Laphroaig Cairdeas 2015 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose offers quite a conundrum as it offers bright berry and apple fruit but once you shift your attention to to the rich, salty, peat notes with its iodine and pepper accents the fruit becomes just a cherished memory. The palate fully concurs with the nose again offering a glimpse at fruit before the earthy peat and spice notes roll in like tidal wave with hints of anise, clove, allspice, seaweed, and campfire. It's Laphroaig so it's not going to be shy but it does have a delicate note albeit buried with a mass of beautiful peat and smoke. $74.99 – 5 Stars
Laphroaig 15 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is quite beautiful and if one could ever call Laphroaig understated this one could carry that moniker. Scents of citrus, apples, fresh green herbs, and subtle cigar notes mingle with the peat and sea. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering vibrant fruit core with generous supporting spice, oak, sea salt, smoky peat, and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied with perfect balance and vibrant flavors that are both generous and sprite. $79.99 – 4.5 Stars
Laphroaig 32 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is incredibly decadent with rich, old Sherry in the lead with loads of brown baking spices (clove, allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg among others), brown butter, dark chocolate, baked apples, and a generous dose of the classic Laphroaig smoke and sea notes. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich and silky core that ideally marries fruit with spice, chocolate, Sherry, peat, oak, and sea salt. Full-bodied with rich and lingering flavors that carry on for minutes. Despite its heft it is never heavy and always balanced on the palate. $1200 – 5 Stars
Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are a bit heady at first but this is calmed considerably by adding a splash of water. It's bold and spicy with black pepper and clove while at its core its pure Glenfarclas with scents of baked orchard fruits, toffee, and rich Sherry. The palate echoes the nose with waves of fruit, brown baking spices, roasted nuts, Sherry, and oak with a trailing smoky note that lingers for minutes. This is a big and bold Whisky with incredible warming powers while never being awkward or out of balance. $89.99 – 4.5 Stars
Mortlach Rare Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is classic Mortlach with loads of fruit ranging from dried red and black berries to baked peach and apple with hints of toasted nuts, brown baking spices, and butterscotch. The palate is in full agreement with the nose focused on fruit with a rising spicy note that veers from black pepper to candied ginger with a sweet, oak-centric finish. Medium-bodied with a round, fruity core and a generous spice notes with ideal balance. $129.99 – 4 Stars
Lagavulin 16 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is wonderfully complex offering beautiful scents of Lapsang Souchong tea, rich Sherry, peat, iodine, toasted malted barley, and sea breezes with a touch of salt, vanilla, and caramel. The palate is the multidimensional expression of the nose as it delivers layers of peat-drenched malt and caramel with loads of spice, peat smoke, and decadent wood notes that linger on for an eternity. Full-bodied and majestically assertive, this is the bull in the china shop if the bull were impossibly nimble and wearing ballet shoes. $98 – 5 Stars
Old Pulteney Navigator Single Malt Scotch Whisky
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose is sweet with notes of honey and loads of citrus (lemon and orange peel), toasted grains, wild mint, with hints of sea salt and green herbs. The palate echoes the nose delivering a vibrant and zesty core that is dominated by youthful spirit notes with a generous dose of citrus and hints of cocoa bean, smoke, and white pepper. Medium-bodied with waves of citrus mingling with young Whisky and subtle notes of sea and spice providing balance. $44.99 – 3.5 Stars
anCnoc 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose offers gorgeous scents of honey, butterscotch, toasted grain, roasted almonds, and sweet malt with hints of citrus and smoke. The palate is the natural extension of the aromatics delivering a rich but vibrant malt-driven core with waves of sweet grains, honey, and citrus. Medium-bodied with generous malt and vibrant citrus and spice notes that give this Whisky perfect balance. $39.99 – 4 Stars
Speyburn 10 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose is really quite beautiful with scents of honey-soaked toasted malt and cereal, citrus zest, sweet and dry herbs, with hints of vanilla bean, basil, dried flowers, and oak. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a silky and fruity core with layers of honey, grain, and earth leading to a delicate floral finish. Medium-bodied (on the lighter side of medium) with bright, vibrant flavors and perfect balance. $24.99 – 4 Stars
Speyburn Bradan Orach Single Malt Scotch Whisky
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose opens with pretty green apple and citrus scents leading to wet grains, honeycomb, dried flowers, wax, and hints of vanilla bean. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a fruit and honey-driven core that is sweeter than the nose suggests giving a mild viscosity that offers dimension to the soft and subtle flavors. Medium-bodied with with generous fruit tones and waves of floral and spice notes with a touch of citrus to give balance. $21.99 – 3.5 Stars
