Another rich and cereal led expression as I’ve come to expect from TOAD’s Rye expressions. This is up there with the best of them (possibly Batch 1). The cask combination delivers ginger beer and jammy black fruits and of course that superb colour. I’m still not convinced about the pricing of this expression though there are certainly no complaints about what is inside the bottle. 85/100
Intense, some slightly vaporous and very spicy and tannic nature. Lacks a little structure and body for me and I needed a little water to tame the spice and tannins to make this enjoyable, personally I’m hoping this breathes a little in the bottle and calms down before I return to it. 83/100
Another solid Rye expression from TOAD, perhaps more of the Rye spice to the fore here – this didn’t feel as cask-complex as previous expressions and more raw spirit nature shines because of it. 84/100
Quite a refined and polished expression, quite tight or closed in places. A good malty caramel sweetness infused with fruits but encased in French oak, needs a little water to loosen it up. 84/100
Quite light & vanillic a nice mixture of sweet and spiced from the grains without being overly oily/buttery. I’m relishing what this will be like with a little more time in the cask. 82/100
A much sweeter expression than the previous batches, highlights the more herbal, floral and spiced nature of the Rye grains used. A touch minty in places but really the Rye spice is highlighted in the finish.
Quite fresh and minty, there is a definite red and black fruit nature contributed by the Port casks, this diminishes slightly the cereal nature I discovered in Batch 1 but reveals much more sweet fruit and butterscotch.
Another expression packed full with fruit, nut and spice, these are starting to feel much more integrated though there is still a touch of a youthful spiced and vaporous nature towards the end. 85/100
Delicious, not as spicy as anticipated, this is delivered with a lovely sweetness and plenty of cereal nature and is well textured on the palate. 85/100
Very drinkable new make spirit when presented at 45% ABV.
The Whiskyphiles 