Tastes

[4.3.2016] What better whiskey to celebrate a successful dissertation than one brand that started the bad habit for me. In-laws brought this back from Dublin museum last month and it outperforms its billing. I hadn't realized the impact of grain alcohol mixed into my Jameson until I had this less perturbed mixture. Sweet malty grain is much stronger than common Jameson. Still subtlely floral and fruity with enough honey you can claim this for medicinal uses. This is the best Jameson I've had to date. Smoother, and thus more dangerous, than any other Irish whiskey on the market.

[03.26.2016] My in-laws brought this back from Ireland last week and pulled it out to celebrate my dissertation submission. Excellent choice as Winter wanes into Spring because that's sort of how this bottle tastes as well. If you like Jameson and peat, it's safe to say you'll be game for Connemara. Peat smoke is strong on the nose and first sip, but mellows as you continue through the glass, revealing the subtleties you might expect from an Irish whiskey. Light floral tones underscore a sweet and salty, malty body that is followed with a charred and spicy finish. Solid whiskey that probably got the shaft in the Distiller review by being mixed among such an assortment of Irish whiskeys and a slightly elevated (and maybe too high) price compared to others in the market. I'd certainly drink an Ardbeg 12 for the money, but the traditional peat elevates this whiskey.

[03.24.2016] Found this bottle in Chicago last year and have been saving it til I felt the urge (or Distiller reviewed it). Lost power tonight, so it seemed like a good time to go blind into a whiskey tasting. If I didn't know better, I would say this is a lower year version of a higher brand whiskey. If you drink the black label Ezra for anything (I drink it straight when I'm cleaning the bikes), you'll find this to be a real pleasure. Previous reviewers have ignored the fact that it's pretty hard to find affordable higher proof whiskey, and this fills that void at 99 proof. Smoothed out by barrel aging, this still has some of the raspiness of the Ezra B. buzz saw known to torment my liver in my younger years. Vanilla is strong, oak is subtle and very spicy/peppery finish. There's some brown sugar and caramel that emerges with patience but air never opens up a decent aroma. Good buy and a good whiskey to share but probably not something I'll keep in stock regularly.

[2.19.2016] Courtesy of our department chair, this was a fine guesture from a fine man. Smoother than I expected (5 beers might help), this was a combo of sweet barley and smooth malt. Easy does as easy goes. And this was both. Solid choice at a BW3.

[2.1.16] Strong with lots of character, this wasn't my favorite of the night. A few drops of water will certainly open this one up a lot and I recommend it. Otherwise, the multitude of complexity is lost on you. Once it opened up, citrus, caramel/burnt sugar, and oak prevailed for me.

[2.1.2016] Short, sweet (like this interview) with the characteristic bourbon oak notes. This is subtlety spicey and a late aftertaste of fireside embers/char takes up residence. Much better than I expected. Almost a four. This has a lot of the good traits of Stagg, Jr., without the maturity.

[11.28.15] Go Bucks, beat Michigan! Bought this down at liquor barn so it was a special series 3 edition. Broke it open for a Buckeye win (10 min and counting) over that scUM. Nose is very sweet with caramel. A swirl reveals a hint of that ether alcohol I try to avoid - but hidden beneath so many layers. Taste is also sweet and salty/spicy caramels. Vanilla syrup hits you in the face, followed by stiff pepper spices that will burn at your taste buds a bunch. This needs more oak time to taste a bit less like vanilla extract and vodka. Three stars, not enough complexity to merit greater. Would be a great dessert bourbon with a birthday cake.

[11.23.15] Another fine catch at the Frankenmuth tasting house. This was the fourth Grand Traverse I tasted that morning (yes, 10 am on a Monday is just fine with me), so my judgment could be biased. The rep said this is their most popular offering but I would say I liked the double barrel better. This has all of the white dog rye sweetness of the OYO variety but the spice has been pilfered by the barrel. You'd never believe this was rye if you didn't have a memory of that cranky sweetness that hides in a strong rye blend. Like their other offerings, the oak does catch up with you but lurks in the shadows with the pepper. As has already been said on here - this is a fine sipping rye.

[11.23.15] Tasting houses in Michigan are the real deal for as long as they last. I caught this one at the Grand Traverse tasting house in Frankenmuth on a quiet Monday morning. Just us (first tasting w/my father-in-law) and plenty of time to talk over a $1 sip(s). This is a strong corn bill and certainly sweet but the work these guys do with their rye helps to mellow it out. Feels very clean with subtle spices and a late-blooming oak flavor. Don't waste time watering this down or hiding it in a cocktail (especially for the price). Drink it straight on the patio and count your blessings.

[11.15.15] I had this today with Sis as we checked off or second stop on the KY bourbon trail for this year's NAILE. Good experience at the Evan Williams Experience and so glad we finally made it in. I have a picture with our 4-month-old on cask 469 and will be buying a bottle or few when it is released to our tour group in 2023. This bourbon lives up to its billing. High rye influence with extensive time in the oak yields mellowed vanilla with strong maple, walnut and brown sugar flavor. This has a bold and dry finish that isn't probably as spicy as Distiller characterizes it. But surely some heat and black pepper notes. Even a drop or two of water will really open up the flavor but when it does, I'm not sure I like it better. Solid whiskey, but for $130 in store I had to walk away from it. OYOs Oloroso even sounds more reasonably priced.