An unusual comparison

So on a trip out (it has been a bit since but that's life, thanks COVID-19), we went to our favorite spot, The Mayhaw at St. Roch Market in Miami. It's in the design district which is a little bit of a haul for us yet totally worth it. Anyway, we decided to do a tasting well, because that's what I do and I have to say they never disappoint with their selections! All credit goes to Maxwell, the bar manager. He is as passionate about his cocktails as he is his spirits and takes great care when selecting a product. He is also very selective about his price points, making sure that he can give the best selections at reasonable prices. We decided to start with the Glenfiddich 21 year I spied behind the bar. It is one of my favorite brands and always a good start, in my opinion. We usually just kind of walk around the bar and make selections based on what we see but Max had a surprise, a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 23yr. With all the hype on social media and hearsay around this bottle, I was super excited to try it. We decided to compare it to the Glenfiddich 21 since they were close in age. For me, it was a revelation and a disappointment all wrapped in one. A 21yr old scotch and a 23yr old bourbon truly are miles apart but, I digress. We sampled each individually and my notes on them are at the bottom. You may want to skip down, read those then come back. If not, carry on then. After individual tastings and spending some quality time mulling over each, I start doing a mental comparison and decide to try the Glenfiddich again directly after sampling the Pappy (same drams because I am very small with my sips to ensure I don't end up drunk). I did not cleanse my palate in between because I am curious about what impact one has on the other and it was impressive. Going from the Pappy to the Glenfiddich and back to the Pappy was from rich to bland, sweet to toast. The Pappy could not hold it's notes! The Glenfiddich stripped it of all flavor and simply overpowered it on my palate. I was shocked and a bit dismayed. Now as if this were not complex enough trying to work this out, Max throws me for a curve by introducing the 1792 Full Proof into the fray. Damn and damn again. I have never been a fan of the 1792 but this little bottle has my heart. It came in quiet and sweet and seductively pushed all others aside. Going back to the Glenfiddich after the 1792 was experiential because it pulled the earl grey tea flavor that all Glenfiddich's have forward and shoved everything else away. It was like my palate refused to give in to the Glenfiddich and only accept those notes. The Pappy though gave me nothing going to it after the 1792 but going back to the 1792 from the Pappy was pure joy. It pulled forward this sensation of mushrooms in a forest. At this point, I have given away my Glenfiddich and am just focused on the two bourbons. I cleanse my palate and start again. I begin with Pappy which comes across spicy, almost overpoweringly and the 1792 is all subtle sweetness. Think cranky old man versus a young, quiet poet. It was really surprising to me and great fun to see what others thought (yes, I shared both with everyone to gain opinions). The Pappy came across bland, gruff and almost caustic while the 1792 was warm, soft, welcoming and just wanted to snuggle. If you gave me these and I had to choose it would be the 1792 and that really surprises me. Pappy Van Winkle 23yr did not live up to the hype or the price in my opinion. Glenfiddich 21yr - Wooded moss on the nose with a sweet tingle on the lips. It is enticing as it warms and nuzzles the lips. It was like tasting agave syrup on my lips and the tip of my tongue then rolls into orange marmalade ( think Americanized marmalade which tends to be sweeter) in the back of the throat. To quote my daughter, "easy spice and melts off the tongue like butter". It is what I expect from a Glenfiddich. Pappy Van Winkle 23 yr - smells of wet wood and clover. Tastes like maple on the breeze. The color is deep, deeper than amber and a very luxurious feeling on the tongue with spice and tingle that runs all the way down to your toes. It is probably the heaviest warm hug I have ever gotten from a bourbon. 1792 Full Proof - wooded marshmallow on the nose followed by circus peanuts (the candy not an actual peanut). The color is golden and bright. The taste was superb and oddly palate-cleansing with a taste of citrus and a brightness that I did not expect with the most soothing belly hug I have ever had. It was not a painful or acidic feel just warmth. #glenfiddich #pappyvanwinkle #1792fullproof #scotch #scotchwhiskey #bourbon