Reviews
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New Deal Distiller's Workshop Bierschnapps
Other Spirits — Portland, Oregon, USA
Reviewed June 20, 2026BATCH NOTES from the distiller: "Spirits distilled from grain & flavored with hops This is Fort George Brewery's Belgian IPA beer wash Double pot distilled, Aged in second-fill rye whiskey barrels, Aged 4.5 years." Nose: strongly fragrant and floral hops, Belgian candi syrup, notable rye spice and mint. Palate: initial caramel and sweet/fruity/estery malt notes (a la Westward's yeast) rye barrel is noticeable here too with herbal/minty character. Hops shine here as well with a nice grapefruity citrus character and bits of pine/cedar/evergreen forest. They taste less like hops do in beer and more like freshly crushed hop pellets in your hands. Finish: slightly numbing, slightly bitter. A bit of lingering caramel sweetness, licorice, and chewy malt. -
Aberlour 12 Year Double Cask Matured
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed June 20, 2026 (edited June 22, 2026)Nose: Orange peel, sweet-aged sherry, raisins, little bit of plum and also some apple. A noticeable cerealy malt, with mild honey a hint of petrichor, and the slightest hint of honeysuckle. Palate: juicy red apple, fresh ripe oranges, a gentle baking spice and a hint of licorice. Honestly this is tasting way better than the other times I've had this. Would love to see this at higher proof if not cask strength. I know that's the A'bunadh line but would be neat for a limited 12y.o. release. Finish: sweet with a very gentle spice. Does not linger. A little bit of bitter oak. -
Nose: a bit of creosote, tarry rope, black pepper, some burnt sugar and sweet charred oak. Ocean air throughout. A slight herbal/floral element, reminds me of these caramels I've had flavored with either lavender, fennel, or cardamom. Palate: sweet and spicy with a nice oily phenolic peat backing. Lemon bars with marzipan. Black pepper and a bit of chili or cayenne as well. Light caramels. Sea spray, iodine, ash. A bit more on the oily side but with a nice citrus zest to lighten it up. Finish: resolves to an ashy/peaty and drying oak tannic note.
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Nose: fresh caramel, vanilla, honey, a nice dark earthy sherry and a bit of spice. There's a nice dark grape and slight nutty character. Palate: honeyed malt, still getting a small hint of smoke from this bottle. Nutmeg, sweet dark fruitiness. A nice bit of cinnamon spice. A bit of caramel and brown sugar as it opens up Finish: lingering spice and sticky sherry.
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Nose: sweet chargrilled bell peppers, nippy black pepper, caramelized sugar/burnt creme brulee crust, initial battering maritime galewinds that resolve to a gentle sea breeze as it opens up in the glass. Burning damp/green coastal foliage. Palate: savory, briny, yet balanced with sweet caramel, vanilla, and a subtle suggestion of lemon curd. Peppery and a bit spicy yet not overly so. Notable coastal/island peat throughout though it's not quite as offensive as most can be. Finish: seawaterlogged wood, vegetal/seaweedy peat phenols, oaky spicy sweetness.
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Nose: honey, blackberry jam/plum, underlying dark chocolate, a touch of sweet malt and vanilla. A dusting of cinnamon. A little bit of fig jam and tobacco. Palate: honeyed malt, dark chocolate, candied orange peel, berry jam, warming prickly oak, a tiny bit of ginger. Overall, warm and spicy but not overdoing it, has a sweet honeyed center. Palate: warming and spicy, fresh oak, a bit of lingering dark fruit and some blackberry.
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Nose: briny, smouldering seaweed, a hint of fresh asphalt, pungent peat, sweet oak, charred zucchini, pepper. Palate: phenolic, a little nutty, smoky charred oak. A sweet vanilla, BBQ'd vegetables, strong brine. An underlying spiciness. A little dilution brings a sweeter caramel notes. Finish: lingering peat smoke and tannic oak with a notable brine.
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Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed June 9, 2026 (edited June 11, 2026)Nose: crisp apple, bright jasmine/honeysuckle/orange blossom, a note of fresh spring/summer rain on flowers and grass. Honey, juicy oak and vanilla, a small hint of ocean breeze. Palate: red apple, sweet yet tannic oak, honeyed malt, a bit of vibrant citrus zest. A bit of water brings out some more vanilla with hints of oak char and brown sugar. Water also brings out a bit of juicy pear. Finish: lingering sea spray, noticeably coastal with a nice bit of drying oak. -
Nose: Beach bonfire, strong sea spray, a bit of smoked meats and tarry rope. Pungent coastal peat, black pepper, a gentle sweet cinnamon note lingers here too along with vanilla and a bit of citrus. There's a hint of rubber and of mint as well. Palate: mildly oily, a bit of tobacco, a notable sea spray throughout and a vegetal green peat. A bit of black pepper and ginger alongside some seaweed. A bit of poached apple. Finish: a little bit of warmth, a rugged salt air weathered oak.
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