2078 | Scotland | Page 5

"The wonderful bouquet includes scents of bacon fat, honey, orange rind with deeper smells of black pepper, cinnamon, vanilla bean and pipe tobacco. Entry is silky smooth, semisweet, concentrated and honeyed; the midpalate offers grainy sweet, yet spicy, tangy, fruity, nutty and floral tastes. The oak element really emerges in the aftertaste, ideally completing this sensational blended Scotch. One of the finest blended Scotches in the world." 96-100 pts.

The recreation of the single malt whisky that Ernest Shackleton carried with him on his Nimrod Expedition to Antarctica has finally arrived!

One of the most requested Scotch blends has finally arrived in the U.S! Monkey Shoulder is more than a cute bottle – though those monkeys sure are adorable – it's an all-Speyside vatting with no grain whisky. It earns its description as a "triple malt," containing Balvenie, Glenfiddich, and Kininvie malts. - The Whiskey Hotline

"Amber color. Dried sour cherry, oiled suede, honey and delicate spice aromas follow through on a supple entry to a dry medium body with prominent leather, nutskin, and cola nut notes. Finishes with a long, spice and chalk accented fade." Silver Medal.

"Rich amber color. Warm caramel on toast aromas with a nice layer of chocolate nuts and leather follow through to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with rich caramelized nut, chocolate covered cherry, and brown spice accents. Finishes with a sensual, and vivacious fade with an notes of clay-like earth and hay. A well styled sipper."

"First nosing exposes dry scents of walnuts, grass and dark toffee. Entry is malty and vanilla—extract bittersweet; midpalate is silky, creamy, Sherry sweet, pruny and black raisin-like. Ends on a dark chocolate note that’s chewy, medium-sweet and satisfying." Best Buy. 90-95 pts.

"The initial aroma is large, biscuity and grainy sweet; the aroma then becomes more sugar biscuit-like and a touch salty. Palate entry finds generous and malty-sweet flavors; by midpalate distinctive notes of black pepper, seaweed, oaky vanilla, honey and dark caramel are added. Finishes elegantly, sweetly and malty, with just a barely discernable influence of the sea. Best Buy." 90-95 pts.

"The nosing passes find layers of aromas of honey, heather, pine needle, thyme and salty single malt Scotch whisky. Entry is thick, gently sweet but balanced by a fierce herbal quality; midpalate focuses on the whisky while the various herbs, spices and honey make merry around their whisky core. One of the best liqueurs available." 96-100 pts.

"Nose: Pungent, smoke-accented, rounded. Body: Full, slightly syrupy. Palate: Smoky, malty-sweet, with sourness and a very big pepperiness developing. Finish: Very peppery, huge, long."