Tastes

Nose: Oak. Dill, anise, red bell pepper, floral. Vanilla. Cardamom, cumin. Hint of black pepper Palate: White sugar, classic rye flavors - more of that anise, red bell pepper, dill. Oak. Black pepper. Slight tannin. Long finish.

Nose: Fruit, vanilla, brown sugar/toffee, oak. Rye spice - star anise, cardamom, clove, dill. Slightly buttery. Slight citrus note. Cereal grain. Black pepper. Palate: Vanilla, oak, tannin, sugar. Rye spice shows up - star anise, clove, subtle dill. Paprika. Fruit. Eucalyptus. Raw flour, cereal grain, graham cracker. Citrus. White pepper.

Nose: Red apples, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, baking spices. Faint hint of oak and barrel. Palate: Creamy, vanilla, brown sugar, vanilla. Banana. Peanuts, walnuts. Maraschino cherries (the bright red ones). Baking spices. Tannin. Getting fresh banana bread vibes.

Nose: Peat and smoke. Meaty - like roasted pork. Lemon oil, eucalyptus. Cereal grains. Slight grassy, grain-y quality. Vanilla, honeyed banana. Distant campfire ash. Palate: Peat and smoke show up, followed by that lemon oil/eucalyptus note. Vanilla, honey. Smoked brisket and bacon. Gros Michel banana (the type of banana they base the artificial flavoring on). Slight mustiness. Ash. Other Notes: This was my introduction to peated scotch, and I've been hooked. I would drink this every day if I could. Complex, rich, and balanced, but once you acclimate it's very easy to just sit back, relax, and sip while enjoying time with friends. No lie - I once drank an entire bottle of this stuff alone over the course of a three-day bachelor party. It's THAT good.

Nose: Buttery biscuit. Bready rye spice. Vanilla and oak. Palate: Brown sugar, vanilla, oak. More bread. Honey. Plenty of oak. Vanilla. Brown sugar.

Nose: Sweet. Bright green apple. Baking spices and vanilla. Oak. Stonefruits. Sweet lemon. Palate: There's that green apple again. Meyer lemon. Clove, cinnamon. Honey. Oak and tannin.

Nose: Honey, oak, char, clove. Light vanilla. Alcohol definitely up front. Citrus, almost like an orange creamsicle. Distant licorice/anise thing going on. Palate: Classic bourbon - brown sugar, vanilla, oak, char. Tannin. Prickly finish. Lasts a while.

Nose: Peat and smoke. Rich. Barley. Oak, sherry-style ripe fruit. Minerality. Phenol. Mint. Cardamom and cumin. Taste: Sherry, barley, slight dusty corn. Peaty smoke. Rich rich rich. Oak. Seared pork chops with mint jelly. Apple, banana, peach. Black pepper. Lemon oil. Tannin. Other notes: One of my favorite whiskies ever. Such a beautiful blend of flavors. Amazing neat, with a touch of water, or with a cigar (or all three!). This one has a special place in my heart.

Nose: Definite barley sweetness. Ripe stone fruits. Cereal grain sweetness. Palate: Barley front and center. Ripe banana with baking spices. Sweet. The middle of the palate gives me coffee with a hint of sweetened cocoa. Buttery biscuits with honey. Slight mustiness - like old dusty books. Other notes: I'm not often one for Irish, but Redbreast is a definite favorite. Beautiful, beautiful sipper.

Nose: Cherry jam. Oak. Fruity sweetness. Soft and rounded. Palate: Sweet oak. Mollases. Barrel char and tannin. Light cereal grain. Prickly alcohol at the end. Slightly oily, so the finish lingers just long enough.