5 | Spirits | Single Malt, Scotland | Page 2

"Off-dry malted barley and light toffee smells greet the olfactory sense along with flowery fragrances of heather, rose petal and pine. Entry features sweet grain and candied apricot tastes; the midpalate is mellow, malty, fruity (white raisins, apricots) and sophisticated. Ends on a buttery note. Remains the Speyside benchmark." 90-95 pts.

"A seductive brininess and waves of oily peat-reek greet the olfactory sense. The palate entry finds a surprisingly buttery-creamy leaning along with the peat-reek; at midpalate the flavor becomes concentrated, oily, malty sweet, and only moderately peaty. Ends on a sweet malty note. Builds from stage to stage, each phase being better than the last. Best Buy." 90-95 pts.

"Medium amber color. Floral aromas of toffee, peppery spice, and lightly smoky peat. A round entry leads to a dryish full-bodied palate with heather, iodine, toffee, and spice flavors. Finishes with a long peat and toffee fade. Excellent complexity and depth of flavor. Superb!"

"Nose: Intense and spirity to begin. Delicious sweet sherry burst follows, plateaus with undertones of apple, cinnamon, vanilla, maple syrup with just a hint of smoky heather throughout. Taste: Sweet and sugary start with an oaky edge. Develops in the mouth with a bite of citrus and dark chocolate. Long lingering dry aftertaste with warming alcohol finish which keeps the mouth alive for several seconds afterwards."

"Deep golden amber color. Honeyed nuts, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and peat aromas are intriguing. A supple entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body exotic dried fruit, melted chocolate, caramel, candied ginger, and pink peppercorns. Finishes with a spicy sweet fade with roasted grain and wet slate accents. A gutsy and peppery single malt to experiment with in cocktails."

"Aromas of marshmallow, cotton candy and toffee. The palate entry features a dry, malty and slightly honeyed profile; at midpalate the honey intensifies, making the flavor almost bittersweet but long in the throat. Finishes drier and malty." 90-95 pts.

"The wonderful bouquet includes scents of seaweed, smoke, peat, iodine, kippers and pipe tobacco. The palate entry is briny and intense; the midpalate is oily with traces of anise, butterscotch and linseed oil. Finishes vibrantly with tastes of salted butter, oil and brine. Highly idiosyncratic: for lovers of robust, seaside malts. Best Buy." 96-100 pts.

"Nose: Hint of sherry, albeit light and dry. Some buttery maltiness. A faint hint of peat when water is added. Body: Light, soft. Palate: Sweetish, slowly developing a faint hint of island dryness and saltiness. Finish: A little malt and some saltiness."

"Emits delicate, mildly spicy and grapy fragrances at first; additional time fails to open up any more aromatics. Entry is peppery, spicy, astringent and tangy; midpalate is moderately sweet, grapy, ripe and honeyed towards the finish." 85-89 pts.

"Smells of smoky, burnt nectarine, apricot and buttery scents that are toasty, nutty and heavenly. Entry is chewy, viscous, concentrated and intensely honeyed; the midpalate is waxy, mildly spicy, jammy, nutty and utterly decadent. Finishes with panache and grace." Best Buy. 96-100 pts.