Norman

10

Hibiki Highball from the master at the Apollo. Been two years since I’ve been here but it felt like yesterday. Literally nothing has changed. Must stop if you are in Tokyo. Feel free to go to the bar Milo next door and have a drink of the “Mr Norm” bottle that I had to buy in order to get a drink. Keep in mind all of these places max out at 8 people. I kinda stressed them out coming in with eight but played the “remember me” card and picture from my iPhone ;) — 10 months ago

Andrew Mueller

9.7

This is The Yamazaki single malt 12 years old Japanese Whiskey. I’m only giving it a 9.7 to leave room for perfection...if it exists. This is really hard to find now, even in Japan. Very smooth yet robust that energizes the pallet. — 5 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.2

Really nice bottle that I find to be a bit more tame and integrated when compared to The Dalmore 12, which is also aged in Oloroso casks (both American and European oak). This selection has sweet caramel & fig, winter spices, toffee, and some nuanced citrus and fresh wood. — 6 years ago

Rusty Beall

9.2

Very peaty! I would have guessed, if I were blindfolded, that it was a Laphroaig. — 7 years ago

Michael B

9.1

Boutique winery in Maipu Mendoza, that also owns vineyards in Uco Valley. This is a 100% Malbec. It’s the most full bodied, complex Malbec I have ever tasted. Fermented in egg shaped barrels. Dark berries, blackcurrant, heavy tannins, and smooth, well structured finish. Just amazing. — 8 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

Needs 3 years in bottle. Double decanted and was a nice dusty blackberry front, a little darker and floral in the middle. Finish is also quite floral, still rather acidic and lots of stiff oak tannin. Dusty and shale stone rich finish. Enjoyable classic Rutherford cab that doesn't try to be something it isn't. GREAT family owned boutique winery off the Silverado Trail. — 9 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.0

Looking at this drop again. An interesting expression of Chenin. Definitely handled oxidatively. Straight out of the bottle, it tasted almost Jura like and as before, getting this whisky notes. Baked apple instead of quince. A nice minerality from start to finish. VA seems quite prominent after a while. Good to note that this was an excellent pairing with most Asian dishes.

Note: Analysis values
TA: 7.1 g/l
pH: 3.07
Alc: 11.3%
Malic: 1.3 g/l
VA: 0.43 g/l — 9 years ago

romo

9.7

A not-so-wee dram for my birthday reminds me how Mortlach separates from the herd. Transcendent light-bodied balance yet a finish that goes on in breath long after swallow. A poetic emotional drink. — 4 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.3

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. — 5 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.0

Enjoyed this, though it does comes off a little harsh, which can perhaps be attributed to its youth. A NAS, but as I understand, the blend is at least as old as the standard 10 year old. It definitely has a pretty similar profile - pepper, brine, peat smoke, and citrus. Would be good to taste them side-by-side given the general consensus that the Storm's essentially the 10 taken up a notch. There's a really "sweet" inner core that pushes through to peaty, somewhat-medicinal finish. Medium length. Really liking this profile (particularly the saline character) so I'm definitely going to be checking out the rest of the range. — 5 years ago

Victor Hsu

9.0

Inviting nose, sweet round single-malt flavors, interesting finish. Just a very pleasurable tipple. The only reason this is not a perfect whiskey is the very faintest note of varnish in the nose and finish. Reminded me a bit of Kavalan Sherry Cask in that respect. I had this in Japan with my lovely wife Dreama, at The Long Bar in Sapporo, Hokkaido. — 8 years ago

Phillip Antley

9.3

Smoky and salty up front, but also has an understated sweetness that follows. Grassy notes, even some dark fruits. — 9 years ago

Scott Taddeo

9.1

Hard to rate these; I mean I get it, but shit, if this was a wine you'd say it's unbalanced. Don't not like it though, heck given the right occasion it would be perfect but that peat is outta control. — 9 years ago

Christian Ramirez Romanini

9.1

With a dark golden/medium copper coloring, which is maintain in the glass and provokes a very inviting feeling, this whiskey produces legs that are readily apparent and mark the glass for a lengthy period.

The nose is lightly floral, with fruity notes and some sweet vanilla and oak, and with no noticeable alcohol burn. It’s a medium nose that is easily picked up.

The whisky produces a wonderful mouthfeel, one that lightly covers the entire mouth with a slight syrupy feel, and yet it’s not oily. The flavor profile is subtle to moderate, with most action in the back of the mouth. The whisky provides flavors of berries, oak, sherry and some sweet vanilla as well. The finish is medium, but turns on some spice and delights the taste buds with some interesting baking spices. — 5 years ago

Aaron Tan

8.9

The mildest of the Diageo peated whiskies I've had so far. Definitely not the campfire peat monsters of Ardbeg, or the distinct maritime peat of Talisker, or the more medicinal peat of Lagavulin... The peat here comes off as sweet and aromatic, almost like incense. The body seems to be the lightest of the lot too (comparing apples and apples), although it's hard to say without seeing them all next to each other (definitely lighter than the Ardberg and even Glen Elgin here). Palate flavours are subtle in the Caol Ila, but citrus notes come through clearly. Finishes a touch short with a sort of grassy earthy quality that I quite enjoy. Not a blockbuster whisky, yet I find it quite drinkable.

NB: Better mixed 1:1 with the Ardbeg Wee Beastie. Seems to balance out the extreme smoke of the Ardberg, drawing out lovely saline notes. — 5 years ago

Francisco Garcia

9.6

Love coming back to the quality crafted scotch products. Honey infused traces of flavor and remarkable presence that leaves you wondering if its there or not. Very good — 7 years ago

David Kline

9.9

What a powerhouse whiskey! Smoke and citrus hit you like a core sample that somehow burgeons into thick smoke with a saline and jalapeño essence unraveling it’s lemon, tangerine and orchard fruits wrapped in sweet tobaccos. There is a mild sweetness that tames the heat with vanilla, chili pepper, almond biscuit and brown sugar, but the core never wavers, and the smoke never clears. A true bonfire on the beach! #talisker #scotch #IsleofSkye — 8 years ago

with Courtney

Kyle Harvey

9.2

Blind I would have that it was a delicious older #CaliCab because of its overripe juicy red fruits and velvety tannins, but this Barbera from my favorite boutique Barbaresco producer was a stunner — 8 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.0

A less angular Hibiki 12, if that makes sense — 9 years ago

Parijat Talkad

8.9

Smooth, to the point that I enjoyed it — 9 years ago