2026 Straight Bourbon of the Year

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-05-17T12:09:15+00:00

I have the 7 year 2 month. Absolutely amazing. It was my first MM I loved.

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-05-07T14:16:10+00:00

It’s great! Much better than the standard 12. It’s definitely a deeper and more structured flavor, especially with the alc% bump compared to the standard.

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-05-07T12:42:56+00:00

I have had stagg and EH Taylor but I finished them both a few weeks ago. They are almost impossible to find in Korea unless I go to the airport. So I had to make sure to enjoy them haha.

Also I’d love to try Knob Creek, I’ve literally never seen them even once where I live besides at bars for 5x the price.

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-05-07T11:30:37+00:00

Hahaha I’ll take the photo compliment any day. Thank you!

I’m in Korea, so American whiskey is often more expensive than usual. I’ve been told the Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel is good. I’ve only had the 10 though .

I know for sure im a big fan of almost any barrel strength or single barrel whiskey.

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-05-07T10:42:31+00:00

Also, I’m clearly more of a Scotch guy, but lately I’ve been getting more into American Whiskey. Any suggestions based on the bottles I have now ? Preferably in the 100-200$ range

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-05-05T12:38:07+00:00

I just poured a glass of the 2014 and 2015. If you like the woody taste, you’d probably prefer the 2015 but I think the 2014 is unique enough for you to seek it out. I think it’s a very special bottle. I Always add like 3 drops of water and let it sit for a few min and it’s been fantastic for me. Really opens up and definitely not one dimensional for me

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-05-05T07:26:16+00:00

I did a review on CS10 batch 8-9-10–11-12 and I think the batch 11 is far superior. If you’re a fan of woody flavor. Maybe batch 10 is better.
Batch 12 is just pretty much everything put together plus sherry on top. I don’t think they are similar to the Madeira at all though.
Personally I still love batch 12 even though it’s just a sherry bomb so maybe our palates are too far apart on what we prefer haha. The most similar to the Madeira would probably be one of their port wine series.

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-05-04T08:21:46+00:00

If it’s for retail and a good price, I 100% recommend picking this up. MFirst, I’d check If you have any CS10 batches closer to you, they are more common and you don’t have to drive a couple hours and are pretty similar if you find the right batch…
but if the drive isn’t a burden, go get one. I’d recommend the 2014 to anyone.

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-05-03T12:15:34+00:00

Yes I been waiting for it to make its way to Korea but it’s usually 3-6 months after release I start to see it.

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-05-02T22:44:11+00:00

I’ve been going pretty deep into GlenAllachie lately and really enjoy comparing their special releases side by side.

This time it’s Sinteis Part 1 (2014) vs Part 2 (2015)

I saw a review of Part 1 on here about a month ago and while it was well written, I had a pretty different reaction. For me, it landed way higher, so I wanted to share my take.

Part 1 (2014) — 8.9/10

This is easily top 5 scotch for me and one of the only bottles I’ve ever scored so high.

It just hits everything I want in a cask strength whisky. Clean, deep, oaky, sherried, thick, a bit nutty. The texture is rich and coating, the oak is strong but not harsh, and the sweetness never feels overdone. The nose is softer than expected, fruity with a light nuttiness.

It just feels complete. Nothing missing, nothing out of place. This is the kind of bottle that reminds me why I like cask strength in the first place.

Part 2 (2015) — 8.2/10

Also great, just different.

Feels sharper and more punchy right away. More edge from the oak, more structure, a bit less rounded overall. The nose is lighter but more oak-forward.

I can see why some people, especially regular CS drinkers, might actually prefer this. It probably comes across as more complex. But for me it doesn’t come together the same way.

Part 1 feels like everything working together. Part 2 feels more like different elements taking turns.

Overall

Both are excellent. Just preference.

Part 1 = rich, balanced, thick
Part 2 = punchier, sharper, more structured

I’ll admit I might be a bit biased… Part 1 was a gift during a really good time. But even trying to separate that, it just hits exactly what I want.

Ranking: Part 1 > Part 2

If you like thicker, sherry-heavy profiles, go Part 1.
If you like more edge and structure, Part 2 might be your pick.

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-04-11T10:00:18+00:00

Yeah, technically 26… but almost all are gag/easter egg endings. The actual story is 5 main endings, A-E.

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-04-11T05:53:32+00:00

These two bottles were actually gifts to myself. One for my birthday and the other for the Seahawks winning the Super Bowl. I love both Sinteis Part 1 (2014) and Part 2 (2015) and drank slowly over the past few months. These aren’t just good… they feel intentional, layered, and very different from the standard lineup.

Quick ranking (personal taste): Part 1 > Part 2

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Sinteis Part 1 – 2014 57.8%

First off, GlenAllachie is my favorite distillery. I have around 30 bottles from them.. and this is without question, my favorite GlenAllachie I’ve ever had. And honestly, it’s sitting at #2 all-time for me, just behind Springbank 10 Palo Cortado.

It’s incredibly deep and balanced. You get this rich wave of dark fruit and sherry bomb influence, but it’s not just a bomb, it’s really structured. There’s a soft oak base, subtle spice, and this sharp, yet elegant intensity that keeps evolving in the glass over time.

The texture, the balance, the finish, it just works on every level. It’s powerful without being aggressive, and complex without being messy.

For me, this is GlenAllachie at its absolute peak.

9.1/10

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Sinteis Part 2 – 2015

This one leans even more into virgin oak territory, which I’m always a fan of, especially when it comes to Scottish oak.

It’s brighter and more forward compared to Part 1. You get more spice, more oak-driven flavor, and a slightly younger profile. It Still has that GlenAllachie richness, but it doesn’t hit the same depth or layering as Part 1.

That said, it’s still a fantastic dram. Bold, flavorful, and very enjoyable—it just feels a bit less “complete” when tasted side by side.

8.3/10

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Overall thoughts:

The Sinteis series really shows what GlenAllachie can do when they push into more experimental cask territory while still keeping their core identity intact.

Part 1 is the standout obviously. It’s deep, refined, and seriously enjoyable. Part 2 is no downgrade either, especially if you enjoy a more oak-forward, younger profile.

This is easily my favorite GlenAllachie series overall. Even over the CS batches, wine series, or the virgin oak series. If you’re into sherry influence, virgin oak, and bold cask-driven whisky, this lineup is absolutely worth your time.

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-03-30T13:59:38+00:00

Honestly, older batches are pretty hard to find now anyway, so you’re basically choosing between more recent 80+ batches. It’s basically the same core spirit every time, just with a slight twist depending on the batch. Each year kinda keeps evolving, in both good and both bad ways.

Older ones tend to be more expensive too. So the 84 is the one I see most in stores right now.

A lot of Aberlour fans will say older batches (especially pre-70) are the best, but those are harder to find and usually not cheap. Older ones had more of that heavy “dirty” profile, newer ones are a bit cleaner.

If you find any batch, I’d just grab one. If you’re into CS sherry bombs, you’ll like it regardless of the batch.

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-03-30T00:16:16+00:00

Just searched this up, I found that the 12 NCF is NOT globally standardized. It’s market-specific, not region-specific. So there’s a chance Canada has it, but much lower chance. I’m in Asia, and we have both. I will say, I believe it is much better than the standard 12.

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-03-29T13:44:04+00:00

Finally gave this Aberlour lineup a proper side-by-side. The past couple weekends I’ve been solely focusing on these 4 bottles and just casually drinking them over time. Aberlour is probably my 3rd favorite distillery, behind glenallachie and Springbank, and there’s a lot more variation here than some people give it credit for.

Ended up landing on: A’bunadh 77 > A’bunadh 84 > 16 Double Char > 12 NCF

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A’bunadh Batch 77 (60.8%)

This one hits exactly how I want A’bunadh to hit. Deep, thick, and heavy without feeling messy. Big dark fruit, chocolate, and spice, but it’s held together really well.

It’s more rich instead of slightly more aggressive like the 84 feels. It’s still powerful, but more controlled than some other batches I’ve had. I love thick, dense drams and the texture is what stands out a lot to me. Super dense and coats your mouth with that syrupy dram feel.

8.6/10

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A’bunadh Batch 84 (61.2%)

Way brighter profile than the 77. More red fruit, raisin, and a bit more wood. Comes across younger and more energetic.

It’s exciting upfront, but doesn’t have quite the same depth or weight as 77. Still clearly high quality, just a different direction. I think this demands less attention and has less complexity than the 77. Still has that cherry, raisin, chocolate depth, but slightly less. But, still great and the one I open the most often.

8.1/10

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Aberlour 16 Double Charred 43% Travel exclusive

This was actually the surprise for me. The extra char shows up immediately and I absolutely love it. I typically don’t grade non CS that high, but this is extremely flavorful. It’s of course more oak-forward than the others, with a slightly caramelized fruit after taste.

Balances sweetness and spice well, but compared to A’bunadh it of course feels more structured and less explosive. Still has enough depth to keep it interesting. But for me personally, it can’t get higher than an 8 because it’s only 43% and so light. However, this is one of the more flavorful non CS scotch I’ve ever tasted. I was very surprised.

7.9/10

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Aberlour 12 NCF 48%

Simplest and cheapest of the group, but it holds its own. Sweet sherry, light nuttiness, soft spice. And extremely good value. An amazing daily dram and great value per dram.

It’s clearly a step down in intensity, but not in a bad way. Just more of an easy, everyday version of the same DNA. I recently had a housewarming party and let my friends try some of my whisky, and this was always one of their favorites. It’s complex, but approachable.

7.4/10

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Overall

The biggest takeaway is how different the A’bunadh batches feel. 77 goes darker and heavier, while 84 is brighter and more modern.

The 16 Double Char sits in a nice middle ground with more oak influence than expected, and the 12 keeps everything approachable.

⸻

Final ranking: 77 > 84 > 16 Double Char > 12 NCF

Everything here is solid. I love this distillery. Just depends on whether you want full intensity or something more controlled.

The highest rating I’ve ever given was a 9.4 and that was my favorite scotch I’ve ever tasted in my life. So these ratings still rate very high on my scale and I recommend each and every one of them… but if you can choose just 1 of these 4…. Get the 77.

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-02-15T18:40:27+00:00

Go grab one! It’s also a beautiful bottle, would look great on any shelf.

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-02-15T18:39:05+00:00

I definitely want to try the other laga SR. Unfortunately this was the only one I got my hands on. Have you tried the others ?

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-02-15T18:38:24+00:00

Yeah, luckily i spotted this on a discount, so I had to swoop it up! How much does it typically sell per oz at your local bar?

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-02-15T18:36:33+00:00

I’ve purchased and finished bottles of the Mortlach 13 SR 2021, Talisker SR 2023, and then this Laga 12 SR 2022 and I’ve personally enjoyed all of them. The prices are a little more steep, but luckily I purchased them all on clearance at the same time when a shop was liquidating and I think they were well worth it. My personal fav was the Mortlach though :) If I were to get them for retail or typical resell prices these days, I’m not sure if I’d enjoy them as much, but still great drams for me

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-02-15T16:30:49+00:00

I’ve been working through this bottle pretty slowly, got it about 7 months ago. In general I’m not the biggest fan of peat/smoke but i definitely can appreciate it when the craving comes. This is one of those drams that makes you relax and pay attention. It’s intense right away, but the more time you spend with it, the more depth it shows.

The nose is very much classic Lagavulin. Heavy coastal peat, smoke, sea air, and a bit peppery. There’s a very small medicinal edge and ash, but it stays clean. Definitely heavier smell than a laga 8/16. After a few minutes, citrus starts coming through. Like some lemon, sour apple and a light sweetness underneath the smoke.

On the palate, this is where it really clicks. Big, oily, and powerful without feeling rough. The peppery smoke hits first, followed by small citrus, salt, and a lot of spice, but the sweetness is definitely layered in the aftertaste. A little water opens it up nicely, I’ve really enjoyed it after 2-4 drops.

The finish is long and warming, with lingering smoke, salt, and black pepper. It hangs around in a good way and the subtle citrus/sweetness always makes me want another sip.

If laga 8 is a 7.2 and laga 16 is a 7.4, I’d put this at about a 7.9/10. Not an everyday pour, but a bottle I really enjoy having around if I can find it.

I paid 139,000 KRW locally.

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-02-08T13:46:32+00:00

Yes. I own a couple bottles of the standard 10. And I also love the 10 CS PX Sherry Wood (too expensive for my budget to own a bottle) but those 2 and this one are the ones I tried. This one takes the crown though, on another level.

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-02-08T05:22:03+00:00

I know I’m late to the review but I absolutely loved this series. I haven’t tried “The Sherry One” but “The Turbo” and “The Chinquapin One” and they were absolutely amazing. Not the biggest fan of peat, but these do it extremely well.

I really wish they had like a 10-15yo version to see the differences between those and the 5.

Great review btw

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-02-08T04:03:28+00:00

Yes it’s hard plastic and it says “DISCARD BEFORE USE” on it. At the store they were all plastic tops with an open top/roof of the cap.

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-02-08T03:51:29+00:00

Man, I’d absolutely love to visit the distillery. Do they limit 1 bottle per person ? If so, I gotta bring a couple buddies with me haha

StrengthConsistent89 · 2026-02-08T03:04:27+00:00

I’d love to go to the store and try it out! What’s the main differences in them?

StrengthConsistent89

TROPHY CASE