John came by my house with some whiskies on this night. Here's what we tasted:
*Dalmore Port Wood Reserve 46.5% ABV (had this one at a tasting at Riverside Liquors in 2019) -smelled citrusy apricot, orange scone -tasted syrupy citrus w/pepper and oak -with water smelled bread pudding w/tinge of oak -tasted sugar cookie, cherry wood and quickly to oak
BenRiach Curiositas Peated 10yr 46% ABV -smelled caramel/molasses with lemon citrus -tasted tar smoke floral -w/water smelled bacon/leather -tasted leather and slight oak -trailed quickly
GlenDronach Port Wood 46% ABV -smelled slight sour port with wood -tasted port cherry and slight oak, dry without trailing -with water smelled wine and oak -tasted wine and peppery, trailed quickly! I liked the Dalmore with water. It opened the sweetness. Water opened the wine taste in the GlenDronach. Tried two ports. Not what I expected! Much, much smoother than I thought it would be. The smoothness did not carry over into the whisky.
I always enjoy John's generosity in sharing his collection. We try to share things the other has not tried. He seems to always have a few more than I do. He is an admitted peat head and introduces me to Irish expressions.
The Glenlivet Nadurra 60.7% ABV -smelled caramel, cherry oak -tasted cherry!, fruit and slightly charred oak -w/water smelled floral sweet, caramel cookie -tasted oaky, pepper w/slight fruit