Tastes

This is definitely one of the better blends I’ve had. Other reviewers have stated that the current expression of Black Bottle [BB] doesn’t exhibit as much Islay character as previous incarnations. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the opportunity to try older versions of this stuff, but, to me, the current iteration is far more expressive and robust than any other “peated blend” I’ve ever tried. The mouthfeel is creamy and oily, and the finish is sweet and smooth. If I didn’t know better, I might think I was drinking a single malt. The unaged grain whisky notes are darn near undetectable to me, and the overall character of the blend seems expertly choreographed to showcase the subtle nuances of peat and sherry. There’s a slight bourbon note which could be attributed to the secondary aging in “new, American oak barrels,” according to the BB website. Regardless, this stuff is well worth the money, and is immensely enjoyable for both beginners and seasoned scotch enthusiasts.

Laphroaig? Is that you? No sir, it isn’t. It’s his next door neighbor. The color is really light. It’s like a gentle white wine - the type that your chill 10th grade teacher would drink in the bathtub. I guess scotches tend to be lighter colored than bourbon, and since artificial coloring is permitted in scotch, I’d guess that this one has no added color. The smell is briny, smoky, peaty and delicious. Some weird odors emerge the longer you let it sit. I detect something like apple cider vinegar and something peppery. The weird smells don’t really detract from the drink, rather they simply reinforce its complexity. It tastes the way scotch should. Is it better than Laphroaig? No, probably not, but it’s still phenomenal. The biggest difference between the two is the variety of flavors present. For me, this makes Ardbeg slightly inferior since some of the flavors aren’t my favorite, but I can definitely see how some might prefer this to Laphroaig.

I’m primarily a bourbon and scotch drinker, and I don’t typically enjoy Irish whisky, as I find it too light and sad, but this one has really started to grow on me. It smells very light and fruity, but there’s a familiar bourbony undertone to the nose that is impossible to ignore once you discern it. It’s as though you’re visiting Ireland and run into an old pal from back home in Kentucky. “Hey bro, how’s it going? Did you stick your finger in my whisk(e)y?” It goes down quite smoothly, as it should at 40% abv , but this juice is a lot more flavorful and complex than many other whiskies I’ve had at the same proof. Up front on the palate there’s a soft, grainy flavor which is soon joined by bananas, caramel and nutmeg. It reminds me a lot of bananas Foster, which is a good thing. On the back end, that bourbon note which was discernible to the nose becomes evident to the tongue in a toasty flurry of expatriated flavors. This is basically a nice, light(ish), sweet, dessert-type whiskey that can and should be enjoyed any way you please. I don’t know if I enjoy it so much because it’s freaking good in its own right or because of the bourbony characteristics it inherits from the double-bourbon-barrel aging. Who gives a crap?

Have I had better bourbons? Sure. Have I had a better bourbon for this price ($22 for 1.75L)? Heck no. That’s why I’m rating it so highly - for the value. There’s really nothing to complain about. This stuff is dirt cheap but still complex enough to enjoy straight. The nose reminds me of peanuts, and the finish is sort of cakey, like a vanilla bread pudding or something. The flavor isn’t super unique or complex, but it’s a very satisfying, very typical bourbon. The higher proof will no doubt stand up to mixing, and the bourbon flavor won’t be lost.

Poured from the bottle into a lowball glass. I smell typical bourbon notes (sweet corn, smoky wood, rye spice) and an unmistakable undertone of nail polish remover. After letting my glass sit for a minute, the acetone note disappears. The drink feels fairly thin in the mouth, but the flavor is smooth and pronounced. There’s a decent bit of burn from the rye and a looooooong, slightly herbal finish. The finish is what really sets this bourbon apart for me.

Whoo-wee, Daddy! This stuff’ll kick you in the nuths and make you into a man’s-man. Oddly enough, the first few drinks I had from this bottle were incredibly smooth and punched far below their proof, but once I got past the halfway point, things started getting harsher. Hopefully it’s just a fluke. I’ll have to buy more to experiment.. The smell is rich and spicy. Like your typical bourbon, but with a bit more panache that tickles your nose hairs and makes you want to sneeze diamonds. The flavor is warm and inviting. Vanilla, caramel, baking spices, nuts. It’s like grandma’s kitchen on a Sunday afternoon but with 57% abv. This stuff is complex enough to drink neat, yet flavorful and cheap enough to mix. Thanks, Grand-Dad. I love you.

Yowza. The first bottle of ER that I tried was all burn and no flavor, but the second bottle changed my opinion entirely. The first thing that sticks out is the sweetness. It’s not cloying by any means; it only serves to magnify the richness of the drink. I also get some spicy and salty notes. The mouthfeel is kind of syrupy, with a moderate amount of burn. A real winner in my book.

At first, this blended scotch had a very off-putting smell and taste, reminiscent of unaged grain alcohol. However, this unpleasantness disappeared after letting the drink breathe for a few minutes, and now that the bottle has been opened for a bit, everything tastes and smells delightful. I’ve quickly grown to love this dram for its unsophisticated-yet-inscrutable flavor. I agree with other reviewers who say that this drink tastes like caramel and honey. I can sometimes detect a slight peatiness (probably a result of the Highland Park), but the overall experience is dominated by a gentle sweetness. This scotch is too smooth, even for 40%. My bottle is emptying far too quickly..

Typical bourbony smell with a bit of a musty note - reminds me of corn tortillas. Nice, tart sweetness up front. Pronounced peanutty flavor and long, oaky finish. Notable burn for a wheated bourbon. There’s no rye present in the mashbill, but there’s a spiciness there that could’ve fooled me. All in all, not a bad drink, but probably not worth the price..