Tastes

The nose is mostly oak, leather, toffee, peanuts, very little ethanol. Peanuts become more prevalent with time in the glass. The palate is fairly thin and dry. Lots of oak followed by leather. Caramel and smoke try to break through, but stay in the background. Again, really no warmth except for the transition to the finish. The finish has leather, caramel, smoke, all in a really nice balance. A little warm. Everything lingers for a long while. Really nice finish.

The nose starts with traditional Laphroaig smokiness and the common meaty profile. There is a salty or briny note that definitely changes things. Underlying all of this is a layer of hay and honey and maybe a touch of pear sweetness. The palate is surprisingly oily and mild. There is the honey sweetness, but a whisper of a dark fruit wants to appear. The smoke just sits in the background. The finish has smoke but it is not as strong as the nose, but it does dominate almost morphing into barrel char. The combination of the smoke and meat is more like ribs on a BBQ. The honey sweetness and the smoke blend for a very long, mouthwatering finish.

The nose has a little oak, lightly smoked malt, honey, hay and lemony citrus. Just a touch of saltiness comes through at the end. The palate is oily and very malty. Some smoke, honey, sugared lemon and just a touch of peat all come through, though nothing dominates. The finish is slighty meaty, salty and has more sugared lemon. A solid finish but not overly long, and getting warmer throughout with the oak becoming more pronounced.

The nose starts with rye spice and brings in toffee and vanilla. The palate is sweeter, again with the toffee and vanilla combination. Eventually, tobacco emerges. It has a medium finish that is a little warm, with a little smoky tobacco.

Nose leads with caramel and peanuts. Vanilla sits in the background. The palate starts with tobacco, caramel and cinnamon, while vanilla continues to take a back seat. The finish is long and warm. Smoky tobacco is the star with only a little caramel.

This is a solid bourbon at a very reasonable price.

Nothing comes on very strong on the nose. There is some buttered popcorn and vanilla eventually, along with a bit of nougat. The palate is not rich but it is buttery. You get more vanilla and some pepper at the end. It has a slightly warming medium finish. A little spicy pepper followed by vanilla and a touch of citrus. Overall, underwhelming especially at the price.

Nose starts with oak and honey, followed by dark chocolate and overripe plums. It has a rich mouthfeel with more chocolate and plums. Honey does appear with a touch of oak. The finish is not overly long, oak reappears, more chocolate, plums and a surprising appearance of tobacco. Really well balanced and just delicious. This is a fantastic value for an 18 year scotch.