Tastes

Where to start? Lots of thoughts. I enjoy the young GFs especially at the price point. And I had tastes of the 17 and 21 and enjoyed both. So when I saw the opportunity to snag 1L of this for $70 it was an obvious buy. I really wanted to like this. So much so that taste after mildly disappointing taste I’d hold off on reviewing this, hoping it was the pour, or my mood, or just something about the state of my taste buds that was off and the next time I’d get what I’d come to expect from glenfarclas. Well I just poured my last dram, and 1L later I’m still at that point of “meh”. Time to move on i guess. But not before reviewing it. The nose Is subtle. The honey is there. Light floral notes. Sweet and light fruits. A little sulfur but overall not unpleasant. It’s very thin. I wasn’t expecting a meaty mouthfeel but for 18 years you’d think you’d get a little more texture. The sherry is also muted. Considering the age this surprised me...Wonder how many refills this cask has seen. It’s got a little heat to it, the spice shows up but not in a really welcome way. I enjoy spice from time to time but this was like a drive-by intrusion, and not even a violent one. An egging? It comes on in a quick burst then disappears. The finish isn’t long or short. Which shouldn’t take away any points but what does linger unfortunately is the sulfur. Leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Overall I am probably being too harsh. Of the approximately 10-12 drams I’ve had of this liter perhaps this is the worst. But then again I may have said that several times. I wouldn’t buy this again. I’d rather have the 10 or 12 even though this doesn’t cost much more than those.

An Irish done well. Bourbon notes add a bit of intrigue to the traditional shortbread taste.

Enjoyed this one thanks to a blind tasting provided by a friend. Hadn’t had much Japanese whisky before and this was an interesting introduction. Definitely tasted the sherry. It’s a very meaty malt, full bodied and sweet. Dark fruits/dates come out as well. It’s an interesting malt.

Well of course this is delicious. And smooth. And velvety. It’s a Balvenie after all, aged 21 years. But I have to say, I was underwhelmed particularly at this price point. I just expect more from a $200 plus bottle. And the abv is low. Between this and the portwood I’d absolutely take the portwood. As for the taste, it has a pleasant honey, light fruit and some underlying Madeira spice that gives this a somewhat unique taste. It’s just a little muted. I wonder what this would be like at 46%.

This is an interesting scotch. I can’t say it is my favorite Balvenie, and far from being a typical offering from the speyside mainstay (as it’s peated). I love the abv, the Balvenie peat (which they should consider doing more than a week a year), and the complexity imparted by the different casks. What holds this rating back a little is that I don’t get the characteristic Balvenie thick and savory mouthfeel. It’s a little thin. And the finish a bit short, although the sherry kicks in a little at the end. Overall a solid expression but I probably wouldn’t buy another bottle at that price point.

This is truly unique, and I’ve found nothing else that tastes like it. It’s like a cross between an Islay and a campbeltown. It has a bit of that earthy funk, but with more of a saline edge with plenty of heat around it. It’s an excellent bottle and a must try for any that like unique smells and flavors.

Not bad at all. Wouldn’t go as far as to call it ‘fiery’ but it has some interesting notes I presume are from caol ila that give it a little something. Easy to sip, good for beginners who want to branch out. Also good for the more intermediate scotch fan that enjoys a decent dram for a good price Now that these GoT bottles are being pushed to the clearance rack.

Sharper than I remembered it from first taste - perhaps as it’s a new bottle, perhaps feeling every bit the 46% without the influence of several tastes before it as I had the first time. I enjoy this flavor profile, particularly as it is peaty without the smoke and the trademark earthy funk is there throughout. Thin mouthfeel. Oily. Cinnamon aftertaste reminds me of big red gum. I’m looking forward to the CS 12 which I still haven’t cracked. Will taste these two together perhaps with the kilkerran blind to see how they all fare. Tasting again over a year later and I still really enjoy this especially as a base offering from the distillery. Tonight I’m tasting alongside the 12CS and I’ll post my side by side thoughts there. I’m really appreciating the lactic funk in this - and I think that’s what it most tastes like. Akin to Mildly curdled milk/yoghurt. a few more years of experience have helped me differentiate between the various ‘funk’ notes commonly found in Campbeltown and Mull offerings.