Tastes

I’m actually giving this 4.5 stars. I like this one better than the 10, which is one of my go-to whiskies. Nose (undiluted): deep earthy peat, campfire smoke, fruitiness (plums and apricots), nuttiness, and sweet vanilla sitting on top. There’s far less iodine (seaweed) and brine than you’d expect from Laphroaig but it’s there in the background. Terrific nose. Palate (undiluted): very rich arrival, it feels very creamy and rounded with no perceptible alcohol burn, surprisingly soft for 48% ABV, more fruity plums, raisins and figs with vanilla, brine, and peat smoke returning. Finish: very long, somewhat drying. Cigar ash giving way to vanilla, then a sweet meatiness; think smoked ribs with sweet barbecue sauce. With water, the iodine rushes forward and imposes itself alongside a menthol note. Much less fruity flavour with water added as well; instead there’s more ashy peat, vanilla and brine. The meatiness is not quite as present with water added. I prefer this one neat, though it is still pleasant with water added. There was little to no alcohol burn, so adding water is unnecessary.

Would rate zero stars if I could. This tastes like wet, mouldy cardboard. Just awful. Even their bland, uninteresting 12 Year Old is a step up from this absolute mess. How on earth any honest person could award this garbage 87 points is beyond me. For the same money, you could get an excellent bourbon or at least a Glenfiddich 12, which is not life-changing, but is at least pleasant. This is the only whisky I’ve ever poured down the drain. Luckily, I didn’t buy a bottle. My friend poured it for me on 3 separate occasions, and my reaction was the same each time. So was his. He ended up dumping the bottle. It’s really that bad.

This is, hands down, the worst bourbon I’ve ever had. The nose is fine, nothing special, the texture/body is rich, but the taste and finish are like cough syrup. Buckley’s cough syrup or cheap, knock-off Buckley’s cough syrup. I’ve had a bottle of this for 5 months and have had a total of 3 drinks from it. Don’t believe the hype; this is bad. It’s $45 here in Ontario, Canada, and that’s about $45 more than I’d pay for another bottle. Wild Turkey 101 & Rare Breed, Knob Creek, Four Roses Single Barrel, Elijah Craig, etc. all are better than this.

Nose (undiluted): tarry ropes, wood smoke and brine, quite vegetal (seaweed), surprisingly fruity with lemons and limes coming through, a hint of caramelized sugar with a bit of eucalyptus at the tail end. Very pleasant nose. Palate (undiluted): richer than expected, not at all "hot" for 48% ABV, toffee leads the way but is bowled over by peat smoke, then black pepper with some fruity notes (peaches and apricots), developing cereal notes (barley) near the end. Finish: fairly long, candied ginger and floral honey at first, then a bit sour and fruity, green apples, green (white) grapes and charred lemons, with the wood smoke returning and lingering. Fantastic. With water added the nose becomes much brighter. Iodine, brine, and the charred lemons take the lead. The smoke is still there, however, as it won't yield easily. The nose develops more sweetness with water, and the eucalyptus all but disappears. Ten minutes after adding water, a sweetened black tea aroma is present. Water doesn't negatively affect the arrival on the palate either, but it does bring the pepper notes to the forefront. A bit of hot and sweet together. The order of flavours on the finish changes a bit with water added. Campfire ash leads the way, but is overtaken by peaches and apricots drizzled with honey. Smoky, fruity and sweet. An absolute treat with or without water.

Much better than the bottom shelf price suggests. It may be thought of as a mixer, but it’s surprisingly complex as a sipper. Nice stuff, and I LOVE the retro 1970s bottle.

Forget the bottom shelf price; this is a beautifully balanced whisky. Better than many single malts that sell for over twice the price.