Alexander Murray & Co. 10
The label screams tradition so are the tasting notes going to be the same? Many of us enjoy the unusual rule breaking distillers, but when push comes to shove, this whisky wins by a Highland kilt! The bottle tells us that the sweet citrus notes are commingled with beautiful floral notes…..thanks to the gardener of the house! The nose is ultra aromatic and full of spices , almost like a bake shop. I found a wonderful complexity and a creamy mouthfeel that would pair nicely with a smoked salmon dinner, yum…. Its mild at 80 proof so why not sub this in for wine next time around? I have done that more this fall and it’s a winning combination. This isn’t a dram for the snooty peat lovers, or the status seeking snobs, ( did I just say that?) . On the flip side however, you’d never get a complaint if you served this 10 year old to a sophisticated friend. As the benchmark song in “ Fiddler on the Roof” says……Tradition, always welcome here. Rated a solid 8 , best enjoyed before all the leaves drop.
Glen Grant 18
Major Grant , our subject malt today, is a fall appropriate whisky in its flavor profile, and in its leafy coloration. There is an amber warmth here that is second to none, and a massive dose of honey in your initial taste….enough in fact to make a beekeeper swoon. Our porch is surrounded by flowering plants artfully tended to by my better half. Those flowers are currently mobbed by honey bees, which brings us back to the malt in my glass. The complexity here includes dried fruits, bountiful vanilla and at 43 proof, just the right power for neat consumption. My outdoor tasting method is highly recommended, the crisp early fall air makes for a delicious event. At nearly 2 decades in oak, some of that in rebuilt hogshead barrels, the glassy mouthfeel is spot on terrific. Generous time aging equals a remarkable tasting experience. Its a splurge bottle at a buck and a half but you’ll savor every dram, spend it! The finish was nearly forever and my glass actually attracted a few of the local bees! I’m pouring a second and you should find a source post haste…..Snobishly rated 9, make sure you share the wealth!
Meyer’s Whisky
Meyer’s French Whisky- Sacre´bleu mon ami ! Recently, while traveling across the charmingly scenic countryside in Alsace-Lorraine, I happened upon a distillery. Lucky me! I spent some quality time with the distillery master and learned a good bit about how the French accomplish their task. We Scottish types think we are the only quality game around but my new pal Jean-Claude begs to differ. The spirit in question was floral and grassy on the nose with some woody notes in the background. I found honey and mystery spices in the first taste with a solid and rounded mouthfeel. The aging process relies on once filled french oak wine casks, and ultimately it’s finished in Pinot Noir oak. . The barley used in the making was all grown on site in the Rhine river plain , a historically rich agricultural region. Also worth noting is the entire process is held within the family and the nuances are closely guarded secrets, intriguing indeed. While the flavors here are unique to me, they are also very enjoyable….Maybe the lesson learned is to broaden our horizons, there are plenty of interesting spirits to sample. So in closing, “Le Whisky Artisanal” is tres bien and rates a solid 7 on the snob scale.
Finlaggan
Finlaggan- Your faithful reviewer travels far and wide to keep you on the cutting edge of the spirits world. Last fall I travelled to Amsterdam Holland and while touring that great city, I happened upon this unique single malt. The name comes from an island castle but there is no distillery present. My faithful network of spies think the spirit comes from young barrels of Lagavulin, but that’s simply a guess. There is a smokey brine right up front with a not so subtle caramelized orange peel…..yup really. The oaky notes come from the acorns packaged right in the bottle. I found spices aplenty mid taste and a very thick mouthfeel. The nose is sharp and fiery, right in my wheelhouse. I loved the deep amber color and make sure to try it neat ! The bottom line is ”peat with sweet”, and in typical Islay fashion, the iodine makes it complex and oh so warming. Fun fact, the actual castle is seasonal and it opens on April 5th ! So fire up the Gulfstream and report back on your findings. We’ll all look forward to your photos and observations….. Rated a snobbish 7, and let me know if you find it in your neighborhood. Oh yeah, I fibbed about the acorns, but they made for a cool photograph.
Tamnavulin- Double Cask
Tamnavulin Double Cask- As a diversion from the storms of winter & world madness, let’s enjoy an earthy pleasure. As we all know, the scalawags in whisky marketing are masters at creating cool looking labels and names. I was hooked by the former, and the sunset like color !
The real story here is Speyside terroir that brings its character to the bottle. The valley soils in that region grow remarkable barley that morphs into our subject malt . The twist here is after the once filled bourbon barrel aging, the liquid gold is given a sherry barrel vacation which brings out cherry notes and sweet cake flavors. It’s a common technique, but seldom seen at this bargain price point. Ultimately, this golden beauty gives us an entire fruit salad in a glass. At a mild 80 proof, you definitely need to enjoy this neat…..The finish was a tad speedy but this tasty malt earned my respect. It overachieved in character and earned a solid 7 rating. Cheers to the entire team……
Torabhaig
Torabhaig , Shaped by Skye- A hearty and happy Hogmanay to you ! Let’s begin 2025 with a positive outlook and a new whisky to savor….. This young punk is from the Island of Skye where once only Talisker was distilled. While I always appreciated the later, it’s time to recognize a fresh talent has landed. As if to say, “look at me” , the new kid has a unique bottle shape and a split label , I like ‘em both. The dram itself is straw colored and briny with some fruit and vanilla cream. There is a welcome peaty nose and flavor and at 92 proof , a strong whiff of alcohol. The spirt was probably in oak barrels for only 4 or so years , and therefore has a significant bite, edgy but not unpleasant. The finish was zippy, with some added char and sweetness, not un-expected and quite punchy. Now be honest, did you immediately look up Hogmanay? Well if not cheers to you Gaelic knowledge. Also, the pronunciation is “Tora-Vaig”. So as far as your resolutions this year, please add a few comments for your favorite whisky blogger, I enjoy the feedback. Rated a solid 6.5 , just barely recommended , but new and promising , much like 2025. Cheers !
J.P. Wiser’s Canadian-
J.P.Wiser’s Canadian- Diversity is a hot topic these days, right ? So I’m doing my part. We are enjoying peak fall color right now, so I poured a generous dram of autumn in my glass. Our fine neighbors to the north do many things exceptionally well and distilling whisky is right up there…..On a side note, they even spell it properly ! Before you even smell this classic, the fancy decanter gets your immediate attention. I found a massive amount of pepper and delicate caramel in the nose. The palate was earthy but sophisticated, and no , that’s not a contradiction smarty pants……The mouthfeel was creamy and quite complex, right up my alley. You will taste the toasty grain and rich rye notes which have a gentle bite, no doubt mellowed by the 18 long years in oak barrels. The color reminded me of thick and delicious canadian maple syrup, my all time favorite on buckwheat pancakes. I love the heritage involved too, they have been at this since 1857 ! The finish is a tad quick but the experience is long lasting. To quote their original mantra, “ Horses should hurry, but whisky must take its time”. You don’t need your passport to grab a bottle either, it’s widely available. Fall in a glass is the order of the day, now get busy. Rated an inclusive 8 on the leafy scale.
Laphroaig Cairdeas
Laphroaig Cairdeas- In the world of Islay whiskies, none rate higher than this family of great depth and variety. The term itself means friendship in Scottish Gaelic and it is a special release annually . There is a festival on the island each spring called Feis IIe and the special bottles are the center of attention. Our featured malt has no age statement and usually that suggests a bit of harshness , but not here. The Islay profile is fully present with huge peat smoldering on the nose , absolutely wonderful. The mouthfeel is dominated by sweet fruits and spices from the Port and Madeira cask aging. My guess is several months in each and the spirit picked up some added golden color in the process. At 104 proof , it’s a muscular dram sure to please the educated palate. There is a brininess in the taste which is enhanced by the oak barreling where all the magic started. And the seaside location no doubt has its influence too. I found that adding a few drops of water, not my usual method, improved the experience noticeably. There are not many opportunities to get a bottle of this quality so get crackin’ ……….I rate this an 8.5 on the snob-o-meter, make sure to share it with your best friends, remember the naming concept?
Balvenie Portwood 21
Balvenie Portwood 21- Skip the mortgage payment, max out the Amex…….Our subject is an elegant dandy from the copper stills nestled in the bucolic Speyside region. The nose on this richly textured malt is sweet with candied fruit and a heady whiff of warm alcohol. After 20 years in quality oak barrels, the wizards of Spey finished their jewel in Port Wine casks. The final months made all the difference. We frequently mention smoothness in refined single malts but this dude takes it to a new level. The flavors are creamy vanilla with cinnamon and toasted raisins. I found an oaky dimension with subtle chocolate notes and layers of honey. Do you think a spirit can be elegant? Can a whisky be graceful? My answer is a definite yes sir ! At 86 proof, there is just enough power for most, but adding water killed the golden goose…….The finish was medium in length and just a tad melancholy, that means the glass is empty. Savor this premier pour and share it with your friends, life is short and you can make 2 payments next month. Did I mention it’s a tad pricy? Rated a 9 on the ultra snob scale, this is one special drink.
Canmore
I can’t imagine a better way to enjoy finishing a round…..Once the score has been tallied up and the lies have all been told, a proper drink is in order. Our single malt will settle the nerves and your companions will forgive your minor outburst when you dunked your tee shot in the pond. I found a subtle sweetness on my initial sip and noted the complete lack of any smoke. The floral nose was quite pleasant and the mouthfeel was soft and mellow. This is not a terribly complex malt but if that’s your thing, jump right in. At only 80 proof you could probable enjoy one on the back nine with your overcooked hotdog. I found the finish contained a batch of honey and was of medium length, pretty darn good …..So the next time you hear a loud “ fore” , duck and protect your drink ! Is it a coincidence that the game and the spirit came from the same country ????? I think not. Rated a one over par bogey , drinkable but less than exciting.
Laphroaig 16, vintage
Laphroaig 16- If I were a betting man, I’d wager a princely sum on this vintage bottle. When you have a pile of coin, that’s the only sensible route. Our Islay beauty was bottled in ’03 after being artfully distilled in 1987….How is it possible that it sat for all those years? None the less, we have a rare opportunity to savor a dusty labeled smoothy ! It’s become “ a thing” to seek forgotten bottles in retail stores, but my bet is these never get set aside……The nose on this pale amber malt is gigantic smoky citrus. I found a warming brine with chocolate notes mid taste and the finish was epic. There is some creamy honey deep in the mix with a bit of pepper in the distance. The aging was all in ex-bourbon barrels which created the mellow mix of flavors. Sooner or later you need to cash in your chips and go for the jackpot. Score one whenever you get the chance. This jackpot is a solid 9 on the snob scale.
Murray McDavid
Murray McDavid 14- This Speyside single malt is tough to find but easy to sip. The distillery sits on the coast overlooking the Moray Firth. The 14 years in that grassy coastal region has created a luscious and herbal whisky with a unique woody flavor. All aging here was in ex-bourbon barrels which imparted a complex and punchy 92 proof beauty. The north sea air no doubt added the subtle brine and honey sweetness……The nose is a spicy surprise and helps explain the long and warming mouthfeel. Its pale amber color and caramel taste marks it as a classic malt. Fun fact: much of their product goes into blends, so the lucky few get to taste the “real deal “malt, and it’s worth the effort. If you dig a bit deeper into this family of whiskies, the portfolio is vast and varied. Seek and destroy is a military objective, seek and enjoy is our mission here. Start your new year with character and ’24 is sure to be memorable. Rated a solid 7 on the snob scale. Slàinte
Glenmorangie 15 Cadboll Estate
Glenmorangie Cadboll Estate 15- I am wrapping this gift for your holiday enjoyment. The malt spent a full 15 years in ex-bourbon barrels which created a creamy rich whisky. The name comes from Cadboll estate grown barley, we’re told its ultra exclusive. I found graham crackers and banana fruit in the flavor with mystery spices a plenty….The spirit is thicker than taffy, and very delicious indeed. The nose is far better than any Glenmorangie bottle I ever experienced, festive very luxe. Your season will sparkle just a little brighter with this dram so get shopping. Santa might need a hint so point her to this review and hope for the best. Even those pesky tree lights will be cooperative if you are sipping while decorating, ask me how I know ! My sincere season’s greetings to you and yours. Rated 8 by all the elves on the Snob team…..Slainte.
Cameronbridge 27
Cameronbridge 27- Please open your hymnals to page 27. In today’s” rush the product to market” mindset, 27 years is an eternity. The fine people at the Cameronbridge distillery broke the rules and we are the beneficiaries. Grab you slippers and get the fireplace lit, this requires a proper experience. Our single grain wonder has a distinctive fruity nose with some killer spices. I found chocolate and cherries in the palate and at 102 proof, a nice wack of alcohol……The cost of entry here is a bit steep but easily worth it. As a fall appropriate whisky, I taste a unique woody & leafy goodness. The finish was medium in length with a zesty blast of pepper and notes of apple cider. I rate this beauty a solid 8 , and send apologies to David E. Davis for cribbing his famous line.
Oban 18
Oban 18-In today’s society, everything new and wacky seems to be in vogue. Well this highland smoothy is just the opposite. For 200 years the Stevenson family has painstakingly crafted their malt in the same building, no rushing to expand or modernize ever. I found toffee and subtle chocolate along with ripe banana notes in the flavors (yup really) . The peat is mellow and warming and you will find zero gimmicky nuances. It’s curiously dense and complicated, and smooth as a pond at sunrise. The price is a tad high but, 18 years in the barrel is a long time to mature. The wood makes its presence known and the finish is nearly forever. Tradition is not a dirty word, so break out your wool jacket, and maybe a bow tie. Delicious, classic, and proud of it, rated a 9 on the snob scale…..enjoy.
Royal Lochnagar
Royal Lochnagar- Unless you are living under a rock, you must be thrilled about the Coronation this week. Charles, (The King), has asked me, (The Snob), to select the perfect single malt for the occasion. I agreed. Our chosen whisky’s distillery is located on the ground of Balmoral Estates, near the Castle. The original, and much prized Royal Warrant was granted in1848 by Queen Victoria, gotta love the history right? Our spirit offers a gentle nose with notes of malty cake and rich spices. The deep amber color and lovely floral aroma almost invokes a tartan plaid. Our subject is easily worth it’s weight in crown jewels. My educated guess is that even the King’s Consort will down a dram or two just to steady her nerves…..This Highland beauty belongs on your bar as well so break out the crystal, and let’s get fancy. If you own fur, get it on. Rated a posh 7 on the Windsor scale and 3 cheers for Charles.
Rock Oyster
I seldom review blended Scotches, hey, I’m the snob……In this case however, 4 worthy Island single malts make up the mix and that gets my attention. Imagine the offshore contributions of Arran, Islay, Jura, and Orkney all in one very cool looking bottle! Let’s all be clear on one element, no grain whisky has cheaply polluted our subject, all quality malts. Now oysters in general are very polemic, love ‘em or find them terrifying. My view is the first so we now understand my attraction to the killer label design. The malt has a medium body with a delicate pale gold hue that is really unique. I found some sweet smoke in the nose and a mash-up of peaches and pepper mid taste. This is not a fancy whisky but it presents well and Douglas Laing is a master blender by any measure. At 92 proof, it packs a punch but still demands being tasted neat. I loved the briny maritime bite that accompanies this oyster…..a real splash of the sea. The finish was a bit thin and brief but that is a minor quibble. I’d keep shuckin’ until you find the pearl, and buy this whisky. Rated a wavy seven on the rocky shoreline.
Scarabus
Scarabus- It is freekin’ rare for me to find an Islay whisky that is new. I relentlessly seek them out and talk to the trade peeps whenever possible. Well, look what the proverbial cat, ( or in my case the dog), dragged in….The nose is properly peated and sweet as a peach pie. The flavors are a salty mixture of honey and vanilla with a wee dash of iodine. The elaborate label design may cause temporary blindness so I suggest that while tasting, you wear your best shades. In addition, try to avoid using this graphic as a neck tattoo, it’s kinda busy , I speak from first hand experience……There are some mystery fruit notes in the middle and at the finish, any ideas? Speaking of the finish, it’s very delightfully long. So the distillers say, “ only those who seek will find”, a cliche for sure, but take their advice and cough up the dough! It may be your best purchase this year, rated a fancy 8, yummy for sure, but not quite great!
Highland Park Valknut
Highland Park Valknut- These Barbarians hail from the northernmost region in Scotland and their ancestors are Vikings ! I guess we are in for a wild ride here, so forget the subtlety…..First noted is a lack of an age statement, so I prepare for a young ( edgy) bite but it is smoother than expected. The nose is peaty and toasty, with a solid wiff of alcohol. At near 47% this is a punchy dram and a tad thin…..I found dried fruit and some sherry-like sweetness, a remnant from the selected aging barrels. The Orkney benchmark is local barley with peat roasting and we have a good amount in the palate. We have a nice mix of caramel and vanilla with a spicy fruit added in for good measure. I loved the lingering finish and the maltiness that the distillers built in. This whisky is complex and enjoyable but might be slightly overpriced , it’s not HP’s best effort. The 3 triangle graphic is a link from warrior to the afterlife , designed by an Orkney native with lineage to the first Earl of the region, a remarkable history. So the Viking spirt lives on in this malt, rough and tough, strong as hell, and worth the effort. I rate it a thundering 7 , now hide the women and children and run for cover.
Spey River- Like many people, I am a dog lover, and yes this is a whisky review. Now we all know mixed breeds can be the most loyal and smartest beasts….but not always. Our subject malt is a mixed breed, 2 perfectly fine things converged here, Speyside single malt and sherry barrel aging. The nose is faint with slightly sweet cake notes and the color is a rich irish setter red. The caramel is thick and tasty but little else is present in terms of complexity. There is a splash of generic fruit in the taste and maybe some lingering spice. The finish is fleeting and at 80 proof it is a a bit wimpy. I tried the dram with a few drops of water and it just faded away. The lack of real character in the label is a harbinger of terminal blandness …….When breeders , or distillers, mix the gene pool for profit not quality the hybrid is kinda like a labradoodle , neither the labradors strength and loyalty, nor the poodles intelligence shine through. This single malt disappoints on most scales, you can drink it , but unlike your pooch, it won’t put a smile on your face. It barks a weak 6 on the snob-o-meter.
Balnellan 12
With the early fall upon us, it’s time to break out some malty deliciousness…….These fine folks in Glasgow call their whisky a “Speyside Glenlivet”, now I am not exactly rookie in these matters but WTF! With a lovely golden hue and an ultra mellow nose, our subject delivers a wave of creamy caramel with a dash of spicy nutmeg. These crafty rascals made an easy to like dram by holding the spirit for a dozen years in American oak, bucking the current trend of no age statement! Time well spent. There is a distinct pear and raisin fruitiness along with real shortbread, darn tasty. There is nothing remarkable here , just a solid malt for your sunset tonight. Sometimes good is good enough and this is a case in point. Pour, enjoy, share, repeat. Now get busy, rated a generous 7.5 on the snob scale.
Craigellachie 13
Craigellachie 13- Some consumers are easily bamboozled by a great looking package. Not us however, because we are very sophisticated…….This Speyside whisky looks and smells like a big buck single malt, but that can be a bit deceiving. The ultra swanky label design is beautiful, retro, and informational, a total home run. At 13 years old, I have expectations of mellow smoothness, don’t you? However, this teenager is sharp with alcohol, as expected at 92 proof, but with a heady whiff of peat. Our pale golden malt has a subtle taste of tropical fruit and a real dollop of pepper , quite nice. I enjoyed the smoke and creamy vanilla, but both had serious edges, smooth it’s not. Wacky name, cool look, groovy whisky. Rated a solid 7, drinkable but doesn’t quite live up to the look.
Glenmorangie Allta
This is the 10th edition of Big “G” ’s special releases and the first one to offer 102 proof. The long necked copper stills again prove very special whisky comes from tradition, my guess is even a rookie could make magic with one. The nose is very fruity and lighter than expected. The catch here is using home grown yeast in the fermenting process and frankly that seems a tad gimmicky, but they never do consult me. I found spicy vanilla and cookie flavors mixed with subtle citrus. Very tasty and creamy….There is zero peat but a very nice and complex thickness, weird but real. The usual barrels gave a lovely amber tint and keep the water away, you’d ruin the character. The finish was malty and sweet with some serious staying power. Truth be told , no rookie could make this winner, the copper still is one of mankind’s greatest inventions, like the airplane, and the string bikini. Rated a solid 8, best enjoyed with a spring view at sunset.
Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve
Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve- Many of us are in dire need of warm breezes and/or some quality beach time. If the weather has you housebound, try this sunshine in a bottle. The distillers in the Livet valley are famous for their good but unremarkable single malt and that is about to change. This malt has been aged in rum barrels and the infusion is quite remarkable. I found the nose to be ultra sweet with notes of pears and ripe bananas. The flavors are tropical with toffee and a wee bit of kale. The finish is medium in length and actually tastes stronger than the 80 proof as noted. Ice and/or water are not a good idea as this whisky is plenty mellow and silky as bottled. The amber color is sunset perfection so get ready to transport yourself to your favorite summer location. I rate this non-age statement trendsetter a surprising 7 on the snob scale, oh…and the kale was just to see if you were paying attention. Cheers!
The Single Malt Snob 