Tastes

Cheers, Damon! The nose is just about perfect. Peat, strawberry, green grapes, red grape skin, toffee, brand new electronics, dried swim trunks after a dip in the ocean, whole grain wheat bread, deep, and rich. The peat doesn't smother the nose, it allows everything else to have a voice. On the palate there's the white part of celery, stone fruits glaze, green grape, and Italian bread crust. This whisky layers your mouth with the perfect amount of peat. The finish brings Brie, and seems to never end.... I can still taste it.

Nose: Alcohol, maraschino cherry, brown sugar. Almost no arrival, gin like dryness. Sugary finish.

Light, bright, clean, and green. Much different (and more enjoyable) than the Caribbean Cask. Unripe banana, honeyed oats, peach, and straw on the nose. Taste is the same as the nose with banana, cheap honey, peach, and Sprite.

Cream, butter, caramel, and mint. Most bourbons that I've had have been smoother than this. Quite hot on the tongue. Nothing to write home about.

Unfortunately, I set my expectations a little to high for this one. Raisins, pecans, and a bourbon quality all attack the nose. Vanilla, brown sugar, sour pineapple, and warm sugar cookies are found on the palate. The mouthfeel is very sugary. I've enjoyed other offerings from Balvenie, 12 & 15 year single barrels. This one didn't match up. 3.5

Cream soda, warm marshmallow, red apple. Light palate; Not too sweet, cotton candy, waxy white corn, fair oak, and a floral finish. This is a fine celebration whiskey! Cheers Damon! Don't turn your nose to the subtle, down to earth packaging. This is a good one. 3.5 stars.

Citrus, rubbed dandelions, herbal Spearmint, bubblegum rich but light on the palate, cigar, grassy finish, vanilla extract Empty glass; crayons, pick your color (This version was single barrel.)

There's a heavy nose with strawberry, dark red fruits, cherry fruit chews, and amaretto syrup. Light palate, watery mouthfeel, vanilla ice cream, more amaretto; the integrity of the sherry influence follows throughout. A light tobacco like finish with cherry and vanilla. The finish is what bumps the score up for me. 3.75

Nose: fresh wood just split, piles of new and old leaves, wood varnish, and hardware store. Smell is off putting at first, but it gets pleasant the longer I nose it. Palate: Very fresh wood, pumpkins (just carved), squash. Some vanilla, dead leaves, and green leaves. Smooth, it doesn't taste young. This whisky tells a story with it being the first edition and one that's seasoning the barrels for other whiskies to come. I've never had anything like it. I won't rate it due to its nature.

Nose: Ripe banana, apricot, clove, some sort of green leaf spice. Palate: Spicy, rye, vanilla, sweet, and a slight licorice candy like finish. This is better than any bourbon or rye that I've had (although, this is only my second Rye). It's an after dinner whiskey that will be perfect for the coming winter months. I'm kind of disappointed that I split the bottle.