Tastes

Honestly, this malt was truly surprising. All of the flavors are subdued, but it works well. Red apple and vanilla are consistent from the nose through the palate. Milk chocolate also makes an appearance after a while. Towards the end, you do get a touch of smoke which continues throught the finish, but the finish is dominated by cinnamon and cloves. Apples and chocolate are still there but not as prevalent.

The nose has plums, vanilla, chocolate, and a bit of alcohol burn. The palate follows closely with dark cherries, plums, banana, and milk chocolate. There is a bit of heat after a while. The finish is even more chocolate and cherries, some banana lingers as well. Medium length finish, but it does get a bit hot. This is truly fantastic stuff.

The nose is interesting, with vanilla, butterscotch, oak and some burnt sugar. The palate continues with the oak and vanilla, but there is more honey and a little cinnamon. The finish is a bit hot for the proof and fairly short with some black pepper, cinnamon and butterscotch. Overall, it is a solid pour, nothing spectacular and almost underwhelming. The flavors play nicely together, but it is not a bold bourbon by any stretch. Not a great value as there are many better bourbons at the same price.

The nose is light and sweet with pear and honey and just a touch of sherry. The sherry is more pronounced on the palate, but still not dominant. Pear, apricot, red apple and a little heat appear as well. The finish is fairly short and a little hot. More pear, apricot and apricot, but less sweet. Overall, this has some nice sherry influence that doesn't overpower other flavors. A little water really makes the fruit flavors stand out as well. At a reasonable price ($50 locally), this is a great value scotch.

The nose is largely cinnamon, toffee and leather. A little caramel and tart cherry also appear. The palate is a little dry, with more cinnamon, caramel and leather, and a short appearance of vanilla. The finish is a little nutty, a little hot but smooth and fairly long. There is even more cinnamon, rye and some leather. Overall, this is delicious and well worth the money.

Given its proof, it is a little hot but not overly so. The nose starts with maple syrup, toasted almond and some spice. It ends with the tartness of a green grape and a little smoke. The palate continues with the toasted almond sweetness, some cinnamon, a little raisin and some heat. The finish has some smokiness and is fairly dry with some heat as well. The toasted almond remains but gives way to raisins again. The finish lingers a bit but gives way to the heat. Overall, a dangerously drinkable rye.

The nose is fairly typical of Laphroaig, peat, honey, pear, and medicinal notes with just a touch of dark chocolate. The palate has the meaty and smoky flavors, but they are not overpowering and much smoother than the 10. There is some saltiness and a light burn. The finish is the big winner. The meatiness and smokiness blend so well and last so very long, you wish the whole drink was like this.

The nose and palate are almost identical, red apples, honey, sherry, a little cinnamon and a touch of raisins. The finish is all sherry sweetness with some cinnamon, although it is far too short. This is all while neat, adding water just muted the flavors.