Tastes

Really unique. Sweet and woody. Has a hefty amount of scotch notes due to the higher % of barley in the mash. Actually quite complex and gets better as it sits. 3.8.

Cinnamon on nose upfront with vanilla a little bit later. Rich and hot. Lots of spice with plenty of sweetness and medium wood. Fairly oily mouthfeel. Smooths out a bit with a couple drops of water. Cinnamon holds up throughout. Maybe even a little bit of cola? 4.1.

Dry and woody. First couple of sips were very “buttery”. Corn-forward with a full mouthfeel. Some floral notes on the aftertaste. Hints of spice. 3.65.

Getting some dark cherry notes with butterscotch, caramel and vanilla on the nose. Fairly spicy flavor with some heat. A woody finish hangs on for quite a while. A little thin on the mouthfeel. A couple drops of water gives me a bit of oil and a ton of vanilla on the nose. This one didn’t start as strong for me as I’d remembered, but it finishes well.

AJ’s Fine Foods 2018 barrel pick (11 years old, warehouse P). Cinnamon raisin and corn on nose. Leather, tea, cigar and some light smoke flavor. Just enough of an oily/creamy mouthfeel to keep it interesting. Not much in the way of sweetness, but not completely dry either. All in all, a nice bourbon...especially for the very low price point. Side note - a drop of water brings out some interesting nuances. 3.8.

Nice light copper color with a rich complex nose. The flavor isn’t as intense as the nose and color might suggest, but still nice. Basically a darker, richer and zestier version of a normal Highlands scotch. Mouthfeel is a notch or two below “creamy”, but definitely not “thin”. Fun to try, but maybe not worth the price? 3.77.

Butterscotch and a hint of maple on the nose. Reasonably sweet with a medium-bodied, oily mouthfeel. Some spice with a bit of tang. This was my gateway whiskey and, surprisingly, it still does not disappoint.

This one kind of hits the sweet spot. Affordable, decent ABV, semi sweet and reasonably complex. A couple drops of water thickens the mouthfeel while time adds a touch of oil. 3.85.

55% ABV Alabama style whiskey infused with dried apples and cinnamon. The additions are not at all overwhelming and create a delicious flavor profile. Super good. Reminiscent of some of the better High West bottles. 4.25.

Total Wine barrel selection from 2018. Thin, but has a sweet, sharp citrus and peach flavor profile. A fair amount of spice. Water cuts sharpness/spice and brings on floral notes. Seems similar to Russel’s Reserve, which would make sense considering the barrels are hand selected by Jimmy Russel. 3.87.