Faultline Blended Scotch Whisky

Rating: 8/23 I have a vague memory of hearing this was a good deal, but not exceptional. Getting it is difficult for me, so perhaps not the best value for my situation, but I'm eager to try it. Nose: Oh dear. This is very light with alcohol vapors. Beneath that, I find faint apple sweetness mixed with a dull first-aid kit (likely mostly acetaminophen) and a sort of tangy smoky meat. It doesn't seem heavily cooked though, and it's rather unappealing. Clean creek water with a hint of minerality. Earth with a faint, stale tobacco scent. This aroma is unfortunately not good. Palate: Smoky, but not intensely bold. Muted with subtle orchard fruits (apple, white peach). Significant vanilla with some sweet bourbon barrel spices, but also clean creek water with faint minerality. This taste is all over the place. It almost seems like someone is trying to put it together on the fly and they're not succeeding well. Occasional hints of alcohol. That sweetness is somewhat like sugar water. Yikes, and then that tanginess. I'm not really enjoying this. There's a hint of ashtray, but it's kind of pleasant. There's some malt present, which is nice. There's also a lot of burn that's actually somewhat harsh. I'm still not enjoying this, but I appreciate the improvement. Finish: Lingering bourbon barrel spices. Sweet, clean creek water. Definitely has some hummingbird feeder qualities. Also some faint, stale tobacco. - Summary - This appears to be a decent value pour, but it truly lacks the richness and harmony of Johnnie Walker Green. I was surprised by its sweetness, and while I don't dislike it, it comes across a bit too much like it was diluted with sugar water. This is definitely not reaching an 14, but it's not dropping to an 8 either. I think a 13 is out too due to the burn. If I had to pick now, I'd probably choose a 9. Hmm, I'm getting the impression this is less sweet, less full, more bitter, and harsher than The Sexton. Maybe an 8 is possible. This is certainly no higher than a 10. What a letdown. Yes, I'm considering an 8 or a 9 now. I'm leaning towards an 8, but I had been thinking much higher previously, so I might go with a 9. No: I need to assign a rating based on my current tasting, which is an 8. That harshness and burn (likely from the grain whisky) really hinder this. And there's not much else going for it. It's almost as if they added some smoke to make it more interesting and full, but it became bitter as a result and lost its refinement.

Amazing. This is a special bottling, created by a specific blender. I don't often review custom bottles, but this one warrants it. This bottling is a mix of whiskies from the Highlands and Islands. The Highland component provides a full, fruity, smooth foundation, with a pleasant smokiness from the Island contribution. The combination is excellent. What other whiskies offer such a rich fruity and smooth base with a nice layer of smoke? (I'm talking exceptionally fruity and smooth. For comparison, consider a highly-regarded whisky, but it doesn't reach the same rich, lush level). I only know of two other spirits that offer a useful comparison - one specific bottling and another blended one. (Feel free to suggest others if you know them). So, how does this one stack up? Luckily, I have a bottle of the 'No Name' bottling on hand, as well as a sample of the other. The one I have (which I really enjoy) is often described as rich, buttery, and smooth. I concur, but this one is richer, smoother, and more buttery. That other bottling has a touch of youthful harshness; this one does not. The peat in that one is slightly reminiscent of barbeque; this one's peat note isn't like barbeque, but it's a very pleasant smoke nonetheless - not bitter or acrid at all. Both are solid, but I prefer this one. The other blended one (excellent, in my opinion) isn't richer or smoother (though about equal) but is more complex - more subtle fruit notes, a hint of wood spice, and a more distinct oak influence. The peat in that one is a bit stronger, while still allowing the fruit to come through. Which is best? The blended one. But still, this one holds its own. I've made both comparisons without considering the cost. The first one ranges from $60-80 here in the U.S., while I believe I paid $99 at a specific store for the blended one. The blended one is once again...lost...as a limited release, it's mostly sold out, unless you want to pay a very high price for it. So at $25 and with a 50% ABV, this bottling is an incredible achievement. I don't drink enough whisky to need a "regularly consumed" bottle, especially considering my ever-growing collection. Nevertheless, I've already purchased a second bottle. The store releases these types of bottlings on a batch-by-batch basis, and this is one I'd like to keep on hand indefinitely. And since the exorbitant price isn't going to be paid by me, it might be as good as it gets in this category!

Nose: Vegetal peat, smoked meats, floral notes, ash, lemon, marzipan, dry oak, anise, nutmeg, vanilla, yeast, cereal grains, with a moderate ethanol burn. Palate: Sweet peat, honey, rubber, vanilla, mint, ginger, white pepper, bitter walnuts, marzipan, lemon, dry oak, clove, apple, caramel, with a mild to moderate alcohol bite. The finish is medium length, featuring ashy peat, bitter citrus, and dry oak flavors. This K&L exclusive aims to offer great value. At $25 per bottle, it certainly meets the value aspect. The aroma is earthy and smoky, with hints of lemon, baking spices, and marzipan sweetness. The initial taste is pleasant, featuring sweet peat, juicy fruit, and a spicy kick. However, the finish is dominated by youthfulness, ending with a rather bitter, drying sensation. While the blend components are unknown, there's clearly young peated whisky present. The marzipan note is reminiscent of Wee Beastie, but this expression is superior. My main criticism is the finish, which becomes bitter and medicinal. It's not perfect, but it represents an incredible deal, likely the best $25 bottle I've encountered. I'm torn between a 3.0 and 3.5 rating. I'll settle on 3.0, but it's definitely worth purchasing if you can get it from K&L. A sincere thanks to a friend for the generous sample!

Nose: Smells of a charcoal fire with roasting vegetables and fruit. Hints of honey, herbal tea, cut flowers, and vanilla. Abundant earthy, heathery peat. A slight ethanol note from the grain alcohol, but not unpleasant and seems reasonable for the cost. Palate: Cooked vegetables, honey, and vanilla. Tastes like white bread and butter. Develops into rich caramel and a bit of milk chocolate when you inhale across it. That chocolate note deepens and layers into the finish with some barrel warmth and baking spices. There's a definite grainy, cereal alcohol burn, but again, it feels appropriate for the drink and acceptable given the price. This is the most intensely peaty blended scotch I recall tasting. While my assessment might seem somewhat divided, I genuinely appreciate its peaty character. You typically won't find this much island character for significantly less. The compromise is some astringency and rough edges. I'm quite content with that and will probably buy a bottle every time I visit the store. Shout out to a friend (via another friend) for the suggestion on Discord.

Exceptional value for the money. The aroma is soft, reminiscent of toast with honey, and almost buttery, with a subtle sweet fruitiness, like peaches. A gentle smoke overlays it all, not harsh at all, just warm and inviting. The flavor also features buttered bread. The mouthfeel is wonderfully creamy. The smoke evolves into a slightly tangy taste, and the finish leaves a pleasant aftertaste of toast cooked over an open fire, along with rich, creamy honey butter. It's quite astonishing that this is only $25 a bottle. At that price, it rivals Johnnie Walker Black, which doesn't measure up. (Did I forget to mention it's 50% ABV?) I suspect the only reason this hasn't become widely popular is its status as a private-label blend exclusively from K&L Wines. But then again, why? This is one of the rare whiskies where, upon tasting it (and remembering its low cost), I immediately knew I wanted another bottle and would want to keep it as a staple in my collection (assuming it remains available from K&L). The combination of quality and price is remarkable. Another bonus of living in California!

At 50% ABV, this scotch is intense initially. However, with a bit of time and water, it mellows and becomes decent. It would work well for cocktails at its $26 price. It does offer a good amount of smoky peat notes, but for sipping neat, consider spending a bit more for something aged longer.