Tastes

This seems to be what Jura Superstition wants to be, that is not a compliment. The nose has a smokey peat smell, very subdued, but not unpleasant. I also get what Jim Murray describes as a Fisherman's Friend cough drop smell. There is slight apple and pear, and underlying all of this is the smell of barley porridge. It is a sweet nose, much like a more balanced, toned-down Jura Superstition. The first hit on the palate is smoke, but more like smoke from a grass fire, not peaty. There is salt, but no brine, not maritime at all, just too much salt. As you swish it around your mouth there comes oak and barley, nice actually. The finish is fairly long, smokey and the exact same taste after you have finished a Fisherman's Friend, very nice, and the best part of this whisky. Sad to think the best part of a whisky is when it's finished. This is not a terrible whisky, but to me it feels like someone with a basic knowledge of an Islay whisky described what it should taste like to a Master Distiller, who then tried to put all the various elements together and didn't quite get it right. I will share this with my friends who enjoy a whisky now and then, but are not real enthusiasts. I don't think this is a good entry into Islay whiskies, it gives a false impression of how a peated maritime whisky tastes. My feeling is if you like Lagavulin 16 the first time you taste it, you're hooked. If you don't like it, head inland. Note: This whisky contains E150 coloring.

Got this as a present, have to admit I was dubious, actually was pleasantly surprised. This would not be a bad way to introduce someone to peated whisky. It is sweet with some smoke and enjoyable. Furthermore, in the spirit of "So, you'll have had your tea then?” it is inexpensive.

Wow, this is so different from the 10 yr cask strength, it is softer and more subtle. It is another lovely example of a peated Islay whisky. Although, it did not give me the dramgasm like the Lagavulin 16. It also doesn't conjure up visions of a Scottish beach. Don't get me wrong I really like it and in it's price range this is a fantastic whisky. The nose is sweet peat, medicinal, Elmer's glue (best thing about Kindergarten) and new car smell or maybe just warm leather seats. At 40% ABV the palate is a bit watery. I would love to try the 10 yr at 43% ABV . The flavours are again sweet peat, some lemon, salty smoked mackerel and rosemary/sage porchetta. The finished is lovely peat that just goes on and on. This is not the "in your face" whisky like the cask strength, nor the oily texture of the Lagavulin, but it is something I could drink everyday and not get bored. My only complaint is the low ABV, but maybe for an everyday sipper low ABV is a good thing. What? Me? No? I can stop drinking anytime.......Uh Oh.

When I was a kid my grandma always kept some buckets by the door. When we grandkids came to visit, if we filled the buckets, she would bake us an apple pie. The nose of this Glenlivet 18 yr offering reminds me of grandma's pie, with a lovely warm crust, baked apples and brown sugar, all served with homemade vanilla ice cream. The palate is lovely and sweet, with dough, apples and vanilla. The finish is long and satisfying. Tomorrow is the 4th of July and most of my compatriots, if they drink whiskey, will be enjoying a good bourbon or rye, and that's great. As for me, I think I'll enjoy another glass of Glenlivet 18yr, close my eyes and remember the days on my grandparents farm. Happy birthday America, hope it's a good one.

On the nose: First oak and playing somewhere in the background a very subtle peat. Like someone put an ever so small drop of Laphroaig in while you weren't looking. There is also vanilla, very sweet on the nose. Interestlingly, there is the smell of the Baltic, which means not much salt or brine,  but a very faint smell of the sea. The nose is VERY sweet, I imagine this could be off-putting for some people. The first sip is very disappointing. Like you expected the Atlantic, bold, vibrant, fresh sea air, waves crashing; but instead you got subdued and calm. It seems watery. The palate does not live up to the nose and that is annoying. It feels like someone took a creamy luscious Talisker 10 yr and added too much water. On the next and later sips there is lovely wood, vanilla, peat and some leather. As you swallow a slight cardamom taste appears. Then comes a light smokey flavor. The finish is decently long and enjoyable, if not a bit drying. Overall this is a good whisky to introduce someone to single malts.  I give it a solid 3.4. I purchased a 350 ml bottle and I'm glad I didn't put out for a full-sized bottle, but not disappointed I bought the smaller size. I'll enjoy this but probably won't buy another.

This whisky is like a novel where the author got distracted before the ending. It slowly builds, there is drama and an interesting climax and then no resolution, it just stops. This whisky takes time to release its secrets. At first there is no nose, then with time it starts to open up. The first hint is vanilla, then comes citrus, orange zest mixed with lemon. Leave it for a bit more time then pineapple, coconut and cardamom appear. Finally comes some sherry. Each flavour coming in a wave one after the other Palate: First hit was a big burst of spice mixed with sherry. Second sip is sherry, cinnamon, cardamom and clover, with a very slight toffee. Throughout there are some oak under currents. Actually very nice.  Adding water seemed to bring out some chocolate and turn up the sherry a bit. Personally, I preferred it without water. The finish was a disappointment, almost nonexistent.

Let me start off by saying I like this whisky. It is the cool younger sibling allowed to hang out with the older kids (15, 18 and 21). It strives to do all the things its older siblings do, to be an interesting, complex, sherry bomb. If you haven't had a samplng from GlenDronach, then I suggest you start with the 12 year old. It is enjoyable, smooth, with a nearly full flavour palate. If you like sweet, sherried whisky, you will like this offering. That said, it is like a younger sibling that is not quite able to live up its older siblings. It tries but falls short. There is a watery hole in the flavour palate, something it just didn't learn yet. Also, the finish is good, but not as memorable or long as the 15 or 18. If this was someone's younger sibling, after its performance, I would smile, ruffle their hair and tell them good job. Then, I'd ditch 'em and hang out with the older kids.

I really enjoyed this whisky. For me it had notes of biscuits, defintely sherry, though not a sherry bomb. I like the heavily sherried whiskies ( e.g. GlenDronach and Aberlour), but with the Glen Garioch the sherry was more subtle and went well with the biscuit yeast taste. I would recommend sharing this with a friend, or somone you hope will become more than a friend. It is a flavourful relaxing dram, not overly complex and not boring. I guess that makes it baby bear.

After only drinking single malts, this was a change. It was medicinal at first, but after a bit in the glass it became more sweet. It has a heavy rye influence that I liked. Even in Sweden this is not an expensive bourbn so I say give it a bash. It is sweet, spicy, chewy and has a long lovely finish. Like many Americans, it will initally keep you at arms length, but keep trying and it will be a good companion.

You can either keep this whisky as a reliable old friend or spend some time with it to get to know it on a deeper level. This could be your safety whisky, nothing complex. If you want simple, you will find apples, sherried fruit and demerara sugar on the nose and palate. On the palate you will get some additional white pepper. The finish will be fruity and pleasant. It's safe, you know this whisky, it's reliable. On the other hand, if you spend some time with it and dig a bit deeper, you will get the addtional aspects of peat and smoke. There is also chocolate covered orange. This whisky will not just hand these to you, you will need to work for them, but the work will be rewarded. Don't get distracted and the finish is long and will keep rewarding you. At this price range it's all up to you. You can just have that safe friend, who you think you know and is always there for you, or you can take the risk and try to see what's hidden underneath.