20 Best Sipping Whiskey For Beginners (2023 Updated)

DISCLAIMER that I am an Islay lover – Ardbeg Uigeadail and Laphroaig Quarter Cask are two of my favorite whiskeys, so keep that in mind when reading the following review: Total Wine’s current High West Prairie Bourbon Barrel Select is finished in a PEATED whiskey cask.

If you don’t like peated whiskeys, STAY AWAY. If you enjoy them, read on. I actually bought this store pick without reading the barrel finish on the side of the bottle. I just saw the black label and figured, “High West, store pick, 100+ proof, what the hell?” So once I get it home I was ecstatic when I checked the bottle and it says it’s been finished in peated whiskey barrels.

I popped open the bottle and, I kid you not, it was like opening a bottle of Laphroiag 10 – the peat is immediately strong and overwhelming – there’s no coming back from it once you’re in. There was a very small hint of bourbon distillate trying to peak through, but the peat was totally overwhelming at first.

I poured it into a glencairn, same deal. Tasted it, same deal. At the time I did not compare it directly to Bruichladdich Port Charlotte, Ardbeg, Lagavulin, or Laphroiag, etc. / but the taste was so overwhelmingly dominated by peat that I couldn’t think of anything but Laphroiag 10.

After this I poured my brother-in-law a dram to get the golden liquid down to the shoulder of the bottle and corked it up again. I didn’t touch it again for 6 weeks. NOW, I poured it into a glencairn and got immediate bourbon notes of cherry, vanilla, brown sugar, but there was also a creeping earthy burn that was starting to develop on the nose.

Memory took me immediately to bourbons with toasted oak finishes, but with a seaside saltiness that I’m not accustomed to with bourbon. At this point, the peat is almost muted, and is providing a beautiful background complexity to familiar bourbon flavors.

Now that the drink has rested in the glass for about 15 minutes, the peat becomes more powerful, but it never overwhelms the sweetness of High West’s original distillate. It matures in the glass to become a gorgeously complex journey from dark brown sugar, vanilla, and spiced oak into a lightly spiced midpalate and a darkly medicinal, smokey finish.

What a whiskey! Not for the faint of heart or those who don’t like the smokey ones. For me, Total Wine knocked it out of the park with this one. I hated it when I first opened it, but after giving it a few weeks to open up in the bottle, it was incredible.

I just reread my two year old review of Double Rye! when I rated it 5 stars. It has been one of my whiskey staples since. I don’t remember when I bought my last bottle, but my son and I immediately noticed a big difference in taste compared to previous bottles.

I read the back label, and instead of describing the blending of 2 and 16 year old ryes, it said that both are a minimum of 2 years old. I feel cheated, as, despite an identical bottle (I think), this is a totally different rye without the sweet, fruity, spicy complexity of the original.

It’s not bad, just pretty one dimensional, and as such, grossly overpriced. I would highly recommend any of the Redemption Ryes over this. Even the cheapest of those is excellent and far less expensive.

All that being said, on the TW website, the description is still 2 & 16 year old rye, so maybe the change was temporary. I would consider trying another bottle if it describes the original 2 & 16 y. o.

blend, but I’ll make sure to see it in person in the store first. Fool me once and all that. If they fix it, I’ll update this review yet again.

Wow, what a pleasant surprise this rye is! Although it’s an MPG, it definitely does not taste like every other MPG does. This Double Rye has a refreshing mint, cloves, vanilla, spice, and faint dill nose.

The palette follows the nose but it’s more intense, viscus, vibrant, and slightly spicier than the nose. It’s simply delicious. The finish is warm, and lingering. I was able to pick it up for $30 but the regular price is $42.

99. That’s a bit pricey in my opinion but I would definitely buy it again. It’s just so unique compared to other rye offerings in this price range. A drop of water mellows the flavor down a bit but I prefer to drink it neat.

I highly recommend the High West Double Rye!.

Whisky wouldn’t be my first choice of alcoholic drink, as I find there is often a really nasty after-burn in the back of the throat. This one, however, is completely different. It smells amazing, rich and biscuitty, and is lovely and smooth, no burn at all.

My husband enjoyed it on the rocks (the bigger the ice cube the better as they melt slower and so don’t dilute it too much) and I made an amazing Manhattan cocktail by mixing 2 parts of it to one part of red vermouth and a dash of bitters.

Definitely recommended!! It comes in a beautiful teal coloured box as well so easy to wrap if you’re wanting to give it as a gift.

A friend of mine turned me on to this about 40 years ago, and it has been my drink of choice ever since, with ‘upgrades’ to 15, 18, 25, and 40 year old now in my home bar. One of my grandfathers used to drink Canadian Club exclusively, since he was Canadian.

One holiday season, I brought over a bottle of 12 YO as a gift. He was reluctant to try it, and we cajoled him to make the stretch. He took a sip, then another one. He looked at me, and with a wave of his hand said, “Smooth!”.

It became his drink of choice from that point.

Being drinking GLENLIVET SMS since my drinking legal age,this is my choice of Single malt for all occasions ,great variety,prices,quality standards and best never changing the original first impression taste.

I love must of all great single malts and never my little bar being without Glenlivet. My father gave my very first dram of single malt and it was a Glenlevit classic 12 years old bottle,back on June 1969 celebrating the landing of mankind on the moon.

I am a whiskey connoisseur and I have tried a lot brand and varieties of said brands. This particular whiskey is one of the best I have ever tried. Suntory has been around since 1923 and you can tell with the quality product! This IS NOT A SHOOTING WHISKEY! This is a whiskey that you sip with a good cigar or your favorite snack.

It’s great as an aperitif or post steak dinner! In Texas it was hard to find but check the little Mom’n’Pop stores. That’s where I finally found it! In the larger retailers, they will stock the Toki (just as great) but not Hibiki.

Not sure why because it is an experience you must have!.

Hibiki still lives up to its potential as some of the best whisky out there; winning several of world whiskey awards to this date as it competes with the best bourbons made internationally. If you get into Japanese Whiskey you have to understand the origins and where it comes from as it tends to note some of the lighter sides of scotch (an isle, island tier flavor).

Hibiki has a rich smoothness with full of oak, almond, spice and rich tastes that are completely indescribable. If you want to further enjoy the past flavors of Hibiki, please refer to the age statement hibiki’s that are an entirely rich fulfilled experience.

***European whiskeys do not compare to Japanese whiskey to any extent. *** please understand that Japanese distilleries are being shut down because of the large shortage of Japanese Whiskey. Despite the shortage, the Japanese still rely on quality rather than costs to ensure the best taste for the consumer.

That’s why the price is so high, it’s becoming a rarity. Final words, Hibiki, Yamazaki, Hakushu, Yoichi, Nikka Coffey Grain whiskey, Nikka Malt are all notable whiskeys to look for if you want quality in taste.

I have a bunch of buddies who loves this whisky and can rarely find it. I figured I’d give it a try, although I am not a Japanese whisky fan. I”m a bourbon guy. My thoughts are that it is VERY sweet tasting, but a little too much or me.

I also got the same hints that I get with other Japanese whiskies, which I am not a fan of. So, overall, it’s probably a good Japanese whisky (because I trust my friends taste and they love that type), but if you aren’t a Japanese whisky fan, then keep moving – this one won’t change you mind about them.

So, I consider myself a bit of a whiskey snob. I like my single malts, bourbons, and Irish whiskey, but I find myself turning back to my good ol’ 7 and 7 when I’m serving myself and friends. This whisky is Americana culture, class, and history.

It’s great for cocktails, and it ain’t bad by itself either. It’s inexpensive, but it isn’t cheap. I’m serious, if you want quality, bang for your buck, and taste, go for a 7 and 7 over Jack and Coke.

De Niro orders one in Goodfellas, so you know it’s cool. Enjoy.

As iconic a part of American drinking history as Jack Daniel’s or Old Forester. It’s simple, refreshing, and unpretentious … unless you’re a whiskey snob who’s obsessed with tasting every nuance and identifying the ages of the trees that comprise the barrels where the spirits you drink are aged.

Your parents and grandparents have better taste than you think. Sometimes, no-frills is the way to go.

Seagrams has always been my go to whiskey. I like it with a slash of lemon lime soda. It’s not rough or harsh tasting. I believe it’s a great value that doesn’t need improvement. It’s affordable, not expensive.

I would definitely recommend will but again.

Great bourbon for the price point. I get the 1. 75L for around $58-64. It’s an interesting bourbon when you break it down with notes of dried fruit, maybe agave and/or plum, cinnamon, black pepper and charred oak.

It becomes more interesting when the heat of early summer in the Mid-Atlantic warms ut a few degrees. Then it’s nose and palette are full of dried fruit, moreso agave flavor and smell. EC is great for the regular, budget-minded bourbon snob.

For a reference point, it’s kind of like Larceny but fuller and richer, and with less burn. Special sidebar note: If your budget is more Larceny than EC, just put a couple drops of water in it and it becomes EC extra lite.

Cheers!.

It took me a little over twenty years to find my “number one”. That “go to brand” that I don’t even have to think twice about when I’m shopping to restock my liquor cabinet. I became loyal to the brand about thirteen years ago.

I was a bit disappointed when the 12 year old became a blend of 8 to 12 year old but for the same price with only just a bit more bite I’m still a happy camper. Besides, as that was due to the brand becoming so popular that they had to start making a blend using lesser aged, what does that tell you? It’s sippin’ whiskey.

Goes so well with a cola, ginger ale, or an ice tea as a back. You can spend more money but unless it’s a pretense to impress someone that thinks money is the be all, and end all, of existence you”ll find that there’s little, if anything, to be gained form doing so.

Bought for my husband at Christmas. Wanted to get him a smokey, strong, memorable taste experience. Also, something beautiful to open, a special gift and enjoyable to drink. Great price while on offer.

Gorgeous box and bottle but of course its the contents that counts! Husband who is not an expert but no pleb when it comes to whiskey and other spirits is enjoying it next to a snoozing me on a lazy Boxing day afternoon.

watching the cads drink and read their paper in their London club while Fred Astaire taps away is ‘Top Hat’. Perfect! He is enjoying the warmth and smoky comforting taste. Spicy overtone and golden colour.

I had a taste. Flipping heck I’m awake now! Sparks in my mouth like a firecracker leaving smoke and brown sugar notes. Mmmmmm really enjoyable.

I am fortunate. I am not restricted by price when I make purchases, and, as such, I have tasted or purchased Scotch whiskies costing many times the price of Talisker 10, but none have surpassed it unless it may have been the Talisker 8 that it replaced.

This is MY whisky; there is no other at any price, and best of all, it leaves no oil slick in my mouth unlike many higher-priced single malts.

If you are a fan of Peat in your Whisky then look no further. This is such an insatiable drop and gets better the more you sip. I’d recommend trying this neat first, then a couple of drops of water(dilute the smoke)and even over ice.

A must try. Again if smoke isn’t your thing do not consider this.

this is exactly what is advertised on the box. a gentle light highland scotch with honey and a little smoke. to date highland park 12 has been my favorite scotch. until now. this is like a more refined highland park 12, with less peat.

much more rounded with absolutely no rough edges. i had my first glass and almost didn’t pour another bc it was so special i thought i should save it. then caved and poured another. if you enjoy highland scotches this is a no brainer purchase.

and maybe the best of diageos classic malts.

This is similar in style to a Speyside without the overt sherriness. And it is a good version to introduce to scotch newbies who want a richer flavor profile without the peat. I bought this for a Burn’s Supper.

Due to the collapsing value of the dollar, these have significantly risen in price over the last few years and no longer are a value buy. It’s getting hard to find quality single malts in the $30 range.

I’ve been drinking scotch whisky for almost 50 years. (Yes, I started young). Dalwhinnie is and has been one of my top 3 favourites for the last 25yrs. Just a cube or two (small) of ice to cool it down and open up the flavours and it is pure nirvana.

It is a perfect example of the highland scotches, not peaty or smoky but absolutely delicious.

A stonking bargain at £20 bottle (Caution: can vary, up to £32). Matured exclusively in first-fill ex-bourbon American Oak. Auchentoshan say they select casks from both the top and bottom of their warehouse and marry them together to create American Oak.

Nose: Vanilla and raw barley. Notes are very similar to Irish blended whisky. Light brown sugar and freshly-cut hardwood. A slight overripe banana note underlies the rest and becomes more prominent as the dram rests.

An apparent oak character and a malty sweetness. Palate: Light bodied, but with a slight “simple syrup” texture. Melted vanilla ice cream, some oaky tannins, and mild toasted barley. Finish: Short. Slightly bitter.

With Water: I take mine with a splash and reduce the alcohol content to about 35% ABV. Overall: A value malt. The added oak character is well-executed. There is a banana note which some find pleasant (I do): some don’t.

£20is a very fair price for this light, straightforward unpeated malt.

Glasgow isn’t for visitors so much as for real Scots. I hoped that Auchentoshan, distilled in that area, would be equivalent. At the outset, let me say that I began exploring scotch many years ago with highland and speyside malts.

In the last 10 or 15 years I’ve developed a distinct preference for the peated Islay malts such as Ardbeg and Laphroaig. But I really want to have a favorite lowland, so I keep exploring. The nose is delightful and delicate.

Citrus (lime and orange) with a tad of toffee or liquorice and a hint of floral. It’s bright and consistent, not overpowering and I could sniff it all day! A lot of other reviewers–not on this site–have described the palette as bitter.

I would say that it’s more an issue of untamed alcohol–like drinking a blend that hasn’t aged enough and is too medicinal. Perhaps also the fact that it is dry–which I don’t mind at all. If whiskey were stereo music, I’d say that great whiskey has a thunderous bass note.

With the Auch 12 I get mostly midrange on the palette. There is a hint of ginger. I really don’t how this happens with 12 years of aging but it seems to me more like a very young whiskey. I’m going out on a limb here but I’m going to guess that, perhaps, the wood may have given all it had to previous batches.

It’s finished in oak and sherry. The finish fades to leave just the first impression–not at all bad but not memorable. The finish is drying. This is a good but not a great whiskey. It is priced correctly in the market.

The reviewer who says it competes with the great speyside 12s has a palette quite different from mine.

I don’t normally drink whisky but I had this come up as a free sample! So I thought it was rude not to try! It was actually the best whisky I have had the pleasure of trying! Definitely going to be purchasing a bottle in the future.

I may even try some others in the range!! Compared to other whiskeys this is by far the best and most definitely makes you want to enjoy more and more. I will recommend to my family and friends in the future! Go buy now! Don’t hesitate! Adam.

Nose: There’s some scorched oak dashing out when it’s poured into the glass. A little alcoholic. After a few minutes, some sweet note like brown sugar starts to show. Then caramel. Palate: Smooth and mellow, almost no bite.

Very weak char in the front and it’s soon gone. The oak is around all the time, making the palate quite woody, but not overwhelming. The body is light and tastes very sweet almost like licorice. Finish: Still woody but no astringency at all.

A little nutty in the beginning. There’s malty sweetness lingers long, then turns into pear and apple zest. Cool and dry. Comment: I believe this is one of the mellowest bourbons. But to my surprise, it’s quite wood-focused, not just some plain sweet drink.

The oak is nicely done, pleasantly running through the palate and lasting long in the finish. The nutty note in the finish is a little highlight to me, which could be attributed to the wheat and barley in their mash bill.

The whole experience could be even better if that scorched oak on the nose is fixed.

Support Innovation. Buy a bottle (at least one time) of triple mash. This is the type of whiskey small ” craft”/”artisan” distilleries wish they could make themselves. If they could make the price would be well above $35.

Only an innovative distillery like JD could read between the lines of the BIB regs & capitalize on the fact that nothing is violated by blending different mashbill whiskeys. as they all meet the same BIB requirements & knock it out for $35.

Simply brilliant. Why not 5 stars? For me personally this whiskey won’t be part of my regular rotation. Why? Buy this whiskey. try it. it’s delicious. and very different. After some time, try one of your old favorite standard go-to Rye or Bourbon (or any Whiskey).

You’ll then know if this whiskey is for you or not. For me personally, it was not. However that’s purely subjective. Many people will love this one whiskey.

This whiskey takes you for a ride. It’s almost like they somehow layered the whiskies rather than blended them. The first thing I get on the palate is Irish whiskey. I’m still sorting out the mid palate, but there isn’t anything all that strong about it.

It’s more like a transition. As the whiskey crosses the soft palate and enters the throat, there’s a strong peppery spice to it. The finish isn’t sweet, and it isn’t bitter–it’s just spicy. Very spicy.

I’m going to give it 5 stars for quality and innovation. It’s good. I’m not a big fan of *that* much spice, so I probably won’t buy it again, but I can imagine some people really liking this.

100 proof, decent to minimal heat which speaks to aging. To be honest if you were to blind taste test this you wouldn’t guess it’s Jack, it tastes like a bottle in bond for sure. Somewhat close to their single barrel offerings.

Nice flavors and mellow, hint of sweet. Most importantly the price point can’t be beat. Enjoy neat or on a brick (craft ice). Cheers!.

Beannachtaà na Féile Padraig Ort! The traditional Irish blessing translates as “Blessings of Patrick’s Festival Upon You. †Today is St. Patrick’s Day, and I can find no better way to commemorate it than to review a new-to-me Irish whiskey.

Before I get there, though, what exactly is Irish whiskey? First and foremost, it must be a complete product of Ireland, distilled from a mash of malted cereals with or without unmalted grains. It must be fermented with yeast and distilled at less than 94.

8% ABV. Here’s a tricky part: when distilled, it must have an aroma and taste of the representative grains, with no additives other than water and caramel coloring. It must age at least three years in 700 or fewer liter oak containers.

Beyond those requirements, Irish whiskey falls under four categories: single pot still, single malt, single grain, and blended. The Quiet Man is a venture of US-based Luxco and Niche Drinks of County Derby in Northern Ireland.

The whiskey enjoyed distribution throughout Europe before making its US debut in 2016. There were talks of building a distillery in County Derry, but those fell by the wayside in 2018. Regardless, the brand is going strong today, but the actual distiller remains undisclosed.

“Now that I am making my own whiskey, I am naming it after my father. As a bartender, he saw a lot of things and heard a lot of stories, but like all good bartenders, he was true to his code and told no tales.

My father, John Mulgrew, ‘The Quiet Man’, or as they say in Ireland ‘An Fear Ciuin. ’†– Ciaran Mulgrew, founder of The Quiet Man The Quiet Man is available in two versions: a blended Irish whiskey and an 8-year Irish single malt.

I’m sipping on the latter. Like most Irish whiskey, it is triple-distilled in copper pot stills from a 100% malted barley mash. It is then aged in first-fill former Bourbon barrels for at least eight years and bottled at 40% ABV (80°) with a retail price between $42.

99 and $49. 99. Before I go further, I’d like to thank Luxco for sending me a sample of The Quiet Man in exchange for a no-strings-attached, honest review. Now it is time to #DrinkCurious and learn what this whiskey is all about.

Appearance: Sipped neat in a Glencairn glass, The Quiet Man was brilliant gold. It formed a bold rim with husky, fast legs that crashed back to the pool of whiskey. Nose: A floral fragrance accompanied by caramel, honey, citrus, and lightly-toasted oak.

When I drew the aroma into my mouth, citrus and vanilla tangoed across my tongue. Palate: A full-bodied, somewhat creamy mouthfeel greeted my palate. The front featured banana, apricot, apple, and vanilla, while the middle offered nutmeg and orange zest.

Clove, cinnamon, coffee, and oak comprised the back. Finish: Flavors of oak spice, coffee, and clove were joined by apricot and orange zest. The finish was long and lingering, and I was admittedly taken aback that something at 40% ABV could make my hard palate tingle.

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: An eight-year Irish single malt whiskey for $42. 99 sounds like a heck of a deal if it is enjoyable. The Quiet Man may tell no secrets, but the whiskey named for him is full of flavor and character.

I savored it, and I believe you will, too. The Quiet Man 8-Year Single Malt has earned every bit of my Bottle rating. Cheers! My Simple, Easy to Understand Rating SystemBottle = Buy ItBar = Try ItBust = Leave It Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you do so responsibly.

This is a really pleasant Irish, and one I’ll be buying more of. It’s a great alternative to my usual favorite, Tullamore Dew, as it’s lighter, sharper, and has a good bite. Great if you just want a taste of this particular kind of whiskey without making a big deal about it.

I was surprised for it to taste like a scotch. It has that similar clove, cinnamon, and sweet malt taste. Definitely get a lot of fruit punch taste at the end. At first it kinda tasted like a reposado tequila, but after several drink it taste like a fruit punch.

I actually was really surprised at how after every sip it changed.

I received this as a gift a few weeks ago and decided my 60th birthday would be a great day to treat myself to a glass. Wow, what an incredibly smooth and complex flavor this vintage has and so enhanced by the rum cask finish.

Excellent is just not enough to explain the sensation this Scotch leaves you with from nose, to finish! Thanks Glenfiddich.

Excellent part of their core. I’ve never had a bad dram from them, but some are exceptional. The 21 YO is brilliant. The glasses are a nice add.

I bought this for my husband who is a whiskey/scotch collector and he LOVES it! It’s his new favorite and I don’t usually drink alcohol, but even I enjoyed sipping on this after dinner! So smooth and delicious yet subtle flavors that surprised me.

We will always have a bottle around from now on!.

For many years, maybe going back to the ‘Northwest Airlines’ era, Glenlivet was on the drinks trolly on flights from Boston to Amsterdam and back. Then, the exact time escapes me, 4-5 years ago, the Glenlivet disappeared from the flights now on Delta that acquired NWA in 2009.

The single malt onboard, the Macallan, is only available in Business Class. As a Million Miler, I request and usually get a dram or two. Still miss the Glenlivet. Thanks.

To replicate this flavor remove a plank of cedar from a well seasoned humidor and use it like a spoon to eat a hunk of peate soaked in cheap cognac. Smells like your standing somewhere between the plywood and peat moss at Home Depot.

I would drink this at Christmas with friends just to talk about how weird it is. Its a novelty. Today though I feel like I would rather have picked up my regular.

A great whisky from France? Yes! A great drink either neat or on the rocks. Very smooth with soft fruit notes. Sweet, but not thick or syrup sweet. This is one that I would keep on hand. I would add though, that this is not a whisky that I would go to for a mixed drink, for that I prefer something with a bolder flavor.

This whiskey is delicious and very unique. I was intrigued to try a whiskey from France, as you don’t hear of many produced there. Very smooth with notes of honey. Highly recommend. and my experience ordering and picking up at Total Wine in Eagan, MN was excellent.

Well I have to say I am not a fan of the um, fruity, tropical colors on the packaging (OK, I hate it), this scotch is easily poured into a decanter, so that’s where my criticisms end. This is one of my favorite single malts ever.

which is ironic, considering it’s one of their least expensive. It has a lot of the charm of the original green-bottled The Glenlivet 12, which I sorely miss (I find it insane that it’s no longer made) No smokey or peaty notes to ruin the finish for me.

I much prefer this over the founders reserve and the 12 year American Oak expressions. I know this may be sacrilege, but I even prefer this Caribbean cask version over the 18 year. The Nadurra first fill version is the only expression in the lineup that I’d take over the Caribbean cask, if price were no object.

I am very much into aged rum. Drinking this made me feel angry and spending $30 on it, but then ok with it since it’s a whiskey with a dash of what seems like rum. It is smoother than many other whiskey so out there, so I give it credit for being a good price range and smoother than other whiskey.

I think Belvine 14 year whiskey rum cask is the best in this category. I am for the most part ok with it and would drink it neat again.

Being from Trinidad and being versed in rum, I was curious to try this. Growing up, my dad’s favorite drink was Scotch with fresh coconut water. Yesterday was new years day and told my dad I had something for him to try.

The look on his face said it all. At 84 years old, he said that’s the best Scotch and coconut water he’d ever tasted. Kudos to Glenlivet.

Nicely balanced, hides the proof dangerously well. Smooth sipper which remains interesting with prounounced yet comforting spices. Warm, layered notes that are familiar yet complex. I have served to a diverse range of guests and it was very well received by those that nurse subtle wines through ones that take hotter whiskeys neat.

It’s a fun one to stock for offering as an approachable digestif and sparking conversation.

I thought this was closer to a traditional whiskey with sweet notes but it’s more like a honey bourbon. It’s good but sweeter than I thought. If you like a honey bourbon this would definitely one to try.

My wife and I pull out bottles of Cali at just about every party at our house. Guests often say that they don’t drink whiskey until we convince them to try Cali. We get the same response every time, “This is really good!” Cali is the gateway whiskey and then we pull out a bunch of other whiskeys for an impromptu whiskey tasting and an evening of fun.

Let me start of by saying that if you aren’t a fan of peated scotch then this may not be for you. There’s definitely a peaty, iodine flavor that’s common in most islays. However, it interacts with the sweetness in a way that keeps you coming back for more.

The nose is definitely smoky and salty with a sweet sugar coated apple in the background. Think of the smell of a caramel apple at a BBQ. The palate is really complex. Sometimes you get a sugar taste really strong on the front of the palate, and sometimes it’s a smoke bomb.

I will definitely be buying more of this and hope it stays around for a while!.

It’s not usual for Glenfiddich to be smoky or peaty, or for most Speysides to be for that matter. Yet this is a really great, smoky Speyside. It has a distinct peatiness/smokiness to it that I’ve never encountered in another scotch.

The best way I can describe it is a leathery soapiness (in the best possible way). It will be off-putting to some but I believe that any true scotch drinker will come to love it. It has a great malty honey sweetness to it and a touch of sweetness from the rum barrels as well, which helps to balance the unique peat smoke.

The body is medium to full and somewhat creamy. My final rating is 4. 5. This may not be the best scotch for a beginner because of the unique peatiness, but I definitely recommend this to avid scotch drinkers who are open and adventurous.

I am very pleasantly surprised with this unique dram of Scotch Whisky. While I have a strong preference for the peated smoky offerings from the many fine distilleries of Islay, this was a very easy to consume and mellow scotch.

It is not overly complex but has a fine mix of scents and tastes. I would not hesitate to pour it at a gathering of friends, especially for those new to Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

My boyfriend and I met and quickly bonded over our love for Jameson! We had been together for about 2 years and I want to say went through at least 3 bottles a week between the 2 of us. Our all time favorite is the Jameson gold, which we only drink on special occasions, and our second favorite is tied between the IPA Caskmates and the Black Barrel! We had been trying to have a baby for about a year and we have pinpointed our baby girls conception a few days after fourth of July when we had started and finished a bottle of Caskmates that evening!! The hardest thing about being pregnant is the fact that I can’t drink Jameson, and I told the boyfriend that as soon as Luna is born that is the first drink I want to have!!.

I am not a fan of regular Jameson. I find Jameson thin and metallic. I generally prefer bourbon, with Woodford being a favorite. That said, I find both the Stout and the IPA caskmates to be simple but delicious Whiskies.

The IPA fills out the thin flavors of Jameson and the metallic notes are completely lost. There is a hoppy, botanical (almost gin-like) note to this bottle. I find this to be a highly enjoyable whiskey.

Maybe not a special occasion bottle (unless any whiskey signifies a celebration to you) but one I can go to time and time again. The stout is also very good but slightly less interesting for me.

There are rare moments in life when all of the ingredients come together in one harmonious blend to make a product that is both extremely tasty and cost efficient. These moments are even more rare in the world of whiskey! Jameson’s Caskmates Stout Edition is one such item.

The nose is pleasant with whiff’s of the stout coming through most noticeably. It is almost as if you are walking through the brewery and being surrounded by that scent of yeast. There is no overwhelming scent of alcohol which you find in some blends of this nature.

On the palette the taste is surprisingly smooth for a 40 proof whiskey. The buttered biscuit notes you find in much of Irish whiskey are mellowed by the stout and become more of a pancake covered in rich maple syrup! After that initial taste there is a mild dark chocolate note on the finish.

I would say the finish itself is a little short but the overall experience is very good. This is not a perfect whiskey, so Heaven still has a ways to go. But for the price, and the sheer pleasure one gets in drinking the Stout Edition, one can not go wrong! The more I drink it the better it gets.

My collection was missing a Campbeltown, and I’ve heard great things about Springbank, including its being family owned and operated. It’s lightly peated and easy to drink, featuring citrus and grassy notes.

I think this is a very underrated scotch, and while Campbeltown’s have faded away recently, this is certainly worthy of being added to your collection. The one downside is the price, which has experienced a rather steep hike lately.

$84. 99 for a 10 year is a lot, especially when you can get other high quality 10 years like Talisker, Laphroaig, Ledaig and Glengoyne for significantly less. Still, if you are looking to add a Campbeltown to your collection, Springbank is the way to go.

I bought this a month ago after many positive reviews on-line. Have enjoyed other Springbanks, which is considered one of the last “hand-crafted” distilleries. The 10 year old is my perfect profile – sweet fruits & slight smoke.

Not overpowering peat. It gets better as you move down the bottle, more rounded. I like to add a few drops of water.

I’m not a trained taster, so take this with a grain of salt, but this is a splendid single malt. The nose is an enticing, fruity mingling of apples and oak. Palette is creme caramel and apples with undertones of oak and pine and a trace of smoke.

Finish is a lingering medley of apples, oak, and smoke. After experiencing Springbank 10, I’m dying to get a taste of Springbank 15.

I really enjoyed this whisky – it’s very smooth to drink and similar to other lowland whiskies. It’s very much an easy drink (certainly crowd pleaser) with no harsh after taste or burn. In terms of tasting notes, you can taste subtle notes of vanilla and caramel.

Personally, this is my 2nd favourite to the 12 year in the Auchentoshan range but this is a lot cheaper and for this saving, there is certainly no compromise on taste I received this as part of a free sample but will certainly purchase again and would recommend to others!.

I found this scotch to be true to the label. Not overly peat forward (something I’m not a huge fan of) and nuanced flavor profile. With 1 or two ice cubes, it becomes dangerously smooth and opens up to a different flavor profile.

I’ll certainly be buying some more in the future.