Rúa American Single Malt

RÚA Release 10 Batch 18 Tried neat in a Glencarin rested for 5 minutes. Color: Reddish gold Nose: Cherry is the dominate player, a bit of wood, malty sweetness, touch of light sweet cinnamon, and a bit of a doughy note. Pallet: Sweet, malty, cherry carries though, oak spice, raisin, slightly drying, chocolate in the back, and burned sugar. Finish: A burst of maraschino cherry, dark chocolate, and a touch of cinnamon. Nose 2: A chocolate note really comes forward after drinking it giving the nose a chocolate cordial cherry smell. RÚA Release 12, Batch 22 Tried neat in a small brandy glass rested for 5 mins Color: Reddish gold Nose: Cherry and apple cider, herbal tea with lemon zest, earthy chocolate notes, a faint spice that tickles the back of the throat, and a touch of toasted sugar and oak. Pallet: sweet apple, lemon tea, chocolate, hardly any spice, touch of oak, watery. Finish: Lemon carries over, touch of toasted oak, a sweetness sticks to the side of the cheeks. Medium/Long finish.

Good Charlotte whiskey

Decided to take a break from the bourbon and try this American Single Malt that was recently named Gun & Garden magazine 2016 "Best Drink in the South". Tried neat in a glencairn the color is as the name would suggest, light red. On the nose the first thing that jumped out was tea. Just made, still warm sweet tea. That is followed by wood, green apple, smoke, and a nice old waxed leather note. It enters honey sweet. A big hit of malty grain with tea (there it is again) and cigar smoke. You can tell this is young, but it is complex and tasty. Nice clingy substantial mouthfeel. Finishes smooth with a light tingling that coats the palate, leaving toasted marshmallow and tea (again) to linger. A splash or a cube of ice adds a malty chocolate note. I really enjoyed this. Almost poetic that a southern whiskey would remind me of sweet iced tea. Sometimes outside the box is just what the Doctor ordered. 4 1/2 stars, but I'll round up. Release 10/Batch 18