Tastes

3.6/5.0 Mild, corn syrup nose with minty notes. On the palate are cherry notes - strong, but not cloying - balanced with orange rind, apple, complex baking spices like allspice and nutmeg, black pepper, and the mint notes return. Thin body with a slight oily feel. Lingering cinnamon finish with medicinal rye notes on the tongue. No flaws and some pleasant but less common flavors - nice for the price. Only knock is it isn’t the traditional palate for a bourbon and not much nose.

4.0/5.0. Hard to tell much if any difference from the old NAS or current 4-yr, enough to knock it down a star (4 vs 5) for the extra price without much extra to show for it. Still very good rye with prominent red hot cinnamon spice and a hint of gentian bitters and a gently pleasant licorice. Classic minty-herbal rye notes.

3.3/5.0 - 2nd generation (house distillate plus MGP. No 16-yr). Mint, lemon zest and a hint of soap on the nose. Gentle with the barest hint of alcohol. The taste is very light and vegetal. Herbs. Characteristic rye cinnamon but the barley is easily identified. Relatively thin - watery mouthfeel. Finish is gentle but long, mostly a pleasant cinnamon across the tongue. Tastes young but not harsh. Well made and fair at msrp ($30); a value for less (seen as low as $26). A unique flavor that stands out from the pack.

3.7 / 5. Mild nose with a gentle vanilla sweetness. Low proof is evident. Tasty. Sweet, with strong orange rind dominating the flavor. A gentle nuttiness from the sherry. Buttery pound cake (per another reviewer) is spot on, plus orange zest.

4.3 / 5. Creamy salt water taffy nose. Really really tasty. Light and noticeably sweet (hello oloroso sherry) with a distinctive floral/fruity profile. Fresh rose petal and white grape. Like this one a lot.

Rich, oily butterscotch. Clearly blanton's and ETL's big brother. Don't agree with spicy from the critic, just rich and full. Excellent.

3.5/5.0. Really would like to rate this 4 stars to account for the price. A complete bourbon with all the bonafides (and benefits) of BIB for <$15. Strong HH peanuts at first taste, fades into a gently sweet and balanced bourbon. Toffee, nutmeg and just a hint of cinnamon. Easy to sip and a no-brainer for cocktails that don't need a strong rye component. Will buy again.

Very mild nose. Vanilla-pear torte if you can catch much of anything. Maybe a touch of underripe banana. Not much taste at first, then develops a surprising oaky iodine with a little burn neat. Very sweet, the burn would be gone with just a little water, leaving only vanilla sweetness. Rich and toasted cereal grain. A thin buttered toffee. Gentle heat on the finish. Slightly bitter, but not off-putting. I do get a bit of the characteristic Heaven Hill peanut essence there at the back end. Nice. Not sure if I prefer it to Makers or Wellers, but not sure I don't either. Easily worth a try for < $30.

Light and smooth. Very prototypical Irish whiskey. Enjoyable and would drink again. Won't seek out, however. Solid step up from Jameson.