Thanks to /u/Schockwaves and /u/cjotto9 for these samples. Campbeltown. The very name of the region breeds confusion, history, sadness, happiness, and even a little bit of horniness for various whisky fans. A lot of us have only had a handful of drams from there. When asked to explain an Islay, we can. When asked to explain a Speyside, we can. But a Campbeltown? Better ask us… Continue reading Hazelburn 10 / Hazelburn 8 Sauternes Finish
SMWS Code: 35.142 Code Name: “Sweet treats and forbidden pleasures” Distillery: Glen Moray Age: 21 years Cask: 1st Fill Hogshead Toasted Oak Appearance: 1.4, Tawny Nose: Moderate body, caramel and vanilla at the forefront, very little wood detectable, lychee, white grapes, coffee cake, shortbread, butter cream frosting, a hint of sawdust and almost green wood. Taste: Spicy oak and tannins up front, I get some tart … Continue reading Review: Scotch Malt Whisky Society 35.142
Glenmorangie 10 is one of the first bottles I ever bought when I was first getting into scotch. I purchased a gift set that had a 750ml bottle of original plus 3 minis of the 12-year expressions. Those have been sitting around for about 3.5 years now and i’m finally getting to them. When I first reviewed Glenmo10 way back in 2013, i scored it … Continue reading Reviews: Glenmorangie Original, Lasanta, Nectar D’Or and Quinta Ruban
I’ve had two Glenkinchie’s to date, and it’s my lowest average scoring distillery. Here are my reviews: Glenkinchie 10 yr – 43% ABV I was somewhat excited to try this one as I understand it’s discontinued, and has been for some time, (replaced by the 12yr). I haven’t had a lot of lowlands, but thought this could be an interesting dram. also noticed no … Continue reading Reviews: Glenkinchie 10 & 12. A lesson in disappointment
I was out at the bar with friends a few years ago and they had no good beer on tap, so I went with some scotch instead. Hadn’t yet had Bowmore 12, but knew I enjoyed Islay whiskies, so I gave it a try: Bowmore 12 – 40% Appearance: dark and obviously artificially coloured Nose: sweet fruit, floral notes, maple Taste: peaty, little bit of … Continue reading Review: Bowmore 12
Appearance: 1.4, Tawny Nose: Yup, that’s a bourbon! Vanilla and caramel. I also get a nice dose of rye spices, fresh rye bread (light, not dark), some floral notes as well. Quite nice; I am a sucker for a rye heavy whisky though. Taste: Sweet and spicy, salted caramel ice cream, very peppery (as in, “holy s**t, who unscrewed the top off of the pepper … Continue reading Review: Old Grand Dad Bottled-in-Bond
As part of the Toronto Whisky Society, our great contributor /u/devoz took time out of his very important schedule and visited the Wiser’s distillery. And as part of that, he requested a sample of Lot 40 Cask Strength, a version of the famous Lot 40 from Corby that has not been released yet. In return, each of us would swear a blood oath to form the… Continue reading Lot 40 Cask Strength
Appearance: 1.3, Russet Nose: Very much a bourbon nose; vanilla, caramel, toasted oak. I also get a fair bit of fruitiness and almost some floral notes too; white grapes, pear, mango, and fresh linens. Taste: Hits with a slightly astringent bitter oak note, developing with lots of wood spice, black pepper, cinnamon, clove. I also get vanilla and caramel, unsurprisingly, with some apricot and banana. … Continue reading Review: Wiser’s Last Barrels
SMWS Code: 36.96 Code Name: “Chocolate cake cookie” Distillery: Benrinnes Age: 9 years Cask: 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel Appearance: 0.3, Pale Gold Nose: Up front mint and menthol, vanilla, some white cake, powdered sugar, apple and pear, peppery oak. A bit one dimensional. Taste: Quite spicy and youthful on the arrival, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, apple, pear, pineapple, white pepper, lemon zest, lemon custard. Great mouth feel … Continue reading Review: Scotch Malt Whisky Society 36.96
I reviewed this about 13 months ago and since I posted a bourbon for American Thanksgiving yesterday, why not stay topical for Black Friday? This is the new packaging of Black Bottle. Sadly I never had a chance to try the old bottling. Black Bottle (new packaging) – 40% ABV Appearance: deep copper orange. Definitely chock full of e150 Nose: quite sweet. You can smell … Continue reading Black Friday Review: Black Bottle
SMWS Code: 121.77 Code Name: “Dunnage warehouse orange boxes” Distillery: Arran Age: 19 years Cask: Refill Hogshead Appearance: 0.8, Deep Gold Nose: Combination bourbon cask influence and brine; I get salty peanut brittle, vanilla and caramel, hints of some citrus (orange, tinged with lemon). Quite grainy and malty. Taste: Thick mouthfeel, vanilla, salted caramel, oak and white pepper, mandarin orange, clove and anise, slightly astringent. Finish: More … Continue reading Review: Scotch Malt Whisky Society 121.77
As part of the Toronto Whisky Society, we had a small getogether and drank our fucking faces off. Like gentlemen and ladies and all that shit, you know? All hosted by one of our members, /u/devoz and his amazing wife. Each of us brought a bottle to drink. And that was too many. So I understand if you take my reviews with a grain of salt.… Continue reading Caol Ila SMWS 53.234 “Smoke without Fire” (Toronto Whisky Society Review Set #1)
Toronto Whisky Society 