Tastes

I’m more of a scotch guy but I like to explore bourbon a bit too. This is a very middle of the road pleasant bourbon with all the smells and tastes you expect from a bourbon with no sharp edges.

This is one of my absolute favorites and kind of defies description….. Nose. Foremost it is fruit and vanilla but there is also a sourness and an oily industrial funk that makes this magical. Palate. Moderately oily mouthfeel. The nose does carry over nicely to the palate with an added touch of leather. Finish. Long. The fruit fades and the oily industrial funk persists.

Peaty and wonderful. If you see a bottle of this just get it. This is barely even comparable to the standard 10. Much more depth and complexity compared to the standard 10 and oddly not quite as medicinal.

This is a fun one….. Nose. At first I get peat and campfire on the beach, but mellowed compared to the Ardbeg 10. After some time in the glass it turns to black pepper bacon and after a bit more time it turns to roasted peanuts. Palate. Nice oily mouthfeel with a lot going on. Peat of course and the classic Ardbeg campfire on the beach but then there is lemon/lime citrus, vanilla, bacon, black pepper and a bunch of nuanced flavors that I can’t place because I’m on my second pour and this is 57.1%. Finish. Quite long and nice with everything that was in the palate. Thoughts. There is an ongoing debate on the best Ardbeg being the Uigeadail or the Corryvreckan. I am a lover of the peat and sherry combination but I think the Uigeadail has been outdone by several other offerings like Kilchoman Loch Gorm and Laphroaig Lore and Springbank 15 or even the much more mellow Lagavulin 16. The Corryvreckan however….the only thing close is the Octomore x.1 which is typically younger and less complex. The Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength is wonderful but has a much different character than the meaty, nutty character of the Corryvreckan.

Nice sherried nose and opening on the palate but then quickly falls off to to a short dry finish.

This is one to take your time with…..I mean one pour will keep you occupied for hours. It’s exactly what you think it is and it’s wonderful. That being said I’d favor a cask strength Laphroaig 10 or Lagavulin 12 for a fraction of the price.

First thought on the neck pour was “I gotta get more of this….” The main note I get on the nose and palate is butterscotch. Underneath that it is an ever changing array of smells and flavors so it’s hard to lock down notes for me. This is one to make a night of……It’s hard to transition to another whisk(e)y after a pour of this.

Light, delicate, refreshing and fruity. I personally enjoy something a bit more bold flavored.

The virgin oak is front and center on this one. Clean fresh fruit and barrel spice is the star of the show. I’d be more impressed with this if I had not already had Bruichladdich Classic Laddie.