Tastes

Color: Sunny rose gold. Nose: Nutty Oloroso shines through light earthy peat. Whiffs of classic Speyside orchard blossoms as well. Palate: Thick, hazy peat smoke jumps right out. Complementing it is a fruity malt smoothness, accented with a pleasant bitterness, like cacao seeds or espresso. Finish: More of the bitter notes, with dark chocolate and maybe even a little black licorice cut with smooth banana. Diluted: Singed wildflowers and dry honeycomb on the nose. Campfire smore made with ruby chocolate comes alive on the palate. More richness emerges on the finish -- bananas become bananas foster.

Color: Red harvest moon. Nose: Sweet red cherries and smashed plums. Whispers of charcoal smoke and briny puddles sharpen the nose. Palate: A blast of peat smoke introduces delicious sweet and savory flavors. Smoked meats recall sizzling smoke fat. Fruit notes are rich and sweet. Finish: Bright medicinal sting and the sea spray of Islay peat. Hot, rich, and thick. Diluted: BBQ ribs and thick bacon shine on a mellower, meatier nose. Palate becomes a little tarter and fruitier, without losing any of its juice. Finish is silkier and subtler, with softer smoke.

Color: Cloudy orangeade. Nose: Fruit basket burst, powered by blossoms and sweet citrus. Soft spices lurk in the background. Palate: Tart pink apple up front with fennel and grassy, floral notes. Baking spice and rich vanilla accent the fruit, like a cobbler or apple pie. Finish: Creamy, and more sweet than spicy. Diluted: Tart green apple skins jump out on the nose. A few more barrel notes on the palate, with some light sweet caramel and a little cinnamon. Finish shortens and thins a bit, but pops with more fruit.

Color: Dark maple syrup. Nose: Tons of oak, with molasses and vanilla extract on top of warm graham cracker. Palate: Brown sugar and caramel, hot and sweet. Notes of raw honey and a little bitter mocha. Finish: Creamy and rich, with caramel and milk chocolate tempering the heat. Diluted: Nose decidedly heavier on caramel with an almost buttery flourish. Palate adds a few tart fruit notes to the expanded sweetness, like a candied apple. Finish still smooth and firm, but more latte than mocha. Char comes through with water as well.

Color: Wildflower nectar. Nose: Cinnamon bread or coffee cake, with a soft accent of citrus blossoms. Palate: More citrus, sweet orange, along with light rye spice. Brown sugar and vanilla sit on top of the fruit. Finish: Wet barrel with sweet rye. Almost too gentle. Diluted: More malted barley with steonger fruit and floral tones. Palate is a sweeter dreamsicle, but lighter as well. Finish is very delicate, with classic oak notes and a little honey.

Color: Martian sunset Nose: Plums, dates, and blackberries with cocoa powder. A hint of lighter honey sweetness as well. Palate: Raisins stewed in syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon. A nip of orange glaze after dark chocolate bark. Finish: Great texture, thick and rich. Not 'smooth,' but bombastic. Diluted: Much more honey on the nose, accented by rich red cherry skins. Palate is sweeter, like brown sugar or runny molasses, with fruit notes less defined. Finish loses the punch -- more of a syrupy whisper.

Color: Dark summer squash. Nose: Berry sorbet with dark fruits. Wet vegetation, like a forest after a rain. Palate: Thick, syrupy texture with a lot of spice. Blackberry cobbler with crumbled graham cracker crust. Sweetness reminiscent of a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Finish: A little bourbon-y, with barrel flavors and caramel spice. Diluted: Nose more delicate and floral. Palate is even sweeter, like sticky fruit candy. Finish is fruitier, with fewer bourbon notes.

Color: Polished mahogany. Nose: Earthy and deep red fruits and a little sprig of mint. Palate: Warm caramel and fudge, with thick berry preserves and rich tobacco smoke. Finish: Mellow and powdery, like cinnamon and wood shavings. A little sticky corn sweetness. Diluted: Leather and fresh-cut wood with a cloud of orange mist. Lighter sweetness on the palate, with maple syrup and honey standing out. Finish is more vegetative and floral, with more astringent notes coming through.

Color: Copper pot. Nose: Rye spice and cloves, with a little bitter orange peel. Subtle wafts of spring orchard blooms. Palate: Smooth brown sugar and molasses, with sweet red berry fruits and a little citrus. Rides a nice wave of vanilla all the way through. Finish: Dry and barrel-y. More spice than the palate generally, with good length. Diluted: Nose is more delicate, with sweeter notes. More fruit on the palate -- sweet cherries and sugared oranges. Finish bursts with more fruit as well, and much less of the woody roughness.

Color: Dandelion Nose: Light floral notes with fresh grass. Further sniffs reveal sweet fruit candy and delicate vanilla. Palate: Sweet but sharp, like sour gummy candies. Little too much barrel up front, with some pleasant warm vanilla but too much oak. Finish: Short and shallow. Could use more of the nose's fruit. Diluted: More citrus on the nose, along with some stone fruits. Palate much better with water, a little softer and rounder, with some more citrus here as well. Finish still hot and short, unfortunately.