Tastes

Really great value for money! This is a sherry bomb in the truest sense. It's rich, thick, and bitter sweet. Nose greets you with honey and dried fruits, followed by more of the same on the palette, and a long lingering minty finish. Considering it's about $80, great value for a 21 year old. Try getting a 21 yr old other sherry finish (yes, you Macallan) for that price and just as good. Not to get into economic here...but, if a 21 year old sherry cask from Glenfarclas is about $80, and assuming a 8% return on their investment, it then makes you wonder the profit margin on a similar Macallan! By the way...with Brexit, wondering if these Scottish treats will become a bit cheaper? Pound should nosedive with a stronger dollar. Maybe not...retailers here will simply take the difference for themselves.

Sometimes I think these distilleries take stock that didn't turn out so well and add extra maturation in unique casks, hoping it'll sell. This one is like a 6th year senior...he should've matured and graduated by now, but something is just a tad bit off. So apparently Teeling took a 12 yr old and matured it for an extra year in white port casks. Did you know white port even exists? I've had red port before, tawny and ruby, but never knew of white. Maybe selling casks is the way white port makes money, like Sherry I guess. Anyway...color is fairly light gold. Nose is strong paint thinner. I'm 80% nose, so this just isn't working for me. Palette is mild...peaches and breakfast cereals. Like Quaker Oats Peaches and Cream. Finish is loooooooong!!! Burns back of your mouth, astringent with an after taste of hazelnuts. Was this meant as a mixer? I've never had any mixers---just red wine and whiskey. Maybe this is meant to have with soda (haven't had soda in 5 years either). Would I buy this again? No. Where is the classic Irish whiskey that has tropical exotic fruits like papaya and mangoes? ( I'm Indian....those aren't exotic for me, but I guess it's exotic in Ireland). Irish whiskies I've had usually have this round rich fruity backbone. Too bad Teeling tried to model this after paint thinner instead of manages and papayas.

Maybe it was just the sample I tasted, but this was probably the first Irish whisky that I didn't like. I thought the nose was fine, citrusy-lemony. But, it really fell apart on the palette for me. The finish was also much shorter than expected. I got this through Flaviar...maybe just a bad sample. EDIT: I'm trying to put 2 stars...but Distiller forces a ' 5-star'. Not sure why.

Watching Game of Thrones and...I think I found my go-to under-appreciated but high quality whiskey! This is my second Crown Royal. The first was the so-called best whiskey by that Panama hat wearing Jim Murray. I really enjoyed that one (Northern Harvest rye) namely for the surprise it gave me---I thought it would be horrible and it turned out really good. This one is better. By far. Nose is caramel and chocolate. But the taste is of rye backbone. Mint chocolate and caramel. Really enjoying this. Finish is long and smooth. For $55, you really can't do much better. Highly recommended, especially considering the value for money!!

I love whisky. I love oranges. What if they have a whisky that taste like subtle oranges??!!?! Yeah, sign me up, and here's my $50. Not so fast hombre. I love popcorn and I love pizza. But popcorn on pizza may not be the ideal marriage. I really admire John Glaser and Compass Box for their experiments, and most are amazing. This one...not so. The nose is like sitting in an orange juice factory. Can't hate that. I can smell this for breakfast. (Now if Compass Box can work on whisky that taste like eggs and bacon, here's another $50!!). Palette really is like biting into an orange tictac. Sweet, orange-y. What did I expect? And finish---fast and....guess what? Orange-y!!! Really unique. Worthwhile to,try, but not sure it's a must buy situation, unless you really (and I mean REALLY ) love oranges. Ironically, right after I purchased this, I suddenly recalled I had a dram of Amrut Naarangie (which means Oranges in Hindi) at Heathrow. I think that was much better, more subtle. Less like you took a shower with oranges and more like you took a whiff of oranges while having a drink. Meanwhile Mr. Glaser...if you can conjure up that eggs and bacon whisky...

I didn't put any stars on this one. I've never had any rice based whiskey, not sure what's considered good, and I think it would be unfair to compare it to a Scottish , Indian, or American whiskey or any malt based blend. The nose is clean, like fresh linen drying outside over a bed of flowers. Taste is floral, light, crisp. Reminded me of something like a citrus Sprite or 7up, minus the fizz. Pear, fresh flowers. Finish is really rough, definately young. It's unique. I have a feeling this was originally made for mixing, rather than having with a bit of water or ice. Either way, it's different, and can be a welcome (and reasonably priced) change from barley based single malts or blends. Would I buy again (as I would a Midwinter, Compass Box anything, Ardbeg 10, etc) ? Probably not. Was interesting to try, but not a top notch staple I'd have on my shelf.

I opened this last night wit some family over for Memorial Day. I believe it's a 16 yr old ( didn't specify here). It's rich and semi-sweet...really a great after dinner drink. Definately needs a cube of ice to bring out the hazelnut and nutty flavors. Open it up, let it breathe a bit, and add either ice or water. Does wonders then. This was a hit for all around----very much the "Oban 14" type where all would love it. Great to keep around when you have a range of folks coming and wanted something fairly liked by all