Tastes

Nose – Pears, apples, white grapes, cantaloupes, vanilla and medium florals. Palate – Medium mouth coat of watermelon, cinnamon, cloves, marzipan, caramel and honey. Finish – Very short dry, tobacco, and orange marmalade. Water – N – Brings florals forward, citrus fruits like orange. P – Lowers spice, dark chocolate, too low of ABV – F – Not as dry, basic maltiness but similar… 3.25 of 5. 40 bucks.

Nose – Brine, rope, maritime notes, seashells, sherry, dates, medium florals, and white grapes. Palate – Thin mouth coat - salty white pepper, pears, dark chocolate, caramel, toffee, hazelnuts, black pepper and a little oak, very malty. Finish – Medium - Marzipan, oranges, cinnamon, persimmon, red chilis, slight smoke… Water – N – more citrus fruits, sweetness like gumdrops…P- Vanilla, even more white/black pepper, smarties…F – Tea and tobacco… If you have to replace the 12 due to low stock, this is not a bad deal, especially since it’s cheaper at 50-55 bucks… I do prefer the 12 though.. 3.5 of 5. $50

Nose – Both citrus (oranges/lemons), and deep red fruits like currants, raspberries, strawberries, dark spices, basil, and tobacco, but no smoke… Palate – Toffee, vanilla, more dark fruits, milk chocolate, glorious heavy mouth coat, oaky properties, dried grapes, and black pepper… Finish – Medium to long - Oaky properties, leather, cinnamon, and dark chocolate… Water – N – Brings out more confection sugar like pixie stix, and honey/bread, medium florals. P – Hazelnuts, figs, dates, almonds. F – Drier, but still long in length, waxy with white pepper. Ginger snaps. Savory with sweetness... great balance. Top three 12-year-old… 4.0 out of 5… $65

Nose – WOW! Refined smoke with coffee and cocoa tones… lemons, orange gumdrops, barley, maritime notes and marigolds. Palate – Oak, vegetal notes, peat smoky, silky milk and dark chocolates, toffee, light mouth coat, but heavenly fluffy marshmallow, nutmeg, and hazelnuts. Finish – Lovely long smokiness… not a bonfire of the mouth, uncharred, but not a white ashy one – nice in the middle… Water brings pine and apples/pears on nose. Palate – more chocolate to fudge. Finish – dry black pepper. Almost perfect. If 48% ABV which would boost mouth coat slightly, then a 5.0. The theme of this dram should also almost be perfect... "The Celestials" by the Smashing Pumpkins is a newer classic to me. Thanks for bringing back the mellotron, and a killer bass line.

Nose – Leather, ginger, dates, sandalwood, french fries/chives, cinnamon, apricots Palate – Oranges, raisins, thin mouth coat, but still nice, menthol, oaky properties, molasses, honey. Finish – Medium length, pralines and cream, black pepper, nice wax. Water – N -Savory, herbal notes, basil, pine…P – high quality English Milk chocolate, custard, buttery…F- similar - not as good, dryer maybe a slight smokiness. Wow, the price is unreal for this, but don't get any ideas raising it Diageo, unless you also raise the overall "craft" of the whisky without chill filtering, or coloring... The theme of this dram is going to be "Leather and Lace" by Stevie Nicks and Don Henley.

Nose – Cinnamon, leather, nutmeg, red grapes, oranges, florals. Palate – Raisin cream pies w spice, cocoa powder, slightest smoke, honey, white pepper. Finish – Dry, medium length, balanced, oloroso-esque. Water – N – More fruits and vanilla, marshmallow, more florals. P – Slight mineral, not as good.. F – Short, dry, hazelnuts... I wish the "craft" and artisanship was better from Diageo here, but I say that about all the Flora and Fauna bottles, even the ones I like, like this one....Coloring and chill filtering is so... passe'... The theme to this dram should be musically sweet but spicy... "Lunar Sea" by Camel will work.

Nose – Custard, ginger, honey, strawberries, pineapples, cereal malt, cedar wood. Palate – Thin to medium mouth coat, medium red fruits, caramel, white pepper. milk chocolate, and vanilla. Finish – Medium oaky properties with rhubarb, savory pie, slight leather and smoke. Delicate, and not intense… refined speyside… Water – N – Brings out more sugars, marshmallow, like Japanese. Apples and pears. P – Tames tartness and bring out more fruit/vanilla. F – Lengthens to long finish, but same notes. The theme to this dram should be overly complex, but still slightly miss the mark... Makes me think of "The Ancient" from Tales from Topographic Oceans by Yes.

Nose – Apples, pears, strawberries, dark chocolate, cereal, menthol, lemons, tobacco, and toffee. Palate – Medium mouth coat. Oranges, mango, watermelon, cocoa beans, red chilis, leather, slight smoke and basil. Finish – Cedar wood, plums, apricots, with a little oak. Water – N - Pencil shavings, white grapes, florals, and straw/hay. P – More spiciness, cinnamon, thai chili, caramel, and white pepper. F – Still Long. Heavier mouth coat, waxiness, ginger, leathery. No bitterness. The theme to this dram should be a good one since I feel the need to keep going back for more. "Turn It On Again" by Genesis will do.

Nose – Raisin cream pies, hay/straw, dates, figs, and oaky properties... Palate – honey bomb, barbecue, toffee, caramel, black pepper, medium mouth coat... Finish - Green apple, butter, white chocolate, dry and short.... Water - Brings apples/pear forward with barbecue on the nose…..palate unchanged... A decent daily sipper, if you want a honey bomb type, but a bit on the expensive side for what you get...The theme to this dram is "Honey Pie" by The Beatles.

Thought I'd go on a limb and try something new. I am way behind on writing old reviews, but I will catch up when I can... This one is nothing like a typical speyside, and has an interesting nose - peat up front, but met with vegetal notes like green beans, little sauerkraut, twangy lemons/oranges, medium florals, subtle sweetness, but no smoke. The palate brings a thin to medium mouth coat. Wow though, much better than anticipated. Now a get a little smoke and waxiness, caramel, butterscotch, shortbread cookies. Sadly, no fruit, but there is vanilla, and a touch of white pepper. As far as a finish, that's where we quickly die. At bit abrupt, other than a nice warm waxy buttery tone. Very dry for my taste... At least nothing was off putting, or bitter/mineral. Not a bad dram though as a basic peated daily sipper. This is at 40% ABV, but let's do a drop of water and see if we get any reaction... For the nose, it brings the fruits forward and tames the peat. The palate is similar, with maybe a bit of a barbecue note, but kills the smoke. Finish brings more white pepper, but just as dry and short. Well, this is slightly better than average, but only $35 bucks plus a little to ship. Not something I might buy again per se, but I think it's a great one night stand. Ah! The theme to this dram is "One Night Stands" by Bocephus, Hank Jr. It's an ok intro to a little peat for some, and not an Islay, but has a decent taste. 3.25 of 5.