Tastes

I had this last night in NYC at American Whiskey. A 2oz sampling, with a huge piece of ice in it. Interestingly, I paid about $70 for a bottle of this, yet the 2oz at American Whiskey was priced at $26 . Either way...this is a really good whisky. You get a strong maritime aroma, followed by a sweet briny taste like stone fruits combined with salt and smoke. It's different from other Laphroaigs in the sense that it's gentler and more elegant, but don't take that as milder. It's like Pierce Brosnan's 007 vs Daniel Craig's. Elegant vs rough, but both can put you down in a heart beat. I'm glad I have a bottle at home of this, especially when you consider it's $70. Update 1/20/2017: YIPEEEE!!!! It's Friday night, and that means a sojourn with whisky for the weekend! I'm having this sample generously provided by ModernDrinking (thank you!!!). I've had this once before, in NYC at American Whiskey...and I loved it then, loving it even more now. The one thing missing In the 2015 Cairdeas is the smack in your face peat, which I think is a good thing. The ability to manage peat, salinity, brine, and sweetness is no easy task. One has to appreciate and respect that amazing balancing act. This is still available in places...really worthwhile to splurge the $70-80 and get a bottle. Again---thanks so much to ModernDrinking for the sample!!

You can be prepared for what's to come as soon as you open the bottle, and your spouse from across the room says " I smell burning seaweed...is something on the stove?" I'm 80% aroma, so I love any malt that opens up to the nose in such fashion. Seaweed, brine, salted cod, a touch of honey, and iodine. All in one wave after another. This isn't your every day drink. But, much better when it's cold and wet outside...like it was in NJ this weekend with howling 50mph winds and pouring rain. A must-have----no enthusiast can be complete without having this basic foundational Islay whisky.

I'm not a bourbon guy, always found it overly sweet and oaky. So...take my review here with a grain of salt. I've so far tried the 12 version and this one, not back to back unfortunately. But, from what I recall of the 12..I found them quite similar. Which I don't quite understand...why have a NAS and a 12, only to have it taste about the same? Maybe in the long term, they'll get rid of the 12 altogether and replace with a NAS of younger age? So...tasting notes: vanilla and corn on the nose. Like those carnival candy corn. I never liked those. Palette: more sweetness, more candy corn. Finish is short but not bitter. Pretty well made, quite honestly...and really good VFM, if you're into bourbon. I bought this for $25. I don't think I can buy an equal quality scotch for $25. So...all things considered...if I did like bourbon, I'd choose this over a comparable cost scotch. But...if I had to choose only one drink, and I had $25-30...not sure I'd go for this. I'd go with Crown Royal Northern Harvest rye.

I've only had one other Highland Park before. It was their special release Freya, which I found absolutely amazing. This 12 isn't bad, just not good enough. The nose is actually the best part. You get a whiff of ocean air; a briny salty aroma. I can go on smelling this all day. You feel as if you're on a fishing boat out in the ocean. But, that's it then...the palette is a let down. There's a taste of citrus and smoke, but really not strong enough. Finish is short, but not bitter. It can do a with a few more years in the barrel (and from what I've heard...the 18 is amazing). I'm not sure about the VFM on this. For $50, I'd much rather buy something else...much better quality there for this price range. It's not bad. Just not good enough compared to what else you can buy for that price.

Twelve years ago, I had my honeymoon in Tahiti. We stayed in one of those over water bungalows in Moorea, with immaculately beautiful water. Ever since that honeymoon, any other beach doesn't even come close for me. I've been spoiled. If High West Midwinter is my Moorea over water, then this is my all-other beach vacation. I'm sure it's great, but doesn't compare to High West Midwinter. Amanda's notes are spot on---this is definately well balanced and complex. And if I weren't forever spoiled by Midwinter, I'd probably have had this rated higher.

Just opened this last night as pre-Easter drink with family. Turned out to be a hit with folks that have had rye as well those that haven't. This is definately not in the same level as High West Midwinter, but is eons better than your typical Knob Creek rye. It's a singular complexity---don't expect anything like additional flavors beside rye ( I'm thinking Midwinter which had Christmas spices). But what it does in a singular depth and complexity, it does really well. Nose is like smelling a freshly baked rye bread, and taste is the same. Great value for $65.

I'm surprised Distiller gave this a 4$ in terms of cost. I got it for 35 euros ( about $38?). This is really a replica of the Hibiki 12. Quite floral on the nose, followed by a light floral taste. If you ever went to one of those trendy ice cream shops in NYC, they have these unique flavors like "hibiscus lavender" or something floral like that. This taste like that ice cream. Really well made sweet, dessert-y, but not like bourbon. You can't buy this unfortunately in the US, because it only comes as 500ml, and US regulation doesn't allow for 500 ml import of spirits. ( strange...why?). Wondering why Nikka simply didn't make this as 750ml and boost the price 50% more? Would still be worth it, at about $60. If you ever happen to go abroad, definately pick up a few of these. What really sets the Hibiki, Yamazaki and YoicHi apart from this is the finish. This as a quick bitter finish, while the others are lingering and smoother. Still, considering the nose and palette, really impressive for a blend. ( the Yamazaki and Yoichi are single malts, so not really apples to apples).

Oh my god, this is really good!! I'm a huge fan of Compass Box...they're probably one of the few blenders who actually make something where the sum is worth more than the parts. This is the whisky version of Priyanka Chopra (Google her...the Quantico star). Amazingly great to look at, smooth, sexy, curves in the just the right places, and deep enough to warrant a night over meaningful contemplation. How in the world did Distiller give it a 77!!!???? Did you sample the right whisky? Nose is lemony and citrusy...let's you know it's Caol Ila lurking in there. I can smell her perfume, teasing me into now going for a taste. Palette is meaty...lemony..clean smoke. Wow. Like lemons grilling over a barbecue. Finish is lovely, lingering and she wants you to come back for some more. Can't wait for round 2. And then round 3. Till I'm all worn out and morning has arrived. Maybe well into the morning as well...I can call in sick and enjoy her company all day long. Yup. This is my whisky version of Priyanka.

I got this in the mail yesterday as part of the Flaviar sample. (been as subpar experience so far with them...but, that's for another time). This one really lacked a personality. On paper it had the right things going for it, but just didn't deliver. Sort of like that kid with the great SAT scores who got into a really good school, but then flunked out his first year. The nose was a bit like burnt grass or hay, mixed with some sort of floral. Palette was a bit weak...oak was the forefront and you can tell it's young and not quite ready. Finish is short and sharp. I'd definitely not buy a full bottle.