Tastes

My first bottle of JD BP: 133.9 proof, 11-15-18 bottle date. A massive beast of a Whisky in the same league as ECBP A119. Has the flavor to match the heat, but drinks easier than the last bottle of Knob Creek 120 that wounded my delicate tongue (but tasted fantastic!). First impression is that the ECBP would take this one in a seven game series, but I will give it more airtime and see if it’s up to the challenge. A couple of sips and life feels alright....liking the purchase.

Tastes like Bourbon with a substantial Rye kick. The heat level matches the beautiful flavor profile and makes for a very nice pour that makes you want to shout “Yum!”. I was lucky enough to find this on sale for $35....should have bought two dammit.

For around $20, RY100 is 4.5 to 5 stars....a superb value. When compared to other mid-shelf Bourbons, 3 - 3.5 stars seems about right. This is a nice sip with no off or weak flavors as one might expect at this price point. But Buyer beware, this Bourbon could be renamed Oak Mountain. Oak is dominant throughout the taste.....front to back it’s Oak, Oak, Oak. Fortunately, it’s a nice oak wallop with some classic Bourbon flavors coming in nicely on the mid-palate and finish. This is not a sweet Bourbon by any stretch, much more a dry and tannic profile done right. Overall, I like this pour, and I friggin’ love it at this bargain basement price. If you have a Bottle of some overly sweet Bourbon taking up space on your bar, try mixing some of it with RY100. No sin here at 20 bucks!

Wow....what a delicious Bourbon.....I could drink just this for the rest of my days with no regrets. Fantastic classic Bourbon flavors are presented with a richness and refinement that literally is Bourbon nirvana. Just a tremendous explosion and depth of flavor that you might expect from a premium Bourbon, and with no weaknesses IMO (I really don’t get the so-called ‘Expert’ review on this one....I know tannins and this is a very balanced older Bourbon, not the tannic beast with a 77 rating). The Barrell team knows what they’re doing, and this one delivers the goods. Looking forward to trying my Batch 011 and 018 bottles very soon.

A quality high proof bourbon with a noticeable level of heat and oak. Not as sweet as many Bourbons and has a nice spice kick on the finish. Glad I bought the bottle, but overall I think Wild Turkey Rare Breed is a better pour and is 15 bucks cheaper in SW Michigan.

Got a bottle for Fathers Day and wasn’t expecting too much from it, but I’m finding that it packs a lot of flavor at 92 proof, and is rather enjoyable as a lower proof sipper. I don’t find it as sweet as Buffalo Trace, and it has a nice oak & spice flavor profile that evolves nicely from start to finish. It is distinctive from other similarly priced Bourbons and will remain a presence on my bar as a very decent mid-tier Bourbon.

Just damn enjoyable....a ton of flavor, the right amount of heat, and the taste that has made WT such a popular brand. If you’re reading these tasting reviews wondering if you should buy a bottle, run away from your computer and go get one! For $45-$50, this is a no brainer......12 year old Bourbon in the blend and zero dilution. If you live somewhere that doesn’t have it, then move! Just kidding, but I will always have a bottle of RB open at my house, Lord willing : )

Just opened bottle 5455, barreled 8-4-08...digging this dram tonight as I watch Dallas-St. Louis game 7. I haven’t had McKenna SiB in quite awhile and this particular bottle is very nice. Bit of a restrained nose, but the toffee/caramel sweetness is well balanced with the Rye spice and good bit of oak on the back end. A bit of astringency from 10 years in the barrel, but expecting that to soften with air exposure. Not a super viscous mouth feel, but easily overlooked with the classic Bourbon flavors that linger nicely. Will try it again in a few days and shoot another post with pour #2 and the NHL conference finals : )

Sucks ass....avoid at all costs. Threw my bottle in the trash. Spend a few more dollars and get a real Bourbon: WT101. I don’t lie

Bought 2 bottles and just opened number 1.....this juice is legit......lots of ethanol on the nose, but the palate makes up for it: a ton of classic bourbon flavors but with a unique finish thanks to the charcoal mellowing. Reminiscent of JD Old No. 7, but much more spectacular. Good sweetness, layers of complexity, and a unique taste that keeps bringing me back for more. Don’t miss this one if you like higher proof bourbon and can find one in the wild. I was fortunate to find it at two different stores at MSRP ($40). This is not a wimpy pour......lights up your palate in a major way and reminds you what’s good about life.