Royal Lochnagar 12 Year

Not bad on ice. No significant flavor profile.

Nose: Initially the nose is spritzy and very like apple cider with lots of orchard notes (pears and red apple skins). Over time, as it rests in the glass, grassy and cereal notes emerge together with some vanilla, a little oak and soft honey. Overall it brings to mind the smell of freshly baked apple pies, with grain being harvested in the distance. [The dry-glass aroma is cereal/fruity and very slightly smoky] Palate: Sweet, creamy arrival with a mild dusty malt note. Lots of sweet apples in the development (again, rather like apple cider) and a touch of very soft ginger spice. There are further orchard fruit and nutty flavours as it progresses and the texture is slightly creamy with the faintest taste of smoke. Finish: Medium/short. Fruity/sweet and fading into an aftertaste of weak black tea and golden syrup. A straightforward, unassuming malt that makes up for a lack of complexity by virtue of its disarming approachability. When it used to be available, the Royal Lochnagar Distiller's Edition was my whisky of choice for introducing novices to scotch single malt or as the first malt in a tasting flight. This is not as good as that expression, but it is still arguably better as a starter than the usual choices of Glenfiddich 12 or Glenmorangie Original. At the price it is reasonable value as an everyday dram. Along with Strathisla 12 it is also one of my favourite nightcap drams when I'm in the mood for something particularly sweet, easy and relaxing. "Above Average" : 80/100 (3 stars)

This one quite surprised me. I thought it was going to be one of those Diageo's mediocre 12yo malt expressions, but actually it was very good. When the game of thrones expressions came out, the one from this distillery was going up in prices like crazy so i got the impression they had something good, but then i read some reviews about this whisky and the reactions were mixed. Had to try for myself, this are my notes: Bottled at 40%abv On the nose, it is almost perfect, that is why this whisky has a good score: Cherries, Caramel; the most beautifuo vanilla aroma i have ever encountered on a dram. sugar, Lemon, Oranges, Apricot, Peach and Cinnamon. Very nice. On the palate, things are enough good to deserve some points, but it is not as near as good as the nose was. Peaches, apples and Vanilla. That's it. Aftertaste has a sider / apple note. A lovely and clean fruity finish. Overall this dram is a solid 86 over 100, due to its amazing aroma. It can be so much better in the palate, but stills manages to pass the exam.

Solid highland scotch. Very sweet and strong vanilla smell. Nice clean finish with lingering heat.