Review #007 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 43% Comments: aged 18 years, matured in mixture of refill casks Tasted where: home Tasted with: solo Tasted after: Caol Ila 13 Year Discovery (Gordon & Macphail) Appearance (no score): Deep copper color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 18/20 Fresh pineapples, bacon, smoke, dried apricots, and a hint of brown sugar. Palate: 37/40 The flavor isn’t mouth popping, it’s soft and delicious, cereal and oranges dominate, there’s some peaches in here too and a hint of dark chocolate. No smoke on the palate, that waits until the finish to make an appearance. Finish: 36/40 A nice long finish that takes its time, the smokey flavor is soft and accompanied by black pepper, honey, and just enough of a briny saltiness to wet the mouth and invite the next sip. With Water: A drop of water brings out some sweetness on the palate and helps the pepper flavor in the finish pop. Total: 91/100 Final thoughts: A sufficiently sophisticated sipper for my 007 review, I believe James Bond would approve. This bottle holds a special place in my collection, it’s so unique and enjoyable to drink. If I could wave a magic wand and make any change to it, the only alteration would be to bottle it at a higher ABV. One of my purchases on a trip to Scotland, but I hope one day I can find it here in the USA. Price: £95 Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.