Tastes

Named for a racehorse and certainly kicks like one. Toffee is the biggest flavor im getting from this, heavy on the nose and the tongue. A lot of maple as well. Its really a punch in the face in a good way. Not an easy sipper but not ashamed of it. Hints of brine, sawdust and popcorn on the tail. A great dram!

Suprisingly fruity. Its got a decent body with a lot of vanilla to it but the fruit is the strongest note start to finish. Hints of brandy all throughout. I don’t taste much from the rum barrels its finished in. However thats not a problem as the whiskey flavor itself is mellow and distinct. Different than other irish spirits in a very pleasant way.

Extremely Briny but not rough. A very different palate than the official Port Charlotte releases. Hints of cigars, kerosene and cool night air. Astringent but its a gentle astringency. Good paired wirh a detective novel.

Rich with sawdust and pepper. Its certainly potent. I like how big the body is but theres not much tail. If you want a rye thats got a big punch but that doesn’t get that punch from ethanol bite this is a great pick. I think I’m looking for something that lingers a while longer and I’m more tempted to go for a bottle of Epoch if I want that.

After many years I return to what was once a staple of many late evening adventures. Jameson has many memories for me which is why this tasting hurts a little. There’s essentially no nose, the dried fruit palate is gone in an instant leaving just the grain on the tail but thats gone soon as well. Its certainly drinkable but its just got so little going on. The main thing it has going for it is how smooth it is, amazingly smooth, but it seems to have achieved that by sacrificing flavor. Would probably be good in ginger ale. It hurts my younger self to say this but I don’t think I’ll be buying another bottle of this soon.

I’d thought there wasn't budget smoke but maybe I’m wrong. Glasgow blend has a nice spiral of smoke running through it and full sweet body. The bit of grain whiskey in it actually adds a nice depth and clarity to the drink, usually that’s just for fill but its been chosen carefully here. Absolutely needs a drop of water, its muddled without it but a few drops make this dram sing. Its taking the form of blend and approaching it with craft. Glasgow Blend for its taste and budget are likely entering my regular rotation.

Never tried a Bunna before because I’d been told they don’t peat. Turns out thats a lie! This is interesting the Brine and Anise dance in and out and the smoke doesnt show up until later. But it is there. Less wood influence than I’d like but very crisp. Lots of little hits of other flavors that are quite interesting, if a little unfocused. Fun worth a try, makes me wanna see what else Bunna has goin on.

Sweet and delicate, Kilchoman isn’t going to smack you in the face like some other Islays. This is more of a tickle. But that’s not a bad thing, shockingly fruity and floral, sweetness from the bourbon casks but the sherry makes itself known too. And none of that sulfur note I hate that you get from some sherry casks. The smoke is papery not woody, more similar to Coal Ila than Laphroaig or Ardbeg peat wise. It all comes together with a surprisingly fresh mineral taste sort of like Fiji water. Entirely unique, totally clean and crisp from nose to tail. Ill be keeping my eye on Kilchoman this new distillery has a lot of promise.

This is the only special celebrity tie in whiskey I’ve ever liked. And frankly its amazing. It starts with a touch of sawdust and blossoms into a forest fire. A shorter tail than you’d expect but still wonderful. I’d take this over the 16 or 8 year standard offerings any day. Massively peaty but with some lovely subtlies to it. The tail is a little shorter than I’d like but save that this is close to a perfect dram.