GEORGE DICKEL Barrel Select 43%

Nose:
Trademark Dickel flavours with toasted oak and lush tobacco sweetness. Here lifted to another level thanks to some marvellously fresh oranges.



Palate:
Exceptionally good mouthfeel. Traces of toast and cocoa mix effortlessly with smooth rye of world class quality.





Finish:
Sharp oranges leap out from the dark closely followed by cocoa and spicy menthol-fresh oak. All flavours get entangled into each other in harmonious fashion.


Comment:
Clearly, a lot of care and thought has gone into this whisky. Perhaps not so conquering in nature as the classic No. 12, but for sheer sophistication and hedonism you can´t beat it. Similar in some ways to the 10yo Barrel Reserve that made the rounds during the 90´s but this is much better.

Rating: 8,5/10

GEORGE DICKEL No. 12 45%

Nose:
Trademark Dickel toastiness. Tobacco sweetness and a whisper of fruit. Complexity somewhat subdued by heavy vanilla.




Palate:
Toasted oak mixed with candied apples and cinnamon. Lots of vanilla.




Finish:
Hits you at the back of the throat. Heavy corn at first which gives way to toasty liquorice and smoky oak.


Comment:
Perhaps a bit more lazy than of yore, due to that heavy vanilla. This is, however, still a treat. Not to mention a unique tasting experience. Considering the trouble that has plagued this distillery, we should be thankful that it is still around.

Rating: 8/10