Tastes

If the 10 is like a peck on the cheek, this one here is a full French kiss. If you like the 10, you'I'll love this. More of everything the 10 has, but well balanced despite it. Nose is hay and lemons. Taste is oranges and vanilla, with a long citrus finish. All the while, you get a light smoke, but not the Islay style. Really well balanced, even though you get a plethora of flavors. Thanks to Matt for the generous sample! Restasted 3/17: thanks to Paul, I got to sample this again. Same notes apply...my love affair with Cambeltown continues . Thanks Paul for the sample !

I bought a 2oz drink of this last night during our dinner out. Quite honestly, I was surprised to see the big red triangle of a bottle sitting here stateside. Didn't realize it made its way over the Atlantic already. I paid $20 for a 2 oz. Aroma is smoky floral...like embers burning in a field of lavender. It's that peat-port combo I've recently grown to like. Taste first hits you with cinnamon and light floral, with a kick of red berries. Finish is looooong and hot with more cinnamon. Overall...it's really good, but $300/bottle good? Not so sure on that. I'm glad I bought a drink for $20, not sure I'd be shelling out $300 for it, especially when there are others far better and more reasonable. Unless if you're a HUGE fan of HP that you simply must get your hands on every release, I'd pass this up and buy another peat-port combo that's just as good and for a fraction of the price. This is a case where you're paying for a premium for the backstory and marketing.

I tasted this blind (THANK YOU LEE!!)...and my original guess was " over 15 years of age, probably 20-25, because it's so silky smooth. Either a Speysider or Highlander. Stewed fruits, red fruits. Port finish because of the color". I was dead wrong on the port finish...little did I know I was tasting a rarity. ( and to think I was having this casually while playing Ticket to Ride with my 8 year old). Just sheer elegance from start to finish...incredible experience. I wouldn't have the means to buy this, so it makes it that much more memorable, thanks to Lee!

Thanks to a generous sample provided by Lee, I was able to try this rare limited Islander this evening. If you've had the HP 18, this is right up there with it, but more intense and firmer. Whereas the 18 is complex and full of depth, this is intense and full of character. Odin was the perfect name for it. On the nose, you get oranges and vanilla, and then becomes stronger on the palate with capsicum style pepper, peat, and honey with a lingering citrus finish. At close to $300, I'm not sure I'd be hard pressed to buy this over the 18 though. The rarity definitely adds to the premium. I've had one other Valhalla series before---Freya. Compared to Freya, this is quite different. Freya was lighter and fruitier compared to this. Between the two, I think this is better. But, I'd still get the 18 over this, not because it's better than this, but it's similar in quality (not taste), at half the price.

This just validates my love affair with Compass Box. Yes, they're getting pricier and pricier---as evidenced by their latest offerings, but they do make good stuff. John Glaser and company have proven once again the artistry behind chemistry. Anyone can take mixes and blend them together, but it takes a real artist-chemist to take the right portions, the right age, and the right casks to make magic. I don't care much for their marketing and sticking-it-to-the-man type advertising ( like "3" which has a wee bit of a 3 year old Clynelish, and rest as 20+ year old Talisker and Clyenish), but they do make good stuff. This is a tinge of smoky, sweet--- Caol Ila written all over it. And a well mannered Caol Ila at that...obviously aged. Smoke, chocolate on the nose. Luscious creamy smoky milky texture on the tongue. Simply well made blend. ( Johnnie Walker...you taking notes?) Thanks to Lee for providing a generous sample! Lee---when I open up my "3", will need to send over a sample.

Thanks to a generous sample provided by GeologyJack, I got to try this. The High West Midwinter is absolutely my gold standard, but this one here has to be the best value for money! If you're looking for a great rye that can charm everyone, and a a reasonable price, this is the must have go-to brand. It has the classic rye aromas of freshly baked bread, eucalyptus, and burnt sugar. The taste is classic too---minty, a bit spicy, but more of the baked spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Exceptionally well made. The taste then lingers on, leaving a minty finish. An absolute must-have for your every day go-to sipper. Plus...I'm a bit biased towards this just for the name...I lived in Rittenhouse Square, Philly, while working for Accenture right out of B-school. Brings back fond memories. Thanks Jack!!!

I bought a sample of this last night, and the mistake I made was having this soon after an amazing sample provided by Lee of a High West MIdwinter act 4.4 (thank you Lee!). I'm sure this is great in its own right, but having it soon after the HW MIdwinter wouldn't be a fair critique. ( won't score it). It just seemed nuanced and shy in all areas from nose to finish, despite the high ABV. You definately get the traditional rye nose and palette of spices, eucalyptus and tabacco, just really weak with a sharp bitter finish. At some point I'll try it again, but without having a stellar rye before it

This one is interesting. I can't tell if it's bourbon, Scotch, or something different altogether. What I like about maverick whiskies is that they push the boundaries and make something totally different. They have to, in a way---they don't have the benefit of being able to afford keeping their spirit for three years stored away, so they get creative. I'm not sure how to describe the aroma...sort of a mix of car oil, electronic spark, and linseed oil. In a really good way. Flavor: young, woody...with a hefty dose of mint, vanilla, caramel, and..there it is..now I'm getting that bourbon sweetness. This isn't for everyone...it's not your typical whiskey---either you'll like it, or you'll think "what the heck is this?!!?" Personally---I like it---so very different...sort of like having Mezcal for the first time...just a different beast. Geology Jack---thank you for this experience! Broadened my horizon to something totally different.

This is like one of those people that are reserved, to themselves, and don't really open up until you make the effort to know them. Once they let you in through that barrier, he/she is just amazing and fun to be around. This is one of those types of whiskies. My first few sips, I really couldn't make much of it. Almost thought it's bland and boring. Then, it started to build up. I got the sherry influence, not to powerful...but, just right---just enough to let some of the dry fruit and nutty flavors to come through, balancing it well with the oak. Best part of this is the aroma. I got oranges, nuts, and vanilla, with some dates and figs. Just really well balanced all around. After you've had a few Islanders and Islays, come try this...you appreciate the nuanced simplicity and flavors. Thanks to Geology Jack for a sample! This was much needed after my latest run of Ardbegs, Laphroaigs, and Lags. Thank you!