anCnoc 12 Year

The nose is first apple skins, with a fruit-like tartness. Some sulphuric vegetals: cabbage and broccoli. The tartness is immediately apparently here. Hints of vanilla and sugary caramel. The taste is sherried oak, with a second wave or more apples skins, with a spicy rind. There is a collection of tree fruits: apple, pear, with a real tannic tartness/bitterness combo. The finish is metallic and charcoal. The tartness is still there but shares the stage. Some salt at the tail end. Not exactly in my wheelhouse, but I'm digging it just fine.

This tastes like the Juicy Fruit chewing gum sold here in the States, Canada, and the UK. Sometimes, I get a hint of apple. Other times, I taste smoke at the finish. As a single malt, it's pleasant but a bit more intense than blended scotches and even other single malt 12s, like Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Glenmorangie, et al. My Rating Glossary: Two Stars: "I'd rather be drinking lite beer." Two 1/2 Stars: "Posh rubbish." Three Stars: "I love whisk(e)y. This is average love." Three 1/2 Stars: "May buy again." Four Stars: "I've got to get you into my life." Four 1/2 Stars: "Better than drugs." Five Stars: "Life is good. Whisky makes it better."

Lighter in color, yet opens to a depth

This is just terrible.

Good base whisky not too difficult and close to the classic whisky taste