Review #016 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 50% Comments: aged 6 years, ex-bourbon maturation Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Amber color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, it starts to bead up quickly but legs are slow to form. Nose: 16/20 Green apples, oat cereal, lemon zest, and honeydew melon. Palate: 34/40 Not overpoweringly flavorful and moderately sweet, some honey, oak spice, grain cereal, and caramelized sugar. Finish: 36/40 Nice long finish. It has just the right amount of heat, intensifying flavor of vanilla, interrupted by a momentary dash of salt which quickly fades to buttered bread. With Water: A drop of water made it a little more fruity on the nose but didn’t add any new flavors, if anything it diluted the existing palate significantly. Total: 86/100 Final thoughts: Glad I grabbed this bottle when I saw it collecting dust in a tiny liquor store off the beaten track. Probably the only Jim McEwan Bruichladdich I’ll get a chance to try. Price: $70 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.