St. George Single Malt Lot 17

St George has been a long-sought-after spirit for me, so I was thrilled to finally try it. It met my expectations. This is a wonderfully balanced malt, a serious, sophisticated whiskey that significantly outperforms its American counterparts. The influence of the fortified wine casks is apparent in the aromas of stewed fruits and bananas. A wave of cream hits on the first sip, developing into a rich peak of honey and a long, coating finish that leaves lingering dark sweet flavors. A subtle smokiness also appears on the finish, derived from unroasted barley smoked over beech and alder wood. To put it another way, imagine a Midwinter Night’s Dram combined with the characteristics of Talisker and Old Pulteney, and you'll have a general idea. I also sampled a smaller amount of Lot 15, which was quite different: it had a fresh, spicy nose with hints of raspberry tea and a classic malty body. I'd rank that slightly lower than batch 17, although I didn't have enough to fully assess it. In any case, St George has completely impressed me.

Note: I unfortunately did not record the specific St. George Single Malt batch I sampled, so I'm making my best estimate and assigning this tasting to batch 17. This possesses a bolder character than St. George Breaking & Entering bourbon. It's sweet, with immediate notes of rich chocolate and cherries, supported by a smoky undertone. Typical of American single malts, there's a hint of yeasty barley. While rich for its class, it leans towards the weaker side when compared to other whiskeys (though not drastically). It's akin to a generic American single malt blended with Symbole National. It's quite rich and flavorful with good complexity. It doesn't astound me, but it's a fine example of a rich, fruity whiskey, comparable to Glengoyne 15. The balance is excellent, with only faint traces of alcohol or minerality.

An excellent example of an Irish single malt from a remarkable distillery. Grassy and briny, sweet grain, a very subtle peat smoke, and a floral finish. Difficult to locate...like a mythical creature.

Deep copper color. Honey and burnt orange followed by chocolate on the nose. Initial taste of chocolate and leather. Overall not bad, but I don't think I'd purchase it again.

Hmm. I find it tastes sweet. It feels better letting it coat my entire mouth as opposed to just swallowing.

Pleasant flavors and a noticeable hint of smoke.