Tastes
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Blanton's Original Single Barrel
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed December 1, 2016 (edited November 28, 2019)Was lucky enough to score a bottle of this in September and saved it for a family Thanksgiving "get together" at a mountain rental cabin. The nose was incredible and very unique. So different than anything else that I've experienced that I checked my glass to make sure it didn't have some type of fragranced soap residue in it. Leather, polished wood, campfire smoke, butterscotch pudding and baking spices. This is one I could nose for hours. It's what I imagine sitting in an old leather chair in front of a fire in a study surrounded by old books while a big holiday meal is being prepared down the hall would smell like. On the palate this one enters with a butterscotch/caramel/coconut sweetness. Also honey and chocolate with pleasant oak and a floral note throughout. Nice thick mouthfeel with a slightly drying smooth finish. I can see this being a once a year (or whenever I can find it) purchase that I break out for special occasions. I envy the folks who can find this consistently and can find it at sale prices. -
Very light blonde in color (think watered down apple juice). The nose is light, but complex. Grain forward with scents of green apple, citrus, and floral notes. Sampled neat, this is again light but complex. The first note is honey and grain followed by the green apple and citrus from the nose. I also pick up a hint of mint. It has a crisp finish with a hint of smokiness and a slight warming sensation. The green apple lingers on the palate. This is a perfect summertime pour or perhaps a gateway whiskey to get your white wine drinking significant other to enjoy a whiskey cocktail. I tried the traditional Japanese highball recommended by Toki with 1 part Whiskey to 3 parts Club Soda with a citrus peel twist. Very refreshing. I definitely don't regret the purchase and at $30 will buy this again.
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Glenlivet 18 Year
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed November 8, 2016 (edited September 1, 2019)Fruit, honey, wood and a peppery spice. Delicious. -
***Note: although my review is for the 1792 Small Batch, it was a Small Batch Single Barrel Store Selection*** Opened the bottle and was immediately hit with the aroma of prunes. Now, while I'm not a fan of prunes, this did get my hopes up and make me think that this could be an interesting pour. In the glass the nose carries over a little of that prune note with vanilla, oak and pipe tobacco. Very pleasant. However, on the palate this is just a mess. The vanilla/caramel is there but faint. The oak is REALLY there, but not in a good way. Hot with a dried cherry/medicinal finish that unfortunately clings like glue. While there are a lot of flavors going on here, none of them are in balance. A splash does help this some, but not near enough. After reading reviews saying this one is a chameleon, I've waited about 1/2 way through the bottle before I reviewed hoping that it would change for me, but no dice.
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This would be my everyday gin if I couldn't buy 2 bottles of Beefeater or Brokers for the same price as 1 bottle of Plymouth. Juniper with crisp citrus. Clean, bright and smooth with no off notes at all. There is usually a note or two in most gins that I don't care for, but tolerate. Not the case here. I pick up the occasional bottle and stretch it as far as I can.38.0 USD per Bottle
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Bombay Original London Dry Gin (40%)
London Dry Gin — England
Reviewed October 25, 2016 (edited December 8, 2020)Decent. It has a little off note at the end, but still a quality London Dry. It is hurt by the glut of $15-$20 gins. It doesn't separate itself from the pack ala Beefeater, Brokers, and Tanqueray. Still miles ahead of the Sapphire.
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