Tastes

Whisky on the Hudson 9/18/2014 : Opens on the nose as light and floral with cereal notes. Creamy texture that's slightly sweet and fruity. I need to try with water or over ice. A descent dram and better than most Irish whiskey.

Whisky on the Hudson 9/18/2014 : Light lemon and honey nose and that carries over onto the palate. Medium light body that finishes oaky with drying tannins. This is a good everyday dram. Not dynamic or flashy.

Whisky on the Hudson 9/18/2014 : Citrus and pepper on the nose. Creamy texture with the pepper spice on the palate. Medium length black peppery finish. This would be good over ice or as a mix. I enjoyed their 'American Whiskey' spirit which I will add a review when that becomes available on this site.

Whisky on the Hudson 9/18/2014 : Fruity, citrusy (grapefruit?) and vanilla. Extremely light or thin on the palate with the sweetness. So light, in fact, that it gives the impression of being watered down, but it's not. Perfect for summer sipping on those hot, humid days. Great for introducing someone to scotch. Simple, easy and enjoyable. Next beach house scotch? Maybe. [$59]

Good whisky, good conversation with business associate with Cohiba's and this 18 year old. A light, sweet nose with a touch of peat and floral. Lacks the signature peat of Laphroaig. That sweetness carries onto the palate with a hint of oak and drying tannins. Very little smoke. Extremely well balanced and enjoyable. The maturity has tamed the younger version making this a easy sipping Laphroig. [90/100][Whisky on the Hudson 9/18/14; Houston 7/14/16]

Received this as a Christmas gift. Light, floral nose with hints of vanilla. A faint amount of honey sweetness, but you have to "dig" and be patient to find it. Oak jumps out immediately on the palate. Light in texture. That small amount of honey sweetness found on the nose can be found on the palate. Little to almost no tongue burn. Those flavors remain very well balanced throughout the palate from start to finish, which is unfortunately short. This a good dram. Mature in some way. No surprises, which is a surprise. Is it worth the price? Maybe not. If received as a gift, it tastes that much better. It definitely opens conversation when it's presented. I like to keep this for those extremely special occasions.

The malt is strong with this one (weak Star Wars reference) as is honey or butterscotch sweetness on the nose. The honey nose intensifies the longer it breathes. Faint floral and lemon citrus and leather are in the background. Reminds me of an warm April day. The honey sweetness continues on the palate through its soft and rich body. Oak tannins take over when the sweetness fades. Tongue burn comes on very late but and gradually fades. A pleasant oaky, dry and spicy finish remains on the palate which sets the table for the sweetness of the next sip. Water reduces the sweetness, increasing the oak dryness and softens the bite; rounds out. I prefer this neat or a tiny amount of water. Overall, a nice, easy, enjoyable dram and, bottled at a 48%, is a nice and easy sipper. Not overly complicated. Perfect when you are in need of a small dose of simplicity. [$53][88/100][Opened 9/6/2014; 12/30/15]

On a lazy Sunday before Labor Day, kicking back cooking some ribs with family with a 'Storm' starting to roll in. Light, sweet honey nose with an extremely faint amount of smoke and salt. Medium body on the palate. Toffee and honey sweetness partnered with strong burn on the tongue. The sweetness and burn slowly dissipate leaving a brown sugar sweetness with some spice with a medium-length finish. Very similar to 10, but without the prevelant peatiness on the nose. Also slightly less complex than the 10, but very enjoyable. Water mutes the nose, tames the bite and the sweetness. Better neat. I prefer the 10yo, but this is a very good dram. The young characteristics dominant the finish with spice and bite. Let it breathe and the sweeter characteristics of brown sugar become pronounced and the spiciness subdued. [Dry Glass: Toffee][$39][87/100][Opened 8/31/14][Revisited: 8/1/15]

Tasted 8/23/2014 : Vanilla, corn sweetness on the nose, similar to of Makers or Weller with a banana note in the background. Bite upfront but with minimal flavor. Somewhat bland and bitter. Over ice, the vanilla sweetness comes out and tames the harshness. Better with ice or water.

Tasted 8/23/2014@ Rod N Reel : Enjoying with family in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. Nose of sweet maple syrup on pancakes. Light and smooth on the palate with mild burn. Maple-honey sweetness and vanilla all around. Finish is wonderfully long. Well balanced. Perfect with friends on a cool, crisp fall day. Just wish I had a cigar with me.