I'd still prefer wine after a dry run, but this whiskey sure did hit a spot. The balance and complexity of the Machir Bay is just undeniable, evident from the score achieved here. Fresh, zesty fruits are starkly juxtoposed with pastry-like nutty, creamy vanillin notes. The peat straddles the line between salinity and camp fire smoke. A rockstar finish that just lingers with sweet, malty flavour and a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper. Needs a little air to sort out some initial aggression, but once that settles, I felt nothing was out of place. Best entry-level Islay for me! 2019 bottling here. — 3 years ago
Deep notes of rich, golden honeycomb, espresso, and cocoa. This was one of the very first bourbons I ever purchased, and here we are several years (and multiple bottles) later and I’m still keeping their stuff in my liquor inventory because it’s just that delicious, especially for the price point. — 4 years ago
Wowza…a full 10 years from harvest and this VIRGINIA chard is sooo beautiful and on point!! Complexity of baked tree fruit with vanilla bean crème brûlée….remarkable structure still hold up this sweet gentle oak mountain top cabin of a blue ridge Chardonnay. Spectacular! We’ll dome Nathan and terroir! Only the 2nd chard vintage from this site, too. PTL — 2 years ago
Is hard to imagine how anything could be much better from nose to lingering finish. But, I'll keep searching for the perfect dram. — 3 years ago
Barry and Emily engagement present. Ben likes a lot. Kayla and carla like — 4 years ago
Just concluded the annual Fall seclusion at our cabin in the Rangeley lakes region of Maine, mobile service up there is mostly non-existent, after several days I am posting again. Notes are somewhat brief, as my focus is relaxing and watching the Common Loons swimming and diving in the cove in front of our camp.
Reddish-brown, translucent; mid-shoulder fill for this particular bottle, saturated cork but solid without any deterioration. Enjoyed in our Gabriel Glas's.
Nose has wet earth, forest moss, dehydrated black cherry, molasses cookie, cherry compote, over-ripe strawberry, wet wood, cherry syrup reduction and mahogany shavings.
Palate has dried cherry, dried strawberry, (minor) metallic minerals, dry soil, medium tannins on the long finish. Anyone still holding this should consider enjoying this in the near term (2020-2024), when held in proper storage. — 4 years ago
1986 discovered deep in Grandpa Wink’s cabin. Still had its bubbles & a rich, buttery flavor. It was a very merry Christmas with the Headtkes + Wattanasirakuls. — 3 years ago
Just concluded the annual Fall seclusion at our cabin in the Rangeley lakes region of Maine, mobile service up there is mostly non-existent, after several days I am posting again.
(Notes this year were avoided, but scores are honest.)
Still years to go on this one... — 3 years ago
Bob McDonald
This is a great tipple as the weather cools down in the Southern Hemisphere. From Islay with plenty of peat and smokiness. A maritime seaweed note. Some say Laphroaig is even more peaty but for me, the jury is still out on that one. — 8 months ago