Tastes
-
Balvenie Portwood 21 Year
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed April 3, 2015 (edited August 14, 2024)Balvenie Is always a fail safe. Never too adventurous ( think those funky casks from Edradour) or too stale. Can't ever go wrong with a Balvenie. This is a great malt----aromas of ripe fruit and honey, followed by chocolate and dark berries. Long lingering smooth finish. Key question: can you get something similar for less? This is pricey. I think you can---if you especially try non-Scottish malts or American whiskey. As good as this is---for me personally...either I'd fork up an extra $100 and get a Balvenie Tun, or I'd save myself a $100 and get a Hibiki 17 or Yoichi 15. -
Lark Single Malt Distiller's Selection
Single Malt — Tasmania, Australia
Reviewed April 1, 2015 (edited January 18, 2020)Okay---so we all know that good single malts are now even made outside Scotland. India (Amrut), France (Brenne----although does that one count as French when Alison lives in the US? ), Japan ( go ahead----choose any between Suntory or Nikka or Hanyu or Karuizawa). And even Tasmania. Yes ...Sullivan's Cove won the best whisky award some time back....but honestly....this is by far better. And unlike Sullivan's French casks, this one is actually attainable. it's pricy, but you're probably paying a bucket load to the transportation logistics, and less on marketing ( think those fancy Viking stands from Highland Park!). -
You gotta love the marketing folks at Ardbeg. This was originally made to commemorate the World Cup last year ( Auri = gold and Verdes = green...the color of Brazil's national team). I'm still trying to link the Brazilian team to Islay whisky----but I'm sure it's beyond me. The lovely sport of futbol aside, this is actually a really good whisky. Peat and citrus on the nose, followed by a coffee and chocolate, and ending with a campfire note on the finish. Given the price tag, I'm sure you're paying more for the marketing machine than the whisky...but price aside, it's a pretty good dram. On a side note...if I were an Ardbeg marketer linking this to Brazil, I'd probably have it finished in caipirinha casks. Probably wouldn't make for a good whisky though.
-
The aroma is deceivingly sweet and citrusy, but the Talisker pepper really then hits you when you taste it. It's a sweet, spicy taste...and a strong bold aftertaste. Oh so not for the newly initiated into the world of single malts. This will add a bit hair to your chest. In a good way. It's expensive though, much more expensive than a typical 18 year old (unless of course it's Macallan). But, this is so much better than your typical 18 yr old. If you come across this...you have to try it.
-
This is a great starter for someone who's never had whisky before. It's mild, pulls some punches, and very drinkable without much contemplation. After you've had a few others like a Talisker, Highland Park or others----you then realize this is simply lacking in complexity. Sort of like when you're an eight grader, and you first have that crush. Once you're in high school and then college, you then realize there's so much more in personality that's important
-
For 15 yr old, it's really impressive. Reminded me of a cross between the best well aged single pot still Irish but having the complexity of a scotch. The floral notes are followed by a sweet , spicy taste and a salty finish very typical of Highland Park. The key question---if you takeaway the fancy stand and the Viking marketing----is it worth its price tag considering it's only a 15 yr old? One of the few times I think it is----namely because you simply can't find this combination of floral, sweet, salty elsewhere
-
Amrut Single Malt Cask Strength
Single Malt — Bangalore, India
Reviewed March 26, 2015 (edited June 17, 2022)There's a bit of irony in this one. At over 60 ABV, you might want to tame it with water or ice. ( you don't have to, but good luck standing straight after the first few drams). Yet with ice, there's a real bitter after taste. I love the taste without ice---smooth, silky and nuanced vanilla. So-----drunk on the first dram but loving the taste? Or get the bitter after taste but manage to stay sober? -
I was having this while watching last night's Walking Dead. So...my opinions may be slightly skewed, Was a gut wrenching episode. Okay..so...I love the aroma on the nose--a sweet caramel with some floral notes. But, I think it falls short on the palette, just lacks the depth and complexity. Maybe an age thing? Finish is slightly bitter, almost like dried thyme. Not bad. But, nothing to write home about either.
-
Weller Special Reserve Bourbon
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed March 14, 2015 (edited February 6, 2020)This is really a geat value play. Nose is a sweet honey, followed by butterscotch and vanilla, and a bit of cinnamon spice. I needed to temper it with ice though, and surprisingly the flavors opened up even more. Really a great bang for your buck. Easy to find, and right up there with the best of them.
Results 891-900 of 933 Reviews