Tastes

Kisoyama Yuhi, bevmo exclusive I believe. Japanese whisky. 40% abv, no age listed, might be a 3 year minimum. Bottled in Japan (interpreting label). Aroma: peaty, smoky, scotch-like Taste: peaty, only minimal sweetness, smoky, minor spice/astringency on the back end. But overall it has a great flavor, might be a little overpriced. This was a gift from my wife but it was around 49-50 dollars. Grade: B/B+

Clan MacGregor Blended Scotch, 40% abv. Aged 3 years (the minimum). Made in Scotland, imported and bottled in the US by Alexander MacGregor&Co. (Edison, New Jersey). Found this in glass (1 liter) on Catalina Island. Normally I only see it in the big plastic 1.75L's. Aroma: odd notes, minor sweetness/sherry, grainy, not much aroma. Taste: moderate to high sweetness/sherry note, grainy, minor oak notes, minor spice finish, very smooth, has a generic scotch flavor. Taste better than it smells, no major off notes. The flavor is not the boldest, biggest, or longest lasting. Its an average/high average cheap scotch. My go to liquor store has this for 16 dollars for a plastic 1.75L. Cost: ~15 plus tax (1 liter) Grade: C+

Hunt and Gather Lot #2 This is a 15 year old Canadian Whisky. High corn mash bill. Barrel proof 60.5%. Bevmo find for 40 bucks (one day deal). Whisky is sourced and bottled by latitude beverage in Rumford, Rhode Island. Non-chill filtered. Wooden top with synthetic cork. Aroma: grainy, corn Taste: minor to medium spice, taste similar to aroma, minor typical Canadian whisky taste. Medium/thick oily body. Minor sweetness. Super smooth. I was expecting a better taste. It is okay/average overall. Sampled August of last year. Grade: C

Cown Royal Noble Collection Rye (16 year) The 2020 release of the noble collection, this being a 16 year old rye. 45% abv, possible bottled in Canada. Aged in charred white oak, 90% rye. Aroma: bourbon like, rye, spicy, cork smells of fennel seeds/rye bread. Taste: medium body, moderate spice (neat), more subdued on the rocks, very light sweetness, over time it becomes more fruity, a lot of charred oak flavor. This is a solid offering from crown Royal. I was expecting this rye to be a little bolder/complex but without any expectations it is still a very solid/good whisky especially if you can find it around 70. Cost: around 65 to 75 plus tax from my recollection Grade: B+

Benjamin Chapman Abv: 45%, age: minimum 7 years Imported then bottled in Indio, CA by 3 badge beverage. Blend of 51% ten year Canadian rye (pot still) aged in white oak with some char, 49% seven year Canadian prairie wheat (triple column still) aged in American oak. Aroma: fruity, candy/butterscotch, some spice, vanilla, cinnamon, no off notes Taste: Minor to medium spice, a lot more spice neat. Very grainy, minor sweetness, a little bit oaky on the back end/aftertaste. Gets a little sweeter over time. After a little more time, the taste turns more one note and less enjoyable. Medium body, very smooth. Overall it was a average/somewhat decent whisky. Cost: 36.99 plus tax for a 750 ml bottle Grade: C+/B-

Hye-Land 43% abv. 12 year old Armenian Whisky Aged in Armenian Oak and finished in brandy barrels. "Small batch single malt". Distilled and bottled in Armenia. Aroma: fruity and sweet Taste: fruity, brandy like, sweet, very minor oak in aftertaste, sweet finish, no off aromas or flavors, just doesn't taste much like whisky. Very smooth, easy sipper on the rocks. Definitely will revisit one day. Cost: gift Grade: B-

Crown Royal XO 40% abv. No age listed, minimum 3 years. Finished in cognac casks. Aroma: sweetness, fruity Taste: sweet, fruity, dark fruits, brandy/cognac notes on the back end, minor grains, minor spice, minor barrel notes at the back end. Brandy/cognac like aftertaste lingers, medium body. Overall a solid/good whisky but nothing spectacular/extraordinary. It is worth a try if you can find it below $50. I may revisit this one in the future. Cost: $44.99 plus tax for a 750ml Grade: B

Crown Royal Reserve 40% abv., no age statement, minimum is 3 years, said to be aged longer than regular crown. Plastic cap on a nice looking bottle. Aroma: minor to moderate sweetness, some rye notes, fruity/apples, faint oak Taste: moderate body, a little slick, minor oak on the back end, astringent, grainy, minor to moderate spice, maybe some minor char notes, a little brown sugar but less sweetness compared to regular crown. Overall I as expecting better from this whisky. But it has some astringency to it, minor odd notes with some decent notes, it was lacking complexity, boldness, and flavor in some areas. I could have gotten a bad bottle by chance and this one is hard to find. So I'm not sure if I will revisit. Overall it was high average at best from my sample. Cost: $39.99 plus tax for a 750 ml bottle Grade: C/C+

Mr. Whiskey 40% abv. No age listed, minimum is 3 years. I believe it is bottled in Ireland. Aged in bourbon barrels, IPA cask finish. Aroma: fruity, green apples, bourbon like Taste: fruity, green apples, light to medium sweetness, oak finish. Overall this is a decent/good whisky, but on the lower end of good. I had this a few years back and may revisit to elaborate further. I would recommend a try if you can find it under 25 bucks. Cost: $21.95+tax for a 750ml bottle Grade: B-

Crown Royal Black 45% abv. Min. age: 3 years. I believe made/bottled in Canada. then imported into Norwalk, Connecticut (Diageo). Aged in heavily charred oak barrels. Aroma: very light, fruity, minor oak, a little bourbon like Taste: minor spice, heavy charred note on the back end, minor lingering char finish. Light to medium sweetness up front. Minor bourbon notes, mellows out over time. Very smooth, light to medium body. Overall its a decent/good whisky but I expected a little more flavor and a bolder profile. Cost: 26.95 plus tax for a 750 ml. Grade: B-