Tastes

4.0 Stars - Fantastic, multiple 750 ml bottles Happy trails to you, until we meet again. This review is for the old recipe. Alas, we will never meet again. This was one of my “Go To” whiskies for many years. Affordable, perfect ABV, and a flavor profile that was a nice contrast with classic bourbons. Very botanical, almost a cross between rye bread and gin. The new recipe is ok. There is more continuity in the flavor profile than I expected. But it is younger, thinner, with a few rough edges. Probably 2.5 stars, which puts it in the ‘very nice’ category for me but not a repeat purchase. It has been surprisingly hard to find a replacement with a similar profile. The closest I found is New Riff BIB Rye. Willet 4 Year Rye shares some similar traits, but is next level excellent (and impossible to find).

3.5 stars - Very Good; two 750 ml Review for my second bottle, different barrel. Second verse, same as the first. This is a fantastic, hidden gem. No need for a paternity test. Heaven Hill is the daddy.

3.5 stars - Very good; 750 ml bottle Tonight, the part of Willy Loman is played by High West Bourye in “Death of a Shelf Turd.” A shelf turd is a quality whiskey that sits on a shelf for years gathering dust because of its high price. Ironically, because of its low turnover, it encourages people to pass it by assuming it will always be there. Until it is not. The protagonist of “Death of a Salesman” is a mediocre imposter who seeks unearned acclaim. It explores themes of capitalism, contradiction, regret, and an over-romanticized past. You know, basically the modern whiskey industry. This is a delicious whiskey, a blend of well aged, albeit sourced stocks. Original and interesting. However, this was the definition of shelf turd, sitting on each liquor store shelf with a batch code from three years ago. Until now. In the last several months, there is not a single shelf turd to be found. They have all been bought, er, collected. (Fade to black and the curtain falls)

3.5 stars - Very good; 750 ml bottle I would recommend Talisker Gentle Rain. This whisky is not what I expected. I thought this would be Talisker 10 yr with more maritime character. More brine? More oak? Yes, please! I thought it might become what I remember Old Old Pulteney used to be before it became Pulteney The Lesser. Yet I would recommend this one. Just know what you are getting. This is a fantastic NAS whisky that introduces you to Talisker at a great price point. This whisky is better on the rocks. It is soft and well rounded, so the ice does not hide the flaws but ironically unlocks the flavors. Again, unexpected. This is why I wait to write a review until I have finished a bottle. How is it neat? With a splash of water, or one cube, or on the rocks? How does it suit me in a variety of moods and situations? Does it take time and air well? If you have a sample, this one is unlikely to impress. Instead spend your time, get to know it. Find the unexpected.

3.5 stars - Very Good; many bottles, many years ago. Sometimes it is best to leave a memory as a memory. One of my favorite memories as a child is going on a hike in Colorado with my dad to Hanging Lake. We saw it marked on an old map thought it sounded fun. Just the two of us navigated to this out of way place, parked off to the side of a gravel road, hiked to to top. We saw a grand total of five people and ate our lunch on a fallen tree jutting out into the lake. Fast forward many years and we happened to be in Colorado and I asked if we could go back. This time there was a giant parking lot, a trail packed with hundreds of people, and a boardwalk keeping everyone a safe and sanitary distance from the lake and waterfall. My memory was shattered and I left frustrated and discouraged. In my late 20’s, Jim Beam Black was my go to bourbon. I was just starting out. My whiskey palate was new, and my budget tiny. I could enjoy this neat, on the rocks or mixed. It was a huge step up from entry level bourbons. The grocery store by my house frequently had it on sale. I do not plan to buy or try this whiskey again. I have no idea how I would judge it now or if it has changed. I plan to leave it as an undisturbed, cherished memory.

5.0 Stars - Spectacular; 1.5 oz pour All hail the king. This one has been on my list for a long time, but has disappeared from local shelves. Last night I was at the tap room for a fantastic brewery. I noticed they had this available for a silly low price. This is like someone took my favorite Scotches - Talisker, Clynelish, Kilkerran, and Glenmorangie - and created a custom blend for me. Wow!

4.5 Stars - Fantastic; three 750 ml bottles This is a classic for a reason. Complex, original, consistent, available, with an iconic bottle. This will stay at the top of my rotation. Weirdly enough, Four Roses seems to only compete with itself. When buying this, I never compare it to other bourbons in the price range. But I do compare it with the rest of Four Roses line up…why buy this for $45 when the small batch is only $30…or why not spend $10 for the Select? Four Roses should get more publicity for its clarity and dominance. Going from Yellow Label ($18) to Small Batch ($30) to Single Barrel ($45) to Select Batch ($55) to the Store Pick Cask Strength ($80) to the Annual Limited Edition ($130)…they absolutely nail every price point with a superb product. And avoid a confusing mishmash of names and brands. I cannot think of anyone who does it better.

3.5 stars - Very Good; two 750 ml bottles If you are inclined to find a bourbon for every holiday, I would suggest this one for Valentine’s Day. Floral, chocolate, spicy, and a little extra heat. Graceful, balanced, seductive, available.

2.5 stars - Very Nice; multiple pours This is a very nice, classic bourbon in the below $30 price range. Just clears the hurdle for drinking neat. Ultimately, $30 seems to be the fiercest price point in whiskey with many good, classic bourbons, ryes and scotches hovering around this magic number. In the same category, I would reach for Elijah Craig, Four Roses Small batch, and Russel’s Reserve 10 yr before Knob Creek. Or for a lower cost, I’d go WT101, EW BIB, and Makers Mark.

3.0 stars - Good; 750 ml This is my fifth bottle of this whiskey. It will be my last Michters for a while. Aroma is fantastic, classic Michter’s toasted marshmallow and gentle oak. Their superior wood management is in full display. There are some mild aromas from the rye, more honeysuckle and less mint than prior bottles. Taste continues the trend in these bottles of getting thinner and more mild. It is sweet and pleasant. But I am missing the rye, garden herbs, mint, and full mouth feel. They should seriously consider boosting this to 50% ABV if this is how the new distillate will be from here on out.