Today was the Scottish Games, and while i did not get to drink much i decided it was time to discuss the good blends that exist. There are your average Buchanan's 12, Johnnie Walker Black Label, Chivas Regal, and J&B. The ones that I know are good or have had are the Johhnie Walker Green Label 15 Year Pure Malt, Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18 year Centenary, Johnnie Walker Platinum Label (think of it as an amazing combination of the gold and green), Johnnie Walker Blue Label at a pub i cannot afford 200 dollars for a bottle of scotch and for that price i could get glenmorangie quinta ruban, and the nector offering.

Now for my impressions of the ones that i have had.

Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18 Year

Cost: $65.00-$78.00

Nose: Sweet smoke, almost like burned honey, vanilla, a hint of peat so little it add's a much needed kick to this dram, cinnamon it is like nosing everything perfect in life.

Palate: Sweet smoke, honey, vanilla, some peat, cinnamon straight forward yet elegant.

Finish: Smoke, honey, vanilla, cinnamon with some dark fruits.

Score: A

A good dram, worth the 70 dollars at costco and if i may say so good is it as good as my downright favorite glenmorangie i would say yes, but you could get glenlivet nadura for this price and be even happier. This is being phased out i recommend you try to get a bottle asap.

Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Year Pure Malt (boy is that a mouthful to say)

Cost: $45.00-$58.00

Nose: Some brine, vanilla, dash of spice, salted fruit (think oban 14), some peat, cinnamon.

Palate: Salt, vanilla, dash of pepper, fruit, peat, cinnamon

Finish: Pepper, fruit, peat, cinnamon

Score: A+

Excellent, i am sure there is more to this but i hit all of the notes I noticed. Better than the gold label and about 20 bucks less. Sadly this is being phased out as well so if you get the chance at your local bevmo pick up a bottle.

Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18 Year

Cost: $110.00-$120.00

Nose: Smoke, honey, vanilla, pepper, fruit, cinnamon

Palate: Smoke, honey, vanilla, pepper, dark fruits, cinnamon

Finish: Cinnamon, vanilla, pepper

Overall good, i prefer the green label offering but this is like the best of both worlds but i love the brine salty feel of the green label. This bottle gets an B+ because for the price i can get 2 green labels. It has a lot of character i just dislike the price i am thankful i tried this over the weekend at the Scottish games.

Islay Whisky

This is an effort for me to start a whisk(e)y review site after posting on connosr for a few months. So lets get down to brass tacks, I decided after some contemplation to make my first post about Islay some will ask what is Islay and the easiest answer would be a bonfire in a glass made with dry seaweed, peat, and some sticks. Still a more technical wording would be an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation. One of the most common components is Sphagnum moss, although many other plants can contribute. Soils that contain mostly peat are known as a histosol. Peat forms in wetland conditions, where flooding obstructs flows of oxygen from the atmosphere, slowing rates of decomposition and therefore it is used as fuel as burned creating the smoke flavour you either love or hate in single malt scotch.

A few classic examples of Islay would be
Ardbeg 10- A peat cannonball with some nice citrus tones to it and maritime air, since i own this one it makes it easier to describe.
Lagavulin 16- This is the epitome of Islay, everything Islay should be is found in this bottle now it is 90 dollars in my area but i plan to pick on up in a few weeks.
Laprhoaig- No other word says Islay as well, a hate or love whisky with a lot of smoke and iodine the best example i had a glass and trying a margarita all i tasted was smoked limes.
Bowmore 12- A "budget" Islay and even then it is up there in price, I do not own this bottle sadly but it is supposed to be a more restrained offering from the Islay.


On a medical student's budget I scrounged up my money and went to a local liquor store, called Old Doc's and i asked what Islay they recommended, from there is was either Ardbeg, Bowmore, or Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban ( not an Islay but Glenmorangie is my favorite single malt of all time). I went home with a bottle of Ardbeg and excitement.

Now for my review of Ardbeg:
On the eye: Light gold
Nose: Smoke, seaweed, some citrus, a touch of toffee, maritime air.
Palate: A rush of smoke so much that it overpowers you but tough it out this is a gem, followed up by a hint of chocolate, some seaweed, citrus notes like a slice of orange, toffee, and a touch of maritime air.
Finish: I cannot emphasize smoke enough, with orange, seaweed, maritime air, and a hint of chocolate.

Impression: I find this to be fantastic, a nice change of pace from my Highland's and my few blends that i enjoy. All in all it gets a B+, I am already a fan of this single malt scotch and i plan to get to know it better with a teaspoon of water.