Tastes

This is my third Lowlander I've ever tried. The first was this amazing (and outrageously expensive) Rosebank that teased me into thinking all Lowlanders are that amazing. The second was the polar opposite...a Mcelend. So---this auchentoshan may not be indicative of a Lowlander either. Taste more like a sherried Highlandr. Nose is like raisins dipped in water. Dark fruits and plums. Taste is tobacco, espresso and hazelnuts. Finish is long and.a bit bitter, like having a Turkish coffee. I'm not sure you can tell it's triple distilled. The Lowlander character is totally gone and taken over by the Sherry. It's not a bad whisky, but I think the distillery has done itself an injustice by masking what it's known for---triple distillation and a light floral, yet full, flavor.

Just a bit too winey for my taste. The nose is sweet like dried dates and figs. But the palette really falls short---more like sangria than whisky. Finish is short and mild. I've had a few Glenmorangies before; the Signet being my favorite and this probably the worst. Not worth the price, in my humble opinion.

I bought this today after my experience with the High West Midwinter. The color isn't as profound as it's sibling. This is more of a golden straw color. The nose is a slight smoke with red berries. Like a tamed Islay. Taste is fruity with a wisp of peat. Nothing too powerful, not like a Laphroaig or Ardbeg. Finish goes down smooth and medium, with a taste of mint and citrus. It's not bad, quite good actually. Definately not to the level of the Midwinter. But much better than most others at the same price range.

Act 3, sc 1. Oh my I'm in love! I'm normally not a rye person, but this was better than I expected. I love the burnt Amber color, but I love the nose even more so. Have you ever been to Sevilla during the spring? A few years ago, I was in Sevilla...granted , tugging a baby stroller and holding diapers and milk bottles...but I still remember the aromas in the air. The streets are lined with orange trees, so during the spring you smell the flowers in full bloom. The bazaars have spices such as anise and cinnamon. You're surrounded by this aroma of oranges mixed with spices. That's what the nose is like. The taste doesn't let down. Red fruits like strawberries and raspberries, some lychees and vanilla. The finish isn't bitter at all, nor does it have a bite. It's medium length, orange peels and cream. Really well made. I wish I bought two!!! Revisited Jan 2, 2016: I just shared this with a cousin of mine who normally is only a beer drinker. He immediately fell in love with it. Of course, once I told him the price ($90), he equated that to several barrels of his favorite ( Bud Light), and decided the VFM simply wasn't there for him. I'm still ranking this as a solid 5 star, and a pretty good VFM considering other options ( then again, I'm not a Bud Light person ). 1/4/2017: batch 4.4 thanks to a new Distiller friend, I got to try batch 4.4. (Thank you Lee!!!). I can smell or taste no difference than the batch I had over and year ago (batch 3.1). This is still just as amazing, hands down my best rye, and still top 10 overall. Amazing artistry. Note to Constellation brands---please, please, please keep up this level of quality!!! Again, thanks to Lee for the generous sample!

Really a well made whiskey! I just opened the bottle this evening, ready to share with friends and family over the Thanksgiving break. The nose reminds me of my younger days during the northern Vermont winters. I used to have this hearty breakfast of pancakes with maple syrup and smoked bacon. I then spent the rest of my day doing moguls., ending the evening over a nice crackling fire and some dark ale. This smells just like that Vermont winter maple and bacon. The taste then doesn't disappoint. It's meaty, oily. Pungent grilled meats. The finish is long and lingering, almost a bitter sweet finish. Like that cracking fire and dark ale. I especially love the color...it's a burnt reddish brown, like maple glazed biscuits. Now...only if I still had the legs and stamina to do a full day of mogul skiing....but this glass of Swiss will have to do

I had a sample of this, thankfully not a full bottle. It's expensive, but I'm not quite sure it's worth that price. It's sweet to the taste, and has a pretty good nose...but, I think the finish left a bitter taste. You can tell it's youth right there. A slight astringent after taste.

I went to the local wine store this evening --- they were having a bourbon tasting and mini-sandwiches ( free dinner!!). One of the samples I tried was this Jefferson's Reserve. Not bad, but really no depth either. Sweet, subtle floral .taste. Finish is quick and dry. Probably a good every day sipper.

I had this last night at the American Whiskey in NYC's midtown. Regal is the first thing that came to mind. I love the complexity, deep orange-citrusy flavors, and the plush sweet flavors. The nose for me is 70% of the fun...and this one doesn't disappoint. It's oranges mixed with honey. The taste then holds up to the nose...more oranges and chocolate. I love the finish...more sweet than bitter, but not overly sweet. For the price, it's not bad...would definitely buy a bottle. I'm now looking forward to trying the 18. Update 12/10: thanks to Scott as part of our trading team, I got to try this again. Same notes apply: regal, oranges and citrus; fruity and sweet. Elegant comes to mind. Based on this, would love to try the 18. Thanks Scott.

Sometimes you just want a simple drink without the layers of complexity. Just a good, down to earth dram that you can have during the cold rainy nights or during the heat of summer. This one is really under-rated. It's also great as the gateway whisky. You certainly don't want your first to be an Ardbeg or a Laphroaig. This one introduces you gently, but not in a bland way. If I had to give a wine or beer drinker a present...this would be it. 5/30/16: sample from Flaviar. I'd not rate this any different than my first time. There's something to be said about simplicity, and this delivers. Great summer drink as well.

I actually bought this on a whim---it was reasonably priced relative to other Japanese malts. And then I realized why. The nose starts off delicate and floral...almost teasing you that the experience will be like a Hibiki 12. Then it falls apart on the palette. It's simply too spicy and sharp on the tongue, indicative of its youth. I think it greatly could've benefited from more time with the wood. I guess everything related to Japanese malts is soaring high nowadays....and once in a while, it's good to have something like this to remind us that not every Japanese malt is made equal.