Tastes

I got this and two other Jura sample bottles on the travel retail market. As 2018 has ended this has been discontinued apparently. Matured for the first 14 years in American White Oak barrels and the last 2 years in ex-Amoroso Oloroso sherry casks. On the nose I picked up some of that American oak from a hint of caramel, I had to let the dram breathe a bit after nosing the first time. My first sip introduced me directly to oak notes that transitioned into new wood, which then was followed by all spice. It has a prickling burn to it, more than I would expect from a 40% ABV. The finish was rather swift with mixed nuts and lots and lots of malted barley. Topped off with the dry tannins from the sherry casks and a bitter chocolate ending. This dram from the island of Jura has won a few awards, but it was not very compatible with my palate this time around unfortunately. I'm tasting more Juras and it will be interesting to see the differences! Instagram: Mr.LJWhisky

Redbreast 12 yo, my first experience with an Irish single pot still 🥃 This dram intrigues me, it is deep and complex and very enjoyable. Also listening to Master Blender Billy Leighton talking about it gave me a lot of respect for it. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘 NOSE • The nose is rich and full, with sponge cake vanilla, some caramel and marzipan, balanced with nuts and fruit notes in the citrus peel area. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑 PALATE • As I mentioned it is a deep whisky that I haven't completely wrapped my head around. The palate is however also full, oily and creamy. With notes of vanilla, dried fruits and sherry. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘 FINISH • Finish is still rather oily and creamy with the spice, sponge cake, nuts and citrus. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗 OVERALL • A very full and round experience, must have tasted it three times until I felt I could do an initial tasting note of it. I'm looking forward to taste the 15yo and the Cask Strength whisky as well! Instagram: Mr.LJWhisky

🥃 Ardbeg 10-year Old 🥃 This is an incredible Single Malt Scotch! 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗 NOSE • It is fascinating how mild the nose is on this dram, considering what we are about to taste. You do get the smoke and peat on the nose but with a decent amount of fragrant flowers and citrus peels. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌖 PALATE • There is also an amazing amount of phenols in Ardbeg which comes to life on your tongue. Lots of peat and that non-chill filtered oily feel, reacting immediately as you taste it. It gives a fresh radiating and tingling feel. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗 FINISH • On the finish the smoke and peat is of course just as notable with a stage of leather and those floral notes you had on the nose, finished by an almost mint sensation like spruce shoots. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌖 OVERALL • Yes, this is a really smoky and earthy Scotch, but it is so very well balanced and has a lot to offer it doesn't hold back anything else. I'd say this is smoke done right. If you like that, this is a must have on the shelf. One of the pillars of Islay peaty single malts. Instagram: Mr.LJWhisky

I must say I was intrigued by this dram of how it transitions and shows you different notes throughout the tasting. The nose has a full toffee and vanilla tone just like a Bourbon would have, even though this is malt and not maize. So I expected a similar experience. Now to my surprise the palate gives you something completely different! A sensation of fresh fruits, almost on the Orange side with citrus peals that gives a tart feel on the tongue. Very fesh and light. On the finish you still have a light feel with a moment of fruitiness which then transitions towards dark chocolate, hazelnuts and some oak. A bottle worthy of the shelf! Instagram: Mr.LJWhisky

Very pleasant nose of dried sweet fruits, spices with cinnamon among them, and then to my delight you get honeycomb which is really inviting. Did also pick up some tones of vanilla caramel which is thanks to the American Oak barrel. Swirling in the mouth this Balvenie is very lean and round at first, with gentle spices and a touch of vanilla. Then after a few seconds there is a natural burn with more hints of dried fruits, dark chocolate, sherry and some oak. Everything so well balanced. Almost thought it said The Balance on the bottle. The finish was also very gentle and round, truly giving me reminders of Bourbon but has its own character as a Speyside single malt. Delighted, I will definitely try the other drams from Balvenie. Instagram: Mr.LJWhisky

My second Japanese whisky tasting, my first Yamazaki. This one is sold out almost everywhere and well hyped up, perhaps a bit controversialto some? Well, I tasted it with an open mind as with any dram that I taste. The notes on the nose gave me some sweetness of fresh fruits, on the berry side. Floral tones to accompany them and then I put my nose in the Glencairn where marzipan and vanilla lingered in the background. I got a tart, tingling sensation on the toungue but this time also tannins for a dry feel. I attribute this to the Bordeux and Sherry casks, which explains the berries on the nose. Those berries also lingers on the palate as well as citrus from the tartness. The finish did not linger but did give me a clear oak note that was good to me. I haven't had a Japanse whisky matured in a Mizunara cask before, so I would like to compare this to other drams that have. An enjoyable single malt for sure, I wish the finish would give me more. A revisit or comparison to the Yamazaki 12yo is in order! Either way the Japanese drams are intriguing. Instagram: Mr.LJWhisky

A darker dram from Isle of Skye and Talisker. You'll see this one plenty if you are travelling and my bottle was bought from Copenhagen Airport and gifted to me. It definitely stands out in its profile in taste too. A no-age statement whisky and matured in heavily charred casks. Nose for me was quite subtle with definite smoke and pepper and a touch of citrus at the end. Usually on my palate I pick up oak at the end on, but here it comes at you from the start. I'd say oak with a more roasted aroma rather than say a nutty aroma. Joining the oak is of course smoke and a burning feel of chili, rounded off by some sweet honey. The finish is full, long and lingering with plenty of roasted tones and black pepper, that charred barrel and lastly the Talisker maritime seasalt ending. I enjoy this dram and I don't think I've had a whisky that has this black pepper profile like the Dark Storm. Instagram: Mr.LJWhisky

Highland Park Harald is one of six in the Warrior series. The employee at the airport who let me have a taste said this was one of the smokier ones. I can't confirm or deny that until I've tasted more in the series, but it definitely has smoke although balanced. The nose is mild with clear berry notes coming through. The distiller says strawberries and I can agree on that spectrum, fruity at least! Rather pleasant. On the palate the fruits are still there and lasting, round to the feel with just a hint of Sherry who brings a dash of tannins for a dry intro to the finish. Speaking of the finish, you get some peat smoke which is gentle still, ending with floral notes that are mild, rather than perfumed. The burn is there but not overwhelming. This is a no age statment dram at 40% ABV. It will be interesting to compare to other Highland Parks like the 18yo or perhaps Viking Pride (46% ABV). Instagram: Mr.LJWhisky

My first Rye Whisky! The nose happily surprised me with the apple cider notes and liquorice, while still being in the realm of American Whisky. There is some vanilla at the end as well. Oily on the tongue, the cider-like freshness from the nose can be felt as well with a tart, tingling sensation. There is plenty of spice in there to balance well. On the finish you have the desired spice with tones of that liquorice. The caramel or toffee is also there like it should be. I will definitely taste more Rye Whisky!

A very well balanced Bourbon that is gentle on the nose, smooth on the palate and has a lingering finish. None of the flavors overpower the other. On the nose you get a careful hint of toffee, raisins and brown sugar with a bit of sweetness, which I credit the maize for. The fumes are not overwhelming at all. The palate is very smooth and oily with some spice and a bit of that smoky coal from the charred barrel. While this Bourbon is rolling on your tongue it is very gentle. When you swirl down the brew and breathe out you do however get a small explosion of flavor, spice, dried fruits, toffee and lastly the sweet vanilla. Once done the finalist is the oak welcoming your next sip. Great Bourbon!