Tastes

Bought in Washington on the way to Cannon Beach for my 2016 birthday while looking for The Macallan 15. Ended up liking this more than the 15 - deeper colour (likely owing to the exclusive sherry cask aging, the tobacco nose (almost) I've been looking for since the 15 in Cabo, but a *just not quite there* taste that was a hair astringent. Would still drink this any day, but wouldn't pay the $89 USD for it.

Ordered this after the Oilers game in Edmonton at that bar called...whatever. Not the worst $8 I've ever spent, but I certainly will look for better ways to spend $8 from here on out. On the nose, not sure if it was the whisky or the dirty glass that smelled like dish rag. On a second approach the nose was of bananas with a hint of the barrel. On the tongue, very balanced, perhaps overly so since a single distinctive character refused to stand out. For the same price go for something like the Oban 14.

Stumbled upon this while waiting for my key at The Mallard Lounge at the Fairmont Chateau in Whistler. Only a handful of cases in all of BC. Can't recall a scotch ever presenting so chocolatey on the nose. With a sip, the familiar Glenmorangie is there in the background, but likely owing to the 30 year base the flavour is so much more balanced. For such a unique "roasting" of the malt there's nary a toasted or burnt taste. Worth the experience, but likely wouldn't go out of my way for a bottle.

Two fingers in Cabo for the first time. Apart from the green silk dress girl from Michigan at The Bahia lounge, I'll never forget the time I fell in love with the Macallan 15. Perfect mix of tobacco, port, and everything nice on the nose and palette.

Would give it 3.5 stars if I could. On the nose it presents as though it were aged in ex-bourbon barrels, or at the least American oak (despite it apparently being 100% sherry cask aged). First taste impressions reminded me of a Glenfiddich 15 or a Glenmorangie Original; smooth, almost to the point of being too balanced. Second taste the next day the bite popped more than I remembered, and much more than I would have expected for a 46%. Would likely buy again, but wouldn't go out of my way to do it. For a sherry cask finish, I'm looking for something a little more fruity/Christmas Cake-y.

Would give it 3.5 if I could. Nose is bourbon-y sweet - almost verging on corny - if not for the abundance of rasins (more than any scotch I've ever had). On the palette, it goes straight to the back bid your cheeks, just like the Abundah, but with a notable lack of sherry for a Speyside. Would definitely buy again.

Would give it 3.5 stars if I could. For a bourbon aged whisky it certainly doesn't have the overly-corn-sweet nose of some American oaked scotches, but conversely, for a sherry finished scotch the colour is extrmely light - almost clear and off-putting until you have a sip and can imagine something much more caramel-coloured. Not disappointed, but for the price (which was more than a good value at $65 CAD) I'd buy a Glendronach or something similar first. A definite "try it" nonetheless.