Tastes

Surprised on the mark for this one as I quite enjoyed this one. Lovely gentle smoke and peat on the first few sips, later I found it so bright and fresh, floral and citrus. Added a touch of water and the citrus plus ripe bananas came out. The smoke and peat stick with you for the long run.

Slight smoke, burnt caramel, hay and musty malt/earthiness on the nose. Taste: you get the Islay casks immediately on the first sip, don’t expect a big Islay dram but it’s present. I found some sweet smokey peat, wood tannins, fades to a dry slight sourness. 50%ABV doesn’t blow your top surprisingly but certainly nice, I added a bit of water after tasting at full proof. The water seems to have lightened up the sweetness. Don’t expect this to have the Islay boldness. It’s not Lagavulin or Ardbeg and it’s not trying to be.

Crisp tart apples, whiff of a baked apple pastry. Some honey and vanilla and chocolate almonds. Juicy, little spice at first, with a long and dry tart finish. For what would seem a basic sipper has a bit more to offer. Unfortunately the version I have is 40%ABV, would have liked to try this at a little higher.

charred smoke, sweaty wool socks, fruit, honey and sweet malty goodness. Good viscous mouth coat, long lingering dry smokiness.

Quite enjoyed this one. All the good aspects of a Speyside with apples, vanilla and honey with a campfire smoke that isn't overbearing but noticable. 46%ABV from first fill bourbon casks, non chill filter and no added color. It's been done properly.

"it burns", "it's not smooth" and "it's too spicy". C'mon people! It's whisky, not chocolate milk. A great bourbon IMO. 47%ABV so you can chill it with a little ice and not kill it entirely. Nose: I get some vanilla cream/root beer, spice cake and a bit of brown sugar. Palate: medium length dry wood finish. Cinnapepper? If that is a thing. This is my second bottle and I'd buy a third.

This is from just a neck pour. I could nose this for days, it's an adventure. Sherry, sweet citrus and floral honey, chocolate, dried fruit spice cake. Tasting: At first I thought the spice was from the 46%ABV, but it's not an alcohol burn. It comes in strong at first, then settles down. Somewhat dry at the end. Mouth feel seemed thin to me. Dont get me wrong, this is a great whisky but when you nose this it sets you up for something older and sherry dominant. So surprising when it's light and spicy. A Distiller score of 94? Take it for what it is but it seems high to me.

Sherry, a little more sherry plus a hint of sherry. Coats the mouth nicely, sweet and salty toffee. Finishes fruity, short dry sourness.

Nose is sherry, fruity and some slight sulphur. Taste comes in fast and plentiful. It's spicy chocolate with rich dried fruits. Long dry finish. Nearly a year later: Nose-fresh rich red fruits with some spice. Taste-bright sherry, seems thin but still feels oily. Lots of spice, pepper and Christmas. Dry finish, watered down sherry lingers quite awhile. Enjoyable, would buy again.

An absolute treat, the nose is more like an older whisky. It has so much going on, the sherry is right up front. Rich vanilla, dark dried fruits but not overbearing. I don't pick up the smoke, maybe after the bottle gets some oxidation. Non chill filter but doesn't say if it's had color added, pretty dark. 57%ABV at 10 years. A winner in my books.