As The Spirit Moves Me

  Nose: Oily smoke, raisin, leather, old oranges, Virginia pipe tobacco, soy sauce, lemon peel Palate: Oily. Wood smoke, figs, creosote, bitter orange, dark chocolate, hazelnuts Finish: Dark fruit, smoke. Rich and amazing. Lingering and long. Sweet and acidic and then dry and a little tannic. Final thoughts: This is fantastic. Rich and smoky and Oily and delicious. Enough fruit and nut and chocolate to balance it all.  Would I buy this: I would, if someone said I could have a bottle right now for $250 I'd snap it up. Would I order this in a bar: Yes, big yes. Would I drink this if someone gave me a glass: Definitely. Verdict: Two thumbs up!

Nose: Malt, pine tar, vanilla, spiced apples, dry wood smoke, lemon pith. Weirdly reminds me of lemon filled jelly donuts. Palate: Lemon meringue pie, bright clean wood smoke, parker house rolls, vanilla, coconut, custard. Finish: Vanilla, black pepper, smoke, lemon, slate. Final thoughts: Very nice. Balanced, delicious, bright and sprightly. Not much of an after dinner dram, honestly. It's bright and exciting. Would I buy this: I would, as long as it wasn't too dear. Would I order this in a bar: It would be a fantastic aperitif! Would I drink this if someone gave me a glass: Definitely. Verdict: Thumbs up!

  The last of the 'Lost reviews' where I can't find the picture from the day I noted down the review. Nose: Green apple, raw malt, brown sugar, buttered biscuit, honey, cream, lavender, a hint of grassy smoke like a far off prairie fire.  Palate: Flamed orange peel, buttered toast with honey, burnt almonds.  Finish: Pepper, cardamom, oak, bitter orange, burnt flowers.  Final Thoughts: I still feel HP12 is the perfect starter single malt Scotch for anyone to try. There's enough going on it's not boring, but not so much it's overwhelming. There's peat, but not smack you in the face peat. There's a little of everything, and while it's not a stand out, it's nice and solid. Would I buy this: I would! I like HP. If you can't tell by my hat. Would I order this in a bar: It's a solid go-to if the bar doesn't have anything I would prefer. Would I drink this if someone gave me a glass: Why not? Cheers! Verdict: Thumbs up.

  Another where I can't locate the photo I recall taking. But my notes say this is the Gin and Tonic I made with it. Nose: Coriander, lemon and orange, pink peppercorn, and a little juniper.  Palate: Coriander, orange, juniper, cardamom, cumin, black pepper, curry leaf.   Finish: Light and short. Orange, a little juniper, black pepper.  Final Thoughts: The spiciness is really great in this. It's not as juniper forward as some, but there's plenty there. It seems exotic with the spices and the botanical mix overall. It's fun neat, and superb in this cocktail. Next time though I won't use mint as my garnish.  Would I buy this: I would! I like this gin. Would I order this in a bar: Definitely Would I drink this if someone gave me a glass: Oh again, definitely. Verdict: Thumbs up!

  One of the lost reviews, I have the notes, but this is the only pic I can locate from my stash. Nose: Warm peat, oak smoke, red currant, toasted oatmeal, fresh milled malt Taste: Dry red wine, sweet malt, BBQ strawberries, hot smoke, a touch of salt, and some mineral earthiness. There's a lot going on.  Finish: Shorter than I expected. Smoked salt, earthy umami, a bit of sweet vinegar, black pepper.   Final Thoughts: I cannot believe I got this for 55 US dollars back when K&L shipped out of California. How freaking delicious. No idea what red wine they held in those finishing barrels, but it pairs well with the smoke and malt. Would I buy this: Yes. So very yes. Would I order this in a bar: Also very yes. Would I drink this if someone gave me a glass: Yes, please! Verdict: Yes. By which I mean Thumbs Up.

  Nose: Brown sugar, papaya, passion fruit, yellow cake, a hint of latex Palate: Brown sugar, honeycomb, toffee, a touch of wax.  Finish: Sweet, then bitter. Honey, then earthy almost creosote, that floats back to bitter earth.  Final Thoughts: While not bad, it's sure not great. Like so many rums from Plantation the real joy has been buried under their Cognac cask finishing.  Would I buy this: I no longer purchase anything from Plantation, and will not do so until they change some of their practices (see  https://www.rumrevelations.com/post/joint-barbados-gi-statement-from-mount-gay-foursquare-st-nicholas-abbey Would I order this in a bar: Again, for the reasons given above, I would not. Would I drink this if someone gave me a glass:  I would. While there are far better Jamaica rums available, there's nothing wrong with this. It just could have been better. Verdict: Thumbs down, because of how drinking it makes me feel now. I purchased this prior to knowing how crap Maison-Fer