GLENDRONACH 2005 12Y

Nose- A cornucopia of fruit aromas. Dark berries, currants, and raisins with a touch of earthiness. There are also notes of peaches and cream waiting to be discovered. A really pleasant nose. Palate- I tasted this blind and guessed the proof to be in the mid to upper 90s... I was very wrong! It's so drinkable at over 100 proof, I had to double-take when the ABV was revealed. You get some ethanol that signals its strength, but it's so balanced by the bursts of flavor that you wouldn't believe it's a much higher proof. The mouthfeel is creamy and rich. The palate echoes the nose, and I finally taste the peaches and cream I detected earlier, along with a hint of strawberry jam. There's also a bit of sulfur present. It doesn't spoil the sip, but since I'm not a big scotch drinker and am just starting out, it's the one thing I could have done without. Finish- Golden raisins. Just plump, juicy golden raisins like you'd get in a Sun-Maid box as a school snack. It's nice and pleasantly warming. A very inviting sip that lingers. Overall- First, I am by no means a scotch enthusiast, but this could certainly convert me! The fruitiness and distinct flavors were superb. The sulfur was a bit off-putting, though. I'm not sure what to make of that. It's so drinkable even at a higher proof (for a scotch). The taste itself reminded me of one of my favorite finished bourbons - Wild Turkey Revival. It made me want to taste them side-by-side immediately to see if I was right. Sure enough, that American counterpart was a great comparison for those of you considering switching from bourbon to scotch. I'm not giving up my American whiskey for anyone, but if there are Scottish Whiskies this tasty, then count me in.

Nose: Sherry, damp oak, raisins, chocolate wafer. Palate: Plum, sherry, sherry bomb, spicy. Finish: Warmth, raisin pound cake, thick, short finish.