Tastes

I dare say the hype is real with this one! For my taste I’d put this above any of the core range peated 10s or 12s. Character wise I’d put this somewhere between Laphroaig 10 and Ardbeg 10……not quite as medicinal as the Laphroaig and not as campfire as Ardbeg but with the nutty character I get from the Ardbeg Corryvreckan. When the need for some peat comes up the Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength is still my go to but this strikes me as an easier drinking Ardbeg Corryvreckan…..that is to say, absolutely wonderful.

The closest reference I have for this is Lagavulin 16 but at 46% ABV and non-chill filtered, so all the flavors turned up and a nice oily mouthfeel. Just straight up wonderful.

To start, I’m definitely a fan of the Craigallachie 13 and I’m giving this the same score as I gave my beloved 13. Nose: If you are familiar with the normal Craigallachie 13 this is nearly indistinguishable on the nose. Just a touch less spikey and a very small hint of darker fruit. All the wonderful intense light fruit with an industrial backbone is definitely still there. Palate: I was doing a back to back A-B comparison with the original 13 and this is very close. Mouthfeel is still very oily. A touch less bright and intense than the original 13 but with an the added depth of leather and dark fruit, like plum. The industrial, almost diesel like, backbone is still there and is still wonderful. Finish: This is where the Bas-Armangnac really shows up. The finish is still quite long but a fair amount darker and richer with some more spice than the original 13. Thoughts: The original 13 feels more appropriate for spring/summer and the Bas-Arnamgnac feels more appropriate for fall/winter. Both very, very nice.

This is quintessential japanese whiskey and very much in the same vein as Yamazaki.

This is a scotch that bourbon purists would love. Its got all the vanilla, and spicy and leathery notes you get from a quality bourbon.

This has quickly become a go to pour and a must have in my home stash. Despite the low ABV of 43% this stuff is flavorful and wonderful. A great marriage of bourbon and sherry casks and a touch of peat that gives it a farmy wonderful note and a finish that you could wake up to the next day and still find delicious.

This is surprisingly peaty and briney but less punchy than your peated Islay offerings. It has a nice ABV for a Japanese whiskey at 45% and a good oily mouthfeel. Definitely makes me want to go for another pour!

Very, very nice. This has much less of a peaty punch than the 10 cask strength and is the most briney Laphroaig I have tasted.

The neck pour on this left me sorry i spent the money on it. However, get past the neck and let it set for 2 weeks or so and this becomes the most viscous and flavorful 43% chill filtered whiskey you will ever encounter. Nose: Apricot and leather are the main notes I get on the nose. Palate: Whats on the nose carries over to the nose with a wonderful long finish that diminishes to butterscotch. This is a bottle i will totally spend more than i should when i see it again.