Tastes

Disclaimer: this is for Exclusive Grain 10 yr old rum finished Girvan. Oh no. This one was a tough one to deal with all around. I got the same sawdust notes that Lee did, along with rubbing alcohol and a slight note to let me know the rum cask is there. The palate reminded me of what drinking Pledge or Pine Sol might be like. Medicinal notes, but not not the nice TCP/Iodine ones. Heavy oak, and reminded me of why I don't like drinking bourbon. There is some redeeming vanilla and sweet notes there, but the alcohol burn just annihilates the pleasantries. I love the band, but this is like "March of the Pigs" by Nine Inch Nails. Thanks for the chance to try the distillery Pranay. Maybe grain whisky is just not my thing.

Now we're talking! The nose on this is a beautifully cooked perfect hot apple cheese danish straight from the oven. The palate is even better with french vanilla with an apple turnover filled with nutmeg and cinnamon. Oh man. This finish is kick ass and the apples are lingering and jumping all over the place with spice. It's damn near perfect. Salute Pranay, this one is a killer that's deserving of a majestic, or regal song. I am thinking "In the Court of the Crimson King" by King Crimson. 4.75, almost a 5!

This is an example of things not being what they seem. The nose was nice with pineapple, coconut, vanilla, strawberry, along with light floral notes. The palate on the other hand was just lemon, banana cream and alcohol. A drop of water did not help since for 40%, this tastes really hot. Could barely detect the sherry notes at all. This is like "The One I Love" by R.E.M. Definitely, not a love song. Thanks though Pranay for the chance to experience the distillery. I think an age statement *might* be worth a try.. maybe if we're brave.

On the nose, the first note I got, of all things, was pine trees. The sherry and cinnamon danced its way in afterward. I get an oak smell that's not too forward as well. Hope the palate is as good. With 43% ABV, let's leave this alone. Oh, a little burn, but apples, crust, vanilla, wood chip, walnuts.. not bad at all. A smidgen hot though maybe. Let's just do two SMALL drops of aqua. Man, I could nose this all day and night. More tropical flavors made their way in. A little cheaper than the Glendronach 12, but good as well. This is one to ponder. The finish is medium, but a little alcohol still there, and that's my only "complaint". 3.5. This is "Cinnamon Girl" by Neil Young. Thanks to Scott for the sample!

I can do ..the Tamdhu! Wow, this is a 10 year old? I think someone's pulling a fast one here. This is like ZZ Top's "Legs".. It knows how to use them. People seem to compare this to the Macallan 12, but I think this is more of a Glendronach type. The nose is faint to me, but has really nice spice, ginger, honey, mmm sherry everywhere. Palate is a pop of cinnamon sticks without being sweet. Peaches..no.. nectarines, with faint raisins, red grapes, peppermint, and vanilla. Finish is short to medium with caramel corn and toffee. I won't spoil my upcoming Batch 2 review from my earlier expo experience, but this distillery gets better and better. Count me in for more drams please! Thanks for the sample Ryan.

This nose has a ton of briny salt right out of the gate. There is some pie crust with some faint citrus as well. Unfortunately, I can tell from the nose it's going to be a bit one-dimensional for my taste, but let's see. I am an equal opportunity drammer, I guess. The palate has a nice mouth coat of more sea shore maritime loveliness, but it's missing some counteractive agent of peat, or more smoke, or something. This finish is medium with peanut brittle, and I get some vanilla in there, but I still feel like I am missing something. Not short-changed, but you know what I mean. I would love to try the older expressions to see how this entry level matures, at least. This one is "Tomorrow Never Knows" by the Beatles. Like the (psuedo) one dimensional experience, the music/melody is Indian influenced, which dances around one chord throughout. Thanks for the sample Scott!

Dare I say this reminds me of a Macallan 12? Keep this one neat, mint, right out of the box, my friends. Much different than the first Auchentoshan I tried, which was the Three Wood. Nosing this is really a pleasant experience, because I can already tell things to come will be balanced. Faint light citrus, a good dose of vanilla wafers, and spice. The palate is not too delicate, but sweet. A nice mouth-feel, medium coat, with buttery goodness, oak, and peach cobbler with french vanilla ice cream. Hell yes. The finish is medium, but I am far from bitching about that. This one is "Peaceful Easy Feeling" by the Eagles. Get some! 3.75. Thanks for the sample Ryan!

Definitely getting port on the nose. Hmm, there is also some alcohol burn I detect, which is a little disheartening for a 40% ABV. White grapes and butter cookies. Decent so far, so let's have a taste! Damn, that's hot for a 40%. The alcohol taste kinda obliterates the palate for me, which is really weird, because I love cask strength Islay whisky. Faint bitter dark chocolate, with even more bitter malt. There is some oak in there, but nothing else can come to the forefront. I am trying to find the blueberry in there that others have found, but it eludes me. The finish is just more alcohol, and a hot mess. Well, let's put a drop of water on it, just to give it a chance. Nope. This one is "Let Down" by Radiohead. Great song, but I'll just pass on this dram. Maybe it's just for those who like milder flavors. Thanks for the sample Scott!

Awh hell! Peaty Tang is an understatement. That tang is an overwhelming clang on the nose and palate. Just a wreck that makes finding other notes a task. Major pickling effect going on with it. I definitely get a briny funk, and not in a nice refreshing maritime manner. The finish is thankfully short, but sour. I would definitely pass on this one. I can’t even think of a fitting song for the dram. Maybe “Sour Girl” by Stone Temple Pilots, but I like the song too much for that. Even though it wasn't for me, thanks Ryan for the sample!

Red grapes and heavy oak on the subtle nose. Distant peat and smoke along with some chocolate. The smoke lingers with oranges. Pranay is dead on the finish being missing in action. Wow... This one is like Cinderella's "Don't Know Whatcha Got Till It's Gone". The immaturity may be the issue with the finish, but the nose/palate are nice.