Tastes

One of those weeks where the weekend could not come soon enough. I wanted to slowly sip a scotch and slowly decompress. I opened this sample to facilitate that need. A sweet and peaty nose is immediate (ahhhh I am back on Islay). Smoked pears, apricot, honey roasted peanuts are all combined to maintain the sweet peatiness. A bit longer and the marine brine and honey-roasted peanuts come into play. As you further dig, a touch of buttercream can be detected. The aromas bring me visions of a beach bonfire on a late crisp and cool summer evening. The first sip and sense, for me, is texture. The texture of this whisky is thin and oily. A spry youngness is obvious with the sharp bite. Again, sweet and smokey are detectable amongst black pepper and citrus lemon zest. This finishes long with spice and ash. Black licorice, spearmint and some drying oak tannins remain behind. The last sensation is a warming of the soul, like a cup of soup on a cold winter's day. Much sweeter with a touch of water quelling the youthful energy and making this a bit more enjoyable. The youngness of this is refreshing and quite apparent, The smoke and sweetness counterplay reveals a maturing sophistication. Somewhat akin to Kilchomann Machir Bay and less similar to the older 16 year old sibling. This does not disappoint. [Dry Glass: Bonfire, the next morning][$58][88/100][Tasted: 7/14/17]

This is a whisky that I have never heard much about; not much talk nor have I seen it lingering on a shelf, until now, thanks to Pranay. A fruity nose of apples and/or pears and peaches. Some floral notes of honeysuckle add to the fruity aromatics. A light caramel or toasted coconut add to the soft nose. All-in-all, a pretty straightforward Speysider. A thin viscosity body holds a slightly brown sugar sweetness countered with a white pepper spice. Oak tannins are found giving a dryness. For me, not much more that I could really discern. The finish is somewhat short this is bitter with dried ginger providing a small amount of zing. This is a simple Speyside whisky that would appeal those who have been sipping blends as a crossover Scotch. Pleasant, but nothing that stands out or grabs you. Not a whisky to lose yourself in thought but would be fine in mass social occasions. [Dry Glass: Sawdust][82/100][Tasted:7/7/17]

One of the benefits of belonging to a whisky “club” is that each member usually has the means or fortune to obtain an item that the others cannot. That is such the case for me as Generously Paul, amongst his travels, was able to obtain and share this whisky with us. This would most likely be unobtainable for me as my traveling, when it occurs, is typically a National journey. This sample nosed most different than most whiskies I have come across. Vinyl or plastic synthetic aroma starts on the nose; quite unnatural. Once time has expired and diminished the “artificial” nose, waxy orange and cereal notes (think Cheerios) arrive. Dried straw, vanilla and a tinge of maritime notes of salt, brine and seaweed fill the bouquet. The palate is greeted with black pepper spice. Sour and bitter amongst the spice. The flavors can be found with much digging, roasted almonds amongst them. More time reveals and earthy and mineral and metallic notes touched, again, with a pinch of sea salt and vanilla (salted caramels). The finish is long and bitter of orange and lemon rinds. Drying wood tannins and, again, a touch of vanilla. This is a funky and unique whisky. A cross between earth and sea. A contemplative, mildly complex whisky that needs time and to be sipped slowly to truly enjoy. However, the flavors are somewhat bland or drab. Perhaps that reveals tired casks? It does not grab or wow. If the flavors were more vibrant, this may prove to be an inspiring whisky. However, sip it while reading a book (or Kindle) in a quiet moment to compliment the mood. [Dry glass: sawdust][85/100][Tasted: 6/27/17]

I received this as a Christmas gift a over a year ago and have been waiting for a special moment to open it, which did finally arrive (birthday and graduations). I originally only briefly sampled this at a whisky tasting, and although it was sampled in plastic and with a small amount, I fell in love. I finally got to sit down and take it all in. This is lightly apple juice colored with long legs. The aromas are all light and not overpowering, but you can detect all the notes. The first scent is that of lightly charred sooty cedar. Exploring past the smoky notes, sweet, real maple syrup, toffee and brine blend in. A bit further and more time coffee and honeysuckle swirl about. All the aromas are delightfully blended and makes for a wonderful bouquet. In a medium-light body, the arrival is sweet, salty and smoky like hickory-smoked brown sugared bacon...nice! The arrival seques to a slightly spiced black pepper and ginger root. Cocoa and tropical fruit of pineapple and toasted coconut, toffee and milk chocolate rounds out the the flavors and the mix of salt, sweet and spice make a wonderful balanced palate. As it fades, charred oak is delivered to the finish. The finish is wonderfully long. Oak, lemon zest and a medium-bodied-style cigar ash/charcoal remain. A slightly warming black pepper spice and spearmint are the last remnants to close the delightful experience. The variety and balance of aromas and flavors is amazing. Not an overpowering, smoky whisky like the 10 year old version; not too sweet or spicy. The flavors are so mingled and yet discernible. Complex and approachable. An exemplar whisky. [Dry glass: Melted caramels] [95/100][Tasted: 6/17/17] ------------------------------------------------- Initial Tasting: 10/15/2014 : I recall thinking, Wow! after tasting. Smokey, salty Talisker signature nose, but not overpowering. On the palate, sweet smoke, brine and pepper. Rich, creamy, full body. Spicy warm finish. A mature, extremely well-balanced dram. One for the collection. [$139] ———————————————— Talisker 18 No review tonight. I just wanted to sip one of my favorite scotches on the eve of some emotional days waiting ahead. Sipping in a calm just reflecting as my favorite mother in law, too soon, passed. Hectic few days so far. Up and down emotions; reminiscing some memories as we wait for our son to arrive. Just wanted something good and special as we remember a strong, loving, caring woman who will be missed. [8/11/19]

Locally craft whiskey/beer/food, I find interesting, as one is often is proud to share the regional culture. Thanks to Generously Paul, I got to taste a sample of a Michigan bourbon. It noses of vanilla extract and was initially all I could sense. Given more time, nutmeg with the vanilla extract gave me a comparable aroma you get at Thanksgiving dessert: mainly pumpkin pie with whipped cream. A vanilla sweetness over a thin lightweight body along with the nutmeg spice; the nose carries over onto to the palate. A youngness of the spirit can be detected and reveals a quick distillation process. The palate is left with some vanilla and oak flavors that turn slightly bitter. A short and simple bourbon that is down and dirty. Probably works best for shots or as a mixer. [79/100][Tasted: 3/4/17]

Summer time often finds me dabbling with bourbons. I have read much about this Small Batch and have been eager to try this. The Single Barrel won me over as a Four Roses fan, but would the Small Batch dampen that enthusiasm? A roll in the glass and some time to open and the aromas of autumn baking spices of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves dominate. Along with those spices, the sweet notes of toffee, milk chocolate and cherries with a touch of oak round out the nose. The interplay is nice; a Thanksgiving potpourri. This whiskey arrives soft and velvety. The texture gives way to the flavors which start slightly sweet of light-brown sugar and then reveals cinnamon spice. Faint notes of cherries and hints of honey add to the sweetness. In between the sweet and spice, the oaky dryness keeps the two opposing sensations forward, almost like the canvas for a painting balancing all the flavors. This sets up to a long and drying finish with orange bitters and ground cinnamon spice remain. This is a slightly complex with a wonderful opening with a cinnamon foundation from nose to finish. A sweetness makes this a well balanced. A nice sipper that is a perfect for summer or fall. Four Roses just does things well from distilling, blending and pricing. A top notch bourbon. [89/100][$35][Tasted: 6/8/17]

Dank, wet miserable Memorial Day finds me relaxing; reading and binge watching “Band of Brothers” and reflecting upon this important day (grateful for those who have served or currently serving and sacrificed for this great country). A strong raspberry jam nose immediately greets you along with an assortment of fruits and spices. Dates, cranberry, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla pudding and light brown sugar. It’s like a Thanksgiving Day dessert table. Once you stop enjoying the bountiful nose, the mind is anticipating a thick, rich liquid but it is surprisingly delicate, however, sweet and spicy, keeping in rhythm to the nose, however not as deep and vast. Black pepper, oak, vanilla, toasted coconut and milk chocolate (think Somoas). This whisky finishes very similar to the palate leaving the lasting flavors of orange peel and milk chocolate. A pinch of black pepper is the last sensation that is warming. A nice and fruity nose that delivers a gentle, sweet palate. A soft sipper that would, in my opinion, pair well after enjoying a rich meal. Sweet, but not overly. Spicy, but not overly. [Dry Glass: Vanilla-honey]][88/100][Tasted: 5/29/17]

2017 Memorial Day weekend finds me just taking it easy, sipping slowly to take this in. Springbank 10 and 15 year I have found to be crafted very well and rather enjoyable. I would not expect anything different from this version. Dried straw grass and petrichor (finally used this word [thanks Davie W]) are the first greeting and form the basis of the nose. There is a pleasant sweet side along with that earthy aroma with vanilla, caramel, honey, toasted marshmallow. More time in the glass and lemon wax and faint notes of peat are detectable. A dynamic nose that produces expectations for the palate. Unlike the busy, enjoyable aromas, the body is light, clean and thin; surprisingly so. The viscosity is noticed immediately and as you are thinking about what is going on, Bam!, tongue burn. The high ABV anesthetizes the mouth and only allows a spicy black pepper sensation. Give it time to settle and acclimation, detectable notes of toffee, cinnamon, gingerbread are lightly swimming within the thin body. Wood tannins start to make an appearance, but right as the finish begins. The finish is sparse and short-lived revealing only wood, black pepper and lemon zest. Ahhh! Water restrains the harshness and refines the whisky. However, in doing so, the thin body becomes even thinner. Losing the spice and heat also takes with it some of the character of the whisky. As harsh as it is without water, I prefer this neat or, if I do it again, with a touch of water. I had expectations of a deeper, richer version of the 10 or 15 year. Given the nose and additional aging, it was surprisingly the inverse of that on the palate. The flavors are faint and slightly bland. The high ABV, I believe, contributes to that lack of flavor details. I wanted and expected more. This leads me to be in general agreement that cask strength whiskies are a challenge to master and to find the correct amount of water, if necessary, to maximize the whisky. For the most part, the distillers, I find, do a good job with find the correct ABV to provide the whisky at it’s best. [Dry Glass: Dried straw grass][86/100][Tasted: 5/28/17]

This sample has been waiting for me for some time. I read and heard mixed reviews; some liking, some disliking the varied nature of this spirit. What camp would I fall into? The nose is immediately greeted with a damp straw funk, like straw from a musty barn. That however, gently dissipates to the more staple notes of a Speysider with the likes of green apples, honey and vanilla. A maltiness with cooking spice (allspice?) presents itself in due time. As time progresses, so does the vanilla aromas and a soft sweetness. For me, it conjures up mental images of a countryside on a dank summer’s day. Upon sipping, the palate is sensed with a soft, pillowy texture and immediately start to think that this is going to one of those nice and gentle sweet and fruity drams from Speyside. As you are lured towards that thinking, you will find that you were snared and you are hit from the flank with a blast of spice and heat. This “exhilarating” (maybe too strong of a word) rollercoaster ride then goes from spicy heat, quickly to sweetness of vanilla, honey. You then find yourself going up to a ginger-black pepper spice that eventually winds down to a woody fade, into the finish. That finish is long and warming. Drying and bitter with touches of ginger root and a blast of mint. At the same time, Chardonnay wine notes are detectable: vanilla, oak and white grape. This is a whisky that touches all the bases: sweet, bitter, drying and spicy. Somewhat like a typical 13 year old teenager wanting to be everywhere at once; moving quickly and coming to exhaustive ending. Oh, what an enjoyable ride! [Dry Glass: Grapefruit and honey][88/100][Tasted: 5/26/17][$45]

Finishing my last two episodes of "Billions" since the Mets are faltering against the Brewers wanting to enjoy my pour of this Oban, thanks to Ryan from SDT group. Oban 14 has not really struck with me and has this reputation that precedes it and sometimes I find myself wondering what others are getting from it. Maybe this is the one? The nose is faint. Citrus orange peel is the primary note. Confectionary sugar sweetens the nose. Apricot and honey with a touch of maritime sea salt all nicely detectable. The orange citrus, over time, transforms to orange creamsicle as the bitter peel is insfused with the sweeter aromas. Working towards the palate, the initial draw is bittersweet: unripened apples with caramel blend providing this sensation. Wood tannins, vanilla, honey all blend together keeping that bittersweet sensation. Give it time, and the sweetness strenthens and is much improved. Finally, the finish is long yet not terribly dynamic leaving the palate filled with orange bitters, drying oak and cloves. A fine malt, but once again, for me, falls a bit short of being exceptional. Don't get me wrong, the aromas, the flavors and the finish are enjoyable and the ying-yang of bitter to sweet has a nice play with a slight sophistication. A dram that is worth seeking out. Oban may have a following and a name and other seem to connect. But my connection/experience to it, like with Oban 14 (and another brand, Glenmorangie), is not on the same plane. [Dry Glass: Cracker Jacks][85/100][Tasted: 5/15/17]