Bank Note 5 Year Scotch Whisky

For $15, you get a cork, a 5-year age statement, 86 proof, and a blend of 40% malt/60% grain. You also get a respectable scotch with genuine flavor and excellent worth. Poured neat, the nose is light, offering fruit, honey, some malt, and yes, the grain notes. The palate delivers a nice burst of honey malt and golden apple, with a hint of bitter wood and more grain appearing. The mouthfeel is soft and quite good for this cost. The finish is rather quick, fading with fruity malt and drying wood, carrying minor grain overtones. A couple of drops of water significantly improve the palate and add some creaminess. Overall, this is quite good for $15, and I'm not hesitant about finishing the bottle. I will definitely buy this again to preserve my more expensive stock. It's not a world-beater, and the grain is certainly present, but this is superior to most low-shelf options I've tried... 76/100... For a bit more money, Speyburn Bradan Orach is a fantastic single malt value.

I tried this twice. The first time was the last pour from a bottle on the twelfth shelf at my local bar. It was so mild, I thought it was just water with some peat flavor added. After confirming with the bartender, we surmised that the bottle might have been improperly stored. It could have been there for several years (the bar has over 1100 bottles), so its condition was uncertain. This week, the same bar received a new bottle, and the bartender offered a taste. It was still very, very mild. Lacking depth and character. While not quite smoky water again, it was still underwhelming. It would be suitable for mixing with drinks for your friends who dislike whiskey; otherwise, choose something different.

Fantastic value!! The palate is lusciously sweet and fruity. It's combined with a slightly peppery, slightly bitter sensation. As a peat enthusiast, I barely perceive the hints of peat smoke. The 43% ABV is a noticeable upgrade from the other 40% ABV options at this price. This is certainly my go-to for daily drinking. It doesn't compare to a Laphroaig or Ardbeg (I can't comment on other Scotch types since I adore peated Scotch). Teacher’s Highland Cream and Shackleton are respectable substitutes, but Bank Note has an additional 3% ABV, a richer mouthfeel, and at around $40 for a 1.75L in my area, it's unbeatable.

Thin, watery legs after swirling. Caramel and vanilla on the nose with traces of fruit and caramel. Abundant grains on the first sip with clover sweetness and roasted nut flavor. The finish lingers with a pleasant warmth, concluding with more grain, subtle peat smoke, and an almost tobacco aftertaste on the palate. Overall, the finest whisky for the price I've ever experienced. I was doubtful, but it has genuinely become a great choice for an everyday scotch.

This is a decent blended scotch for the cost. It has a noticeable bite on both the nose and the palate. I used a whiskey wedge glass with a little ice to lessen the burn. The palate has some pleasant sweet flavors and a not-too-long finish, which helps to reduce the burn. It's acceptable on its own, but I suspect it would perform excellently as a mixer.

From the Flaviar advent calendar, day 3. Deep amber color. The nose is fruity and honeyed. The taste has stone fruit, sweetness, and spice with black pepper and some heat. The finish brought fruit and vanilla. The Flaviar description mentioned smoke throughout, which I didn't detect much of.