Review 173: H5 Iced Single Grain Scotch Whisky

This is a different one... Single grain scotch whiskies like this are much like single malts, but made with one or more types of cooked grains, with maybe a bit of malted barley thrown in for some enzymatic action. Grain whiskies like this are generally made in continuous column stills as well, instead of the pots stills commonly associated with malt whisky. Anyway, people tend to think of Scottish grain whisky as fodder for blended scotch, but it can actually be quite good (and usually sweeter than malt whisky, if that's your thing). I think this H5 single grain is designed to appeal to vodka drinkers, because it is rather young (3 years, which is the bare minimum to be legally called scotch) and light in flavor. So this may not be the most representive option of a quality single grain (though this 1962 North British is a good one), but it's a start!

H5 Iced Single Grain Scotch Whisky

Color: Amber -3

ABV: 40%

Aroma Neat:
Sweet Cooked Corn (a little creamed too), Cooked Grains, Thin Honey (very light), Rich/Creamy Vanilla Bean, Roasted Marshmallows, Golden Syrup, Golden Raisins.

Lots of vanilla-laden American up front, with a lot of grainy sweetness too. Quite simple and sweet, but inoffensive.

Aroma Water:
Creamed Corn, Vanilla, Lightly Honeyed Oak, Starchy Potatoes (slightly), Apples/Apple Juice, Vanilla, Caramel, Golden Raisins.

Taste Neat:
Estery Newmake (apples, pears), Puffed Corn, Cooked Grains, Malt Grist, Charred Mashmallows, Vanilla, Acetone (slightly), Golden Syrup.

Certainly quite young and not from the most active casks. Sweet and with the elements of fruitiness. Pretty much what I expected, but I worry that it's still too flavorful for vodka drinker and too immature and simple for whisky drinkers.

Taste Water:
Light Oak, Thin Vanilla, Caramel/Golden Syrup, Mashmallows, Malt Grist/Cooked Grains, Coppery Apricots/Apples, Nutmeg.

Not terrible. There are the starts of nice fruity and spicy elements, but just not very developed.

Finish:
Cracker Jacks (caramel, cooked/puffed corn), Golden Syrup, Roasted Marshmallows.

Short, grainy, and sweet. No surpises here.

Conculsion:
Sweet, simple nose.

Sweet and grainy palate that gets a bit more interesting with a small splash of water.

Short finish that doesn't offend, but also doesn't inspire.

Rating: 55/100

Not my favorite whisky. It's a little too sweet for my tastes, but that may be exactly what someone else desires. Maybe keep on-hand for a sweet Rob Roy!

Josh