Tastes

While I like other Islays (Lagavulin, Caol Ila), I can't quite get into Ardbeg. The peat is a little too ashy, the flavor profile a bit too harsh. There is sweetness to be found, and I like aspects of the dram, but overall it is just a little too much.

Rich, opulent, tons of dried fruit (dates) and sherry, but refined with just the right amount of char/bitterness to provide balance to the whole. Very nice. The price is insane, though. You can get two Highland Park 18s for the price of one of these where I live. Not a chance.

A wonderful combination of orange marmalade, spice and honey. Interestingly, it bears very little resemblance to the Oban 14, which is more of a brine and honey profile. Instead, the Oban 18 closely tracks the NAS Little Bay, with its orange and spice flavors, with added refinement. I really enjoyed this and will look to add a bottle.

An intense nose of Christmas cake, dark fruit and alcohol. For my taste, this needs some water to tame the burn on the palate. Water dulls the nose, but brings forward heavy caramel, fruit and spice on the palate. The finish is somewhat light. Good stuff, and just about the only reasonably priced Japanese whisky. Now available in the U.S. in a full 750 ML.

Fruity, cereal nose. Sweet vanilla palate. Not bad for the price point.

Sweet fruit such as fig and raisin on nose, more sweet and the tiniest bit of smoke on palate. Expected more out of a 15 year old, but it is pleasant.

Familiar Caol Ila smoke, smoothed out with consistent sweetness that removes any alcohol bite and makes for a sweet and smoky malt front to back.

Peat on the nose of course, and then pineapple and citrus mixed with smoke on the palate. Peat lingers on the finish. To me, it tastes like Caol Ila and Ardbeg had a baby.

Peat, seaweed and brine on the nose, sweet on palate with traces of seaweed and brine, smoke on the finish. A classic and standby.

Beautiful rose color. Nice nose of fruit, floral and wine, palate not as sweet, instead it is biscuity with a short malt finish.