Tastes

Tastes like a mature green apple Jolly Rancher. I keep expecting to pick out peat in this, but I don't ever find it. Update: coming back to this after having American whiskies almost exclusively for the last several months, I'm now picking up a smidge of peat, more on the nose than palate. Apple still there, orange, and milk chocolate on the nose. The palate is full of honey, apple, light sweetness.

This was my gateway to peat, and for that it holds a special place. Revisiting a year since my last taste, I still enjoy it but I can see how my palate has changed, or it's not quite as good since the rebrand as others have suggested. Also, I'm not a fan of the kitschy marketing, a little over-the-top I think.

Decent for under $20

Adding notes here, as I had previously only given a rating. Also comparing to Arran Sauternes finish. Like the Arran/Glenmo port finish comparison, the nose of the Glenmo comes across as older, but also more sour. The Arran is brighter, fruitier, but more pleasant. The palate of the Glen also shows more age, more malty, and a slightly thicker feel. The palate of the Arran continues from the nose with more fresh fruit, cleaner. The sourness of the Glenmo stands out in the comparison. I'd take the Arran on the nose, palate, and finish. Still quite good, and at the price of $50 locally, I think it's a good value, but in this case I believe the upcharge for the Arran is warranted.

Great for the price. Update: this was tasted and rated pretty early in my experience tasting whiskey. 2+ years later, this holds up quite well and continues to be an incredible value. 14 year age statement, bottled at 46% ABV. It’s said to be NCF and no color added, but I don’t see that noted on the bottle. Reminds me a bit of Edradour 10 year, with a berry/cherry, nutty, although less earthy profile. I realize this is port-finished versus oloroso sherry finished, but it tastes similar, although creamier, with more fruit. This seems to have a little more vanilla sweetness. It’s a really enjoyable dram and a great value. Now priced $2 more than it was 2 years ago.

Such a well-rounded peated whisky. The peat is balanced by vanilla, berry, salt, and oak. I think it would be an all-time great if it was bottled at a few higher percentage points. I just want the flavors to be a little bigger, fuller. It just comes across as slightly too thin. Still, it's a classic, and still very good. 4.25 stars.

A scotch staple for me. It's the scotch that got me interested in scotch. I really enjoy the floral note in this one.

On the nose charred lemon, ash, candied orange, mostly citrus and smoke for me. Maybe a pinch of salt. Coming back to the nose after a taste, there appears some pastry-like sweetness. Cinnamon and sugar. The palate seems richer, sweeter, and more aggressive than the nose lets on. Confectionery sweetness, vanilla, balanced with smoke/ash. Meaty, bacon maybe. A little of the citrus from the nose. There’s a smidge of brine, but it’s much more smoky compared to Laphroaig’s briny, medicinal, iodine. I prefer the Laphroaig profile, but find this to be great also. I wish Laphroaig didn’t chill filter and would bottle at 46%, so Ardbeg wins on those points. After having tried a number of Ardbeg’s other offerings and special releases, I’m refreshed to find that their core 10-year is nearly as good as about any of their others (in some cases clearly better), and still priced at only $50. Honestly, when the next overpriced marketing gimmick comes out, save your money and just buy the 10.