Tastes

Honey and toffee and a floral nose with the easy drinking sweetness carrying it through to a subtle smoke and oak.

At first, the nose gave me nothing but alcohol and a metallic astringency. The taste wasn’t far off. But after giving it a few minutes to open up, the marmalade and burnt sugar were clear as day, and the astringency morphed into a nice smoky, oaky finish that lingers.

More subtle rye character than others, but still packs a great spice and herbal palate and finish. Smells of chocolate, mint and cinnamon on the nose. Round and full bodied. I might prefer other ryes for cocktails, but this is a fantastic sipper.

Finally got a dram of this at a bar as it’s unavailable where I live full-time. Hit all the right notes of the other Islay whisky I’ve had, with an intense smoke and spiciness that is round and full-bodied. Hope to find a bottle of my own soon so I can spend more time with it and enjoy it in the comfort of my pjs.

Cookies on the nose that continue through the palate with a layered complexity that morphs throughout. Could have this for dessert…or at 10:30 in the morning while sitting next to a good friend with a view of the mountains out the window.

Typically a fan of sherry casks, this one was enjoyable, but felt it dulled the peat and complexity a bit too much when compared side by side to its sister Spring expression. Wouldn’t turn it down by any means, as it was still a lovely dram, though I’d probably reach for a Ardbeg Uigeadail if searching for a sherried Islay.

Loved the upfront peat and smoke on the nose, and the lingering brine on the palate. Spicy in all the right ways with a bright, citrusy lightness.

Lovely, soft peat that doesn’t overwhelm but is pleasantly present as an accent to the oaky spice and marmalade sweetness. Stands up to some of the favorite Scotch whiskies I’ve had while making me proud of my Oregon roots.

The malt shines and gives a bold, straightforward sweetness through the entire palate that is a bit one note. There is a mustiness at the tail end that comes from the ale yeast that is certainly unique, though not something I was crazy about. Not a whole lot of complexity. All that being said, still an enjoyable dram that I wouldn’t turn down if offered again.