Ardbeg 10 year old

Updated Nov/2007
When I think peat, Ardbeg is always the first dram that comes to mind. Although peat dominates all their drams, Ardbeg still has a nice drinkable character. The ten year old has a nice fresh peat smoky nose with notes of malt and iodine. Clearly the nose is the best part of the dram. The body is thick and warming while the finish is overwhelmingly peaty. The dram does linger although the finish is medium to short in length.

Nose: Fresh peat, malt, smoke, iodine and fruit
Body: Thick
Finish: Medium length, dominated by peat, lingering

Calling all peat freaks….

Rating: 82

Ardbeg Uigeadail 54% non-chill filtered

Updated Nov/2007
As with most Ardbeg’s, this ones all in the nose. Fresh and clean with notes of orange, ash and coastal brine. Oh yes, and of coarse peat, but it’s not over done. I simply love the nose of this dram, one of the best. The finish is dominated by big roaring peat which tends to unbalance the dram a wee bit. Otherwise, a very nice Ardbeg.

Nose: Fresh, peat, oranges, oak char, ash and coastal brine
Body: Medium, mouth coating
Finish: Roaring big peat, long and dry, had a hard candy sweetness that came through at the very end

I could SMELL this one all day long.

Rating: 86

Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 1990

Updated Nov/2007
This one is my favorite Ardbeg in the current distillery range. Again, a great nose but the dram is much more balanced. This is all peat but done very well. The peat warps itself around you instead of punching you in the face. Less smoke and more sweetness come through. Very complex and enjoyable. A BIG, BIG peaty whisky.

Nose: Fresh and clean, peat, smoke, menthol, deep-pulls you in, chocolate, sweet, coastal brine
Body: Medium
Finish: Big peat and fiery, burning, medium length, perfumed sweetness

A thinking man’s Ardbeg

Rating: 89

Glen Moray 12 yr old Chanin Blanc Finish 40%

Dec/2007
An interesting dram that’s finished in Chenin Blanc wine casks. I didn’t care for the nose , which came off grassy but was balanced by oak and malt. The wine is pronounced throughout the dram and adds a nice appealing dimension. Enjoyable enough but I wouldn’t go back for more.

Nose: Sharp, grassy, fresh, floral, crushed green grapes, oak and malt, a touch of vanilla
Body: Medium and lively
Finish: Long and sharp, very crisp, oak, green grapes, winey

The Chenin Blanc adds a nice twist.

Rating: 78


SMWS 22.23 Glenkinchie 18 yr old 52.6%

Dec/2007
A rich and wonderfully complex dram bottled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. I always love the feeling of trying a great whisky for the first time and this was one of those moments. Perfect balance that’s very deep and rich for a Lowland malt. Easily the most impressive Glenkinchie’s I’ve had. A WOW whisky that my fellow taster and I simply loved.

Nose: Burnt caramel, lemon and lime notes spring forward while deep and rich flavors of butterscotch and honey lie just below the surface, fresh and sweet with some very subtle smoke
Body: Light and flavorful
Finish: Medium length and flavorful, very smooth, malt and oak

Exceptional

Rating: 94


Oban 20 yr old

Dec/2007
This is a rare and difficult to find Oban so I was very excited about trying it. Let’s just say my excitement didn’t last long. A very subtle and understated dram that I had to prod to discover its secrets. The nose was surprisingly grassy with hints of earth and heather while the remainder of the dram retained that Oban spiciness. Good but it just never seemed to move me.

Nose: Subtle, grassy, earth, very light, heather, some peat, a hint of brine
Body: Medium, sharp and warming
Finish: Medium to long, spicy, floral

If I was offered this and the standard 14 yr old Oban, I’d choose the later

Rating: 80

Talisker 18 yr old

Updated Dec/2007
One of my all time favorites and a truly exceptional dram. Amazingly well balanced and complex that opens up incredibly with just a touch of water. The dram has just enough Skye attitude without being overly powerful. Most of the pepper of the 10 year old is gone and replaced with a wonderful fresh sea air quality.

Nose: Peat and heather, fresh sea air, still smoldering ambers and ash, just a touch of sweetness
Body: Creamy and salty
Finish: Long and dry, peat, sweet

Another great Talisker!

Rating: 93

Lagavulin 21 yr old 56.5%

Dec/2007
A great lagavulin that has everything except that long and amazingly dry finish that defines the 16 yr old. The nose is dominated by maple cured bacon and peat smoke while the body is thick and mouth coating. The finish is big, dry and medium length.

Nose: Maple cured bacon, a camp fire, leather and peat smoke
Body: Thick and moth coating
Finish: Big and dry, sharp, medium length

Not a classic but respectable.

Rating: 91

Ardbeg 1974 Double Barrel Release Cask #3145

Dec/2007
We were fortunate enough to sample Ardbeg’s new Double Barrel collection that retails for the low low sum of only $20,000. The collection includes two hand made bottles of single cask 1974 Ardbeg, a Purdey guncase, six Silver Hamilton and Inches silver cups and a wooden pen. The case and cups are cool but the real question is, how’s the whisky? Well it didn’t disappoint but I did disagree with my fellow tasters on which one was the best. I preferred Cask #3145, which I found to be very subtle and elegant. Much different then the BIG peat character of many Ardbeg drams. Very well balanced and exceptionally smooth.

Nose: Subtle and elegant, peat smoke, honey, brine, very fresh and clean
Body: Light and flavorful
Finish: Medium length and subtle, peat, very smooth and gentle, flavorful

A very gentle and elegant Ardbeg. I loved it.

Rating: 93

Ardbeg 1974 Double Barrel Release Cask #3524

Dec/2007
This one was the crowd favorite (excluding me). Hey not that it wasn’t great but I preferred the smooth elegance of cask #3145. This dram came off much spicier, incredibly well balanced and enjoyable. Had a fresh clean nose that you could loose yourself in. Not quite the experience I was promised but an exceptional dram nonetheless.

Nose: Fresh and clean, peat, subtle smoke, nutmeg and allspice
Body: Medium and spicy
Finish: Medium length, cloves, peat, malt

Well put together.

Rating: 88


Tomintoul 10 yr old

Dec/2007

Tomintoul 10 yr old 40%

Dec/2007
A very sharp, spirity dram that comes off much to young. Filled with oak and grass and lacks that sweetness you’d expect from a Speyside. Water improved the nose slightly but ruined the body and finish. Not very smooth.

Nose: Very sharp, young and malty, grassy, spirity, musty, leather, honey and caramel
Body: Medium to thick, sharp
Sharp, a big burst and lingering, oak, some subtle smoke

Maybe over ice?

Rating: 72

Tomintoul 16 year old 40%

Dec/2007
This is a dram that improves immensely with water. I liked this dram even though it still seemed a tad immature. Much smoother then the 10 year old and had a light wistful character.

Nose: Grassy, young, heather, caramel and honey
Body: Medium
Finish: Medium length, bitters, oak, has a leathery aftertaste

Pleasant with water.

Rating: 79

Tomintoul 27 year old 40%

Dec/2007
Fruit salad anyone. Filled with overripe fruit with pears and apples in the nose and peaches in the finish. A unique perfumed nose. A fellow taster referred to it as a ‘Bourbon light’. A very nice flavorful after dinner dram that was much better neat. Water removes the perfume and deadens the dram.

Nose: Perfumed, tons of overripe fruit (mostly pears and crushed apples), caramel, oak
Body: Very light
Medium: Short, lots of peach, vanilla, honey, very sweet

Too borrow a quote from the Wiggles; ‘fruit salad, yummy, yummy’ (sorry I couldn’t resist)

Rating: 86

Glen Elgin 1980 Scotts 44.1%

Dec,2007
A nice subtle and sweet dram that ‘s very easy drinking and enjoyable. Scotts seems to never disappoint and didn’t with this one. All their whiskies are solid. It had a very light flavorful nose and a wonderful dry finish. A very solid and approachable dram.

Nose: Soft and light, nutty, honey, very faint maltiness
Body: Medium, creamy
Finish: Medium length and dry, flavorful

Easy drinking and enjoyable.

Rating: 86

Bunnahabhain 1977 Scotts 49.1%

Dec, 2007
A nice flavorful Bunna that had some bite and enough subtle peat to please. A fairly sweet nose with hints of honey and peat. Without water that dram came off a bite sharp but adding just a wee drop opened it up nicely.

Nose: Flavorful and fresh, honey and peat
Body: light to medium
Finish: Medium length and dry, peat, honey

Well rounded.

Rating: 85

Pebble Beach Speyside

Dec, 2007
A very approachable easy drinking Speyside that should appeal to new whisky drinkers. The bottle doesn’t indicate the distillery which is a tab annoying. If you are going to spend a premium price you should at least know the whiskies origin. Sweet and flavorful but lacks depth and complexity which in this case it seems perfectly fine. Refreshing and as the bottle indicates, perfect for the ‘19th’ green.

Nose: Sweet and rich, cherry pie, vanilla
Body: Medium and has some legs
Finish: Medium length and sweet, fruity

A sweet treat.

Rating: 83

Bell’s 8 year old

Dec, 2007
A very nice coastal nose that’s not overly sweet. Very fresh and has many characteristics of a coastal Highland malt. The body and finish are a tad oily but overall, very well balanced and enjoyable. Definitely a blend worth having on hand.

Nose: Coastal, sea air, heather, fresh but not overly clean
Body: Oily
Finish: Medium length and oily, dry with a touch of sweetness

A nice surprise.

Rating: 83

Linkwood Rare Malts 1974 54.9%

Dec, 2007
Very light and seemed to lack enough depth to warrant the hefty price. The nose was fruity with hints of pears and apples coming through. A spiciness I couldn’t nail down, like a working in your herb garden. Nice enough but the dram never grabbed me.

Nose: Light, full of ripe fall fruit with apples and pears
Body: Sharp and sweet
Finish: Light and oaky

Underwhelming

Rating: 77

Fighting Cock 6 year old 103 proof

Not for the bourbon beginner, Fighting Cock lives up to its name and brings plenty of fire to the game. Not overly complex this dram offers a straightforward taste and some attitude. I enjoyed the nose but the finish came off a little bitter and a tab too short. This one makes a great mixer as its big flavors tend not to get too drowned out, when of course some sort of fruit concoction is added.

Nose: Char & heavy oak, straightforward, vanilla, caramel (a classic bourbon nose)
Body: Light to medium
Finish: Short and sharp, bitter, oak, char

Not what I’d call a sippin’ whisky but Fighting Cock makes a great mixer.

Rating: 78

Old Stagg 8 year old

I found this dusty old bottle while cleaning out my Grandfather’s old stash of liquor (I did score several bottles of old Johnnie Walker Black by the way). This was probably bottled in the early 70’s and luckily never opened. I came away impressed, a big, syrupy smooth and enjoyable dram. Had plenty of apple notes and just a hint of oak. I also picked up some wet cardboard in the nose, which my wife proceeded to reprimand me for liking something that smelled like wet cardboard. They just don’t understand.

Nose: Subtle, apple cider, musty, wet cardboard (but in a good way), hint of oak
Body: Wonderfully chewy
Finish: Medium and big, musty, apples, warming

Kinda like comfort food if it came in a bottle.

Rating: 83


Glenmorangie La Santa (sherried finish)

For this expression, Glenmorangie starts with high quality casks from Southern Spain. All in all, I liked it. The Glenmorangie 10 year old is still one of my favorite everyday drams and I’m always a little skeptical when this great whisky is finished in a specialty wood. Come on, it’s already finished for Pete’s sake. Still, this dram is a nice alternative, and had sherry in abundance. Still retains that vibrant Glenmorangie character.

Nose: Rich, sherry, cherries, fruity, musty, clean, nutty, complex
Body: Thick
Finish: Short but big, fresh fruit, some heat, oak, sherry, warming

Very nice.

Rating: 85


Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban (port finish)

Great, awesome, lovely, just marvelous baby, did I leave anything out. This is one of those drams that reminds you of why you love Single Malt Scotch. The tops of the new Glenmorangie line. This dram has a great nose, a vibrant body and long flavorful finish. I just loved it. The whole dram works. OK, I’ve heaped enough praise but try this as soon as possible!

Nose: Chocolate and orange candy, fresh and clean, toasted pecans, lemon, caramel, with an undercurrent of classic Glenmorangie
Body: Medium mouth feel, tingling
Finish: Lingering, flavorful, some heat, oak, rich, chocolate

Almost the perfect dram.

Rating: 93

Glenmorangie Nectar D’or (sauternes finish)

Sophisticatedly light? Although I can appreciate the craftsmanship that went into this dram I came away wanting a little more. Almost too light and reminded me more of a Lowland malt.

Nose: Grassy, hay, light, citrus, lemon zest, a hint of charred oak, thin
Body: Light
Finish: Thin, medium length, oak, citrus, candy corn, dry

Pleasant.

Rating: 80

Glenmorangie 18 year old Extremely Rare

A sophisticated and well but together dram that we found very enjoyable. A complex nose and heavy body gives way to a shorter but flavorful finish. The flavors just jump out at you. Definitely doesn’t make you work to hard to unlock the drams secrets.

Nose: Oak, fresh and clean, vibrant, lemons, apples, nutmeg, nutty
Body: Chewy
Finish: Short but flavorful, big and gone fast, apples, lemon, oak, bourbon, warming

Easy drinking and very enjoyable.

Rating: 89

Glenmorangie 25 year old Quarter Century

Another example that all whiskies don’t get better with age. I found this dram a little unbalanced. After getting passed a nice deep nose I was let down by a slightly bitter finish. Maybe I just expect more from older and more expensive drams.

Nose: Musty, deep, menthol, honey, fruit, dark chocolate, substantial
Body: Medium
Finish: Medium, oak, dry, some bite, a little bitter, cloves

A bit of a let down.

Rating: 79

The Classic Cask Batch SW105 – 35 years old

Another brilliant expression from this great line. Just oozes elegance and class. This is a rich syrupy whisky for those special toasting moments with family and friends. A deep color gives you a good indication of the maturity length and richness of this dram. You can taste the age and the care that went into this ultra premium blend.

Nose: Lots of sherry, chocolate, nutty and buttery, pulls you in
Body: Full, luxurious
Finish: Ultra smooth, long and dry with some sweet notes from the sherry

Luxurious.

Rating: 92

Balvenie SherryOak 17 year old

This Balvenie is matured exclusively in sherry casks. This one will be a treat for Balvenie fans who rarely get a chance to buy a Balvenie that’s been aged exclusively in sherry. The sherry is well balanced and not overdone. Plenty of other flavors peek through, like, pumpkin spice, toasted nuts, and fruit. A very nice and enjoyable Balvenie.

Nose: Sherry, pumpkin spice, toasted nuts, fruity
Body: Medium to full, flavorful
Finish: Long and spicy, dry and complex

Very flavorful and smooth. A good Fall/Winter dram.

Rating: 87



Baker's

Kentucky Bourbon

This is a rich warming bourbon that would be perfect in the Winter. I actually had this at an event that Baker Beam himself attended which made the experience unique and memorable.

Nose: Rich and syrupy, caramel, vanilla and maple sugar, char
Body: Medium
Finish: Long and sweet, has some bite, dominated by rye, caramel, warming, bitter

A nice ‘Winter’ Bourbon. Just a wee bit too much rye.

Rating: 82


Basil Hayden's 8 year old

Kentucky Bourbon

A beautiful subtle bourbon that I enjoy over ice in the summer months. Has a high rye content which adds some spice and helps balance out the dram. If you're new to bourbon, Basil's is a good choice. Nice and subtle but still very flavorful. Almost too smooth.

Nose: Subtle and sweet, candy corn, vanilla, honey, spice
Body: Medium to thick
Finish: Short but flavorful and big at the start, honey and spice, very smooth, does linger a bit

Lovely.

Rating: 88

Buffalo Trace

Kentucky Bourbon

Earthy and complex, Buffalo Trace is one of those whiskies you either love or like (hates too strong a word). I found this dram enjoyable but a little too earthy in the finish. The nose is rich with oak, vanilla and fruit. The body is thick and satisfying. The finish was slightly on the short to medium side dominated by wet earth.

Nose: Oak, light char, vanilla, fruit, rich
Body: Thick and satisfying
Finish: Medium length, earthy, caramel, candy corn

A great nose but the dram never seems to come together.

Rating: 79

Elmer T Lee 10 year old - Bayway Liquor Bottling, warehouse I, floor 3, rick 44, barrel #50

Kentucky Bourbon

This is a big whiskey that has some attitude and legs. I was a little disappointed with this dram. Very one dimensional and dominated by earthy notes. Not overly sweet and very different from standard bourbons.

Nose: Pencil shavings, fresh and clean, earthy, saw dust
Body: Oily, medium bodied
Finish: Sharp, earthy, long

Big with lots of attitude.

Rating: 80

Maker’s Mark

Kentucky Bourbon

This dram should come with a warning label since it seems to pull you back to the glass with each sip. Neat or on ice this is one great easy drinking whiskey. A drink all day type of bourbon. Well balanced with plenty of sweetness but not overly so. Has a wonderful finish. This one should always be in your liquor cabinet.

Nose: Fresh, honey, refreshing, fresh cut flowers, resin, fruit
Body: Chewy
Finish: Long, has some bite, honey, light char and oak, mint

Delicious.

Rating: 88

Benriach 10 year old

Speyside Single Malt

An easy drinking straightforward dram that came off nice enough. Not to complex and a little thin and bitter on the finish. This is an older Benriach and was bottled before the new ownership took over. Today Benriach is turning out exciting new expressions but this relic from that past is still pleasant and worth a pull. Has a nice nose but it doesn’t follow through to the finish.

Nose: Malt, fresh, cut grass, heather
Body: surprisingly chewy
Finish: Medium length, butterscotch, bitter, warming

Straightforward.

Rating: 78

Jim Beam White Label

Kentucky Bourbon

A nice smooth easy drinking whiskey. Jim Beam is used mostly as a mixer but it’s a nice whisky neat. Has a nice finish. Not an overly complex dram but still pleasant and easy drinking. This one cries for a porch on a hot summer day with maybe a tall glass of lemonade as a chaser.

Nose: Fresh, a crisp fall breeze, lightly charred oak, fruity, honey, oranges, musty
Body: Light, easy
Finish: Short but flavorful, pronounced sweetness, oak, warming

A good sipping whisky that will surprise you.

Rating: 82

Jim Beam Black

Kentucky Bourbon

Now this is more like it. A big rich dram that holds up well over ice, but try it neat first. This one screams toughness and attitude and we loved it. A great sipping whiskey that’s not overly complex. Lacks that sticky sweetness that so many bourbons seem to have in abundance. A great finish rounds off this impressive dram.

Nose: Oak, fruit, strong and robust, burnt caramel, a little bitter
Body: Chewy
Finish: Medium length and smooth, oak, fruit, rich, caramel, char

A tough, big and rich whiskey!

Rating: 87

Knob Creek

Kentucky Bourbon

BIG! In my opinion this is one of the best Bourbons on the market today. It’s all here, all the robust flavors that made bourbon ‘America’s Whiskey’. Throw in a long dry finish and you have one heck of a dram.

Nose: Sharp and big, spicy, rye, big charred oak, a touch of vanilla, roasted nuts
Body: Very sweet
Finish: Long and dry with a big (well balanced) rye taste, in your face, stays with you

Very big and flavorful, a great one!

Rating: 90

Booker’s

Kentucky Bourbon

It all starts here, the bourbon that all others are compared too. Pulls you in and doesn’t let go. Very complex and is among the top whiskies in the world. Reminds me of waking up on a camping trip and smelling the previous nights fire in the air. Very big and not one you’ll pull on all day, one dram is enough.

Nose: Deep and complex, caramel, honey, char, ash, oranges, graphite
Body: medium
Finish: Long and dry, oak, a touch of vanilla, caramel

Amazing!

Rating: 95


Brora 30 year old Cask Strength

Highland Single Malt

A 30 year old whisky from a closed distillery is enough to start making your mouth water. This whisky definitely lived up to my expectations. Heavy peat balanced by sweet notes and leather. This dram was big and impressive that had a great nose that had many Islay characteristics. Had that ancient feel and you knew you were drinking something special. Still retained enough fire to waken the taste buds and keep you interested.

Nose: Wow!, heavy peat, iodine, big, fruity, oak, very leathery, musty
Body: Medium
Finish: Long and flavorful, floral, peat, leather, oak

Big and impressive.

Rating: 90