Tastes
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Ardbeg takes you to a "dark, mysterious place" with the Uigeadail and regardless of how you feel about peated whiskies, this particular bottle is just full of surprises. Despite not having an age statement, drinking this cask strength Scotch is like sitting down next to a fireplace on a cold winter night and opening up the Lord of the Rings for the first time. Each warming sip is like a new chapter that leaves you hanging and beckoning to continue. It begins with tobacco leaves on the nose from Gandalf's pipe followed by a scent of smoked back bacon wafting from a kitchen in Hobbiton in preparation for Bilbo's 111st birthday. Under that layer enters some sweetness - toasted malt, toffee, maple syrup, and vanilla pudding - a likely dessert found at the Prancing Pony. On the palate, you take a detour to Belegaer - the Great Sea - where the salted air hits your tongue along with some pepper; but don't worry, the shore is nearby and then comes the eventual honey and zesty notes. As you allow for the finish to linger, you reach Minas Tirith by boat - the salt diminishes, smoked bacon returns to your palate, followed by some blades of grass from Pelennor Fields, a bit of lime zest, butter from a nearby bakery, and lastly, sweet confectioners' sugar. Your journey through Middle-Earth is complete. I'm honestly surprised by this whisky. Ardbeg has really knocked this one out of the park. At first you may be intimidated by the smoke and peat when you pop off the cork (as you should because I'd imagine that's what Mordor would smell like), but once poured, it is quite subtle! There's just so many layers and depth to each dram that made every sip such an adventure and all the more enjoyable. Ardbeg's Wee Beastie 5 Year was already a treat, but when you take something good, age it in some quality ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, you get the Uigeadail. Adding a touch of water opened this whisky up so much more as well. Immediately the nose becomes less peated, the tobacco is slightly more prevalent, but the caramel and toffee notes steal the show. Even the palate and finish becomes less salty and more sweet. This is damn good Scotch and Ardbeg has earned themselves a new advocate. Like reading the Lord of the Rings, drinking the Uigeadail requires time and attention to detail. You will enjoy it - trust me! And the road goes ever on and on.. down from the dram where it began.. NOSE: Hickory, peat, smoked back bacon, toasted malt, toffee, prunes, maple syrup, tobacco leaves, caramel, vanilla pudding PALATE: Sea salt, honey, honeydew, white pepper, lime, orange zest FINISH: Sea salt, brine, smoked bacon, grass, lime, European butter, confectioners' sugar Rating: 95/100 Grade: A Exceptional - Superior in every way.144.99 CAD per Bottle
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Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2010
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed April 18, 2021 (edited November 30, 2021)Bruichladdich 'beres' all with this 2010 Bere Barley Scotch - a beauty of a bottling. I'll be honest, I bought this thing partly out of curiosity because I was sold on the research I had done on bere barley, which (if you didn't know) is an ancient cereal grain that has been grown on the British Isles - especially in Scotland - for centuries. In my collection is also the Organic and Islay Barley, so I figured, 'Hey, why not complete the set?' Of the three Bruichladdich experiments, I honestly think the Bere Barley is the best. Everything from the nose to the finish was so rich in aroma and flavour that made each anticipated sip all the more challenging yet satisfying. When I first nosed this Scotch, it reminded me of the Islay Barley or Bladnoch 10 with its warm, buttery and toffee notes; however, it then evolved into more Asian-influenced profiles (ie: Taro root and red bean on the nose, tapioca on the palate, and rice wine - much like sake - on the finish). For an 8 Year Old whisky, this is pretty darn good. If you are lucky enough to get your hands on one and are open to trying something different, I would highly recommend this (now) rare find. I trust the process, and I am sure there's a reason for this, but I only wonder how much better this Scotch could have been if it had spent a few extra years aging in the barrel. That said, having a pour from this bottle creates a bit of nostalgia for me. The barley was grown and harvested in 2009 in Orkey, then distilled in 2010 - the same year of the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games where I was celebrating Team Canada winning the men's hockey gold medal! Good times, even better memories. I digress. Well done, Bruichladdich on another memorable dram! NOSE: Sultana, butter, toffee, oak, malt, dandelion, sandalwood, taro root, roasted red bean PALATE: Honey, tapioca, chrysanthemum, grass, nutmeg FINISH: Earthy tones, grass, rice wine, sea salt, malt, oak, coffee, chocolate Rating: 89/100 Grade: B+ Great - always want to have a bottle.120.17 CAD per Bottle -
Singleton of Glendullan Select (Game of Thrones-House Tully)
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed April 9, 2021 (edited June 8, 2021)Game of Thrones? Awesome. House Tully and this bottle of Scotch? Not so much. I'm always a little skeptical when any product goes hard on marketing to generate a lot of hype and attention. So, when there's a non-age statement whisky bottled at 40% ABV, it helps me set the tone that I ought to keep my expectations low. Right off the nose it was a medley of summer fruits and sweetness that screamed Speyside. It was a pleasure identifying each unique note, but when it came to the flavour and taste, it fell flat and failed to deliver. On the palate it was a diminishing combination of sweetness, spice, a hint of peat and something savoury, but it also lacked any sort of depth. The finish was significantly short which begs me to wonder if this batch had been mistakenly watered down. It wasn't difficult to sip, but that's also because it lacked any complexity. Overall, like House Tully, I'd argue that this underwhelming Scotch has potential. It's not impressive nor praiseworthy, but aging it a few more years may have done it some good. There's nothing about this single malt I'd write home about, but if you're into the Game of Thrones and enjoy collecting things, then this one's for you. NOSE: Dried cherry, peach, apricot, malt, green tea, vanilla custard PALATE: Honey, nutmeg, cloves, hint of peat FINISH: Malted barley, light peat, cherries, dried cranberries, lychee, sea salt, earthiness Rating: 74/100 Grade: C Below average – drinkable, but better as a mixer / party booze. -
Glenlivet 12 Year Double Oak
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed April 7, 2021 (edited June 12, 2021)You know when you're hoping for the best outcome in something, but still proceed with low expectations? That was my approach with the Glenlivet 12 Year. On one end, you've a notable brand which has a reputable history in Scotland. Decades ago they even made it clear that they are THE Glenlivet - a stand out to other illicit distilleries back in the day that used Glenlivet branding. Yet this bottle of 12 Year Old comes bottled at a boring 40% which sets the tone for potential disappointment. Like many Speyside Scotches, the nose is very sweet, fruity and full of cereal grains. The sweetness of honey and fruits - apples and pears - carry themselves through to the palate and eventual finish which was very short-lived. I didn't identify any burn, but the tasting experience paled in comparison to other 12 Year Olds around the same price range. Glen Garioch, for example, has a very rich, full-bodied Scotch that's aged the same amount of time. Although this Glenlivet lacks depth, I think it makes a very decent sipper and a great beginners' dram for anyone getting into the world of whisky tasting. NOSE: Vanilla, apples, malt, barley, light oak PALATE: Honey, vanilla, apples, poached pear, slight spice FINISH: Vanilla, oak, malt Rating: 77/100 Grade: C+ Average - not good, not bad, just is.Burnaby -
The 1792 Small Batch had several interesting notes on the nose that I was able to pick up on. Yes, you get the typical sweetened aromas of corn and caramel, but there was also a hint of fresh greens and medicinal herbs. My first nosing was that of cut grass and a blend of echinacea and chamomile - not unpleasant, but different. On the palate, the bourbon opens up a little more where one would experience the taste of woody notes and candied fruits with a hint of smoke. Although I was hoping for a longer finish, the drinking experience was warm, pleasant, and all-in-all quite enjoyable. This bourbon would make a decent post-dinner sipper over some rocks. NOSE: Corn, caramel, grass, echinacea, chamomile, oak PALATE: Oak, wood fibres, strawberries, candied cherries, simple syrup, light smoke FINISH: Corn, vanilla, sea salt Rating: 83/100 Grade: B Good – not a “must”, but a nice-to-have.Burnaby
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After hearing a lot about this bourbon lover's staple, I finally had a chance to experience the famous Buffalo Trace. Sweet corn dominates the nose alongside caramel and brown sugar. Spices follow-up on the palate with a melody of fruity notes and syrup that remind me of candy I enjoyed as a child. The finish ends with a lingering blend of corn and summer fruits - enjoyable nonetheless. All-in-all, I quite like this bourbon! At 90 proof (45% ABV), it made for a very easy sipper. I had it neat, but on the rocks or in a cocktail would be delicious, too. NOSE: Corn, sweet corn, caramel, brown sugar PALATE: Cinnamon, nutmeg, confectioners' sugar, cough syrup, grape syrup, bubblegum FINISH: Corn, bubblegum, strawberries Rating: 82/100 Grade: B- Not-too-bad - no major flaws, worth tasting.Burnaby
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Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2011
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed March 21, 2021 (edited August 14, 2021)I didn't know what to expect with the Islay Barley. At 50% ABV, I recommend giving it time to breathe before nosing otherwise you're in for a sharp surprise. That said, with the passage of time, the aromas kept changing on me by revealing flavours I never thought were even relatable to whisky. I had the age of this Scotch pegged between 5-7 years (I later learned it's 6) because the initial profiles on the nose were characteristic of a young whisky - think green apples and grapes (much like Arran's Robert Burns). However, the profile then evolved into a gentler, more muted sweetness in the form of custard and red bean. The palate was the biggest surprise. I was anticipating sweet, floral notes, but instead was hit with peppery spices and salt. The finish unboxed flavours of the ocean such as sea salt, kelp, brine, and slight peat - likely the environmental influence of the Islay barley. There is some sweetness in there, but you'll find it on the tail-end of the finish which, again, was very muted. For a young whisky, I'd argue that this Bruichladdich experiment was a success! The biggest surprise for me was how the flavour profile kept evolving which made my dram so much more challenging yet enjoyable. If you're lucky to find yourself a bottle somewhere on the shelf, I'd recommend you buy it! NOSE: Caramelized pears, slight peat, McIntosh apples, sultana, light oak, strawberries, malted barley, red bean paste, egg custard PALATE: Peppered spice, peat, sea salt, cinnamon, ginger root, mild honey FINISH: Brine, sea salt, seaweed, kelp, grass, malt, red bean paste, slight peat Rating: 86/100 Grade: B Good – not a “must”, but a nice-to-have.84.99 CAD per BottleBC Liquor Stores -
Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed March 14, 2021 (edited May 18, 2021)The Classic Laddie is a great bottle of whisky to enjoy with company if you have plenty of time to spare. The 50% ABV might be a little strong for the average whisky drinker, but if you let your dram air our for about 10 minutes, the alcoholic punch won't be as dominating. That said, the nose is beautiful. It begins with warm, buttery notes that evolve into pure sweetness (reminded me of the Bladnoch 10 Year). Although advertised as an unpeated Islay Scotch, I did detect some smoke on the palate/finish, but it doesn't last long as this whisky is predominantly sweet with a hint of baking spices. Despite being a NAS, I thoroughly enjoyed this naturally-coloured whisky and I honestly think it's a great introduction to Bruichladdich. Fun fact: The code on the base of the bottle can be entered on their website so you can see which unique cask recipe was used. NOSE: Butterscotch, sultana, almonds, tangerine, tapioca PALATE: Light smoke, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, brown sugar, demerara sugar FINISH: Light smoke, poached pears, caramel, honey, malt Rating: 84/100 Grade: B Good – not a “must”, but a nice-to-have.BC Liquor Stores -
If you're hoping to go cheap for a good quality bottle of blended Scotch, look again because it's true - you get what you pay for. I did a blind taste test with other Scotches and this White Label was an obvious negative stand-out due to its lack of character and depth. The nose hits you with a whiff of smoke and peat, and when you taste the dram, you get a mixed bag of sour and bitter notes with a hint of sweetness that diminishes rather quickly. I've seen reviews where this whisky is praised for its value and versatility; however, I'm finding it hard to see what the hype is all about. Perhaps one may enjoy this as a sipper, but it's a hard pass for me. NOSE: Orchard fruits, light peat, light smoke, medicinal herbs PALATE: Charred wood, brine, sour plum FINISH: Light peat, bitter melon, cherry Rating: 70/100 Grade: C- Not good – nearly undrinkable, wonder why the hell they made it.BC Liquor Stores
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Green Spot Single Pot Still
Single Pot Still — Ireland
Reviewed March 13, 2021 (edited March 19, 2022)Heard a great deal about Green Spot and although I'm not too versed in Irish whiskey, this bottle made for a very smooth, enjoyable experience. The aromas on the nose indicated a young age statement despite an age not specifically stated on the bottle. I picked up on several sweet notes alongside grapes and raisins. The sweetness continues on the palate through to the finish with a hint of spice and that lingering buttery undertone. All-in-all, the Green Spot is a great sipper with a warm, satisfying flavour profile. I would recommend it! NOSE: Honey, sultana, caramel, butterscotch, raisins PALATE: Confectioners' sugar, caster sugar, baking spices FINISH: Butter, walnuts, butterscotch, malted barley, pear Rating: 85/100 Grade: B Good – not a “must”, but a nice-to-have.Burnaby
Results 11-20 of 34 Reviews