5 | Spirits | Single Malt | Page 5

"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."

"Golden amber color. Bold aromas of peat, iodine, baklava, and creme caramel follow through on a rich, satiny entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with layer of buttercream, dried fruits, pine cone ash, oat cereal, and sweet spice. Finishes with a long interplay of cream, spice, and iodine laced part. Impressive, different and fun."

The long awaited US release of a European mainstay from the Glenfiddich stable, finished in casks from a famous Caribbean rum producing nation.

"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.

"Good attack on the palate, elegant and refined. The aged Matusalem, Apostoles & Amoroso Oloroso sherry butts deliver a rich and aromatic heart full of dried spices, cloves, cinnamon and ginger. A concentrated citrus mouth-feel tantalises the middle part of your tongue with seville orange, lemon and lime. The aftertaste of great abundance rewards the palate."

"Nose: Remarkably fresh 'sea air ' aroma. Body: Light to medium, firm. Palate: Gentle, clean, nutty-malty sweetness. Finish: Very full flavour development. A refreshing quality."

Similar to Laphroaig Quarter Cask, but also finished in oloroso sherry casks. Fruit and smoke: fleshy red berries, red licorice, toffee, ripe barley, coal tar, sun-baked seaweed, peat smoke, and a hint of coffee grounds. Tarry finish. I rated the Quarter Cask a 91, and I think this whisky is in the same ballpark. If you like sherry-influenced whiskies, then go for the Triple Wood. If not, then consider the Quarter Cask.

"Great complexity. Big flavour development. Drier, giving way for a moment to sweet, heathery, sherryish notes."

"Minutely hazy pale amber color. Aromas of raisin date chutney, oily nuts, caramel cake, and dense spices follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with marzipan, raw honey, and sandalwood notes. Finishes with a long, chewy dried fruit, toffee, and peppery spice warm with a touch of mossy stones underneath. Rounds out great with a touch of water letting the raisin chutney notes flourish." Gold Medal.