Tastes
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Batch 58 Neat This one opened up a bit after some time from the initial pour. Nose: Initial hits of bourbon, but reveals a backbone of chocolate from the oloroso sherry maturation. Eventually, the bourbon notes turn more and more into an unlikely, but refreshing, combination of pistachio nuts and pear. This whisky transforms! As you go along, it finally gives way to a nose full of sherry, with citrus peel, chocolate, salted caramel and more pistachio nuts Palate: Oily, impactful, and warming from the high abv. Initial bourbon notes again, giving way to chocolate. As you go through the glass, eventually the bourbon notes disappear and shows more sherry, ginger, chocolate, nuts, salted caramel as in the nose. It reminds me of other autumn-y sherry-bombs like Glendronach. All of these are enveloped by a hefty arrival each sip owing once more to the high abv Finish: Surprisingly delicate on the finish given the nose and palate, but the sherry notes linger on in the background, accompanying you with whatever you're doing Surprisingly enjoyed very much after the initial pour
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Nose: Yup, this is Highland Park alright. Their signature Heather-honey sweetness with orange fruits at the back that I've come to expect from their 12 year standard is found lingering with barrel spice notes that I can only compare with Glengoyne's bourbon barrel influence. Translation: Highland Park's rich mid tones are given an extra high tone sparkle with this inclusion, which I can only guess is from their 'sherry-seasoned' oak casks. The medley isn't disjointed either, as they perfectly come together to make this an intriguing HP dram Palate: More of the same from the nose. Heather sweetness develops into an elegant barrel spice that reminds me again of Glengoyne's lemon pastry effect. A gentle smoke comes through, but only barely. Finish: A mouth puckering, drying sensation with notes of cocoa - as if I had swallowed cocoa powder beforehand. Lovely. As far as travel retail exclusives go, I really like this one. A bit hefty of the price tag (USD 105 from Dubai International Airport) but if you're into Highland Park and into collecting, go for this one.
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Amrut Fusion Indian Single Malt Whisky
Single Malt — Bangalore, India
Reviewed March 22, 2020 (edited March 4, 2021)Nose: Strong bourbon notes. Or is it sherry? The opening salvo of the nose reminds me of the intense caramel apple pie I get from Nikka Whisky from the barrel. All of this is enveloped in a Talisker-esque smoke that just adds layer of character to the liquid. The eclectic angles of attack from this whisky make it wonderfully complex. Palate: Full and mouth-filling caramel apple pie appear as a constant log of flavor, made possible by the high alcohol by volume. White pepper heat makes an appearance afterwards, again reinvoking Talisker. Then, milk chocolate appears towards the end that I usually get from Sherried scotch (although no Sherry was mentioned in the production of this one). Again, wonderfully complex Finish: Long and persisting notes of the caramel apple pie Don't sleep on Indian single malts because they are brilliant -
Glenfiddich Select Cask
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed February 28, 2020 (edited January 19, 2022)Still very glenfiddich, with the malt funk notes, but much more pronounced speyside-character fruits. Almost like a more premium monkey shoulder. Apricot and marmalade mingle with the distillery character and finishes with medium intensity of lingering European cask notes -
From a tapered rocks glass Nose: Surprisingly wood forward. Almost like wet carpet. Mango, burnt brown sugar Palate: Mango sweetness, oak Finish: Slight spice, feint tangy European oak I must have let too much evaporate from the glass because it's very, very different from the butterscotch and fruitcake I've come to expect from the Dalmore 12
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From a tapered rocks glass Nose: Strong, heavy vanilla. Caramel sweets. Green fruit and grapes lightly envelope the nose. Remembrances of tropical fruits. Straw/Damp warehouse Palate: Bright arrival with barrel spices right off the bat. Thick sweetness like brandy that persists on the palate. Malt sweetness with grapes and caramel Finish: Sour barrel tannins Adding water makes the malt and straw elements pop out. Water enunciates the spices in the palate Very sweet pour
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From a tapered rocks glass Nose: Unexpectedly punchy. Crisp, red fruits and apricot. Malt and sweet cereal mingles in the background Palate: Light mouthfeel. Pronounced red fruits and honeyed cereals. Spice follows the arrival, and lifts up into more woody notes leading to the finish Finish: Light barrel tannins with lingering sweetness; almost minty Adding water softens the nose but makes the honeyed cereal in the palate jump out. Light and approachble, and invokes a more refined Glenlivet 12
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From a tapered rocks glass Nose: light citrus, soda fizz/carbonation accompanied by light smoke, lavender all mixed in together Palate: light, very elegant sweetness accompanied by a carbonated taste on arrival, enveloped by a very light smoke Finish: light European oak tang, light smoke, dark chocolate Overall very light but somehow enticing entry from the JW line up
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