Tastes

This is my first Scotch. First taste: smoke and spice. Not exciting, but not a dealbreaker. With water, the fruit and vanilla flavors become apparent to this amateur taster, as does something funky and vegetal—is that peat? I will definitely try this Scotch neat again in the future.

First Irish whiskey: very nice. Not amazing, but nice and balanced.

If you’re like me, do not let this bourbon sit for months in the open bottle, especially when there’s only a few ounces left. Even in the smallest bottle, the menthol in the taste went from powerful to overwhelming on the tongue. The woody-spicy aftertaste was nice, though. I’d try this Bulleit again at the bar or at a social event, but it’s not something I’d keep for months in my collection or pantry after opening.

Objectively good for its price, but subjectively it’s definitely not a favorite. Most of what I’m getting is the taste of spice and the feel of menthol, as if a tea brewed with cinnamon were made into a cough syrup. I’m willing to try this bourbon in different cups to see if differently experienced aroma effects taste, and it may also do well as a mixer. I’m looking for a sipping whisky, and this is not it.

Decent starter whiskey, or re-starter whiskey for people turned off from the beverage by other whiskey-family beverages of a similar price point. The taste is pleasant, but not complex.