Tastes

One of my favorite new whiskies this year. Really drinkable for a heavily peated malt, and keeps me coming back for more. I guess being made from some of my favorite distilleries helps with this one. Pick it up if you can!

As a traditional fan of HP that’s been put off more recently, I’m always intrigued by new releases from this distillery. The white ceramic bottle works for me, and the flavor profile is quite enjoyable. True to marketing, this one brings pineapple, honey, cinnamon, and mild peat. Really enjoyable on that front. 44% is where this one falls down a rung. Not much of a nose and a fairly short thin finish. Thankfully, I have a solution to that: 1) Get yourself a Highland Park Cask Strength 2) Blend a bit of that with this here 15 year 3) Enjoy the best of both worlds in a dram that just got way more oily and intense, while retaining the initial flavor profile of the 15 3.75 on its own 4.5 blended with the CS

It’s excellent no question. Oak, cinnamon, softness, great depth of flavor. Worth msrp, maybe even double. Beyond that is crazy talk though

Much better than I expected given the age, but it’s a sweet, rich, classic bourbon with very little heat given the abv. Excellent presentation as well and worth a buy at the price

Blinded next to a much older, more expensive, well regarded bourbon and this crushed it. Complex nose evolves from vanilla to charcoal to vegetation to light cherry to buttered popcorn. Light in character makes you hunt around but gives you a journey nonetheless. Palate shows off the buttered popcorn and adds deep rich fruits, cherry, light oak, caramel chews. Finishes medium length as the caramel lingers and eventually dries out asking for more. Bought this bottle on a whim (was $3 off) and partially because of the heritage and the story of Uncle Nearest teaching a one Jack Daniels how to distill. Super glad I did and will be pulling it out on the regular. Well above average for me.

Super disappointed with this...crazy one note of sweet red cherry licorice on both nose and palate that is tough to overcome. Moreover it’s hot at under 100 proof and even noses young at 14 years. Maybe it’ll open up over time but this gets negative marks from me. 81/100

Decent sipper, plenty of caramel, nuttiness, and dried fruits. Proof holds it back too much but enjoyable nonetheless

Above average Rye that gives my Willett 4 year a run for its money. This New Riff is beautifully sticky, rich spearmint, and just sweet enough to keep wanting more. Excellent bottle and I plan to pour this one on the regular.

Sold my house today, no more paying 2 mortgages! Easy choice to pour this one out to celebrate. Remains my top rated bottle in the collection. 96/100

It’s got everything. Peat, dark fruit, abv, earthiness, spice, richness, complexity. Easily worth the price and right up there with the best Scotches in my collection. 93.5 / 100