Tastes

Wheat, caramel, corn are the main aromas. Arrives on the palate light and sweet and soft. Leaves the palate with hints of black pepper and oak. Easy sipping for the hot summer days. Simple and easy. A decent dram. [85/100][Tasted: 8/12/15]

As another Sunday closes out on this warm summer evening (and now bitter cold winter), I thought it would be a good time to open this bottle while listening to some country music by the pool/fire. Soft, fruity nose of ripe, sweet pears with hints of apricot, honey, lemon citrus with and floral notes. A sweet potpourri of aromas. As it arrives, you are delivered,on a soft palate, an initial wave of brown sugar. As the brown sugar diminishes, white pepper and a skosh of cherry are present. It finally departs leaving the mouth with a quick burn giving way to spice and lemon zest. Over time, this whisky becomes wonderfully sweeter; as if a teaspoon of sugar was stirred in. A beautiful, soft dram that is made for a warm and lazy summer/cold winter, with all the elements of a summers day. Wonderful. [89/100][Opened: 7/12/15; 2/14/16]

A sweet and hot dram (hot from the alcohol) with the rye spiciness. Notes are sparse and need to examine further. [Tasted: 7/10/15]

Caramel sweet and fruity nose (apricot). It arrives hard (the young) but then mellows out (the old) but trying to counter each other. Finishes spicy and oaky. A decent dram at a respectable price. A cube or two would be perfect for this whiskey. [83/100][Tasted: 7/10/15]

On first nosing, I sensed a rubber-cement or glue adhesive quality and very little else. On arrival, pepper, rye with the corn sweetness. The palate was rewarded where the nose was not. Two different sensations that confuse. As you continue, the soft texture with the sweetness and rye finishes slightly oaky. Overall, a decent whiskey. However, my sampling was small and need to revisit. I am unsure if it is worthy of an $80+ price tag, but definitely worth a try. [87/100][Tasted: 7/10/15].

Nose, similar to Jack Daniels, is dominated by banana as well as vanilla. Sweet caramel on the palate with some oak. Slightly spicy finish from the rye notes. Tasted from a sample and need to revisit. [84/100][Tasted: 7/10/15]

Floral, honey, lemon, tea notes in the nose. Soft, light and fresh. When it arrives and develops on the palate, sweet tea and honey dominant on a soft and creamy palate. As it finishes, the palate is left with a hint of oak and white pepper and almonds. I am actually surprised by the quality of this blend and disappointed I have not come across this sooner. Easy sipping for an everyday go to whisky. [85/100][Tasted: 6/21/15]

A nose of maple syrup and honey. A soft palate of sherry, toffee and chocolate. Finishes sweet with a hint of white pepper. [Tasted: 6/17/15]

Re-review: Poured the sample I have from @Generously_Paul. It has been some time I have had this (still have an opened bottle somewhere) and sat down to re-enjoy this whisky. The immediate nose is smoked pears. As it opens, a maritime fall breeze comes forth. As does some damp seaweed, Iodine and lemon zest. Smoke and tar are the major players on the palate supported by butterscotch and black pepper and lemon oil and minor appearance from apricot and a dash of sea salt. This finishes spicy hot with lemon, charcoal and a citrusy bitterness that’s long lasting as slightly drying. A nice smokey whisky that is easily accessible and affordable. Good levels of smokey and sweetness that any Islay or peathead will always enjoy. [88/100][Tasted: 2/10/18] ————————————- Grilling ribs and chicken with my family and enjoying this dram. Sweet smoke is immediately revealed on the nose with faint notes of glazed ham. As it sits and opens, the sweeter side of the dram unveiles itself. Hints of maritime/beach, white fruit (pears or apple) enticing you to sip. A slightly oily and full body, smoke, black pepper, honeyed-tea and lemon zest all well balanced that play well together. The finish leaves the palate with that good cigar aftertaste with vanilla and brown sugar with a dash of beach salt. This is an excellent, smokey/peaty dram that is light (comparatively to the other Islay's). If you want a smokey summer whisky, this may be the one. [$62][89/100][Opened:5/31/15]

Toffee notes dominant with floral and a small amount of pineapple that arrive and strengthen as it opens. A creamy palate reveals the sweet toffee and milk chocolate (think Heath Bar) and fruit. As it finishes, the spicy characteristics begin to be revealed with a hint of tobacco,leaving the palate sweet and spicy. A good, straight forward, sweet whiskey that may be perfect to complete an after deal meal or a good cigar. [$36][85/100][Tasted: 5/31/15;2/28/16]