Scotch

All Scotch reviews

89%

Average rating: 89 /100 (286 ratings)

Browse 286 reviews for all Scotch products with the newest ones at the top.

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The Glenlivet Archive 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

The Glenlivet Archive 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Quality
80%
Value
60%
Price
60%
Disappointing and overpriced.
"Rich, luxurious aroma of pine, raisins and sandalwood. Notes of brown sugar, walnuts and honey on the palate, that are well-complemented by notes of dried fruits, Christmas cake and baking spices. Finish is long and sweet, with a hint of chewy leather, ginger and oak". Quite a list of 'tastes' that are not apparent nor discernible. Fruit, Christmas Cake and spices, walnuts, brown sugar, pine, honey, raisins, sandalwood, ginger, oak and a 'hint' of chewy leather. Snobbish trash talk for all the hints I gather is chewy leather with the typical Scotch aroma predominant. I will say it is smooth and the finish does linger a bit and that's the best I can do.. I'm not new to Scotch Whiskey blended or single malt and I've been imbibing for over 60 years. Whiskey is NOT wine. Trying to give it all these superlatives like a well aged bottle of vintage wine is an exercise in futility. I had my first bottle of Glenlivet 12 year old, back in '75. The taste has never been the same since. Back then, Single Malts were not the 'in' thing to drink and describing all the 'hints' of flavors contained therein would have made whiskey drinkers laugh. Quality, to my mind and taste has gone down hill due to mass production and demand. I was expecting something very special with this 21 year old Scotch. It's not much different then an ordinary bottle of 12 year old. In short, if you are thinking of spending 25 thousand dollars for a bottle of 50 year old, I suggest you demand a wee dram prior to your purchase.
Talisker 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Talisker 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Quality
80%
Value
75%
Price
80%
A must have
As Bob suggests, the first reviewer either somehow got a bad bottle or is on something. Talisker 18 is a must for a serious Scotch Whisky collection, and it's a favorite of mine. It's more poetic than a list of tasting notes--though the edge of peaty smoke, the sea salt, fruity undertones, and Talisker's signature pepper (worn mild with enriching time) are all there.

But it's the essence of the first warm morning in spring when the storms of winter have stopped breaking over the rocky seashore. It's the rocks the waves can't break, the crisp air that remembers the gale that saturated the wind with rain and sea salt but now has made peace with the sunlight. It's the old friend stepping off a boat. It doesn't beg for your attention because it knows what it is. It waits for the wise and the intrepid to sit still and let it work its magic.
Talisker 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Talisker 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Quality
80%
Value
75%
Price
80%
A must have
As Bob suggests, the first reviewer either somehow got a bad bottle or is on something. Talisker 18 is a must for a serious Scotch Whisky collection, and it's a favorite of mine. It's more poetic than a list of tasting notes--though the edge of peaty smoke, the sea salt, fruity undertones, and Talisker's signature pepper (worn mild with enriching time) are all there.

But it's the essence of the first warm morning in spring when the storms of winter have stopped breaking over the rocky seashore. It's the rocks the waves can't break, the crisp air that remembers the gale that saturated the wind with rain and sea salt but now has made peace with the sunlight. It's the old friend stepping off a boat. It doesn't beg for your attention because it knows what it is. It waits for the wise and the intrepid to sit still and let it work its magic.
The Macallan Oscuro Single Malt Scotch Whisky

The Macallan Oscuro Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Quality
80%
Value
70%
Price
70%
Best Scotch I've had the pleasure of tasting
I've been lucky enough to taste well over 100 scotches premium end through the past decade, and while I should note that I do lean towards sherried whiskies and away from peat (generally a fan of a number of bottling from Glendronach, Glenfarclas, Glenrothes, and Macallan), The Macallan Oscuro tops my list.
I've tasted it head to head with some top competition, including The Macallan 25 (which comes in at ~$500 to $1,000 more) and the Glendronach 33 year (now discontinued), which also comes in at ~$500 to $1,000 more), and while those are superb drams, the Oscuro is smoother, richer and simply more flavorsome. I've never before tasted a whisky that combines the rich depth of flavor the Oscuro has with an unreal buttery smoothness.
I'll finish by saying that whenever I've had friends taste the Oscuro, they are equally impressed (every single one). If you get the chance and you have a few $$'s to splurge on one of the best whiskies money can buy -- buy this. You won't be disappointed.