Tastes

I've had one Corsiar before---their Triple Smoke, which I didn't like at all. But, like High West, I really admire their maverick approach and trying to carve a different route than your run of the mill whiskey. This is a beer drinker's whiskey, similar to St George single malt, which I loved. You get a distinctive hoppy taste, like a mild stout. With a bit of ice or water, it takes away what would be a harsh finish due to its youth. Really worthwhile to,try--something different and unique. Thanks to Scott for the generous sample! A fitting drink sitting here on a Sunday evening watching Manning and company squeak one by the Boys.

We had some friends over last night, and I got the opportunity to open a new bottle. We were deciding between a few Islays. Glad we chose this. Really well made for such a young distillery!! This Islay matures well in a full Sherry cask. It presents a sweet smoky flavor, almost like s'mores over a campfire. Not too smoky, not too peaty, but well balanced with a chocolate /citrus character. I believe this 2016 version is about 5 or 6 years old, but seems really mature for its age. You can sense the quality from the get-go. This is a great middle ground for Islay malts. With a Laphroaig or Lag, you either hate it or love it, no middle ground. But this Islay shows that middle ground; it's well balanced as if a Speysider mated with an Islay. At the verge of sounding blasphemous, I may have found my new favorite Islay...loved this over the Lag 16, Laph 10, and Ardbeg Corry or 10. Namely for its ability to be unpoloarized and well balanced across smoke, peat, floral, citrus and chocolate. Of key note: had in Glencairn with a few drops of water. Over ice, it's muted and bitter. Doesn't need anything more than 1/2 teaspoon at most. Unpoloarized and well balanced...now only if our presidential elections were like that...

I had this about one year ago in London... a 6cl sample, so going on memory. One thing I love about Amrut: they're innovative and willing to try experiments, pushing the boundaries of what the EU Scotch association defines as legally a whisky. In Hindi, Naarangi means oranges...although Amrut is in Bangalore, the dialect there is Kannada...so go figure. Anyway, from what I recall---this wasn't what I expected. I expected orange galore in the nose like Compass Box Orangerie, but instead this was more sherried---so more dried fruits, dates and figs. Lot of figs. I remember the taste then being more oranges, but still not as strong. Mild, light. Still figs. What I was most surprised at though wasn't that I didn't get a tsunami of oranges, but instead the 6 yr old tropical maturation didn't seem more than its six years. Normally, South Indian tropics ages the spirit far quicker than the Scottish climate. Wondering if this was aged truly in Bangalore? Anyway, net-net....not bad, but certainly not any significant naarangies. Instead plenty of "unjir" ( figs in Hindi). This orange rind cask seasoning experiment does make you wonder though---what if they tried other whisky favorable spices like cloves, ginger, or anise? We'd have Amrut Laung ( cloves), Adarak ( ginger), and Saumf (anise). Yes Amrut, you can have those ideas. All yours.

I had a sample of this last week in Jackson Hole, when I was trying to figure out if I should buy a small bottle (375ml) of Wyoming Whiskey or this one. I chose the Wyoming. Which, by the way, I had maybe once and then forgot in the cabin before leaving for Yellowstone. Anyway...this one is worthwhile if you truly love oaky, woody taste. it's smooth, just too woody for me. I'm not sure if any more time in the oak will help it any, might just make it more woody. I'm guessing it was probably intended as a mixer.

If it wasn't for the fact that I've had their Noble Collection, I'd have listed this as "5" stars. Really superbly made. Smells like I just walked into a bakery during a cold blistery day. Maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg. Taste follows with that of sweet bread basket, warm right out of the oven. It's good...and a great VFM. If I had to go back and rate the three CRs I've had so far, I'd list Noble Collection as best by far, followed by this, and then the Northern Rye in a distant third. CR is doing everything so right...this isn't your father's era CR, something totally different. And much better.

Tried at Jackson Hole and probably overpaid at the restaurant here... But nonetheless, surprisingly very good. I was expecting a young fiery hard to swallow whiskey, and instead I got one that was silky smooth, but with this masculine backbone of tobacco, burnt leather, and molasses. Would definately buy a bottle ..:

I tried this at the High West distillery in Park City. Park City is really scenic, and if you happen to be there, High West is worthwhile to stop over and sample some of their wares. I tried this just for the uniqueness factor---it's only available here at the distillery. Between this and the 14 year old Light Whiskey, this was far less complex. It tasted younger than it's claimed 3 years. Sweet sugary smell on the nose. Taste is a bit sharp and astringent. I needed water to smooth it out. This was priced at $40.

I just tried this at the High West distillery in Park City, Utah. It's really not like one should make a pilmigrage to (like a Macallan), but if you're in Park City, it's located right in the entrance to the Main St, and a worthwhile visit. It's a distillery, saloon, and restaurant. I tried this and the Valley Tan. Both of which are available only at the distillery. This is really unique. It's well aged, but not like a well aged grain. Instead more like a malt based scotch. I would not have known it's corn based. Nose is fragrant vanilla, and palette hits the vanilla with a strong dosing of oak. Finish is long and lingering. I bought it for $100----not sure it's worth it that price, considering their Midwinter is $90. But...heck...I was here, and wanted something I couldn't buy from my local store.