Tastes

Four words that best describe this whiskey: old-school maximum impact. The labeling and cork remind us of a simpler time, when the whiskey industry wasn't booming with craft stock. Yet the whiskey itself, stacks right up to the newer "trendy" single barrels and barrel proofs, with it's full flavor. It's whiskey with no gimmicks, no "we gently massaged each individual grain with our homemade roller and attended to each oz of the mash with motherly care". The price? In my opinion, this is the best deal going. Along with turkey 101, this is literally a steal. You can't find better whiskeys than these two at this price. The aroma is perfect, once you get past the alcohol. Classic flavors, cinnamon and vanilla. Vanilla frosting. Nice amount of rye shines through. Some fresh fruits are there, cherries, baked apples as well. Leather. Caramel. Bourbon spice, and oak char, mouthwatering. Same flavors on the palate, with strong oak, bold caramel, and sugary dense candies. truly remarkable drink.

[Review of the original version, not of the rebranded version, unaware if quality has or has not changed] let me begin by stating that I'm not a huge fan of scotch outside of islay. I would consider myself a peathead, other than that, I stick to bourbon. I don't remember the last time I thoroughly enjoyed a 12 year speyside scotch. but this highland single malt did it for me. on the nose you can smell ocean air, salty, light, honey sweetness, no overpowering punching flavors but a whiskey that takes you on a journey. briny, with some light vanilla shining through. holds true on the palate, light smoke coming in, good tasty wood on the finish. this really does open up new doors for me. although I like robust flavors, and this was pretty light, it was delicious. will get again.

Classic bourbon. Classic straight up flavors. Caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, little alcohol bite in there. Nothing to crazy, yet not dull at all. Good barrel notes leave good spice, pleasant and simple. This ain't gunna blow you away in flavor, however, when I'm in the mood of just drinking a bourbon at a meal with family, or watching the game, and I don't want to think about it to much, this is my pick. It's warm, it's sweet, it's awesome. A true classic.

Interesting. I've had many pours of bourbons over the years, and today I had a whiff of something very different. I opened the bottle of private stock, and there it was, right in front of my nose, a very distinct smell of cinnamon red hot Tomales. Sweetness of the candy, and spiciness of the cinnamon. I hate hot tomales..... let's see. In the glass, rye, cinnamon, bourbon spice, honey, strong vanilla, and 'drum roll'.......chocolate coated orange peel. I hate chocolate coated orange peel..... this won't end well. Tasting, basically the same as nose, with a nice amount of oak. Big barrel involved. Great char mixing with all that great spiciness, and unbelievable sweetness. The rye really shines through on this one. Excellent. Finish is long, nice and flavorful. I added a little water to it, and the taste became a chewy caramel chocolate candy. Liked the taste better with water, but the nose gets dulled. Will be getting again, interested the heck outta me. If you want something different, I would strongly recommend this whiskey. Awesome stuff and at this price, no brainer.

Hands down favorite whiskey. Strong, rich, and flavorful. Packs a punch of spicy sweetness. Loads of barrel, I mean wood pouring in. Dominates the palate. Sweeeet, thick sticky sweetness. Intense! Spicy! Most intensely flavorful whiskey I've ever had. Just a mack truck whiskey. Not for the lightweights. 10/10

I would strongly recommend this bottle to any peated scotch lover. This is the basics, step one, fundamentals of islay. If you haven't had it yet, get it. Great campfire smell and BBQ dipsy doodles upon opening. It's pale-yellow color goes great in contrast to its bold campfire aroma. Charred wood comes through, with new leather belt. Salted beef, sea air. Apple juice sweetness. Taste creamy, then bam! Smoked mackerel, salted herring, delicious. Long smokey finish.

Would recommend to any scotch lover. No, by "dessert scotch" I don't mean to wait until dessert to drink it, this would be foolish, all scotch is good throughout the meal, however, it does have dessert like qualities. All around exceptional whiskey. Very sweet nose. I wouldn't say fresh fruit, more of a rich, heavy, sticky, sugary, raspberry, plum jam. Same goes for the front of the palate, sweet jam. An almost sticky sweetness. Oak and spice building as time goes on. Leaves over all the combined flavors. Will be getting again .

Incredible blend. One of my favorite blends for sure. At this price, I would strongly recommend this to any whiskey drinker. Peat smoke, spice, and fruitiness on the nose. Cherries mostly. Tastes the same as the nose with a little more sweetness then just fruits. Honey. Finish is long and peaty.

My first Irish whiskey other than Jameson. I loved this whiskey, I would strongly recommend it. Vanilla, honey, red apples, pears joined with sherry on the nose. Very complex nose, very sweet, a personal favorite nose. Touch of smokiness hidden. A short sweet creaminess on the palate then dominated by spice and toasted wood. Citrus note appears as well, orange peel. A bit of smokiness. Long aftertaste of wine, walnuts, toasted wood, and malted barley.