Tastes

The nose starts with powdered sugar dusted strawberries, caramelized mango and dehydrated apricots then light florals and mild sea salt followed by cherries jubilee, pineapple and lemon zest that transitions to mild baking spices and light oak with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with creamy tropical fruits before a moderate spice that slowly fades to powdered sugar dusted raspberries and dehydrated apricots then light florals and seaside rocky minerality followed by black cherry jam, pineapple and lemon zest that transitions to mild baking spices and light oak with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length starting with sweet creamy tropical fruits that fade to red berries, a mild peppery spice and mild baking spices. Overall, this is another delicious offering by Arran that the port influence isn’t overpowering which allows for a balance of tropical fruits and red berries along with some mild spices that suffers on the palate and finish with a higher spice than I prefer. After trying Arran’s Sauternes finish, I was excited to see how the Port finish turned out, but this unfortunately didn’t turn out as well. At a price of around $80, it’s a well-priced single malt that would be better suited for palates that enjoy a higher spice than mine and I am very grateful to @soonershrink for the generous sample to be able to try.

The nose starts with a sweet and slightly sour mix of honey crisp apples, lemon zest and nectarines then toasted sourdough, honeysuckle and light sea salt followed by mango, persimmons and dehydrated pineapple that transitions to light baking spices and mild oak with low ethanol burn.  The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with effervescent lemon lime and honey cough drops then toasted coconut, honeysuckle and light sea salt followed by mango smoothie, persimmons and dehydrated pineapple that transitions to light baking spices and mild oak with medium ethanol burn.  The finish is medium length starting with creamy tropical fruits that quickly veers towards a mild spice and slightly sour citrus.  This is a delightful single malt that balances sweet, sour and mild savory notes perfectly to create this refreshing, vibrant and quaffable dram that the Sauternes finish is very restrained but certainly helped provide some additional citrus notes that play wonderfully with the Arran spirit.  At a price around $80, I think this is a very well priced offering for today's market that most would find highly enjoyable. Thanks @soonershrink for the generous sample. 

The nose is rich and dense starting with a mix of butterscotch caramel covered pecan sticky buns, anise and dusty leather-bound books then dark chocolate covered espresso beans and sweet pipe tobacco followed by caramelized peaches over vanilla gelato, cherry pie filling and orange flambé that transitions to mild spearmint, cloves and antique polished mahogany with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a rich syrupy mouthfeel starting with butterscotch pudding, cinnamon sugar dusted churros and spicy dark chocolate ganache then weathered catcher’s mitt before a moderate rye spice that quickly fades to freshly lit pipe tobacco followed by cherries jubilee, caramelized peaches over vanilla gelato and orange flambé that transitions to moderate baking spices, spearmint and lacquered antique mahogany furniture with medium ethanol burn. The finish is long, starting with weathered catcher’s mitt and moderate rye spice that slowly fades to butterscotch creme brûlée, caramelized peaches, dark chocolate covered pretzels, candied ginger and antique polished mahogany. Wow, I’m really impressed with this collaboration that the Beam family certainly weren’t messing around to create a complex and stunning bourbon. It’s a rich and decadent drink that is a delight from the nose to the finish that is likely best suited for those that appreciate those old dusty oak notes with a moderate rye spice that prevents the sweetness from becoming overly cloying and the flavors linger for minutes after each sip. At a price of around $250+, it’s an expensive purchase that I personally think justifies its premium price as it is one of the best bourbons I’ve been fortunate to try.

Ardbeg committee editions used to be an annual release that I’d be eagerly awaiting, like a kid on Christmas eve, as it got closer to their release date with a hope to procure their new smoky concoction. In Virginia, obtaining a bottle was relatively easy, until Ardfection-18 spread resulting in mad dashes for these alcoholic Tickle Me Elmos that vanished like a ghostly Houdini trick from shelves either by flippers looking to fund a Scrooge McDuck cash pool or enthusiasts looking to quench their yearning thirsts for smoky elixirs. Alas, I too caught Ardfection-18 and sought each subsequent release until Ardbeg accidentally released the vaccine known as Scorch which managed to literally scorch any desire for purchasing a full bottle of those special releases going forward. Now most of their new releases seem to be flair-covered marketing gimmicks that are similar to limited-edition Oreos that cost more and are usually unable to really outmatch their core range. So even though my obsession with obtaining full bottles has subsided, curiosity has me interested in what this latest edition of Ardbeg 8 “For Discussion” has to offer and thank you @PBMichiganWolverine for the generous sample. Now time to open this sample, follow the instructions on the bottle and do a little discussion. The nose is soft and subtle starting with charred lemon, toasted marshmallows and freshly laid asphalt then cocoa powder dusted prunes, vanilla extract and seaside rocky minerality followed by gooseberries, tangerine orange and ruby red grapefruit that transitions to smoldering campfire with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a thin to medium mouthfeel starting with sweet yet mildly sour citrus before a moderate bitter spice that slowly fades to candied lemon peel, dark chocolate covered bacon and burnt leaves then grilled figs, vanilla creme brûlée and seaside rocky minerality followed by blackberries, tangerine orange and lime zest that transitions to smoldering campfire with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length starting with mildly sour citrus that quickly fades to the background of asphalt, black pepper, seaside rocky minerality and moderate campfire ash. Oh Ardbeg, you used to be releasing one smash hit after another, but you’ve seemed to take the Nicholas Cage approach with over churning out special releases lately with this one being more enjoyable than other releases. It is unfortunately a rather tame dram with sour citrus, light smoke and lots of ash that IMHO falls below the 10 year, Oogie or Corry. Hopefully one day Ardbeg gets their mojo back and release some stunning drams again. Until then, I’ll be on the sidelines with the occasional sample of the new releases and enjoying some of the old hits along with the core range.

The nose is bold and rich starting with honey drizzled over charred lemon, grilled peaches and cantaloupe, chocolate covered raisins along with a mild campfire smoke then honeysuckle and seaside rocky minerality followed by mangos, pineapple and sautéed figs that transitions to ginger, cloves and sandalwood with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a rich velvety mouthfeel starting with creamy orchard fruit, honeycomb and a mild campfire smoke before a moderate spice that slowly fades to dark chocolate covered espresso beans, Sichuan pepper and grilled figs then light florals and seaside rocky minerality followed by candied lemon peel, nectarines and overripe mango that transitions to light baking spices and sandalwood with medium ethanol burn. The finish is long, starting with a mix of creamy yet slightly sour tropical fruits that slowly fades to dark chocolate covered espresso beans, Sichuan pepper, light ocean brine, mild campfire smoke and sandalwood. This is only the third offering from Ardnamurchan that I've tried and each one has tasted far older than anticipated from a distillery open less than 10 years with this wonderful mix with honey covered creamy citrus dominating but underscored by a mild campfire by the seaside and unique spices. At a price of around $90 near me, this is an absolute buy that can easily compete with bottles twice the cost and is one to watch as their offerings gain more age in the coming years. Thanks @soonershrink for the generous sample.

To close out my Laphroaig series, is a sample of their 33-year The Ian Hunter Story Book 3 that was bottled at 49.9% abv. The nose is bold, velvety and rich starting with a mix of candied bacon, mango purée, mild florals and dusty leather-bound books then dark chocolate covered sea salt butterscotch caramels, almond croissant and freshly lit pipe tobacco followed by caramelized peaches, guava and kiwi that transitions to mild baking spices and antique polished furniture with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with creamy tropical fruits before a mild spice that quickly fades to blonde espresso, lemongrass and leather-bound books then dark chocolate covered dehydrated pineapple, almond macarons, seaside rocky minerality and freshly lit pipe tobacco followed by caramelized mangos, guava and kiwi that transitions to mild baking spices and antique polished mahogany furniture with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length, starting with sweet caramelized tropical fruits and butterscotch creme brûlée that fades to the background of faint smoked meats, guava, pipe tobacco, mild ocean brine, dusty leather-bound books and antique polished mahogany furniture. What a dram to close this series out with, that those 33 years in ex-bourbon casks have softened those dominant heavy peat smoke notes into faint light smoky meats that are present but now in the background of rich tropical fruits along with musty old oak, mild spices and sea salt that all work in harmony to create a stunning and masterfully composed experience. Overall, this is the best of the series for me taking the top spot away from the 15-year 200th Anniversary, but it falls short of achieving a perfect score as the flavors on the palate aren’t as rich as the nose suggested and the finish fades faster than I’d hoped. At a price of $1200+, this is one I’d recommend as a sample or bar pour well before committing to a full bottle purchase, but it’s certainly one I doubt any whisky fan wouldn’t find to be a captivating and memorable dram. Final ratings for the series: 10-year cask strength batch 11- 3.75 10-year sherry oak finish- 4.0 Lore- 4.0 2019 Caidreas Triple Wood- 3.75 2020 Caidreas Port and Wine - 3.75 2021 Caidreas PX - 4.0 15-year 200th Anniversary- 4.5 16-year- 4.0 TWB “It’s been a long way” 15-year IB- 3.25 15-year by The Character of Islay Release #11693- 4.0 25-year (2021)- 4.0 33-year The Ian Hunter Story Book 3- 4.5

Next up in my Laphroaig series, is a sample of an IB 15-year by The Character of Islay from 2004 and release #11693 that was bottled at 50.2% abv. The nose is subtle starting with a mix of smoked salmon, grilled pineapple, honeycomb and leather-bound books then lemon macaroons, cocoa powder dusted almonds and freshly lit pipe tobacco followed by caramelized mangos, mandarin orange zest and sour cherries that transitions to mild baking spices, asphalt and polished oak with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with creamy yet slightly sour tropical fruits before a moderate spice that quickly fades to spicy mocha, smoked brisket and leather-bound books then almond croissant, honeysuckle, mild ocean brine and freshly lit pipe tobacco followed by caramelized mangos, peaches and lemon zest that transitions to mild baking spices, asphalt and mildly bitter black tea with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length, starting with sweet and sour caramelized tropical fruits that fade to the background of light smoky meats, pipe tobacco, mild ocean brine, asphalt, leather-bound books and mildly bitter black tea. Overall, this is a really wonderful single cask that the peat has mellowed with age and the fruits have softened into creamy yet sour tropical fruits that work well in balance throughout the experience but still leans sourer than I prefer with a moderate spice and I would have liked the flavors to be a bit bolder with a longer finish. At a price of $300+, this is an absolute hard pass on that bonkers price tag, as I find the Lore slightly edges it out for half the cost. Ratings for the series so far: 10-year cask strength batch 11- 3.75 10-year sherry oak finish- 4.0 Lore- 4.0 2019 Caidreas Triple Wood- 3.75 2020 Caidreas Port and Wine - 3.75 2021 Caidreas PX - 4.0 15-year 200 Anniversary- 4.5 16-year- 4.0 TWB “It’s been a long way” 15-year IB- 3.25 15-year by The Character of Islay Release #11693- 4.0

Next up in my Laphroaig series, is a sample of a 15-year single cask that is part of The Whisky Barrel’s space theme that was bottled at 53.9% ABV and was generously provided by @Richard-ModernDrinking The nose is bold and mildly brash starting with a mix of smoked brisket, grilled lemon and limes and mushrooms then cocoa powder dusted almonds, moderate ocean brine and burning hay bales followed by sautéed apples, nectarines and gooseberries that transitions to mild baking spices, asphalt and rubber mulch with high ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with an effervescent mildly sour citrus before a moderate peppery spice that quickly fades to smoked brisket, grilled portobellos and charred limes then a spicy mocha, honeysuckle and almond croissant followed by mango, papaya and pineapple that transitions to mild baking spices and mildly bitter black tea with high ethanol burn. The finish is medium length, starting with sweet effervescent citrus that fades to slightly soured tropical fruits, mild tangy smoky meats, burnt hay bales, mild ocean brine, asphalt and mildly bitter black tea. The nose is rather abrasive with mildly astringent fruits battling smoky meats for dominance that seems odd and slightly off-putting that didn’t bode well for what was to be found on the palate. Thankfully the palate isn’t nearly as jarring as the nose suggested with a delightful and refreshing mix of citrus, rich smoky meats, mild florals and slightly soured tropical fruits that suffers from a moderate spice and mildly bitter oaky notes before a mild length finale with those refreshing citrus notes upfront before a mix tropical fruits, tangy meats, and light bitterness. Overall, this is a tough one to rate as it strikes me as a stinky cheese style of dram that I’d prefer to avoid that nose, but I find the flavors on the palate and finish rather pleasant with some slight flaws. I’ll go with 3.25 for now, but could easily see this rated higher by others that are less averse to sour flavors than me. These appear to still be available from The Whisky Barrel’s website for around $150, so if the notes above seem more suited towards your tastes or you really want an Apollo 14 inspired whisky label, I’d say go for it. Ratings for the series so far: 10-year cask strength batch 11- 3.75 10-year sherry oak finish- 4.0 Lore- 4.0 2019 Caidreas Triple Wood- 3.75 2020 Caidreas Port and Wine - 3.75 2021 Caidreas PX - 4.0 15-year 200 Anniversary- 4.5 16-year- 4.0 TWB “It’s been a long way” 15-year IB- 3.25

Next up in my Laphroaig series, is a sample of the 16-year that was generously provided by @ctbeck11 The nose is soft and subtle starting with a mix of smoked salmon, grilled pineapple, honey lemon cough drops and leather-bound books then dark chocolate covered toasted almonds and freshly lit pipe tobacco followed by caramelized pears, nectarines and mildly sour cherries that transitions to mild baking spices, asphalt and polished oak with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with creamy and slightly sour tropical fruits before a moderate spice that slowly fades to blonde espresso, smoked brisket and leather-bound books then dark chocolate with light sea salt, charred sourdough and freshly lit pipe tobacco followed by sautéed apples, nectarines and lemon zest that transitions to moderate baking spices, asphalt and mildly bitter black tea with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length, starting with sweet and slightly sour tropical fruits that fade to the background of tangy smoky meats, pipe tobacco, mild ocean brine, asphalt, leather-bound books and mildly bitter black tea. The nose is soft and subtle with those additional years in the casks taming those high smoke notes from the typical barbecue pit master opening their smoker to bask you in smoky glory into a mild and gentler smoked meat aroma that still maintains the dominant note but allows those mild sour citrus and polished oak notes to be able to provide a stronger impact. On the palate, the smoke comes through stronger than suggested on the nose with richer smoked meats that are still along the subtler side along with those sour tropical and citrus fruits that suffers from a higher spice than I prefer that throws off the balance and the oak veers towards a mildly bitter tea note that finishes with a mix of sweet and sour citrus that quickly fades to tangy meats, mild spices and black tea. After tasting the 15-year 200th Anniversary, I was eager to discover how a higher age statement with a 5% boost in ABV would impact the flavors of the 16-year and found that this is quite a delicious, well-crafted dram that I’d be happy to drink anytime but isn’t quite on par with the masterpiece of their 15-year 200th Anniversary as it isn’t as exceptionally balanced and the fruits lean heavier on the sour side which shows that older and higher ABV aren’t necessarily always going to be the better dram. At under $100 when these were released, I think these were a bargain to taste an older Laphroaig, but a quick search reveals that they have raised to around $150 today and I’d much rather just grab a bottle of Lore at a similar price that I find edges this one out. Ratings for the series so far: 10-year cask strength batch 11- 3.75 10-year sherry oak finish- 4.0 Lore- 4.0 2019 Caidreas Triple Wood- 3.75 2020 Caidreas Port and Wine - 3.75 2021 Caidreas PX - 4.0 15-year 200 Anniversary- 4.5 16-year- 4.0

Next up in my Laphroaig series, is a sample of the 15-year 200th Anniversary that was generously provided by @Scott_E The nose is soft, velvety and finely chiseled starting with a mix of candied bacon, grilled pineapple, mild florals and leather-bound books then dark chocolate with light sea salt, almond croissant and freshly lit pipe tobacco followed by caramelized mangos, mandarin oranges and morello cherry jam that transitions to mild baking spices, asphalt and polished oak with low ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with creamy tropical fruits before a mild spice that quickly fades to blonde espresso, maple glazed crispy bacon and leather-bound books then dark chocolate covered butterscotch caramels with light sea salt, toasted almonds, honeysuckle and freshly lit pipe tobacco followed by caramelized mangos, peaches and cherry pie filling that transitions to mild baking spices, asphalt and polished oak with low ethanol burn. The finish is medium length, starting with sweet caramelized tropical fruits that fade to the background of light smoky meats, pipe tobacco, mild ocean brine, asphalt, leather-bound books and polished oak. This is an absolute stunner of a dram that the additional years in the casks have really molded those heavy peat, slightly sour citrus and diesel fumes of younger Laphroaig into soft sweet smoked meats along with tropical fruits, florals and well-aged oak that drinks far richer than that 43% ABV would suggest. At a price of under $100 when these came out, this was an absolute steal of a dram that Laphroaig released to reign in their 200th anniversary for their fans to celebrate and is certainly one I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. Thanks again @Scott_E for sharing this as I doubt I would have tried it otherwise and am shocked that the lowest ABV of the series so far has now turned into the leader. Ratings for the series so far: 10-year cask strength batch 11- 3.75 10-year sherry oak finish- 4.0 Lore- 4.0 2019 Caidreas Triple Wood- 3.75 2020 Caidreas Port and Wine - 3.75 2021 Caidreas PX - 4.0 15-year 200 Anniversary- 4.5