Tastes

Been looking forward to tasting this 12 year old. The 16 is a quality, peaty standard. The DE has is at another level. It seems that Lagavulin can do no wrong. And once again, yes, they prove that they can do no wrong. Pour and nose. A lovely honey sweetness, dried apricots, the ever-present Islay peat, brine, maritime start the journey. As more time passes, an earthy, mineral side shows itself, along with iodine, and, eventually, surprisingly and almost oddly, bubble-gum notes. While nosing, I usually try to envision where I would be; what the nose paints in the minds eye. The nose, here, transports me to a December-chilled morning near the coast with fireplace smoke, from fires warming nearby houses, loom in the air. An incredible opening. The mouthfeel is thick, heavy and oily. A spicy burn similar to jalapeno sauce (not the flavor, but the sensation) is all around and is warming. Once you get past the spiciness, the sweeter side of brown sugar starts to be drawn out. Charcoal, smoked-meat, pine resin, iodine and black peppercorns all swirl about. Once you finally swallow, you are left with a long lasting finish of bitter lemon rinds, oak, iodine (again) with a cigar-ashy foundation that never seems to fade away. This is worthy of time. Thoroughly enjoyable for those who like the smoky Islay style. Full of a variety of flavors from nose all the way through the finish. Tuck yourself away for a wee bit of time. Sip. Reflect. Enjoy. Pranay, thank you for the opportunity for a sample. One of the best I have had. I must find this one for my collection. [Dry Glass: Charcoaled-cedar]. [94/100][Tasted: 2/24/17]

In the glass, the pale straw color liquid noses initially sweet with fresh ginger and wafts of ash. Over time, the ashy character fades reveals a rubber or new vinyl characteristic, like that new, cheap sneaker smell. The palate is dry and slightly slick. Mineral overtone with flashes of vanilla sweetness countered with a synthetic, petroleum undertone. A youngness is revealed with a bit of a bite. What remains on the palate is oak and black pepper leaving the mouth with a minty sensation with a touch of lemon bitterness and a tinge of charcoal. A small amount of water minimizes the bite and spice and brings forward the sweeter side. However, adding water diminishes the character of the whisky. In my opinion, this is a better dram without any water or, if neeeded, a tiny drop or two. This is a whisky that feels slightly young; like a teenager and is still forming a character. It lacks a "natural" feel. Almost engineered. But that strangely gives the whisky a unique character. Thanks again, Pranay! [Dry Glass: Ash and vanilla][86/100][Tasted: 12/9/16]

Finally, some down time this weekend to take another, slow, quiet, whisky journey. With a graciously Pranay-provided sample, the journey begins. A lovely warming and rich (artificial?) amber/copper color begins stirring the imagination. The nose is lovely and inviting with a sweet and fruity bouquet. An eloquent sherry foundation with figs, raisins, brown sugar, and caramel apples. Subtle notes of vanilla waft deep down along with dark chocolate, maple syrup, mixed nuts; predominantly pecans and walnuts. These notes take time to arrive. Be sure to be patient to get the full spectrum of aromas. With a nose like this, the body must be just as complex. (Vinyl record scratch…) What? Confusion! Double-take! The palate is not as varietal as the nose; surprisingly and extremely thin. Not what I was expecting, given the nose. The nutty flavors come through along with a touch of wood, vanilla, raisins and cinnamon spice. And just as fast as the sip comes, it goes, fading to a short finish. The palate is left with raspberries, oak and a bit of sugar and spice: vanilla, nutmeg, finally revealing a bit of orange zest. A wonderful complex nose, deceiving in what comes forth, which is delivered in a somewhat simple and short-lived package. Enjoyable? Yes. But I was looking/expecting more from this dram. I did find that the previous Cigar Malt (not this Reserve whisky) was richer, deeper and sweeter that had a long-lasting, maple syrupy finish and I recall liking that version more so than this version. Additionally, the previous version could be found at ⅓ less the cost of the Reserve Cigar Malt. I still would like to sample with a cigar to get the full experience. That being said, Bushmills Black Bush works very well with a cigar. Both have the same viscosity and both are Oloroso sherry influenced. However, Black Bush is ~$100 cheaper. [Dry Glass: Honeysuckle, vanilla and damp earth][86/100][Tasted: 2/11/17]

I have taken a liking to Irish whiskey as a (slight) alternative to Scotch. When tasting Irish whiskey, I have to remind myself that, though Irish and Scotch whiskey are inherently the same, they are not the same; they are cousins. That being said, I do try to compare apples to apples (or Irish to Irish) for comparative/experience purposes. That being said, this Teeling ranks high in my Irish experience. Pale straw in color, the nose is initially greeted with tropical notes, from the rum casks. This fades to a sweet cereal (Frosted Flakes), dried pineapple and honey. Rightly sweet. The first sip is instantly drying and spicy which causes an initial surprised reaction given the sweet nose. The sweeter side does eventually come through. Pears, honey, vanilla and a touch of brown sugar along with some herbal notes of ginger along with a pinewood-like quality. A zingy sensation remains on the palate with a medium length finish. Drying, with all the qualities previously experienced of oak, pears, vanilla/honey and ginger ale. As others have experienced, this has it’s cousins Scotch-like Dalwhinnie quality. Yet, it more closely has a sibling-like quality to Knappogue Castle 14. A very enjoyable whiskey that does not seem rushed or forced. Teeling, in my opinion, is becoming a Irish force representing craft quality in Irish whiskey. Lastly, I greatly appreciate Sir Pranay’s generosity allowing me the fortune of tasting this whiskey. Also as well as many others that I would have difficulty attaining or encountering. In addition, I find that this Distiller community has really encouraged the whisk(e)y experience for us all. It is nice to see the sharing of each of our personal stocks, without hesitation and with great pleasure. [Dry Glass: Butterscotch][90/100][Tasted: 1/28/17]

I finally found some quiet moments this weekend allowing me to really sit to experience the dram. Unfortunately, finding pensive moments seems to getting tougher. But, if you are able to find a dram and a moment, grab the opportunity. (Thank you Pranay for that opportunity). A lightly golden liquid holds within it a nose that is floral light with a marine brine quality accompanied with a bit of malt, honey, green tea, orange citrus, and lightly toasted marshmallows. Thoroughly inviting, enticing you to the next level of the experience: the taste. An initial blast of heat and spice, which takes you by surprise given the gentleness of the nose. Once past the blast, a clean and light body delivers a sweet touch of vanilla and butterscotch which is countered with by fresh ginger, brine, oak and orange zest. Slowly, given the time, the butterscotch sweetness strengthens. A dynamic and lively body. This dance eventually ends and leaves and long and dry mouth tingling with white pepper, ginger and orange coated, lightly, with butterscotch. An eloquent and well crafted whisky. Enjoyable and sophisticatedly pleasant. The thin body makes it seemingly simple, however there is a great deal happening. Ideal as summer sipper on a back porch watching a slow sunset (at least what I envision). [Dry glass: Sawdust][90/100][Tasted: 1/22/17]

I have been longing to try Corryvreckan since I fell under the Islay spell. I finally worked my way down/up the chain from the 10 to Uigeadail and now Corry. It all started on a frigid Sunday while providing unsuccessful support for the NY Giants (Go 2018 NYG!). I pondered it and habing another a few days later. Nosing, smoke/peat, surprisingly was not strongly present, but can still be detected. I let this rest for a fair amount of time, given its strength. Intense yet delicate. Sweet, malty and salty nose exposing toffee, honey, milk chocolate, floral, brine, damp seaweed. To me, painted a tranquil picture of an ocean winters day by a cozy fire. First sip is explosive; hot and spicy from the bottled strength. Successive sips encase the hotness with sweetness. Ash, smoke, cedar, black pepper, brown sugar, black tea roasted nuts, currants, oak (and the kitchen sink) swirl about. Chewy, rich and viscous. An plethora of flavors, more than I can recall from any one whisky. All detectable but not any one more dominant than the other and each coming in and out at various times. A lovely long and lingering finish. Cigar ash, oak, salty mixed nuts, charcoal, touched with some honey, remain. Along with these flavors, a slightly drying palate remains. To really examine and enjoy, water is a must to temper the dram and better expose the whirlpool of flavors. Beautifully complex encompassing a gamut of aromas and flavors: salty, sweet, bitter, ashy, dry. A sipper for contemplative moments. Best enjoyed on a cold winters evening to warm the soul. [Dry Glass: soot and cedar][94/100][$82][Opened: 1/8/17]

For New Year’s Eve, a buddy brought this over to share with us. Over the course of a few days, I have been tasting this bourbon. I often see this one bar shelves almost as commonly as Glenlivet, Jack Daniels or Jameson but have never ponied to give it a try or it has never come my way, until now. A vanilla base nose meshed with leather, clove and maraschino cherry with a light tinge of toasted marshmallows can be found. A decent nose and very bourbon-esq. The dram is delivered with in a thin, lightweight body that is light-amber in color. Slightly sweet with notes of light brown sugar, rye spice and oak. It finishes with a slight youthful sensation, ironically, given it is an eight year old whiskey. White pepper and oak can be tasted. This is a simple and somewhat bland or rather subtle whiskey. It’s not terribly exciting or bold but undeniably, bourbon. A introductory whiskey. [Dry Glass: Cream soda][$38][82/100][Tasted: 1/6/17]

Over the course of the holiday week, I spent some time sipping and exploring this whisky. My first experience was not most pleasurable, granted, under non-ideal conditions. From a sample pack I received, I was afforded a second opportunity and under better conditions (at home with a Glencairn). Given time, the discernible aromas are floral and fruity of heather-honey and vanilla. Ripened orchard fruit of pears/apples with a light touch of leather and tangerine zest make a presence. Surprisingly, an arrival in a thin body that is initially bitter, given that the nose is generally sweet. Glimpses of honey sweetness and vanilla. An earthy, mineral quality arrives that gives a slightly odd and out of character sensation, given the previous sweet aroma and slightly bitter arrival. A short and bittersweet finish leaving the palate with remnants of oak and ginger. This is gentle, inoffensive and somewhat simplistic. However, there are no coherent or synergistic qualities. It has all the standard Speyside attributes, but none of them work together which makes it a straightforward, common dram. Good and safe and worth relegating to social situations or as an everyday dram. Much on par with The Glenlivet 12. [Dry Glass: Vanilla, brown sugar][84/100][Tasted: 12/30/16; 8/6/14 @ Davis Park Casino]

I took the time with this, avoiding reading previous reviews (as others just recently have don. All over a course of several days to avoid power of suggestion and to give my "true" sense and experience a test (as several others recently done inspiring me. I will try to do this more going forward). This whisky opens to a lovely, sweet nose of mixed nuts: almonds, walnuts, pecans, with fruit: raisin, red grape. Overtones of vanilla and brown sugar encompass the nutty and fruity aromas. A velvety and sweet, thin body delivers sweetness of brown sugar and dark chocolate. Sherry, vanilla, honey, walnuts, orange zest, a touch of oak char all swirl gently on the tongue. The palate is left oaky with drying tannins. Cinnamon, brown sugar, smidgen of char remains for a fair length. As others who have previously noted, a rather enjoyable whisky that's easy sipper, relatively complex and nicely balanced. My only issue with Macallan is their pricing. The Mac12 is $15-20 overpriced (for me). That being said, it is well made and I would gladly enjoy a dram any time. [Dry Glass: Toffee][$58][86/100][Tasted: 12/29/16;11/8/14]

Winding down on a post-Christmas evening. From a sample pack I have received, wanted to give this a more in depth analysis. I generally am not on the Glenfiddich camp, but, hey, free whisky, more times than not, is better than no whisky. A gentle nose that yields butterscotch, honey, tropical fruits and sugar cookies. Give it time, as I find older whisky needs, reveals a sweet palate. Brown sugar and toffee that fades to ginger spice with a touch of oak. The oak and ginger with a touch of youth hotness remain as the sweetness all quickly dissipates and not very long . This is a very straightforward whisky that is average and simple, which is quite ironic given it's age. Hard to justify the cost given is simpleness. A Glenlivet 12 at more than half the cost can deliver similar qualities. [Dry Glass: Toffee][84/100][Tasted: 12/26/16; 10/15/14]