Glen Scotia Double Cask Single Malt

Nose: Compared to Glen Scotia 15, this has a younger profile and an additional layer of oak sweetness. There's an unexpected scent of carrot and a slight alcohol bite, but it's manageable. Wood, grass, vegetal, and toasted notes are present but somewhat muddled. It lacks the malty sweetness of Glen Scotia 15. Palate: This tastes like a dry spirit briefly finished in a first-fill bourbon barrel, or perhaps longer in a second-fill. The spirit's dryness balances the barrel's sweetness, but it's a delicate equilibrium. Sweet vanilla from the oak combines with dry woodiness, evolving into carrot notes. Spices like cinnamon and white pepper emerge from the wood. A hint of tartness leads to a mild alcohol presence. Caramel sweetness appears intermittently but feels slightly artificial. Overall, the palate is acceptable, but it lacks depth and the balance isn't exceptional. No single flavor stands out. Finish: Notes of carrot, wood, vanilla, and some diluted artificial caramel. The flavors don't integrate well, but none are actively unpleasant. Conclusion: A quick comparison with Bruichladdich Organic Barley 2009 reveals greater complexity and balance in the Bruichladdich, with a surprisingly comparable richness. While the Organic Barley has a stronger alcohol bite, it's superior in other aspects. Comparing it to Dewar's 15 The Monarch, the Dewar's exhibits better balance despite its oily alcohol flavor. This expression seems to be superior to Three Scottish Brothers 20. On a future tasting, I might rate this between 12 and 14. Currently, it resembles Dewar's 15 the most, leading to a rating of 13.

Inspired by Robert Burns' poem 'To a Mouse', Timorous Beastie is a Highland blended malt of Blair Athol, Glengoyne, Dalmore and Glen Garioch. A bit off-putting at first, the nose unfolds with butterscotch and intense floral notes before heather honey, citrus fruits and juniper start to emerge. The taste is surprisingly spicy and gingery, featuring mashed berries, creamy vanilla and a touch of eucalyptus. This little fellow is not shy at all! Fading with milky cereals, licorice and hints of sweet malt, the finish turns slightly dry and nutty. Not bad, I would say. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 83 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

Gingerbread, oatmeal raisin cookies on the nose. The palate is peppery and sweet, with some char and sweet dried cherries. The finish is peppery with a hint of smoke. This one might benefit from some water... With water added, apples and raisins become more prominent, pushing the ginger to the background. The palate remains simple. However, the whisky's nose and finish are where it excels. A sweet, charred, and oily finish with a subtle smokiness gives this whisky depth.

Probably shouldn't do this with a cold, but here goes: relatively light on the nose (tasting against Makers), but with a distinctly spicy spike - even so the heavier caramel it's shrouded in still makes an appearance despite my insensitivity. Palate is rich: toffee, caramel, unspecified fruit, and with a bit of brine to keep the sweetness in check. Medium finish, and rather smooth. Will need to revisit it when I'm well (if there's any left).

A robust single malt Scotch from Glen Scotia Distillery in Campbeltown, Scotland. It was initially matured in ex-Bourbon barrels that were used for the first time, then finished in Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks. Its robust origin presents creamy caramel, fudge, peach, and wood notes. Its bold and dry progression introduces citrus, earth, malt, and a whisper of mint. This culminates in a well-rounded, moderately long finish with sherry characteristics. June 2019 / 2020 / May 2021 / August 2022

This whisky struck me as quite good and enjoyable. The aroma exhibits characteristics from ex-bourbon casks, featuring vanilla notes, alongside floral and honey scents and a medley of dark fruits. The taste presents a touch of funkiness, reminiscent of some Campbeltown whiskies, but a subtle sweetness persists. The finish is surprisingly long for a 46% ABV, offering a hint of pepper/spice, dryness, yet it's not overly harsh.