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The Purple Toad Winery, located in that internationally acclaimed center of enological excellence, Paducah Kentucky, has produced this marvel of gustatory delights, the Black & Bruised Concord and Blackberry Wine.

Its primary appeals include the label. Also, the label is very nice.

It has delicate scents of candy factory and the county fair. Flavor highlights include a strong, almost overpowering, taste of Welch’s Grape Juice, with hints of fox, and lingering nuances of “holy cow, pour me something else, quick!” It has a mouth feel of cotton candy.

Did I mention it has a very nice label. Such a cute frog! (Yes, I know it’s called toad, but this is clearly a frog.)

The rear label has a helpful sweetness scale, which is evidently ranked from “spoon of sugar” (0) to “entire freakin’ sugar cane stalk” (6), and scored a 4, because, sure, why not.

It also has the helpful statement “The name Purple Toad Winery originated from the color of your toes when grapes were pressed the old fashioned way.” This may account for the subtle flavor of toes in the finish.

Would not recommend.

Nothing unusual here. But there was only a splash of Glenfiddich left and they didn’t have another bottle in the store room so I got it free. Score!!

Oh my word it smells and tastes like a morning on the ocean

Cherry, orange and oak in the nose. Maybe some apple? Lots of pepper in the first sip. Caramel and a bit of bitterness in the finish. Best so far in the 2024 advent calendar (masters of malt).

The one in the blue bottle. I forget what it’s called. And I always forget how amazing it is.

Caramel and chocolate and campfire and so so so much butter. Always amazing.

Bowmore 12 at club privé at Bellagio Las Vegas. Always solid and reliable. Just enough smoke, with caramel and butter and berries underneath.

The Dalmore 15 year old, sherry cask

Nose: fresh cut firewood. Strawberry. Just a hint of smoke.

Wood in the taste. Somehow chewy. Lovely long smoky finish with a lot of sherry and wine.

Ledaig 21 year old

Oloroso cask finish

47.9% alc/vol

Lots of peat. Cherry. Tobacco. Pineapple. Very sour finish. Not sure how to describe the finish – like ashes but sour. Weird. Can’t say I like it but it was an interesting experience.

Honey, vanilla and smoke – as I suppose one would expect from rum aged Islay.

I’ve been wanting to try this for a while and I’m at Whiskey Kitchen in Raleigh, North Carolina and they have it here. I can’t get it at home and it really wasn’t very expensive.

The smoke is edging up on too much, but the underlying flavors are just delightful. I’m really glad I got a chance to try this.