Tastes

Appearance: Clover honey is the color, and thin viscous legs cling to the glass. Nose: The nose in this scotch is delicious, but different from anything I’ve ever smelled in a whisk(e)y. It starts off floral and sweet with lychee fruit and maple, followed by more rugged peaty smoke, sawdust, dry hay, burning rubber, and strangely the smells of a Hobby Lobby craft store and cooked broccoli. Taste: There is an initial heat in the beginning, then after acclimation, notes of honey, salty brine, peat, strawberries, and a sweeter-side red wine. Finish: The finish is moderate and has a fruity wine aftertaste. Thoughts: This scotch was really good, and I would recommend others to at least try it, but coming off the heels of the last Ardbeg I tried, this one, to my tastes, is inferior. I liked that it threw me for a loop at times but it wasn’t as flavorful as I think it could have been, which is weird because Ardbeg did a great job at keeping it at an honest flavorful proof. It is still very good, but the Corryvreckan is currently my favorite. Thanks again, Ardbeg! Sláinte!

Appearance: Clover honey gold is the color, with super thin oily legs clinging to the glass. Nose: The nose takes you on a wild delicious journey. First appear citrusy notes of orange and lemon, followed by smokey salty peat, soaked dead leaves, and savory bacon grease. And wrapping around it all, notes of honey, cut grass, and maple syrup. With a splash of water, it becomes much sweeter and the peat takes the back seat letting a more floral aroma shine. The combo reminds me of aromatic pipe smoke. Taste: The savory palate has notes of peat, oak, bacon / BBQ char, cigar smoke, and red apple; it is quite delicious. With a splash of water a green grape note comes forward more prominently. Finish: The finish is long, subtle, and lingering with notes of peat and chewy orange slice candy. With a splash of water, it gets more bitey like with wood tannins. Thoughts: Right off the bat, I’m going to say don’t water it down. Initially though, I really love this whisky! It is delightful to smell and delicious to my palate, I would be happy to buy this again and anyone on the fence about trying it I say go for it! Ardbeg, thank you for your quality scotch! Sláinte!

Appearance: So looking into my glencairn at this highly regarded blend, I perceive a lighter honey / caramel gold color. Super thin and oily legs cling to the glass walls and don't let go easily; like Peter Parker would cling to the side of a building. Nose: From the beginning of the overall complex nose one can clearly tell it's a blend - “sparkly” grainy notes shine first followed by a diverse range of notes like honey, caramel syrup, green grapes, pear, moss or sliced mushrooms, decaying leaves, salty sea spray, and light peat smoke. I really like it after giving it a chance to open up. Taste: The palate starts off with a hot bite, then fruity notes of honey and red apple take the wheel, followed by notes of smoky peat and aromatic pipe tobacco. Finish: The medium length finish is bitter, like Angostura bitters, though it's not unpleasant, merely unique. Thoughts: Is this a good whisky? Yes! Is it worth the high price tag? It may depend, but in most cases I'll say no. However, this scotch is very special to me now and I’ll end my note by explaining why. I bought and had been saving this one for a special occasion. That occasion has come to pass and I am so proud and excited to announce... that I am going to be a father! My wife and I have desired to be parents and the Lord has graced us with this blessing! So, John Walker and Sons, thanks for making a great celebratory whisky! Sláinte!

Appearance: This Canadian blend had thick watery legs and an orange copper color. Nose: The nose, no surprise, was quite sweet. Notes of carmel, maple syrup, cotton candy dominate, while wildflowers, honey, ripe red apple and peach round out the rest of the nose. Taste: The palate, unfortunately, despite the more honest proof, was pretty bland. There was a peppery rye spice, with notes of ripe strawberry, light vanilla latte, and cheap coffee and creamer. Finish: It was a shorter length finish that started with a light peppery burn. Thoughts: There was no doubt this was a Canadian blended whisky; it had all the typical characteristics. But this bottom shelfer just didn’t quite cut it for me. As a budget higher proof option, this may be a good option, but overall, I wasn’t too impressed. Sorry, Hunter. Cheers!

Appearance: This single malt had a light copper color with very thin very oily legs. Nose: On my first approach, the nose held a very fruity aroma. On the following whiffs, however, the peaty smoke joined in the mix. Notes consisted of pear, strawberry, apple, cashews, vanilla, and salty peat that more so translated in my mind as walking through the damp forest. It was quite lovely! Taste: On the palate I perceived notes of ripe banana (but not too much), earthy peat, cherry, plum, sour green grape, a maltiness, and a dryness that was left after the swallow that continued through the finish. Finish: The finish was medium-long in length and pretty clingy. It also possessed a honeyed and I want to say, mossy, aftertaste. Thoughts: This was a treat for me! I’ve found I greatly enjoy peated whiskies; so when this Speyside scotch came my way I was excited to try it, but after a few sniffs and a closer label inspection, I realized this was one of the best Speysides I’ve had yet! If you like peat and the fruity non-peated Speysides haven’t been your thing, this is a stellar compromise! I definitely wouldn’t mind buying this again! Thank you Benromach! Sláinte!

Appearance: Looking in upon this delight one finds a light copper color and really thin semi-viscous legs. Nose: The nose is complex and beautiful and very sweet. It starts off with notes of vanilla latte, toffee, caramel and honey, dark chocolate, and sugar cookies. It also has notes of wood chips, dried leaves, fruity plums and raisins, cherries, green grapes or champagne, salted almonds and walnuts, and a floral note in there to wrap it all together. Taste: The palate is delicious but to me not quite as complex as the nose. It possesses a maltiness, some oaky dryness, some notes of honey, clove, sweet corn, and a lemony tang. Finish: After a twinge of heat, the finish starts with that light citrusy zest, then turns oaky and dry while transitioning simultaneously into a fresh clove spice. Thoughts: Dang, this scotch is impressive! I was expecting this to be delicious, but not bold and exciting. I found that I was wrong: this complex whisky was very friendly but also had a lot of depth to it! I would definitely recommend! Macallan, you do good work! Keep it up! Sláinte!

Appearance: Looking in at this special scotch I notice its light clover honey gold color, most likely given from its relatively young age of eight years and with no coloring being added. Medium sized viscous legs crawl their way down the glass. Nose: On the nose, notes of light ashy campfire smoke appear followed by fruity ripe red apples with cinnamon, pear, orange rind, green grapes, honey, heather, pine, and a strange Pinesol note towards the end. Taste: The delicious palate consists of clove, cardamom, cracked pepper, caramel and honey, and orange notes. Finish: The finish starts hot at first then cools into a sweeter honeyed finish with a creamy mouthfeel. Thoughts: This special edition scotch was delicious and a friend of mine was generous enough to let me have some. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who would happen across it. Fettercairn, many thanks! Sláinte!

Appearance: A mid-range amber color is what I perceive in this craft bourbon, as well as medium-sized oily legs begrudgingly making their way back down the glass. Nose: The nose starts off as yeasty bread and fermentation, like the inside of a brewery. Notes of wheat and dusty grain transition from there, followed by fruity strawberry Twizzler candy, red apple, cherry, floral honeysuckle, dandelion and arugula lettuce greens, as well as a maltiness, and an unfortunate astringent house cleaner note. Taste: The palate has a citrusy orange and grapefruit tang, followed by sweet notes of vanilla and caramel, then a bitter herbal note that sweetens into the finish. Finish: The long sweet honeyed finish is nice and really invites you into another sip. Thoughts: With this bourbon, I was overall quite impressed. It was unique yet familiar, as far as nosing and tasting. I would recommend it and wouldn’t mind getting it again. Thanks, Bear Creek! Cheers!

Appearance: A honey gold color shines out to me from my glencairn. Meanwhile, semi-viscous legs seem to melt down the inside of the glass. Nose: In a word, savory. Mouthwatering notes of peat, cooking bacon, salty brine, honey, and light lemongrass rise up to tempt one's senses. With a splash of water, mossy / dried grass and plum notes become more prevalent. Taste: On the palate notes of vegetal peat, sweet red apple, BBQ char also match the savory vibe and nose. With a splash of water, a sweeter strawberry candy note becomes more visible. Finish: The finish is long and leaves a light salty and tangy note. Thoughts: This scotch I 100% recommend and would buy it personally again. I love that they kept it at an honest proof of 46.3% ABV, rather than stretching it to make it go farther, yet weaker. This may be my new favorite scotch actually! I haven’t had one this savory and tasty, but this has caused me to long to find more! Thank you very much Tobermory! Sláinte!

Nose: The nose was strong and interesting with dandelion, fresh arugula lettuce, and wildflowers. I almost couldn't get past it. I love that flowery note in whiskies, but this was nearly to the point of too flowery. It also had the sweet notes of candy corn in it. Taste: The palate was not quite as exciting. It was slightly oaky, with notes of basil and various herbs, had a sweet note of butterscotch morsels and sort of reminded me of watered down bourbon. Thoughts: This French whiskey was pretty good for me not really knowing what it was! I had this in France with some new friends my wife and I made and it was fun to taste a bit of the spirit that was a part of their culture and country. There are better options, but I really enjoyed it thanks to the company and fantastic meal they provided for us too! Sláinte!