Tastes
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Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year Batch 4 (2022)
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed August 25, 2023 (edited August 26, 2023)To say I was underwhelmed would be a huge understatement. It just didn't come across as a 19 year old whisky at all with regards to the nose, pallette, mouth feel, and finish. It lacks complexity. The peat was much more aggressive than I'd expect from a whisky with such a hefty age statement. The influence from the "higher proportion" of oloroso sherry casks was almost completely absent, and I got the impression that the majority of casks that went into this (both sherry and bourbon) were second and probably even third fills. On the nose - peat, brine, citrus, pineapple. Pallette - a bit of generic sweetness, that almost immediately transitions into peat and bitter tannins. Finish - short. Bitter peat and damp oak. Is this review a tad harsh? Possibly.. But i expect much more from a 19 year old whisky with such a hefty price tag. I could have bought three bottles of Ledaig 18 for the same amount of money, and that is a far superior whisky in every category.250.0 GBP per Bottle -
Laphroaig Càirdeas 2019 Triple Wood Cask Strength
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed April 13, 2023 (edited August 27, 2023)I'm not a fan of Laphroaig quarter cask, so hesitated when it came to pulling the trigger on this. I was afraid that the quarter cask would overpower the bourbon and sherry cask influences, and it did. I found that I had to add quite a lot more water than I usually would to a cask strength whisky. I settled on proofing it down to around 50-52% That really toned down the quarter cask influence, and brought the sherry and bourbon notes to the fore. It created a perfect balance and opened it up significantly. From what I've seen online, most people either adore, or are "meh" when it comes to this particular cairdeas release. I began in the "meh" camp, but by the time I'd finished the bottle, I was much closer to pitching my tent in the adoration camp. I ended up enjoying it a lot. Adding a fair bit of water completely transformed both the whisky, and my opinion of it. This is one of the reasons I love cask strength whiskys. You can experiment and play around with them, and what a roller coaster ride of a journey it can be...80.0 GBP per BottleLaphroaig Distillery -
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed April 13, 2023 (edited August 27, 2023)Like chewing on an old library table that's covered with thick gooey custard. A little bit rough. I don't love it. -
Laphroaig 10 Year Cask Strength (Batch 15)
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed March 4, 2023 (edited September 3, 2023) -
Lagavulin 16 Year
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed December 26, 2022 (edited January 20, 2023)It definitely lives up to the hype, and exceeded my expectations. I was worried the low ABV and chill filtration would cause it to be a little thin and underwhelming. I'm happy to say that's not so. But... It could be so much more. If only Diageo upped the ABV, stopped stripping the flavour away with chill filtration, and stopped polluting it with e150a spirit caramel, it would easily be the holy grail of single malt scotch whisky for me. I'd love to try a craft presentation of this at cask strength.76.5 GBP per Bottle -
Lagavulin Offerman Edition Charred Oak Cask
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed November 6, 2022 (edited September 3, 2023)Over ripened banana, brine, peat, oak, pepper. A tasty easy sipper, but nowhere near as smokey or oaky as the name and marketing suggests.69.0 GBP per Bottle -
Port Charlotte 10 Year
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed November 2, 2022 (edited May 25, 2023)Wow. I absolutely adore this. It reminds me of Laphroaig 10, with the iodine and briney sweetness ramped up, the earthy peat replaced with a mineral rich peat, and a much longer and oilier finish. Drinking it is like being at a beachside BBQ and bonfire night, right outside a mechanics workshop. It is amazing. Beats both Laphroaig 10 and Ardbeg 10 by a long way for me.42.0 GBP per Bottle
Results 11-20 of 23 Reviews