Whisky Works Glaswegian

I'm conflicted about this whisky. Part of me wants to buy a bottle while it's on sale, but this whisky is almost excessively sweet. I enjoy it, but I'm unsure if I'd eventually tire of it. I certainly appreciate a 29-year single grain for its distinctiveness, and it possesses some very unique characteristics I haven't encountered in other whiskies. It's best enjoyed without water. Nose: Buttered popcorn, corn flakes, sweet fruit. Palate: Oak, candy corn, sweet fruit, ginger; initially sweet, then turns slightly bitter. Finish: Lingers, but not intensely. A bitter white pepper note emerges near the end. Mouthfeel: This is where the age is evident. It's creamy and viscous, like consuming liquid candy corn.

The aroma offers vanilla pear and sugared lemon, which transitions to more sugared lemons, oranges, and pears on the tongue. As it warms, a velvety texture emerges with notes of cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. The finish is impactful, delivering a strong burst of pepper and gingerbread.

I drank mezcal and tequila beforehand to establish a baseline, then tried this again. I confirm my initial impression: this is overwhelmingly vanilla and indistinguishable from Compass Box Hedonism. Since Hedonism is widely available, why would anyone seek this out?

Nose: Very sweet and somewhat fruity, perhaps peach. Hints of vanilla and butterscotch. Taste: Sweeter, with tartness, caramel, and lingering wood. It's very enjoyable and smooth; you would never guess it's a 54% ABV dram.

I take that back. It might be less aggressive than Hedonism because it's aged. I prefer it to Hedonism. I don't have any Hedonism left to do a direct comparison.

Nose: Smells like nail polish remover, medicinal, and apples. Palate: Drying, oaky, with tart apple and spicy ginger. Finish: Woody and tart. It's aged and quite intricate. Not to my liking.