another day, a second bottle?

Within my bildungs roman, an evening with my buddy jake st. john, the two of us found ourselves having made the decision to go to Bacchus, one of milwaukee's Bartolotta's restaurants, for a single drink to ease into the evening while waiting for a third friend.  Sitting down at the wooden bar, to the left was a man who closely resembled Woody Allen (blegh) flanked by two obviously expensive bimbos who were enjoying drinks - probably on Woody's tab.  Jake, ordering a Hendrick's Gin and tonic, was quick to decide being in his current state of ordering the floral, mashed cucumber, spirit.  I, trying to fall into stride with single malts, decided on the macallan 12 year aged in Sherry Casks.  Served neat, in a cognac glass (not traditional, but close enough), as I placed the glass to my lower lip, I was immediately intoxicated and overwhelmed by the nose of the scotch.  I was figuratively taken aback.  Potent, intense, etc, I had a LITTLE worry about whether my palate could manage the taste...an adolescent mental mistake.  When I took my first sip, I was amazed at its smoothness.  The complexity of the flavor was to be truly appreciated.  It was, indeed, a pleasant experience.

On my second household bottle of scotch, I decided to choose the same as that night (rather the selection of the grocery store forced my hand...not unwillingly).  It's color is richer and considerably darker than the balvenie, semblance to a raw honey.  The nose, as before, considerably sharper, but being taken from a tumbler, is much milder in comparison to my first encounter.  The taste, not as honey-like (a deterrence), but not offensive by any means.  It scrapes my tongue, therefore is noticeably less smooth in comparison to The B, but does have a smokier essence.  I guess I can somewhat make out the sherry slash spice that's mentioned on their simply descriptive website, more tasting are in order.  My conclusion stands as such:  at this point, the Macallan was a good purchase, but at the same price range, I would rather pick up the Balvenie doublewood 12 (or if my wallet is ambitious, further aged), BUT I feel that my palate will form and meld around further servings of the scotch and I look forward to my increased appreciation of its reputation.