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Люксовый купажированный виски в старом стиле Islay: солёно-морской профиль с лёгким торфом, дымом и ванильно-медовой сливочностью. Опытные хвалят баланс и сложность аромата; почти все сходятся, что за такую цену он не стоит.
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В аромате доминируют морские, солёные ноты и деликатный дым при сдержанном торфе — водоросли, морской бриз, солёная корка, к которым добавляются табак, кожа, зола, потухший костёр, а также сладкая зерновистость: ваниль, карамель, тоффи, мёд и жёлтые, косточковые фрукты (абрикос, персик, слива-мирабель), у части ревьюеров — какао, кофе и лёгкие хересные ягодные ноты. Вкус сливочный, маслянистый и обволакивающий, мягкая сладость сочетается с солёностью, перцем, пряностью и нарастающим дымом; послевкусие от среднего до длинного, тёплое, дубово-пряное, с кожей, мёдом и уходящим дымом. Хвалят бесшовную интеграцию, зрелость (компоненты явно немолодые, ощущается влияние 20-летнего Caol Ila) и удачную реконструкцию старого стиля Johnnie Walker Blue.
Опытные ревьюеры оценивают выше всего именно аромат, называя его платоновским идеалом делюкс-купажа с большой сложностью и гармонией, тогда как вкус, по частому мнению, за носом не поспевает и местами кажется «сконструированным». Разброс оценок умеренный: основная масса держится в диапазоне 88–91, но встречаются и скептики — от упрёков в простоте и разбавленности вкуса до прямого «посредственно» (79) и «слабейший в серии» (82). Сквозная и почти единодушная критика, независимо от опыта автора, касается не самого напитка, а его цены: около 300 евро считают явно завышенной, называя справедливой оценкой 150 евро и ниже.
Good mouthfeel, very raw smoky and tobacco notes - actually not bad
| Нос |
89 |
Cold cigar smoke, ashes, soot, dry hay, cigar tobacco, little citric, hint of vanilla, yellow fruits, medicinal, seabreeze, herbal, austere notes, hint of honey - really not bad! |
| Вкус |
90 |
Very oily and creamy, little punchy, citric, tobacco, smoke, some peat, herbal, subtle sweetness, hint of honey, pepper, dry hay, little lemon and yellow fruits - pretty good! |
| Финиш |
89 |
Medium long, warm, spicy, honey, hint of leather, little peat and smoke, pepper, zesty |
coastal, herbal and citric with a bit of tobacco, quite balanced and drinkable
Unfortunately nice. One might be tempted to pay €200 to €250, but €300 and above is too steep in my opinion.
| Нос |
92 |
The Platonic ideal of a deluxe blend: nothing is jarring, nothing stands out, everything is seamlessly integrated into a perfectly balanced, harmonious whole. A lovely sweetness from the grain (but without dominant glue or coconut notes) and a delicate smoke form the foundation upon which more intricate secondary aromas unfold: floral, fruity, and creamy aspects, alternating and fluctuating, resulting in great complexity. Chamomile, eucalyptus, camphor, caramel, vanilla, apricot, apple, banana puree, dark cocoa, and coffee. A truly amazing nose; I could spend ages savoring it. |
| Вкус |
90 |
Perfectly balanced strength. There's no burning, no stinging, just a wonderfully creamy-sweet wave of bliss gliding down the tongue and throat, washing decadent, indulgent flavors through the mouth: honey, vanilla cream, fruit salad with a slightly exotic touch, topped with whipped cream. |
| Финиш |
91 |
Very long, the smokiness helps with that. But also extremely elegant and composed. There's absolutely nothing youthful about it. No pepper, no spice, nothing harsh or even like a fruit brandy. I'd be surprised if any components were under 20. Creamy-sweet meets ashy-dry, but in a great balance, and the aftertaste is simply lovely: completely harmonious, nutty, slightly leathery, well-aged, mellow, with maritime hints. Love it. |
86-90 – Wow, really good one, need a bottle
| Нос |
84 |
Slightly delicate, alcohol not noticeable. He wants to be conquered. peach vanilla. Smoke would be an exaggeration, but maritime. |
| Вкус |
87 |
Very creamy in the mouth. Round and soft. I could keep it in my mouth for hours. Light maritime wood note. |
| Финиш |
87 |
Wood notes come through (not too intense), earthy, with some vanilla. Medium length without being overpowering. |
A great blend, completely my aromatic preference. Maritime, slightly peaty, and somehow ripe.
нос 88 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
нос 85 · вкус 84 · финиш 83
Nice salinity. Some seaweed, foam, kelp, but discreet. Nice sea breeze, it's fishy, on grilled trout, with almonds. Salt crusts, as on some beaches. Thick, moist peat, present but not invasive. Then we smell the grain, grilled corn, puffed rice. Nice soft breadth. On the palate, it's softer at first, between vanilla and oyster juice, some tingling spices, nice long and marine finish, still some salt but it's more fruity, more milky. It is sandy and a little grainy, always balanced. They worked well on the influence of the Caol Ila distillery, to build a kind of salt castle, both subtle and very balanced. https://ilikesky2020.blogspot.com/2023/06/compass-box-ultramarine-extinct-blends.html
нос 90 · вкус 88 · финиш 89
Caol Ila looks like Unpeated. A pleasant fruity blend, which can only be calculated by the aftertaste! Relatively simple and discreet, but deep. Not worth such a huge amount of money, if you specifically talk about the content. You can take Campbeltown Loch for 50 euros 5 times and get no less pleasure, and is there even a decent malt from here: https://www.whiskybase.com/en-below-50-euro-whisky 22 23 21 21
Beautiful deluxe blend with a nose you could smell all day. Smooth 90
| Нос |
91 |
|
| Вкус |
90 |
(89,5) |
| Финиш |
89 |
(89,5) |
Around 300 euros is a steep price for a blend without an age statement. But it definitely has quality, balance and character. The nose in particular is really good if you like the old Islay profile (although you have to do without the tropical fruits here). I wouldn't pay 300 euros, but you don't often find that many whiskeys of this kind anymore.
| Нос |
91 |
First salty maritime aromas and very subtle smoke in the background. In between, slightly fruity sherry notes of berries. The nose does not show any tropical fruits, but reminds me of older Islay whiskey without today's smoke dominance. Mirabelle plums and this balanced harmony throughout. Very strong blend. |
| Вкус |
90 |
89.5 Strong - nice sweetness and a rich Islay saltiness. The sweetness is sherry-heavy, but clean and not plump. Very warm and soft, nice tingling and slightly smoky aromas. Leather, slightly woody notes and a bit more fruity with water. Almost 90 points, because here it seems a bit designed. But it's always tasty and good. |
| Финиш |
89 |
The mouthfeel is filling and beautifully intense, no off notes and still distinctive. The finish is only medium long. |
| Нос |
90 |
It begins with a fruity and refreshing taste, featuring honeydew, sweet yellow pomelo, apricot and crunchy persimmon. This is followed by a subtle smokiness and a soft, delicate pith. Additional flavours include hints of cigarette paper, hay, sweetened coconut flakes and oxidised Asian pear, which add complexity and richness to the overall picture. |
| Вкус |
89 |
Upon first taste, it features prominent notes of honeydew, apricots and crunchy persimmons. As the taste develops in the mouth, sweet citrus emerges, it's most likely sweet tangerines with a zesty quality. After chewing for at least ten seconds, a subtle smokiness becomes apparent. Additionally, a hint of banana candies can be detected. |
| Финиш |
88 |
Fresh oranges, which are complemented by yoghurt with apricots. As the finish develops, a jam-like texture appears, accompanied by leaves, sweet and bitter woody notes reminiscent of green tea with honey and sweet hay. |
... the weakest of the series.
нос 85 · вкус 80 · финиш 81
нос 89 · вкус 87 · финиш 87
Very tasty blend with a high-class nose that combines maritime notes, sherry fruit and maturity. If Johnny Blue used to be at that level hats off! Unfortunately very expensive.
| Нос |
91 |
A nose to linger on: tobacco, leather, gentle maritime smoke, very "clean". Then cocoa with berry fruit. Enormously complex and promising. |
| Вкус |
89 |
Creamy, sweet herbal beginning, then some peat, salt and lots of delicious oak. You notice the maturity, some sherry cask influence and sweet sugar notes from the grain. Can't quite keep up with the nose like so often with blends. |
| Финиш |
89 |
Medium long, the notes from the beginning remain. |
Incredibly complex, very very good.
нос 92 · вкус 91 · финиш 91
нос 88 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
I was able to try it again after three years. Compared to the other three Extinct Blends, it's the best. Therefore, I'm now giving it a higher rating than before. The flavor profile remains similar to the first description.
нос 91 · вкус 90 · финиш 90
нос 89 · вкус 88 · финиш 89
Sweet, citric.. Ashy and lots of mint. Coastal, salty and wiht caramel
The whole wine does not have the feeling of grain. The flavors of both bourbon barrels and sherry barrels are expressed, but the flavor of sherry barrels is very weak. The peat makes the fruit seem to lose some of its juices and become less cheerful.
| Нос |
89 |
The peaty feeling comes from the pavement, which is very conspicuous but not fierce, and will not cover the fruity feeling. Apricots, plums, herbs, flowers, some spices, a dash of grapefruit and blood orange. |
| Вкус |
88 |
It is not exciting at the beginning of the mouth, and the alcohol is gradually revealed. It mixes with the smoky and salty taste of peat, bringing a spicy barbecue feeling. What was roasted was a variety of plump and juicy fruit: honey-coated apricots, grapefruit, red berries. |
| Финиш |
88 |
Rock and earth from peat, smoke from dying barbecue fires, woody aroma long and dry. |
нос 90 · вкус 89 · финиш 89
91? Nah... This is good. Very nice. But outrageous score. Very delicate! The old grain is very noticeable. Nice vanilla, smooth, honey notes. Develops great with the maritime peat of the 20 yo caol ila. Nice stone bright fruits with the vanilla sweetness. Would never pay 300 pounds for this. But good indeed. (Not 91 good :)
A little perfume and fresh islay flavor, a little salty, meringue, vanilla and a variety of characters dotted with flavor and finish, overall perfection is high, but not dramtic
Tasted at the house of whisky, Paris, 04/24.
Very balanced and drinkable - meant to be a recreation of old style JW Blue and in my opinion they succeeded. Would buy a bottle if I could.
| Нос |
89 |
Creamy, smoky, honey sweetness, blueberry jam, waxy, barnyard notes similar to Ardmore |
| Вкус |
87 |
Creamy and coating, almost silky, more smoke and peat, a little pepper, more waxy notes |
| Финиш |
87 |
Pepper stays, fruit too, much more spice than the nose would suggest |
Very, very good whiskey with a lot to discover. Takes time in the glass and changes by the minute. It's always worth stopping by here. I'm glad I had a sample of it, but it's just too expensive for a large bottle. And that is also the reason why I have to deduct points from him.
нос 86 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
нос 88 · вкус 90 · финиш 89
нос 88 · вкус 89 · финиш 88
нос 87 · вкус 89 · финиш 87
| Нос |
89 |
Dried fruit, Chocolate, Sherry, Nutmeg, Vanilla, Caramel, Toffee, Cream, Nutty, Citrus, Pear, Peat, Red apple |
| Вкус |
88 |
Peat, Apple, Nutmeg, Dried fruit, Nutmeg, Toffee, Cream, Pear, Peach, Floral, Citrus |
| Финиш |
87 |
Chocolate, Tannin, Toffee, Nutmeg, Floral, Citrus, Apple, Pear |
| Нос |
88 |
Slightly smoky. Salty and maritime with vanilla, toffee, and biscuits. A little water reduces the resistance. |
| Вкус |
91 |
The smoke is well integrated. Slightly salty with plenty of anise. Raisins. |
| Финиш |
89 |
Slowly fading and mouthwatering with a hint of raisins and a touch of smoke. |
Smoky Sweet Vanilla Crispy peat salty smell Soft finish with dusty notes
нос 85 · вкус 85 · финиш 86
нос 89 · вкус 90 · финиш 90
нос 86 · вкус 90 · финиш 88
нос 89 · вкус 91 · финиш 90
Good mix of smoke, vanilla, caramel, creamy. Full bodied. Overall pleasant whisky, but definitely not worth the price tag. Fair value would be +- €150, not >€300
| Нос |
87 |
Smokey, vanilla, slight peat. With time more oak. |
| Вкус |
86 |
Creamy, caramel, more smoke and peat. Overall well balanced and pleasant. Oily mouth feel. |
| Финиш |
85 |
Long finish, peat and vanilla stay while smoke fades |
Mediocre at best, certainly does not warrant the bloated price tag.
| Нос |
80 |
Restrained, nothing special. Ripe orchard fruits, pear, vanilla, caramel. Whiff of peat smoke that reminds of caol ila, wouldn't be surprised if it was in this blend. |
| Вкус |
82 |
Quite drinkable with without an ethanol burn, but not a lot of flavor or viscosity. Nothing jumps out or evolves much. Same non-distinct orchard fruits, sweet and sour, and light peat smoke. The palate just seems washed out. |
| Финиш |
75 |
Relatively short. Fruit, light smoke, some vanilla re-appears. |
It's too lacking to be called delicious However, it is too ambiguous to say that the peat is very good or that the taste itself is very good. If you think it's under $200 it might be a very good whiskey, but considering the exorbitant price tag I think it's pretty poor.