Spearhead Single Grain

Nose: Subtle vanilla and berries. It’s like a faint whiff from a glass of vanilla ice cream with a red berry syrup on top. Palate: A sweet, standard mild fruit flavor comes first, moving towards brown sugar or caramel as it develops, with a white pepper tingle at the end. The mouthfeel is thin. Finish: Very brief, with only some lingering pepper spice. Slightly tart. Not very engaging – I had higher expectations for Loch Lomond. This is quite different from what we typically imagine when "grain whisky" is mentioned. Scottish grain usually uses a wheat or corn base (often Australian wheat), but this is made with 100% malted barley and undergoes a long fermentation. If it were distilled in a pot still, it would qualify as a single malt, but using a Coffey still means it's legally classified as "single grain". It's promoted as a mixing spirit for bars, clearly positioned against Monkey Shoulder and Naked Grouse. It's definitely not meant for sipping. I suspect it's designed to appeal to white spirit drinkers and bartenders, but frankly, the taste didn't impress me much. It's alright, but I wouldn't suggest it. Instead, I'd point you to Loch Lomond’s sibling product, “Reserve” blended scotch, which offers more for about half the price, or to the other two major players in blended malt mentioned earlier. “Acceptable”: 73/100 (2.25 stars)

This spirit is quite peculiar and captivating. It's the type of whisky that begins in one place and concludes somewhere entirely different. Appearance: Ranges from Amontillado sherry to a deep copper hue. A rather low viscosity and rapidly descending legs confirm the rather low 43% ABV. The aroma: Floral, fresh cilantro, sharp yarrow, lavender, crushed geranium leaves, medicinal balm. The taste: An initial sip feels light, antiseptic, somewhat sharp, and perhaps a tad severe. I'm rather bewildered. I swirl the glass for a while and take another taste. And there it is! Subtle bourbon and black tea notes draw me in and then eject me onto an ashy landscape with spent matches. The finish: Smoky and possibly a hint of sweet licorice. Earthy and raw intensity in a way. The further you venture into your dram, the more it develops. Until you're finished, and the chimney with its brick blockage is all that remains.

The aroma is wonderful – poached pears and apples with cinnamon and vanilla. The taste is rich spiced pudding. The finish is chocolate with a little chili. Adding a little water keeps the aroma the same, makes the taste gentler, and the finish remains chocolatey. I’ll be adding this gem to my regular rotation.

Nose: Garden fruits & berries, warmth, floral notes. Palate: Sweet, fruity, brown sugar, tart, molasses. Finish: Short. Honey, wood, spice. Its gentle nature makes it very easy to drink. Overall, it's rather unremarkable. Not a bad whisky, but it fails to be memorable or engaging.

From the 2023 Advent Calendar, Day 2. Smells of fruity caramel, yet the taste is uninspired.

It's okay, but not great. Just meh.