Tastes

Copper in color. Strong aromas of wood spices, cinnamon, corn oil, vanilla and brown sugar on the nose. This definitely tastes like a thin, young (4 year old) rye...but it’s got quite a bit going on. Sweet corn, white pepper and light oak are all prominent players in a fairly well-balanced flavor profile. It’s not overly harsh on its own, but a drop of water mellows it even more and gives it some citrus attributes. 3.7.

Light copper in color. The nose is rich with overripe pears. It exhibits an extremely soft and silky mouthfeel and has a delicate sweetness with a nice, long gentle burn. I think the oft overused term “smooth” actually fits this pour well. 4.15.

Dark amber color. Toasted pears, sherry and some light wood on the nose. Lightly sweet and woody with a thick, creamy mouthfeel and minimal burn. A simple, solid, extremely pleasant Scotch sipper at a bargain of a price!

A nice, rich copper color. Vanilla, butterscotch, corn, brown sugar and floral notes on the nose. Nothing stands out on its own, per say, just a nice even balance. A really nice, creamy citrus explosion on first taste. Delicately sweet with a nice moderate burn and an extremely oaky finish. Loads of vanilla. This one might fool you into thinking it was a high-end rum in a blind taste test. The truth is this: This pour is a pleasure to savor. I only wish it wasn’t so prohibitively expensive and hard to come by.

A nice darkish copper color. Sweet corn, brown sugar, tea leaves and a hint of oak on the nose. First taste is a semi-sweet, oaky burn with a cake batter nuance for a finish. Mouthfeel is thin, burn is minimal and, honestly, the flavor profile is lacking. This is a respectable bourbon at a $35 price point, but at retail (and especially secondary) its a disappointment. 3.7.

A light, rusty copper color. Licorice, moldy oak and corn on the nose. Oak hits first on the palate, followed quickly by a nice hit of orange jelly. Getting a nice “Fruit Stripes Gum” nuance at the very finish along with a subtle, slow burn. Nice legs on the glass and a smooth, well-rounded mouthfeel. Sure, I’d love to experience a richer, more complex flavor profile...but this one’s not bad for the low price point. 3.65.

Nothing too unique on the nose. Corn, oak and faint vanilla. The flavor profile is lightly sweet with a very woody finish and a bit of a tea vibe. The mouthfeel is a little thin and on the watery side of the spectrum. 3.6.

Dark copper in color and a rich, dark, fruity nose with some obvious heat. There’s even some old wood on the nose if you work at it hard enough. Whatever it is, the aroma seems to be setting me up for a sumptuous treat. First taste is sweet and hot with a nice long burn. There’s plenty of wood to be had on the backend (😟I know...but the statement is still valid). My nose wanted it to be a tad thicker and oilier, but no complaints here. Every sip gets progressively better as it settles down. As expected, a few drops of water adds fruit characteristics (especially citrus notes at the back/top of my mouth) and a creamier mouthfeel. Surprisingly though, the pleasant burn is still strong and steady. 4.27.

The nose has me imagining an ancient, leather-bound book dipped in corn oil with thin, aromatic wisps from a cup of hot tea nearby. The mouthfeel is soft and fluffy, while the flavor is a blend of tea leaves, oak chips and bitter medicinal herbs. Dozens of thin legs gently make their way down the curves of my snifter as I consider what I’m experiencing. While not overly engaging, there’s something slyly regal about this bourbon...like it has a secret it’s simply unwilling to tell me. And I’m ok with that. 3.88.

Golden straw in color. Lychee fruit dominates the nose along with hints of mandarin oranges and flower petals. In the flavor profile, there’s not quite as much going on as the nose would suggest...but it still doesn’t disappoint. Lychee and canned pears stand at attention with a nice, albeit subtle, oaky finish. A drop of water adds more depth to the fruit and floral aromas and some heft to the mouthfeel. This guy clocked in as Whisky Advocate’s #5 whiskey of the year in 2017, and it’s not hard to see why. In a blind taste test, the uniqueness of this pour must’ve stood out in a huge way. Rampur is a fun bottle to have in your library.