Whisky review : Tomatin 15 years old combination of Bourbon and Tempranillo Wine Cask bottled @ 52%

Whisky review : Tomatin 15 years old combination of Bourbon and Tempranillo Wine Cask bottled @ 52%

-1st Tomatin

Colour : medium gold, on the pale side of the yellow yet just above an clean Islay (lagavulin 12 or Ardbeg 10). I would assume no coloration here.Medium to dense oily body. long legs, very slow...

Nose: bourbon nose, port wine, juicy port, soft cork. With water, it opens to a very Bourbon nose ! Sweet, oak, cold straw.

Mouth: slight, intense spicy oak and port tones. Oak, chili oil, very spicy, a tad robust when taken neat. Caramel notes, eucalyptus. Water reveals an off mix between bourbon and red wine. Similar to the Arran Sherry but not as sherried, neither real bourbon finish. Light very light......A semi-complex mouth who fells flat after water.Over time, it develops into a light caramel palate.

Finish:very fade wine touches, light port, oak, sweet...nothing much else.

A+ for the price. I paid 68$ for it in Chicago...non-available in Canada...
B for the taste. If this is by any means a ''great'' Tomatin...well then it was the last one ever to enter my pantry.
B+ for the presentation. Cool retro box, but...somewhat dry.

Whisky review : The Connemara Turf Mor small batch bottled @ 58.2%

Whisky review : The Connemara Turf Mor small batch bottled @ 58.2%

-High step up from the regular version
-50ppm peat....need I say more ?


Colour: light yellow, pale gold, tad oily

Nose: peat, caramel, earthy grainy peat, vanilla, grapes, permanent marker. With water, the nose changes to cool tar, peat, vanilla-peat, sweet notes. Close to a Ardbeg 10 here...with a plus = vanilla tones.

Mouth:  creamy peat, spicy, remnants of the bitter notes of the lighter version, much better, well seated. A tad harsh neat, but not too much surprisingly. Green peat, chili oil....Hot peaty spirit ! Water opens up the wet tar profiles, more spices, much more spicy but it remains soft....very nice !

Finish: peat, bitter melon, burnt grain, grass, wet straw, vanilla, powder rockets candy. It retains its distinctive character which makes the Conn so interesting.

A+ for the taste. Wow. Amazing Irish whisky here. So good. a very very moorish whisky ! With water = beware. Neat is even an option. Great spirit, high quality ! Get it is possible. Highly recommended whisky for anyone liking Peat BEASTS" 
B for the price. Yes it's cask strength and yes it's a small batch. However, 86$ is a tad too much for this. 70$ would be perfect.
A++ for the presentation. Nice metal tubing, very enjoyable.

Whisky review : Dun Bheagan 8 years old (2003) Islay. Cask. No. 702391-408 Bot.No. 5376 bottled @ 43%

Whisky review : Dun Bheagan 8 years old (2003) Islay. Cask. No. 702391-408 Bot.No. 5376 bottled @ 43%

-Great price
-Vintage bottling
-Non chill-filtered 
-Incredible price/value !

Colour: medium amber, copper. I would not bet on caramel here however. medium bodied in the glass.

Nose: At first, thick cigarillo ashes, creamy peat, brine, light butter caramel, burnt toffee, more ashes, but not like white ashes...more like black ashes. cigarette smoke, touches of tar, sweetness,

Mouth: Ashes, peat, pepper, creamy toffee, sour ashes, brine, plastic (not off putting), ether. A high contender for Islay considering the price. Some suggest it's a 8 years old Lagavulin. Considering the ashes, I would disagree. However, the light peat-brine-caramel profile reminds me of the Lagavulin. Water brings more caramel and pepper to the front row. Focuses more on hot ashes and peat. Still, I guess neat is the best way to go here. Certainly a very enjoyable Islay.

Finish: smoke, peat, bring, salted water, calcium, eucalyptus, lingering peat, light ashes, yet not as strong as Arbeg or Laphroaig for that matter.

A+ for the taste. Please lord, make it so I can buy another one ! Very nice malt. High delivery, remains young, but still very nice. Highly recommended.
A+ for the price. For 49,95$ (LBCO) I can say it's a perfect price point. Sadly, it's hard to get.
A for the presentation. Nice label and full of useful information.

Whisky review : Amrut Indian Single Malt (NAS) Batch No.41 April 2012 bottled @ 46%

Whisky review : Amrut Indian Single Malt (NAS) Batch No.41 April 2012 bottled @ 46%

-2nd Amrut and 3 Indian Whisky
-Available in Qc and Ont.
-Reasonable price
-Nice packaging
-Non chill-filtered 

Colour: Medium golden, medium bodied, judging from the colour I'd say it does not contain colouring agent.

Nose: Oak (fresh dried, a sappy sent), velvety wood, smooth, banana, gives away exotic fruits, sweet touches, lurk of peat....Water brings the nose to a more white wine..dryness, fruits, but much more quiet.

Mouth: Bam ! Fruit, oak, touches of peat - arrival - then changes to oak, chili, more sweet notes, complex delivery here. Not too rough for a young whisky. If I were to guess, I'd say it's 8 years old. Not fully seated in the glass yet very matured for its flavour. With Water it turns to oak, remains very gentle, touches of salt, fruits, long woody notes, sweetness...Some bitter tones but nothing off putting here.

Finish:  long oaky finish. lots of sweet notes,  bitterness, salt, very nice whisky indeed.

A for taste. Another great Amrut ! Highland sweet-oak complex with speyside fruits....but more exotic fruits.
B++ for the price. for 56ish $ (SAQ/LCBO) it's a great price/quality ratio. Something to look for, I'd strongly suggest buying one. Great whisky. - Since some bottles are available at SAQ, I might get another one.
A- for the bottling. Nice bottling with clear information. Cool metal tubing.