Grangestone Highland Single Malt Rum Cask Finish

Oddly sweet for me. Very tough for me to stomach.

Nose: sugary notes in damp wood, sweet. Taste: sugar but more bitter, some lemon, the finish is almost non existent, a little rubber i guess. Very drinkable, nothing special.

I'm having fun with a handful of 50ml samplers I purchased at Total Wine. This scotch whisky was tasted neat from a glencairn. Ample time was given for the whisky to rest and contemplate its future journey. Interesting but faint aromas issue from the glass. A vigorous swirl turns up the volume a bit and I'm getting green apples, syrup, vague fruitiness. There's a wisp of a faint note of rum. Overall the nose is inviting but just not rich enough. I kinda like where its going, though. On the tongue the entry is sweet and creamy enough to be notable. The sweetness has a nicely formed pepper foundation that is just enough to warm the throat and focus the attention. I get honey, green vegetation, coconut, and a tart woodiness that has a bitter element about mid-palate. That bitter note follows a warm fade to a moderate finish that leaves a sweet and peppery reminder. I like this whisky. It's not remarkable in any way, but its tasty enough at this moment. I have no idea what this retails for per 750ml but it will need to be significantly cheaper than something like a Monkey Shoulder, which is both richer and more focused, for me to commit to a bottle. That said, this has been a nice dram and diversion for a stormy afternoon.