Tastes

Batch No. FF0115 Bottled 01/15 at 59.8% Sharp ABV Nip on first contact, but that Glenlivet DNA shines through. Water tames the aggressive notes and after some time the vanilla and baking spices are revealed. Finish is long and spicy. If you are a Glenlivet fan you will enjoy this. If you are not familiar with Glenlivet you will probably find this dram sharp, hot and abrasive.

$36 US on sale at Virginia ABC. I really wish we had an option for half stars, as this one I would rate at solid 3.5. Smokey, sweet and goes down almost too easy. The nose is wonderful, but the palate comes up short. At 40% ABV it is also easy to drown. Only added a drop to release the tension. If I was to guess I would say this malt is about 5-6 years old. All in all $36 for a bottle of Highland Park DNA, not terrible but for not much more you can get the 12.

$45 with Tax, another Virginia ABC Closeout Gem! Non-chill filtered, 50% ABV and no coloring added, this one is growing on me. It is young, only 6 years old but once its tamed with a little time in the glass and a bit a water there is a ton going on in this malt. Sweet, spicy... is Salted Smoked Toffee a flavor? Excited to see what its like when I get towards the bottom.

Denver airport layover, and to my surprise Glenkinchie, another malt checked off my list. On the nose... floral, subtle sweetness and wood notes, the palate soft fruit, light peat, finish is fairly quick but pleasant. Would I buy a bottle, probably not but I found it a worthwhile experience.

Mild easy drinking Irish blended Whiskey. At $23 what it lacks in complexity it makes up in value.

Lovely nose, fruity bright with a high proof nip. Arrival is huge, toffee, vanilla and brine. Finish lingered sweet and left some tingle from the high proof. 400NT lets you try 4 Malts in their welcome center. That’s $12 to try four $200 plus bottles, pretty good value

Had the opportunity to sample this in a train station in Taipei. Non chill filtered, natural color and 46% all positives in my book. You could tell right away that it was young, how young they do not say. We will have to wait a few more years to see how this turns out, but they are on the right track.

Smokey nose, surprisingly sweet arrival, lovely lingering finish. Wonderful stuff, excited to try more of their offerings.

Simple Irish blend that has mass appeal. Nice nose but the arrival doesn’t deliver what it promises and the finish, while pleasant, vanishes quickly.