Tastes

Another sample from Flaviar. I had this one last night right after sampling the Talisker Port Ruige, while catching up on DVR recordings of Silicon Valley after a week of a business trip. Mistake #1: I had this after a Talisker. It couldn't even tell if I was having plain water or a Glenkinchie. mistake #2: I read the label where it came from: sample was sent from Ljubjana, Slovenia. I started to reminesce about how beautiful Slovenia was---cute little capital, gorgeous fairy tale castle in Lake Bled, and amazing food (close to Italian border). And then of course, if you go, you simply have to drive over to Croatia, especially Dubrovnik!! Even more amazing food, lovely beaches, beautiful architecture, and King's Landing!! Ok--back to business--- I don't think I can write much fairly for this sample. Was totally fleeting. A bit of honey, not much in the nose, and can't even rember the finish. But, I do really miss Ljubjana. I should go again one day.

You ever seen one of those movies where it's just great all the way through, except the ending just falls apart? This is the whisky version of that. I got this as my Flaviar sample, all the way from lovely Ljubjana, Slovenia (it's a really cute pretty capital). Personally, I love Talisker. One of my favorites, especially their Distiller's. This one is good, but not quite there as the 10, 18, or Distiller. The nose is almost like a pine forest by the sea. You smell juniper, mixed with a salty sea air. Really can smell this all day long. The taste is chocolate with salt, a slight smoke. Like hot chocolate with fire roasted marshmallows, laced with salt. Almost up there with the Distiller,. But the finish is where it falls apart. Really quick, astringent, and sharp. I'm surprised...Taliskers have a long salty finish. Maybe it was just my Flaviar sample? This is apparently $50 for a bottle. Would I pay that much for it? Probably not---at the same price , I can get the Talisker 10, which is a notch better, especially in the finish.

I had a dram of this one tonight at my niece's sweet 16 at Ming (No, the kids were allowed only water and soda. I bought this on my own) When the bartender opened the bottle, I actually overheard someone a few feet away say " do you smell rubber burning?" Yes, this is a pure classic. A must have. Even if you don't like Islay scotch, you need to try this just once. Either you love it, or you hate it. No middle ground on this one.

This s a classic. You can't go wrong with this Oban. It's mild enough for those new to whisky, as well as complex enough for the seasoned. It appeals to beer drinkers as well as wine connoisseurs. I had a sample of this at Ming this eve for my niece's sweet 16. (No, the kids were allowed only water and soda. I bought this on my own) My cousin, who has never had whisky, loved it, as well as my other cousin who is a seasoned veteran. I'm going to keep this one at home for guests and friends. Its broad spectrum will appeal to all.

I can't believe I'm giving a Johnnie Walker 5 stars!! My last and only experience with Johnnie Walker was the red label, which I hated. Only reason I bought this one was because of the reasonable price ($60) and the high user rating here. I'm glad I did. I'm not keen enough to nose the two speysides in here, but I can surely nose and taste the caol Ila and Talisker. No mistaking the Talisker pepper and maritime as well as the caol Ila smoke and slight peat. This is really rich and complex. In a blind taste, I'd have guessed either an island single malt or a new Compass Box offering without the grain this time. Well done...

I had this over a friend's place this past weekend. Really easy sipping---reminded me a lot of Balvenie 12 double wood. Nose is honey sweet, mouth equally sweet. Finish is long and nutty. I'm not sure how much this costs, but if it's less than a Balvenie 12, definately worth it as a value buy.

So I'm still in Maui on vacation, staying at the Westin in Kaanapali. I'm lazing poolside watching my two little rug rats swim. I decided to order drink service, and not really being a fan of anything except whiskey and red wine, my options were limited. I did see this on the drink menu, and was the only reasonably priced option. I should've stuck with ice water, in hindsight. This is absolutely disgusting. Remember back in the day, before they cleaned up 42nd st in NYC, certain establishments of ill-repute had this aroma of bleach mixed with cheap perfume? This brings back those memories. (Not that I'm saying I spent time in those ill-repute places...dear no). The taste is worse. Like that stale moldy bread that you always had in your fridge during the college dorm days. On the bright side, this did bring back many fond memories --maybe that should be their marketing plan : " re-live your poor taste-deprived college days".

Nose is like a freshly painted room. If you're into,that, this is right up your alley. Taste is a bit weird. Not bad, just weird. As if you ate a strawberry and then licked paint. Finish is a bit of burn, and more paint. Not sure I'd buy a bottle of this. Glad I just had a sample. Just weird. Really weird. EDIT: I tried to give this 'two stars', but it forces a five stars. Distiller bug?

This definately can use a bit of water. Without it, it's like eating wasabi. Once water is added, the heat calms down and you can smell a grape-y, grassy, malty aroma. Let it sit for a while, and the taste is well balanced between vanilla and red grapes. I'm not a fan of the finish though, it's rough and you can feel the tingle in your nose. I think the key in this one is water, and letting it sit out for a while. I'm on vacation in Maui, and actually bought this bottle along to enjoy here. Glad I did. Update 6/30/18: just opened a new bottle of this...back when I had it the first time, I wasn’t really blown away. And I realized why—-two years ago, when I had this, it was over a large cube of ice. Don’t do that to this. Lesson learned. This time, just a 1/2 teaspoon of water, and wow...the flavors really opened. Dark cherries, figs, raspberry...oily sweet with a touch of red wine tannin, but nothing overpowering. Closest I can think of is a Yamazaki 18. Simply amazing.

I'm not sure if I found the nose complex or just too much happening at once. Aromas of everything from peaches to maple to apples. Taste is about the same---just too much happening, and to some extent losing the classic Oban profile. Between this and the 14, I'd choose the 14. Especially considering the minimal price difference. Update 3/18: I had this as a sample, this time with some ice. Better than neat, but still prefer the 14. Thanks to Ryan for the sample!