Tastes

I had a sample of this after a business dinner this past week. Maybe I've been spoiled by the Hakushu 12, which I absolutely loved. That had this green forest pine aroma, with a grassy peaty combination. I was hoping for the same in this, I guess, naively. It's got the 12 year old's herb-y fresh palette, but really muted. As if it was diluted, or simply too young. It's good...but, really no where as close as the 12. I sort of relate this to the Hibiki Harmony vs Hibiki 12...the Harmony is good, but it's a shadow compared to the 12. Pass this up...save up for the Hakushu 12. Well worth the extra bucks.

Thanks to Richard@ModernDrinking, I got to sample this one. First of all...that ABV will fool you. It's potent, but it's silky smooth, so you can't even feel the heat or burn. I was surprised the nose didn't give an earlier indicator of how strong this would be. I didn't get the typical rye flavors of mint-eucalyptus, but instead a more chocolate-y leather profile...like a Speysider or Highlander. Really a great sipper...add a touch of water, and the flavors open up. Thanks Richard!

Was really surprised by this one. As part of our Scottish distillery trading team, Scott generously provided this sample. Honestly, I never even heard of Arran...But I was so pleasantly surprised by this. if you like Talisker 10, but wished it was just a tad milder, this here is just for you. Sweet briny, but not too much...almost like you had a piece of cotton candy lightly immersed in salt. My wife has threatened to divorce me if I buy another bottle, otherwise this would be on my purchase list. ( I have 300+ bottles collected over 15 years...but barely consume one bottle every 6 months...it's a severe disproportionate intake to consumption ratio). Thanks Scott for this! Hey Paul---I've just one left before I'm done with round 2. Where you at?

Round 2 of our Scottish Distillery sampling team, this one provided by Scott. Can't beat the price---Hard to find a 10 yr old Highlander at this price. I think a few years ago, I would've loved this. But my palette has been forever ruined by an assault on senses from the likes of Lagavulin, Laphroaig, and Ardbegs...so personally I found this bland. This would make a perfect gift for my BudLight loving cousins. Thanks for the sample Scott, and the Christmas gift idea!!

Thanks to Davie Warner for the sample! This is a classic scotch. It has all the hallmarks of what you think of when you think "single malt". Cereal and shortbread, smooth and silky. No burn or heat, about as velvety as they come. I honestly couldn't taste any Sherry influence at first, but if you let it breathe, then you can just taste a tinge of hazelnut. Really well made. Thanks again Davie!

At the Sheraton on business here in Phoenix...and my choices are limited. I paid $20 for a pour of this. Not worth $20/pour, but I get it...premium prices at hotel bar. Smooth, but bland and lacking in any personality. Given my limited choice between this and a few Jim Beam's and Jack's, I think I made the smarter choice, but I won't be buying a bottle anytime soon. On the brightside, I think this would make great Irish coffee

It must be so hard being the creative distillery brains at Ardbeg. How do you beat their standard flag bearers like Uigi, Corry, and 10? There's really not much at a reasonable price point that can beat those three. You need to dig deep deep into your pockets to even come just marginally better. That's the issue here with Kelpie. It's good. Better than many other whiskies at this price point. The new wood does it wonders; marriage of peat and that unique Black Sea wood works. But...would I buy this again? No...I'd rather just stick with the Uigi, Corry, or 10. It's really good to try it, and I feel as if I certainly didn't waste my money (which can't be said for over 50% of these one off whiskies...I feel as if I'm funding a charity science lab). Really worthwhile to try once, but can't beat the standards.

This was Scot's contribution as part of our Scottish sampling team. I'm constantly amazed as to how well Kilchoman produces really good whisky; I guess it's not a new comer anymore, being that it's 10 years old. But, relatively speaking, it's still a young distillery. I also think it a full farm to bottle operation, if I'm not mistaken. Grown on Islay, fermented, distilled, and bottled there. NCF and no-coloring too, which is a bonus. The aromas and flavor remind me of a young Lagavulin. Burnt rubber, briny, salty peat, and enough citrus backbone to keep it all tied together. Last year's Loch Gorm blew me away, and this is almost up there as well. Thanks Scott.

I've changed my opinion on Wild Turkey after having this one, a sample generously provided by Matt Rice. This is creme brûlée in liquid form. Doesn't have your hot spice or cinnamon, but instead a beguiling sweet flavor with a hefty oak backbone. Really well made. Thank Matt! Dessert in a glass...need to pick up a bottle

Right up there with Rittenhouse. Probably one of the better dollar for dollar ryes out there. The reviewer hit the nail on this one---really feels like you're taking that first bite into a Big Red chewing gum. Fruity, bold, with a slight burn. Just like I consider Ardbeg 10 the staple of affordable great scotch, this is its equivalent---great VFM, solid hitter, and equally good over ice or neat. Thanks Jack for this sample!!