Tastes

Neat in a glencairn the nose is baked sweet potato, complete with the butter and brown sugar. I definitely didn't get that from my first bottle of this. The taste, while still quite good, doesn't live up to the nose. I still get that sweet entry, now backed by fall spices and a big hit of heat. Definitely drinks hotter than it's 92 proof. I detected none of the citrus I had picked up on in my earlier review, and not as much oak. Could they be using younger stock? Uncharacteristically thick and clingy for a wheater, but for me that's a positive. This is definitely a step above MM, but if you want a wheated bourbon and can't find a Weller Antique or Weller 12, this is a very good alternative.

Light golden color. Simple delicately sweet nose. Enters sweet followed by heavy char. I get a little banana cream, but not nearly as much as I get with the Dickel 12. Easy, dry finish with mild burn. Drop in a couple cubes of ice and it really amps up the char, but kills the sweet. Not a complex dram but none the less a good sippiing "whisky". Better than Jack at a substantially lower price. I'd still throw in the couple extra bucks and get the Dickel 12.

Actually has a pleasant nose. Heavy on the caramel with a waft of oak. Unfortunately, the nose is the best part of this bourbon. A little vanilla and caramel followed by an odd smoky flavor. Almost an artificial smoke flavor. Very limited to no burn. Has an odd aftertaste. Hard to describe. Sour? Medicinal? Ice does little to help, as it tends to amplify the odd smoke flavor. I agree with wxheydari about this being a shelf below Jack...I'd much rather drink Jack than this, and I drink Jack as a last resort.

This is my first and only (so far) foray into the Irish Whiskey World. Pleasant nose. A tad sweet with fresh bread in the background. Enters the palate with a light malty sweetness. Toasted grain with light smoke. A bit thin and underaged in my opinion which leaves the mid-palate weak. Soft, easy finish without much lingering. This reminds me of Troy & Sons Oak Reserve with the rough spots sanded out (although I think I prefer some of the rough spots). I don't see me sipping this one often, but the good news is this bottle should last me several St. Patrick's days.

Better than Old No. 7 at a better price. Better than Gentleman Jack at a better price. Complex. Caramel, smoke, vanilla, and (don't laugh) banana. Those notes continue for a long smooth finish. This is a great sipper or mixer. The best Tenessee Whisky I've had to date.

This is for the '04 Vintage. Good nose with butterscotch, oak, and a pleasant earthiness. Enters the palate with caramel sweetness, followed by a hint of citrus. Nice oak char with a dry peppery finish. The citrusy sweetness coats the tongue and lingers for an extended time. I really enjoy this. It gets 4 stars for the drinking experience, and an extra star for being a good single barrel offering for under $30.

Nice bottle, with heavy wooden stopper. Your barrel is listed right on the front of the label. Great nose with heavy caramel and a hint of char. Tried neat, it has a great entry on the palate. All the good stuff from the nose is there. Heavy dose of toffee sweet. Great thick mouth feel. Where this one lost me was on the finish. Instead of leaving the sweet smoky notes on the palate, it seemed to burn them away. However, when tried on the rocks, the finish was as smooth as butter leaving the pleasant sweetness behind.

Was not a fan of this. Waited to finish the bottle to see if maybe it would grow on me or to make sure it didn't catch me on a day when my tastebuds were off. Nice spice, but the finish left an odd taste on the palate.

(Note: my review is for the 108 proof version, which I feel is slightly better than the current 112 version) Not a fan of either of their standard offerings (81 or 101) but LOVED this! Great dark amber color. Nice sweet simple nose. Great thick mouthfeel. Enters with a complex toffee-ish sweetness followed by cinnamon candy. Just a hint of char. Long tingling finish, but it goes down very smooth for a 108 proof bourbon. Drop in a cube of ice and a little more char and sweetness comes forward. Mouthfeel is a little creamier. Even though the finish is smoother, you still get that great cinnamon tingle. This stands up to the ice. Enjoyed equally neat or on the rocks. This is the best Wild Turkey offering (by far) I've had.

One thing I've noticed in these bottom shelf bourbons is their similarity to Tennessee Whiskeys. Lots of char, a little banana sweetness and not much else. Mixed well with ginger ale...passable on the rocks and neat. For $5 less, I can get Heaven Hills which has about the same flavor profile. For the same price I can get Benchmark, which has a lot more character. Tried it...it was okay...but feel there are better options for the same or less money.