Tastes

Man, wish I was better at this. Been sitting here for 10 minutes trying to figure out what's on the nose with Copper Dog. Best guess is some orange or other citrus and cereal. On the tongue it's a bit thin, some spice a hint of smoke, something sweet, perhaps some vanilla or white chocolate. But, all and all pretty light. I'd lean toward Naked Grouse instead.

Like the flight attendant asking you, "Sweet or savory snack?", or having to choose between salt OR caramel on you chocolate. You just gotta have both. Naked Grouse gives me both spicy smoke and sweet vanilla and caramel. Savory up front and sweet on the finish. I like it very much, and to beat the band I can find it on sale often in Boulder for <$30.

More than anything I get a bitter spice taste and finish from this whisky. Not displeasing, just a bit overbearing and reducing the enjoyment.

Okay I have to admit, and just shoot me now with a Daniel Boone musket, I'm a KY boy, born and raised, but I just don't enjoy bourbon as much as scotch. Perhaps it's the new oak spiciness, or maybe it's the high corn composition, or the heat of the KY weather that speeds the fermentation, but the nose on just about any bourbon really puts me off. That said, I have consumed plenty of Maker's Mark, 101, and Buffalo Trace without grumbling. It's just I *prefer* heavily, or completely, malted whiskies. Now that I have my Catholic guilt confessed, I will admit that this bottle is very, very smooth. Which is about the best I can hope for in a bourbon. Do I grade on a curve with my bourbons? Yes. I just can't bring myself not to give a great product a good score if it is one I can actually say I enjoy. But, and here comes the confessional again, if I have a 4.0 bourbon on the shelf and a 4.0 scotch, I'll rarely reach for the former.

I know, I know, I really shouldn't like this bottle so much. Heavy on the sherry, the color is unnaturally red, and it is the only bottle I have that doesn't show up in my Whiskeys of the World book as a recommended selection. Buuuut... I love it. In a taste test my son and I liked it as much if not more than Lagavulin 16, although granted they are nothing alike. My good friend in AZ is also a fan. And, to beat the band, I can find it all day long for $39.98 at my local whisky dealer.

A lot of spice, especially pepper, right from the get go. The sweet notes temper it all though into a very nice, drinkable Speyside dram. I found this at Hazel's for $29.98 and should have bought a case instead of just two.

Got this along with Dewar's 12YR The Ancestor to compare. After trying it a few different ways - straight, with water, on ice - I became aware of a very strong caramel nose and taste. Not displeasing, but very one-dimensional. Would never turn it down and under $25 a good contender to other daily tipples such as JW Red.

A very easy drink as evidenced by my ability to be surprised by the bottle half empty at the end of the evening. Blended Malt instead of just a blend gives it a more pleasurable nose and finish. More sweetness than spice and smoke, and I definitely get some orange zest on the nose. I like this dram, a lot, although I'm fairly new to the tasting game.

I was surprised by this blended dram. Smooth, a little sweetness, and a little smoke in a very affordable package. This is a *possible* go to when looking for a budget daily drinker under $30. However, at a similar price I'm trying some other blends like Monkey Shoulder, Copper Dog, and Naked Grouse that might be better choices.