Tastes

The nose is almost floral, almost like a triple distiller Irish malt. Once on your palette, it really changes to a cocoa forefront with a vanilla / honeysuckle, finish is almost like beer...a bit of sour in a good way. So far, I don't think I've liked any American malts (including Balcones, Westland, and a few other), but I did like this almost as much as a Scottish or Asian. A bit pricey, but definitely better than most American malts.

This is a quite a different breed than what you normally think of Japanese whiskey. It's still has the well made craftmanship as you would expect, but it's a totally different profile than a Yamazaki, Hibiki, or Yoichi. First of, it's not malt, but grain ( like Teeling single grain). It's also made in in a Coffey still (long slender distills than typical pots). Those two factors make this a cat of a different color than any Irish, American, Indian or other whiskeys. The nose is almost missing any profile altogether...faint vanilla if anything. The taste is sweet...not American bourbon sweet, but French Sauternes was what first came to mind. Not as sticky sweet though, more like a thin film texture sweet. Finish is quick and cinnamon-y. I'd recommend this with an ice cube or two---taste much better chilled and over ice. If you were going to try grain, if recommend a Compass Box one like Hedonism over this, but this definitely over the Teeling single grain. Not bad for $36 ( Total Wine in NJ)

Benromach is doing things really well lately! I loved their 10 yr old, and this one adds one more dimension on the 10. The nose isn't overwhelming with peat, but strong enough to let you know what you're in for. The taste then starts with a milk chocolately-caramel type, with peat building up. Then the peat kicks in overdrive. It over takes the chocolate, and leaves a lingering finish. I had this last night while Joaquim was pounding us in central NJ with its cold 50 degree rain storm, while I'm nicely warmed inside with this while watching Netflix. Perfect.

Have you ever had a fruity IPA style beer while watching fireworks during the 4th of July? You get this aroma of burnt wood alongside a whiff of berries. This reminded me of that experience, in a good way. The taste is just as good----lots of sweet roasted nuts like hazelnuts and macademias, plenty of peat, mixed in with a good dose of vanilla. I noticed it's not as good with ice. Definitely have this neat, or just a splash of water. This is a really well made whiskey, simply highlighting again the fine craftmanship coming out of Japan. It has no rough edges ( can be a positive or negative...depending on your mood that evening). Simply well made, and well balance.

It's not every day you have a 30 yr old from a now closed distillery. So, naturally, any reviews will be slightly biased with the emotional aspect of having a piece of history. But---regardless...emotionally biased or not...this was simply amazing. The nose is bit farmy...reminds me of visiting a Pennsylvania farm during harvest season. Horse saddles. A bit of hay. The taste doesn't let down after that nose experience. Briny, strong and more prominent smoke. The Pennsylvania horse farm suddenly becomes a seaside stand selling smoked herring. With a bit of water, you get prominent fruit with the smoke---some lemons, apples. I love this one. It's not an everyday drink, by the farthest stretch of the imagination. But if you're a serious fan of whisky, this has to be on your bucket list.

I never thought I'd be a fan of a strongly peated whisky. I remember my first time I had a lightly peated Caol Ila, and I almost had to spit it out. How my tastes have grown to a broader palette. I really like this one...big sweet smoke on the nose, sort of like being around a campfire roasting marshmallows. The taste is incredible---citrusy-smoky-sweet. Did you ever grill lemons over mesquite charcoal, and then use those lemons to make lemonade? That's what this taste like. The finish is smooth with a waft of delicate smoke. The only reason I gave it '4' instead of '5' stars...the price. Quite pricey for a 5 year old. On a side note...FINALLY...Lance Mayhew and I agree on something!!! Till now, I generally ran opposite of his recommendations...hmmm...maybe to go back and give the other drams a 2nd chance?

I think individual taste buds explain why the professional here ranked it so high (as high as the Yamazaki 18 or Highland Park 18!!) while some of us thought it has a ways to go. My thoughts, for what it's worth...it shows potential, but it's just not there yet. I like the nose (sweet cherries, caramel), but then it starts to fall apart a bit on the taste, and the finish is a bit bitter and stinging, quite indicative of it's youth. For the price---so, not worth it. I'd like to come back, maybe a few years later, when it matures a bit. Till then, I'll save my money for the worthwhile drams instead of financing a start up with a so-so product.

I was really hoping for something like an old sherry Macallan...not sure why I even had his expectation. Maybe because I thought the tropical climate might make it age quicker and smooth out the rough edges. Like an Amrut. But this is no Amrut, and not even close to an old sherry Macallan. The nose is quite nice---raisins and dried fruit. The taste isn't bad either...quite floral and fruity. But what kills it is the finish. You can tell it's young and quite not ready for prime time. Not sure why the Amruts are smoother...maybe the Bangalore climate ? Or quality of casks?

This was my 2nd whiskey I ever had ( first being a Glenlivet 12). I don't think I was really appreciative of Islay flavors and complexity then. I remember the briny, pine needle taste and the waft of sea on the nose. At the time, I hated it... And ended up giving this bottle away, not being able to take the taste anymore. Now...2 years later and after totally loving Talisker, Bowmore, and other Islays and Islands, I probably wouldn't have given this away.

Definitely benefits from a splash of water or an ice cube. Having it neat is simply too strong, and really distracts from the flavor. It's full of flavor, complex and deep. Really a great fall drink...warm spices, hazelnuts and oranges. For the price ($55)---it's a great buy.