Tastes

Really impressive pour. Nose and palate are both darker than what I’m used to in scotch. Slight leather and tobacco, honey, candied orange. One of the more impressive scotches I’ve had.

I had this before being exposed to other better Balcones products, and it nearly turned me off to them altogether. But I persisted, and I am better for it. Don’t quit Balcones. Just quit their rye. It reminded me of bad apples. Spend your hard earned money on other Balcones products.

Nose is bright and sweet. Cherry, vanilla, brown sugar. Palate brings similar notes plus some vanilla cake, cola and oak spice. Great pour.

Trying at a restaurant. Too distracted by the fact that I’m trying it to think too hard about what I’m tasting. It’s rich and well-balanced. Lots of fruit. I think of sweet berries. The oak is there. Less baking spice than I’m used to from the rest of the Weller line. Slightly herbal, like sweet tea. I am happy.

Honey, vanilla, cereal, a little more smoke than I expected. Fairly rich for the proof. Overall a really enjoyable experience.

Lots of oak, chocolate, vanilla, brown sugar, slightly on the dry side.

I split this five way with friends as a form of punishment, and I do indeed consider myself punished. I hate myself. I knew I would hate myself. This outlet to vent my disgust with my own existence is all I have. Why God!? It smells like straight Tabasco and despair. Yet somehow it was enticing enough for me to put this in my mouth. It did not disappoint. By that I mean the palate lived up to the nose in the sense that it also made me question why I do the things I do. It tasted like violence and fire with a touch of sweetness. I have put a lot of things in my mouth in my day, but few have left the impression that this shot straight from the anus of Satan himself has left. I am sad that there is still fluid in my glass. I fear neither my tongue nor my glencairn will ever be the same. But I must persevere. While I have lost nearly all respect for myself, I at least shall have the dignity to finish this pour so that I can look my six-month-old daughter in the eye in the morning. When she is bullied, or fails a test, or has a bad game, I will speak of this day. I will let her know that if I can survive this, she can survive that.

Love the way they incorporate the peat into this guy. It’s just right. Not overwhelming, but you still know it’s there. None of the off-putting smoke flavors that typically turn me off to peat. Sweet port flavors round it out. Creamy and sweet with a savory smokiness.