Tastes

Nose of tropical fruits and vanilla, toffee, smoke, and a slight brininess. The palate is oily and creamy with a nice warmth. There is a peatiness and light smoke finish with a lingering warmth as well. The 10 year old is a solid buy for $50 and I would get it again. Nothing to fear here, this is a scotch for all.

A light colored 12 year old Speyside single malt. Nose of vanilla, honey and bananas. Sweet and creamy on the palate. Finishes dry and crisp. Like meatloaf, good but can never be great.

Batch 009 ABV 58.1 The first nose is eye watering, let this monster breath for just a bit. The nose opens up to a medicinal, briny, and applesauce scents. On the palate it's peat, a little more peat, black pepper and campfire smoke. The finish is oak smoke, pepper; and the most manly warmth that you feel torching down your gullet until the fire subsides and smolders in your stomach. A great Islay, not a rookie whisky. Add a couple of drops of water to this dram, it can handle it. $65

Nose of pear, let it open up for a good bit, ABV 45.8 Starts creamy and finishes dry, peppery with some light smoke and warmth. A good 10 year old. This is a wonderful anytime dram.

A very light and fruity nose, no peat or smoke and not much body. For a 12 year old it's not complex, this is a safe and easy drinking scotch.

Salty on the nose, there is peat but not a big punch. This is easy sipping with fruits and peat and light smoke. Very light body that finishes with the peat and warmth, the finish is not too long. This might be a good introduction to Islay for those not ready for one of the bigger peat monsters of Islay. Good dram for the price.

The scent was iodine, and lightly floral. This is quite peaty but the finish is smooth and lasting. This limited edition is seemingly a one time only try, and totally worth it. Predominantly Ardbeg, this is a total blend of 6 whiskys and three different casks.

The nose is ripe green pears and that's even more apparent after adding one drop of water. The taste is sweet and simple and creamy and finishes with a mild warmth that doesn't last too long. Seems like this would be a good dram during warmer weather, but could still easily be enjoyed in colder weather. $70

No real smoke, but slightly peaty. Very vanilla almost honeysuckle scented and smooth at the initial taste somewhat like pear or apple. Peppery and dry at the finish. Can sip this neat, a good dram to share with rookie scotch drinkers. At 40 ABV this whisky could benefit from a higher proof. $40

The smell is smoke, band-aid, green pears and yet medicinal. The palate is oily, melted rubber, peat and smoke. A go to Islay. The finish lingers lightly with ashy warmth, you'll feel the light warmth of this youngin' but there's no need to cool this one off with any water. A great buy for $55, a great go to Islay.