Tastes

Cinnamon and pears on the nose. Crisp pears, lemon, ginger, and cinnamon on the palate. A nice warming and creamy mouthfeel, finishes smoothly with more lemon and a bit of pepper. A couple drops of water brings out candied sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon stewed pears. The lemon is a little less pronounced, turning to a bit more of green apples and pears. The spice and a hint of chilli makes an appearance with the finish. An enjoyable whiskey with lots of crisp orchard fruit flavors to explore.

Cinnamon, ginger and butterscotch on the nose. A bing cherries and cake on the palate. The finish is a bit sour, peppery and lingers. Adding a splash of water brings out more of the cherries. …the next day, this whiskey shines much better and in a tumbler glass instead of a glencairn. Its richer and has lots of warming spice flavors.

This whiskey is almost orange in colour. Some berries and sherry on the nose. The palate is orange zest, cardamum — then as it warms, sweet apple crisp. The finish is spicy with more cinnamon and cardamom and pepper. The high proof gives this whiskey a luxurious mouth feel and a taciturn character which is fun. Add a bit of water to bring out more berry fruits on the nose and tart apples on the palate with some milks chocolate on the finish. I enjoy a rich dram and I appreciate the ways in which this whiskey presents is many characteristics. It changes as you enjoy it. Black Bottle is always a great bargain and has surprisingly good quality.

A glass of Christmas pudding. The nose is spicy with ginger, cinnamon, vanilla and sultans. The palate is a bit peppery, and sweet. The finish just a hint of vanilla and ginger. …I think I like the 15 better.

Apple pie served warm with vanilla ice cream. It’s yummy and so too is this whiskey.

Lots of sherry on the nose… candied bananas fried with rum. The palate is very sweet with spice, vanilla, and oak. The finish is… smooth, a little but of peppered, but that gives way to more rum soaked candied bananas. A very yummy whiskey!

Wet hay in a smokey barnyard on the nose. The palate is a smoked salted lemon slice that gives way to a finish which is smooth sweet smoked brisket. It’s okay. Whiskies which have hay and medicinal properties put me off a bit. But I was in the mood for something smokey and this doesn’t disappoint there.

Ethanol, cinnamon, and ginger on the nose. The palate is warming with vanilla and caramel. The finish is smooth with a sweet peppery and spice flavors coming back… which fade to sweet crunchy raw sugar.

A sweeter and a bit spicier Bushmills

Sweet vanilla custard on the nose, the palate is surprisingly spicy, like a Christmas pudding, with cinnamon, cloves, and raisins. The finish is smooth with a bit of refreshing stewed apples.