Tastes

Another reviewer mentioned that there is a “used tire” quality to this one. I disagree, it’s actually “new tires” that are at the forefront. It’s true. If you went down to your local Discount Tire with a bucket full of smoking peat, swinging it around like an altar boy, the aromas you’d get would be akin to sticking your nose in this whiskey. That being said, this is a very unique, complex and flavorful pour. Thick mouthfeel. Sweet and smokey with a nice burn. Charred pears, leather, vanilla, play doh and venison jerky dominate the flavor profile, but you could pull out any number of nuances with enough time. It’s that complex. I sampled this for the first time at Balthazar in New York (they DO NOT put anything less than stellar on their menu) and immediately tried to track down a bottle. While I agree that this could easily be considered a polarizing whiskey, simply because of its uniqueness, you’re doing yourself a huge disservice by not tracking down a pour at some point in your life. And yes, the bottle/label design is one of MY favorites as well.

Corn, hay, browned butter and flour batter on the nose. Sweet woodiness and some hay on the flavor profile with a reasonably creamy mouthfeel. Definitely has some heat to it. 4.12.

Single barrel pick from Downtown Liquor in Eugene, Oregon. Butterscotch, corn and a hint of pear/pineapple on the nose. Very oily and oaky on first taste. The oil coats your tongue. On second taste, the oiliness is lessened and some spice comes through. Third taste is more buttery. A drop or two of water gives it an additional aroma of wine while also adding some fruitiness to the flavor profile. This particular barrel is oilier, dryer and less alcohol-forward than previous Weller 107 blended-barrel bottles I’ve sampled.

Dark copper in color. Has a tangy/funky aroma that morphs into a brown sugar nose as it rests. Rich, dark, sweet, smoky and complex flavor profile. Mouthfeel is on the thicker side. Definitely has some cigar and leather nuances on further tastes. The heat is well balanced and not overwhelming. 4.2.

Magnum’s 2015 OBSF 12 year 58% ABV. The nose is a mixture of wood, vanilla, peanuts and corn. Thick, oily and reasonably sweet with a healthy burn. A little backend bitterness, but not off putting. A drop of water releases fruity aromas and flavor.

Very light in color. Spicy nose. Super spicy, sharp and hot initially. Thin mouthfeel. Lots of oak and corn come through on later sips. A single drop of water adds some heft and a fruitier profile. 3.7.

The nose is spoiled fruit (the good kind I suppose?). Traditional Scotch flavor with a much sweeter, fruitier profile. Mouthfeel is medium. 3.8.

Rusty copper color. Cream soda nose. Thick and creamy mouthfeel. Has a bit of an oaky/mildly-bitter bite to it. Unless my taster is off, this is not very sweet (as the professional review would imply). Unique and enjoyable as a divergent pour. 3.65.