Tastes

This aromatic Scotch does a fantastic job at rekindling my memories of walking into a pastry shop - or even a movie theatre. Right off the nose, there's a profound scent of butter, butterscotch, baked custards, and pudding. These smells diminish slightly on the palate as spices are introduced, but the long finish rounds out into a delicious, fruity, and mellow profile (I was able to pick up on fresh Ambrosia apples and Jasmine tea). My praises go out to Bladnoch for producing this leggy, full-bodied Lowland Scotch. I was initially skeptical about the youngish 10 year age statement, but they knocked it out of the park! NOSE: Butter, caramel custard, butterscotch, vanilla pudding, buttered popcorn, barley, cinnamon apples PALATE: Honey, wood spice, smoke, apples, blueberries FINISH: Grass, melted butter, wheat germ, Ambrosia apples, Jasmine tea Rating: 90/100 Grade: A- Excellent - want to buy a case.

The Akashi White Oak fell short on my expectations with Japanese whisky. Despite using a Norlan for nosing, it was difficult to identify each unique aroma. They do make an eventual appearance, but one really needs to be patient and work with it. The palate shows a lot of potential where you may get hints of sweetness and nuts, but is ultimately dominated by the taste of oak and spices. The finish starts sweet, but is only short-lived as it quickly evolves into a lightly peated and salty after taste. Overall, this would make a tolerable entry level product for anyone looking for a gateway into the world of Nikka and Hibiki. More time spent in a barrel would certainly elevate this whisky, and despite the low 40% ABV, there is a noticeable burn with each sip, so bear that in mind. NOSE: Mandarin oranges, salted caramel, malt, apple, confectioners' sugar PALATE: Caramel, almonds, spices, oak FINISH: Malt, subtle caramel, light peat, sea salt, nori Rating: 75/100 Grade: C Below average – drinkable, but better as a mixer / party booze.

What do you get when you mix 10 parts Canadian Whisky to one part Mezcal? This. Full credit to Bearface's Master Blender, Andres Faustinelli, who has taken advantage of the Canadian 9.09% rule (also known as the one-eleven rule) to conjure such a lovely libation. Unlike the 7 Year Old, this particular whisky starts off with a bit of smoke, earthiness, and a hint of bacon on the nose alongside some sweet and spicy undertones. On the palate, you immediately taste the sweet followed by spices native to Canadian whisky. Although the finish is short, the agave makes an appearance which nicely rounds out your experience. Overall, a very tasty whisky that I enjoyed neat, but would also go well in cocktails. I'm stoked for the next release from the One-Eleven series! NOSE: Corn, light smoke, earthiness, hint of bacon, sultana, citrus, spice, vanilla PALATE: Honey, vanilla, bacon, cinnamon, cloves, dried cherries, dried cranberries FINISH: Agave, light smoke, syrup Rating: 83/100 Grade: B Good – not a “must”, but a nice-to-have.

I must praise the Oban Distillery for bottling such a robust, refreshing masterpiece. Sipping this whisky was both enjoyable and challenging because of how many layers of personality it has. Every sip was like a new chapter in a lengthy adventure novel where you're introduced to new characters and their unique identities. The sweetness from the nose to palate carries itself over, but certainly evolves throughout your journey. Along the way, you'll pick up hints of spices, dried fruits, and maybe a dessert or two. Although the finish is short, the sweetness lingers and slowly diminishes until your next sip. I didn't notice any peat; but who knows, it might just surprise me on my next dram. NOSE: Raisins, Molasses, caramel, tapioca pudding, egg custard, acacia honey, apricot, sweetened malt, spiced pears PALATE: Coconut, orange peel, pudding, egg custard, nutmeg, cinnamon FINISH: Sea salt, malt barley, dried cherries, cinnamon, poached pears, dried apricot, caster sugar Rating: 87/100 Grade: B+ Great – always want to have a bottle.

This potent bourbon was very aromatic and packed full of flavour. Like many whiskies with a high proof or ABV, it needs time to unveil itself. Nosing it through a Glencairn will surprise you - I kid you not I picked up a whiff of bubblegum. Although your palate might feel a bit of spice (predominantly cinnamon and nutmeg), the finish mellows out into smooth charred oak with a slight burn. NOSE: Sweet corn, caramel, vanilla, orange peel, bubblegum, butter PALATE: Spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, light caramel FINISH: Charred oak, barley, grass, tobacco Rating: 76/100 Grade: C Below average - drinkable, but better as a mixer / party booze.

This naturally coloured golden elixir of sweetness truly made for quite an enjoyable dram. Using organic barley and aged for 8 years, Bruichladdich has done a great job of distilling this complex whisky. I'll admit - it took me time to identify the specifics of the flavour profile, but it began to reveal itself over time. Straight from the pour, the scent of honey emanates and lingers through to your palate which is then followed by a touch of salt and spices. The finish doesn't last long, unfortunately, but is just enough to tease and welcome another sip. Overall, a decent and enjoyable bottle from Islay. NOSE: Sultana, ice wine, honeycomb, oak, green apples, confectioners' sugar, apricot PALATE: Honey, sweetened cream, cloves, spices, fresh oak FINISH: Sea salt, salted caramel, barley, malt, charred oak Rating: 84/100 Grade: B Good - not a "must", but a nice-to-have.

This full-bodied Scotch from Glen Garioch (pronounced 'Glen Geery') presents a complexity of flavours that made sipping lengthy, enjoyable and worth savouring. Observe the slow, trickling legs along the walls of your glass and expect a long finish with a flavour profile that continuously evolves on your palate. Given the number of years its been aged and the cost of a bottle, I'd argue that this underrated single malt makes fantastic value. There is much to be discovered from this old, quiet easterly distillery located in Oldmeldrum, Scotland and I'm hoping to explore more of what they have to offer. This was a very impressive first impression to say the least! NOSE: Smoke, light peat, salted caramel, dried cherries, almond, marzipan, oak, sweetened chestnut purée PALATE: Smoke, salt, Heather, poached pears, caramel, Sherry, malt, subtle licorice FINISH: Light peat, salt, caramelized pears, malt, light oak, green tea leaves Rating: 87/100 Grade: B+ Great - always want to have a bottle.

This whisky left me pleasantly surprised! I recommend leaving your pour to sit for about 15 minutes before nosing and tasting. The more time given, the more rewarding. Each unique characteristic from the three barrels used during the aging process will reveal itself - corn from the ex-bourbon barrel (heavily influenced by the grain of choice as well), tannins from the ex-wine barrel, and spices from the virgin Hungarian Oak. This is great value for a unique, dynamic experience - a major step forward for Canadian whisky! NOSE: Sweet corn, oak, barley, caramel, caramelized apples, vanilla PALATE: Sweet corn, caramel, tannins, dry red wine, black peppercorn FINISH: Tannins, dry red wine, ground black pepper, oak Rating: 84/100 Grade: B Good - not a "must", but a nice-to-have.

This young Arran single malt offers great value for what you experience. From the nose to the finish, there is a consistent presence of summer fruits - particularly apples and sultana. Taste is predominantly sweet although there is some lingering tartness to it. Light, refreshing, and no artificial colouring - I think this homage to Robert Burns would make the late Scottish bard proud. Slàinte! NOSE: Fruit cake, vanilla, crème brûlée, pecan, baked pears, toffee, butterscotch, apple orchard, sultana vineyard PALATE: Sultana, McIntosh apples, malt, rhubarb, fresh cream, coconut FINISH: Oak, raisin, sultana, ripened apple, vanilla, hint of milk chocolate Rating: 85/100 Grade: B Good - not a "must", but a nice-to-have.

A very young whisky with character. Bottle opens with heavy, smokey aromas, but fail to carry over through to the palate and finish. The peat starts out strong, then slowly diminishes as one's tasting journey progresses. All things considered, it's a decent whisky with a gentle kick - a Wee Beastie, indeed. NOSE: Heavy peat, smoked meat, barbecue, sea salt, grass PALATE: Peat, earthiness, chlorophyll, moss, cedar bark, leather, cayenne pepper, subtle honey FINISH: Light peat, smoke, moss, grass, sea salt, hint of black pepper Rating: 83/100 Grade: B Good - not a "must", but a nice-to-have.