Tastes
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Low expectations have the advantage of leaving room for pleasant surprises, as happened with this 12-year-old Ballantine's. The nose is 'Auchentoshan + X': floral, light and fragrant with notes of tinned fruits, marzipan and soft spices. Certainly not bad for a blended Scotch! Heather honey, parsley and a spicy touch of oak dominate the palate, very 'smooth' although I hate to use the word. This whisky does not benefit from additional water. As with most blends, the finish doesn't linger and remains rather vague. Still, it is almost better than JW Black Label. RATING: 3.0/5.0 stars ≙ 80 pts → AVERAGE27.0 EUR per Bottle
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There are few Japanese whiskies I consider a true bargain in these days, but Nikka From the Barrel is one of them. Minimalist packaging, solid 51.4% ABV and the aromatic, gingery aroma with cayenne pepper, lemongrass and hints of orange peel leave a good first impression. On the palate, you get an interesting combination of Yoichi and Miyagikyo flavors: initial spiciness is followed by fruity-sweet notes until a zesty-dry bitterness emerges. The medium finish fades with restrained oak, green tea and a touch of fresh mint. Grab a bottle while you still can! RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]36.0 EUR per Bottle
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Many malt drinkers tend to overlook grain whiskies, although they can offer a nice variation in smell and taste. Kilbeggan 8-year-old is column-distilled from corn and matured in ex-bourbon casks, giving it a sweet, biscuity and slightly dusty nose. Vanilla, coconut cream and hints of lavender stick out in particular. The palate evolves sugary, aromatic and a little spirity with notes of walnuts, breakfast cereals and citrus fruits. A touch of wood spice accompanies the short finish. This is not an Irish whiskey to wax poetic about, but I have certainly tried worse. RATING: 2.7/5.0 stars ≙ 76 pts → SUBPAR [+]28.0 EUR per Bottle
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Benromach Peat Smoke 2005
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed June 13, 2018 (edited November 25, 2020)Peated non-Islay whiskies are shooting up like mushrooms in these days, but are they really worth your attention? The nose of this Benromach 'Peat Smoke' is intensely sweet, phenolic and oily with notes of spiced apple pie, anise and dried herbs. Zesty and bitter in the arrival, the taste develops with pineapple, over-brewed tea and hints of salt, all surrounded by sickly sweet honey and vegetal peatiness. After a flat and almost abrupt finish, featuring white pepper, tannins and traces of fennel, I have to admit that this expression is 'just another peated malt'. RATING: 3.4/5.0 stars ≙ 82 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [-]40.0 EUR per Bottle -
Being the first whisky to be certified 'Organic' by UK Soil Association standards, this single malt is a bit of a trend-setter. Maturation in American virgin oak casks gives this Benromach a surprising depth and complexity, which is rarely found at this young age. On the nose, I get banana, apricots and toffee with lemongrass, marshmallows and hints of fresh mint. All very sweet and spicy. Tropical fruits, green tea and even a touch of chili follow on the palate before the lingering, cask-dominated and mildly dry finish kicks in. This dram is refreshingly different! RATING: 3.9/5.0 stars ≙ 86 pts → FIRST-CLASS [-]46.0 EUR per Bottle
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Royal Lochnagar 12 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed May 28, 2018 (edited August 8, 2018)So, what have we got here? The smallest distillery of Diageo's portfolio, a royal warrant dating back to 1848, and one of the key contributors to JW Blue Label. The nose starts off with cloudy apple juice, fruit salad and maltiness before hints of caramel and sawdust creep in. More apples follow on the palate (apple puree and pie), and there is a delicate touch of oak, ginger and cloves. Easy, short but without any off-notes, the finish does not leave much of an impression. With that being said, I would still prefer Royal Lochnagar 12 over JW Blue Label at any time. RATING: 3.2/5.0 stars ≙ 81 pts → AVERAGE [+]30.0 EUR per Bottle -
Jack Daniel's Gentleman Jack
Tennessee Whiskey — Tennessee, USA
Reviewed May 15, 2018 (edited August 8, 2018)Airfix glue, here I come! Back in the mists of time, the classic Old No. 7 was my first review. Does double filtration through charcoal make this Tennessee whiskey any better? Well, the nose is less rough and almost pleasant with notes of caramelized popcorn, syrup and nail polish. Is 'diabetic' a valid descriptor? Sugary, oily and slightly minty, the taste is rather one-dimensional with fresh oak spices, the expected spiritiness and a quickly fading finish. Granted, Gentleman Jack is a step up from the basic, mass-produced Jack Daniel's - but it's a small one. RATING: 2.5/5.0 stars ≙ 74 pts → SUBPAR24.0 EUR per Bottle -
Connemara Original Peated Single Malt
Single Malt — Ireland
Reviewed May 9, 2018 (edited April 1, 2020)Irish whiskey and peat - do these two go together? Connemara's peatiness has its own style, which is distinctly different from Islay's peat bombs: it is more herbal, restrained and well-integrated. Light and floral on the nose, there is a mix of heather honey, citrus and whiffs of smoke. On the palate, the clean and peppery arrival is followed by an aromatic kick of lemon zest, bitter tea and hints of salt. The peat smoke returns in the finish, lingering on the tongue. Although slightly uneventful and simple, this malt offers a nice variation from the 'Irish theme'. RATING: 3.0/5.0 stars ≙ 80 pts → AVERAGE22.0 EUR per Bottle -
Aberlour 12 Year Double Cask Matured
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed April 30, 2018 (edited March 5, 2024)This 12-year-old Speysider appears to be the tamed version of the excellent Aberlour A'bunadh, even though it is a vatting of both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry matured whisky. Fresh, citrusy and a little bit shy at first nosing, the aroma unfolds with tropical fruits, cloves and hints of marzipan. Despite its low ABV, the taste is surprisingly strong and fruity-spicy with lots of blueberries, plums and ginger. The finish is of medium length with notes of milk chocolate, baked apple and wood tannins. An easily accessible and quite affordable single malt with character. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 83 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE37.0 EUR per Bottle -
Buffalo Trace is for bourbon what Glenfiddich 12 is for Scotch: it's reliable, widely available and does the job. On the nose, you get the usual suspects - vanilla, honey and some toffee. It's quite floral and sweet with hints of apple juice and wood glue. The taste is spicier and more peppery with vanilla cream, treacle and slightly bitter oak. Shall we say 'smooth and mellow'? Distant notes of almonds, mint and refined sugar remain in the aftertaste. This benchmark bourbon will certainly not blow your socks off, but it's both enjoyable and great value for money. RATING: 3.2/5.0 stars ≙ 81 pts → AVERAGE [+]19.0 EUR per Bottle
Results 131-140 of 238 Reviews