Tastes

Nose: peaches, apricots, caramel, brown sugar, nuttiness, vanilla, apples, light smoke. Taste: caramel, brown sugar, nuttiness and light smoke on the back end. The bourbon in this blend holds the predominant notes on the nose and palate. I'd love more balance with the peat.

Nose: caramel, honey, raisins, vanilla, butterscotch, strawberry creme. Taste: caramel, butterscotch, raisins, vanilla, strawberry creme

Nose: fruit loops, green tea, honey, vanilla, floral. Taste: honey, cheerios, floral, green tea, vanilla A solid beginner whiskey

Nose: peanuts, maple, honey, vanilla, oak spice, caramel popcorn, orange dreamsicle, brown sugar Taste: peanuts, honey, caramel, cinnamon, brown sugar, citrus Can easily compete with $50 and $60 bottles. It's a tie between this and Buffalo Trace for the best budget bourbons.

Nose: a baked cinnamon apple pie, brown sugar, nuttiness, cherry, maple, marshmallow, oak spice, hazelnut Taste: oak spice, apples, citrus, peanuts, brown sugar

Nose: floral, honey, pears, vanilla, cheerios, green apples, mint. The flavors on the palate echo the nose. Very balanced, elegant and layered. Worth the price

Bruichladdich is my favorite Scottish distillery and this is another reason why. Nose: salty ocean air, honey, vanilla, peaches. Taste: vanilla, honey, malt, peat, raisins, smoke, salt.

Incredible. Peat, peanut butter, oak sweetness

Nose: cherry, floral, honey, vanilla, raisins, rock candy. Taste: blackberry, honey, chocolate, finishing with a strong raisin note. Rich and sweet, the finish adds a nice touch to this bourbon. Slightly overpriced. It's worth closer to $60.

Nose: not a strong smell overall. Notes of lime, pineapple, wood spice, apple pie, peanuts, pepper, maple. Taste: fruit, honey, pepper, brown sugar, cinnamon, maple. Overwhelming impact from the bourbon barrels and not enough from the Sherry or Madeira casks. I prefer Green Spot to this. I wouldn't buy another.