Tastes

Highland Park's excessive abuse of the Nordic mythology is really putting me off. However, let's review the old HP18, not the Edrington marketing dept. Very dense and round, the nose unfolds with orange peel, creamy toffee and subtle peat smoke. Apricots, heather honey and cloves emerge from the back. After a sweet and sour arrival, the palate develops with a complex array of flavors. Dried fruits, spices and oak take turns with ginger, mint and hints of coffee. Slightly dry and ashy, the medium finish fades. This great malt doesn't need any Viking BS! RATING: 4.2/5.0 stars ≙ 89 pts → FIRST-CLASS [+]

If you frolic in the garden of eccentrics and oddballs, then Säntis Malt Dreifaltigkeit is an obvious 'must try'. Heavily peated and matured in old beer casks, this Swiss obscurity would scare off any vegetarian. An onslaught of smoky, meaty and fatty aromas dominates the nose, ranging from bacon and BBQ sauce to kippers and burned matches. On the palate, notes of hops, Guinness and bitter herbs wrestle with the thick peat blanket. Salmiak, Jamón and a touch of soap mark the intense aftertaste. A unique flavor bomb that you will either love or hate. RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]

We do not want to become a malt snob, do we? Never lose appreciation of a simple but honest classic! Known as 'the honey malt', Dalwhinnie 15 is a great choice for beginners to set out on their whisky journey. Notes of heather, green pears and barley sugar complement the honeyed aroma. After a sweet, rich and full-bodied arrival, spices build up quickly with a mildly dry and bitter edge, but well-measured. The aftertaste is gentle, citric and wood-driven with hints of cinnamon and apple juice. A characterful Highlander which should not be overlooked! RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

It's budget week, so let's review this entry-level bottling from Jim Beam. The nose is fairly tame for a rye, in fact it appears more like a rye-heavy bourbon. Intense sweetness, cinnamon and furniture polish mash up with fresh oak, orange jam and hints of licorice. Simple but pleasant, I would say. Almost like the gates of hell opening, the palate is hot, burning and merciless. Turpentine, fermented apples and a clash of sweet and spicy notes lead into a woody and thankfully short finish. Probably a suitable bottle for Manhattan cocktails, but not the Glencairn. RATING: 2.2/5.0 stars ≙ 65 pts → INFERIOR [+]

When Billy Walker said in an interview that 'running GlenAllachie is fun', he caught my interest. Can you have a better motivation? With its selection of PX, Oloroso and virgin casks, the 12-year-old expression offers a busy nose. Fruity acidity, butterscotch and shortbread are followed by cinnamon, clay and fresh mint. Full-bodied, peppery and slightly mineral, the taste features banana, sage and hints of mocha. After Eights, citrus zest and jelly babies accompany the cask-dominated finish. There are no shortcuts to quality, and this malt is ticking all the boxes. RATING: 3.9/5.0 stars ≙ 86 pts → FIRST-CLASS [-]

In Kyoto, you can buy the most exquisite green tea cookies on this planet: quality ingredients, perfectly composed, but utterly expensive. The same applies to Hibiki 21. On the nose, papaya, kiwi and subtle hints of soot mix with sandalwood, dried herbs and incense. Like a roller coaster, the taste catapults you through the flavor wheel: juicy, fruity, spicy and floral, intense and rounded, this blend sparkles like a diamond. Mizunara, icing sugar, and, I kid you not, green tea cookies with white chocolate crown the slowly fading finish. A world-class whisky! RATING: 4.5/5.0 stars ≙ 91 pts → SUPERB

Prejudices can be a tricky thing. An overpriced NAS Auchentoshan - this 'Solera' can't be good! Well, it is. Finished in PX casks and bottled at 48% ABV, the nose of this Lowlander is delightful, complex and layered. Dark fruits, Christmas spices and white chocolate harmonize with rosewater, orange peel and hints of thyme. On the palate, the flavors shift to stone fruits, mild pepper and quality wood, and there is an herbal edge with mint, coffee and walnuts migrating into the medium-length finish. I thank the 'Toshan Man' for recommending this treat! RATING: 4.2/5.0 stars ≙ 89 pts → FIRST-CLASS [+]

Sourced from an undisclosed Kildalton distillery, this Cadenhead's malt presumably is one of the rare independent bottlings of Lagavulin. Mineral peat smoke, oysters and coal tar take you swiftly to Islay, with notes of pine needles, anise and seaweed emerging from the background. An impressive nose for a 7-year-old whisky! Raw and pungent, the arrival hits the palate with a wave of peat. Dry citrus, honey and bitter resin follow closely behind, leading to a prolonged, briny and slightly rough finish. This is 'Big Peat on steroids' and a silver bullet against colds. RATING: 3.9/5.0 stars ≙ 86 pts → FIRST-CLASS [-]

Did you ever try new-make? After 11 years in a lazy refill cask, this independent bottling of Old Pulteney remains utterly spirit-driven. Clean, light and very citrusy, the aroma starts with cereals, sour grapes and mint leaf before subtle notes of yeast, white fish and salt emerge. The arrival is crisp, herbal and sparkling, followed by unripe pears, honey and distant tannins in the development. Not very complex, but enjoyable. Over-brewed tea, lemongrass and Ika Mata accompany the minty-fresh aftertaste. This single malt would make a great toothpaste! RATING: 3.4/5.0 stars ≙ 82 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [-]

Located at the foothills of the Japanese Alps, Suntory’s second distillery has always stood in the shadow of Yamazaki. Not surprisingly, Hakushu 18 attempts to be a bit like his famous brother. Notes of sherry subdue floral freshness and whiffs of smoke, and the nose unfolds beautifully with unripe papaya, incense and a touch of plum wine. Rich and intense, the taste combines fruity, herbal and spicy flavors with just a hint of peat. Lingering spices, licorice and re-emerging freshness characterize the semidry finish. A worthy silver medal for a fine dram! RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 88 pts → FIRST-CLASS