Tastes

Nose has an earthy base that is malty that contains notes of honey, lemon, floral, faint whispers of peat, which leaves impressions of damp leaves, with a slight amount of vanilla. A thin, diluted, soft body that contains honey and iodine and is slightly phenolic. It has a finish that is medium short that lingers in the front. The honey sweetness dissolves to black pepper and leaves the palate ashy and bitter, like smoking a cheap cigar. The addition of water opens more floral and honey tones but mutes the peat however the peat is more pronounced in the mouth. Finish is shorter and more balanced. Preferrable with a splash of water. This is a dram that doesn't know what it wants to be: a young Speysider that is wishing to be an Islay. This is not a bad dram and is priced extremely fair. [84/82/100]. [Revisited: 4/17/15]. [Revisited: 5/23/15; 11/22/17].

Nose is soft, almost no aroma. Hints of sweet rye or leather. Bitter and sweet and spicy. This spirit is better over ice or mixed.

A light nose of vanilla, honey, toffee and a hint of orange. As it breathes, a small amount of smoke and salt or brine arrive. Texture is soft and creamy. Oak tannins dry the palate gradually building a mild, evenly dispersed burn. But as fast as it comes on, it ebbs as quick. Medium to short finish leaving a pleasing, dry, oaky palate. Tops of the Johnnie Walker family. Better than some single malts I have tasted. Very well balanced and satisfying. As it has been generally asked, how does discontinuing something crafted well make sense? JWG, I barely got to know you, but glad we met [$49].

Nose has a peat and honey sweetness. Rich, slightly oily texture which slowly grows to a bite. The peaty oak taste comes out on the finish leaving the palate with smoke, tar, vanilla, honey mixed with spicy black pepper. A balanced, well-blended malt with a slight sophistication of a single malt. Johnnie Walker has always been a favorite and was the gateway scotch the started me on my quest. [85/100]. [Opened: Always]

Nose is sweet of vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon and corn. Light on the palate with black pepper spice, vanilla extract and leather. A strong bite on tongue afterwards. Medium length finish with charcoal flavors and pepper. A dryness and bitterness remain along with oak and molasses. A splash of water opens the sweetness and diminishes the bite and bitterness. This is much better over ice or with water. Decent and better than most bourbons and at a reasonable price. [85/100]. [Revisted: 2/1/15]

Practically clear in color disguises the sweet, cool, peaty-smoke which dominates, with menthol, sea salt, honey sweetness; all perfectly blended and that's just on the nose. Cigar tobacco and the honey sweetness arrive immediately on the palate that is slightly oily in texture. Oak arrives soon after with hints of white pepper. A strong bite singes the tongue but quickly dissipates with a moment of bitterness. A sweet and smokey finish, with a hint of iodine, leaves the mouth salivating for another sip. The addition of water thins the the body and subdues the burn. Preferable without water, in its natural environment. A smoke lovers dram. [$49][90/100] [Revisited: 1/24/15; 11/14/15]

Nose is light and sweet with vanilla, honey, salt, mixed nuts and orange marmalade with a touch of smoke. The sweetness needs some time to appear, but it does. Rich, creamy texture. Cinnamon spice and brown sugar or caramel arrive on the palate. Hint of smoke and iodine. The black pepper spice is late on arrival and is all over as well as dried nuts. As it fades, drying oak tannins and the carmelized-brown sugar remain on the palate. Dry and sweet long finish. This dram has a wonderful balance of sweetness, dryness, smoke and spice. A great dram at a good price. Always a favorite. [Dry Glass: Damp hay and butterscotch] [88/100][Revisited 9/13/14; 5/30/15; 3/13/16; 10/30/16]

Strong warm banana nut bread with vanilla and white fruit nose. As it arrives on the palate, honey sweet and caramel and nutty flavors from the sherry are contained within a light body. A medium long finish of brown sugar remain and ground cinnamon invite you to enjoy more of the Irish. A top notch sweet Irish whiskey at a respectable price. Easy to sip. Better to enjoy with company. Get a bottle if you can find it. [$44; $55][92/100]. [Opened 3/17/2014]. [Revisited: 2/15/15 - with good friends and family;11/22/15]

Nose is sweet and lots of vanilla. Some smoke or peat. Pleasant, even almost safe. Slight burn to the palette. Creamy, medium body. Short, bitter finish with oak, vanilla and smoke. A nice and easy dram. Very enjoyable when you want to sit back and enjoy. [$45]

Brown sugar and floral nose that is inviting, light and fresh. Light on the palate. Caramel, toffee, vanilla with a hint of fruit. and strong vanilla. As it gently dissipates, your palate is left with a dash of pepper, a hint of honey and green apple. This is better then I recall from my original review (what up with that?). This is how baseline Glenlivet should be: clean, fresh and natural. [$78][89/100]. [Tasted 3/1/2014 @ NYY Steakhouse]. [Revisited: 3/5/2015 @ Trumbull Kitchen]