Malt Riot Blended Malt

(Glasgow Distillery Virtual Tasting - Malt Riot Vat No. 6 - January 25, 2021). Nose: Toasted bread, vanilla, freshly cut wood, caramel, coconut. Palate: Sweetness, tropical fruits, malted biscuit, notes of salt and pepper, toffee. Finish: Brief, reminiscent of milky coffee, cream, chocolate, and a marzipan-like nuttiness at the end. Effortlessly drinkable. While intended as a mixer, it performs admirably as a light, easygoing whisky on its own. I quite enjoyed this as a standard blended whisky; it possesses considerably more complexity and intrigue than many common blends. It ranked last among the five whiskies tasted, receiving no votes for favorite of the evening.

There's a compelling story behind this excellent blend. Initially, from the bottle, it strongly resembled a complex red wine. After settling, the aroma revealed qualities I appreciate in a whisky. The taste has a balanced vanilla sweetness and mild spice, with just a hint of smoke and oakiness. When made into an Old Fashioned, the lighter fruit notes became more prominent. I can see this becoming a favorite, comparable to Black Bush or a less spicy Monkey Shoulder.

Fruity aroma. No such taste. Oily, creamy, and very pleasant and smooth. Gets better with each sip.