Cameron Brig Whisky

Nose: Initially tight and narrow but with time in the glass it starts to open up. A little bit of vanilla but the main notes I detected were oak sawdust and a variety of sugars. In the background there is the familiar clear sooty aroma I sense on almost all single grain whiskies, like charcoal briquettes. If I try real hard I can sort of get the "bacon in maple syrup" mentioned in the official notes here, but only just. The sweet aromas are more just different types of sugar for me. Some oily aromas emerge over time. Palate: Gentle, smooth arrival that morphs seamlessly into a pleasantly sweet development. White grape skins, barley sugar, oak flavours (but no tannin to speak of) and brown sugar. The texture is like thinned syrup and there is a mild fruity note. Finish: A moderately long finish that fades away pleasantly on the brown sugar flavours. The dry glass is almost entirely the sooty charcoal aroma, which is from the distillate. Everything more aromatic came from the casks and evaporates away. I was surprised how moreish this whisky was and how much I enjoyed it. At the price it is reasonable value and a valid alternative to an inexpensive blended malt or blended scotch but it cannot compete against even an average single malt. The big competition to it is of course Compass Box Hedonism. For $10 or so more that offers a more forward nose, a bigger palate, better oak ... pretty much more of everything. However in its defense Cameron Brig does have a certain quiet, simple charm and it’s a fine mixer. Tasted from a purchased sample. I'd happily buy a bottle some time but I'm not hurrying out tomorrow to do so. "Average" : 78/100 (2.75 stars)

Not my favourite. Didn't do much for me.

Whisky flavoured vodka

There isn't much happening here, which means you won't come to hate it. But you probably won't love it either. Aromatically, my best description would be: slightly salted maple taffy. It's nice, but it's also not much.