Tastes

This is a new bottle, so I will come back to it to see how the rating changes. Nose: banana nut bread, sweet wheat Palate: less complicated than the nose. Muted toffee. Some spices. Slight citrus. Finish: short but rich while it lasted. At $50 this is a decent bottle. I’ve seen this much higher recently though which speaks to the wheated mania that bourbon is suffering. Seems gimmicky, overpriced. Honestly, I’d recommend the basic Rebel Yell over this because it’s way cheaper and doesn’t pretend to be complicated. It’s just a simple sweet sipper. This on the other hand is a hype bourbon. Rebel Year 10-year is more complex than the bottom shelf offering, but $50+ better? Not to me.

As with any new bottle, I plan to return to this to see if the rating improves or goes lower, either way. This is a Liquor Barn store pick (Louisville, Kentucky, 14-years-old, barrel 6375, “Blue Rose Special”) Nose: I expected an oak bomb and did not receive the oak bomb. At 14-years-old, this does not have a ton of oak on the nose. I got brown sugar (possibly maple sugar as is commonly reviewed), leather, and dark fruits. There was oak, but in the background. Palate: muted baking spices, vanilla, cola, butterscotch. Finish: shockingly moderate for a 120-proof whiskey. Finished a bit oily and like a lower proof bourbon.

I really enjoy the nose on Bakers. It’s a sweet, slightly cinnamon nose with cherries and sugary nuts. Reminds me of bbq and sweet tea in the springtime for some reason Palate: spicy brown sugar and nuts Finish: decent but quicker than I expected for 107. Pleasant and balanced.

Nose: sweet wheat, corn, slight brine, fruits Palate: oily, moderately rich, baking spices Finish: medium, rich, more spices

Nose: banana, oak, leather Palate: honey barbecue, toasted wood, baking spices Finish: medium with spicy cola notes, warmth

Nose: sweet walnuts, maybe cherry, oak and corn Palate: mildly spicy with hints of: vanilla, leather, cinnamon Finish: quick this time around. But ethanol. Not much flavor left by the end. Slightly bitter. Starts out well but falls along the way. Solid bottom-shelf pour especially if you like the rest of the Old Forester lineup

Nose: cherries, toffee, corn and oak Palate: more cherries, spicy vanilla & hints of raisin Finish: medium and balanced, more dark fruits Best craft bourbon I’ve had from 2018 This resembles Makers Cask Strength, just a little less alcohol and not quite as complex. But very good.

Nose: raisins, nuts, oak, cherries Palate: baking spices, more cherries Finish: cherries and cinnamon

Nose: sweet walnuts, brine and cherry Palate: butterscotch spices, cola, hints of citrus Finish: balanced and smooth finish Reminds me of McKenna 10, and since this is now discontinued I can imagine they will be using more of the spirit to go into McKenna. But honestly this is better than the McKenna I’ve tasted. It’s better than the current NAS Elijah Craig. So maybe those two will improve with the stock that was originally intended for the 6-year bottled in bond. Who knows.

Nose: sweet corn, a little oak and tea. A few hints of dark fruit Palate: more ethanol on the palate than the nose. A little rough around the edges. Spicy. Finish: predictable. Short to Medium.