Review #099 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 47.8% Comments: aged 12 years, matured in a 1st-fill bourbon barrel Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Golden straw color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 16/20 Fresh Granny Smith apples, closer actually to green Jolly Rancher candies. A dash of cinnamon, a little bit of caramel, some vanilla, and a faint tropical aroma. There’s also a whiff of alcohol which reminds me of a rum floater on a piña colada. Palate: 33/40 Very fresh and smooth, with a relatively thin mouthfeel. Honey, crisp green pears, grain cereals, some salinity, and walnuts. Finish: 31/40 Starts with smooth vanilla and salted milk chocolates, then oak spice and lemon rind introduces some spice and bitterness. Ends on a salty and mildly bitter note which reminds me of the flavor that lingers after having just chewed walnuts. With Water: A few drops of water introduces buttered croissants to the nose and grapefruit citrus to the finish. Total: 80/100 Final thoughts: Some drams are very warming, this one strikes me more as cool and clean. It tastes younger than the age statement, and seems to have very little wood influence, but is still smooth with a great balance of sweet and bitter. Overall it’s a very nice way to start off the evening, I was especially enjoying this one during the summer months earlier this year. Price: $75 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.