Quinta Ruban has been around for a while, originally sold as a 12-year-old, now upped to 14-year-old and a slightly higher proof. The recipe has remained the same, age the base scotch for a long time, then finish it in port wine casks for 2 more years. This is a lower-level scotch, to be sure, but don’t let that sway you. For the price, this is a fine and very enjoyable dram.
Nose: Dark fruits abound, with oak keeping them in check. Toasted nuts, perhaps pecan. As I try to get the grape jam scent out of the way, I can find a dark cocoa in the back, but it is very faint.
Palate: Very much like the nose. Grape jam is definitely there, highlighting the sugary port casks. The actual malt in this bottle seems to have been given that very last seat on the plane, the one that boards seconds before take off. It’s there, but not really. Port is really the star, along with some vanilla from the oak and this light dark chocolate cloud lingers around. I personally find raspberry and chocolate to be very similar in taste, so perhaps it’s just me.
Finish: Moderate finish, and an enjoyable one. It is sweet, no doubt, but I dare say not overwhelming. The oak peaks out more at the end, but it is more of the oak you get from a wine rather than a scotch. As with the whole process, the port is the star.
Final note: This bottle isn’t going to blow any scotch drinkers socks off. But for a new Scotch drinker, or someone looking for an everyday bottle, this is a great fit. This is a finished whiskey that is very good and very well priced. It is not your everyday bottle, but absolutely worth having on the shelf.
Overall: 7.4/10
100 Perfect. Buy the whole distillery!
90 Hall of Fame bottle
80 Exceptional
70 Very Good
60 Solid Pour
50 Ok, not my favorite
40 Maybe a mixer
<30 DO NOT BUY