Trader Joe's Speyside 18

Trader Joe's Speyside Single Malt 18

COLOR

A light honey mahogony, amber, bright green tea, late autumn or harvest gold.

NOSE

Somewhat complex with vanilla, sweet and fruity, floral, wet wood, apples, grass, toffee.

FLAVOR

Not too complex. Sweet, creamy, grape skins, grass and vanilla.

FINISH

The finish is pretty short and flat: toffee, grass, lemon, vanilla followed by salt.

COMMENTS

Pleasant and not terribly flawed. It's a simple dram without the complexity it should have. Preferred drams within price range are Balvenie 12 Doublewood, Laphroaig 10, Talisker 10, and Lagavulin 16.