Category: Speyside

Glenfiddich 18 (40% ABV)

Color: Light amber

Nose: Certainly apples. Caramel apples, spiced applesauce, apples, apples, apples.

Mouthfeel: Thin.

Palate: Slightly salty and sweet. Apple and pear tart with a buttery crust. Shortbread.

Finish: Short. Creamy. Vanilla, creme brûlée, pears. Really quite sweet and grainy. As someone who doesn’t have a big sweet tooth, it’s a bit overpowering.

Overall: Too sweet for me. I could see it being quite fitting for a summer afternoon on the porch, though.

77/100

Balvenie Triple Cask 12 (40% ABV)

Color: Gold

Nose: Sweet, bright, and fruity. Candied apples and pears. Lemon. Honey.

Mouthfeel: Light

Palate: More fruity sweet. Honey. Spiced applesauce. Lemon peel.

Finish: Vanilla oak. Fresh-cut grass. More apple.

Overall: Primary flavor is clearly apple; sort of a one-idea dram. However, it’s quite nice and light, and certainly befitting the summer. I would certainly consider buying this again as an alternative to bourbon in the hotter months. Any other time of the year, and it’s thinness would come across as unsubstantial.

84/100

Benriach 17 Burgundy Finish (46% ABV)

Nose: Fruity, creamy, and rich. Honey, red berries, creme brûlée, toffee, coffee cake. Excellently balanced. I’m drinking this in.

Mouthfeel: Medium.

Palate: Wet and fruity. Clear evidence of the burgundy finish here. Dark grapes, blueberries, blackberries. Pie crust.

Finish: Medium. Woody and bitter. Lightly herbal. Mint.

Overall: Seriously delicious. A full dessert in a drink.

89/100