Tastes

Still getting to know this one, but am really appreciating it. It might even make it to my top shelf. Sweet, salty, spicy, and much more. If you can find a bottle, buy it!!! I may need to seek out another bottle. No longer available.....damn! I'll be nursing this one one for a while. Ok, only a couple drams left. Honey, salted caramel, heather and spice. A hidden gem now lost forever. I'll share the last bit with a couple of tasting buddies who will appreciate it and then say goodbye.

Sweet and full nose with a bit of rum funk ( in a good way). Soft arrival that builds in warmth and sweetness. Nice bit of spiciness. Long finish with waves of baking spices and ripe fruit. Oily mouth feel. At 43%, add only a drop or two of water. Not overly complex, but yummy still.

Amazing hit of juicy fruit gum on the nose, which I know sounds strange but it really works. Sweet and spicy on the palette with a very nice oily mouth-feel. Long, warm citrus and spice finish. Handles water well for 40% abv and opens up nicely. Shocked that it's not rated higher by the expert here.

Well structured as with other Balvenies. I get a a lot of short bread and wood from the arrival all of the way through the finish. Honey and vanilla play a supporting role. The finish, while not long, has some interesting spicy notes. Well done, but prefer the caribbean cask's complexity.

Sweet peat hit immediately, giving way to intense sour apple. Long, slow smoky salt burn follows. Fresh grass mellows throughout. Not as rich as the Uigeadail, but the fresh grass makes up for it, and then some.

This is a very nice surprise. Woody and nutty notes on the nose with a bit of sweet & sour notes. Arrival is fairly gentle honey that builds through the middle, eventually giving way to nuts and dried fruit. The finish is fairly long and easy. At 40%, add only a drop or two of water. Pairs well with chocolate with nuts.

Tastes like Talisker 10, but not. Peat is notched down and I miss the peppery finish. A bit "brighter" and crisper on the palatte, but I miss the warmth of the 10. Only add a couple drops of water, it's a bit fragile. But, after coming back to this after a few months, I'm much more impressed. A little more smoke and fruit and less peat than the 10. Must do a side-by-side.

Sweet, delicious and well made spirit. Perfect for my decanter, ready for an introduction to those unfamiliar with single malts. Soft mouth-feel and enough spirit and sweet spice to keep things interesting. A great value.

My gold standard for rye when available. Cheap, spicy and makes a great manhattan! Better than other ryes that are twice the cost.

Lemon, tobacco, and fruit on the nose. Another reviewer described "bar of soap", which is really true. Tobacco, leather, seaweed, smoke, sweet fruit and peat play nicely together. Oily mouth feel and long leathery finish. Sweet peat similar to Kilchomen Machir Bay, which I love also. Gateway scotch to the world of peat.