The Famous Grouse Scotch Winter Reserve

 This blended Scotch was “mostly aged in American Oak and first-fill bourbon casks.” The impact of bourbon oak is well evident here, with toasty wood, fresh cut lumber, and some bacon fat notes clear on the nose. Aromatically it’s fairly indistinct — this could be any number of whiskies based on the way it smells.

On the tongue, there’s more going on, the whisky settling into a more familiar blended Scotch routine. Smoky burnt caramel notes mix with a cereal-driven malt body, though the granary notes here feel a little raw and underdeveloped. The finish is particularly short, with a dry, pretzel-like character that leaves you hanging a bit.

Hints of cinnamon, cloves, and gingerbread notes, all spice, cloves, crystallized ginger and nuttiness, followed by a smooth chocolate finish.