Nose:  Very peaty smell but blends nicely with the aroma of mocha, vanilla and toasted nuts.

Pallet:  This bottle is a little sweet like the original 63 but has a wonderful taste of oaky vanilla and caramelized fruit with just a touch of smoke and spices.

Finish: The finish on the Stòras is amazing and very enjoyable. The medium intensity of this easy drinker is something you need to try if you are a fan of whisky. With a long complex finish of fruits, oak and buttery goodness this is absolutely something worth indulging in if you can stomach the price tag of almost $200.

Caol Ila 30 year old is a special release from the Diageo collection in 2014.  The oldest official bottling to date from the distillery.  A marriage of American and European oak.  Only 7,638 bottles worldwide.

Nose: As we have come to expect from Caol Ila.  This 30 year old is very warm and bacon like.  With a bouquet of orange and lemon, and hints of vanilla which is very pleasing.

Palate: At first sip it commands respect and reminds you that you have a dram of a fine single malt!   As it sits it begins to mellow and the ashey peat begins to peak thorough followed by the citrus undertones that come through on the nose.

Finish: Is one that can be summarized in one word… AWESOME!!! This mouth coating ,well rounded flavour house, is one which has to be enjoyed with a sophisticated palate and a fine cigar .

Overall 9/10.  I would still recommend an eye drop of water just to really open it up.  Anyone would be privileged to have it on their bar.

For someone who has only tasted a handful of Irish Whiskeys this one was by far the best I have ever tried!

A well balanced nose which was pleasant and addictive, but that was only the beginning of this memorable experience. The palate was even more exciting with a sweet full flavour that had hints of vanilla, cinnamon and candied fruits. The finish was spicy and long lasting. When it was all over I was sad to say goodbye.

I would highly recommend this bottle to any amateur or experienced whiskey drinker. A great bottle! If you can get your hands on one…

GlenDronach 18 Year Old Tawny Port Finish

Colour:
The colour is almost caramel in appearance due to the finish in the port cask

Nose:
The nose is fruity and fudgy with hints of pear, cherry, and caramel fudge coupled with spice notes of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Taste:
The fruit shines through with notes of cherry, pear, and roasted apple and combines with caramel, making the taste quite sweet and syrupy with a wisp of smoke to be had.  The flavor lingers on the tongue before releasing into a slow dry finish.

Overall:
I would rate this as a 7.5/10, quite a good scotch, but maybe not worthy of adding to a personal collection.

The Dalmore 15 from the Highland region of Scotland, matured for 13 years in American white oak and then for a further year in a combination three styles of sherry wood (Matusalem, Apostoles, and Amoroso), definitely showed signs of this on the nose. This was the first Dalmore that the club has sampled and it did not disappoint.

Known for their orange overtones, you could understand this as the first sip hits with a blast of citrus flavour. With the additional year of sherry cask maturation, it smoothes out the citrus with what you would typically find in a more mature smooth sherry finish. After the initial taste, this dram does show some heat but finds a way to warm nicely as you finish it off. The finish was medium-long and brought in some additional flavour including a note of vanilla.

This moderately priced bottle for one of its class is one to be added to your collection, if you enjoy a nice warm whisky near the fire on a cold winter’s day, but has a hint of summer as shown by its citrus flavour.

Nose-
It starts off with a shout of pepper, which overwhelms your senses, and then ends on a lighter note with a hint of vanilla. That will make you a glutton for punishment as you go back for a second or third snifter.

Color-
Having been matured in first-fill bourbon casks gives it that beautiful nectar of the gods honey gold standard.

Palate-
A complex dram, between bourbon cask spice and sweet toffee, that blows up on your tongue. A nice, spicy heat that takes off like a plane.  A flash of lighting comes over your palate, a sweet toffee and creamy caramel. Pass it around like a good buddy.

Final thoughts-
Usually I can take or leave Balvenie. This one has most definitely made an impression on me. The way I rate my scotches is; would I add it to my personal bar? This one I most definitely would. It would be a perfect dessert to have after a big thanksgiving dinner. Don’t forget the pumpkin pie.

Region:  Islay

Lagavulin Distillers Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky is matured for 16 years in traditional, oak casks in the distillery’s warehouses. During its maturation, Iain McArthur, Lagavulin warehouseman, ensures that the whisky matures evenly and consistently (McArthur has been working at the distillery for over four decades). After the whisky has matured in traditional oak casks, it is double-barreled, or finished, in casks that were previously used to mature sherry made from Pedro Ximinez grapes. Once harvested, Pedro Ximinez grapes shrivel up to a raisin-like state, which concentrates the sugars in the grape and results in a sweet wine with legendary viscosity and intensity. This double-maturation process complements the intensely smoky notes of the whisky and adds an additional layer of complexity.

Lagavulin Distillers Edition Single Malt Scotch has an aroma of intense raisins, prunes and smoke. The initial notes are surprisingly sweet, with subtle hints of caramel, vanilla and dates that are balanced by a smoky undertone. The ever-lasting finish has deep, dark notes of red fruits and a round, bold finish.

Region:  Highlands

Following distillation, Oban Distillers Edition 2014 Single Malt Whisky is aged for 14 years in oak casks. During this beauty rest, the whisky is touched by its environment and geography. The warm, salty Gulf Stream and mild, temperate climate of Oban are reflected in the whisky. After its initial maturation, the whisky is double-barreled, or finished, in ex-Montilla Fino sherry casks. The sherry casks add notes of dried fruits, particularly cherries and strawberries, to the whisky, and complement its notes of light, peaty smoke.

Oban Distillers Edition Single Malt Whisky has a fruity nose, with hints of grapes, citrus and a touch of smoke. The flavor is full and rich, with complex notes of tangy salt, butterscotch, caramel and toffee, which ultimately lead to a lingering, smoky and sweet finish. Oban is situated at the frontier between the Western Highlands and Islay of Scotland. The whisky has the lighter, sweeter notes of Scotland’s Highlands region, while still possessing the dry, smoky style of Islay.