Tastes

The nose is all red fruit! Grilled strawberries, vanilla bean, red apples, smooth and creamy. The initial flavor is surprisingly smooth for 50% ABV. The nose is repeated on the tongue but with the addition of white pepper, chocolate covered cherry cordials, and a Connemara-like peat; not smoke but phenolic peat. The two are riding a tandem bicycle, the peat is pedaling in the back seat and the Sherry is pedaling and steering. The two are disjointed in that the two are distinct flavor a that go back and forth on the nose and tongue. Water softens the peat and sweetens the dram and brings with it oranges, of all things. Non-chill filtered, no coloring added, 50% ABV, 17 years old, picked up for $102. Welcome to the collection! 89 out of 100.

This is one of those whiskies that doesn't let you down. This is also one of those whiskies you give to your friends if you are trying to introduce them to the world of Single Malt Scotch. It has just the right balance of lemon peel, rich golden honey, notes of heather, and the aroma of fresh rain fall and lemon cleaning products (not that it is in any way chemical, just that there is a "fresh"scent to it and combined with the natural lemon scent, it reminds me of those products). This whisky is not very complex and therefore great for beginners. Likewise, the standard proof and the utter lack of anything peaty our overtly pepper make this a great whisky for beginners and pros alike.

An amazing whisky, this. The taste reminds me of chocolate covered cherry cordials. The peat is very minimal and less readable than a sea salt undercurrent. Too bad a bottle will run me over $100, because this is a keeper!