GlenAllachie 10 Year Cask Strength Batch 1

Tasted without knowing the bottle. Smell: sherry, bourbon, cherries Flavor: Very sweet, perhaps excessively so. Tastes of maraschino cherries and maple syrup, with a higher alcohol presence. A faint smokiness appears at the conclusion. Wisps of dry grain are also detected. Wood influence: sherry and bourbon. I'm somewhat conflicted about this one. While enjoyable, I feel it would be something I'd drink infrequently. The sweetness is pleasant but borders on being too much. It reminds me of a whisky I had previously that was aged in maple syrup barrels. I suspect there might be some corn content given the stronger bourbon characteristics I'm sensing. Distillery? Aberlour

This is a superb release. The influence of Pedro Ximénez is evident in the taste alongside the oak. The nose presents fresh sweet fruit and vanilla, which is also present in the taste. It's full-bodied and smooth, with a slight sharpness in the middle before becoming rounded and lingering at the end. I will enjoy this bottle and would certainly repurchase it when finished; it offers great value.

Aroma: Floral, with heather carried on the breeze alongside barley and orange blossoms Taste: Honey, lemongrass, vanilla, and cinnamon Finish: Extended and satisfying. Notes of oak tannins and rose petals

Perhaps one of the most exceptionally smooth cask strength whiskies I've encountered. A whisper of menthol or mint on the finish, accompanied by dark chocolate, nuts, and a hint of cinnamon.

Aroma: subtle caramel, marzipan, fruitcake. Taste: very rich, coating the mouth with caramel. Finish: strong and lengthy.

Thick, with honey/toffee, a touch of spice, and a Vegemite-like tang balancing the sweetness. Remarkably smooth for cask strength.