Tastes

A very Speyside nose, with apples, pears, and cinnamon... The palate is sweet and full of spice. The finish is pleasant, with vanilla and toffee. A yummy easy drinking Scotch for the winter.

It’s been 20 years since I tasted this last and I think I’ve gained a better appreciation for it now. Fresh green apples on the nose. Cinnamon on the palate, with a vanilla finish. It’s yummy.

My uncle used to being this scotch over when he visited. It was his drink. And it was the first scotch I think I’ve ever tried. I have fond memories of it. I didn’t remember liking it much when I was 18, and now it’s been 20 years, so I thought: “why not give it a try again? Maybe my palette has changed enough that it’ll be a different experience?” When I first opened the bottle, I got a whiff of smoke on the nose. And on the palette was a little of everything: some sherry, some smoke, some salt, some fruit... and then the finish was peppery. It’s like an all dressed chip: all the flavors in one package. The result is that none shine through. And after a week, some flavors have gone, like the smoke, and others leave behind an ethanol taste. Sometimes, it reminds me of vodka. There are blends which I like more.

I’m definitely getting the green apples and sherry on the nose, the palate is almost like apple juice... sweet, a little tart and after rolling it around a bit it becomes spicy. The finish is short with sweet red apples. It’s pretty easy to drink neat, and I’m enjoying the dram so far.

Apples and cinnamon on the nose with vanilla. The palate is sweet with more apple pie and vanilla ice cream... a bit of nougat. The finish is smooth, slightly peppery and hints of candied oranges. This definitely hits above it’s price range. I will be buying it again. I recently had a bottle of Aberlour 12, a d I can’t help but feel like the two whiskies are cousins — the two share so many similarities that if you wanted a budget version, the Wiser’s would be it!

A little bit of smoke, fresh fruit and caramel on the nose. Sweet pears and vanilla on the palate. Finish is quick and peppery with a touch of lingering smoke. It’s fairly easy drinking for the price. It’s got some burn but is missing depth of other whiskies. I feel like I got what I paid for. [Update] — I’ve had the whiskey for a week now, and each time I have it it seems to lose some flavors. It’s something you’d probably only want to drink in one night. -1 star.

The nose is not smokey which is a unique experience for me when drinking peated whiskey. Instead the nose is slightly sherried. I have to breathe pretty deeply from my tumbler to catch anything. Bam! The palate is a bit salty and sweet and here is where the smoke makes itself known. The finish is smokey and a little peppery. It’s a fairly smooth whiskey, but for a budget peated whiskey I’m a little more of a fan of Teacher’s. I love Famous Grouse Ruby Cask — it’s delicious and I had high hopes for Smokey Black, but I’m a bit disappointed.

Red apples and cinnamon on the nose. The palate is sweet and continues the flavors of apple pie: cinnamon and vanilla. The finish has the lingering flavors of chocolate and toffee. This is yummy! And the finish isn’t so long or peppery. A good dessert whiskey.

Dried fruits on the nose. Sweet and rich on the palate with flavors of butterscotch and raisins. The finish is fairly smooth with lingering pepper.

I wanted to drink some French whiskey while in France. Armorik was one brand which I had sought out, but was a little difficult to find. Cinnamon raisins and vanilla on the nose gives a hint of gingerbread. Palate is peppery and warm with a pleasant mouthfeel. The finish is where this whiskey shines. At 46% it lingers and brings flavors of nuts, candied oranges, chocolate and pepper. It’s difficult to get all the flavors this has to offer from a disposable hotel cup.