92 AND ABOVE   85-91   70-84  

91
Aberfeldy 18 (Distillery bottling at 54.9% ABV, tasted 5/2010): This cask-strength bottling is only available at the Aberfeldy Distillery's gift shop, and is well worth seeking out. The nose is malty with hints of cinnamon and allspice, and the taste is spicy with cinnamon notes on top and sweet touches of caramel candy and honey underneath along with a hint of herbs. Water releases a nice butterscotch note that carries over into the finish, along with subtle spices. A well-rounded and complex dram. 

Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist (Distillery bottling at 46%, tasted 12/2010): Distilled in 1990 and bottled in 2008, the nose has notes of peat, pine nuts, honey, and nutmeg. The taste starts off with a honey sweetness before the peat and pepper notes take over. A lingering nuttiness comes out as the spices fade, with an overall smoothness that is almost creamy. The peatiness lingers into the finish with a slight ashiness.

Arran 15th Anniversary Limited Edition (Distillery bottling at 54.6% ABV, tasted 1/2011): Three ex-bourbon casks from 1995 went into this bottling, and the nose has rich caramel, brown sugar, and vanilla notes with hints of brine and dried fruits. The taste is rich and mouth-puckering with notes of cinnamon, brown sugar, dried orange peel, and touches of milk chocolate and salt. The finish is full of dried oranges, lingering cinnamon, a touch of brininess, and cocoa. Excellent!

Auchentoshan 18 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 10/2008): The nose on this Auchie is malty and sweet with a hint of caramel candy and dried leaves, owing to its maturation largely in sherry hogsheads (with a small proportion of refill bourbon casks). The taste is smooth and well-balanced with hints of vanilla and herbs, and the finish is lingering and slightly sweet.

Balblair 1991 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 1/2010): The nose is dry, light and malty with notes of pears and green apples. The taste starts off tart at first, with a spicy touch that builds to a blast of cinnamon and hazelnut. The finish is slightly lemony-tart with a hint of dark chocolate. 

Balblair 2000 (Distillery bottling at 43%, tasted 9/2010): The nose is full of pears, honey, pineapple, and vanilla with a clean, crisp aroma. The taste starts off with honey, then pineapple and cinnamon notes develop on top of the honey undertone while adding a slight tartness.The finish is crisp and lingering with a pineapple note. Excellent.

Benromach 10 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 12/5/2009): This is the first Benromach with an age statement since Gordon & MacPhail reopened the distillery in 1998, and it has an aromatic, fruity nose with notes of dried figs and raisins, as well as a spicy base underneath with cinnamon and vanilla hints. The taste is thick and chewy with cinnamon spice underlying a citrusy sweetness with notes of orange peel, figs, and molasses. The finish is syrupy and lingering.

Bowmore Tempest 10 (Distillery bottling at 55.3%, tasted 5/2010): This is the second batch of Tempest, and the first 500 bottles made up one of Bowmore's two 2010 Feis Ile special releases. This has notes of orange peel, vanilla, and caramel candy on the nose. The taste is very smooth with notes of vanilla, butterscotch, and toffee, with just a slight lemon-lime touch at the back of the throat. The finish is peppery and long with a hint of smoke.

Bowmore 12 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 10/2009): This version of the Bowmore 12 reflects the results of Morrison Bowmore's stricter wood policy developed several years ago. The nose is peaty, along with brine and seaweed...and just a hint of almonds. The taste is well-balanced between peat and spice, with sweet notes underneath of raisins and figs. The finish is smoky, warm, and lingering. 

Bruichladdich 3D3 Norrie Campbell Tribute (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 9/2010): This limited release honors the legendary Islay peat cutter Norrie Campbell, who died in 2006, and is a vatting of the distillery's Bruichladdich, Octomore, and Port Charlotte malts. The nose is subtly peaty with heather and tobacco notes. The peat and smoke really come into play on the taste, with an intense smokiness reminiscent of Norrie himself. The peat and smoke fade to reveal a slightly citrus note with hints of seaweed and brine. The finish is fudge and dark chocolate with a hint of smoke.

Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2004 (Distillery bottling at 57.5% ABV, tasted 5/2010): This "valinch" release was the 2010 Feis Ile bottling for Bruichladdich, and was the first malt to be made from barley grown on Islay in at least 50 years. It was aged in a fresh sherry butt for just under 6 years, and the nose is very malty with hints of almonds, cashews, allspice, and caramel ice cream topping. The taste starts off spicy, but fades quickly to reveal pepper, burnt vanilla, and caramel notes. The finish is peppery and lingering with a note of vanilla.

Bunnahabhain Cruach Mhona (Distillery bottling at 50% ABV, tasted 6/2011): This travel retail exclusive is only available at World of Whiskies shops in the major UK airports. Cruach Mhona means "peat stack" in Gaelic, and this is one of the few strongly peated Bunnahabhains. The nose is mildly peaty and briny with grass and heather notes and a muted subtle hint of oak. The taste is peaty with tar, creosote, and caramel underneath, and dried flowers, apples, and pears on top for a great mouthfeel. The finish is lingering and peaty with tar and ashiness.

Bushmills 1608 (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 3/2010): This whiskey was released to celebrate the 400th anniversary of distilling in the area around Bushmills, and used "crystal malt" in the distilling process. That gives it a malty nose with hints of hazelnut and vanilla. The taste starts off maple syrup-sweet, with notes of malt and cinnamon slowly building to a peak that lasts well into the finish. The spices linger long after you swallow this excellent dram!

Caol Ila Limited Edition (Distillery bottling at 58.4% ABV, tasted 5/2010): This is only sold at the Caol Ila gift shop, and is aged in sherry butts. The nose is spicy and peaty with notes of brine, seaweed, and chopped nuts. The taste is thick, chewy, and smoky, with a pepperiness that builds and builds, but never masks the honey and brine notes underneath. The finish is smoky and long with a hint of figs.

Compass Box Flaming Heart 10th Anniversary (Blended Malt bottled at 48.9% ABV, tasted 10/2010): This blended malt takes the best peaty whiskies from Islay, balances them with Ledaig, and lets Clynelish sing solo. The nose is honey, grass and nuts on top of subtle smoky notes. The taste has great peaty and caramel bass notes, an ashy mouthfeel, honey and citrus notes on top, and a smokiness that builds well into the lingering finish.

Double Barrel Glenrothes/Ardbeg (Vatted malt bottled by Douglas Laing & Co. at 46% ABV, tasted 10/2009): The Laing brothers took creamy Glenrothes and smoky Ardbeg casks and put them together to create something unique. The nose is dry and malty with just a touch of smoke, while the taste is syrupy-thick and spicy with cinnamon and black pepper notes that fade to reveal lemon and vanilla creme. The finish is slightly smoky and sweet like a good barbecue sauce. Complex and very nice!

Eagle Rare 17 2010 Release (Bottled at 45% ABV by Buffalo Trace, tasted 9/2011): Part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, this bourbon has a nose of burnt vanilla creme, maple syrup, allspice, and a touch of dry red wine. The taste has a good balance of spice and sweetness, with cinnamon and black pepper balanced well by caramel and vanilla underneath. The finish has a spiciness that lingers nicely. Outstanding!

Evan Williams 23 (Tasted 9/2008, bottled at 53.5% ABV by Heaven Hill): This bourbon is sold in Japan, the UK, France, and at Heaven Hill's visitors center in Bardstown. The color is dark amber, and the nose hints at cotton candy and vanilla. Tasting it reveals something else, though...a peppery and spicy bourbon with complex citrus notes (orange peel, mango, and lime) and a minimal oak influence that's surprising for such an old bourbon. Adding water opens up the whiskey to reveal fresh cut hay and grassy notes as well.

Four Roses 2011 Single Barrel Limited Edition (Distillery bottling at 59% ABV, but may vary, tasted 4/2011): The nose is light and floral for a bourbon, with dried rose petals, subtle honey, and a touch of brown sugar. The taste is very smooth and mouth-coating, light and floral at first before a duel between cinnamon spice and molasses sweetness. As the dueling notes fade slowly, hints of red apple and nutmeg come out and linger through the finish. Very nice!

George T. Stagg 2007 Release (bottled at 77.3% ABV by Buffalo Trace): An amazing bourbon of thermonuclear proportions!

Glendronach 33 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 11/2008): A rich, tropical nose of mango, banana, papaya and an understated vanilla. The taste is sweet and rich, with the tropical fruit notes well-balanced on the tongue. Fades fast to reveal just a bit of salt not present in the note. Clean, dry finish that lingers nicely.

Glenfiddich Rich Oak (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 3/2011): This expression was finished in new American and Spanish oak casks after 13 years in second-fill bourbon barrels. The nose is fruity and aromatic with cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, peaches, and figs. The taste is smooth with a soft spiciness and notes of orange peel, peaches, and touches of dark chocolate and caramel. The finish has notes of toasted oak, hot fudge sundae, and a hint of orange marmalade.

Glengoyne 19 (Distillery bottling at 58.3% ABV, tasted 11/2008): This single-cask bottling was aged in a Pedro Ximinez sherry cask. The nose is dry and fruity with banana, coconut, pomegranete, and a touch of vanilla. The taste is powerfully fruity starting with the notes from the nose, then fades to reveal dried figs and apricots hiding underneath. The finish is short and dry, but this is a very interesting dram!

Glenrothes 1995 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 9/2011): The nose has notes of red apples, butterscotch, honey with lemon in tea, and a hint of cocoa. The taste has nice spicy touches of cinnamon and allspice with butterscotch and honey underneath. The finish lingers nicely with a good balance of allspice, butterscotch, and a touch of lemon tartness.

Glen Grant 22 (Distilled in 1989 and bottled by A. Dewar Rattray at 50.5% ABV, tasted on 1/24/2009): Only 234 bottles came from the first fill ex-bourbon hosghead cask. The nose is herbal, with notes of heather, rosemary, and basil. It's smooth and well-balanced in the mouth, with a slightly spicy kick that fades to reveal the herbal notes from the nose. The finish is rosemary and dried grass.

Grant's 18 (Blended Scotch bottled at 40% ABV, tasted 3/2011): This version of Grant's is finished in port wine pipes, and the nose is creamy with subtle dried fruits, orange marmalade, coconut, and a touch of dry Bordeaux wine. The taste has a mix of honey, caramel, vanilla, toffee, Christmas Cake, and is creamy and smooth with a spicy touch of cinnamon that lingers well into the finish.

Henry McKenna 10-Year-Old Bottled in Bond (Distilled by Heaven Hill and bottled at 50% ABV, tasted 12/2009): This single barrel bourbon has a nose of vanilla, tree sap, cinnamon, and leather. The taste is an excellent balance of cinnamon and caramel candy with a thickness reminiscent of maple syrup. The finish is long and spicy with a hint of vanilla.

Isle of Jura 1995 Bourbon Jo Cask Finish (Distillery bottling at 56.5% ABV, tasted 5/2010): Another expression in Jura's "Boutique Barrels Collection, this time using first-fill American oak. The nose is sweet with notes of caramel, vanilla, and honey. The taste is mouth-filling with brown sugar, honey, vanilla, and coconut notes. The finish is honey-sweet with a hint of nuts. Overall, very good balance and texture.

Karuizawa 1975 35 (Cask #6736 bottled by Number One Drinks Company for La Maison du Whisky at 61.8% ABV, tasted 12/2010): The nose has dried fruits, sherry, and cola notes with a slightly herbal touch. The taste is smooth and peppery with a caramel cola note and a hint of tropical fruits as the pepperiness fades. The finish has a hint of papaya, slight pepperiness, and a cola note...very smooth and long.

Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Cask (Distillery bottling at 58.8% ABV, tasted 2/2010): Taiwan's King Car Distillery has received rave reviews for its young whiskies, and this is no exception. There's a peatiness that takes a few seconds to develop, but lingers nicely over a syrupy-sweet base. Very well-balanced with a lingering finish that seems to last forever.

Kilchoman Inaugural Release (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 10/2009): The first official single malt released by Islay's youngest distillery, but with characteristics of much older whiskies. The nose is smoky and warm, well-balanced with nice peat and notes of pears, vanilla, and oak. The taste is peppery and intense as one might expect, but fades smoothly to a dry tartness with hints of green apples and lemon zest. The finish is clean and dry with a slight peatiness.

Lagavulin 16 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 5/2010): The nose has notes of orange peel, heather, and honey with hints of peat and licorice. The taste starts off with a honeyed sweetness that fades to reveal peatiness with notes of banana and coconut. The finish has honey and orange notes with a hint of smoke.

Laphroaig 10 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 3/2010): The nose is classic Laphroaig, peaty, briny, and medicinal with hints of seaweed. The taste starts off peaty and gets even stronger with a spicy pepperiness, hints of brine and a slight citrus taste. The finish has hints of lemon and orange that play well with the smokiness.

Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength (Distillery bottling at 58.3%, tasted 5/2010): Laphroaig is now releasing this in batches with ABV's that may vary; this is for Batch #2. The nose is charcoal, peat, and smoky with hints of seaweed and smoked salmon. The taste is complex, starting off subtle but building quickly to intense cinnamon and black pepper notes that fade slowly to reveal hints of straw and nuts. The finish is a complex mix of spices, with hints of pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg and a slight tartness with traces of smoked salmon.

Mackinlay's Rare Old Highland Malt (Blended Malt bottled by Whyte & MacKay at 47.3% ABV, tasted 4/2011): This is the re-creation of what's become known as "Shackleton's Whisky" - the Scotch left behind by Sir Ernest Shackleton's South Pole expedition under a hut in Antarctica for more than a century. Like the original, the re-creation has a healthy portion of malt from the Glen Mhor distillery, which closed in 1983. The nose has a citrusy lemon-lime note, along with touches of green tea with honey, peaches, pears, raspberries, and blueberries. The taste is rich and buttery with a touch of green tea with lemon and honey, and just a touch of cinnamon for balance. The finish lingers nicely with lemon peel and spearmint notes. This would be an excellent whisky in any century!

Old Pulteney 17 (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 2/2011): The nose has notes of smoke, oak, sawdust, graham crackers, and peanut butter fudge, along with a hint of salt. The taste is spicy with a touch of smoke and bacon cooking, coconut, cilantro, and hazelnut, along with a hint of lemon-lime tartness that lasts through the finish. Very complex.

Parker's Heritage Collection 2010 Wheated Bourbon (Distillery bottling at 63.9% ABV, tasted 7/2010): This is the fourth release in the Parker's series from Heaven Hill, and uses a mashbill with winter wheat instead of rye. The nose is warm and spicy with oak, cinnamon, and vanilla. The taste starts off with intense spices after an initial caramel sweet note, and fades slowly to reveal hints of cola and vanilla. The finish is spicy, warming, and long-lasting.

Pe1 (Elements of Islay Series from The Whisky Exchange, 58.8% ABV, tasted 11/7/2009): This is presumed to be from Port Ellen, but the distillery and the age is not officially disclosed. The nose is lightly peated, along with brine, seaweed, and a hint of creosote, The taste is peaty and peppery, fading to reveal brine and smoked salmon notes. The finish blends peat with a sweet touch of brown sugar.

Penderyn Peated (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 1/23/2010): This was the result of a happy accident when Penderyn bought empty casks from other distilleries and got a few peated ones in the bunch. It's in limited supply, but well worth looking for. The nose is light and softly peated with notes of green apples and pears. The taste is thick and chewy with a touch of cinnamon and hints of peat and salt. The finish has a soft smokiness reminiscent of candle smoke along with a touch of pears.

Port Ellen 26 (Bottled by Douglas Laing & Co. at 46% ABV, tasted 1/24/2009): The nose on this is slightly peaty with a hint of fruits and flowers (especially rose petals). It's a nutty dram with flavors of almond and hazelnut, along with a touch of cinnamon and pepper. The peat returns on the finish and lingers with notes of seaweed and salt.

Rosebank 18 (Bottled by Douglas Laing & Co. at 50% ABV, tasted 1/2009): This classic distillery gave us a malt with a nose that's dry and hay-like, yet still has notes of grapefruit and other citrus fruits. The taste is also dry, with notes of dried grass and lemon. The finish is dry, malty, and lingering.

Singleton of Glendullan 12 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 8/2010): The nose is almonds, toffee, allspice, and vanilla, with a hint of pine sap. The taste has notes of brown sugar, vanilla, and honey with just a touch of black pepper. The finish is spicy and long with a nice sweet touch of brown sugar and honey underneath. 

Speymalt Macallan 2000 (Bottled by Gordon & MacPhail at 43% ABV, tasted 9/2010): The nose has notes of orange peel, honey, figs, and a touch of brandy. The taste is sweet with a peppery note that builds slowly. Great mouthfeel with hints of hazelnut, figs, and apple pie with cinnamon. The finish is warm, long, and reminds me of my wife's apple pies.

Springbank Madeira Finish (Distillery bottling with no age statement, bottled at 55% ABV, tasted 1/23/2009): This malt spent 11 years in Madeira casks, which give it a light and creamy nose. The wine influence lends a tartness on the taste, and it's more astringent than other Springbank expressions. It's syrupy and thick on the tongue, but smoothes out nicely with a few drops of water. The finish is tingly and lingering! 

Strathisla 30 (Distilled in 1977, bottled by Gordon & MacPhail at 43% ABV, tasted 3/2011): The nose is butterscotch, honey, and a touch of toffee. The taste is tart and tangy with pineapple, coconut, and a touch of cinnamon that fades to reveal honey sweetness. The finish is lingering and soft with honey and coconut notes.

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye 2009 (Distilled at Buffalo Trace in 2002, bottled at 64.5% ABV, tasted 9/2009): This is a young rye from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection and is uncut and unfiltered. It's dark gold, thick and oily, and the nose belies its youth, with a mild spiciness, cinnamon, and pipe tobacco. The taste is fiery and intense, with a strong pepperiness that fades to a sherry cask-like sweetness of dried figs. The finish is slightly woody.

Tobermory 15 (Distillery bottling at 43%, tasted 3/2010): The nose has notes of orange marmalade, figs, brown sugar, and a hint of old leather. The taste is smooth and sherried, with hints of spice, Heath Bar (toffee), and oak. The finish is spicy with a lingering touch of hazelnut. A touch of water amps up the flavors, but the whisky remains well-balanced.

Tomatin 15 (Distillery bottling at 43%, tasted 12/2009): The nose is clean and light, with hints of peaches, orange peel, and vanilla. The taste is smooth with notes of honey, apricots, and oranges, and the finish has a tender kiss of spice and a lingering honey sweetness.

Tweedale Blend 10 (Blended Scotch at 46% ABV): This whisky harkens back to the old days, with a nose that's spicy and warm with nutmeg, vanilla, hazelnut and dried grasses. The taste is a complex blend of cinnamon, caramel, vanilla, hazelnut, licorice, and dark chocolate. The finish is tart with touches of dark chocolate and caramel. Very nice and well-balanced.

Wild Geese Irish Soldiers & Heroes Blended Irish Whiskey (Distilled at Cooley for Avalon Group and bottled at 40% ABV, tasted 3/2010): The nose is clean, grassy, and slightly sweet with hints of honey. The taste is lightly peppery and smooth with honey notes underneath. The finish has hints of orange peel along with honey notes. Good balance and very drinkable.

Wild Turkey Tradition (Distillery bottling at 50.5% ABV, tasted 12/2009): Jimmy Russell watched over this bourbon until it hit 14 years of age, and just 14,000 bottles were released in the U.S. The nose is subtle with hints of cinnamon, vanilla, molasses, and a hint of almonds. The taste is smooth and spicy, with a peppery blast that fades to show hints of vanilla, molasses, and a touch of oak. The finish is sweet with a touch of maple syrup and a hint of spice.

Yamazaki 1993 Bourbon Cask (Distillery bottling at 58% ABV, tasted 10/2007): Dry and astringent on the nose, but the taste is spicy and smoky. An unusual and very interesting whisky!

Yamazaki Sherry Cask (Distillery bottling at 48% ABV, tasted 2/2010): Dried figs, raisins, and a touch of honey with a nice hint of cinnamon give this an excellent balance with a lingering finish.

90
Aberfeldy 18 1991 Single Cask (Distillery bottling for La Maison du Whisky at 56.7% ABV, tasted 10/2010): The nose is malty with notes of nutmeg, sweet oak, and white grapes. The taste is full of fruits and spice, with melon, mango, and berries balancing well with cinnamon and a white wine note at the end. The finish is very smooth with citrus, white wine, and a hint of berries.

Aberlour A'bunadh (Distillery bottling at 59.6% ABV, tasted 10/21/2009): The A'bunadh is classic Aberlour, heavy on the sherry cask and strong on flavor. The nose is dried figs, cinnamon, and honey with a bit of roasted almonds underneath. The taste is thick and syrupy, with a spicy kick of cilantro and black pepper that lingers as honey, molasses, and brown sugar notes reveal themselves, along with a touch of orange peel.  The citrus notes continue into the finish, along with a touch of dark chocolate and campfire smoke.

An Cnoc 1975 (Distillery bottling from Knockdhu Distillery, bottled at 50% ABV, tasted 1/24/2009): Light and dry nose, slightly herbal. The taste is caramel candy with a touch of cinnamon, Christmas cake, and nutmeg. The finish tingles the tip of the tongue with just a pinch of smokiness.

Angel's Envy (Bottled by Louisville Distilling Company at 43.3% ABV, tasted 11/2010): This is a rarity among bourbons, with part of the maturation coming in port wine casks. The nose is vanilla, red grapes, roasted almonds, raisins, and a touch of sweet oak. The taste is vanilla, red apples, maple syrup, cocoa, and rye bread. The finish is dried apples and bananas, vanilla, sweet and long with a slight red wine tartness.

Ardmore Traditional (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 11/3/2009): This is a rarity...a heavily-peated Highland single malt. The nose is peaty and pungent, but a splash of water reveals grassy and floral notes, including rose petals. The taste is a great balance between peat and sweet, with notes of molasses cookies and maple syrup. The peatiness returns in the finish with a smoky kick.

Auchentoshan 16 (Tasted 2/2008, bottled at 53.7% ABV): This limited-edition malt was aged in first-fill bourbon casks, and a touch of water opens it up nicely to reveal a nice balance of vanilla and toffee with hints of butterscotch. Leaving it to sit for a few minutes and open even more revealed a new touch of coconut cream pie, along with citrus notes in the finish.

Auchentoshan Three Wood (Tasted 10/2008, bottled at 43% ABV): This malt is as dark as maple syrup, thanks to the two different sherry casks (Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez) used in its maturation. The nose is a wonderful balance of wood and sweetness, with dark chocolate and citrus fruits dominating. Tasting it reveals the complexity of this dram, with the dark chocolate balanced well with coffee and vanilla creme flavors, as well as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. The finish reminds me of a perfect autumn day -- lingering with dried leaves and wood smoke.

Auchroisk 2010 Limited Edition (Distillery bottling at 58.1% ABV, tasted 12/2010): This is a rare distillery bottling of Auchroisk, and was aged for 20 years in a mix of American and European oak casks. The nose is dry and aromatic, slightly peppery, and has hints of malt, hazelnut, and straw. The taste has an intense alcohol burn when served neat that fades to reveal brown sugar and molasses notes, a lemon-lime citrus touch, and a slight saltiness. Water opens up malty notes and smooths out the citrus touch. The finish is tart, long, and aromatic with a touch of lemon and lime.

BenRiach 1995 Single Cask #7165 (Distillery bottling at 52.3% ABV, tasted 7/2011): This malt was aged in a Pedro Ximinez sherry cask, and the nose is warm and spicy with caramel, baked apples and peaches, toasted oak, and a hint of figs. The taste is thick and spicy with intense, lingering cinnamon on top and figs and honey underneath. The finish is long, spicy, and very smooth.

Bowmore Maltmen's Selection (Distillery bottling at 54.6% ABV, tasted 5/2010): Only 3,000 bottles have been released of this 13-year-old expression, which is made up of five ex-sherry casks selected by members of the distillery team. The nose has notes of brown sugar, figs, cherries, and cocoa. The taste is mouth-filling with cinnamon, light peat, dark chocolate, and orange peel. The finish is long and smoky with a touch of caramel.

Braes of Glenlivet 18 (Bottled by A. Dewar Rattray at 60.2% ABV, distilled in 1989, and tasted 1/24/2009): Just 272 bottles of this malt were produced. It's light and floral on the nose, with a touch of nutmeg, lavender, and dried grass. The taste is spicy with notes of black pepper and nutmeg...chewy and dry, and the finish is slightly sweet with a wonderful dry aroma that caresses the back of the throat.

Bruichladdich 16 Bourbon Cask (Distillery bottling at 46%, tasted 5/2010): The bourbon influence gives this malt a nose dominated by oak and vanilla notes with subtle hints of peat. The taste is classic bourbon cask, vanilla, oak, and dark chocolate subtly balanced with peat and brine notes. The finish is a complex combination of oak and brine with a slight ashiness.

Bruichladdich 16 First Growth Cuvee A (Distillery bottling at 46%, tasted 1/2011): This single malt started off in bourbon casks before spending a period of time in Chateau Lafitte wine casks. The nose is rosy and floral with notes of citrus, lime, and other tropical fruits. The taste has notes of mango and grapefruit, along with vanilla and rose tea, while the finish is rosy, tart, and muted.

Bruichladdich 1990 (Scott's Selection bottling at 58.1% ABV, tasted 3/2010): The dry nose has a note of cucumber and hints of pepper and vanilla. The taste has a dry and chewy mouthfeel, astringent at the start with a hint of brandy but opening up to reveal hints of peat and a subtle creaminess with a touch of cinnamon as the driness fades. The finish is dry with hints of hazelnut and caramel fudge ice cream topping. A very complex dram.

Bunnahabhain 16 Manzanilla Cask (Distillery bottling at 53.2% ABV, tasted 5/2010): After 4 years of maturation in Manzanilla sherry casks, this malt has a slight oakiness with notes of figs, brown sugar, and allspice. The taste has a cinnamon note that lingers, along with brown sugar, heather, and a hint of sea air. The finish is brine and sea air with a lingering cinnamon note and a hint of raisins.

Caol Ila 10 Unpeated (Distillery bottling at 65.8% ABV, tasted 5/2010): Distillery manager Billy Stitchell refers to this as "Caol Ila Native," and it shows the spirit's natural character. The nose is smooth and sweet with grassy notes and no burn despite the high strength. The taste is spicy and peppery, and fades slowly to reveal notes of dust, rose petals, vanilla, and grass with a nice maltiness. The finish is dry, peppery, and long. It's hard to find, but well worth seeking out.

Caol Ila Distiller's Edition (Distillery bottling at 43%, tasted 5/2010): This malt is 12 years old, and spent some time in muscatel wine casks before bottling. The nose is aromatic and smoky with dry sweet wine notes of grapes and raisins. The taste is thick and sweet, with peaty notes that build over time and a slight tartness. The mouthfeel is dry and cottony, and the finish has a blend of grapes and peaty notes.

Clynelish 21 (Distilled in 1982 and bottled by Lombard in 2004 at 50% ABV, tasted 6/2010): The nose is very floral and herbal with rose petals, lavender, thyme, and basil, slightly dry and astringent. The taste has a great mouthfeel, tingly with a floral and fruity mix of rose petals, banana, coconut, grapes and vanilla. The finish is smooth and light.

Cutty Black (Tasted 5/2009, bottled at 40% ABV): OK, it's Cutty Sark...right. Your father drank it, your grandfather drank it. You should drink this variation on the Cutty theme (and the regular Cutty's not bad either). This takes Cutty Sark's style and punches it up with a touch of single malts from Islay. That gives it a dark, rich smokiness with a wonderful touch of peat and campfire smoke, but it also reveals a touch of heather and slight peppery notes on the nose. The taste is a great balance of peat and black pepper, with a smoky, lingering finish. 

Dalmore Gran Reserva (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 7/2010): The Gran Reserva was formerly known as the Cigar Malt, and uses casks between 10 and 14 years of age. The nose is lighter and sweeter than other young Dalmores, with notes of orange marmalade, allspice, nutmeg, and almonds. The taste is sweet with soft spices, orange maramalade, and figs, while the finish is smooth with a lingering citrus note.

Dewar's 18 Founder's Reserve (Blended Scotch bottled at 40% ABV, tasted 8/2011): The word that describes this whisky best is "complex". The nose has notes of almonds, honey, butterscotch, and a touch of dark chocolate. The taste is creamy and smooth with a subtle dry touch, notes of hazelnut, vanilla, and allspice, and a touch of honey underneath. The finish is dry and long with a touch of citrus tartness.

Double Barrel Highland Park/Bowmore (Vatted malt bottled by Douglas Laing & Co. at 46% ABV, tasted 10/2009): Once again, the Laing brothers took two barrels of Highland Park and Bowmore whiskies and vatted them together. This is so smooth, well-balanced, and complex that it's hard to pull individual flavors out of it, but well worth searching out.

Eagle Rare 17 2009 (Distilled at Buffalo Trace, bottled at 45% ABV, tasted 9/2009): This is part of the 2009 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection series, and the nose has classically intense vanilla and oak notes with hints of cinnamon. The taste starts off spicy, then fades to reveal a sweeter side, with notes of molasses and toffee. The finish is smooth and warm.

Edradour 10 Unchillfiltered Single Cask (Distillery bottling in 9/97 at 46% ABV from Cask #351, #548 of 692 bottles, tasted 9/11/2009): Each year, Edradour bottles a limited-edition release of unchillfiltered 10-year-old whisky, and it's well worth tracking down a bottle. This edition was the color of caramel candy (with no coloring), and the nose had brown sugar and graham crackers, along with notes of oak, espresso, and a slight maltiness. The taste is smooth and creamy, with coconut vanilla, hazelnut, and cocoa notes, and is slightly woody. The finish is dry and crisp with a hint of herbal notes.

Glencadam 15 (Distillery bottling at 46%, tasted 9/2010): The nose is light, yet spicier than the Glencadam 12, with slight tannins and caramel candy that provide a backbone for the distillery's light and floral character. The taste is spicy and complex, with hints of cilantro and chili powder that balance out the grassy and floral notes. Hints of vanilla and honey underneath. The finish is long, smooth, and slightly spicy with allspice and a touch of nuts.

Glencadam 21 (Bottled by Douglas Laing & Co. at 50% ABV, tasted 1/2009): The nose is malty and nutty, and that continues on the taste with notes of hazelnut and almonds, along with a touch of black pepper to spice things up. The spice fades to reveal sweet notes of burnt caramel and a hint of cotton candy. The finish is slightly smoky and curls up the back of the throat.

Glenfiddich 12 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 6/2010): The world's best-selling single malt, with a nose of dried grass, pears, green apples, black tea with lemon, and hints of almonds and brown sugar. The taste is smooth and citrusy with lemon zest, Key Lime pie, and apple notes, and is slightly astringent. The finish is minty and herbal with a touch of pine needles. 

Glenfiddich 19 Age of Discovery (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 3/2011): This expression is finished in Madeira wine casks, and the nose has notes of orange marmalade, figs, and fresh raspberries. The taste is thick, rich, and spicy with cinnamon, ginger, orange peel, and hints of honey. The taste is dry, toasty, warm, and long with a touch of orange marmalade.

Glen Garioch 1797 Founder's Reserve (Distillery bottling at 48% ABV, tasted 1/2010): This is the flagship of the revamped Glen Garioch line, and has a light and floral nose with notes of rose petals and tea with honey. The taste is oily, sharp, and peppery with a touch of orange peel and lemon zest. The finish is dry and sweet with hints of vanilla and lemon.

Glen Garioch 1991 (Distillery bottling at 54.7% ABV, tasted 11/2010): The nose has a subtle sweet smokiness with a touch of brandy, brown sugar, and vanilla. The taste is smoky barbecue sauce with molasses and brown sugar, a lemony tartness, and an aromatic nutmeg note. The finish is long with caramel, brown sugar, and a touch of nutmeg.

Glengoyne Burnfoot (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 7/2010): Burnfoot was the original name of Glengoyne from 1833 to 1908, and this bottling honors that heritage. The nose is creamy with oak, almonds, and malt. The taste is smooth with spicy undertones, a creamy sherry influence, and hints of coconut, banana, and butterscotch. The finish carries those butterscotch notes over with an additional hint of apples.

Glen Grant 10 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 11/21/2009): The nose is light and floral, with notes of lavender, rose petals, and dried leaves. The taste is sweet with a slight spicy kick and notes of vanilla, caramel candy, chocolate, and maple syrup. The finish is dry and slightly sweet, lingering and warm.

Glenlivet 1991 (Gordon & MacPhail 2011 bottling at 54.4% ABV, tasted 3/2011): Part of the Private Collection Decades series of single-cask Glenlivets and aged in a refill sherry hogshead, with a fruity nose of red apples, pineapple, and pears with a hint of caramel cream. The taste is tart and vibrant with pineapple, mango, orange, and touches of coconut and vanilla. The finish is medium-length, nutty, and tart.

Glenrothes 1998 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 5/2010): The nose is spicy with cinnamon and nutmeg notes and a hint of honey underneath. The taste is chewy, thick and spicy with a cinnamon blast that lingers, along with notes of cashews, dark chocolate, and honey. The finish is lingering with a good balance of cinnamon and honey.

Greenore 15 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 7/2010): The nose on this Irish single grain from Cooley is light with soft spices (almonds, nutmeg, and allspice) and a hint of toffee. The taste starts off spicy, then fades to a fruity sweetness with notes of peaches and pears. The finish is clean and lingering with a hint of black tea and lemon.

Hankey Bannister 40 (Blended Scotch bottled at 43.3% ABV, tasted 2/2011): The nose has notes of oak, vanilla, nutmeg, a hint of smoke, and dark chocolate. The taste is spicy, thick, and peppery with honey and molasses undertones and hints of brandy-soaked orange peel. The finish is long and slightly tart with touches of brandy and brown sugar. Complex and interesting.

High West Silver Whiskey - Western Oat (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 2/2011): This unaged spirit is made with a mashbill of 85% oats and 15% malted barley. The nose is nutty with dried grass, anise, and pear notes. The taste is smooth and thick with pears, apples, peaches, and a touch of hazelnut. The finish is lingering, smooth, and clean with a slight hint of ginger.

Irishman Cask Strength 2010 (Distilled at Midleton for The Irishman at 53% ABV, tasted 9/2010): This annual release has a light and clean nose with notes of vanilla, apples, and butterscotch. The taste is syrupy and thick, with a peppery blast that builds to a cinnamon peak, then fades to soft, sweet caramel notes and a hint of lemon zest. The finish is grassy and slightly tart. 

Isle of Jura 10 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 5/2010): The nose is soft spices and honey, with hints of orange peel, vanilla, and coconut. The taste is peppery and intense at first, then fades to reveal notes of honey and black tea with a hint of coconut. The finish is warming and long with honey, vanilla, and a hint of smoke.

Isle of Jura 16 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 5/2010): The nose has notes of cinnamon, brown sugar, black tea, and vanilla. The taste starts off with caramel candy and cinnamon, then fades to reveal honey and a slight lemony tartness that is accentuated with water. The finish is savory and lingering with a slight hint of lemon.

Isle of Jura 1993 Sherry Ji Cask Finish (Distillery bottling at 54% ABV, tasted 5/2010): This is part of Jura's "Boutique Barrels Collection", and started off in 1993 in American white oak casks. It was transferred to sherry casks in 2002, and the nose has notes of light cinnamon, vanilla, and honey. The taste is dominated by honey and nuts with a subtle pepperiness and just a hint of smoke. The finish is long and warming with subtle traces of caramel and vanilla. 

Isle of Skye 12 (Blended Scotch bottled by Ian MacLeod at 43% ABV, tasted 8/2011): The nose is smoky and complex with nice spices, including nutmeg and a hint of cinnamon, and a slight citrusy note hiding in the background. The taste is spicy with cinnamon, hazelnut, nutmeg, toasted oak, and just a hint of brown sugar underneath. The finish is long and lingering with a nice spiciness. 

Kilchoman Spring 2011 Release (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 6/2011): The nose has a smooth peatiness, along with heather, a hint of vanilla, and a slight nuttiness. The taste is smooth and peaty with a touch of brine, vanilla, and a hint of citrusy tartness. The finish is long, smoky, and smooth with a hint of vanilla. Excellent!

Lark Cask Strength (Distillery bottling of Cask #113 at 58% ABV, tasted 9/2010): Lark pioneered whisky distilling in Australia, and this expression was aged in Australian port and sherry casks. The nose is soft and subtle, with butterscotch, caramel, vanilla, and cocoa notes. The taste is spicy and peppery, chili powder with caramel, butterscotch, brown sugar, and orange peel to balance it out. The finish is tart, citrusy, and lingering.

Linkwood 15 (Bottled by Gordon & MacPhail at 43% ABV, tasted 9/2010): Aged in first-fill and refill sherry casks, this Linkwood has a sweet nose with red apple and toffee notes. The taste is chewy with dried fruits, cinnamon, caramel, and red apples. The finish is tingling and long with touches of honey and brown sugar.

Longrow (Springbank) Gaja Barolo Finish (Distillery bottling with no age statement, bottled at 55.8% ABV, tasted 1/23/2009): This expression is about 7 years old, and spent the first 5 years in ex-bourbon casks, with the final year and a half in Gaja Barolo wine casks. Longrow is the peated malt from Springbank, and this has a nice mix of smokiness and sweetness on the nose. The taste is chewy and thick, with a bit of sweetness in the form of fig notes and a hint of burnt caramel to go along with a slight saltiness. The finish is long, tingly, and sweet. It's not for everyone, but it's a very interesting malt! 

Millburn 25 Rare Malts Selection (Distillery bottling at 61.9% ABV, tasted 4/2010): This comes from a long-dormant distillery in Aberdeenshire, and was distilled in 1974 and bottled in 2009. The nose is dry and intense with notes of oak and brown sugar and a hint of maple sap underneath. The taste is dominated by cinnamon and caramel candy notes, and the finish is spicy and lingering with a touch of cinnamon balanced with floral notes and a hint of citrus.

Nikka Miyagikyo 10 (Distillery bottling at 45% ABV, tasted 4/2011): The nose is full of dark chocolate, honey, and hazelnut with touches of dried flowers and lemon peel. The taste starts off creamy, then turns spicy with a cinnamon note that peaks and then fades to reveal the dark chocolate, honey, and hazelnut notes from the nose that linger through the soft and subtle finish. Very nice!

Nikka Miyagikyo 12 (Distillery bottling at 45% ABV, tasted 1/23/2010): This Japanese single malt has a light and clean nose, but the taste reveals a surprising burst of pepper, along with vanilla, dry vermouth and a slight tartness. The finish is short and dry.

Nikka Yoichi 20 (Distillery bottling at 52.9% ABV, tasted 5/2008): Straw and heather dominate the nose, while the taste is tart yet still has a sweet honeyed richness leading to a slightly smoky finish.

Old Pulteney 12 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 6/2011): The nose has notes of banana, coconut, honey, vanilla, and lime with a slight brininess. The taste is smooth and creamy at first, with a pepperiness that builds slowly and lingers, along with honey, coconut, and a slight brininess underneath. The finish has hints of wood smoke and brine, and is warming with notes of coconut and vanilla. Smooth and easy to drink.

Pearse Lyons Reserve (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 8/2010): Dr. Pearse Lyons comes from a long line of Irish whiskey coopers and distillers, and now runs Kentucky-based Alltech. He's created a rarity: a Kentucky single malt whisky, and even though it was bottled at between two and three years of age, it tastes like whiskies much older and smoother. The nose is sweet with notes of molasses and brown sugar, a touch of nutmeg, and vanilla. The taste is smooth and spicy with hot chili peppers that fade slowly to reveal slightly tart notes of lemon creme and molasses. The finish is dry and long with a subtle touch of oak and a hint of brown sugar.

Port Ellen 25 (Douglas of Drumlanrig bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 3/2010): Douglas Laing is known for its Port Ellen bottlings, and this one does not disappoint. The nose is smoky with minimal peat - more campfire than peat - along with notes of brine and seaweed. The taste is peaty with a hint of brine and lemon peel, leading to a smoky finish with lingering cinnamon notes.

Port Ellen 27 (Distilled in 1983, and bottled by Signatory at 55.7% ABV, tasted 6/2010): The nose is lightly peated with notes of coconut and vanilla with a hint of maltiness. The taste is slightly smoky, peaty and sweet with honey and coconut notes. The finish is smoky and sweet with a hint of caramel candy and lemon drops. 

Powers Gold Label 12 Special Reserve (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 5/2010): This comes from Ireland's Old Midleton Distillery, and the nose is dry and dusty with notes of wood shavings and pepper. The taste is very smooth, and starts off honey-sweet before developing a nice cinnamon note that balances well with the honey. The finish is spicy and lingering with a slight tartness underneath.

Royal Canadian Small Batch (Distillery not specified, bottled by Sazerac at 40% ABV, tasted 6/2011): The nose is oak, hazelnut, muted cinnamon, and fresh rye bread. The taste is spicy and warm with rye, cinnamon, caramel, and a hint of dark chocolate. The finish has subtle spices, caramel syrup, and dark chocolate. Very smooth.

Tomatin 12 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 12/2009): This may be a "best buy" among single malts, with a low price and excellent taste. The nose is light and aromatic with hints of malt, straw, and apples. The taste is complex, with a slight spiciness that balances hints of malt and smoke, apples and hazelnut. The finish is long and smooth with a touch of malt. A splash of water makes this dram even smoother.

Wild Geese Irish Soldiers & Heroes Single Malt (Distilled at Cooley for Avalon Group and bottled at 43% ABV, tasted 3/2010) This Irish single malt has a malty and grassy nose with nice oak notes. The taste is peppery and smooth with a lingering spiciness that fades to reveal malty notes. The finish is malty and lingering.

Yamazaki 12 (Distillery bottling at 43%, tasted 1/2010): I usually have a bottle of this on my shelf. The nose is spicy, woody, and slightly malty. The taste is peppery with an underlying caramel-candy sweetness and a hint of molasses. The finish is peppery and lingering.

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Aberfeldy 12 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 1/2010): This is a malt I often recommend to new whisky drinkers. It has a light and floral nose with good maltiness, along with dried grass and garden herbs. The taste starts off thick and sweet, then explodes in a burst of cinnamon and other spices that fades to show notes of molasses and hazelnut. The finish is slightly tart.

Aberlour 10 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 1/23/2010): This one has been replaced in the U.S. by a 12-year-old expression, but is still available in many markets. The nose is warm, spicy, and nutty with hints of malt, figs, and plums. The taste starts off with cinnamon and malt, then becomes sweet with a note of molasses. The finish is dry, lingering, spicy, and warm.

Aberlour 12: (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 1/23/2010): The nose is warm and sweeter than the 10-year-old Aberlour, with notes of hazelnut, maple syrup, raisins, and a touch of malt. The taste is dry and sweet with hints of toffee, dark chocolate, and figs. The finish is dry and slightly tart with a hint of lemon.

Ardbeg Renaissance (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 9/2008): Peatier than the regular Ardbeg 10-year-old, this malt is well-balanced with subtle briny notes underneath the peat and just a hint of some heather. The peat lingers well into the finish, where the briny notes come out to play. I can't wait to see what this spirit develops into as the years go on.

Ardbeg Still Young (Distillery bottling at 56.2% ABV, tasted 5/2010): This is the second release of Still Young, distilled in 1998 and bottled in 2006. The nose is soft smoke, heather, vanilla, and hazelnut. The taste is smoky and sharp with black pepper and cinnamon, along with hints of coconut and almonds. The finish is smoky on the back of the throat with notes of cinnamon and brown sugar.

Balblair 1975 (Distillery bottling at 46%, tasted 2/2010): Dry and complex with an intense spiciness that doesn't mask the underlying sweetness. Well balanced with a nice lingering finish.

Balvenie 8 Pure Malt (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 8/2010): This early Balvenie expression dates back to the 1970's, since it uses the old UK proof (70) on the label. The nose is soft and dry with gentle allspice and nutty notes. The taste is sweet, sharp, and citrusy with a touch of honey. The finish has lemon-lime citrus notes, a touch of ginger, and is very long.

Black Bull 12 (Blended Scotch bottled at 50% ABV, tasted 4/2010): Like the other Black Bull expressions from Duncan Taylor, this is a 50-50 blend of malt and grain whiskies and bottled at 50% ABV. The nose is full of figs, raisins, allspice, and hazelnut. The taste is chewy with a great mouth-filling blend of spices that builds and builds, then fades into a lingering finish. Water adds a touch of citrus to the finish.

Bowmore 1988 Port Cask (Distillery bottling at 51.5% ABV, tasted 5/2010): This 21-year-old Bowmore has a fruity nose, with plums and figs balanced with floral notes and a hint of peat. The taste is sweet with pears, plums, and raisins that fade as black pepper notes build slowly. The finish is tart and short.

Bowmore 1992 (Distillery bottling at 53.5% ABV, tasted 7/2008): This malt was aged for 6 years in bourbon casks, then transferred to Bordeaux wine casks for an additional 10 years of maturation. The color is a reddish gold, and the nose is oaky and heavily influenced by the Bordeaux casks, with tobacco and leather notes matched by a slightly herbal hint. The taste is fruity and tart, with raspberries and figs, along with hints of almonds and hazelnuts. The finish is fruity and herbal.

Bowmore 2008 Feis Ile (Distillery bottling at 57.1% ABV, tasted 10/2010): This 8-year-old Bowmore comes from three Limousin Oak ex-sherry casks that yielded 800 bottles. The nose is candied orange peel, fresh cranberries, and just a hint of smokiness. The taste is smoky maple, peaches, brown sugar, and dark chocolate, and is very smooth. The finish is dark chocolate, a hint of ginger, peaches, and a touch of smoke.

Bruichladdich 15 (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 8/2011): The nose has notes of soft smoke, heather, and dried grass. The taste is creamy at first with a spicy kick that fades to reveal a syrupy nectar-like sweetness with peaches and pears, along with a slight kiss of smoke that provides a good balance. The finish is long and slightly tart with a good balance of sweetness and tartness.

Bruichladdich 16 Links Series/Vancouver Golf Club (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 3/2010): The 11th in Bruichladdich's series of golf-related bottlings started off in a bourbon cask, then was racked into wine barrels from Chateau Haut-Brion. The Bordeaux influence comes out in the nose with hints of red grapes, along with honey and apples. The taste is full of figs and black cherries, a hint of pomegranate and fresh berries. The finish has notes of honey and vanilla.

Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection 1995 American Oak Chips Seasoned (Distillery bottling at 45% ABV, tasted 8/2010): This limited-edition whiskey was distilled on the same day in 1995 as the French Oak Experimental Collection whiskey, but was aged in American white oak with toasted oak chips added in. The nose is sweet oak, vanilla, cinnamon, pepper, and caramel. The taste is peppery and intense with chili powder, cinnamon, a touch of wood smoke, and a slight tanginess as the spices fade. The finish is tangy and sweet with notes of honey and barbecue sauce.

Bulleit Rye (Bottled by Diageo at 45% ABV, tasted 3/2011): Tom Bulleit's rye comes from a 95% rye mashbill, and has an intense nose with a note of ham on rye bread with horseradish sauce and touches of caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak underneath. The taste is thick, chewy, and intense with molasses and honey notes that provide a foundation for the spicy rye aroma to go straight to the back of your throat and curl up into your nose for a long finish.

Bunnahabhain 2010 Feis Ile Edition (Distillery bottling at 51.4% ABV, tasted 5/2010): Only 384 bottles came from this Pedro Ximenez cask, and the nose has soft spices, brown sugar and vanilla notes. The taste is caramel and cinnamon, graham cracker pie crust with a hint of apple pie. The finish is sweet and aromatic with a hint of tartness.

Canadian Club Classic 12 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 8/2011): The nose is rich with soft spices, toasted oak, and hints of vanilla and nutmeg. The taste is spicy with nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice notes, along with a buttery touch underneath. The finish is long and spicy.

Canadian Club Reserve 10 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 8/2011): The nose has notes of toasted bread, brown sugar, dark chocolate, and a hint of caramel. The taste is thick and spicy with nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon balanced against sweet undertones of chocolate and caramel. A hint of toasted oak rounds things off nicely. The finish is long and spicy.

Canadian Club Sherry Cask (Distillery bottling at 41.3% ABV, tasted 10/2007): Most Canadian Club goes straight into bourbon casks, but there's a limited amount that goes into sherry casks for a minimum of 8 years. The nose is fresh bread with a minimal touch of sherry. The taste is very smooth as the sherry influence works well with the rye-dominated taste. This one gets limited distribution, but is well worth looking for.

Caperdonich 39 (Distilled in 1969, bottled by Lonach in 2008 at 42.2% ABV, tasted 4/2010): The nose has notes of black pepper, vanilla, oak, and a hint of baked apples. Water brings out a touch of citrus. The taste is chewy and tart with lemon and lime notes and a hint of allspice. The finish is spicy and lingering with subtle hints of lime and oak.

Catto's 25 150th Anniversary (Blended Scotch bottled by Inver House at 40% ABV, tasted 9/2011): The nose is complex with a touch of fruitiness, pears and peaches, along with allspice, nutmeg, and a hint of raisins. The taste is spicy with cinnamon and allspice notes, and touches of figs and brown sugar for balance. The finish is long and spicy.

Compass Box Hedonism Maximus (Blended Grain bottled at 46% ABV, tasted 5/2009): John Glaser's blended grain has a gentle, fruity nose with hints of coconut and banana notes. Tasting it reveals a tropical fruitiness with a cloying sweetness, and the finish is light and sweet with a touch of vanilla.

Compass Box Optimism (Blended Malt bottled at 44%, tasted 10/2010): John Glaser filled just 170 bottles of Optimism at Whisky Live London in 2009, making it rare that you'll see this one. The nose is smoke and charred oak, heather, straw, and ginger. The taste is very smooth with peat and cinnamon balanced against ginger and nutmeg notes. The finish is smoky, peppery, and long.

Crown Royal Black (Distillery bottling at 45% ABV, tasted 3/2010): This whisky is darker and stronger than the traditional Crown Royal. The nose is a mix of black pepper, maple syrup and vanilla notes. The taste will appeal to both sherry cask and bourbon cask fans -- it falls in-between with a touch of oak and cinnamon and notes of figs and raisins, and is spicy yet still creamy. The finish has notes of vanilla and oak with a hint of spice. 

Dalmore 12 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 7/2010): This expression uses a 50-50 blend of American oak and ex-sherry casks, and the nose has notes of orange peel, almonds, cocoa, and coffee. The taste is smooth, citrusy, and slightly tart with a hint of cinnamon. The finish has a lingering orange note and a touch of spice.

Dalmore 15 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 7/2010): This single malt uses three different types of sherry casks, and the nose is full of citrus notes, with mandarin oranges and tangerines and just a bit of almonds. The taste is smooth and fruity with a cinnamon kick and touch of figs. The finish is full of oranges, tangerines, and toffee.

Dewar's 12 (Blended Scotch bottled at 40% ABV, tasted 8/2011): This is one of the world's most popular whiskies, with a nose full of honey, red apples, and hints of lemon, caramel, and oak. The taste is vibrant with fudge and toffee notes, a nice lemon-lime tart touch, and a quick burst of spice that fades quickly. The finish is smooth and lingering with a citrusy lemon-lime tartness.

Glenfarclas 105 (Distillery bottling at 60% ABV, tasted 7/2011): The cask-strength whopper in the Glenfarclas family, with a nose of raisins, honey, figs, hazelnut and oak. The taste has a great balance and mouthfeel; strong, spicy, and slightly tart with a cinnamon note that builds slowly and lasts throughout the finish, but never overpowers the honey and fig notes underneath. The finish is long, intense, and smooth. One of the best cask-strength whiskies available!

Glenfiddich 21 Caribbean Rum Cask (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 6/2010): This is the U.S.-legal version of Glenfiddich's rum cask-finished whisky (the Gran Reserva uses Cuban rum casks and is illegal to import into the U.S.). The nose is sweet with notes of honey, mango, apricot, ginger, brown sugar, and banana. The taste is cinnamon-spicy with banana undertones, lingering spices, and hints of honey and marzipan. The finish is sweet with a slight tartness and notes of orange peel, mango, and passion fruit.

Glen Garioch 16 Single Cask (Bottled by Douglas of Drumlanrig at 46% ABV, tasted 8/2010): The nose is soft spices, with touches of nutmeg, allspice, and vanilla to go along with baked apples and graham crackers. The taste is thick and chewy, with a touch of brown sugar at the start before the spices take over with mild cinnamon, allspice, and vanilla. The finish is lingering with notes of brown sugar and cinnamon.

Glen Grant 1966 (Bottled by Gordon & MacPhail at 49.4% ABV for Kensington Wine Market, tasted 1/2011): This whisky was aged for 41 byears in a refill sherry hogshead, and is only available through Calgary's Kensington Wine Market. The nose has notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, figs, oak, and orange peel with just a touch of peaches. The taste is full of molasses, cinnamon, peaches, nutmeg, and slightly smoky with a touch of citrus. The finish is a well-balanced mix of tartness and fruit with just a kiss of smoke.

Glen Grant 1992 Cellar Reserve (Distillery bottling at 6% ABV, tasted 12/2010): The nose is very creamy with hazelnut, red apples, pears, a slight nuttiness, and a hint of malt. The taste is creamy and smooth, fruity with red apples, pears, peaches, and a touch of hazelnut. The finish is medium-length, and shows hazelnut, pears, and a hint of ginger cookies as it fades. 

Glenlivet 1980 (Gordon & MacPhail 2011 bottling at 48.5% ABV, tasted 3/2011): Part of the Private Collection Decades series of single-cask Glenlivets and aged in a refill American oak hogshead. The nose is candle wax, slightly sweet and nutty. The taste starts off sweet, then turns peppery before fading to reveal fruity apricot notes that linger into the otherwise long and dry finish with a hint of coconut.

Glenlivet 1982 (Berry Bros. & Rudd bottling of Cask #4340 at 52.2% ABV, tasted 11/7/2009): This is a dark gold dram, and the nose is dry with hints of brown sugar, vanilla, grass, and cola. The taste is thick with an intense spiciness of chili peppers and cilantro, but still has honey-sweet notes underneath. Water mutes the spices and cranks up the honey, and the finish is caramel candy with a slight tartness and a hint of mint.

Glenlivet Nadurra Triumph 1991 (Distillery bottlng at 48% ABV, tasted 9/2009): This limited-edition (U.S.-only) Nadurra expression was produced exclusively from the Triumph strain of barley, aged for 18 years compared to 16 for the standard Nadurra, and bottled at 48% compared to the standard version's cask-strength 57%. The nose is fruity with a nice maltiness and also shows hints of honey and toffee. The taste is spicy with a touch of cinnamon that fades to a light sweetness with citrus notes of lemon zest and orange peel. The mouthfeel is creamy and thick.

Glenlossie 1975 (Single cask bottling by Berry Bros. & Rudd at 49.8% ABV, tasted 8/2010): The nose is smoky and spicy with a note of almonds and a hint of dried flowers underneath. The taste is citrusy with a lemon-lime note and a light pepperiness on the back of the throat, and the finish is dry and spicy with a touch of lemon.

Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 9/2009): Dr. Bill Lumsden picked Pedro Ximenez casks for this duty-free exclusive, and the nose has classic sherry-cask dried apricots and figs, along with espresso, dark chocolate, and a hint of nutmeg. The taste reveals a cinnamon and peppery spiciness, with lovely honey notes on the finish.

Glenrothes 1991 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 12/10/2009): The nose is slightly spicy, but still sweet with notes of cinnamon, orange zest, and honey. The taste is syrupy-thick and sweet with notes of honey toffee, and citrus fruits, along wit a very subtle hint of cinnamon. The finish has a kick of spice on the tongue, but it remains smooth and creamy.

Glenrothes 1994 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 5/2010): The nose is full of toffee notes, dried fruits, and honey. The taste starts off syrupy and sweet, with a peppery spiciness that builds slowly and doesn't mask the sweet hints of toffee, caramel, and figs. The finish is spicy and lingering.

Isle of Jura Superstition (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 5/2010): This Jura has a nose with notes of vanilla, allspice, honey, and a hint of pine. The taste is cinnamon with lemon zest, honey and tea. The finish is warming with notes of vanilla and coconut.

Jameson Irish Whiskey (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 3/2010): The nose on the flagship of the Jameson's line has a light, aromatic nose with hints of citrus and allspice. The taste is sweet and dry, with hints of hazelnut and vanilla and a touch of pepper that comes out near the finish. That mild pepperiness continues on the smooth finish.

Jameson Special Reserve 12 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 9/2010): The nose is light with notes of vanilla, nuts, and allspice. The taste is smooth and creamy with almonds, muted cinnamon, and a toffee note underneath. The finish is smooth and warm with notes of caramel candy and toffee.

Karuizawa 1978 (Bottled by Number One Drinks Company, ABV not recorded, tasted 1/2011): The nose is sharp with dried fruits, almonds, and oak. The taste is thick, peppery, and tart with notes of lemon, orange, honey, and molasses. The finish is tart and long.

Knappogue Castle Twin Wood (Distilled at Cooley for Castle Brands, bottled at 40% ABV, tasted 6/2011): This is Knappogue Castle's first "finished" whiskey, with 15 years in ex-bourbon barrels and the remaining maturation in ex-sherry casks. The nose is complex and malty with strong touches of dried apricots and apples and roasted almonds. The taste is rich and spicy with a strong cinnamon note surrounded by nuttiness, dark chocolate, and caramel for a good blend of spice and mellow notes. The finish has a touch of malt and a slight citrus tartness balancing off dark chocolate. Complex and nice.

Longmorn 40 (Gordon & MacPhail bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 9/2008): The nose is astringent and woody, but warm and sweet on the taste with great vanilla notes and hazelnut on the finish.

Longmorn 1964 Sherry Cask (Bottled by Gordon & MacPhail for La Maison du Whisky at 45% ABV, tasted 9/2010): The nose is caramel, oak, dried fruits, and cola. The taste is full and mouth-puckering, with notes of brown sugar, vanilla, and orange peel. The finish is dry and sweet with notes of licorice.

Macallan 18 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 11/2010): The nose is full of figs, cinnamon, potpourri, a touch of brandy, and orange peel. The taste is orange peel, cinnamon, allspice, toffee notes, and very smooth. The finish is lingering with dried fruits, apple pie, cinnamon, and a touch of honey.

Maker's Mark (Distillery bottling at 45% ABV, tasted 8/2010): I've enjoyed Maker's for years, but never did tasting notes for it until now. The nose is warm and oaky with notes of vanilla and wheat toast. The taste is big, luscious, spicy, and smooth with notes of cinnamon, oak, vanilla, and caramel. The finish is warm and smooth with soft spices and a touch of oak.
 
Midleton Very Rare 2009 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 1/2011): The nose on this blended Irish whiskey is crisp and light with green apples and a hint of mint. The taste is sharp with green apples, cilantro, and notes of honey and citrus fruits that develop as the cilantro spiciness fades. The finish is smooth, light, slightly tart, and lingering.

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2011 Release (Distillery bottling at 49% ABV, tasted 9/2011): Each year, a single day's production run is set aside for the Old Forester Birthday Bourbon honoring Brown-Forman founder George Garvin Brown. This year's release has a nose of charred oak, vanilla, allspice, brown sugar, and hints of molasses and maple syrup. The taste is smooth with spicy cinnamon and allspice notes that fade to reveal caramel and brown sugar sweetness with hints of almonds and oak. The finish is muted and mild.

Rosebank 22 (Diageo Rare Malts Series bottling distilled in 1981 and bottled at 61.1% ABV, tasted 10/07): The nose is warm and inviting like an oak-burning fireplace. The taste is explosively peppery, but water opens it up to reveal floral and grassy notes. The mouthfeel is silky on the tongue and the finish is long and smoky.

Royal Lochnagar 12 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 4/2010): The nose is buttery and dry with notes of bread and marmalade, and a splash of water brings out the distillery's traditional grassy character. The taste is dry and fruity with a mix of orange peel and green apples. The finish is buttery with notes of malt, mandarin oranges, and a hint of spices.

Scapa 2000 (Bottled by Gordon & MacPhail for La Maison du Whisky at 45% ABV, tasted 9/2010): The nose is sweet and clean with touches of honey, sea salt and nutmeg. The taste is smooth, with spices that build slowly to reveal a curry powder note with honey and brown sugar notes underneath. The finish is sweet and lingering.

Singleton of Dufftown 12 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 8/2010): The nose has light spices with vanilla, oak, and butterscotch notes. The taste is complex and thick with brown sugar, butterscotch, figs, and vanilla. The finish is long and slightly spicy. Overall, well-balanced and consistent. 

Singleton of Glen Ord 12 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 8/2010): The nose has notes of oak, dried fruits, orange peel, and allspice. The taste is spicy with hints of peat and ginger, and the finish carries over that spicy note with touches of brown sugar and crystallized ginger.

Speyburn 10 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 6/2011): The nose is full of shortbread and biscuity notes, malty with hazelnut and a touch of almond. The taste is smooth and buttery with cinnamon toast, honey, and vanilla. The finish lingers well with vanilla, allspice, and a slight tartness.

Springbank 15 (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 1/23/2009): This expression is 100% sherry cask, with a mix of first, second, and third fill casks. The nose is exactly what you'd expect -- fruits and figs, leather and wood. The taste is rich and chewy, with the usual Springbank saltiness on the tip of the tongue. There are also oak and black pepper notes. The finish is sweet and lingering. Don't add water to this one...it weakens the dram.

Stronachie 12 (Distilled at Benrinnes and bottled by A. Dewar Rattray at 43% ABV, tasted 1/2009): The original Stronachie distillery was dismantled in the 1920's, but the name lives on in this single malt. The nose is slightly oaky, with notes of vanilla, dried apricots, hazelnut, and malty with a hint of freshly baked bread. The taste is smooth and malty, with a touch of peat balancing notes of dried fruits, figs, and Christmas cake. The peat comes out to play on the finish, but still remains very smooth. An excellent dram!

Sullivan's Cove Bourbon Cask (Distillery bottling at 60% ABV, tasted 2/2010): This Australian single malt comes from single casks, so there may be variations from cask to cask. The nose is malty with notes of nuts and grapes, while the taste starts off malty with a touch of honey and pepper. Water reveals vanilla and dark chocolate notes. The finish is long and smooth with a hint of tartness.

Talisker 10 (Distillery bottling at 45.8% ABV, tasted 2/2011): The nose has subtle smokiness along with honey and almond notes. The taste is rich and smoky with oak, honey, brown sugar, and a subtle cinnamon note that builds slowly and lasts into the finish, which is long, spicy, and smoky.

Tobermory 35 (Distilled in 1972 and bottled for Whisky Doris in 2008 at 49.4% ABV, tasted 11/2008): Just 191 bottles came from the first-fill sherry cask, and the nose is dried figs, raisins, and pears, with a touch of rose petals and just a hint of orange peel. The taste has a tart fruitiness with pears in the mix, along with notes of figs and raisins and a touch of plums. The finish is salty and lingering with just a touch of smoke. Nice and complex!

Tomatin 30 (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 6/2011): The nose is citrusy and inviting with lemon peel, hints of spices, and honey. The taste starts off creamy at first with a honeyed sweetness, and a nice spiciness builds quickly and fades away slowly to reveal lemony tartness and a touch of mango. The finish is medium-length, tart, and citrusy.

Tomatin 40 (Distillery bottling at 42.9% ABV, tasted 11/2010): This single malt comes from 7 ex-bourbon hogsheads, and the nose is subtle with vanilla and caramel notes and no signs of over-oakiness. The taste is spicy and peppery, and builds quickly but fades slowly to reveal vanilla and hazelnut notes. The finish is dry and light.

Tullamore Dew 10 Single Malt (Distilled at Old Midleton and bottled by C&C at 40%, tasted 5/2010): The nose is malty with a touch of almond and hints of oak and vanilla. The taste is smooth, and develops a spicy taste over time with notes of cinnamon and allspice, along with subtle hints of dried fruits that become apparent as the spices fade to a long finish. 

Wild Turkey 81 (Distillery bottling at 40.5% ABV, tasted 6/2011): This has all of the flavor of Wild Turkey 101 at a lower strength for mixing in cocktails, and it's also a good bourbon for newcomers to whiskey. The nose has a good balance of oak, vanilla, and caramel notes. The taste is clean, smooth and spicy with cinnamon on top and notes of honey and vanilla underneath. The finish lingers well with oak, caramel, and a hint of molasses.

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Amrut Double Cask (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 4/2011): The oldest Amrut bottled so far, with a strong and spicy nose full of black pepper, nutmeg, and toasted bread. The taste is thick and peppery with hints of tartness and citrus underneath balanced by a touch of brown sugar sweetness. The finish balances cinnamon and brown sugar notes well with a slight nuttiness and lingers nicely.

Armorik Single Malt Double Maturation (Distillery bottling at 42% ABV, tasted 4/2011): This French single malt was was aged for 5 years in oak casks sourced from the local forest, then finished in sherry casks. The nose has notes of white wine grapes, brandy, dried flowers, and vanilla. The taste starts off soft at first with touches of grapes and dried fruits, then turns spicy with a blast of cinnamon that lingers through the finish.

Arran 14 (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 1/2011): The nose is full of toffee, vanilla, Christmas cake, and touches of caramel and salt water. The taste starts off salty, followed by cinnamon baked apples, dates, honey, and a hint of black tea with a good mouthfeel and balance. The finish has touches of cinnamon and brine.

Balblair 1989 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 5/2010): Consistency reigns in this single malt, with notes of cloves, orange peel, and honey that dominate from nose to finish. There are spicy cinnamon notes that also appear in the taste and linger through the finish, along with subtle hints of lemon.

Benromach Origins Batch #3 (Distillery bottling at 50% ABV, tasted 8/2011): This malt was made with Optic barley and matured in first-fill sherry casks. The nose is malty with notes of dry white wine, figs, and hints of ginger and allspice. The taste starts with a touch of tartness, then turns spicy with allspice, ginger, and cinnamon that fade to reveal a dry sweetness. The finish is dry, tart, clean, and lingers well. 

Bruichladdich Golder Still 23 (Distillery bottling at 51% ABV, tasted 1/2011): This is part of Bruichladdich's Trilogy Series, and spent most of its time in bourbon casks before being moved to Sauternes wine casks. The nose is caramel and toffee with vanilla and hazelnut. The taste is dry, sweet white wine, a touch of perfume, green apples and hazelnut. The finish is medium-length and dry with a touch of brine.

Collingwood (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 2/2011): This Canadian whisky comes from Brown-Forman's Canadian Mist distillery, and is unusual in that it's finished in maple barrels. The nose is dark maple syrup, molasses, caramel, and vanilla. The taste is rich, syrupy, and sweet with more molasses, brown sugar, and a touch of muted cinnamon. The finish is sweet with maple notes and lingering touches of nutmeg and vanilla.

Compass Box Spice Tree (Blended malt bottled by Compass Box at 46% ABV, tasted 11/27/2009): This is the second edition of Spice Tree, following Scotch Whisky Association objections to the original version for failing to follow "traditional practices." John Glaser used heavily toasted French Oak barrel heads in this version, and it may be even better than the original. The nose has notes of ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla, with a slightly nutty touch to boot. The taste lives up to its name -- chili pepper notes balanced by honey undertones, along with hints of ginger, hazelnut, and vanilla. The finish is slightly smoky with notes of honey and cinnamon.

Connemara Turf Mor (Distillery bottling at 58% ABV, tasted 12/2010): This heavily peated whiskey from Ireland's Cooley Distillery has a peaty and phenolic nose, along with heather and subtle touches of vanilla and honey. The taste starts off with honey and brown sugar before the peat takes over with a touch of potting soil. The peatiness is slow to fade, but when it does, a slight lemony note appears and stays through the finish, along with the lingering peat and a hint of brown sugar.

Double Barrel Macallan/Laphroaig (Vatted malt bottled by Douglas Laing & Co. at 46% ABV, tasted 10/2009): The Laing brothers paired two 8-year-old casks of Macallan and Laphroaig together for this bottling, and in this case, 1+1=3. The nose has a nice balance of peat smoke with vanilla and coconut, and the taste is creamy and thick with spicy notes that fade to a lemony tartness and a slightly briny finish.

GlenDronach 14 Virgin Oak (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 11/2010): This single malt was finished in virgin oak casks, and that gives it a spicy and dry nose with notes of vanilla, allspice, pencil shavings and honey. The taste is thick and chewy, peppery and intense, and fades slowly to reveal black licorice and vanilla. The finish is short and dry, but a splash of water opens this dram up nicely and lengthens the finish while adding some oak notes to the taste.

Glenlivet 12 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 6/2010): One of the world's most popular single malts, with a nose that is fruity and light with notes of rose petals, fresh-cut grass, vanilla, and green apples. The taste is slightly sweet with notes of coconut, vanilla, and straw. The finish has notes of green apples and vanilla.

Glenmorangie Nectar D'Or (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 10/2007): This is a Sauternes cask-finished expression, and the nose is light with fruity notes. The Sauternes finish doesn't overpower the nose or the taste, which has lovely citrus notes of orange peel and lime. Water opens it up nicely, and the finish reveals a nice spiciness with a hint of cinnamon.

Grants 12 (Blended Scotch bottled at 40% ABV, tasted 3/2011): The nose has excellent notes of caramel, vanilla, toffee, and dark chocolate mixed with outdoor notes of grass, straw, gorse, and heather. The taste has a nice peaty note that balances the sweetness of dark chocolate and apple pie. The peatiness lingers well into the finish and balances a nice cinnamon note. Very smooth.

Inchgower 27 (Diageo Rare Malts Series bottling distilled in 1976 and bottled at 55.6% ABV, tasted 10/2007): The nose is sweet with a hint of oak, and the taste is sweet with notes of caramel candy and honey, along with black tea. The finish is lingering and spicy.

Jim Beam Black (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 6/2010): Beam's 8-year-old bourbon has soft spices on the nose with notes of vanilla, caramel, and honey. The taste is cinnamon-spicy with slightly tart undertones and hints of vanilla and honey. The finish is honey and cinnamon with a trace of vanilla.

Kilchoman 2010 Spring Release (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 5/2010): Kilchoman's second single malt release is amazing for its young age. The nose is softly peated with notes of malt, grass, and fresh berries. The taste has a great mouthfeel, with a good balance of peatiness and maltiness and hints of cocoa, vanilla, and coconut. The finish is long with soft smoky notes, a touch of oak, and hints of caramel and cocoa.

Lagavulin 12 (Distillery bottling at 57% ABV, tasted 5/2010): This limited-edition bottling is usually available only at the distillery, and the nose has citrus notes of lemon and lime with subtle peat, seaweed, and brine touches. The taste is peppery, long-lasting, and intense, with citrus notes that come out as the spices fade. The finish is long-lasting with notes of lemon and lime.

Laphroaig 8 (Bottled by Douglas Laing & Co. at 46% ABV, tasted 1/2009): This is a young and feisty Laphroaig, and the nose has the classic Laphroaig notes of peat, brine, seaweed, and tar. The taste is peaty and vibrant, heathery and sweet, and the finish is smoky and lingering.

Laphroaig Quarter Cask (Distillery bottling at 48% ABV, tasted 5/2010): The nose is peaty and medicinal with brine and campfire smoke, and that carries over to the intensely peaty taste, with notes of creosote, burned oak, and hints of vanilla. The finish has notes of wood smoke and peat, with a hint of grassiness as the smokiness fades.

Mackmyra Special #3 (Distillery bottling at 48.2% ABV, tasted 9/2009): This single malt was released to celebrate Mackmyra's 10th anniversary in 2009, and unlike Mackmyra's First Edition, is less herbal with more vanilla notes on the nose and taste. The mouthfeel is thick and chewy, and starts off with a spicy kick. Muted herbal notes come out as the spice fades, and stay through the finish.

Sheep Dip (Vatted malt bottled at 40%, tasted 6/2010): Richard Paterson blends 16 single malts to create this vatted malt, and the nose is fruity with notes of orange, mango, and banana with hints of honey and almonds. The taste is honey, lemon, black tea, and slightly malty. The finish is slightly smoky as the honey notes fade, slightly short but still very smooth.

Singleton of Auchroisk (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 4/2010): This is the predecessor to the current Singleton bottlings from Diageo. The nose is spicy with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon furniture polish. The taste is spicy with sharp cinnamon notes that fade to reveal lemon and lime citrus touches. The finish has lingering notes of apple crumble and toffee.

Springbank 10 (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 1/23/2009): This is the Springbank most of us have access to, lightly peated, distilled 2.5 times, and aged in a 60-40 mix of bourbon and sherry casks. The nose is dominated by vanilla and toffee notes, along with figs and raisins, and is slightly smoky. The taste is chewy and thick with a salty touch on the tip of the tongue, and a good mix of smokiness and sweetness. Water mellows it slightly, and reveals a malty touch. The finish is smooth and long with just a touch of smoke. A classic!

Strathmill 17 Claret Finish (Distilled in 1990, bottled by A. Dewar Rattray at 60% ABV, tasted 1/2008): This malt was finished in claret wine casks for four months before bottling. At cask-strength, there's an alcohol burn on the nose that fades to reveal the red wine influence. It's slightly astringent, but still has fruity notes of dried figs and raisins. The taste is dry and astringent, but fades to a slight tartness with notes of dried apples.

Tomintoul 33 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 2/2010): Dry and slightly tart with notes of dark chocolate and a slight nuttiness on the finish.

Wassmund's Single Malt Batch 43 (Distillery bottling at 48% ABV, tasted 3/2010): Copper Fox owner Rick Wassmund's Virginia single malts have been getting better over the years. This bottling has a light and malty nose with notes of vanilla and dried grasses. The taste is mild at first, with a mild and malty pepperiness that builds slowly and continues to the finish. The spiciness sits on the tongue as it fades away. This dram is almost too smooth, lacking some of the bite that gives single malts their character. Still, it's an excellent dram.

Whyte & Mackay 40 (Blended Scotch bottled at 45% ABV, tasted 2/2010): Dry and astringent with a nice balance of molasses sweetness and cinnamon spice.

Yamazaki 18 (Distillery bottling at 43%, tasted 3/2010): The nose has notes of malt, oak, and allspice, while the taste is a balance of caramel candy and cinnamon with hints of pears and a slight nuttiness. The finish is spicy and lingering.

Yamazaki 1984 (Distillery bottling at 48% ABV, tasted 9/2009): This whisky was released to celebrate Suntory's 25th anniversary of Yamazaki single malts, and the use of Japanese oak casks make it a very interesting dram. The appearance is coppery, thick, and oily, and the nose is spicy and woody with notes of malt, baking bread, and is slightly nutty. The taste has intense spices at first, which fade to reveal sweet notes of molasses and black cherries. The finish is short and slightly tart.

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Amrut Kadhambam (Distillery bottling at 50% ABV, tasted 8/2011): The nose has subtle smokiness, along with touches of oak, malt, and brown sugar and caramel for balance. The taste is unexpectedly spicy with cinnamon on the tip of the tongue, but sweet in the back and top of the mouth with brown sugar and hazelnut notes. The finish is lingering and slightly spicy.

An Cnoc 12 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 6/2011): The nose is muted and soft with honey, vanilla, and a slight nuttiness. The taste is spicy and warm with black pepper and cinnamon notes, along with roasted almonds and a tart touch of lime. The finish lingers with a slight grassiness and a touch of tartness.

Antiquary 21 (Blended Scotch bottled at 43% ABV, tasted 5/2009): This blend is produced by the owners of Tomatin Distillery, and it's the base malt for this blend. The nose is honeyed with a touch of pepper and very light, and the taste is sweet and complex, rich and soft with honey notes and a nice hint of spices. A very well-balanced blend with a slightly nutty finish.

Arran Peacock (Distillery bottling at 46%, tasted 2/2010): Only 6,000 bottles of this malt were released, taken from a mix of ex-bourbon and sherry casks. The nose has notes of honey, coconut, and orange peel, while the taste is malty with a hint of hazelnut that fades to reveal hints of green apples. The finish is creamy-smooth and lingering, and adding a bit of water will release hints of vanilla.

Balblair 1997 (Distillery bottling at 43%, tasted 10/2010): The nose is lemon peel with a touch of lime, banana, coconut, and a hint of macadamia nuts and malt. The taste is a mix of citrus and spice with lime, cinnamon, and an orange note that develops with tart undertones and a hint of brine or margarita salt. The finish is lingering, tart, and crisp.

Bowmore Cask Strength (Distillery bottling at 50% ABV, tasted 5/2010): This is a duty-free expression, and the nose has notes of malt, wood smoke, sea breeze and brine. The taste is dry and astringent with a fiery pepperiness that fades to reveal subtle notes of figs and toffee. Water mutes the fire and opens up the fruit and toffee notes. The finish is a nice mix of smokiness and caramel candy.

Bowmore Tempest (Distillery bottling at 55.3% ABV, pre-release sample at 56% ABV tasted 1/23/2010): Batch 1 of this cask-strength 10-year-old Bowmore has a lightly peated nose with notes of brine, honey, and lemon. The taste is smoky and peppery with hints of brine and seaweed. The finish is long and peaty with a hint of honey.

Bunnahabhain 1997 (Bottled by Queen of the Moorlands at 50.2% ABV, tasted 8/2010): This independent bottling of Bunnahabhain is lightly peated with a hint of charred oak and smoky with a touch of beef jerky. The taste is pungent and peppery with hints of brown sugar and a slightly briny note. The finish is brown sugar, caramel, and a touch of brine.

Bushmills 21 Madeira Finish (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 2/2010): Caramel-candy sweet with a touch of cinnamon and a slight smokiness on the finish.

Caol Ila 12 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 5/2010): The nose is dry with muted smoke and hints of caramel candy. The taste is thick and smoky with a hint of oak and peaty notes that fade to reveal a slight sweetness. The finish is smoky and lingering.

Caribou Crossing Canadian Single Barrel (Distillery unknown, bottled by Sazerac at 40% ABV, tasted 4/2010): This is an interesting dram with notes of fresh-baked bread, brown sugar, rye, and a hint of oak on the nose. The taste is very smooth with subtle hints of spices that fade to reveal notes of hazelnut and maple syrup. The finish is sweet and lingering with a touch of cinnamon and hazelnut for balance.
 
Connemara Peated Sherry Finish (Distillery bottling by Cooley at 46% ABV, tasted 9/9/2009): This is from Connemara's Small Batch Collection, and the color is a dark gold. The nose has hints of hazelnut, dried figs, raisins, brown sugar, and maple syrup. The taste starts off syrupy on the tip of the tongue, but spicy on the middle of the tongue. There are notes of raisins and brown sugar that build to that spiciness. There's also a hint of rosemary. The finish is short and sweet.

Dailuane 1973 (Bottled by Lombard in 2004 at 50% ABV, tasted 6/2010): This is a 31-year-old Dailuane, and has a spicy nose with malty notes, bread baking, and a touch of honey. The taste is cinnamon spice with honey undertones, smooth with a slight citrus tartness. The finish is spicy with a hint of fresh apple pie.

Glann ar Mor "1st an G'wech '09"/"First Bottling 2009" (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 2/2010): This single malt comes from the Brittany coast of France, and is just over three years old. However, it tastes much more mature than many young malts. The nose is malty with hints of honey and dried grass. The taste is thick and chewy with a good balance of cinnamon spice and honey notes that linger nicely. The finish is spicy and long, and a splash of water releases more sweetness while delaying the spiciness.

Glen Breton 10 Icewine Cask (Distillery bottling at 40%, tasted 9/2010): Icewine is one of Canada's specialties, and sooner or later, one of the nation's distilleries was bound to try aging whisky in an icewine cask. The nose is crisp and fruity, with notes of light white grapes and dried flowers. The taste is sharp and tart, white wine-like with a lemon-lime note and hints of honey and caramel underneath for balance. The finish is crisp and clean with white wine and lime notes. This would be a good dram for a hot summer day.

Glencadam 10 (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 9/2010): The nose is light and floral with dried rose petals, candied orange peel, a hint of nuts and grass. The taste is light, crisp, and tart with a lemon-lime citrus note, hints of herbs and grass, and notes of vanilla and honey providing the backbone underneath. The finish is floral and light with notes of fresh-cut grass. Very clean and crisp.

Glenlivet 18 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 1/23/2010): The nose is dry and honey-sweet with a hint of brown sugar. The taste is spicy with cinnamon notes that fade to reveal honey and molasses. The finish is tingling, dry, and short.

Glenrothes 1980 (Scott's Selection bottling at 55.8% ABV, tasted 7/2010): The nose has a good spiciness, and is creamy and malty with sherry notes. The taste is spicy and dry with white wine undertones, and the finish is tart and lingering.

Forty Creek JKH Small Batch (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 10/2007): John Hall produced this special batch in 2007 to celebrate his 10th anniversary of distilling Forty Creek. The nose is full of chocolate and caramel, and the taste is perfectly balanced between corn, barley, and rye grains with a hint of wood and a candy-like sweetness. The finish is nice and long.

Highland Park Hjarta (Distillery bottling at 58.1% ABV, tasted 8/2009): Highland Park doesn't release cask-strength malts very often, and this 12-year-old expression is a great example of why it should. It's sold only at the distillery and in a few Nordic markets, and think of it as the regular Highland Park 12 on steroids. It's slightly smokier than the original, but still has the classic citrusy tartness with a hint of orange peel.

Highland Park Leif Ericsson (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 2/2011): This travel retail exclusive honors Orkney's Nordic heritage, and the nose is slightly smoky with toasted oak, honey, and baked cinnamon apples. The taste is creamy with a nice smokiness and touches of cinnamon, brown sugar, and apple pie. The finish has a nice balance of smokiness and spice that lingers nicely.

High West Rendezvous Rye (Blended Rye bottled at 46% ABV, tasted 11/2009): This is a blend of straight ryes, and the nose has a clean, fresh rye bread aroma as one might expect, with notes of cinnamon, pumpkin pie, nutmeg, pine needles, and dried leaves. The taste is tart and spicy, with notes of cinnamon and cilantro, basil, and lemon zest. The finish is balanced and smooth with notes of toasted rye bread.

Kavalan Concertmaster Port Cask (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 3/2011): This whisky carries no age statement, but since it's from a relatively new distillery, we can assume it's 3-4 years old. However, it tastes much more mature than its actual age, with an aromatic nose and notes of almonds, toasted oak, apple pie with cinnamon, and nutmeg. The taste is tart and still sweet with orange peel, black tea, a touch of ginger, and a hint of cinnamon. That spice develops more strongly on the finish, which is dry and lingering with a nice cocoa note.

Laphroaig Cairdeas 2008 (Distillery bottling at 55% ABV, tasted 11/2010): This is the first Cairdeas expression from Laphroaig, bottled for Friends of Laphroaig members and the 2008 Feis Ile from a set of quarter casks. The nose is sweeter than most Laphroaigs, with muted peat and medicinal notes. The taste has a lemon peel tartness, along with toffee, nuts and subtle notes of peat and brine underneath. Rich and smooth, very thick. The finish has caramel and cola notes and is sweet and dry.

Ledaig 2005 Cask Strength (Bottled by Berry Bros. & Rudd at 62.7% ABV, tasted 6/2010): Interesting for a young malt. The nose is cinnamon and caramel candy, very aromatic with nutty undertones and hints of varnish and paint thinner. The taste is fiery and young with peppery notes and sweet undertones, a hint of orange peel, and water adds a sweet taste of honey. The finish is sweet and slightly tart.

Longrow NAS (Distilled at Springbank Distillery, bottled at 46% ABV, tasted 1/23/2009): Longrow is the heavily peated expression of Springbank, and it's a vatting of four different cask styles ranging in age from 6 to 14 years. The nose is smoky as expected, with an unusual lightness and slightly heathery and floral. The taste is peaty and peppery, hot and spicy with notes of cinnamon and burnt leaves. The finish is smoky and warming. This one was inspired by John McDougall's tenure as distillery manager.

Royal Lochnagar Distiller's Edition 2008 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 4/2010): This received additional maturation in a Muscat wine cask, and the nose is buttery with hints of grapes and plums. Water brings out notes of grass, spearmint, and lavender. The taste is red grapes, pine needles, wood polish, and licorice, and the finish builds over time with notes of Christmas cake and nutmeg.

Slieve Foy (Distilled at Cooley for Preiss Imports and bottled at 46% ABV, tasted 8/2010): This 8-year-old Irish whiskey has a nose that is crisp, clean, and malty with a touch of citrus. The taste is smooth and well-balanced with a lemon-lime citrusy note, cereal and grain dust. The finish is tart and lingering.

Smokehead (Bottled by Ian MacLeod from an undisclosed Islay distillery at 43% ABV, tasted 12/5/2009): The nose on this no-age-statement Islay single malt is peaty with notes of brine and seaweed, along with heather and dried grass. The taste is thick with a peaty burn at first that fades to briny and grassy notes with a slight tarriness. The finish is ashy and short. 

Teaninich 30 (Bottled by A. Dewar Rattray at 60.8% ABV, tasted 1/24/2009): This rare bottling of Teaninich was aged in a bourbon cask, and the nose is slightly nutty with predominant hazelnut notes, along with oak and vanilla. The nutty notes continue on the taste, with hazelnut and almond notes dominating and a slight herbal undertone. The herbal notes continue on the finish.

Wemyss "Peat Chimney" 8 YO (Blended malt bottled by Wemyss Malts at 40% ABV, tasted 4/2011): The nose has a subtle smokiness with burnt leaves, a touch of brine, and a hint of lemon peel that comes out after a few minutes. The taste has touches of creosote and tar with a smooth peatiness that doesn't overwhelm a slight lemony tartness underneath. The finish is moderately smoky, long, and slow to fade.

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Blair Athol Cask #2157 (Distilled in 1998, and bottled by Berry Bros. & Rudd at 46% for the Berry's Own Selection range, tasted 8/2009): Blair Athol bottlings don't come along very often, and this one has a nice mix of light peat smoke and tropical fruits on the nose, especially mango and orange peel. Those notes continue on the taste, with a chewy mouthfeel that sticks to the tongue for a long finish. 

Bowmore 16 (Distillery bottling at 53.7% ABV, tasted 2/2008): This Bowmore was aged in a port pipe, and has a dark, rich caramel color. The nose is leather, chocolate, and smoke, with a touch of coconut. The taste is intense and slightly smoky with chocolate notes. Water opens it up and reveals the usual Bowmore orange peel notes. The rich sweetness turns to a smoky finish that lingers on the tongue. 

Braeval 19 Single Cask (Bottled by Douglas of Drumlanrig at 46% ABV, tasted 11/2010): The nose is honey, a hint of oak, vanilla, pears, and hazelnut. The taste starts off thick, peppery and strong, and fades to reveal lemony tartness, grassy notes, and a hint of honey. The finish is tart and slightly spicy with a hint of black tea and lemon.

Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection 1995 French Oak (Distillery bottling at 45% ABV, tasted 8/2010): This limited-edition whiskey from Buffalo Trace was distilled in 1995 and aged for 15 years in a French oak barrel. The nose is full of fruit, with red grapes, raspberries, cherries, and a touch of creme brulee. The taste has a spicy kick that builds quickly with notes of chili pepper and cilantro, a lemon-lime note at the back of the mouth, and a brown sugar note that comes out as the spices fade. The finish is short with notes of maraschino cherries and brown sugar.

Bushmills Original (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 8/2010): The nose is crisp and clean with notes of green apples and lemon zest. The taste is also citrusy and grassy with a hint of cinnamon, and the finish is smooth and warming with notes of lemon tea and honey.

Caperdonich 1968 (Bottled by Lombard at 46% ABV, tasted 6/2010): This Caperdonich spent 27 years in bourbon casks, and the nose is full of vanilla, brown sugar, and caramel candy. The taste is a nice mix of cinnamon, vanilla, dark chocolate, caramel, and green apple, with a touch of pepperiness on the middle of the tongue. The finish is long and lingering with a touch of cinnamon and honey.

Chichibu Newborn Bourbon Single Cask #127 (Distillery bottling at 62.5% ABV, tasted 12/2010): The nose is strong but light, with grass, straw, vanilla, and a slight white wine note. The taste is intense and peppery with lemon-lime notes underneath, a great mouthfeel, and touches of honey, straw, and vanilla. The finish is long, tart, sweet, and well-balanced with notes of honey and lemon. This shows great promise for the future.

Cragganmore 1997 (Bottled by Berry Bros. & Rudd at 58.6% ABV, tasted 8/2010): This Speysider has a nose that's spicy and intense with notes of cinnamon, oak, nutmeg, and pipe tobacco. The taste starts off dry and spicy, then fades to reveal a slight caramel note underneath. The finish is long, dry, and spicy.

Early Times 150th Anniversary Edition (Distillery bottling at 50% ABV): Brown-Forman acquired the Early Times distillery and stock in 1923 at the height of prohibition, and was able to sell whiskey under its "medicinal use" permit. Master Distiller Chris Morris recreated the 1923 style of Early Times for this special bottling, which uses whiskey aged for 5 to 6 years. The nose has notes of oak, vanilla, brown sugar, and honey. The taste reminds me of unbuttered corn on the cob, with hints of brown sugar and vanilla. The finish has notes of butterscotch and vanilla with just a hint of oak. It's a little harsher than current whiskies, but still represents the period well -- and is worth trying for that reason alone.

Forty Creek Barrel Select (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 8/2010): I've recommended this whisky to many people over the years. The nose is complex and smooth with soft spices, a hint of pralines, coconut, and vanilla. The taste is equally complex, balanced, and creamy with soft cinnamon spice, a hint of rye bread and grains. The finish is long, warming, and slightly spicy.

Glenfarclas 30 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 11/2008): The nose is a walk through the berry patch, with blueberry and raspberry notes with a bit of lavender to boot. Sherry notes predominant, but they result in a lovely sweetness and mouthfeel. The berry notes from the nose release a sweet finish that curls through the back of the throat.

Glenrothes Select Reserve (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 8/2010): The nose is sherried with notes of figs and plums, citrusy orange notes, and a hint of vanilla. The taste is creamy with touches of vanilla, dried fruits, and sherry notes, and the finish is lingering and warm with a touch of soft spices.

Grant's Sherry Cask (Blended Scotch bottled at 40% ABV, tasted 3/2011): The nose is caramel, toffee, and figs, along with raisins and Christmas Cake. The taste is creamy and sweet with honey, caramel, and raisins balancing a subtle potpourri of spices. The finish has soft spices and lingers nicely with a touch of honey.

Hibiki 12 (Blended Japanese whisky from Suntory bottled at 43% ABV, tasted 9/2009): This is a thick and oily dram with a light amber color. The nose is light and dry, with notes of nutmeg and dried grass. The taste is thick, chewy, and spicy, with cinnamon and black pepper notes along with a slight herbal touch on the back of the throat. The finish is herbal and slightly minty.

Highland Park 11 (Bottled by Douglas Laing & Co. at 50% ABV, tasted 1/2009): The nose on this Highland Park is sea spray and brine, with notes of smoked salmon. The taste is slightly smoky and salty, with hints of seaweed and salmon and a touch of citrus. The finish is smoky, but short.

Inishowen (Irish whiskey distilled at Cooley and bottled at 40% ABV, tasted 5/2009): The nose is minty and clean with some floral notes and just a hint of smoke. The taste is honey-sweet, and bursts into a peppery flash that fades to reveal peaty notes on the finish. I'd never seen this before I tried it at the LCBO Summerhill Tasting Tower, but I'd gladly buy a bottle of it.

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique (Distillery bottling at 59.4% ABV, tasted 4/2011): Green describes this Taiwanese single malt, in that the nose is full of green grapes, green apples, and green grass. The taste is thick, chewy, and almost rubbery with cinnamon, licorice, and subtle touches of dried grapes and apples. The finish is thick and lingering with subtle cinnamon, lemon-lime tartness, and a touch of cooked bananas. 

Linlithgow 25 (Distilled in 1982, and bottled by Signatory in 2008 at 59.2% ABV, tasted 9/2008): This malt was aged in a wine butt, and the nose has chablis-like dry and sweet notes along with a hint of dried flowers. The taste is dry and crisp, with notes of heather, straw, and rose petals. A splash of water accentuates the floral notes and adds a touch of sweetness. The finish is dry, wine-like, and smooth.

Lion's Pride Wheat Whiskey (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 2/2011): Distilled at Chicago's Koval Distillery, the nose is dominated by caramel, vanilla, and banana notes. The taste is smooth with banana, coconut, and vanilla. The finish is where caramel and oak notes come out, and is nicely complex.

Monkey Shoulder (Blended malt bottled by William Grant & Sons at 40% ABV, tasted 7/2010): This blended malt combines Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and Kininvie malts, and the nose is light, smooth, and malty with notes of nuts, vanilla, and oak. The taste is smooth and slightly peppery with caramel and maple syrup notes underneath, and the finish has soft and light spices.

Scapa 16 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 12/7/2008): This is the new Scapa...the result of serious changes in the distillery's wood policy by Chivas Brothers. Older casks were re-racked into first-fill bourbon casks to produce the 16, and the nose is classic bourbon cask, with oak and vanilla notes, chocolate and caramel. The taste is spicy and aromatic with black pepper notes and hints of vanilla and cinnamon underneath The finish is spicy with a touch of caramel candy sweetness. I look forward to seeing the results of the new wood policy on future releases.

Woodford Reserve (Distillery bottling at 45.2% ABV, tasted 1/2011): The nose is vanilla, almonds, nutmeg, and caramel. The taste is smooth with caramel, almond, and brown sugar notes with a subtle touch of cinnamon. The finish is light with touches of vanilla, dark chocolate, and almonds.

Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Maple Wood Finish 2010 (Distillery bottling at 47.2% ABV, tasted 10/2010): This year's release was finished in maple wood casks for several months, making it technically not a bourbon but an American whiskey. The maple accentuates the already rich, sweet notes of Woodford Reserve, and gives it a nose of honey, molasses, caramel, apricots, and peach pie. The taste starts off with a cola note, then develops a cinnamon and vanilla spiciness that fades to reveal caramel and maple syrup notes. The finish has notes of maple syrup and brown sugar with a slight tartness. An interesting experiment, but the maple wood adds too much sweetness to an already sweet bourbon.

Yamazaki 1990 (Distillery single-cask bottling in 2008 at 60% ABV, tasted 11/2008): The nose confirms this malt's sherry butt cask, with vintage leather, oak, and honey notes, subtle vanilla hints underneath and just a touch of cinnamon. Vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon notes dominate the taste at first, revealing a nice toffee and caramel sweetness that fades on the finish to a slight touch of salt. Nice and complex!

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Allt' A'Bhainne 1976 Single Cask #23041 (Bottled by Chieftain's at 43% ABV, tasted 6/2010): The nose is light with notes of almonds, nutmeg, and hints of cinnamon and honey. The taste is cinnamon, vanilla, and honey balanced well with a lemon tartness. The finish is sweet and lingering.

Ballantine's 30 (Blended Scotch bottled at 43% ABV, tasted 10/2007): The nose is smooth and balanced, with nothing overpowering. The taste has a peppery kick, but retains its symphony-like smoothness with notes of oak and vanilla.

Big Peat (Vatted Malt bottled by Douglas Laing & Co. at 46% ABV, tasted 11/2009): This vatted malt combines whiskies from several Islay distilleries, and lives up to its name. The nose is smoky with hints of maple, dried leaves, almonds, and nutmeg. The taste balances peat smoke with maple syrup and molasses undertones, and the finish is dry and smoky.

Bruichladdich Peat (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 5/2010): Bruichladdich doesn't crank up the peat levels very often, but here's an example of what happens when it does. The nose is smoky and phenolic. The taste is peaty and peppery, and lingers before fading slowly to a smoky and long finish. It's 1-dimensional, but if you like smoky whiskies, you'll love this one.

Bunnahabhain NC2 12 (Bottled by Duncan Taylor & Co. at 46% ABV, tasted 12/2010): The nose is lightly peated with notes of vanilla, almonds, and straw. The taste starts off with notes of peat and cayenne pepper that fade to reveal caramel sweetness and vanilla. The finish has lingering peppery notes, along with vanilla, caramel, and a hint of dark chocolate.

Canadian Mist Black Diamond (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 8/2010): The nose is apricots, peaches, dates, with rye bread and a hint of oak. The taste is smooth with light peppery spices, a rye note, dates, baked apples, and again, a hint of oak. The finish is spicy and lingering with a caramel note underneath.

Caol Ila Cask #16119 (Distilled in 1996, and bottled by Gordon & Macphail in 2008 at 46% ABV, tasted 9/2008): The nose on this single-cask bottling is lightly peated, but still smoky. The taste is rich and smoky with a nice briny touch, and the finish is lingering and smoky.

Col. E.H. Taylor Old Fashioned Sour Mash Bourbon (Distillery bottling by Buffalo Trace at 50% ABV, tasted 5/2011): Col. E.H. Taylor was one of the early owners of what is now Buffalo Trace Distillery, and this bourbon uses a special sour mash process that he developed. The nose has notes of corn on the cob, vanilla, peaches, and oak. The taste is spicy with cinnamon and slightly minty with a hint of pine sap. The finish is dry, oaky, spicy, and solid. Water adds balance and rounds out the mintiness. 

Crown Royal Limited Edition (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 2/2010): Smooth with a cinnamon spiciness that develops slowly and lingers…well balanced and excellent.

English Whisky Company Founder's Private Reserve (Distillery bottling at 61.5% ABV, tasted 5/2011): This single cask bottling came from the fifth cask ever filled at the distillery, and the nose is light and grassy with touches of allspice and toasted oak, along with just a hint of lemon. The taste is thick, chewy, and spicy with black pepper and cinnamon on top and hints of honey and lemon underneath. The finish is lingering, juicy, and mouth-watering with a lemony tartness and a touch of honey.

Girvan 1989 Single Cask (Bottled by Berry Bros. & Rudd at 45.1% ABV, tasted 6/2010): This is a rare bottling of single grain whisky from William Grant & Sons' Girvan distillery. The nose is grassy with dried flowers, heather, and a touch of honey. The taste is light with chili pepper and honey notes that become lingering and soft as the chili pepper fades. The finish is aromatic with a slight gin-like note at the back of the throat.

Glenlivet Nadurra (Distillery bottling at 57% ABV, tasted, 9/2009): This is the 16-year-old cask-strength version of The Glenlivet, and it packs a punch. The nose is dry and astringent, with oaky notes and a hint of straw, and the taste is nutty and spicy, with notes of roasted almonds and cilantro that fade to a brown sugar sweetness and a dry finish.
 
Grant's Family Reserve (Blended Scotch bottled at 40% ABV, tasted 3/2011): The nose has notes of honey, vanilla, and a hint of peat to balance out the sweetness. The taste is well-balanced with cinnamon spice countering subtle peat, hazelnut and nutmeg notes, along with a citrusy touch of lemon oil, linseed oil, and furniture polish. The finish has lemon oil and citrus notes that linger nicely with a touch of smoke underneath.

Hazelburn 8 (Distilled at Springbank Distillery and bottled at 46% ABV, tasted 1/23/2009): Hazelburn is Springbank's Irish-style single malt, unpeated and triple-distilled the way Frank McCarthy used to do it at Bushmills. The nose is light, aromatic, and floral with a touch of honey and lemon. The finish is strong and peppery, with an underlying honey sweetness and a slight touch of saltiness on the tongue. The salty touch dominates the finish, which is nice and warming. It's excellent for such a young malt!

Imperial 1989 (Single cask bottled by Berry Bros. & Rudd at 46%, ABV, tasted 8/2010): The nose is dry, crisp, and malty with hints of green apples and lemon zest. The taste is citrusy with a lemon tartness, hints of malt, and slightly floral underneath. The finish is long and tart. Overall, a very consistent whisky. 

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 7/2010): The world's best-selling whiskey. The nose has vanilla and honey notes, and the Lincoln County process of charcoal filtering adds just a touch of toasted oak. The taste is spicy chili peppers with honey and vanilla notes to balance things out, and the finish is spicy with a slight lemony tartness. It's simple and uncomplicated, exactly as Jack Daniel's should be.

Mackmyra First Edition (Distillery bottling at 46.1% ABV, tasted 9/2009):  After several years of preview releases, this is the first official single malt release from Sweden's Mackmyra Distillery. Mackmyra uses juniper wood as part of its barley drying process, and this gives the malt an herbal touch that redefines the term. The nose and taste are full of rosemary and lavender, as well as some mint, and this remains consistent through the nose, taste, and finish.

Mortlach 15 (Distilled in 1993, bottled in 2008 by Cooper's Choice at 46% ABV, tasted 4/18/2010): This Mortlach was aged in a sherry cask, and has a dry and slightly spicy nose with a hint of nutmeg. The taste has a spicy cinnamon blast that builds up and fades to reveal notes of figs and other dried fruits. Water accentuates the mouthfeel and adds hints of brown sugar. The finish is long and warming.

Premium Bottlers BRIN (Benrinnes 12YO bottled with a splash of Canadian single malt whisky per Canadian law, 46% ABV, tasted 5/2009): Barry Stein and Barry Bernstein have gotten their hands on some unusual casks, and this is one of them; it's just too bad they have to add a small amount of Canadian single malt to the cask and thus can't use the distillery name on the bottle. The nose is strong and slightly peppery, but simple and clean with a slight hint of lemons and herbs. The taste is spicy yet balanced, very smooth and buttery, and the finish is hot, lingering, and soothing.

White Oak 5 (Distilled at Eigashima Distillery and bottled by Number One Drinks Company at 43% ABV, tasted 12/2010): This Japanese malt has a nose that is light, floral, and grassy with a hint of honey. The taste is light and peppery, with notes of honey and molasses with a touch of lemon tartness. The finish is tart and warming. It would be interesting to try an older version of this.

Wild Geese Irish Soldiers & Heroes Limited Edition Fourth Centennial (Distilled at Cooley for Avalon Group and bottled at 43% ABV, tasted 3/2010): This is a blend of malt whiskies, and the maltiness is clear on the nose, with nice grassy and heather notes to go with a touch of citrus. The taste is spicy with cinnamon notes and malt underneath. The dry finish has a spicy kick that fades slowly.

Wild Geese Irish Soldiers & Heroes Rare (Distilled at Cooley for Avalon Group and bottled at 43% ABV, tasted 3/2010): This is a blend of grain and malt whiskies. The nose is clean and fruity with hints of mango and honey. The taste is thick with smooth notes of honey, but a nice spiciness comes out on the dry and clean finish and lingers for a bit.

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