Tastes

One of the bonus samples provided by my friend @Telex for this final round of our distillery tour. This is part of the “freakin good but hard to pronounce “ Bunna series. Having this now on a fine Sunday evening, while making grilled pizza. Maybe it’s the combo of charcoal grill aroma combined with this briny sea taste, but it’s just amazing. Brine, seaweed, out on the deck of a fishing vessel aroma, with a capers and smoke taste. I need to seek out a bottle at some point. Out of the “unpronounceable “ series, this might be my favorites. Thanks Jason for the pour!

I finally opened up my little 3cl sample that I had purchased years and years ago. Back then, I was debating if I should buy a bottle or a sample. I figured “ a really young Ardbeg...who in their right mind would buy it!?!”. Yeah. Shoulda, coulda, woulda...too late. A simple $40 bottle then is now a rare collector item worth hundreds. Anyway...this is clearly young. The label “Still Young” is about as clear as one can get. It’s young, but my god it’s good. Nose is just all seaweed and brine. Taste: salty, briny, bacon-y, lemon-y...hits the mark. But the “Still Young” comes in the finish. Even Ardbeg can’t defy the laws of chemistry...the finish is biting and pinching. I loved the aroma and taste, but honestly...the finish shows the youth. It’s not unexpected, right? Afterall, it’s chemistry. Not enough time for such an aggressive spirit to settle down with the wood. If tasted blind without knowing the market value of this, not sure I’d pick up a bottle. Just too rough and aggressive around the edges.

Yeah, I know. Announcing I’m tasting a Dailuaine is about as sexy and enticing as watching a kid play chess. No, wait...I take that back. I played chess in high school...more like wagered money over it. Never lost a game. Had a few people watching. Granted...no one in the audience of approximately 5 kids resembled anyone like Jessica Chaistain or Priyanka Chopra. But, I’ll take it. Anyway, this isn’t half bad. Fruity backbone. Orange oil. A hint of smoke. A lot of waxy touches. Almost elegant. Like a Bishop’s Gambit disabling a Queen. I bet this one is thinking “when I grow up, I want to be like Dalmore. I wish I had a stag picture on my bottle.”

I’m bumping this up to 5 stars. The Balcones rep at WhiskyLive gave me a small little “take away” of about 2 ounces in a vial. Having this alone without other tastings, and a substantial amount rather than just a sip, I feel as if I’m able taste it more fairly. Nose is mocha-ish, think a mixture of dark chocolate and coffee. But, wow...the palette...tasted blind I’d have confused this for spiked dark coffee. It’s probably the thickest whiskey I’ve ever had...as if someone mixed in Texas oil with the water. Personally, I love it...but it’s not for everyone. If you go in expecting to have your classic rye, which tastes grassy and minty, this ain’t it.

At NJ Whiskylive, for me, this was the surprise hit. 100% Rye. But...Nothing like rye at all, more like a coffee / mocha liqueur. Thick and oily. For $40, a no-brainer.

WhiskeyLive NJ. Had a quick taste more so out of curiosity than anything else. Aroma is amazing, autumn in a bottle. Taste...not so much...couldn’t have more than a sip. Better idea is to place this over a non-flammable heat source, and just smell away. Then again...you can get Glade air fresheners for a fraction of the price, and will do the same job. On a side note: the guy who was pouring this, I fixed his technology issue on his iPad during the WhiskeyLive...I’m glad he didn’t repay me by pouring extra

At WhiskyLive NJ. Nothing to write home about, despite the marketing claim of being made with pure clean water from Rocky Mtn snow

WhiskyLive NJ. After the Balcones Rye and Amrut Intermediate Sherry, this was probably my third favorite. Blend if Scottish and Japanese. Can’t recall exact tasting notes, but was good enough to make my top 5 for the night.

Had it at WhiskyLive NJ. Less floral than her ( Alison Patel) original, which I felt was more a perfume than whiskey. This has less floral, a bit more wood, and much more depth. Interesting find.

Tasted at NJ Whiskylive. Overly sweet, like corn syrup infused with maple. Hard pass. Unless you like corn syrup infused with maple.