, but I get some dill pickles on the nose. The rye spice presents itself after tasting and it finishes with honey and warmth. Green apple Laffy Taffy emerges after adding a bit of water. Maybe I’m drunk.

Sweet sherry and honey on the nose, with an oily mouthfeel. Balanced, though, with barrel spice. A bit of unexpected smoke on the finish.

It doesn’t smell like Scotch. It’s got a sweet sherry smell to it. On the tongue, it’s less sweet and dry. Toffee, caramel, and spice.

I would have a hard time distinguishing this from Laphroaig 10 if you just sat a dram down in front of me. That said, I do believe that Lore has all of the goodness of the 10 but with slightly more subdued smoke and with a touch more sweetness. It’s more rounded as well. Punches you in the face just a bit less. But, then again... I like to be slapped around every now and then.

This is a weird one, with it being a 100% corn new-make white “whiskey.” On the nose... I was turned off at first. Smells sour and sweet. Without the wood barrel influences I am left with what I’d describe as cotton candy and hospital hand sanitizer. It also smells thick and syrupy. On the tongue... it tastes a bit better than it smells. It has a dull sweetness underneath a larger sweet tone. With nothing to mask it, there’s definitely an alcohol taste. And it’s thin with little finish. I added a little water and the alcohol burn actually seemed to go up a notch but didn’t unlock any new flavors for me. This is an interesting whiskey to try just on the basis of knowing how to identify the corn influences in bourbon and to experience what whiskey uninfluenced by a barrel tastes like. I think it’s also a confirmation that wood truly makes whiskey.

The nose is so beautiful. Makes me close my eyes in hopes that my brain will make more room for the olfactory senses. On the tongue, it’s sweeter than expected and, yeah, a bit meaty. There’s also a mintyness that makes me think of kebabs with mint yogurt sauce. Yeah, I said it.

I have such a hard time picking my favorite between Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10. Why bother. Both are the water of life and both warm me and wrap me in peat blankets. This one is more oily and briny and, to me, less iodine than Laphroaig. And somehow slightly smokier while being a touch less heavy. Mmm.

Honestly, for the price this is good stuff. It’s got a bit of a burn, but not as much as I’d expect for it to be bottled in bond. It’s not very complex, but I get some buttered sweet bread and cherry coming through over the alcohol.