Tastes

Guys, I think I found it. That go-to bottle. That one whisky that you love every little thing about, from the bold and stylish presentation to the complex taste. This makes you remember why you consider yourself a scotch drinker in the first place. Now I know you're curious, "What does it taste like?" The thing is, I get something different with every sip. I can't wait to explore this bottle. After the first dram, I get mint, delicate smoke, banana, and sherry-derived nuts on the nose. The palate is quite sweet, reminiscent of raisins and pineapple. A tiny red pepper is lying dormant in there too. Sherry nuts meet smoke on the finish. Pairs well musically with Iron Sky from Paolo Nutini. Great stuff, a worthy whisky for my 50th note on Distiller. Cheers!

This whisky makes me sad.

Looking into Irish whiskeys as a more affordable alternative to scotch. As The Balvenie 14 yo Caribean Cask is one of my favorite drams, this rum-finished blend caught my attention. The aroma is not very strong, but is reminiscent of a milkshake, either vanilla or banana flavored. The palate is quite calm as well, being silky and tasting like honey, vanilla cream and tropical fruit. Where most "lower tier" whisky falls flat at the finish, this one's is very pleasant. It's a bit hot, being 46% ABV and noticeably young, but it suits the tropical "vibe" of this whisky very well. Yes, it's a bit rough, but what whisky isn't at this price point?

On the nose, you may find some vanilla and cream, perhaps even a lemon or two. On the palate, a light lemonade-like sweetness and at times, there is also some acidity or sharpness similar to citrus fruits. Normally not my favorite note, but here it makes the whisky feel very fresh. I can imagine this whisky to be very suitable for warmer weather. Finish is quite lively, perhaps too much for some. You ought to try a sample, see whether you like it, because it has all the qualities of a nice, affordable everyday dram for the right person.

This whisky has that "hidden gem" appeal, as if you had to climb down three flights of stairs into an old cellar hidden for centuries somewhere in the Scottish highlands. Perhaps I'm romanticizing it a bit - but what is alcohol without its historical, celestial allure? Now, how does it hold up? The thing that interests me most is the contrast between nose and palate: it smells like peaches and cream, almost floral but nonetheless very innocent, but it's very sharp and rebellious in its taste. Think green apples and pepper. Not really a whisky to own or to call your favorite, but definitely to try a dram if you stumble upon a (home) bar that has it.

Very light with vanilla, honey and some coconut on the nose and palate. Little to no finish. Friendly chap, all in all, but you'd think first fill barrels would make a more flavorful whisky.

A deceivingly modest bottle for such a characterful whisky. Many legs that drip into a straw-colored spirit. Difficult to pick up distinct notes in the nose, but makes you think of the sea. Now, for the taste: you know that practical joke where you loosen the cap of a salt dispenser, and some poor chap's steak is buried in salt? Imagine eating that steak, and you know what the first sip is like. And the ones after that. After a while, it does leave some space for fruity and nutty notes, but only a little. The finish, however, is one of the best I ever experienced: the salt combines perfectly with the moderate smoke and provides a worthy finish to a whisky is surely to divide the room.

A popular choice as a gift: has a nice appearance, is a bit more expensive than the cheapest of the cheapest ("I don't want to look like a scrooge"), but still less expensive than a decent age-statement single malt ("I don't know him THAT well"). Unfortunately, it's not nearly as pleasant to receive it: it's very sharp and acidic, like green apples that were picked too soon. Would rather get another pair of socks for my birthday.

After liking the Jameson Cask Mates finished on stout beer, I was wondering what an IPA might do to a whisky. Sad to say I didn't really enjoy it: the IPA primarily adds acidity from green apples and lemon to the mix, and some hoppy bitterness. Not my cup of tea.