Tastes

KNOB CREEK BLENDER’S EDITION 01 *APPEARANCE: A nice deep color border between 1.6 Mahogany and 1.7 Burnt Umber. Takes a good while to form the skinniest of legs. *NOSE: An excellent nose, featuring Sticky Toffee, Dry Dusty Oaky Funk, Cinnamon, Tobacco, and a hint of clove. *NEAT: My first thought is that I don’t notice the extra 6 proof points. Enters sweet with Vanilla Coke and Honey Roasted Nuts. Mid-palate is Dry Oak and Cinnamon. It ends with Some Oak Tannins, Cinnamon, and Black Pepper which coat and layer. I still am tasting Oak 30 minutes after the pour is over (like chewing on a pencil or toothpick). *SPLASH: A little water evens it out. Blending the flavors together to a consistent sweetness for the entire palate. Cinnamon, Vanilla, Sweet Oak. Cinnamon finish. The nose gets some heat. It more resembles standard issue Knob Creek. *VERDICT: An interesting experiment. It does have a sweeter character and the extra year of age gives it a touch more Oak. I don’t consider it a huge upgrade, but for $5 more, you get an extra 6 proof points an extra year of age. I don’t regret the purchase in the least and I recommend it. 4 Stars.

BULLEIT MESQUITE SMOKED MALT BOURBON *APPEARANCE: Color is a surprisingly light 1.3 Russet on the color chart. Takes a long time to form small slow moving droplets. *NOSE: The high malt content and the Mesquite smoke are obvious from the first sniff. Let it sit a bit more and notes of Pound Cake with sugar glaze, Vanilla, and Dry Dusty Rickhouse emerge. However, the Mesquite continues to dominate. *NEAT: Oh, wow. This starts SWEET with a heavy dose of Vanilla Buttercream Icing. Mid-palate brings Oak and Black Pepper. The backend is where the Mesquite shows up, and in a big way. Campfire Smoke, Ash, Barrel Tannins. Cinnamon, Black Pepper, Mesquite, and Ash coat and layer on the palate. It’s almost like eating burnt ends washed down with Bourbon. BIG KYHug glows in your chest. This is an intense Bourbon. *SPLASH: A little water and the sweetness turns to Cinnamon RedHots or Atomic Fireball. It either reduces the smoke and ash a little or my mouth is just becoming more accustomed to them. It doesn’t reduce the KYHug, but it does delay it a bit. *VERDICT: This is Bulleit’s first mashbill to contain no rye (65% Corn, 30% Mesquite Smoked Malted Barley, and 5% Malted Barley). This drinks similar to an Islay Whisky. That same clingy, ashy coating. The sweetness is much bolder and more upfront than a Peated Scotch, but the overall experience is very similar. Big Vanilla/Caramel/Cinnamon vs. Apple/Pear/Floral. It’s been a while since I’ve had High West’s Campfire (blend of bourbon, rye, and Peated Scotch). It may have been this good? I was expecting something akin to Pegleg Porker or Basil Hayden Subtle Smoke (both of which I really like), but what I got was punched in the face by a Campfire wrapped in a sweet velvet glove. If you’re a fan of Peated Scotch and Bourbon, this is a good combination. If you’ve never experienced a Peated Whisky, this may be a good jumping off point. I was pleasantly surprised by this one, and all props to Bulleit for stepping out of the box. I really like it. 4.25 Stars

Glenmorangie 12 APP: Pours into the Glencairn a nice 0.7 (Amber) on the whiskey color chart. Forms lazy fat legs after a quick swirl. NOSE: At first it was all Vanilla and Powdered Sugar Sweetness (Bullseye Caramels), but revisiting it after a brief rest, I get lots of floral notes. Those fade to leave Musty Straw or Wood. Some Leather and Pepper Spice as well. The Bullseye Caramel is still there but way in the background now. NEAT: Lots of Oak and Barrel Spice lead off. Vanilla, Caramel, and Cola emerge mid-palate. Some lightly Bitter Tannins are here, but not enough to spoil the experience. Leather and Malt on the back and coating the mouth. There is a slight bitterness (Lemon Pith?) and some black pepper on the finish with a pleasant building heat. VERDICT: This is reminiscent of an Irish more than a Scotch. This is the first Glenmorangie expression I’ve tried (thanks to those Harrison Ford ads) and I’m not overly impressed. Maybe it’ll improve with some time open, but 3.25 for now.

JEFFERSON’S AGED AT SEA-VOYAGE 34 APPEARANCE: Surprisingly light in color between 1.3 Russet and 1.4 Tawny. Skinny fast moving legs. NOSE: Lots of grain upfront. Bright, Grassy, Malty. Light Vanilla and Salted Caramels. Not much, if any Oak. Deep inhale has a good deal of stinging heat. NEAT: On the tip of the tongue, Vanilla and Barrel Oak. Thinnish to Medium Mouthfeel. Mid to Back of palate gets that Salted Caramel, Grain, Tingling Heat, and Lots of Cinnamon. There’s a hint of Tannins, Cinnamon, and Grain that layer on the finish. SPLASH: Water is a mixed blessing. It brings out a nice Pink Bubble Gum and Marshmallow note, but it amplifies the graininess. VERDICT: This has some positives. I like the Salted Caramel, the heavy Cinnamon, and the Bubble Gum sweetness. Unfortunately, I get way too much heat on the nose and grainy youth on the palate. I hope maybe this gets a little better with some time open. If so, I’ll let you know. 3.5

ELIJAH CRAIG 18YR BARREL: 7653 BOTTLED: 11/11/25 APPEARANCE: Rich, Dark Color bordering between 1.7 Burnt Umber and 1.8 Old Oak. Clingy with slow forming skinny legs. NOSE: Wonderful Nose of Cinnamon, Brown Sugar, Clove, Vanilla Buttercream, and Toasted Oak. Very well balanced. NEAT: Initial tiny sips over the front of the tongue yields Sawdust, Old Oak, and Light Vanilla. Full sips bring out Light Bitter Tannins, Old Oak, Cinnamon, and Cherry Syrup. There is a dense coating mouthfeel that leaves dark notes of Musty Oak, Dark Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans, and Vanilla Coke. Nice warming KYHug and layering notes of Cinnamon, Clove, and Sawdust. That Musty Oak stays on the palate long after your done with the Dram. SPLASH: A dribble of water adds a little Butterscotch and Toffee to both nose and Palate and almost completely eliminates the slight tannic bitterness. In fact, the whole experience becomes a bit sweeter and brighter. Am I tasting Root Beer? There is almost a Floral Quality added to the coating finish now. Well done Heaven Hill. VERDICT: While purists may balk at adding water to a 90 proof pour of this age and price, I recommend trying it. It gives two unique experiences. Sometimes the Whiskey Gods just smile upon you as I walked into a nearby ABC to find a single bottle. And on payday, no less! I hope another bottle is in my future as this is a great Bourbon.

GEORGE DICKEL HAND SELECTED BARREL 9YR(ish??) Barrel #: 14D02-21704 Date: 04/02/2014 *NOSE: Thick and Syrupy. Oak, Vanilla, Maple, Praline, Toffee upfront. There is a Grassy Undertone. A hint of Freshly Mowed Lawn and Hay. A bit of heat is the only fault I can find. *NEAT: The Syrupy Sweetness carries over. Heavy Coating Mouthfeel. Oak, Cherry Cola, Maple, Vanilla. Nice warming finish with blooming TNHug in the chest. There is a slight medicinal note on the finish that lingers. Cherry Cough Syrup? It’s extra clingy, coating tongue, teeth, gums, and cheeks. Very good. *SPLASH: Brings out some Tannins and a bit of the Flintstone Vitamin that Cascade Hollow is known for. A little Bitterness on the Finish. Not enough to ruin it, but it’s definitely better neat. *VERDICT: My love for all things Cascade Hollow took a serious hit with the 15YR release. However, the 11 and 13 year BIB’s have continued to be stellar, and the Dickel 8YR Bourbon is very solid. This stellar Hand Selected Barrel reminds me that I need to put George Dickel back in heavy rotation. 4.25 **I suspect this maybe closer to 10-11 years old. It was barelled in April of 2014 and was new to the shelf at the VA ABC I visited.

Elijah Craig Small Batch Single Barrel 9YR *NOSE: A bit harsh even after a 15 minute rest. I get Cinnamon, Barrel Spice, and Barnyard Funk. *NEAT: Like the nose, it is harsh. It seems a lot hotter than 94 proof. There is a thin Vanilla Bean Sweetness on the Front End, some Bitter Oak Mid-Palate, and Cinnamon and Bitter Tannins on the Backend. Big KYHug glowing in the chest. Very little, if any, complexity. If I try really hard, I can pull some Orange Oil and Black Licorice out of it. There is a palate layering coating of Slightly Musty Oak that I like, but not much else. *SPLASH: A capful of water really helps. It softens the nose a bit and reduces some of the Bitter Tannins, but man this is still overly hot for its proof. Another capful and it’s just Vanilla Water with a burn. *VERDICT: What a disappointment. I really had high hopes. I can’t remember the last time I bought a bottle of regular Elijah Craig, but I have ordered it when dining out or at bars. I don’t remember this heat and bitterness. This barrel definitely should’ve went into the batch to have its flaws blended out. Hopefully it’ll make a good Whiskey Sour, because I believe that is where most of this bottle is headed.

OGD BIB 7 (Spring 18) (Skip this part to get right to the review) Interesting (to me anyway) thing happened while out having dinner at a restaurant known for one of the largest whiskey selections in the state. I was trying to decide what to have and came across “The Poor Man’s Flight” for $10. One ounce each of JW Dant, 4 Roses Yellow, and the standard issue OGDBIB. I thought 3oz of whiskey for $10 was probably the best deal in the place, so that’s what I ordered. My wife and daughter wanted a sip of each (probably negating some of that value) and both made the yuck face for the JWD & the 4RYL, but thought the OGDBIB was the best and “smoothest” despite the 100 proof. So, entering the ABC store, I had OGDBIB at the forefront of my mind. Lo and behold, they had just gotten this in. *NOSE: Dry Slightly Musty Oak, Vanilla Spiced Cake, Cinnamon, Cocoa Powder, Candied Orange Peel, & Leather. Very Good. *NEAT: WOW! Oak, Vanilla, Black Licorice, Black & White Pepper, Cinnamon, Orange Peel. A hint of Mustiness. Slightly Tannic on a Long’ish Finish with the Licorice note building. Nice KYHug. *SPLASH: Some water really turns up the Vanilla and Oak Spice. Some Bubblegum & Mint. Lots of Cinnamon on the finish. I’m betting this will be great over a large rock (it was, I’m already 1/3 way into the bottle). *VERDICT: Saw this by chance today and had to pick up a couple. It did not disappoint, especially considering its $40 price tag. A more traditional profile than the other new 7YR BIB I recently gave good reviews to (Bulleit), but about $15 less. Limited release, but I’m sure it will be released once or twice a year (one for each distilling season). If it’s available where you are, I heartily recommend it. 4.25⭐️

Jim Beam Sunshine Blend A definite step up from standard issue Beam without any price difference. Less of the Peanut Note and the rice gives it a minty sweetness. Purchased this to make a batch of Bourbon Peach Tea and it did very well. A good lightweight summer sipper and mixer.