Tastes

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!

Appearance: The color in this blended American is burnished bronze. Its legs are thin and semi viscous, slowly easing their way down the glass. Nose: On the nose it’s more harsh overall, but there are notes that make it not all offensive. Notes I detect are corn, sharp low quality tequila or moonshine, Sharpie permanent marker, stale cotton candy, and I get a smell reminiscent of the school where I work’s art room. Taste: The palate is actually not too bad, but there’s not much there either. Notes of oak, cherry, Twizzler candy, and a curious smoky note round out the thin palate. Finish: The finish is quick and leaves a raspberry-like note in aftertaste. Thoughts: For a whiskey in this category, this is not a terrible dram. If I needed a cheap mixer this would be a solid choice. Now compared to most other straight whiskies, this wouldn’t stand up to much, but I’m glad I tried it and understand it’s being the #2 best selling blended American whiskey. Thanks, Kessler! Cheers!

Appearance: The color I found in this blended American whiskey is the same as caramel syrup. Its legs are thin and semi viscous; the image that comes to mind when watching the legs ease down the edge is from the movie Up, when Russell is dragged across the blimp’s windows for a good while. Nose: On the nose, though as a whole a bit sharp, I find notes of creamed corn, wheat grains, Sharpie marker, slight caramel, polyurethane, rye-like fennel spice, and oak. Taste: The palate is very bland, but what I did detect were notes of apple peel, cranberry, old candy corn, and Sweet Tarts candies, Finish: Right of the heels of the swallow, it bites then fades into a medium length finish. Thoughts: With this American blend containing 51% straight whiskey (considerably greater than others I've had) and the remaining percentage neutral grain spirit, I'm surprised the experience didn't increase as well. If anything, this dram was worse than others in this already low caliber category. I wouldn't get this again except to convince an alcoholic to go dry. Sorry if that's harsh, but Barton Distilling, I'm not a fan. Here's to you and better products! Cheers!

Appearance: Looking in on this 18 year old blended scotch the color is russet copper. Swirling it around in my Glencairn, the legs are very thin and viscous. Nose: The sweet nose contains notes of floral honeysuckle, apricots, mango juice, as well as mild peat, salted peanut shells, light clove cigar smoke, and cinnamon. Taste: The palate is reminiscent of a Christmas dessert - red apple, cinnamon, cloves, pear, cashews, as well as the addition of mild peaty brine, although the taste is delicious, it's more subtle and not as explosive as I was expecting. Finish: The finish is medium long in length, and one is left with a honey and cashew/ macadamia nut aftertaste. Thoughts: Chivas does a fantastic job on their blends, in my opinion. And this one in particular is so so good! This dram is a very well rounded scotch experience. The only complaint (if you can call it that) that I would have is that with something this old I personally expected the palate to stand out more than it did. But it was still delicious, and I loved the experience! Chivas, great job and thank you! Sláinte!