-
Bank Note 5 Year Scotch Whisky
Distiller Score 80
Mild honey, delicate tangy citrus, hints of stone fruit, and cereal chewy grains greet you as you bring this blended whisky to your nose. The palate is more of the same; under promise and over deliver. Upon your first sip you will taste creamy vanilla nougat, milk chocolate, more grainy malts and a bitter and slightly astringent lemon zest. The finish is short and sweet of toasted bread, caramel, citrus and the most delicate wisps of peat smoke.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
-
Black Grouse (Discontinued)
Distiller Score 82
There is a sweet, smoky style to the aroma with less of a medicinal tone to the peat smoke. The fruits are more on the stone and orchard fruit side while the malt component comes in loud and clear. The sweetness and the smoke are pretty equal throughout the dram, but in the end, the smoke wins by a nose.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
-
Cutty Sark Storm
Distiller Score 84
The nose shows a bit of smoke and brine along with toasted grain. The palate follows suit adding some barrel spice, caramel, and hay with just a dab of chocolate. As you continue to drink, the richer, malty notes linger with you while the smoke and brine still play a part. The finish is not super dry or astringent, but soft and supple. Let's hope this comes stateside soon.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
-
Finlaggan Old Reserve Islay Single Malt
Distiller Score 82
There's a quality on the nose that brings thoughts of a dark room, filled with leather-bound books, large rugs, and cigar smoke. Peat smoke comes into focus on the palate along with a nice balance of sweet apples, moss, and barrel spices. The finish is warm and stays with the smoke to the end.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
-
Ballantine's Finest
Distiller Score 84
Sweet, gentle nose reminiscent of fresh bread, honey and vanilla with a touch of malt. Palate is initially peaty but not overly so with smoke, honey, green apple and malt. No one flavor dominates and the intensity level is not too strong or too weak. Very pleasant. Finish is short and bready with hints of brine.
Reviewed by Tim Knittel
-
Johnnie Walker Red Label
Distiller Score 77
There is a moderate amount of peat smoke on the nose due to malts from distilleries Caol Ila and Talisker. As you begin to taste, dried herbs, cereal, and red fruits emerge. As you finish the malt, it becomes somewhat bitter and full of oak spice.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
-
Finlaggan Cask Strength Islay Single Malt
Distiller Score 85
Peat, because of course, but fairly sweet overall, with plenty of vanilla extract and a bit of smoked marzipan. Finally, a whiff of cured meat as well. The palate has a sweet arrival too (cherry syrup), followed by intense peat smoke and even a bit of iodine. Great cask strength peat bomb on a budget.
Reviewed by Thijs Klaverstijn
-
Dewar's Japanese Smooth
Distiller Score 77
Honey, heather, and hay combine forces on the nose, along with butterscotch and black pepper. The palate is somewhat thin and one dimensional, with highlights of dark chocolate and and dried fruits. The finish is short, with a bitter astringency, toffee, and hints of the Mizunara oak in the form of wispy incense smoke and wood spice.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
-
Teacher's Highland Cream
Distiller Score 77
For a blend, the texture of the whisky is fairly lush and silky. The peat smoke is mild with the whisky offering honeyed cereal with cooked apples. The finish is short, but sweet.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
-
Dewar's White Label
Distiller Score 84
The aroma is pleasantly sweet and full of cereal, honey, and apples. There is a slight floral quality intertwined with more honey and cereal on the palate with the whisky coming to an end with oak notes. The White Label is never over-powering and really does well on the rocks.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
-
Famous Grouse
Distiller Score 85
Whoa! This is an intensely aromatic whisky with loads of malt on your nose. This mingles along with salty sea air, chewy caramels, and orange zest. The body of the whisky is greater than your average blend. As the dram winds down, honey and citrus are the last guests at the party.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
-
James Alexander 12 Year Blended Scotch
Distiller Score 74
Some pleasant salted caramel notes on the nose lead to a palate of white pepper, lemon rind, grain alcohol heat, and perhaps a hint of white chocolate. The finish is long, hot, and sour. This is a reasonable choice for those looking on a budget or looking for a mixer.
Reviewed by Paul Belbusti