Tastes

I drink Bourbon mostly, but have been dipping my toes in Rye lately. I'm becoming a fan... This is good Rye. The palate has a nicely balanced blend of spicy and sweet — a cherry cough syrup quality. I get a nice warm chest hug from this — but nothing overpowering or off-putting. The subtleties of the spiciness, I'm having trouble putting my finger on. But it is very pleasing. I would — and will — buy again.

I never know how I will respond to a first taste of a much-hyped bourbon... What if I don't like it? Will I be a lousy bourbon taster? Will I have no business posting a review? I've had Weller Special Reserve, and that was excellent. I can honestly report that this Antique 107 is very good. The nose is reminiscent of many higher proof bourbons I've had... Oaky and leathery. Sweet palate, as to be expected from wheated, with hints of cherries and that classic spicy bourbon tingle. Warm hug in the chest and the finish lingers with spice. Honestly, I prefer the lower proof Special Reserve. I probably won't buy this Weller offering again, but that's not a reflection of what I think of it, overall. I'm glad I finally got to try this one. But as far as Weller goes, I really want to try the 12 Year next. I would repeat purchase the Special Reserve before I would the Antique 107.

I've passed on purchasing McKenna 10 Year in the past. But while out to dinner this afternoon, I saw it on the bourbon list and decided it was the perfect opportunity to finally give it a try. Had it with one rock. Nice vanilla and caramel nose... pleasantly spicy initial bite on the palate with some floral qualities, as well. I like some sweetness in my bourbon, and this is not very sweet — but that's ok. It's very good. Destined for my top shelf.

Had a PayPal promotional balance, and decided to order something I'd probably not buy in-person with my own cash. This was the chosen one. I definitely get the "grape" on the nose, along with some pretty nice pecan, walnut (I love nutty bourbons!). The walnut follows on the palate with spices, sweetness, and some slight astringency. Black pepper makes an appearance, as well, as the juice goes down. It's a tad light on the tongue. No heavy coat here. There's no age statement, but I'm thinking this is a fairly young bourbon. Nice flavors, but not much depth — which is ok! The finish is medium with lingering spice and slight warmth in the chest. I will more than likely not buy this again. BUT... I will enjoy this bottle while it lasts.

It's been a long time since I had Four Roses Single Barrel. It was one of the first bottles I bought at the start of the pandemic, when my bourbon journey began — and long before I joined Distiller. As such, my memory does not recall what I thought of it. I don't recall having a negative reaction to drinking it. But, I will buy it again and leave a proper review/taste in the not-so-distant future. But in the meantime.... I also want to say that I find it amazing how one user can call a bourbon, "menthol water" while others sing its praises. Palates are funny things!

When I read here that this Calumet 8 Year was being discontinued, I had to run out and get some. I've wanted to try it for a while, and its impending unavailability sealed the deal. This is very good. There's nothing particularly special about it, but it's got all the qualities I look for in bourbon: Sweet, a little spicy, leathery, very little burn. Finish is short, but pleasant. I've read other reviewers state that it tastes a bit "thin" for an 8 Year. I kinda-sorta get what they're saying — but not completely. It's got a nice richness to it and it coats the tongue just fine. There are four bottles remaining where I located this one. I may need to go back and procure another before it's gone for good.

Wow! Ok... Ever since I got on the Bourbon kick a couple years ago, to pass the time during Covid's apex, I thought I did not like rye in the mash bill. But I found there were some "high rye" bourbons that I actually enjoyed (Elijah Craig, 1792, etc.). So I decided to broaden my whiskey horizons and try some Rye.... I didn't want some crazy 95% rye option like Bulleit (who's bourbons I don't like — and the primary reason I thought I would not like rye), and went with what could be considered a "low-rye Rye". At 53% rye, this one seemed perfect. I love it. Not only did I find it a good "bridge" between Rye and Bourbon, but it's really just plain good. I get butterscotch on the nose as well as some bourbon-esque leathery traits. The palate is sweet and not overly-spicy, as I'd always expected a Rye whiskey to be. Just the right amount of spice. But I DID catch some things that set it apart from all the bourbons I've had: Herbal flavors and a different kind of spice. The expert review mentioned "malted milk chocolate". I totally got that, as well. There's a richness to this that coats the tongue nicely, and the finish is very nice, indeed, and reminiscent of some high rye bourbons I've tasted. This is a winner, and it gives me hope for further successful Rye adventures. Perhaps Elijah Craig, with its 51% rye mash bill could be a possible follow-up...

My local grocery had a whisky tasting today, so I walked on over and tried some... These are young bourbons from Rod & Hammers... 2-year age statements for both this Straight Bourbon, as well as their higher proof Cask Strength. I tried both, and wasn't completely knocked out by either. But I wanted to support a "local" distillery ( they're out of San Luis Obispo, CA), and grabbed a bottle of the Straight Bourbon. For such a young whiskey, it's not too bad. The nose is nice with vanilla and floral notes coming through.... A little thin on the palate (no surprise), with some sweetness and spiciness (a relatively high rye % after all) and a slight "warmth" in the chest. I also get a nice "walnut" flavor sneaking in.The finish is short with lingering spice. I asked if they had some longer age statements in the works, and I was told they had some "sitting around" at the moment. Will be interested to see what this distillery has to offer in the not-so-distant future.

Had been eyeing this one for a few days, and yesterday decided to pull the trigger on a bottle... First things first: The bottle itself. I know you can't (shouldn't) judge a bourbon by it's bottle. But I gotta say, a classic-looking bottle with an interesting label DOES make one take a second look. Now for the juice inside.... On the nose, I got the usual leather — as I do from most bourbons I've had — vanilla, cherry, walnuts and some slight heat/alcohol. I had it with ice, as I typically drink my whiskey. The palate is sweet with distinct flavor of peanuts, along with pecan, apples and a good dose of spice. The finish is moderate with lingering spice. I gave it a 3.75, as I reserve 4 and over for bourbons that knock my socks off. But this is very good. I could see it being purchased again.

I Am Not Legent. Waiter recommended this from the restaurant's massive bourbon list. I'd been curious about this collaboration between Beam and Suntory, so I gave it a try. Not for me. Tasted more like Scotch than Bourbon. It's obvious who wears the pants in this Kentucky Bourbon/Japanese Whisky marriage. Glad I was able to try it, and saved myself from committing to a whole bottle. So no regrets. Trying them all is half the fun.