The Girvan Patent Still Proof Strength Whisky 70cl

At first this definitely has a rubbing alcohol quality on the nose and in the taste, but if you pour a glass and let it open you will be pleasantly surprised. Once the alcohol diminishes you get a very smooth and creamy flavor. Nice surprise, if you're willing to wait for it.

I am certainly not an expert drinker, but I actually found it to be very palatable. I kind of agree that a whole bottle might be hard to put down. I'll just have to try more to find out.

I loved this little dram from the 2015 Advent Calendar. The alcohol sure hit hard but the flavor was superb. It was not complex, but one wouldn't expect a young grain whisky to be. But the sweetness reminded me of a light dessert wine. As such, I would serve that as a digestiv...maybe with a touch of water added to cut the alcohol and let more of the flavor come forward. I wouldn't necessarily spend the money on a bottle - but might consider it. (I did buy a bottle of No. 4 Apps.). For value, I'd give it 3 stars but for flavor and experience I definitely loved it.

Gin like, slightly medicinal. Not a particularly well executed offering.

Hoooey, that there is proof strength! Once you get past the alcohol, it has a medicinal nose that reminded me of gin (the palate did as well). It was definitely an interesting experience, but not one I would do for a whole bottle. Great citrus notes, some nice sweet to it, this really hinted at a good future, but now it is an extreme experience.

I admit, I'm a little jealous of the folks that got the Girvan 20 year 1993 edition instead for their advent calendar, but this was a fun bottle to drink. Definitely learned a lot, as it tapered off leaving me a nice, sweet, spicy finish.

Final Note: I am doing the 2015 advent calendar. As a result, I get one drink at it to decide if I like it enough to buy more. Sometimes I need to drink something three or four times to make up my mind. Thus, my rating is based on a one-time drink experience.