Tastes

Wow, what a punch BUT surprisingly smooth. 120 proof fills the mouth with pepper and cherries, nutmeg and parsley. Old Kirk is thick, powerful, yet smooth. I’m normally a Scotch guy, but this balances the natural sweetness of bourbon with a punch that’s quite nice. Enjoy this on the rocks and savor the slow burn and big buzz.

A good mixer with a burnt smokey character that balances the sweetness of an Old Fashioned or Manhattan. A little too harsh for sipping.

Chocolate and more chocolate! Fudge, plum, dark chocolate entwined in a burst of rich decadence. Not overly complex, but very well done for what it is, a sweet indulgence. Reminds me of JW Platinum but better. I wish the finish were a little longer to enjoy and savor. A fantastic dessert dram.

I’ve been an Oban fan for awhile and was excited to try this. I wasn’t disappointed. A unique mix of dried fruit, salt, chocolate, and leather with a strong sherry presence. It walks a fine line with its complexity, successfully balancing the crisp saltiness I’m used to with an Oban while adding in hints of fruit and sherry. Smooth, light, crisp and fruity. A very good dram.

Very light, very smooth, cool and crisp. Reminds me of autumn. Instantly transports me oceanside, dram in hand. Apricots, vanilla, honey, sea salt and a touch of chocolate dance together in this elegant offering. Surprisingly complex, light and sweet. A more refined brother of the more peppery Oban 14 and slightly more elegant than 18. An excellent dram and a fantastic value.

I was hoping this would at least resemble the Balvenie Caribbean cask but it fell short as the rum mixture did not work for me. It is too sweet and falls flat. I much prefer the dark rye as a unique BH offering.

The rum is subtle but there. A semi-sweet dram that’s not too complex. Roasted banana, caramel, fig, some smoke and a much too quick oak finish. I appreciate the unique offering but it just doesn’t quite work. Good but not great.

I bought this for the first time as I was down to my last drops of 18. I was eager to compare the two heavy-weights side by side. Rare is a little more daring, slightly spicy yet smooth and old. A savory mix of plum, raisin, sherry and spice. The dark fruits and old leather dance beautifully together in your mouth. The finish is sticky and keeps going and going. I found myself licking my gums long after my glass was empty. 18 is more refined, a bit more smoky, less spicy and for me doesn’t seem quite as aged. Both are wonderful, and I can see cases on both sides for which is the better bottle. In the end I give the edge to Rare Cask, it seems more daring and has its own special character that I love.

Smooth yet complex. A great balance of sweet and salty with a campfire feel… smoke, truffle and dates. The oak is light and sweet and earthy. This has dethroned my favorite offering from JW - which was the Platinum. Green is more complex for sure and less sweet. A fantastic value.