Another mystery review! This time from u/kelthfire. I always enjoy these so let’s jump right in:
Review
Age: NAS
Abv: 80 proof (40% ABV)
Color: A pale gold
Neat
Nose: Sweet and fruity with pear and vanilla
Taste: Rich and sweet. The notes are very similar to the nose with more pear and vanilla and the addition of some sherry. A little thin on the mouth feel.
Finish: Short and sweet with mostly sherry
On a rock
Nose: Still sweet and fruity though muted with the ice.
Taste: The ice opens this up a bit and helps with the mouth feel. Pears and green apples come to the forefront with the ice
Finish: The ice pretty thoroughly quenches the finish.
Conclusion
Pre-reveal
Overall this tasted like a middling Speyside scotch, alternatively a scotch style Japanese whiskey. Definitely on lower end of the proof spectrum I’d guess 80-86 proof. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a Glen-something or other aged 12ish years.
6 - a solid whiskey I’d happily order at bar
Post-reveal
Ayyy I was pretty close. Monkey’s Shoulder batch 27 is a blend of 3 Speyside Single malts, Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie, 80 proof and no age statement but what can you do? The rating lines up with how I use Monkey Shoulder at home, as a cocktail scotch for variations on a whiskey sour.
Scale
My reviews are mostly about taste but occasionally take price into consideration generally dropping a point from whiskies in the 8-9 range that seem significantly more expensive than similar quality bottles.
10 - a unicorn, I haven’t found it yet
9 - a favorite that I almost always have a bottle of on my shelf
8 - an excellent bottle I’d be happy to buy
7 - a solid whiskey I’d happily order at bar if they don’t have something 8+
6 - a decent whiskey that I don’t prefer but don’t avoid and would be fine having as a mixer or in a pinch somewhere with a poor selection
5 - I would drink it if offered and I didn’t have to pay for it
4 - Maybe a mixer though I wouldn’t want to pay for it
3 and below - no thanks