Tastes

After 3-4 drams of scotch, try saying "Glen Gee-ree" a few times. Would make a spectacular YouTube video. Anyway, on to the business on hand...so, I'm not sure I liked this one, but I'm not sure I didn't dislike it either. It's already faded, seemed fleeting. Like driving down the highway, and watching another Honda Accord, Toyota Corolla, or Nissan Altima come by. It's reliable, will get you from A to B without any issues, and is trustworthy. Just not memorable. Not that all whiskies have to be memorable...there's something about being your day to day steady workhorse. This is like that. Flavor profile is more like a Glenfiddich 12 or Glenmo Original. I would highly recommend this to someone who hasn't had scotch before, it's non-intrusive and gentle. A good reliable one to have with family and friends over a nice summer day. Thanks to Scott for this sample...and...Lee/Ryan/Generously Paul/Scott...am I the first to the finish line on round 1? ( my money was on Lee...I figured he'd be done by week 1 ;-)

Apple cinnamon cheerios perfectly describes this. I had this over the weekend, as a bit of a departure from my weekend pour of "traditional" whiskey. The minute I opened the bottle, I got this funky combination of shoe polish, apples, and pumpernickel rye. I'm not a huge fan of this aroma, but it's not off-putting...just a personal taste of not liking shoe polish smell. Maybe something to do with me working in a shoe store as a teen stacking boxes. Taste is spot on apple cinnamon cheerio. I loved Wyoming Whiskey's standard bottle, maybe because the first time I had it was in Jackson Hole overlooking the Grand Tetons, so I'm sure the environment had something to do with it. This one...I'm not so sure. Given that it's approximately the same price as their standard, I'd choose the standard. But, if you LOVE apple cinnamon cheerios, then by all means, this is an absolute must-have purchase. Otherwise...pass. Tried again this eve 4/9: makes a huge difference if you let it breathe for a bit, and add a cube of ice. The rye then becomes really well balanced with the bourbon. The bourbon brings out the sweetness to the rye's brashness. Really liking the output of this craft distillery; my new favorite after High West

Now that's what I'm talking about! Just in time for spring time gardening season too. Amazing multi-functional use of sipping whiskey, garden fertilizer, and plant insecticide...all in one. Aromas of chloroform, and some potassium sulfate (which makes amazing tomatoes too when used as a fertilizer). On the palette you get a bit of a heat tinge, followed by lacerations and profuse internal bleeding...which by the way, also adds to its amazing properties as an insecticide and vermin killer. My only complaint is the finish. It's really quick. Like in micro-seconds. That's because all sensory feeling is lost by then. Overall, a highly recommended buy, available also in the home and garden center, near the vermin killer aisle.

Oh this is good. Not a kick in your face as the 10 (in a good way...as if it was Angelina Jolie's Lara Croft), but a rather subtle well balanced version of it. Typical smoke and peat as other Laphroaigs, but what makes it a bit different is the finish. Long lingering smoky mint after taste. Worthy replacement for the 18. Thanks to Modern Drinking for the sample!

If this this their Work In Progress, imagine how good their final product must be? Oh wait, their final product is the Kilkerran 12...and that is pretty amazing. This is your classic Sherry + Cambeltown peat combo: you get the upfront figs and fruit, followed by an apple citrus flavor, all on a peat backbone. Really well made, and glad to have tried this as part of our little sampling team. Sample courtesy of Ryan...thank you!

"This is such a perfect drink with this cold nor'easter pounding central NJ outside. This is a very different Ardbeg compared to others. Either way...an Ardbeg is an Ardbeg, and in the words of McDonald's...." I'm lovin' it". Salty, peaty, with a kick of toffee. Thanks to ModernDrinking for the sample!"

Another sample courtesy of Lee, as part of our tasting team. I've not had many bourbons, but I feel if they taste like this, I need to replace Scotland with America (and Mexico...been falling in love with Mezcal lately). I love the complexity in this. Fruity aromas followed by a some Indian / Asian spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and cardamom. This is the whiskey I'd like to keep as a regular go-to dram...really well made. Thanks to Lee for the sample!

Another stop in our tasting of Scottish distilleries, this time in Islay, sample courtesy of Lee (thank you!!). I don't think there's ever been a Laphroaig I didn't like. Till now. The peat doesn't seem well integrated here, seems really strong upfront till mid-palette, with a bitter astringent finish. One maturation too many.

One of the stops on our little group's Scottish malts tasting journey, this one courtesy of Lee (thank you Lee!). Nose: a bit weak, honey and floral? How is this an Islander? I imagine Islanders bursting with brine and salt. Taste: better, now getting some Island DNA. Still, disguising itself as a Speysider. Finish: quick, and bitter. Interesting. Tasted blind, I'd think a young Speysider.

Had this during a business dinner some time back. Generally, I've disliked NAS Japanese whiskies, just seems to be a shell of it's aged versions. I"ve not tasted the aged version of MIyagikyo, so fortunately, haven't been jaded (yet). Nose: floral and summer-y. Taste: roasted nuts, mild. Non-challenging, but so very not complex. Like a Balvenie...can't do no wrong, but nothing that makes you go 'wow'. Finish: quick, mild. Not a bad NAS version, better than the NAS Yoichi for sure. Not sure what the price is, but I'd not pay over $50 for it. You can get better complexity elsewhere for that price (Great King St is the first that comes to mind)