Review #043 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 43% Comments: NAS, made with peated barley, ex-bourbon maturation and finished in ex-rum casks, experimental series #04 Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Russet color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 16/20 Honey, smoke, and green apples mostly. Continued nosing also yields sticky raisins and molasses. Palate: 27/40 Charcoal and heavily burnt toast stand out most. There’s also cinnamon, hints of red apple, toffee, and vanilla, maybe a little asphalt too. Finish: 28/40 Short finish. Starts with a big puff of campfire smoke, but it doesn’t last long. Gives way to some chili peppers, then turns salty before ending with mild bites of vanilla. With Water: A drop of water brings some additional brown sugar sweetness and grapefruit citrus to the palate, but also reduces the smokiness of the finish. Total: 71/100 Final thoughts: I wasn’t impressed with the last Glenfiddich experimental bottle I picked up (IPA Cask) but I saw this one on the shelf at a clearance price that was too good to pass up so I rolled the dice on it. It doesn’t make for an impressive dram but it’s definitely drinkable and was a good value for the price I paid. It went down easy when a friend of mine broke into it with me the other night and there’s not much left now… Price: $35 Would recommend: no 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.