Review #034 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 56.8% Comments: aged 10 years, ex-pedro ximenez, ex-oloroso, virgin oak, and ex-Rioja casks Tasted after: Glenallachie 13 Year Madeira Wood Finish Appearance (no score): Burnt umber color. Was Unable to look for legs due to an apparent water-repellent coating on the glass I was tasting with. Nose: 17/20 Plumbs, figs and raisins initially dominate a syrupy sweet aroma. After some rest and more time nosing it starts to reveal some red wine tannins and ripe pears also. It walks the line of smelling sweet without coming across as sickeningly sweet. Palate: 32/40 Syrupy and very sweet, almost like cough syrup but without the medicinal menthol element. Looking past that I’m also getting cherries, honey, strawberry preserves, and dark chocolate. Finish: 32/40 Long finish. The cough syrup sweetness from the palate never really goes away, but some chili pepper heat spice things up a bit and get things started. That fades away to oak spices and leather before finally transitioning to a menthol flavored ending. The finish is nice but the ending menthol flavor left behind in my mouth makes this too medicinal for me. With Water: A drop of water brings out some extra spices, nutmeg on the palate, then cinnamon and oak spice in the finish, also minimizing the ending menthol flavor. Total: 81/100 Final thoughts: It’s just too sweet, it’s very good but not well balanced, a drop of water is needed to bring it to a truly enjoyable state. Thanks to my brother @Mark-Watson2 for the sample. Price: gifted sample Would recommend: no Would buy: no 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.