Tastes

Overall, a rather mello Lagavulin offering. It’s enjoyable, providing a nice entry-level Lagavulin, but I’d recommend the 16 year over this. This has its place, but lacks the dried red fruits and richer, deeper complexity one can get from standard Lag.

Double Cask seems to skip leg day. As I’ve said in the past, I have a love/hate relationship with The Macallan. They span the gamut of having incredible product while floating so much “meh.” It’s disheartening, at least to me. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this dram, it’s just that what Double Cask offers isn’t nearly as interesting or complex as what other distilleries offer at the same price point. That isn’t to say that Double Cask doesn’t have any merit. Quite the contrary. The nose is compelling and holds your attention. The thing I appreciate most is that you have to really search the dram and get to know it and treasure what it offers. But then you taste it, and… it’s gone. The mouthfeel is light and the finish fleeting. One gets a sense of being a bit cheated because the intimacy gained in the beginning doesn’t carry over to the rest of the experience. It’s like being on a date in which you discover during cocktails that you have a great fondness for the same musical artist , only to find out as you start eating dinner that your date writes Seinfeld fanfic, replacing Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer with characters from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats. Wait, what!? But we were doing so well. All that said, there is still something interesting here, but first impressions are deceiving, and this scotch leaves you wanting. Spend the extra $6 on Highland Park 12, so the experience is full from beginning to end.

Restoration is thoroughly enjoyable. While some ryes can be a bit hairy or less composed, Castle and Key manages to keep Restoration clean and tidy. While unexpected, it’s a fun and alluring experience that makes me want to keep this one on the shelf more consistently. Considering some of the magnificent products C&K has released so far, I’m eager for what we’ll be seeing in the next 5-7 years. Well done.

This was an exceptional rye. It was everything I was hoping for and more. Immense depth and flavor with calculated heat to compliment the plentiful tones and nuances one could detect. I was short on time, but this is a dram I could easily have enjoyed well into the evening. This dram is and absolute must when it’s available and reasonably priced.

This is nicely rounded scotch. It’s not overly complex, but it has some bright and luscious notes of creamy vanilla, florals, and cantaloupe. I’d recommend it for anyone looking for something with decent balance and character.

This cXe doesn't have the complexities or nuances of past expressions, but it does carry the elements it does have with confidence. There's a lot of dried almond, dried apricot, and bread dough, with sweeter elements like sugar cookie, vanilla, and cantaloupe. It's fun and worth checking out if you're in or near WA.