Tastes

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Deep amber. Nose: Dark fruits, honey, tree nuts. Palate: Not very spicy, but some baking spice mixes with the fruits and nuts. Finish: Long but not very hot. Pleasant. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 7.5/10 - A nice sipper but way too expensive to be a daily.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium-dark amber. Nose: Caramel, apple, graham crackers. Palate: Cinnamon, baking spice, oak tannin. Finish: Long and medium heat. Splash: Some of the sweet caramel notes from the nose return. Overall: 7/10 - A bit smoother than the 9 year expression, but overpriced for what it is. This would easily be an 8/10 at a better price point.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Deep amber. Nose: Oak and maple syrup up front, with some subdued peanuts. Palate: Oak, maple, and peanuts continue. Not as spicy as expected. Finish: Long but not very hot. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 5/10 - I had high expectations for this, based on the single barrel barrel proof being so complex. This drinks more like regular JD than the premium stuff. Honestly, it's about average.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Butterscotch, apple, some nutty notes. Palate: Clove and baking spice, none of the sweetness from the nose. Finish: Medium length with medium heat. Splash: Leather and oak notes open upen up with a little water. Overall: 8/10 - This is something of a unicorn where I live and I received a sample in trade. It's more complex than I expected, but not the best I've had from Heaven Hill. Might be good over ice or in a cocktail, but alas, I only received 50 ml.

Starlight bourbon whiskey finished in VDN barrels r/Bourbon Single Barrell selection aged 4 1/2 years Barrel no 21-2248-2 Proof: 106.7 Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Orange is pretty strong, but other sweet notes and nuts (almonds?) are also present. Palate: Clove and cinnamon overpower the sweet notes. Some oak and barrel char. Finish: Long and warm. This is the first time the high proof is apparent, and just won't quit. Splash: No new flavors are revealed, nutty flavor from the nose returns. Overall: 7.5/10 - This was the first pour from this bottle and I had high expectations. It drinks below its proof, but the orange from the nose is drowned out by spice in the palate.

Laphroaig 10 Single Malt, 43% abv Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Golden amber. Nose: Peat smoke and brine. Palate: Smoke and brine mix with spices and oak tannins. Finish: Long and warm with plenty of spice. Splash: Leather and oak tannins are more pronounced. Overall: 8/10 - A fine dram, on par with more expensive Islays. Peat smoke in the nose and palate gives way to a long spicy finish.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Caramel, butterscotch and graham crackers. A hint of baking spice. Palate: Cinnamon and baking spices. Finish: Long and very warm. Splash: Some of the caramel and butterscotch return. Cinnamon is reduced. Overall: 7.5/10 - This will probably be good on the rocks, but doesn't quite have the complexity to be great.

The Representative r/Bourbon Single Barrel Straight Bourbon 112.94 Proof Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, a hint of marshmallow. Palate: More caramel and butterscotch with some clove and baking spice. Thicker than average mouthfeel. Finish: Low heat but stays with you a while. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 7.5/10 - I really wanted to like this more, but it may grow on me. The finish just won't quit.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Pale amber. Nose: Grass and some tropical fruit notes. Palate: Thin mouthfeel with some oil. More grass and tropical fruit. Finish: Long finish with mild heat. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 6.50 - Well balanced and tasty, but doesn't stand out in any way.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Carmel, vanilla, some dark fruit. Palate: Medium mouthfeel, some clove and baking spice. Finish: Medium length, medium heat. Splash: Some oak appears that I must have missed before. Overall: 7/10 - This is an above average pour, but I can't justify the premium price (around $85). There are many better options under $50. This was received as a gift.