Whisky Shelf

Johnnie Walker Rye 10. All I have to say is wow. This is a solid rye. 8/10

Glengoyne 10. Easy drinking, mature tasting whisky for 10 year age statement. If you like something light, simple and reasonably priced this may be a good bet. 7/10.

Tomintoul Peated. Don’t know what got into me, but bought a bunch of random whiskys with a peat what-not. First up wasn’t so great, but this guy’s got potential. Don’t smell it - it won’t impress. But take a drink and it’s like a mild Laphroaig. Very drinkable. Not complex or deep, but tasty. 6/10.

Glendronach Peated. Smell is a bit sour, taste is slightly fresh with a sour finish. Drinkable thanks to the peat. 4/10.

Benromach. This one has been on the shelf for a while. Muted, slightly peaty, very easy going down. Alcohol strength is a bit low, so don't add water. Not bad. 7/10.

Balvenie Single Barrel Sherry Cask 15. Bottled at 48%, this dram changes from super sweet cough syrup to a wonderful, easy to drink (and still sweet) whisky with a little water added. 8/10

Balvenie 21 Portwood. If you could bottle the best medium-rare steak you’ve ever had it’d taste like this. Buy a hundred bottles and live life happily ever after. 10/10

Monkey Shoulder. A simple, easy to drink blend that really isn’t anything special. Order it as a replacement to JW. 5/10

Oban Little Bay. Only real description on this bottle is “small cask.” Smell is a bit sour and slightly sweet. Taste is a bit hot, a little sweet, but easy enough. Add a bit of water and it settles down and is descent. 5/10

Dalmore Pale Ale Cask. Sour, rancid, and just all around terrible. Save on your shelf for when your teenager gets in trouble for drinking and you want to scare the little jerk straight. 1/10.

Glen Moray 12. An uninspiring bottle, but a savory and delicious dram. Smell is rich and sweet, tastes like a well seasoned steak. Delicious. 9/10.

Machrie Moor. A custom blend promising peat from a little shop in London. Not bad for $50. 6/10.

Nikka Coffee Grain Whisky. Put your nose in the glass and you get nothing. Which is weird. Taste is muted but easy going. Like a rye without the, well, rye. Odd but good. Worth trying. 6/10

Glendronach 15. This bottle is old. Like dusty to the touch, busted up cork floating in it, curiously stored old. Which makes me suspicious that the relatively flat dram was a result of things unrelated to the hard work of the distiller. But I did finish the bottle with good company, so wasn't too bad. Light, easy to drink, and simple. But no rating, as there are too many questions about what it'd taste like if it were treated with some respect.

Glenrothes 40 year. So when you get to the 25+ year range all the harshness should be totally gone. Every drop, especially at $100+ a dram, should be amazing. And this totally qualifies. Clean, neat, with zero aftertaste. This drink disappears off your tongue with a crisp, smooth snap. No rough edges, no sourness, just tame and easy to drink. It's not for flavor seekers -- this is no Islay brute. It's just simple and wonderful, with hints of grass and wood. Absolutely excellent. 9/10.

Bruichladdich Scottish Barley. Smooth and easy, with a bit of a sour after taste and understated sweetness. Not for those seeing an Islay peat kick, but decent as a high quality dram. 6/10

Bay Blue corn whisky. Smell is sweet, taste is a bit sweet, balanced, and easy going. Coats the tonight and mouth nicely, but doesn't taste young. A bit of burn but not distracting, more just on the edges of your tongue as it isn't watered down. The kid of glass you could sip on all night. If you’re into slightly sweeter Scotches or less saccharine American whiskeys, give this amazing Texas bottle a go. Highly recommend. 8/10