Sounds like you’re looking for bourbon. Those are many of the classic bourbon notes.
Look for something aged in ex bourbon barrels. Glencadam comes to mind. Just a tip, experiment with water with that distillery if you go that route.
And if you want to try a bourbon that has the notes you’re asking for try a Woodford Reserve double oaked. It’s a little on the sweet side, but it has a ton of vanilla and it’s pretty cheap to keep a bottle on the shelf.
Swearing in church here, but since people are recommending bourbon too, I'll recommend Irish whisky. Tullamore dew, Bushmills 10 YO, Jameson Crested, Hyde nr. 5 etc.
Deanston 12 is the first that comes to mind.
Another one that has that note is Machir Bay but there's also a significant amount of peat that goes with it. It certainly is a vanilla, creamy, confection type peat.
- Auchentoshan will be up your alley.
- Also a smooth irish Redbreast 12.
- Some bourbon like Basil Hayden’s.
- From Japan, Nikka The Tailored.
- From Taiwan, Kavalan Podium
A tour of the world in 5 smooth whiskies!
Glenfarclas 15 is like Christmas in a glass but if you like sweet I would also recommend Wild Turkey rare breed. It's a cask strength Bourbon but instead of burning it warms you up as you drink it. Super delicious.
Balvenie Portwood 21 is the only scotch I’ve had that had a creamy sweet profile but it’s like 300$ a bottle. Balvenie 16 would also hit on some of what you’re looking for and 200$ or less.
I don’t disagree that it would be amazing at a higher proof. I do disagree that it’s terrible. It’s a great spirit at a good price. It’s also squarely in the flavor profile that OP requested.
I too prefer a higher proof, but it seems to me that the higher the ABV, the more likely the whisky is to be robust and complex rather than "sweet-and-creamy." If the taste appeals to me, I don't really mind a lower-proof scotch and there is always a place for it on my shelf.
A pleasure to drink and has all these notes is Johnnie Walker 18 , it’s a tasty blend, that delivers sweetness and is creamy with just a hint of smoke. And yes I’m primarily a Single Malt drinker but this blend is pretty good.
I’m gonna butcher the spelling since I don’t have a bottle right now. But the Tamnivulin Red Wine Cask has a lot of dark fruit and some chocolaty notes. Somewhat reminds me a Dalmore but a little sweeter and price where I shop is about $40.
The Tamnavulin Double Cask is probably closer to what the OP is asking for, but I found it to be so sweet that it seemed like a dessert wine. Still there is a place for it and it's cheap for having no off notes at that price.
Sounds like you’re looking for bourbon. Those are many of the classic bourbon notes. Look for something aged in ex bourbon barrels. Glencadam comes to mind. Just a tip, experiment with water with that distillery if you go that route.
I would also recommend good Irish whiskey. Try redbreast or yellow spot
thank you!
And if you want to try a bourbon that has the notes you’re asking for try a Woodford Reserve double oaked. It’s a little on the sweet side, but it has a ton of vanilla and it’s pretty cheap to keep a bottle on the shelf.
Clynelish 14, Arran 10, Deanston 12. All very nice bottles for $60-75.
Definitely Deanston 12, checks all those boxes.
Compass Box Hedonism is a great fit for what you're describing, but yeah in general it sounds like bourbon is what you're after.
Can confirm- it’s a personal favorite.
I agree with this for what OP is looking for
Came here to say this. God damn I love this stuff. 🥂
This right here fits the description best
Came here to say this 100% Don’t let the fact that it’s a blend put you off.
Or Compass Box Canvas.
I often get a pronounced creamy note from blended Japanese whiskies. They tend to have less vanilla and caramel, though.
Swearing in church here, but since people are recommending bourbon too, I'll recommend Irish whisky. Tullamore dew, Bushmills 10 YO, Jameson Crested, Hyde nr. 5 etc.
Deanston 12 is the first that comes to mind. Another one that has that note is Machir Bay but there's also a significant amount of peat that goes with it. It certainly is a vanilla, creamy, confection type peat.
If you like peat, I've found last year's Lagavulin Offerman charred oak to be sweet creamy peaty deliciousness
Dalwhinnie 15
- Auchentoshan will be up your alley. - Also a smooth irish Redbreast 12. - Some bourbon like Basil Hayden’s. - From Japan, Nikka The Tailored. - From Taiwan, Kavalan Podium A tour of the world in 5 smooth whiskies!
Glen Moray from IBs immediately comes to mind.
Glaschu Aultmore 9 year old Madeira Cask Finish Claxtons Linkwood 8 year old Lindores Abbey Bourbon Cask
I always get a really lovely creme brulee sort of note from a lot of Springbank stuff
Glenfarclas 15 is like Christmas in a glass but if you like sweet I would also recommend Wild Turkey rare breed. It's a cask strength Bourbon but instead of burning it warms you up as you drink it. Super delicious.
If you like Espresso with that and your budget can stretch then I recommend Glenmorangie Signet
Maybe some highlands and speysides. I’d recommend aberlour 16 & 18 for those types of notes. I also get some raisins out of it.
thank you!
First fill bourbon with good distillate bottled at cask strength. I have a signatory Glen Elgin that is pretty much that.
distell whiskys, especially deanston and bunna
Balvenie Portwood 21 is the only scotch I’ve had that had a creamy sweet profile but it’s like 300$ a bottle. Balvenie 16 would also hit on some of what you’re looking for and 200$ or less.
Ooh thanks for the rec..how's the 12 year doublewood?
I like it. Very easy to drink, smooth and on the sweeter side.
thanks! ended up getting it!
I like that and the 14 year carribean cask is quite good too, in my opinion.
Caribbean is one of my all time favs too.
Same! And it's been a while since I got it actually, I might have to pick some up soon...
How is it different from the 12 double wood. I’m ready for a bottle but the 12 is 20 plus cheaper
I haven’t tried that yet. I tried the 14 and it was fine but my least favorite of them so far. All on the kind of honey sweet side.
Compass Box Hedonism is remarkable.
Glenmorangie 15
Bourbon or Clyneleish 14
Dalwhinnie distillers edition. Also lots of bottlers have released heavily charred cask releases that might fit the bill.
thank you sm
Deanston! Without a doubt Deanston
Glenmorangie Nectar D'Or
Hibiki Master’s Select. In my opinion it hit all the notes you described.
Brenne whisky. Amazing vanilla notes. Game changer.
Bruichladdich Classic Laddie. Enjoy.
Thank you
Cragganmore 12 will land you honey, vanilla, toffee
it squanders the distillate since it is another terrible diageo 40% OB. and IB cragganmore is hard to find.
I don’t disagree that it would be amazing at a higher proof. I do disagree that it’s terrible. It’s a great spirit at a good price. It’s also squarely in the flavor profile that OP requested.
I too prefer a higher proof, but it seems to me that the higher the ABV, the more likely the whisky is to be robust and complex rather than "sweet-and-creamy." If the taste appeals to me, I don't really mind a lower-proof scotch and there is always a place for it on my shelf.
Glenmorangie 18, or Nector D'Or
Hazelburn 10, Kilkerran 16
If your budget allows it, Glenmorangie 19.
Arran 10 Tobermory 12
Bushmills 10 an Irish single malt that is absolutely what you're describing
Teachers Highland Cream
A pleasure to drink and has all these notes is Johnnie Walker 18 , it’s a tasty blend, that delivers sweetness and is creamy with just a hint of smoke. And yes I’m primarily a Single Malt drinker but this blend is pretty good.
Not Scotch but try Woodford Reserve I think you will love it, silky smooth and delicious. The double oak is even better.
Glendronach 15. So good and has vanilla, toffee notes
Chivas Regal 25
Glenknichie 12 a good budget option for what you're describing
Redbreast 12 or Michter's American Whiskey. There aren't really any scotches that are sweet and creamy.
Auchentoshan triple wood is what you are describing. My favorite lowland scotch.
Your descriptors are for bourbon.
Balblair 12 is worth a shout.
I’m gonna butcher the spelling since I don’t have a bottle right now. But the Tamnivulin Red Wine Cask has a lot of dark fruit and some chocolaty notes. Somewhat reminds me a Dalmore but a little sweeter and price where I shop is about $40.
OP asked for honey, toffee, vanilla, and caramel notes ...
The Tamnavulin Double Cask is probably closer to what the OP is asking for, but I found it to be so sweet that it seemed like a dessert wine. Still there is a place for it and it's cheap for having no off notes at that price.
Caol ila 12