The syrah barrels do serve to elevate it somewhat – particularly on the nose – but are not able to mask the blandness of the whiskey. If nothing else, this is a very inexpensive way to get some vaguely interesting Irish whiskey.
Another great deal from K&L, posted today. Auchentoshan Classic is a great value, and an inexpensive way to enjoy subtle, lightly-flavored single malt. It’s also one of the few Lowlanders left. For now, grab it at K&L for only $24, normally it’s $30. I’ve never had the Bowmore Legend, but I hear good things about …
There are a slew a wine-rating apps on the iOS App Store, but not so many whisky-rating apps. WhiskyMe provides a whisky tasting notebook in your pocket with several very nice features, and room to grow.
I have to concede that this is better than DoubleWood 12. However, it doesn’t warrant the same price tag that is carried by amazing malts like Ardbeg Corryvreckan or Talisker 18.
Deal alert! Oban 18 for $78 a bottle (it’s usually $100 or so) at K&L for limited time. First, Go here to order a bottle. Then, Read this and this to find out why this price is so low in the midst of so many global price increases in the scotch whisky market. David’s either …
This is a particularly sweet, aromatic whisky with a very muted peat profile. If someone handed me a glass, I can honestly say I would enjoy drinking it. Alas, this whisky is not worth the (exceptional) effort required to secure a bottle.
The marriage of elegant light bourbon-aged Balvenie malt with a cavalcade of fresh sweet fruit from the brief dip in sherry barrels is spot-on, like the 12 DoubleWood with a little more of everything that makes it great, a bit more refined, and less bitter oak on the finish. A pleasure, but at this price point – definitely a splurge.
Some discussion of white dog / new make / moonshine, comparison to aged whisky, and a tasting of Buffalo Trace White Dog (wheated mash), and Onyx Moonshine.
Not as much of a sherry bomb as previous batches, but more complex and brooding. Still burns like sweet, sweet fire. The price is not as approachable as days gone by, but $60 for a fantastic sherried cask-strength whisky is still not a bad deal. I continue to recommend this malt highly.
Subtle and accomplished, if light. The peat is masterfully understated, and plays beautifully with the naturally sweet lemon, honey, and floral elements. Don’t let the ‘light’ moniker distract from the fact that this is very highly peated malt, with far more subtlety than, say, Laphroaig, but a lot more power and sinus-burning peat than Highland Park. It does very much stand alone among the Islay malts, though, being light and playful, but also masterful and persuasive.