Tastes

Lagavulin 16 is among my favorite pours, so i was very intrigued to try this expression. The nose's immediate sensation is a potent mix of campfire smoke, barbeque, bacon, and sea salt - classic Islay peat monster - but give it a bit and the sherry notes come through. Palate is quite complex, while at the same time more mellow than the 16. Oak, tobacco, sea salt, grass and other pungent flavors merge with citrus, cinnamon, and dried fruit. It takes a while to unpack. The finish is where the sherry cask finishing really shows itself: a mix of sherry and dried fruit with significant peatiness that seems to linger forever. This is a very complex whisky that seasoned drinkers will not tire of u packing. It's a different enough experience from the smokier and more bombastic 16 to warrant keeping both around. It's gentler and less peaty, while still packing enough of that signature smoke and heaviness to keep Lagavulin fans happy. Picture this as Lagavulin's unplugged album. Outstanding.

One of the most interesting whiskies I've sipped. Nose has strong vanilla notes, initially presenting as a bourbon. Give it a few more whiffs and you'll smell some apples and pears, more like a sherry-aged single malt...which is exactly what you get on the palate. There is a bit of that syrupy bourbon flavor with lots of baking spices at first, but those fade quickly in favor of pears, apple pie, sherry, and butterscotch. Finish doesn't change much from the palate but it lingers a while and is pleasant. Its sophisticated and subtle. Do NOT go into it expecting a bourbon, because it isn't, or expecting an intense barrel-proof palate bomb, because it isn't that either. But as someone who loves both bourbon and scotch, this is an intriguing blend of key characteristics of each - and makes for a very pleasant sip too. Well done.

Another very good whiskey from a team that's nailed blending some very good whiskey at this point. Nose is an interesting mixture of vanilla, black cherries, and a little cinnamon. This full-throated whiskey hits the palate with a rush of flavor and some heat, though its pretty docile by barrel proof standards. Rich, thick mouthfeel and notes of baking spices, vanilla, cereal, cinnamon and butterscotch, with just a hint of the cherry I smelled on the nose. The drier and spicier notes linger a while on the finish. Overall this didn't floor me like some prior releases I've tried, but it's a refined and rich-tasting sip worth it's MSRP.

Very solid rye for the money. Nose contains vanilla, molasses, baking spices and oak. The palate is very pleasant, especially for a reasonably priced rye. Vanilla and baking spices stick around, with notes of cinnamon, oak, licorice, and a savory finish (fresh rye bread?) that carries into the finish. The finish itself isn't particularly impressive but a nice combo of vanilla and savory flavors linger. This might benefit if bottled at a higher proof point, but overall its a great sipper or cocktail base at a very attractive price point.

Was worried this wouldn't match prior ECBP releases based on reviews I'd read. Happily I was wrong! Nose has plenty of heat at first, but let it breathe and adjust your senses. You'll find it full of apple cider, rich vanilla, cloves, fresh oak and cherries. Palate is viscous and chewy, and it pretty much tastes like it smells: caramel, cinnamon buns, hot cider, honey, a little chocolate. Long, dense finish is flush with honey, vanilla, and caramel, with lots of oak and spices to avoid leaving too sweet a taste in your mouth. The whole process is remarkably consistent, yet complex. Distiller's review got one thing right - it tastes like fall, in the best possible way. Does it top some prior releases? Probably not, but its damn close. 100% worth a buy.

Spicier and more savory than mainline Maker's. Nose is very pleasant. Lots of vanilla, plus some chocolate and a pinch of cinnamon. Palate is spicy and oaky, not as sweet as the nose would have you believe, but tasty nonetheless. You'll find toasted oak, baking spices, savory pastries and a little vanilla. Finish is weakest part, as it thins out quickly. Oak and cinnamon bread noted. A good sipper that also works great in cocktails, as its spicier side balances sweeter ingredients. Cask Strength version could be very interesting. Worth the modest premium over standard Maker's - it's not as sweet or easy-sipping, but it is more complex.

King of the Johnnies. Glad to see this dram back after its hiatus a few years ago. It's lost none of its goodness. Nose is rich and complex. There's less peat smoke than other Johnnie blends, and it's pretty fruit-forward: apples, pears, cherries and the like. Let it breathe a bit and a wonderful new layer appears: sugary roasted almonds, a pinch of pipe tobacco, baking spices. And yep, the smoke is still there, but it's more firewood and less coastal peat. It's like a house at Christmas with dessert in the oven and a fire going in the living room. Palate is also complex, requiring some time to unpack. Honey, citrus fruits, sherry, pears are immediately noticeable, but there's a savory element underneath: warm bread, tobacco, a hint of oak. Finish is less impressive than the rest, but lingers with almonds, pecans, grains and more tobacco, but there's a pinch of sweetness: vanilla or honey, perhaps? The entire experience is delicious, the flavors well-balanced - its neither a peat beast or sherry bomb or fruity dessert dram, and doesn't try to be - its all, and none. The Talisker juice JW included here is noticeable, though there's less peat smoke. Looking forward to more time with this one!

A solid, refined whiskey. Nose is vanilla, sugar and a hint of cherry. Palate is light and a bit spicy: more vanilla, cookies, a touch of honey, cereal, oak, a little rye spice. Weak finish is only real downside - no real final act in terms of flavor. Overall it's pleasant and easy to sip. Look elsewhere if you want a barrel-proof flavor blitz. Could stand to be aged longer, I suspect. Doesn't quite meet the hype, but still a tasty smooth sipper.

It may be known in the general public as Ron Swanson's "nectar of the gods", but this is one pop culture phenom that meets the hype. Nose is a pungent mix of peat smoke, sea salt, brine, leather, berries, and dark chocolate. Palate is oily and heavily peated but also so much more: cherries, chocolate truffles, pears, cigar tobacco, BBQ brisket, baking spice...each sip seems to bring something new. The finish is long and smoky, with just enough sweet dessert-like undertones to balance it out. This is a heavy, smoky beast that will put hair on your chest, yet also wonderfully complex. Nectar of the gods, indeed.

Yum. A dark, rich, full-bodied bourbon that makes for an interesting pour. Nose is heavy on the cherries, vanilla, cinnamon, dark chocolate and baking spices. Those flavors carry over to the palate, along with a deliciously dense, viscous mouthfeel. And is that some brown sugar and creme brulee sneaking in? Finish lasts a good while. Would love to spend more time with it. Worth grabbing at anywhere close to MSRP or even 2x - its that good.