Review - Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Extremely Rare Single Malt Scotch Whisky
This is a very subtle and subdued whisky with flavors that are pleasant. It is well blended but just wish there was a little more ponch to it… we really wanted Chris Hemsworth but got Tom Hiddleston.
Rating 3 Glasses
Distillery: Glenmorangie Distillery
Years Aged: 18
Proof: 86
Local Price (USD): $115.95
Availability: Widespread
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Golden honey with medium, thin and slightly runny legs.
Nose: Light hints of vanilla, hand sanitizer, and very floral. Kind of like walking into a hospital gift shop.
Taste: Mellow and balanced but hard to pick out individual flavors. Lightly charred oak & dried fruits.
Finish: Light, warm & dry with just a touch of smoke at the very end.
Conclusion: This is a very subtle and subdued whisky with flavors that are pleasant but nothing that stands out as spectacular. If you enjoy Johnnie Walker then you will definitely enjoy Glenmorangie 18. It is well blended but we just wish there was a little more ponch to it. Probably wouldn't seek it out at the price point as you are better off putting your money towards a good bottle of Highland Park or Aberlour. To analogize it… we really wanted Chris Hemsworth but got Tom Hiddleston.
Chris Hemsworth
Tom Hiddleston
Grooves is groovy but definitely a lighter Ardbeg release that is more approachable for the casual Islay fan. We would compare it to a blend between AN OA and Ardbeg 10 . It’s really good overall and better than Kelpie with less in your face brininess and a little bit o' peat & little bit o' smoke. Great committee release for 2018.
There are 20 different barrels used in this blend: 17 bourbon, 1 port pipe & 2 sherry casks. It's really a great product but the complexity and effort that goes into crafting this whisky doesn't exactly translate into the experience.
Tastes like a burning fishing vessel. Smooth with a taste of the sea and all of the peatiness we have come to know and love from Ardbeg.
Good for sipping or at dinner to pair with lighter fair such as fish, chicken or pasta. As far as a 12 year goes it's better than some and just right for the price.
Sherry finished Scotches are a dime a dozen but try to find an over-proof cask strength that is as balanced as A'bunadh?... good luck.
"The finish leaves your tongue writhing in agony and pleasure, all at the same time hating itself but wanting more."
Absolutely an amazing dram and even though the grass is always greener across the pond, definitely one of if not the finest Speysides we've had to date. Enough said... Delicious.
Just sniff, sip, repeat. Sweeter than most Islay Scotch but really a delicious combination...
Review - Glengoyne 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Good but I would look to compare other sherry forward scotch before jumping on this one based on the price.
Rating 3.5 Glasses
- Distillery: Glengoyne Distillery (Ian Macleod Distillers Limited)
- Years Aged: 18
- Proof: 86
- Price (USD): $113.95
- Availability: Widespread
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Light caramel & thick legs that slowly develop
- Nose: Caramel, Vanilla & Apple
- Taste: Smooth, slightly oily, citrus & iodine
- Finish: Sherry, decent low heat, stays on the tongue a while like melted butter
- Conclusion: Good but I would look to compare other sherry forward scotch before jumping on this one based on the price. This particular selection is slightly underproof for my taste and could use just a little more kick. There also is just something in the finish, a slight bitterness and tannin-ish aftertaste, that was slightly off-putting.
This is a very subtle and subdued whisky with flavors that are pleasant. It is well blended but just wish there was a little more ponch to it… we really wanted Chris Hemsworth but got Tom Hiddleston.
Grooves is groovy but definitely a lighter Ardbeg release that is more approachable for the casual Islay fan. We would compare it to a blend between AN OA and Ardbeg 10 . It’s really good overall and better than Kelpie with less in your face brininess and a little bit o' peat & little bit o' smoke. Great committee release for 2018.
There are 20 different barrels used in this blend: 17 bourbon, 1 port pipe & 2 sherry casks. It's really a great product but the complexity and effort that goes into crafting this whisky doesn't exactly translate into the experience.
Tastes like a burning fishing vessel. Smooth with a taste of the sea and all of the peatiness we have come to know and love from Ardbeg.
Good for sipping or at dinner to pair with lighter fair such as fish, chicken or pasta. As far as a 12 year goes it's better than some and just right for the price.
Sherry finished Scotches are a dime a dozen but try to find an over-proof cask strength that is as balanced as A'bunadh?... good luck.
"The finish leaves your tongue writhing in agony and pleasure, all at the same time hating itself but wanting more."
Absolutely an amazing dram and even though the grass is always greener across the pond, definitely one of if not the finest Speysides we've had to date. Enough said... Delicious.
Just sniff, sip, repeat. Sweeter than most Islay Scotch but really a delicious combination...
Review - Glenfarclas 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky
It's generally a little fruity(due to the sherry casks) and light on the palate. Tastes young for a 12 year scotch. Good overall whisky as it has a well rounded flavor profile.
Patrick Leclezio over at wordsonwhisky.com has some good insight on the Highland vs Speyside discussion. Click here to read more.
Rating 3 Glasses
- Distillery: Glenfarclas Distillery
- Years Aged: 12
- Proof: 86
- Price (USD): $44.95
- Availability: Widespread
Tasting Notes:
- Color & Consistency: Light Caramel to Amber
- Nose: Old woman's house, musty with slight hints of petrified candy and stewed fruit
- Taste: Buttery with a fruity citrus and relatively smooth
- Finish: Cinnamon, allspice & leaves a somewhat oily finish as it lingers on the tongue
- Conclusion: It's generally a little fruity(due to the sherry casks) and light on the palate. Tastes young for a 12 year scotch. Good overall whisky as it has a well rounded flavor profile.
This is a very subtle and subdued whisky with flavors that are pleasant. It is well blended but just wish there was a little more ponch to it… we really wanted Chris Hemsworth but got Tom Hiddleston.
Grooves is groovy but definitely a lighter Ardbeg release that is more approachable for the casual Islay fan. We would compare it to a blend between AN OA and Ardbeg 10 . It’s really good overall and better than Kelpie with less in your face brininess and a little bit o' peat & little bit o' smoke. Great committee release for 2018.
There are 20 different barrels used in this blend: 17 bourbon, 1 port pipe & 2 sherry casks. It's really a great product but the complexity and effort that goes into crafting this whisky doesn't exactly translate into the experience.
Tastes like a burning fishing vessel. Smooth with a taste of the sea and all of the peatiness we have come to know and love from Ardbeg.
Good for sipping or at dinner to pair with lighter fair such as fish, chicken or pasta. As far as a 12 year goes it's better than some and just right for the price.
Sherry finished Scotches are a dime a dozen but try to find an over-proof cask strength that is as balanced as A'bunadh?... good luck.
"The finish leaves your tongue writhing in agony and pleasure, all at the same time hating itself but wanting more."
Absolutely an amazing dram and even though the grass is always greener across the pond, definitely one of if not the finest Speysides we've had to date. Enough said... Delicious.
Just sniff, sip, repeat. Sweeter than most Islay Scotch but really a delicious combination...
This is a very subtle and subdued whisky with flavors that are pleasant. It is well blended but just wish there was a little more ponch to it… we really wanted Chris Hemsworth but got Tom Hiddleston.