Review #039 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 43% Comments: aged 12 years, American oak and European sherry-seasoned oak Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Chestnut color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 15/20 Woody oak, apricots, and brown sugar. Palate: 30/40 Mild and warm (almost hot). Honey sweetness and oak spice lead, as I keep sipping nutty pecans and plumbs also emerge. Finish: 33/40 Medium finish. More heat, lemon citrus, salt, and ending on a sweet caramel note. With Water: A drop of water adds orange zest and tart cherries on the palate, and medicinal iodine to the finish. Total: 78/100 Final thoughts: A number of years ago, my brother purchased a bottle of this for me as a gift. It was the first enjoyable dram of scotch I’d tried up to that point, so this bottle will always have a special place in my memories. These days I’m of the mind that there’s better bottles out there for the price point, so if I buy again it would be primarily for sentimental reasons. Price: $65 Would recommend: maybe Would buy: maybe 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.