Tastes

[05.23.2016] Whiskey snobdom reached - I urgently need to readjust my expectations. I just had this and thought: "Eh, it's alright." Seriously, this is more than alright. It is smokey with a hint of peat and strong malt flavor. Sweet and fruity, but balanced and smooth. This is an easy drink with balanced flavor. But nothing wows me except the bottle price compared to its peers.

4/2016. Must've forgotten to note when I had this over at Ryan's. This is an excellent whiskey. Crisp, fruity and low and growing spice in the background. Best crown I've had. Makes it harder and harder to return to the PBR Rodeo level stuff.

[05.14.2016] A little pre-grad party (mine, finally!) dram. This is good, as are most Dewars products, but not as good as I hoped. Probably because the char doesn't lead the blend to be as smoky as I wanted. Description in the tasting review above is pretty true to my own experience. Strong floral and citrus notes early, and very smooth mouthfeel. Vanilla really drives the train from there with a mild ending akin to Spring air. Nice whiskey, but no strong characters.

[4.7.2016] Found some leftover pumpernickel at North High Brewing while I worked on dissertation edits. This stuff sold out rapidly post-release but probably wasn't everything I dreamed it would be. Taste of roasted brown grains, rich pepper that is mellowed. Golden, almost malty with sweet barrel oils. After spice is dark and intense, but never quite find the tang common in a pumpernickel loaf. Good whiskey but will be better. [6.26.2017] A follow-up to my previous note. The second batch was considerably better, even the castaways I helped clean up. There is, however, a limit to the number of glasses of this you should have at once unless you want to sleep in your yard that night...

[4.20.2016] One in five drinkers I sampled at the bar found this tolerable. Seriously, this whiskey is like a vanilla sour with all the sassy edge. Unbearable with a bitter aftertaste. Never again.

[4.20.2016] Found this gem at O'Reilly's in Ft. Wayne and knocked off their bottle. Fantastic smokey rye that is uncharacteristic of Johnny Walker. Grand Traverse's "islay" is certainly better but the deep smoke aftertaste of this dram is fantastic. Otherwise, simple, almost Irish. But when you take that sip and the brisket-smoke sets in, you realize this drink is money in the bank.

[4.20.2016] Won the Tri-State speaking contest tonight and cut the night open with this (better than Jack). It's funny, I expected smoother but this is a bit spicy on the aftertaste yet smooth like Jameson low-grade on the rocks. Fruity, but especially tart apple is prevailing on this otherwise commonplace whiskey.

[4.6.2015] Gavin shared the tail end of a bottle with me when I stopped in to chat about a fundraiser with NHB. This got a bad rep from people early on but I think it's because those pansies are scared of the proof or the price (both formidable), including a harsh review from the only other note preceding mine. First whiff is strong cask with a hint of a sweet red wine buried in the dish pile. Taste confirms the initial assessment. Rich wheat whiskey mixes with dry sherry cask. If this wasn't served at cask strength I couldn't like it as much. But at 102 proof this is a fine piece to keep around, and the bottling releases will just keep getting older and better.

[4.3.2016] Another find by my in-laws, this one in the duty free shop on the way home. This steals the title for best Irish from an old friend, Jameson, despite rumors that it includes grain alcohol (who doesn't?) in its esteemed blend. On the nose this opens up to be fairy average, making the first taste ever more so surprising. Smoky malt warms the palate before the spice sinks in. It is obvious this whiskey has a strong and sweet corn base, with an oak and vanilla background reminiscent of many bourbons. Not only is this hot breakfast type of whiskey, but unless you pour it on some Quaker Oats, it would probably be an amazing pairing.