Tastes

Bulleit Single Barrel "Old Smithville Edition” Barrel No. 2–E3-0409 *NOSE: Dry & Dusty. Brown Sugar & Cocoa Powder. Barnyard notes of Weathered Barn Wood, Hay and Dried Corn. There, but lurking in the back are notes of Cherry, Citrus, and a Light Florality. Very Good. *NEAT: Dark & Drying. Medium to Medium Heavy Mouthfeel. Oak Forward. Vanilla Bean, Brown Sugar, Cocoa, Toffee, Orange Peel, and Cherry. Nice Warming Finish, but not as warm as I expected for 104 Proof. Leaves a Coating of Musty Oak and Orange Peel that layers with each sip. *SPLASH: A few Drops of Water and some Black Pepper Spice shows up. The Citrus takes Center Stage along with some Pink Bubblegum. *VERDICT: Very Good! Checks a lot of my Bourbon Boxes. Dry (√) Barnyard Funk (√) Musty Oak (√) 100'ish Proof (√) Great Coating, Layering Finish (√). The only box it doesn't check is price. For $60, I'm not sure I enjoyed this more than Bulleit 10YR which I can find on sale on occasion for $40. It is a solid choice if you see it on sale.

Penelope 4 Grain (3YR) *NOSE: Overall it's Dry, Light, and Floral. Notes of Dry Oak, Fruit and Citrus (Apple, Pear, Lemon). Almost Highland Scotch-like until the Dry Caked Cornbread shows up. With time in the Glencairn, some Bolder, Buttery Kettle Corn notes emerge. *NEAT: Light and Dry. Very Corn Forward (perhaps due to its youth). Licorice, Raisins. Slightly Tart with Lemon Peel and just a Hint of Oak Char. There is a little Pepper Spice on the Short Finish. Dry Oak and Light Citrus coat the Palate. Not overly complex, but unique and very good. *SPLASH: A Few Drops of Water bring a little added Sweetness, but it still never makes it to "Vanilla". The Pepper is Dialed back and the Coating gets a good bit Sweeter. *VERDICT: I actually enjoyed this. I'm not always in the mood for a 100+ Palate Blaster and this will serve nicely as a mid-afternoon sipper now that the weather is cooling off. A good "Day Bourbon" LOL. Decently priced for a 4 Grain, but I do feel some extra age would help. Not sure I'd seek it out, but if you see it, I think it's worth a flier for $30'ish.

Rockfish Corn Whiskey I subscribe to the Whiskey Wash Newsletter, and when they sent out their most recent edition touting Rockfish as Best in Show at the Heartland Whiskey Competition, I thought to myself, "Hey, I know that whiskey". In fact I've seen it on the shelf for a few months, but with the exception of a select few (Rúa, I'm looking at you) I avoid aged NC craft whiskey (Especially when they are missing the Straight designation). When nothing else at the local ABC tickled my fancy this week, I saw this one and was surprised by its relatively modest (for craft) mid-$20's price tag. I decided to give it a shot. *NOSE: Surprisingly good. It alternates between Deep Caramel, Vanilla, Creme Soda, and Butterscotch. There is a hint of Black Pepper in the background and a bit of Alcohol Sting. *NEAT: (Happy)Enters not overly complex, but good and sweet. Caramel Corn, Butterscotch, and Circus Peanuts. (Sad)A virtually non-existent mid-palate rapidly fades into a Quick Finish with a disappointingly thin mouthfeel and little to no coating aftertaste. Maybe just a hint of Circus Peanut hangs around? I can't help but wonder what a few extra proof points would do here. *SPLASH: There is very little (if any) change to the palate notes, but the good news is a Few Drops of Water releases some oils to improve the Mid-palate and mouthfeel. It gains a Rich, Coating Oiliness allowing the sweetness to segue to the mid-palate and finish. The key is just a few drops. VERDICT: Positives- Supporting a Small Distillery, Excellent Nose, Great Sweetness on the Palate. Negatives- Low Proof, Thin Mouthfeel, and Disappearing Finish. I'm not the biggest fan of Corn Whiskey, but this is one I can see buying again. This may be the best of the genre I've had after adding a little water. I hope this one continues to get better as their stocks gain a little age.

Islay Mist 8 YR Found a lone bottle hiding out at a local ABC. Priced at $13, I felt pretty safe picking it up even though I knew less than nothing about it. I've since learned that this is Peated whisky from Laphroaig and Unpeated whisky from Speyside. *NOSE: Not bad! Smoky (not medicinal) Peat. Malt, Fresh Cream, Buttered Hot Breakfast Cereal, Dry Wood, Light Floral and a Bit of Grain Alcohol. The nose on the empty glass is Barnyard Straw. From memory, this is very similar to Laphroaig Select. *NEAT: Ash Heavy up front, Sweet in the Middle. Decent Mouthfeel with Ashy Peat (or Peaty Ash) fading to reveal Light Fruit, Buttercream, Cinnamon Butter and Smoked Honeycomb. There is a Slight Bitterness on the backend followed by layering notes of Light Peat, Extra Dark Chocolate, and Scorched Coffee from the bottom of the pot. *SPLASH: Adds a Vanilla Sweetness to the Palate. *VERDICT: If Laphroaig Select is "Lap Light", then this is "Lap Select Light". I was very impressed with this as it drinks WAY above its price point. Islay and Bottom Shelf are a rare combo. An amazing value if it were $26, but a down right steal at $13. If I see it again, I'll definitely pick it up.

Rúa Gold *NOSE: Odd Start for this Whiskey. On the Cork Pop I got Red Wine. Very Nice. Then it went downhill fast. A Weird Savory Umami. Hickory Smoked BBQ Sauce. Vegetal. Fishy (That's a first)? Dusty Oak. Heat. Not what I was expecting from Extra-Aged Rúa. *NEAT: Okay, THIS is what I was expecting from Extra-Aged Rúa. Thick Clingy Mouthfeel. MUCH Sweeter than what the nose would indicate. Sweet Cherry, Peach Purée, Vanilla, and Cinnamon. Some Tingly Heat. A Medium Length Finish with a Nice Vanilla Mint Coating. *SPLASH: Unfortunately, doesn't do anything for the nose. The Palate gets Some Barrel Spices. *VERDICT: I really enjoyed this, despite the weird off-putting nose. I don't know what the extra time pulled out of the wood, but it was NOT Nose Friendly. I tried this at the Distillery and didn't get any of those off notes, but I also tried it with a large cube and a Rocks Glass. The Palate is a slight upgrade over the delicious standard issue, but the nose is a mess. I'm hoping that maybe a little oxygen in the bottle will tame the nose or that my sniffer was just broken last night. If it changes, I will update. ***As a side note, I entered this whisky and listed it as aged in used Speyside barrels. According to the website, they get their barrels from the Speyside Cooperage in VA that uses strictly new oak (the one in OH uses reclaimed Scottish staves). I apologize for the misinformation.***

NIKKA COFFEY GRAIN WHISKY (90 Proof/not 80 as stated in Distiller notes) *NOSE: Very Bourbon-ish on first sample. There is Prominent Dry Dusty Conrmeal and Light Savory Umami notes that overwhelm for a bit. Give this Whisky some time! Returning to it a few minutes later you are met with Light Florals and hints of Wood Spices (Sandalwood and Cedar). There is a Sweetness that is trying its best to bust through, but just can't quite make it. A few minutes later and BOOM...there it is. Maple Glazed Donut, Honey, and the smell of Day Old Buttercream Icing (after it has sat out and develops that thin crust of dried sugar on top). Very Sweet. *NEAT: Let's skip straight to the Mouthfeel, as it is the basis for all that follows. Fatty, Buttery, Oily and Coating. It allows the flavors to cling to the palate. Like the nose, the tasting experience also requires a little time. It enters the Palate with a Maple Buttercream Sweetness that is quickly replaced by the Herbal Bite of Clove and Black Strap Licorice. After a few sips (Just to remind you that its mash bill is almost all corn) it evolves into Warm Hushpuppies dipped in Honey Butter, those Bright Orange Circus Peanuts, and a Light Malty Smokiness. Not sure if it's subliminal suggestion from the name on the bottle, but I'll be damned if there isn't Coffee with Cream and heaping teaspoons of Sugar. The woods from the nose don't show up here, but there is a slight Tannic Bitterness underlying. There is a tingle on the Medium Length Finish as well, but not Black Pepper...More like a Ginger Tingle without the Ginger flavor (if that makes sense). Honey Butter, Creamed Corn, and the Herbal Notes Coat and layer the palate. *SPLASH: Ups the Sweetness even more. Brown Sugar on the Nose and Those Circus Peanuts take over the Palate. A Few Wood Notes finally make an appearance, but almost as an afterthought. *VERDICT: This was picked up solely on a whim after my recent experience with Nikka SFTB. After first nose and taste I was ready to hate this...and I mean a lot. The Nose was weird, the Palate was simple and boring, but patience Young Grasshopper. Time in the glass changed this one more than any whisky in recent memory. I went from wondering if I could even give it a 2 to a 4.25. Only 2 issues for me here. 1)You've got to really be in a sweet mood to fully enjoy this one. 2)I don't understand the $70 price tag. It is basically the same price as Nikka SFTB which seems to be a much more complicated whisky to produce. Despite those two minor quibbles, Nikka is batting a thousand with me so far.

MMPS "Ivan's Fish Shack" Selected by The Cape Fear Bourbon & Whiskey Society & a local Dive Bar, Old American Fish Company, which was used as Ivan's Fish Shack in the movie "Safe Haven". A combination of: (2) American Baked Pure (2) Maker's Mark 46 (4) Roasted French Mendiant (2) Toasted French Spice. *NOSE: Powdered & Brown Sugars, Butterscotch, Leather, Pipe Tobacco, and Fresh Cut Lumber/Sawdust. A hint of Candied Orange Slices. A little heat from the alcohol. *NEAT: Cinnamon, Tannic New Oak, Sawdust, Medicinal Cherry, and Dark Chocolate. There is a great Syrupy Clingy Mouthfeel. It develops some White Pepper Spice and Spearmint. Nice Growing KY Hug on the Medium Length Finish. The palate is coated with an aftertaste of Cinnamon Discs and Pencil Shavings. Interesting collection of flavors going on here. *SPLASH: A few drops of water and the whole vibe become a little Sweeter. Buttercream Icing on the Nose, Some Dark Chocolate Fudge on the Palate. Hazelnut Coffee, and a great chocolatey coating finish. *VERDICT: I've not been the biggest fan of some of the Private Selections, but this may be the best one I've had. It was a little uneven at first, but a little water helped to even it out and sand over the rough edges. A really nice tribute to the movie industry that found our small town back in the early 80's and the dive bar that I love to frequent once school is back in session and the tourists are back home. If you've ever seen a sunset from Old American Fish Company, you know what I mean. A very solid 4.

Hibiki Harmony *NOSE: At first sniff, I get a lot of Bourbon notes that fade to reveal notes of Cedar and Sandalwood. Dry Sweetness like Powdered Cake Mix or Raw Sugar Cookie Dough. Bourbon-y Vanilla, Light Green Fruits (Apples, Pears, Grapes), and Old Leather. Some background notes that are hard to pin down. Peanut Butter? Floral? Sherry? The more time I spend nosing, the more notes that reveal themselves. *NEAT: Sweet. Vanilla, Malted Barley, Old Leather, Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans, Old Wood. Just the slightest Balck Pepper Tingle. Just a Wisp of Smoke (Peat?) and a touch of Bitter. Medium Length Finish with just a little heat. Vanilla, Wood, Leather, and Slightly Bitter Coffee Coat and Layer the palate. *SPLASH: Gives the Nose and Palate a "Burnt" Quality. Creme Brûlée. Some of the Green Fruits from the nose finally make an appearance (most notably Pear). That Coffee aftertaste on the finish is amplified, but becomes a little creamier. *VERDICT: This one started out rather Ho-Hum for me, but the deeper into the pour I got, the more I liked it. I do feel it's a tad overpriced at $80. This is a solid 4, but I feel I may be judging it a little too harshly after having the near perfect Nikka WFTB, so I'll round up to a 4.25. I really wish I had been into whisky early enough to have had some of the Age Stated versions.

Heaven's Door Straight Bourbon Whiskey (This apparently has taken the place of the "Tennessee Bourbon Straight Bourbon Whiskey") Great Looking Bottle Design. This one clocks in at 92 proof vs the TN Bourbon's 90. Label states "Minimum 6 Years Old". *NOSE: On the initial Cork Pop, my first thought was "This is Dickel", but a few minutes of air and that dissipates. There is an initial Savoriness. Very Dry in character. Dry Grass, Dry Wood Spice, Dry Brown Sugar, Vanilla Coke, Tart Apple Cider, and Cinnamon Stick. The longer you nose it, the more you can flesh out of it. *NEAT: Interesting. My first thought was "This tastes like Dickel if Dickel made a High Rye Recipe. Very Clingy and Coating. Oak Forward with lots of Barrel Spice. A Sharp Spikiness. Dry Corn, Vanilla, Maple, Fruit Cocktail Syrup, Lots of Black Pepper Tingle, and a Surge of Tannins. As the Tannins fade you get a Dry Medium Length Finish with a nice heat blooming in the chest. Great Coating of Tingly Wood Spice and Vanilla layer the entire palate and intensify with each sip. I love how it's an entire mouth experience. Tongue, Gums, Cheeks, and the Roof of your mouth all get in on the action. *SPLASH: A few drops of water reduced some of the Spice and countered a little of the Ruggedness. I wouldn't go so far as to say it made it "Smooth", but if the spikiness is an issue for you, a little water should do the trick. Gets a little sweeter as Toasted Marshmallow shows up. *VERDICT: Another surprise! I was expecting less from what is essentially their entry level offering. I was a little skeptical of the $50 price tag for what I assumed was 6 year old Dickel, but decided to give it a shot. Glad I did. My first thought was the reason they dropped the Tennessee from the name was that this was Dickel blended with High Rye MGP. However, after some research, their website states (and I assume they are being honest) "Distilled and aged its entire life in Tennessee, this whiskey is non-chill filtered to preserve its mature flavors. The result is smooth and lasting with notes of vanilla and baking spices layered over a bed of toasted oak". I also learned that the mashbill on the previous incarnation was only 70% Corn/30% Secondary Grain which would exclude Dickel, unless they have been producing a second mashbill for NDP Customers. If this is something other than Dickel, I'd love to know the distiller so I can try some of their stuff too. The plot thickens! Either way, a celebrity whiskey that lives up to the hype. 4.25