Single Malt
Aged 18 Years
40% ABV (80 proof)
~$70 (sample provided)
*I think this is blended, but the label doesn't say
Color: light straw/brown - virtually identical to the 15 year.
Smell: still mild, but this is packing more heft than the younger versions in the Dewar's range. Sweet herb-tinged honey, marzipan (almond influence), some lemon citrus frosting, and a slight winey note like Sauternes. Really nice.
Taste: creamy and smooth mouthfeel. Faint sweetness upfront before the much more almond-driven midpalate transition. There's a bit of lemon citrus, oak tannin, and more marzipan on the medium finish, along with a slightly bitter fortified white wine note.Overall: good, not great. Specifically, I think the sip doesn't quite live up to the sniff. If you get a chance to taste it vertically with its younger brothers, it could be interesting to see how the noses evolve with extra age. That said, I recommend the 15 year over this 18 year version for the total whisky experience, as it's a smoother sipper. "B" for me.
