Tastes

Tried a sample, this whisky is not available here. I wanted to hate it because, well, Montreal Canadiens but I really liked it. It is easy drinking with and full of toffee and butterscotch lifesaver notes. A warming finish. I don’t know if it is still for sale but it is a good one. Excellent value.

A two oz sample. Hoppy, sour, soapy, iced tea, bready, yeasty on the nose. Super light on the palette, a touch of apple notes and a quick fleeting finish. Do not buy this whiskey.

The best value Islay and it is just fantastic. The standard bottling is a must have.

Another sample, the last time I had this was St Games Gate pub in Banff so this one gets half a star for great memories. This was better than I remembered. It’s a more rubbery smoke than Islay but well balanced and quite nice. I wouldn’t buy it because I would categorize it with Laphroaig 10 and Laphroaig 10 is about the best value to quality ratio you will find.

Received a sample and I really liked it. Sweet, spice, apricot. Nice balance and good abv selection, no water required. Recommended, I expect more age would move this to a 4 star.

Mother of pearl is this hot. Burns your taste buds off. Add water and you get corn sweetness and classic bourbon notes. Not my style.

Received a sample, not an Islay like peat, more gentle. Herbal with tobacco hints on the nose. Decent dram.

Waxy and a bit of maltiness, everything you expect from a Johnnie Walker. Easy drinking and nice, nothing challenging or overly interesting though.

Well named. It’s dark and fiery and leaves a ashy taste on the finish. After a bit the ashy taste becomes bitter and it dominates the finish. Not as good as the Talisker 10, not even in the same league. If you are considering this because you like Talisker 10, I would suggest that you pass.