Tastes

The first time I had Michter's was at the very beginning of my Bourbon fascination. I really had nothing to bounce it off of, as I hadn't had many others yet. But I do associate it with positive memories. So I figured it was time to revisit this one... to see how it stands up against the plethora of bottles I have had since those fledgling Bourbon days... Color: Golden Copper-Amber Nose: Cinnamon. Just as I am about to sip, I get a nice dose of "cloves" or perhaps "Allspice"...? I never know... Palate: (Drank with an ice cube,) More cinnamon, smooth, slightly spicy, very light mouth feel. As the ice cube melted into the juice, I began to get more oak. Finish: Medium with some lingering spiciness. I've read where Michter's is considered an, "entry level" Bourbon. While I appreciate where that classification is coming from, I also beg to differ. It's a bit better than that. I put it in the same league as Eagle Rare. It's a solid sipper that stands up to more expensive bottles I've had.

Color: Medium rusty copper. Nose: Molasses and raisins — yum! Oh-so-slight slight alcohol whiff. Hoping the palate will live up to this amazing nose... Palate: (Drank with an ice cube) Initial sweetness and nuttiness. Chest hug ensues, and stays with you for a few sips. After the initial sip's sweetness, I get some spiciness and a tannic(?) bite on the back end , as well as more nuttiness. Although 100 is not a particularly high proof, this is relatively smooth. Finish: Medium-to-long with lingering sweetness. I'm quickly becoming a big fan of Bardstown. I had their Origins white label a while back, and I was impressed by that one. This is equal to, if not slightly better. Will be keeping an eye out for both, and will grab them when I see them.

I've been searching for Weller 12 Year for a good two years now. I could have had it long ago, but I refuse to pay ridiculous prices for it (and any other "allocated" bottle, for that matter). My patience finally paid off, and my grocery guy — who knows I've been looking for it — received six bottles, and hooked me up with one of them at SRP today. Color: Golden amber. Nose: Familiar sweet nose with oak and a hint of cherry. Palate: Medium mouth feel with a sweetness that I would expect from a Wheater. I wouldn't call it, "syrupy sweet", but it's certainly sweet. Very smooth with little-to-no burn (90 proof, after all). Although these two flavors seem to be over-used, and thrown around casually, when reviewing bourbon, I'm saying that caramel and vanilla dominate this juice's profile. It's also got a subtle bit of smoke going on. Finish: Fairly short, but with a nice tongue coating. I will definitely buy again when the opportunity arises. Of the three Weller expressions I've had thus far (Special Reserve, Antique, and 12 Year), this takes top honors.

Color: Medium rusty amber. Nose: Sweet with caramel and oak. Palate: The sweetness of caramel and the oak carries over from the nose. Syrupy mouth feel. Tingly tongue and a nice mild chest hug. I want to say it's spicy, but it's not really. Whereas I've had Wheaters in the past that have left me thinking, "Huh?", the wheatiness really stands out with this one. Finish: Medium. Buttery with what I detect as apples. Yum. I've had Maker's flagship, 46, and some FAEs, BRTs and BEPs. I've enjoyed each of them very much. But I think this 101 has just moved ahead of the pack, and I'd buy this again before I revist any of the others — and not just because it's more readily available than the aforementioned Limited Editions.

Smooth. Spicy. Vanilla. Caramel. Brief, I know. I was out to dinner yesterday, and the manager recommended this Hillrock. I was immediately impressed. Not sure if I will buy a bottle at the $100+ price point. But if I did, it would be wholly justified. Added 12/25/23: Received a bottle from Santa Claus! Having a pour tonight in the comfort of my own home... From nose to palate, I'm getting "cherries" (as in cherry cough drops), as well as what I am going to identify as "molasses". Slight burn going down. It's sweet, and I remember why I liked it as much as I did back in September.

Color: Deep amber Nose: Formidable nose, foretelling of the high proof — but not in a heavy "alcohol" way. It's molasses and caramel with inevitable char. Palate: (drank with a large ice ball). Very rich and viscous mouth feel. Initial spicy-sweet assault on the taste buds, followed by a mild chest hug. Getting a lot from these first few sips. Sweetness lingers in the back of your throat, as does the chest hug. Getting a "buttery" thing — like buttery pound cake. Maple-pecan is hitting me as the ice dissipates (when any kind of "nut" makes an appearance, I am sold!), as well as vanilla. You can tell this is 124 proof, but at the same time, it doesn't drink as hot as you'd expect. There's more flavor than burn; more subtly than in-your-face. I am quite enjoying this maiden pour. Finish: Medium-long with more butter. The more bourbon I try, the more I understand why higher proofs are held in such a high regard. There really is something to be said about proof. I've enjoyed many a bottle under 100 proof. But these higher proofs really do offer more complexity if that's what you go for. I don't necessarily place a lot of importance on "proof". But I understand those who do. This is damned excellent bourbon. I will be grabbing another bottle — if I can find another upon the killing of this one.

I'm out tonight, and i just had Lost Empire Bourbon, and it was ok. But this stuff.... Like night and day. Very good! Hit with a nice dose of licorice on the first sip. Slightly sweet with oak. Can't say it's, "complex", but it is definitely got a lot going on. Good! Worth a purchase — and when I do, I will add more of a review below... As promised! More notes on this juice. Today, I ran out to grab the last bottle on the shelf at my newest go-to Bourbon source. Color - Copper/amber. Nose - Molasses, slight alcohol, Palate - (Drank with an ice cube) Initial burn and chest hug going down; slightly creamy mouth feel; sweet as you'd expect from a wheater, but also pretty spicy. Lots of oak with each subsequent sip. I'm not getting the licorice that I was hit with last night. A hint of apple on the back side. Finish - medium, slightly drying, more oak. This reminds me of other bourbons I've had, so I'm wondering if it will find its way into my regular rotation or get lost in the mix. Either way, this is very good, and I can recommend it for anyone who is considering it. I may try the high rye (Black label) once this bottle is killed.

I was out tonight and was able to try a few Bourbons that I have been curious about for quite a while, yet never pulled the trigger on: Lost Republic, Wilderness Trail, and Widow Jane 10 Year... Of these three, Wilderness Trail was the winner. But we're talking about Widow Jane here, so... It's hard for me to give a focused and detailed review when I am out. I need a more "controlled" environment where I can really zero-in on the nose, palate and finish. But suffice to say, this is good bourbon. There's nothing that really stands out to me, but it's decent... good flavor and nothing off putting. It deserves a purchase, and perhaps I WILL buy a bottle and be able to offer a more informative review.

Very light. Spicy. Not bad, not great. This is one that I had been interested in for a while when I first got into Bourbon. But it always got pushed aside due to other, more interesting options. Glad it was a "try before I buy" pour.

Color: Copper-Amber Nose: First pour — Classic Bourbon nose. Oak, sweet, slight alcohol. Second pour — cinnamon! Palate: First pour — Medium mouth feel; initial slight burn on the way down; spicy tingle intermingling with burnt sugar sweetness. Drinks smoother than its proof. Second pour — original spice transforms into a more specific spice of cloves or allspice(?). 11/17: Cherries! Finish: Short but pleasant with slight sweetness carrying over. This is not complex, but it's all I hoped it would be at this price point. It's very good and checks nearly every bourbon box for me. I bought this while on a trip to Virginia. It's not available in the Los Angeles area (all of CA?), as far as I can tell. So I will definitely buy again, whenever I find myself in a state where it is available.