Tastes
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A solid island single malt. Surprised I have not reviewed this one in the past. My review is for the 43% version. Noses of honey-malt, oak, and a hint of brine. These come across on the tongue, and now a touch of smoke and an oily mouthfeel. Heat and an astringency show up in the finish.40.0 USD per Bottle
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Pierre Ferrand Ambre Cognac
Cognac — Grande Champagne, France
Reviewed April 9, 2020 (edited March 15, 2021)Simply delicious! This their entry level cognac, but is aged for 10 years, not four or six. It pours a golden amber and swirls good legs. It noses of fruit, honey and a little vanilla. In the mouth the fruitiness is forward and there is a full, almost oily, mouthfeel. The finish is medium long and exceptionally smooth. I am super impressed. I find this to be MUCH more enjoyable than the entry level cognacs from the big houses of Hennessy, Martell, or Courvoisier. This is distilled on the lees and I think that explains the greater fruitiness and wonderful mouthfeel. I admit my experience with cognac is somewhat limited, having sampled only about two dozen expressions--and none of those were in the super high-end costing hundreds of dollars. But of the ones I have had in the below $100 range this is the best for drinking neat. (I never mix cognac.)40.0 USD per Bottle -
GlenDronach Original 12 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed February 18, 2020 (edited April 28, 2020)Let me say this first--I drink sherry cask finish Scotch less than 50% of the time, and, when I do usually prefer a nice strong accent as you would find in Aberlour 12 or Glenfarclas 10. However, when you are in the mood for a sherry-bomb, this is your ticket. It has a super-strong sherry influence. I would guess that all of it is finished or aged in sherry casks, not just a certain portion. This is not a one-trick pony, besides the heavy sherry notes there is malt, fudge, vanilla, nuttiness and a bit of spiciness. This is a great Scotch. The downside is that it usually costs as much as a good 15 year old.50.0 USD per Bottle -
Glenfarclas 12 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed February 11, 2020 (edited March 30, 2020)I have had this in the past and was very impressed with it, though I preferred the 10 year old's flavor profile. This new bottle is a little disappointing. It has the honey malt and figgy fruit from the sherry that you expect in a Glenfarclas. This is too oaky, at least that is what I think is the problem. There is an astringency to this that lasts for minutes on the finish. It reminds me of the effect a partially ripe persimmon had on me as a foolish young boy. A few minutes breathing helps lessen this effect, as well does a couple drops of water.55.0 USD per Bottle -
Powers Gold is a robust, flavorful example of the Irish whiskey style. There is honey, vanilla, wood spice, a hint of malt from the pot still portion and a heavier mouthfeel than the typical standard Irish. Overall, I would say this rates at the next step over the other standard Irish offerings. Jameson is sweeter and Bushmills has less spice if that is what you want (and sometimes I do), but Powers offers much more flavor.27.0 USD per Bottle
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Speyburn Bradan Orach
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed February 11, 2020 (edited October 20, 2023)Nice affordable NAS single malt that displays notes of honeyed malt, biscuit, a little floral spice and a smooth delivery. Not complex, but very good for the price point.20.0 USD per Bottle -
A NAS from Tomintoul, it is pleasant enough displaying notes of malt, honey, biscuit or pie crust and a bit of spice and a waxy mouthfeel. There is no peat or sherry or cognac, just the basic malt. I find no fault in that. What I do fault is this tends to be over priced, running $40-45 per bottle. I found mine on sale for $20, similar to Speyburn Bradan Orach. If you can get it for a price near that, it is a good deal. However, in the $40-45 price range there are several 10-12 year old single malts out there that give a superior value.40.0 USD per Bottle
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Tomintoul 14 Year
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed February 4, 2020 (edited December 18, 2021)Pours a lovely light straw color, no carmel in this non chill-filtered dram. Noses a sweet honeyed malt with some floral and fruit (apple?) overtones. These come through on the initial tasting and are followed with a lively peppery note on the follow through, I think from the oak. Experimenting, I have found the peppery aspect decreases with either allowing the dram to breath for a few minutes, or adding a few DROPS of water to the dram. (A splash of water simply turns this dram in to a nondescript mess.) We all have different preferences. There is no smoke, peat, or sherry in this dram. It is one of those gentle malt and slightly floral drams. If you enjoy that style (and I do) this would be a good one for you to try. (I personally would list Glen Grant 12, Glenmorangie 10, Ancnoc 12, and Compass Box Artist Blend in that group.)50.0 USD per Bottle
Results 71-80 of 186 Reviews