Tastes

Appearance: The color was a light honey gold. The dram had medium to thick legs that were extra oily. Nose: The nose was overall floral and had notes of honeysuckle, smoke, grapes, and orange peel. Taste: The palate had a nice round body, with fruity notes of apples, pear, smoke, orange and a bitter note like grapefruit towards the end. Finish: There was medium length finish leaving a fresh aftertaste, though it did go down with a little bite. Thoughts: So I bought this scotch for the superbowl yesterday, not expecting much. But I was actually impressed with the drinkability and value despite being a bottom-shelf blend. It was an honorable dram for $14.00 and I quite enjoyed it and would recommend it. Clan MacGregor, thank you for the enjoyable dram. “Will the MacGregor’s ever be kings again?” “All men with honor are kings. But not all kings have honor.” -Rob Roy. Sláinte!

Appearance: The color I see in my Glencairn is a honey or a straw yellow. With a swirl I notice the legs, medium in thickness, easing their way back down slowly. Nose: On the nose a light smoke note starts off the ride quickly pairing with a honey floral sweetness. Caramel and earthy moss come together following the honey-smoke like one of those awkward couples that realize by the end of the movie they were made for eachother. Taste: Notes of vanilla and red apple lead the way into the palate. I also get n essence of ripe peach, whole grain toast, and cherries. Finish: The finish lasts decently long after an initial bite in the swallow, and, to quote HM’s website, ends, “with subdued smoke and late peat.” Thoughts: Well my consensus is, for an apparently lower shelf pick, this is a really good dram for your money. It’s affordable, the well designed packaging doesn’t cause it to look like a bottom shelfer, it's approachable and inoffensive to most palates I would wager, all around though there are better tasting options this is still good! HM The King, thanks for the taste! Sláinte!

Appearance: The color is clearly pure, with no added coloring as it is so light nearly to the point of water. Imagine liquified white corn, or you put a tea bag of white tea in hot water for a second realizing it’s not the flavor you wanted so you pull it out quick. I imagine that would give it the same hue. The legs are thin and semi viscous as they work their way back down the glass. Nose: The nose starts off sugary cotton candy sweet and flawlessly transitions into a smoky note. Behind that, notes of peat, moss, wet leaves and ash, and honey round out the remainder of the bouquet. I really like this nose! I added a splash of water and did the nose no favors unfortunately. It made it very weak and flowery. Taste: The body is really nice and oily. The palate consists of a sea saltiness, which then shifts and translates in my head as a soy sauce note. From that, I would wager this would be a fun whisky to have with sushi! After that the peat notes come in, as well as herbs and crispy baked green vegetables. By adding a splash of water I made it even more salty but clingy too. Again, no favors. Finish: The finish is long warm and lingering. I really enjoy how it lasts; it personally makes me both want to drink some more, yet also not, and be content and enjoy the aftertaste a while. I’d say it’s a good conflict. Thoughts: Dang! I really liked this scotch! This is a blended malt that really impressed me! I would definitely recommend this scotch and would happily buy it again! I really like the thought that went into this blend and into the other regional blends in the family too, which I am now very excited to try! Douglas Laing & Co., many thank yous, and keep doing great work! Sláinte!

Appearance: The color of this beautiful single malt is dark copper. Its legs are extremely thin and oily. Nose: The nose is very friendly starting out heathery honey sweet. Moss, fresh cut grass, and light peated smoke register next followed by deep fruity notes of peach and pineapple. Adding a splash of water causes more smokiness to come out. Taste: The palate is tasty but not as full and flavorful as I was expecting. Notes of dark chocolate, orange citrus, and earthy / herbal vegetation notes please your taste buds, and by adding a splash of water an earl grey tea and pipe smoke taste emerges. Finish: After the swallow there is a long lingering finish with an orange citrus note that stays with you for a while. Thoughts: I really enjoyed this whisky; I like the flavors and higher ABV (46%). I’m not sure I personally enjoy it $75+ dollars worth, but it was great to try and I am sure this scotch will be someone’s dram. Tomatin, thank you for your great work! Sláinte!

Appearance: The color I found in this once bourbon now blended American was a light honey gold. The legs were thin and very oily. Nose: The nose was pretty faint overall. Notes present were of caramel, candy corn, freshly cut apple, and musty supply closet added a strange funky note. Taste: The palate was disappointingly boring. There was a hint of cherry, a tease of some oakiness, but really just the oily body and grain alcohol taste is what stood out to me. Finish: Not much stood out until the rising heat and burn in the back of the throat, then there it faded into an almost sugary finish. Thoughts: It was alright; I’m glad I tried it, but I won’t be recommending this to anyone. It may be a decent vodka alternative if you wanted slightly more character, (Keep in mind, I am not a vodka man.) but for a whiskey I am not impressed. Here’s to your better products, Sazerac! Cheers!

Appearance: When I look at this bourbon in my glass I see it as almost orange in color. With a little swirl or two I notice the legs, medium in thickness and watery. Nose: The bouquet of the nose is great while it lasts. Notes of corn, apple peel, slight sea salt caramel, and faint smoke sits with me for a minute then the nose seems to just close off. It's odd and kinda disappointing. Taste: The palate has notes of red apple, honey, and with an inhalation of air through the mouth after swallowing there's a briny almost scotch-like vibe. After a splash of water though most of that dissipates and a cherry note takes its place. Finish: There is a short finish with a little heat before adding water. Thoughts: So, as a disclaimer, I got the 43% ABV version, apparently they’re transitioning into a lower 40% ABV version. That said, I think it's good, but not impressive. It's probably a bourbon your old grand-dad would be content with, but I would suggest you and him trying other things. I would actually love to try Old Grand-Dad Bonded and see how the extra age and proof help it out. Thanks to you and all in your family tree, Beam! Cheers!

Appearance: The color of this Scottish fifteen year old is a light straw or white corn color. It is very light for a whisky so old, which leads me to think (though their website doesn’t say) that no artificial coloring is added. The legs too, looking at them in my glass are very thin and watery. Nose: The first impression of the nose is very fruity. Notes of pear, green grapes, and pineapple are present as well as salty brine, light peat smoke, and pine needles. With a splash of water added the nose becomes more (and I would say “too) flowery.” Taste: The palate boasts sweet notes of orange, dry red wine, red apples, and salted almonds. After a splash of water the other notes blend into notes of honey and Sweetarts candy. Finish: There is a medium long finish with an orange citrus aftertaste and a bite before adding any water. Thoughts: This was a delicious and incredibly friendly dram! I loved the higher ABV of 43% and think Tomatin made a great choice there. I would not recommend adding water as it ruined the subtleties of other notes throughout the whisky. To anyone wanting a friendly drink and doesn’t want a fight, this is your dram! (If you can find it; unfortunately it’s discontinued.) Tomatin, thank you friends! Sláinte!

Appearance: The color of this rugged bourbon was a dark caramel orange and its legs, after a quick swirl around the glass, were thin and watery. Nose: On the nose I got notes of campfire smoke, caramel candy, a Jim Beam signature peanutiness, a very light banana that got bigger as time went on, and a note of Nilla Wafers. Overall, quite a delicious bouquet in my opinion! Taste: The palate possessed notes of smoke and BBQ char; that extra smokiness from the second barrel made me think of peated scotch. There was also a heavy oak bite and a salted peanuts note. Finish: The finish was long and clingy with a lingering ashy taste and mouthfeel like I just finished smoking a pipe. Thoughts: It seems this bourbon is a hit or miss for people; you either like it or you don't. Personally, I like it! I think it's good, kinda harsh if it's not what's expected but it could be thought of as an Islay of bourbon, or a cheap and decent gateway from bourbon into smokey scotch. I'd recommend at least trying this and personally wouldn't mind buying it again. Thanks, Beam! Cheers!

Appearance: Looking into this little highlander I find the color of light clover honey. The dram’s legs are medium thickness and watery. Nose: The nose starts off with notes of salted caramel, then moves into notes of wildflower, light incense smoke, red wine, apples, and dry grass. Taste: The palate I didn't find as bold as the nose. Red apple, apricot, buttered sweet corn, and cocoa powder were the notes that I found. Finish: The medium finish leaves a semi-oily mouthfeel along with a bitter then minty aftertaste. Thoughts: This highland single malt was a delightful dram. It wasn't very complicated but it was very friendly! This would be an excellent starter scotch to anyone new to the game! It's a tad boring to those who have much experience however. My vote - I would recommend it, but I probably won't buy it again for myself. I bought this one in a small sample trio, and I am excited to try this scotch’s older siblings! Tomatin, thank you very much! Sláinte!

Appearance: The color I found in this blended scotch was clover honey light gold. Nose: On the nose I found more than I was expecting! There were notes of honey, light peat and smoke, ripe fruit like peaches and banana Laffy Taffy, as well as pine, all with a floral undertone. Taste: There was a very thin palate, with not much there. The notes I found though, were good - salty brine, pear, watered down honey syrup, and cinnamon covered apples. Finish: After the swallow there was a bite at first. The finish was medium length and fades into a honey aftertaste. Thoughts: For a bottom shelf option, I was impressed. From the labeling and all, I was expecting something a lot lower caliber, but this is not terrible! Now, there are of course better options out there, but for a cheap scotch, I would recommend it! Well done and thanks friends! Sláinte!