Tastes

As part of our little sample sharing team, this is my 2nd offering for round 2. For a 12 year old, I expected more. Granted, I didn't expect any ethereal life altering drink, but I did expect more out of something hailing from Speyside after 12 years of maturation in Sherry cask. This is like a Diet Coke with a fruit backbone. For the price I paid for this ( $40), it would've been better to take that money and use it for something like Compass Box Great King Street. Pass on this...not worth the money, or the hit on your liver. ( Lee, Scott, Paul, Ryan...going to apologize in advance...this one isn't up to par).

We're now starting round 2 of our little sample sharing team here, and one of my offerings is this Balvenie. Of course, when I opened the bottle to share, I poured myself a wee dram as well. Balvenie is one of those that stays pretty straight and narrow in its lane, and won't give you a mind blowing challenge. This is the sweet girl-next-door that you can bring home to mom, and be assured that she won't say anything that'll get her blacklisted. As opposed to an Ardbeg or Lagavulin girl, who will be wild and unpredictable, with highly inappropriate things to say. Tasting notes: honey, lavender, and heather...through and through. This is a rich and elegant. Manuka honey ( Soba...you're a Kiwi...you'll understand), with fragrant lavender, all wrapped around a field of heather. This is the bottle you give as a gift to your in-laws, boss, or anyone you want to impress, but also stay relatively safe from wild flavors. You can't wrong with this, but don't go expecting a whirlwind of challenges. What it does, it does damn well. Girl next door you can bring home to mom.

My last night in Munich before flying back state side. I sampled this at the hotel bar last night...for no other reason than that it was free. It's not bad...just too light. I felt like it was a watered down version of JW Black (which I thought was too light and watered down). Avoid...and move on.

Thanks to Matt Rice, I got to sample this bourbon. This is really easy sipping, great to have on hand when just sitting back casually with friends or family. There's not much depth or complexity, but at times, you don't need that---you just need something that's downright easy to drink and good. Thanks Matt for the sample!

I've started to become a fan of Irish whiskies lately...maybe that lighter floral taste is better suited now that the weather here in the Northeast is getting warmer. So much of what you drink is enhanced by the elements: having an Islay or Islander while rain is pounding outside in a 40 degree (F) is soothing, while I think a hot summery humid day calls for something lighter like a Lowlander or Irish (NO...we're not going rose wines...heck no. Maybe a Sauvignon Blanc if push comes to shove, but NO rose wine ;-) . I've had two other Teelings before, a single grain 14 yr old Revival and a calvados cask. Liked the single grain, thought the calvados was a waste of time and money. Thanks to Matt Rice, I got to sample my 3rd Teeling. Quite an aromatic nose with gentle notes like honey and cream. If you like lighter flavors, you'll love the palette on this: lemons, honey, and butter cream coconut pie. I'm not sure how much this costs, but if it's reasonable, it's worthwhile to have this as a regular shelf item. Matt--thanks again for this.

Crown Royal made this as their 75th anniversary, one time release, to celebrate a visit by British royalty. Only available in the US...not sure the logic behind that though. I would've thought at least they'd have this available in Canada as well. This isn't bad...just not quite up to par to their Hand Selection (good), or Noble Collection (better). This felt like a watered down version of their Noble Collection. Less flavor, less oomph, less of everything except the price tag. Save your money, and go for one of those instead.

Big and bold, hits you like a Mack truck carry a payload of peat. This is thick, oily, and highly aromatic, like cigar scent over a swampy peat bog. I'm a huge Ardbeg fan, and I think you can't go wrong with Ardbeg. But, is this better than the classic Oogy or Corry? Probably not, maybe at the same level. This is of course more memorable, given the rarity, but I think it's at the same level as Oogy and Corry. If you get the chance, have a pour, for the experience. I'm grateful to ModernDrinking for the sample...this isn't something you can just find on a shelf at your local store---so, thank you for this!