Tastes

Color: Pale yellow (similar to Ardbeg 10), very long legs on the twirl - oily Nose: Band aids, Peat, Lysol, Lemon Citrus, Seaside Brine - After accidentally getting some in my nose it smells a lot sweeter than at first! Taste: Initial burst of sweetness with a watery mouth feel that gives way to layers of Peat, Grass, Sea Air, and sweet Lemon. Finish: A hint of earthy nuts lingers (similar to Lagavulin 16) after an initial burst of Menthol/Mint. Overall: I was pleasantly surprised by this whisky. The initial sweetness and nutty aftertaste combine elements of Oban and Lagavulin. This Islay isn’t a pour for everyone, but it’s one that I’ll come back to often. (4/30/20)

Color: Amber (hints of Pink)/Maple Brown, a few long legs on the twirl - slightly oily Nose: Candied Raisins, Sweet Nuts, Brown Sugar, Orange Citrus Taste: Flavor burst of sweet Raisins, A massive dose of Chestnuts follow, Chinese Plums, Toffee Finish: Sweetness lingers for an initial smooth and quick finish, a slight earthy (grass?) and Nutty taste lingers longer Overall: Beautiful dessert dram, I feel like I’m drinking a Port. I can see this substituting for a fruit jam with a cheese plate. (4/29/20)

Color: Maple Brown, long streaky legs on the twirl - oily Nose: Candied Apples, Maple Syrup, Citrus, Vanilla, Chocolate, Cherries Taste: Vanilla, Caramel, Apple Cinnamon spice Finish: Cinnamon sugar spice lingers on the tongue, a mild waxy coat on the tongue Overall: This is a fun, cinnamon apple spicy/sweet pour that packs a punch. Not incredibly deep, but enjoyable! (4/21/20)

Color: Amber brown (almost red), long legs on the twirl - oily Nose: Peat, Almost a sherry sweetness (is that Brown sugar?), Rubber, Smoke Taste: Roasted peanuts, Hazelnut, Nougat, Toffee, slight burn, Flavor explosion that clears the nostrils, some Peat rounds out the palate Finish: Soft nutty aftertaste lingers, some tobacco and peat as well Overall: Love this dram. You think you’re getting a much more peated whisky, but it’s a well balanced, deep, and tasty pour. (4/11/20)

Color: Golden brown, a few legs on the twirl - slightly oily Nose: Orange, Lemon, Butterscotch, Honeycake, Marshmallows, Brown sugar, Maraschino cherries, Salty Sea Air Taste: Oats, Cereal, Honey, Sherry, Candy (Jolly rancher sweetness), Banana laffy taffy, the slightest hint of Peat Finish: Honey lingers on the tongue, Soft (and quick) finish Overall: Oban 14 is delicious. My appreciation of this whisky has increased over time, as has my rating. I would happily buy this over a Macallan 12 to satisfy my sweet tooth (and it’s cheaper). (4/10/20)

Color: Pale yellow, long legs on the twirl (very defined) - oily Nose: Salt, ocean air, iodine, leather, burnt wood, tennis balls, band aids, hint of vanilla Taste: Flavor burst of peat, sweet on the swallow, seaweed, varnish, cigar smoke, rubber Finish: Quick finish, smooth, dry, a hint of sweetness lingers Overall: Not necessarily a fan of the peat monsters, but this is a very nice offering. Soft for something so strong! (4/9/20)

Nose: Sweet, Slight burn, Prunes, Toffee/Caramel, Molasses, Wood Sip: Varnish, Peat smoke followed by sweetness, Prunes a big factor, Candy, Maraschino Cherries Finish: Smooth finish, very little after taste besides some sweetness on the tongue (3/16/20)

Color: Gold Honeycake, slow long faint legs on the twirl (defined) - somewhat oily Nose: Burnt sugar, Peat, Honeycomb, Caramel Taste: Peat right off the bat, Brown sugar, Chocolate, Toffee, Caramel, Tobacco, Wood Finish: Completely smooth, sweet aftertaste, refined, dryness at the end helps bring out the Peat One of my favorite drams. Such a beautiful balance of peat and sweet.

Burn on the nose Sweet on the first taste Bacon, peat smoke, rubber on the swallow Smooth finish, fruity vanilla sweetness (2/20/20)

Nose: The classic Macallan honeycake. Burns the first few whiffs. Fig Newtons. Taste: Soft, Sweet, Candy/Butterscotch. Chocolate next with dried apricots and figs. Some spice on the aftertaste. Overall: A fun dram. Soft around the edges with a noticeable kick. Is it Macallan’s best? - No, but it’s enjoyable nonetheless.