Three Blind Mice?

OK they're not mice they're drams, three blind samples I received from @WhiskyPilgrim as part of a recent sample swap.
Now, knowing Adam's love of bourbon, I'd suggest from the colours that 1 and 3 may be from the other side of the pond, but 2 looks decidedly Islay...
Let see if we can work them out!

First up Sample #1

Appearance: dark gold, gravity defying swirls turn into beads but no signs of any legs.

Nose: Vanilla, toffee, a little honey - definitely a bourbon! Nose suggest a high ABV -  there's a certain meatiness to it. Also hints of spice - maybe a rye?

Palate: Thick syrupy arrival, loads of spice and sweetness, lips tingling after the first sip so again maybe pointing to a high ABV? Vanilla and toffee fight it out with the honey on the taste buds but there's also little skirmishes of honey, liquorice, tea leaves and oak. Yummy!

Finish: Spicy cinnamon leaves a little burn in the throat as it goes down, slight drying.

Thoughts: OK I'm not sure about this one, I think it has some rye in it - lovely spicy notes but it is a 51% mash bill rye or a bourbon with a lot of rye in it? ABV must be at least 46% maybe even into the 50s%? A lovely dram nonetheless.

Next Sample #2

Appearance: Pale gold, almost transparent. Swirls lead to slow thin legs.

Nose: Smoke! As I thought this is an Islay dram, opposite ends of the spectrum to Sample #1. Smokey bacon crisps dominate with some fruit and pepper notes.

Palate: Oily, smooth sweet honey comes first, a little citrus then a blanket of smoke. The smoke isn't as intense as the nose suggests - quite gentle really. There's a lot of tropical fruit and milk chocolate notes, a little bite of spice as it goes down the throat.

Finish: Surprisingly sweet, spicy and drying with that lovely cuddle of smoke.

Thoughts: The nose shouts Islay to you, but it's a lot more refined on the palate and finish - I want to say Ardbeg but am not totally convinced.... This has a gentleness to it that would point me to Bunnahabhain or Bowmore?

Finally Sample #3

Appearance: Dark gold, swirls again turn to beads and little in the way of legs.

Nose: Dunnage warehouse, second hand bookshop, strawberry jam, brown sugar and bbq bananas! A sherry monster!

Palate: Thick creamy strawberry jam, huge kick of ginger spice and an instant dryness in the mouth - all the moisture has been sucked away! There's the sherry notes but also a load of oak - some honey, plums, prunes and bitter dark chocolate.

Finish: Sweet honey but with a cardamom spicy bite and a drying of the throat.

Thoughts: I'm thinking this is a GlenDronach, highish ABV, maybe even a cask strength?



So Adam got back to me after the tasting and revealed:

Sample #1 :

Sample #2 :

Sample #3 :