Scotch Whisky

Scores are on a 1-10. These scores are relative to each other, not to spirits in other catagories.

Note about Aaron’s tastes – I like intense flavors, lots of complexity. I strongly favor the typical profiles of Islay and Campbeltown whisky.

Whisky	Type	ABV	Score	Notes
Ardbeg 10 Year	Islay - Single Malt	46%	8	Light nose. PEAT!! Brine, alcohol. Slightly sweet. Rich in taste yet light bodied. Very smooth. Oddly simple and straight-forward, but not quite as much of a one-note punch in the face as Laphriog 10.
Ardbeg An Oa	Islay - Single Malt	46%	8	Very young, but tasty. Sweet and tart green apple notes both on the nose and the tongue. Slightly medicinal. Overall quite fruity and bright. Smokey, but less so than the 10 year. Very easy to drink. A little rough finish.
Ardbeg Corryvreckan	Islay - Single Malt	57%	8	Much like the Uigeadail, but darker. The caramel notes taste slightly burnt, but in a pleasant way. Even more viscous mouthfeel. Almost a bit too much.
Ardbeg Uigeadail	Islay - Single Malt	54%	9	Musty caramel and smoke on the nose. Peppery bite on the tongue, sweet caramel/butterscotch. Peat smoke is strong, but rounded. Rich and velvety. Smooth, clean finish.
Auchentoshan 12 year	Lowland - Single Malt	40%	5	Rough heat on the nose; atypical of Scotch. Sweet, smooth, and clean on the tongue. Strong notes of charred oak. The slightest burn at the back of the throat. Very good.
Bowmore 12 Year	Islay - Single Malt	40%	5	Very smokey, but otherwise somewhat bland. Very muted sweet and malt notes. Not much complexity. Smooth finish. It’s the most unremarkable Islay I’ve tasted. Makes a good hot toddy.
Glenlivet 12 Year	Speyside - Single Malt	40%	5	Slightly spicy, reminiscent of rye whiskey. Piney nose. Very nice, fairly basic. Very little smoke. A drop of water dilutes the interesting parts and makes it sweeter.
Glen Morangie 10 year	Highland - Single Malt	43%	4	Sweet, light body. Strong caramel and vanilla on the nose. Slightly hot/alcoholic on the tongue. Water really dilutes the flavor.
Glen Scotia Double Cask	Campbelltown - Single Malt	46%	8	Strong sherry, vanilla, burnt sugar on the nose. Burnt caramel, faint vanilla and green apple. Medium body, brandy-like richness. Briny, very complex. Slight alcohol bite on the back of the palate. Fun to drink. Really excellent sipping whisky. I need this in my life.
Glen Scotia 10 year Peated	Campbelltown - Single Malt	46%	10	Smoke, herbs, and alcohol on the nose – almost a bit medicinal. Mild sweetness, lots of rich smoke (but not overpowering and pungent like an Islay). Creamy mouth feel. Clean, smooth finish – evaporates from the tongue, leaving lingering smoke, and a tingle of iodine, but not in a harsh way.
Glen Scotia 15 year	Campbelltown - Single Malt	46%	9	Very similar to the Double Cask, but a bit more refined. A bit less burn on the back end, but stronger burnt sugar/wood notes. Love this stuff, and for only a little more than the NAS double cask.
Lagavulin 16 Year	Islay - Single Malt	43%	10	Smokey, strong peat, iodine, mild brine notes. Slightly sweat and musty, tastes of leather. Strong but well balanced. Smooth finish, slighly syrupy. To me, this is the sweet spot - this is the whisky I want to drink most of the time, especially in fall and winter.
Lagavulin 12 Year	Islay - Single Malt	56%	8	Smokey, strong peat, iodine, brine notes. Brighter and with more bite than the 16 year. Slightly sweat and slightly musty. A lot going on. Slightly rough finish on account of the cask strength. Slightly rough finish. Benefits from a few drops of water.
Monkey Shoulder Batch 27	Blended Malt Whisky	43%	6	Sweet, malty, vanilla, orange spice, both on the nose and the palate. Somewhat syrupy viscosity. Easy drinking. By far the best blend on the market, especially for the price. Much sweeter than most Scotch whiskies, more akin to a bourbon in sweetness. A little rough finish; it isn’t a particularly mature whisky.
Talisker 10 Year	Island - Single Malt	46%	9	Strong smell and taste of BBQ smoke. Slight burnt dried apricot, caramel, and orange zest. Brine and peat on the aftertaste. Incredibly strong but also balanced. Really fantastic and unique. A drop of water really opens it up.