Tastes

I had this at my cousin's this evening. I really what Dalwhinnie does---the simple honey sweet every day dram. This adds a layer of complexity with the extra maturation. The sweet honey is now married to a fruitier side, with a tinge of smoke. In all fairness, I had this right after the Oban Distiller's, which I found far better.

I had this at my cousin's place this evening. I'm a fan of Oban, which is really such an all-rounder that it fails to disappoint at all. It really appeals to the masses. This takes it a step further. The double maturation makes this more complex, sweeter, and richer. I'd buy a bottle of this---really well made. Nose is sweet, almost rum like. Taste is nutty, rich. Like sweet cashews and peanut brittle. A bit salty, tangy, but also sweet. Considering it's priced around $80, it's really well worth it.

It's Friday, which means whiskey day! Yes---I have one dram only on Fridays and Sunday's. Rest of the days, it's green matcha tea. That math alone explains why I've built up 150 unopened bottles over 10 years...anyway...When I saw this on the shelf at the whiskey bar in NYC, I immediately ordered it. Paid $15 for it. I so much wanted to like this, and had high hopes just because of the Laphroaig pedigree. You ever immediately go watch a Scorsese film just because it's Scorsese? Most are great. Then there's a few that may end up as misses. This is one of those misses. The nose is like gym socks. And not in a good way. But those that just are way past due to be in the laundry. Normally I love the Laphroaig nose, but not this one. Taste is oranges and brine. Fruity, briny, smoky. Finish is sharp and bitter. Like what you'd expect eating an orange skin. I'm glad I tried it, just because I'm a huge Laphroaig fan, but not sure I'll be buying a bottle anytime soon.

I finally got around to opening this bottle. If you've tried the HP 12 and liked it, this is by far better. The nose screams Sherry through and through. It has the aroma of traditional Sherry based Highlander like a Macallan, but then quickly lets you know on the palette that it's really an islander, and undeniably a HP. Tabacco, almonds, grapefruit, vanilla. A bit salty, but not like a Talisker. Finish is quick and hot---young definately, but who cares if it's a NAS and still good. Question is: is it worth close to $90? Not sure...I think so, yes.

Meh. Forgettable. I picked it up on a recent travel...should've used my luggage space for something else. This really needs maybe two more years in the cask. Oh wait. They have that don't they? It's the Laddie 10. I sort of feel these travel "exclusives" are a test ground to,see what works and what doesn't to do a global roll out. This one isn't bad, it's just not good either.

Oh my god, the nose is amazing!! I was saving my last bit from the bottle, and finally decided to have it today. I loved it the first time, loving it even more now. It's actually interesting to first try a whiskey early on before you try many other good ones, and then come back to it years later and see if it's just as good second time around. This one is. Nose is oranges and chocolate. And not much else. If you don't like oranges or chocolate, you won't like this. Taste is clean, silky smooth. Dates and fig. Honey and chocolate. Damn this is good. Almost up there with the Yamazaki 18 and Macallan Fine Oak. Finish is warming, mocha and mint. Like ordering a Starbucks mochachino and then having a thin mint. I got this bottle years ago on a vacation to Sydney, Cairns and Ayers Rock. Finished most of it during my two weeks there. Saved a small amount to bring back in a vial to prevent oxidation. Bought back memories of hiking around Ayers, diving n the Great Barrier, and drinks at the Rocks area of Sydney. If you appreciate well made whiskey, this has to be on your must ave list.

Note: this is for a 23 yr old French cask New Zealander whiskey, not the one labeled here...but I was anxious to leave a review, and they didn't have this particular one listed (they're extinct now anyway). This is from a 3cl sample (another one of the many that I had bought last year during a UK business trip.) I love trying samples from closed distilleries. There's one part emotion of knowing that these are truly limited and will probably never be made again (especially a New Zealand one, where all it's distilleries closed.). it's really a rarity. The only other closed distillery I ever tried were from two amazing legacies--a 30 yr old Brora and a 21 yr old Rosebank. This one doesn't match up to its extinct Scotish cousins, but it's up there. Nose is like an Irish whiskey. Fruity, like gauvas and passion fruit. Exotic tropical fruits. Taste carries through really smoothly without the oak influence for a 23 yr old. It's more tropical fruits. More mangoes and gauvas, lime and oranges as well. This is amazing. I feel like I'm having one of the best lowlanders. Finish Is of eucalyptus and honey. Now more of a Speysider. Half of it is definately the thought of having a piece of history. The other half is just plain good craftsmanship.

I had a sample of this, curious to try Swedish whiskey, but wasn't willing to purchase a full bottle for that curiousity. I love the color of this liquid. It's reddish brown, like fall maple tree colors. The nose is of blackberries and red wine. Flavor carries through a clean wintergreen red berry flavor. This is such the wrong season to have this. I think it's meant for winter or a chilly fall night. Finish is sharp and quick; minty. I was pleasantly surprised by this. It's clean, fresh, and warming. I bought a sample of this last year from the UK, I wish I simply saved it for the winter. It's really a great cold, windy night drink. On a side note...the bottle takes me back to my Chemical engineering days at U of Michigan ( go WOLVERINES!!). I swear those crafty Swedes simply took a bunch of 500ml beakers from the local chem lab.

Hands down one of the top three blends I've ever had. This is incredibly smooth and complex. Nose is floral, like honeysuckles and lillies. I can smell this all day. Really a more floral aroma than the 12, and even the 21. 21 might have more depth and complexity, but this certainly beats it hands down on the floral aroma. Taste is strangely a bit salty and nutty. I had it with a small round ice, I didn't get chocolate but I did get caramel. Ironically, I feel as if I'm having a Scottish Highlander on the palette and a Lowlander on the nose. Not getting a classic eastern taste. Either way, it's really good. Thanks to Davie for the sample!