The palate is full and flavorful, reminding me of cough syrup, not specifically in the taste, but rather in how it is thick and overwhelming. I knew ahead of time of the chocolate malt barley, but stil, it reminds me a bit of a coffee liqueurand an irish whiskey. Perhaps not my bag, but a noble attempt at something new, and a noble attempt to sell it for their asking price.
Very rich with oranges, burnt food, and other dark notes. The mid-palate is a rather unusual and difficult to describe mix of wood and fruit flavors. The finish, however, is very delicious, chocolaty, and brings you back for more. I'm kinda on the fence with this one, the finish is really it's saving grace. I think this whisky has it's place as a dessert, but not as something you'd drink too often.
Very interesting.....I really like this as something I would try to have with cigars. Very dark chocolate bitterness with some overly charred wood flavors but all in a good way. Almost a coca-cola kind of spiceyness.
The nose is sweet and honeyed with some banana. It reminds me of Canadian Whisky or even Cognac more than malt. The flavor is sweet; the first sip reminds me again of a super-rich Canadian or maybe an American malt like Stranahan's. Then there is grain, and yes, some chocolate or mocha type flavors. There is a thick, rich mouthfeel that gives this whisky a certain weight. Then, at the end of the palate and continuing with the finish, there is malt, the pure, sweet malt that is the trademark of Glenmorangie.
N: An initial surprise with some stronger-than-expected alcohol notes. A sweetness on the nose with some cherry notes; sherry, plums, dried fruit, a light leather note and some fig. There's a malty presence that is a bit like a stout, owing no doubt to the use of chocolate malt. There's a slight espresso-meets-chocolate note. A touch of leather and old study. After a bit there's a more direct barley note.
P: Warm and rich on the palate, with a very slight bitter oak to it, sherry notes present, surprising heat again. Thick in the mouth, dried fruit. Slight bread, slight sweet notes of malt. Dark chocolate, a bit of espresso.
F: Drying with dark dried fruit. Wood pretty apparent but not bitter. A bit of malt sweetness peeking out at the end.
This is a big, full, easygoing whiskey. This would be one that I'd consider a worthy replacement for Macallan 18 - except it's $50 more, so what's the point? Enjoyable but not challenging, tasty but not particularly nuanced. I'd be curious to see what happens if there was a bit more chocolate malt in the mix. It's good but needs something to punch it up.
Lots of cedar wood, spice and grapes on the nose with a winey sweetness that holds it all together. There are sherry notes here but it's a bit stale. Its not the distinct fruity sweetness I have become spoiled with in good first fill casks. More like this is on the third or fourth fill. I did get distinctive grape apple juice sweetness with bitter coffee and spice. It does run a tad hot "alcoholy" on the palate and finishes with a waxy astringency. B/B-
n: dark malt and green apple peel. Bit of coriander, leather, and milk chocolate covered espresso beans.
t: Cloves + cinnamon + marshmallow in a baked green apple. Lacquered oak wood and leather chair with latte/espresso coming in strong. In the middle more chocolate with some dried red fruits. In the finish, dark vanilla cream and milk chocolate with coffee bean. This is an interesting espresso flavoured single malt. [B/B+]
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