Whisky Reviews

Laphroaig Triple Wood

Slightly peaty with the flavor of burned wood.

Dalwhinnie 15

Finishes with slight notes of honey

Glen Grant Reserve

Bourbonish, young

Glen Grant 10

Notes of almond on the finish

Dailuaine

Very tasty, mellow.

Glenlivet 21

Chocolate notes

Glenfarclas 10

Easy to drink. Smells of cherry.

Glenfarclas 15

Spicy

Caol Islay 12

Oban 14

Did not like

Bowmore 12

Just delicious

Glengoyne 15

The favorite of the tour guide Gordon

Glengoyne 21

Very smooth and subtle

Tomatin 12

Grassy, I like it

Craigellechie 13

Smooth subtle

Aberfeldy 12

Very good. Well rounded.

Springbank 10

Delicious. Sweet.

Ardbeg Wee Beastie

Peppery. Punch in the mouth. Charcoal.

Glen Grant 25

Peppery open. Smooth finish.

Deanston 20

Starts off sweet and smooth, then comes in with a pleasant spiciness

Deanston 12

Light. Sweet.

Auchentoshan Three Wood

Heavy, spicy, hints of chocolate

Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2011

Spicy hit on the tongue. Peppery on the backend. Strong.

Bruichladdich Classic

Smoother than the Islay barley. Not peppery.

BenRiach Smoky 10

Smoky nose, spicy finish.

Kilchoman Sanaig

Smoky, smooth. Lovely.

Aberlour 16

Really good. Slightly sweet. Mild spiciness.

Glen Garioch 12

Residual heat. Crisp. A little sweet.

Bunnahabhain 12

Smooth. Thick. Sweet with a bit of spice on the finish. Really good.

Glen Grant 12

Light. Sweet. Smooth. Easy drink.

Macallan 12 double cask

Smooth open. Little pepper on the finish. Caramel notes

Macallan 15 double cask

Deep smooth open. Honey and chocolate finish

Macallan 18 double cask

Silky start. Tannin flavors come in the he after taste. Very interesting. Dries out your mouth.

Macallan rare cask 2021

Strong honey smell. Pepper. Hearty. A bit harsh. Thick.

Dalmore Cigar Malt

Actually tastes like cigars. Leathery. Quite good.

Blair Athol 23

Candy flavor in the back of my nose.

Kilchoman Machir Bay

Smoke up front. A bit of sweet sour. The other Kilchoman is way better.

Askaig 8 Years

Smells sweet. Smooth. Vanilla. Very tasty.

Corsair Dark Rye

Smoky, peppery. Rich flavor. Smooth. Really good.

Old Forester 1910

Smells incredibly sweet. Yogurt covered raisins. Light the tongue. Disappears quick. Oily mouthfeel. Hits in the back of the throat. Very interesting.

Old Forester 1920

Smells like caramel. Long slow pepper burn. Sweet. Complex. Heavy.

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 20-05

Sweet smell. Mellow pepper after the sweetness. Maraschino syrup. Very easy to drink.

Spice Tree Compass Box (Blended)

Oaky. Viscous. Pleasant spice kick.

Elijah Craig Small Batch

Pepper hit. Spicy. Woody. Good.

Bowmore Vault Edition

Corduroy.

Glenfiddich 15

Nose smells a bit of raisin, molasses. Smooth, deep, a little vegetal on the finish. Delightful.

Kikori (All rice)

Smells a bit like sake. Sort of evaporates in your mouth, like it’s high proof. But it’s only 82 proof. Interesting.

Bruichladdich Port Charlotte

Smells like smoke. Tastes like licking charcoal.

GlenLivet Caribbean Reserve

Smells a bit sweet. Tastes light, young, acidic. I don’t like it.

Ledaig

Very good. Woody smell. Gentle smoke.

Bowmore Vault

Smells like tart apples. Oily, salty. Very good. I really like it.

Johnnie Walker Green Label

Oaky slightly sweet nose. Taste is light, slightly sweet, slightly smoky. Very tasty.

Laphroaig Quarter Cask

Honey and smoke on the nose. Tastes oaky and slightly peaty. The finish dissipates quickly. Good, not great.

Chattanooga 111 Cask

Smells a bit funky. Like overripe bananas. Tastes like cherry coke. Not much burn considering it’s 111 proof. Really tasty and interesting.

Mortlach 16

Pleasant nose. Oak and sherry. Peppery and thick on the palate. Smooth. Slightly bitter aftertaste. Really good.

Glenfiddich 14 Bourbon Reserve

Nose is like bourbon. Sweet. Light. Taste is a bit weak. Finish has a pleasant burn. Not my favorite.

Jefferson’s Ocean

Sweet and mellow spice nose. Spice up front, then a smooth finish. Very good.

Bunnahabhain Stiuireadair

Nose salted caramel. Fruit, smoke. Long fruit finish. Very good. I’d buy a bottle.

Glenfarclas 17

Nose has sherry notes. Palate is also sherry with a bit of smoke and spice. Finish is long with spiciness.

Glenrothes 11

Allspice nose. Spice forward on the palette. Deep chocolate finish.

Templeton Rye

Nose is honey, slightly medicinal. Rye spice and honey palette. Residual low spice. Good stuff.

Octomore 12.1

Nose is charcoal and caramel. Palette is complex. Smoke, mild sweetness, pepper, salt. Finish is lingering smoke. Amazing. I absolutely love it.

Lagavulin 8

Nose sweet apple. Smooth palette with pepper, stone fruit. Finish is where the smoke comes in. Good.

Laphroaig Cairdeas Cask

Nose is initially sweet, then you get hints of a campfire that’s been put out. Salty palette. Finish is chocolatey. Very good.

Ardbeg An Oa

Nose is toffee. A bit funky. Palette is smooth. Oily. Not much flavor. A bit of a weird juxtaposition with the nose. Finish is a bit of lingering salt and smoke. It grew on me.

Ardbeg 10

Sweet and peppery nose. Palette is smooth like the An Oa, with a bit of oil, but with more spice. Lingering spice on the finish. I like it. Between this and An Oa, I’d pick this.

Garrison Brothers Bourbon

Nose is a bit of raisin and oak. Rounded palette. Not too sweet. Finish is just a little warm and spicy. Very easy to drink.

Glengoyne 12

Butterscotch nose. Very interesting. Initial palette is a bit watery, but then it develops into the butterscotch on the finish. Interesting.

Michters Rye

Good stuff.

Oban 18

Molasses and raisins on the nose. Oily palette, finish brings back the molasses and raisins. Really tasty.

Knob Creek Rye

Sweet peppery nose. A bit like a cigar. Smooth rich palette. Tasty on its own.

Tobermory 12

Nose: salty sweet, a little hint of pepper. Palette

Arran 10

Nose: rounded honey. Smooth and silky. Palette has a bit of citrus. Mellow but good.

Glencadam 13

Nose is a bit sweet and vanilla. Palette is pepper.

Singleton 12

Nose has the smell of apples. Palette is complex. Fruity, little to no alcohol burn. Lingering sweetness. Good. Not great.

Corsair Triple Smoke

Nose is light and sweet, candied cherries. Taste is a bit oily, candy cane under tone.

Pittyvaich 29 (1989 ghost)

Palette mellow fruitiness. Raisins on the palette. You feel the 102.8 at the end with some heat. Astringent. Very good.

Highland Park 12

Nose: honey and sherry sweet. Palette is smooth and viscous. Soft sweetness. Good finish that develops a bit of spice. Pretty great for a 12 year.

High West Double Rye

Nose has a nice rye spice. Palette is smooth with an underlying rye spiciness. Very tasty.

Highland Park 18

Nose: honey and sherry sweet. Palette is smooth and viscous. Soft sweetness. Amazingly drinkable.

Willet Bourbon

Smells a bit like rye. Smooth with a bit of spice. Tastes like a rye. Very good.

Weller Special Reserve

Nose is sweet, oaky. Palette is a bit of spice and citrus. Back half is heat.

Hudson Whisky NY Back Room Deal

Very odd. Weird smoke on the back end. Did not like.

Linkwood 15

Sweet on the nose. Toffee on the palette. A bit of spice and smoke at the end. Very good.

Aultmore

Gentle nose. Bits of sweetness and toffee. Palette is restrained. Spiciness, pepper.

Scapa 2005

Vanilla spice on the nose. Gentle on the palette, a little bit of spice on the finish. Finish builds a bit of extra spice.

Ardcore (Ardbeg 2022)

Smoky sweet nose. Pepper spice bomb on the palette. Finish leaves a mellow sweetness. Like cornbread.

Fuji whisky

With added water, vanilla, sweet,

Fuji Single Blended

More fruity flavors than the “whisky” version

Fuji single grain

Spicier than the other two. Marmalade.

Fuji 30 year (300 bottles ever made $3k-5k)

Nose: sweet, floral. Palette: rounded spiciness, sweet. Finish: long finish with the sweetness and then a bit of molasses.

Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Selected

Nose: candy with a bit of cinnamon. Palette: alcohol spiciness, with a bit of honey. Finish: lingering spice. Really good.

Great Jones Distillery

Bourbon: good 4 grain: harsh alcoholic aftertaste Rye: ok

Jura 18

Sweet and woody on the nose. Light, sweet on the palette. Residual burn on the palette with a bit of sherry.

Jura 10

Nose is shoe polish. A bit harsh. Palette is sort of how it smells. No real burn on the end. Lingers for a bit. Not that great.

Dalmore 12

Nose has a bit of honey and cedar. Smooth on the palette. Residual burn. Really good.

Longrow Red 11

Nose, sweet woody. Heat, peppery, sweet. Lingering heat and oak. Really nice.

Deanston Oloroso 2008

Rich & spicy on the nose. Dry with sweet and spice. High proof burn on the finish. Very good. A little water opens it up nicely.

Longrow Peated

Smoky peat on the nose, with a bit of sweetness. Palette is spice with a building peatiness. Finish is more sharp spice. Interesting.

Kilchoman Loch Gorm

Tastes a bit peatier and spicier than the Sanaig. Less oily than the Machir Bay. Good, but I still like Sanaig better.

Caol Isla 12

Palette is sweet, then it builds to a nice smokiness. Some residual heat. Very good.

Kilchoman 7 Year Old Single Cask 2022

Nose is sweet and spicy. You can almost taste the Pedro Jimenez cask. The palette is a lot of alcohol since it’s cask strength. Then you get a lingering sweetness and spice. Reminds me a bit of a negroni in a whisky glass. I like it a lot.

Lochlea Harvest

Amazing nose. Smells a bit like a spring forest. Palette is smooth. A bit oily. Costs your mouth with this pleasant fresh feeling. Quite good and bit sweet.

Kilchoman Casado 2022

Tastes a lot like the Sanaig with a bit more residual heat

Glen Allachie 2010 Single Oloroso Cask

Nose is deep. Maple syrup. Cask strength the alcohol bite is quite pronounced. But the Oloroso sherry still comes through. Quite good.

Glen Allachie 8

Smells like a standard Speyside scotch. Palette is smooth with a bit of wood. Residual heat from the high proof. Added a few drops of water.

Torabhaig

The nose is very smokey. Palette is spicy and smokey. More smoke on the finish. Very tasty. High proof.

Laphroaig 16

Nose is floral, with some peat smoke. A bit like it’s been aged in rotted wood. Palette is subtle with some earrings. Heat and peat smoke builds on the finish.

Ardbeg Heavy Vapors

Nose is very peaty, almost medicinal, grain alcohol. Palette is peat heavy, spicy, with some underlying sweetness. Finish is lingering smoke and alcohol bite. Quite tasty.

Springbank 15

Nose reminds of me sage. The palette brings in some peat smoke, and sweetness. Finish is quick and effervescent. 5 drops of water really brings out the sweetness.

Springbank 12 Sherry Cask

Nose is syrupy sweet. Palette is sweet with some oak ones. Finish is light. Very good.

Campbelltown Loch

Nose is sweet, funky. Palette has sweetness, smoke and some other things I can’t pick out. Finish has some bite. Evolves on your palette.

Glenrothes 12

Smells sweet. Palette has some bite. Smooth and sweet finish. Tasty.

Glenrothes 18

Sweet from the Sherry casks. Smooth and gentle, unlike the 12. Finish lingers with the sweetness. Very good.

Lagavulin 16

Nose is smoky with a bit of berry. Palette is juicy and smoky. Finish just sort of disappears. Excellent.

Lagavulin 8

Nose is harsher than the 16. Smells more like grain alcohol. The palette is lighter. Palette fades fast just like the 16.

Lagavulin 11 Charred Oak

Spicy on the nose. Burned tasting version of the 16. Quite good.

Lagavulin Distillers Edition

Nose is very subtle. Sweet. Palette is smooth. Almost like port wine with smoke on the end. Tasty, but I like the 16 more.

Glen Elgin 18

Nose has hints of apple and pear. Palette is smoky with a hint of sweetness. Finish goes away likely.

Tobermory 12

Sweet and peaty on the nose. Peppery spice and sweetness on the palette. Very good.

Kilchoman Evolution 12 Year

Nose has a bit of sweetness. The palette is light. Starts sweet and then turns to smoky. Lingering heat from the high proof. But it’s not strong. Very good.

Springbank 10

Nose smells of a sherry cask. Palette is smooth and smoky. Finish turns super funky. Very good.

Bunnahabhain 1988 Vintage Marsala Cask

Nose smells like a wine cask. Like a spicy sherry cask. Very light. Sweet, smoky. Finish evaporates quickly. Doesn’t need any water even though it’s cask strength.

Glenglassaugh Revival

Nose is hot.Palette is briney. Oily. Ends with a (Closest to their new 12 year)

Glenglassaugh 12

This one is bit smoother tasting than the Revival. More muted brine flavor. Good.

Glenglassaugh Evolution

Super briney, but easier to drink. Funky. I like it. (equivalent to Sand End)

Glenglassaugh Sand End

Amazing. Has a sort of honey taste to it. Gentle.

Glenglassaugh Torfa

Palette is bananas. Sweet. Peaty. Funky. Amazing. (Equivalent to Port Soy)

Glenglassaugh Port Soy

Good. A little too gentle compared to the Torfa. Not enough smoke.

GlenDronach 12

Nose is sweet with hints of pine. Palette brings out more sweetness with a bit of residual heat. Finish stays on your tongue. Good stuff.

Dalmore Port Wood

Nose is hard to determine. But I think I can smell a bit of the port cask. Palette has a bit of a bite, then you get a kick of ethanol that lasts into the finish. Adding a touch of water really smooths it out and makes it nice.

Orange County Distillery Bourbon (37 months, 41%)

Nose is sweet with hints of honey. Palette is sweet with a bit of an iodine backend. Not bad.

Glen Scotia Double Cask

Interesting nose. Has sort of a sweet candy syrup smell. Palette is strong. Finish hits you with the alcohol. Very interesting.

Arran Malt Brodick Bay 20 Year

Nose is rich oak and honey. Palette starts with a bit of pine that builds into some fire from the high proof. Finish is a bit oily. Lingering deep sweetness. Very good.

Mortlach 12

Sweet vanilla on the nose. Has a heavy mouthfeel. But it’s dry. The finish builds some heat. Quite interesting.

Mortlach 16

Sweet and a bit of maple syrup on the nose. Palette is sweet with bits of dark chocolate. Dry, and the finish doesn’t build like the 12. Tastes amazing. (Sherry cask finished)

Mortlach 20

Nose is very light. But it smells like brown sugar. The oak hits you on the palette. Finish is very extended. Great, but not quite as good as the 16 to me. (Early 1900s single malt style)

Mortlach 2023 Katana’s 12 (Japanese whisky cask)

Smells like sugar with a bit of salt. Oily. Finish goes right to your nostrils. Strong but amazing.

Sagamore Spirit

Nose is predominantly vanilla with a bit of tobacco. Palette brings in the rye spice. Finish is gentle, but dry. Pretty good sipping rye.

Aberfeldy 12

Nose has hints of honey. Palette feels a bit watery. Spice notes from the barrel. Finish just leaves some heat. Easy to drink.

J.J. Corry The Hanson Irish Whiskey

Nose vanilla forward with a hint of peach. Palette is very sweet. Almost like a bourbon. Finish is dry. Higher abv (46%) hits your nose.

Lochlea Our Barley

Smells a bit funky. Like grain alcohol. Taste is quite good. But I don’t need to have this again.

Uncle Nearest

Nose is heavy on the vanilla and caramel. At 50% the palette has quite the bite. Aftertaste is all sweet burn. Water opens it up quite a bit. Still not great.

BenRiach The Sixteen

Nose has a lot of sherry sweetness. Palette is rich and sweet. Very tasty. I like this one a lot.

Glen Moray

Smells very sweet. Palette is kind of harsh. Very almost briney. I don’t like it.

Starward (Australian)

On the nose you can really smell the Solera cask.

Jefferson’s Marian McClain (25th Anniversary)

Citrusy smell. Very rich. Maple syrup palette. Excellent.

Octomore 14.3

The nose is very interesting. You get the peat and then heavy toasted cereal notes. Palette is light, you get more of those cereal flavors. Then the finish rolls in with smoke. Very interesting.

Oban 11

Nose is sweet. Like cherries. Very hot. Needs water.

Black Button Distilling Pre-prohibition bourbon

Nose is heavy cinnamon and black pepper. More of the pepper and butterscotch on the palette. It doesn’t have a lot of staying power, but it’s pleasant.

Filey Bay Flagship Single Malt

Nose is sweet vanilla. It tastes a bit of grain alcohol. Very young. Not bad, but I don’t like it much.

Octomore 14.2

Smells a lot like the 14.3. Toasted cereal notes with some underlying sherry sweetness. Taste is an odd mix. It’s got a peppery spice, with that underlying sweetness. Finish brings the cereal notes back in. Very tasty. Good.

Frey Ranch Bottled-in-Bond Rye

Nose: oaky and peppery. Palette: hits you heavy with the rye. Syrupy. Tastes like it needs a bit more aging, but still good. Finish is heavy with the alcohol burn.

Famous Grouse Smoky Black

Nose: sweet and smoky. Palette is sweet, almost like bourbon. Not my favorite.

Octomore 14.1

Nose is heavy peat plus some vanilla. Palette brings in more smoke, then some grape flavor. Finish is hot. Quite good. Of the 14s, this one has the least of that cereal flavor. Adding some water really brings out the smokiness and more sweetness to the taste.

Longmorn 18

Nose brings out notes of a sherry cask. Palette is a bit hot, but not enough that you’ll want to add water. Finish is light. Quite good.

Stauning Rye Whisky

Nose is very peppery. Palette is heavy on the rye spice and pepper. Hot finish. Interesting, but not pleasant.

Aberfeldy 16

Sweet Honey apple Light Pleasant. Easy to drink

Aberfeldy 18 Tuscan

Nose is more mellow, dark cherries, caramel Still a bit watery mouthfeel More complex Grows on you

Aberfeldy 18 Napa Valley Cab

Nose is difficult to place. Subtle sweetness. Palette is light and easy. A little residual heat. Good and easy to drink. I think I like the 18 better

Breckenridge Port Cask Finish

The port cask aroma is strong on the nose. Palette is syrupy sweet and just a touch spicy. Very good.

Silkie The Legendary Dark Silkie Irish Whiskey

Nose smells like brine and tobacco. On the palette you get oak and spice. Long finish of the same spice notes. It’s interesting.

Bunnahahbian 12 Cask Strength

Nose smells like syrup and spice. Palette is hot because of the abv. Lingering cinnamon spice. Good stuff, but I like the regular 12 better. A few drops of water really open it up.

Glen Moray 12 (pronounced Murray)

Sweet on the nose. Notes of honey. Easy on the palette with butterscotch and vanilla. Soft finish. Much better than the non-age statement Glen Moray.

Glen Moray 15

I smell chocolate and sherry. Palette is very gentle but viscous. Delicious. Hangs out for a while on the finish.

Glenfarclas 10

Corn on the nose, but not like bourbon. More grain and cereal on the palette. Tasty as always.

Glenfarclas 12

Sweeter but more subtle than the 10. Palette is more viscous than the 10, but I still tastes notes of cereal. Dank.

Glen Moray Marsala Wine Cask

Nose has hints of cherry liqueur. Allspice on the palette. Finish is pure spice but not overbearing. Develops nicely. Fantastic. Too bad it’s a limited edition

Laphroaig Lore

Muted Laphroaig medicinal smell on the nose. Nice sweet smoke on the palette. A bit of a harsh finish, but it fades fast. Very interesting and delicious.

Balvenie 25

Notes of Sherry and toasted cereal on the nose. Palette is interesting. You get an underlying heat and spiciness, but the rolling sweetness from the Sherry cask. Hints of allspice and ginger. Finish is hot, but not overwhelming. Unique and delicious.

Sonoma Cherrywood Smoked Rye

Nose is big on vanilla and rye spice. Palette is very sweet. Finish is clean. Just lingering rye spice. It’s pretty good.

Yellowstone American Single Malt

Nose has a lot of sweetness. Hints of corn, but a lot of honey. Palette is sweet too, but not cloying. Good, but not great.

Laphroaig Sherry Oak Finish 10 year

Big Sherry sweetness on the nose. Palette has some of that Sherry sweetness, a bit of heat from the 96 proof, and then the iodine pear smoke flavor you normally get from a Laphroaig. The mix works surprisingly well together. Finish has some of the rolling sweetness and bitterness. One of my favorite Laphroaigs.

Laphroaig Select

Noise has grassy corn nose. Very easy to drink. Low abv. Good mixer.

Laphroaig 10

Smells sweeter than I remember. Much more residual heat than the Select. Finishes with that iodine flavor. I still love it. This was my first Scotch back when I was in my early 20s.

Laphroaig Càirdeas (White Port and Madeira)

Nose is peat with some honey sweetness. Interesting. Finish is hot. Kind of harsh. Some water opens it up.

Kilchoman PX Sherry Cask Matured

Nose smells like toasted cereal. Mix of sweet and smoky. Palette is very smooth. You get a finish with smoke and sweetness that lingers. Quite nice.

Talisker Distiller’s Edition Amoroso Seasoned Cask

Sweet and smoky on the nose with a bit of funkiness. A bit watery on the palette, but you get a hint of vegetal flavor on the end. Interesting.

Bushmills 21

Nose is sweet with toffee and a bit of molasses. Palette has a bit of citrus. A bit bitter on the finish. Good stuff, but not my favorite.

Dalmore 12

Very sweet on the nose. Rich. Palette has some spice. You taste the sherry on the end. Good stuff.

Dalmore Cigar Malt

Nose smells a bit more chocolaty with a tad bit of earthiness. Big spice bomb on the palette. Develops really nicely on the finish. Incredible.

Dalmore King Alexander

Nose is strong with the chocolate orange. Palette is kind of thin. Finish is a bit harsh. Not my favorite.

Dalmore 18

Nose is very different. Dull richness. Smells like sweet moss. Very sweet and gentle. No bite. Sweetness lingers on the palette. Very good.

Dalmore Luminary #2

Nose has a bit of sweetness and ammonia. Palette is very creamy. The ammonia and sweetness comes back at the end. Salty, and a tad smoky. Amazing.

Dràm Mòr

Nose smells like a bit like oak. A bit of turpentine. There’s a bit of wood, a touch of smoke. High proof. So it sort of develops into a bit of a bite then evaporates. It’s good, but not exactly an easy drink.

Ardbeg Spectacular (2024)

Peat and port wine sweetness on the nose. Palette is a bit light with smoke and sweetness. Very dry. The alcohol bite lingers. It’s good.

Whistlepig PiggyBack Bourbon

Nose has a lot of sweetness and some lingering spice. Palette is smooth. Finish is a bit odd, kind of bitter. Probably great as a mixer.

Whistlepig PiggyBack Rye

Nose is very high on the alcohol, with a bit hit of rye. Palette is just spice on spice. The spice lingers on the finish. Very bold.

Whistlepig 10 Year Small Batch Rye

Nose has rye spice but it’s more gentle and with a hint of honey. It has some roundedness on the palette. The finish is very nice. More of the honey as it goes.

Whistlepig 15 Year Rye

Nose has notes of burnt caramel and a slight bit of rye spice. Palette . Finish is short on flavor but lingers with the heat.

Whistlepig 18 Year

Nose is very sweet. Like molasses. Palette is incredibly smooth. A real treat.

Arran Sherry Cask

Heavy sherry and alcohol burn on the nose. 55% is too hot. Hits like a hot bourbon. Better with some water. I would not buy again.

Lagavulin The Distillers Edition

You can smell the sweetness of the Pedro Ximenez cask on the nose. Not too hot. Mellow on the palette. Toasty and a little sweet on the finish. I really like it.

Bunnahabhain Fèis Ìle 2023

Nose has a bit of wheat. Palette is a bit hot, but mellows with sweetness from the sherry cask finish. Quite nice.

Glentauchers 13

Smells a bit sweet and a grassy. Palette drops the sweetness for oiliness. I like it a lot. Pleasant.

Milan & Greene Single Barrel Bourbon

Nose brings some sweetness and allspice. Palette is silky with more spice. Something kind of like cinnamon in the finish. Excellent.

Highland Park 21

Nose has notes of spice and red candied apple. Palette is syrupy with developing spice notes. Notes. A little bit of a rye taste at the end. Complex and good.

Balvenie Revelation of Cask and Character 19 year old

Rich Sherry sweetness on the nose. Woody, and sweet on the palette. Finishes with a kick of spice and heat. Very nice.

Macallan Classic Cut 2023

Vanilla on the nose. A little bit sweet. Not particularly remarkable. Tasty.

Kilkerran 8

Nose has notes of raisins. Sweet but hot. Palette isn’t as hot as it smells. It lingers for quite a bit. The sweetness comes in long after the burn leaves.

AD Rattray Tomintoul distillery 17 year sherry

Nose is sweet, with a bit of oak. Heat from the high ABV, but it doesn’t drink like 57%. Great finish. Lingering sweetness. Very good

AD Rattray 16 year Teaninich port finish

Nose is a bit briney. Not a lot of sweetness. Lots of pepper on the palette. The sweetness is there, but it’s deep in there. The heat lingers. Tannic, dry. Good. 57% percent.

AD Rattray Strathmill 16 year bourbon hogs head 55.5%

Nose is toffee. Palette brings in even more burnt toffee, then the finish has a note of peppermint. Excellent.

AD Rattray Tormore Rum Cask 58%

Nose has a deep funky molasses flavor. Maybe a bit of plum. Palette is hot at first. Spicy cinnamon on the finish. Needs water.

AD Rattray Glen Rothes 11 year 65.9% sherry

Dry sherry nose. Very strong. Earthy. Tastes like grain alcohol. Haha. Why would they do this to us. Still kind of good. Ok. On second taste, it’s quite good. Has the briney flavor of a super dry sherry. A touch of sweetness. Almonds. Mascarpone. Torronne.

Raasay Signature Draam

Nose has a cereal note. A little bit of alcohol burn on the palette with some rye spice. Slight smokiness, then it develops into a nice honey sweetness. Quite good.

Raasay unpeated ex-rye

Nose, hint of cereal, sweetness. Palette is quite spicy. A bit harsh. Spice lingers.

Raasay ex left band Bordeaux wine cask

Nose, smells like grain alcohol. Tastes a bit grainy, but then it’s sweet. It lingers with the sweetness.

Raasay highland peated red wine cask

Nose, sweet with a tiny bit of smoke. Hits you with sweet smoke, and the sweetness lingers. Quite good.

Raasay cask strength of signature Draam

Quite good. Stronger less mellow version of the signature from above.

Raasay sherry cask

Smells like sherry. Palette is sweet. Sweet finish with a bit of pepper. Too sweet.

Glen Allachie 30 Year

Nose is sweet with a bit of underlying spice. Palette hits you with the sherry’esque sweetness. Finish is syrupy. Quite good.

Glenmorangie 12

Honey and vanilla sweetness on the nose. Light on the palette. Finish is a bit harsh with a bit of crisp apple. Not bad.

Glenmorangie Lasanta (Sherry)

Nose has that sherry sweet raisin smell. A bit sweet on the palette. Develops into a rich sherry finish. Light and not syrupy. Quite beautiful.

Glenmorangie Nectar 12 (old Sauternes expression)

Nose reminds me of burned caramel. Palette brings in some more sugar notes. Like a funnel cake. Finish is bright and citrusy. Interesting.

Glenmorangie 18

Nose brings in a bit of the sherry, but still with more of that light bourbon cask smell. Palette is much more viscous. Finish is light with some sherry and spice. Quite nice.

Glenmorangie Signet (Chocolate Malt)

Nose has lot of coffee, chocolate, and a touch of caramel. Palette has a bit of effervescent effect before the finish begins. Finish brings in more burnt coffee taste. It’s like the whisky version of a chocolate porter style beer. Interesting, but I don’t think I like it.

Glenmorangie La Quinta (Port)

Nose is light. Palette is very smooth with a bit of a chocolatey sweetness. Quite good. More viscous than the Lasanta.

Dalmore 15

Easy drinker. Caramel notes. Smooth finish. Good, but not exciting.

Dalmore 15 vintage

Nose has a bit of spice. Palette brings in anise flavor. Finish is dry and spicy. Quite good.

Dalmore 18

Dark cherry chocolate on the nose. Palette brings in tobacco notes. Finish is dry. Good.

Dalmore 18 vintage

Smells like PX on the nose. Palette is spicy. Light. Disappears. Meh.

Lagavin 11 offerman #4

Sweet peppery on the nose, residual smoke. Salty and sweet on the palette. Quite nice.

Lagavulin 16 special edition PX

Smells like the sea with sweet raisins and some malted grains. Palette is sweet and smoky. Finish is dark chocolate. Very good.

Oban 14

Sweet and smoky on the nose. A lot of salinity and slight peat flavor on the palette. Finishes with more and more smoke as it develops. Very good.

Kings County Blended

A little grainy a little sweet. Tasty.

Kings County Straight Bourbon

Tasty. Easy drinker.

Kings County Rye 61%

Hot on the nose. Palette is hot. But it drinks well. Finish brings in a nice rounded rye spice. Quite good despite the proof.

Kings County Spiced “Flavored” Whiskey

Woof.

Compass Box Extinct Blends Quartet

Excellent. Light and slightly smoky.

Ten Mile Distillery American Revolution (Chain that Saved America)

Nose has lots of wheat grain. Palette is very pleasant. A bit fruity and light. Quite tasty.

Ten Mile Port Cask

Not as good as the other one, but it brings in some smooth sweet port notes. Good for dessert.

Copper Fox Rye

Nose reminds me of molasses. Palette is very woody. Oakey. Don’t love it.

Naked Malt

Nose is sweet. Maybe Oloroso Sherry? Palette is spicy with some lingering smoky sweetness. Quite good for the low price.

Journeyman Featherbone Cask Strength Bourbon

Nose is hot, sweet and oaky. Palette is a bit harsh. Leathery, earthy. Finish lingers with dry spices. Like white pepper. Much better with a bit of water. More spicy. Nose has more vanilla.

Kilchoman 15 year sherry cask

Nose has hints of sherry and toasted cereal. Finish is a bit short and hot. Pretty good. Not amazing. Water mellows it out quite nicely.

Kilkerran 12

Nose is sweet with some cereal notes. A bit dank and funky. Palette is thin but you get some of the sherry notes. Finish brings in a bit of charcoal. Interesting easy drinker.

Scapa 21

Nose is juicy and sweet. Reminds me of the syrup in a fruit cup. Palette is even more sweetness, with strong undertones of spice. The finish trades between spicy and sweet. Interesting.

Ardbeg Vintage Y2K (23 year)

Nose has some grain, smoke, and some sherry sweetness. Palette is heavy on the smoke. Like a damp camp fire. A little sweetness and pepper on the palette. The finish is all lingering smoke. Very good.

Booker’s Jimmy’s Batch 7 Year

Burnt Orange on the nose, then the palette brings in some vanilla. Hot since it’s 62%. Quite tasty.

Teitessa Single Grain Japanese 30 Year

Nose was sweet. Palette had a lot of honey and a bit of spice. Nice long viscous finish. Very tasty.

Compass Box Nectarosity

Nose is complex. Buttery, vanilla. Palette starts a bit spicy then immediately smooths out. Interesting. Good stuff.

Compass Box Peat Monster

Nose smells like laphroaig, but a bit more intense. Palette is incredibly light. Finish brings in some vanilla oakiness. Very drinkable and tasty.

Compass Box Crimson Casks

Nose is subtle, allspice, maple syrup. Palette is complex. It starts with cinnamon, and develops into dark chocolate. The spice lingers on the palette. Excellent.

Compass Box Flaming Heart #8 (2025)

Hint of peat on the nose. Palette brings in more peat, and some of the sweet complexity of a sherry scotch. Lingers with a bit of vanilla and cereal grain. Quite nice.

Compass Box Orchard House

Nose is light and sweet. A bit of green apple. Palette is a bit hot. Lingering honey on the finish. Good. I think some water could help.

Compass Box Art and Decadence

Rich sherry sweetness on the nose. Palette is light. Brings in some brine and sweetness. Amazing.

Compass Box Celestial

Nose smells a bit smoky with a bit of underlying fruitiness. Palette brings in more smoke. Lingering smoke and some tropical fruit flavors on the finish. Very good.

Bruichladdich Black Art 11.1

Nose is heavy dark sherry. Palette starts rich and round. You get a bit of spice and black cherry on the finish. Amazing.

Daftmill 2010

Nose is a bit of toffee and butterscotch. Finish has some fig notes. Hot since its cask strength. Very good.

Glenrothes 25

The nose is heavy and sweet. Syrup with a bit of allspice. The palette is interesting. A bit oily, the sweetness doesn’t come through, then the finish has a bit of bite.

Glen Allachie 8

Nose brings in some sherry sweetness, a bit of honey. Palette feels round with some cinnamon. Hard to describe. Finish brings in some spiciness. Quite good.

Glen Allachie 12

Much sweeter nose than the 8. Notes is grade B maple syrup. Palette has a pleasant sweetness, but it’s a bit dull. The finish is a bit watery. I like the 8 more.

Glen Allachie 15

Nose has a faint sweetness with some rye spice. Palette has a bit of blueberry. Finnish is spicy, but it doesn’t linger. Good but not terribly complex. Lighter than the others, so an easier drinker. Slightly better than the 12.

Glen Allachie 10 (Cask Strength)

Nose is more honey and oak, very sweet. Palette is surprisingly light given the abv (58%). Finish is hot. Drinkable given the abv. Adding water brings in more spice. Tastes like New Orleans.

Glen Allachie Meikle Toir (Cask Strength) 50%

Sweet peat on the nose, with that cereal note I love. Palette is gentle. Tastes a bit salty. I love it. Better than a similar tasting Octomore.

Glen Allachie Madeira

Subtle honey molasses on the nose. Palette brings in a lot of spice. Quite good.

Craigellachie 23

Nose is a bit spicy. Like green apple with cinnamon. Palette is almost a bit sour. Kind of oily. Spicy lingering finish. Very uinique and fun.

Bowmore 12 (pronounced som’more bow more)

Nose has honey cinnamon and smoke. Palette brings in more spice and a medicinal quality. A tiny bit hot. Finish lingering sweetness and smoke. Quite good.

Bowmore 15

It’s like the 12 but everything is more refined. Tastes a lot of sherry. Amazing.

Bowmore 18

On the nose and palette more savory, buttery, leathery. Sherry hits hard. So good. Amazing.

Bowmore 21 (Aston Martin)

Almost no nose. Very subtle. Palette starts light then develops some cinnamon spice and sweetness. Very good, but I prefer the 18.

Bowmore 18 Manzanilla Finish

Nose smells like molasses with a hint of salt. Palette has lots of salinity and that sherry sweetness. Finish is rounded and sweet. Quite good.

Fettercairn 24

Nose is amazing. A bit of honey and vanilla. Sweet on the palette. Long finish with some pleasant bitterness. Extremely good.

Ledaig Triple Wood

Nose is very interesting. A bit of turpentine. The palette is light, almost effervescent. Like a camp fire. Quite good.

Starward (Red wine cask)

Smells juicy and a bit like a cab or cognac on the nose. Palette is quite sweet. A bit sharp. Finish is hot. A few drops of water opens it up nicely.

Kilchoman Sauternes

Nose has a bit of spice and something like butter. Despite being 50% abv, the palette is light, but the finish burns quite a bit with some smoke. Quite good.

Arran Barrel Reserve

Light honey on the nose. Palette has a bit of fruitiness. Very light. Tasty and easy drinking. Would be a good replacement for my beloved Johnny Walker Green.

Roseisle 12 Year (56%)

Stone fruit on the nose. A bit hot without some extra water. With some water, it’s quite good. Lots of sweetness. Vanilla.

Glenfiddich 26 Cognac Cask Finish

Nose is very rich, like toffee. Palette is rounded with some lingering sweetness on the close. a bit woody like a bourbon. Powerful considering the age. Not an easy sipper, but excellent.

Torabhaig Allt Gleann (pronounced Alt Glan)

Nose is peaty, but not as medicinal as laphroaig. A bit more sweetness. Palette brings in a bit of black pepper which lingers on the finish. Very good. Some water drops take away the bite, but it’s still tasty.

Torabhaig Cnoc Na Moine

Nose has more barley than the Allt Gleann. A bit of sherry sweetness. Lighter, less peat. Disappears quickly. Easy drinker.

Torabhaig Sound of Sleat

Barely again, but a little funkier on the nose. Palette is more medicinal than the other two. Water brings out more vanilla and oak flavors.

Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength (61.1% ABV)

Too hot to nose. A bit of smoke. A bit of sweetness. Just disappears when you drink it. Interesting effect.

Torabhaig Distillery Reserve 2019 PX Hogs Head (61.8% ABV) Bottled May 2025

Sweet bbq on the nose. Palette tastes even more like charred bbq chicken. Unique. Delicious.

Murray McDavid Ben Nevis 11

Nose is incredibly earthy. Hits you with tons of spice on the palette. Great funky finish. Very lovely.

Tenmile Battle of Stony Point (5 years)

Smells young. Lots of honey and vanilla. Palette chocolate and blueberry. Finish is smooth. Pleasant despite the age.

Tenmile Battle of Groton Heights

Smells like a sherry cask. Sweet. Palette and finish is a bit spicier. Quite tasty.

Tenmile Little Rest Classic V

Nose has some patchouli and vanilla. Palette is quite sweet. Very smooth. Easy drinker.

Tenmile Little Rest Double Matured Rye Cask (Cask Strength [Pinot noir finished in rye cask]) 60% abv

A bit too rich to nose. Palette is rich with some rye spice. Finish is amazing. Great bottle.

Tenmile Little Rest Double Matured Pinot Noir Cask Strength 61.5%

Nose is ripe blackberries. Palette brings in a lot of honey. Very thick. Delicious.

Compass Box - The Peat Monster Cask Strength (56.7% abv)

Nose is very smoky, with some molasses sweetness. Palette is shockingly smooth and sweet. But there is a big element of brine. Quite good.

Ledaig Sinclair Series

Sweet and a little toasty on the nose. Palette is a bit oaky, and more peaty. Finish is all peat and heat. Very good.

Glen Scotia Double Cask

Nose, honey and vanilla. Palette is a bit funky. Iodine on the finish. Interesting.

Glen Scotia 21

Nose has a bit of overripe blackberry. Palette is incredibly light, more berries. Finish is on the sweet side. Very nice.

Glen Scotia Mermaid (54% Abv)

Nose brings in black cherry with some salinity. Cinnamon on the palette. Oily. Disappears on the finish.

Glen Scotia Victoriana

A bit of spicy molasses on the nose. Palette tastes like Dr Pepper at the start. Finish has a bit of that iodine flavor. Quite good, but not as easy drinking as the Mermaid.

Glen Scotia 9 year festival (2024 56.2% ABV)

Nose has a bit of overripe spinach. Palette is also medicinal and funky. Not exactly my favorite. Interesting, but rough to drink.

Cragganmore 12

Nose brings in some honey and smoke. Palette is light. Sweet with a bit of smoke on the tail end. Quite good.

Knob Creek 18

Deep molasses like flavor. Hot but very tasty.

Glendronach Ode to the Valley (Sherry & Port casks)

Nose has a bit of a medicinal quality, then it settles into baking spices on the palette. Hot on the finish.

Roseisle 14

Nose brings in some honey and Fuji apples. Palette is spicy and hot at 55%.

Bowmore 12 Sherry Oak Cask

A little bit smoky and sweet on the nose. Charcoal and brown sugar. Palette is gentle, low abv. Easy sipper. Very good.

GlenAllachie 13 Madeira

Madeira sweetness on the nose. Quite hot at 54% abv. Really light sweetness on the palette that develops into a spicy heat. It’s pretty good. Not my favorite of the GlenAllachie line.

Glengoyne 15

A bit of a maritime sweetness on the nose along with some allspice. Oily on the palette. Quite good.

Kilchoman 18

Strong cereal notes on the nose. Spicy and sweet on the palette. Spicy finish. Lovely.

Starward Lagavulin Edition

Nose has a lot of sweetness and ripe fruit. A bit of that Lagavulin iodine on the palette. Spicy on the finish.

GlenAllachie 12

Licorice and vanilla on the nose. Palette is a bit spicy cinnamon and light with some sweetness. Finish lingers with the some heat. Quite tasty.

GlenAllachie 7 Hungarian Oak

Nose has an oaky green apple aroma. Palette has more of that apple, creamy up front. Finish comes in quick and brings in some of that young grainy taste. Still quite tasty, but the finish is a bit harsh.

GlenAllachie 12 Sauternes (UK exclusive)

Sweetness and strong allspice and nutmeg on the nose. Palette is more spice. Tingles all over my mouth. A party. Finish brings in more spice. Amazing.

GlenAllachie 13 Madeira cask strength 54%

Nose has some of that dessert wine sweetness and some of that allspice from the Sauternes cask type whisky. Palette starts with a round sweetness, then the spice comes in. Finish is pleasant despite the abv. Amazing. I love this.

GlenAllachie 2015 Cask Strength 58% (oloroso / Scottish oak)

Sweetness and strong Finish brings in more spice and finishes quickly. Doesn’t taste at all like it’s 58%.

Caol Isla 13 Tokaji Wine Cask 55.2%

Nose has a bit of iodine and sweetness. Quite interesting. The palette is super smooth. Kind of meaty. Hot finish. Really good.

Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon 53.3%

Nose reminds me of strawberry gushers. Palette has a bit of harshness from the heat. Complex. Good, not amazing.

Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Rye 52.6%

Nose smells a bit like toast. Very pleasant. Rye spice right up front on the palette. Finish is long with a bit of allspice or clove. Good stuff.

Russell’s Reserve Rye

Nose is subtle, a bit of rye. Palette is smooth, a bit like maple syrup. Finish is sweet and long. Good, but on the sweet side.

Benriach 25 46%

Smells like a sherry cask whisky with some smoke. Palette is heavy on layered spices and sweetness. Peaty on the finish. Amazing.

Blair Athol 23

Sherry and sweet on the nose. Finish is spicy and strong. Palette lays the sweetness on thick. Quite good. Not gentle for a 23 year.

Loch Lomond Original (40%)

Nose has tons of banana bread, honey and bit of grain alcohol. Interesting up front. Palette is a bit thin. Fruity and a tiny bit peaty. Finish hits with a sudden punch of spice. Interesting sipper. Good.

Loch Lomond 12 (46%)

Nose is a muted sweeter version of the original (more honey, a hint of banana bread). The palette is less thin. More fruity punch, a touch of smoke, and a tiny bit of alcohol burn on the finish. Great.

Loch Lomond 14

Nose has more vanilla. Banana bread is Gina. Palette is oakier, vanilla, sweet. Spicier on the finish. More pleasant than the two above. Less personality but good.

Loch Lomond 18

Funky on the nose. Smells like dusty peaches. Palette similar to the 14, oakier, vanilla, sweet, but rounder. Less spicy and hot on the finish, more woody. Very smooth.

Loch Lomond 24 British Open 2024 Royal Troon (Manzanilla Sherry)

Dry cinnamon on the nose. A tiny bit spicy. Tickles the nose. Palette brings in some salinity. Finish brings in the cinnamon again. Delicious. Maybe one of the best most interesting whiskies I’ve had.