Tastes

[09.27.16] After the bourbon bracket shenanigans of 2014, I can't believe I never put a note in about this. Bracket winner that fall (over Crow, Dan Tucker and OYO, etc.), this is a fine whiskey with adequate barrel tang/spice. A bit mild but worth a try, especially if like me you find this under $30.

[09.27.16] So this one happened. By no means fantastic, it is comparable to a white label Beam sitting in a sotty old barrel in Grandma's cellar for a year. You tried to age it by hand but you still shouldn't share this at the fall tailgate.

First 5-star product from Jack that I would drink again neat. Barrel is really coming out, but smooth and added heat from the higher proof makes this feel more genuine and less mainstream fad. Something in the water still seems to make people get rowdy, but I guess that's like McDonald's fries, we'll never learn the secret.

[07.19.2016] Tolerable Irish whiskey. This one is sweet and floral, smooth, not sophisticated. Easy drinker that I'd keep around for a low price.

[07.20.2016] Holy sweet tart. All the sweet tang of rye with little pepper, barrel or typical bourbon. Just tastes like sweet corn and rye blend. Lacking anything by this.

[07.19.2016] My 100th review after the United Airlines (no)flight from hell. Solid but nothing special. Heat and barrel with typical rye. Not impressed. This is sweet and cherry sour like pricey cough syrup. Nose is a lot of barrel that mixes with vanilla, floral spice (is that a real thing???) and a fair bit of heat after a few stouts. Good, but not repeatable. A table of 4 is unanimous.

[06.10.2016] Up in Northern Michigan for a weekend that would make Kid Rock proud. A good thunderstorm bonfire combined with this scotch was the perfect ending to a hard day of wedding prep work. A bit watery and medicinal, this took a few sips to grow on me. Very sweet, especially dates, figs and prunes. It is sweet and spicy, can't really tell what the spice is but reminds me of nutmeg and cinnamon. [6.26.18] Revisted this one a few times today. First over ice on a pool deck. Really tones down the oily off flavors and sweetens it up. Not bad but the sunburn is. Later on I treated some of my dairy colleagues to most of the rest of the bottle. Neat, at cellar temp, this is actually a good drink. The fruit is more balanced with the buried malt flavor.

[05.26.2016] Goodness gracious I'm a sucker for sherry cask-aged whiskey. Chalk up another winner here with that deep red flavor and sweeter malt and floral hovering beneath. This brings forth fruity notes and spice as the taste develops and balances smoothly overall. A solid drink to cap off a night of exploration in W. Wisconsin.

[05.26.2016] On the road again. A solid whiskey ordered for me by my fellow coworkers in La Crosse, WI, at the apparent origin of the violent (and popular) high school stick and ball game. Solid whiskey. Smooth, malty and spicy, with strong honey and vanilla oak pulling the rest of the favor profile. Stephanie is right, there is a strong resemblance to a cinnamon spices creme brule. A must add to your tasting list, especially on a company's travel budget.

[06.2014] Ryan brought this back from Clermont and I've grabbed a few bottles since when I've been down for NAILE. Keith nailed the review notes, but don't water this one down - enjoy it like the old boys (and girls) did. Barrel oak hits you unabashedly at first taste. Caramel and salty with a bit of spice. Extra proof is evident with the heat. Briny with a touch of smoke. Not too oily, which is definitely a plus for me. This is old school at its finest. Initial review gave it three stars but it's grown on me since.