Tastes

An initial opening of bourbon notes (am I nosing a Scotch?) of vanilla, corn and rye, however all faint. The longer it opens the stronger and more pronounced the vanilla notes become. A soft palate delivers a peppery body and a touch of sweetness of brown sugar or caramel. The rye notes are discernible, but not too overt and very pleasant. The sweetness subsides and finishes warm and spicy with a touch of oak. The rye is revealed in the finish exposing a bit of spearmint. A nice easy dram and adds a unique twist to the scotch. I have always been partial to Johnnie Walker as it is my starter and gateway scotch brand leading me into single malts. I have not been interested in their other whisky's in their line as I think the ppv does not warrant purchase. However, they have done right with this whisky: 46% abv, an age statement, price and quality make this a good for a collection. [$44][88/100][Opened: 4/3/16; 4/20/16]

My foray into Japanese whiskey and having a trial run before Easter Sunday family dinner. The nose is similar to a Dalwhinnie: floral, honey and trace amounts smoke and oak. Let this breath and the florals start to dominate. Patience Grasshopper. Once you intake those aromas, the waiting palate receives honey notes in the primary wave on the palate along a touch of spice; all well balanced. The body is light but not overly thin. The body does not support itself long and quickly fades. The finish is dry and oaky and slightly hot, revealing the youngness of the whiskey, but deliciously long. A touch of water tames the youngness and draws the sweeter side of the dram forward. The whiskey definitely parallels Speysiders. It does get better with patience. Enjoyable, fun and easy. Perfect for a warm Summer's day or after a large meal to cap the night. Definitely looking forward to comparing to it's 12 year older brother. [$54][86/100][Opened: 3/26/16]

A standard Irish Whiskey nose, on par with Jameson: cereal, straw, vanilla and honey. Soft, silky texture that leads with honey sweetness that lingers for some time, but then fades like a quick dream, and turns spicy and hot. And as quickly as that spiciness arrives, just as a summer breeze, fades and your left with a palate of orange zest and oak tannins. All-in-all, this is a Jameson's twin brother with a bit more body. [84/100] [Tasted: 3/12/16 @ Bluestone Tavern]

With St. Patricks Day just around the corner, Irish is on the palate. My bottle, tucked in the back of the cabinet, made it to the outside. After a fair amount of time, the nose of tropical fruits: coconut, pineapple are strong. Cereal and honey notes float in the background. The blend of aromas are tough to discern and create a funky mix. Light body delivers a wave of the sweet tropical fruits and rapidly give way to grains, oak and pepper spice. The body is short-lived, however the finish is long leaves the mouth dry and spicy with trace amounts of pineapple. Time enhances the sweetness drawing and a bit of patience makes this a better dram. Somewhat atypical of Irish whiskies I have experienced. Easy to sip and even-keeled. Not over the top in sweetness or spice. That, however, can leave the experience safe and unadventurous. For an Irish whiskey, it's enjoyable and easy and slightly unique. [85/100][Opened: 2/21/16]

A quiet evening to sit back a relax with a movie and, of course, a dram. As this was sitting unopened for some time, tonight I chose to remedy that situation. Apple betty, butterscotch, sugar cookie with a touch of lemon and straw comprise the nose. Somewhat akin to Irish Whiskey (Jameson 12?). Almost clear in color, a creamy body arrives sweet, creme brûlée but overly so, that quickly dissipates. White pepper spice quickly replaces the sweetness, with a small amount oak a citrus. These flavors do not stay around very long and all fade in a short period of time. However, the finish is relatively long and the palate is left oaky and dry and delicately vanilla sweet, with no one note dominant over the other. A well-blended dram that carries itself as a single malt, and in some comparisons, better than some single malts. Respectfully priced, enjoyable, simple, fun, balanced and relatively anonymous . [$39][87/100][Opened: 2/20/16]

Smoke, peat, sea, brine, leather are immediately apparent on the nose. Faint amount of vanilla sweetness is in the mix. A damp, cool day by the ocean beach near a fire is an image in my mind when I take in the aromas. The longer it sits, the smoke fades and it becomes much sweeter and saltier. Smoke then heat arrive on the palate with a slight amount of caramel and coconut sweetness. Oaky dryness envelopes all around. A full-bodied, heavy and somewhat oily textured spirit. A splash of water sweetens the dram and eases the burn and brings out a rubbery note. A long-lasting finish of cigar and pepper and lemon peel, though it may sound off-putting, is rather enjoyable. Am I at the beach house, enjoying the sunset, just having finished my cigar? Oh, wait! I'm in my living room on a cold and wintery evening (by a nice warm fire). A complex, long and satisfying dram, with a touch of youth. Wonderful! [$59][92/100] [Opened 1/9/15; Revisited: 2/14/16]

On nosing, one may be fooled into believing that this is a peated whisky as the smoke is not all that obvious, tucked away in the way back. However, vanilla and caramel are obvious. That all changes on the palate where the peat dominates, but not over-the-top. As the palate swims past the peat/smoke, brown sugar, brine and white pepper flavors blend and in balance amongst themselves. The palate is left with the spice and menthol and that ocean-brininess. This was magnificently paired with Truffled mushroom broth, pancetta, baby kale, Dijon matzoball, mimolette that absolutely drew out the flavors and aromas. [87/100][Tasted: 1/31/16 @ Eat Mosaic]

The nose is a potpourri of green apple, caramel, cinnamon, vanilla and an odd-man out, rubber (cannot surely identify). Arrives with some sweetness of brown sugar wrapped in a medium body. As you explore, hints of, oddly, again, fresh cucumber notes on the palate can be found (at least for me). A lovely finish with a tad of smoke paired with pepper spice. A unique whisky I tasted with a food pairing of Roulade of Sole, charred haricot vert, "French onion" crostini almond and smoke apple. Very enjoyable. [86/100][Tasted: 1/31/16 @ Eat Mosaic]

After enjoying a fine burger and stout, decided to close the evening out with an Irish whiskey. Trumbull Kitchen had this available and felt like a good pairing. A malty chocolate sweet nose which gets sweeter the longer it opens. A faint whisp of coconut breezes around. Malty mouthfeel that delivers a thin, faint profile of vanilla, cereal and oak. The flavors fade quickly, too soon. You are left with a palate of light milk chocolate/ovaltine (be sure to drink it), oak and a skosh of black pepper spice that warms the soul. A nice and easy dram that is an improvement upon the standard. A nice light and sweet Irish whiskey. Compliments a Guiness rather well. [$39.Lit][85/100][Tasted: 1/13/16 @ Trumball Kitchen; 3/17/16; 4/1/16].