Tastes

[9/26/14] So smooth. This is a craft bourbon made here in Columbus. Sweet wheat, with a bit of spice and salty, caramel apple - this is stereotypical fall in Ohio. Unfortunately it's just a bit too soft and mellow to give more than 3 stars. Absolutely love the place and the guys doing this work are going to turn out many great products.

[8/2/15] Another grab at the store in Orlando, a hot summer night seemed perfect to break this one out. Nose is barrel sweet and soft pepper. First sip indicates the soft pepper was deceiving. Drank straight this is very spicy pepper. The barrel sweetness helps balance this out. The aftertaste has a hint of bitter but I can't tell the origin. Will trust the experts that it is mint, definitely something green and floral. A touch of caramel and charcoal in there somewhere. I expected to be wowed, this is more a high 80s whiskey for me than a 90, but definitely one of my favorite ryes.

[7/17/15] Picked up a bottle for $70 + tax last week at a large liquor store in Orlando near the Rosen Shingle Creek. Even the guy at the shop had no idea how they lucked into a case of 12 that day and I'm sure it's already sold out. Bought 2, but should've just bought the whole case - just wasn't sure how we were going to get it home. Still my luckiest day in the history of whiskey consumption. The nose is light and peaty, minimally floral and slightly sweet malty. Flavor is perfectly balanced, yet conservative. I pick up the Talisker thread readily easily - brisket smoke, peat, salty malt. Not sure on the others and their roles to play but very full, slightly oily but not too much, very fruity (citrus zest/blossoms), and a touch of pepper spice at the tail. No raw aftertastes, the smoothness just leaves you waiting for the next sip. A perfect blend.

[7/15/15] The location really made the whiskey for me. Drank this at a blues bar in Orlando with ribs, potatoes and spicy poppers. This is simple and acceptable rye. Light red fruits, and that twangy sour-pepper rye taste. Didn't really pick up the tobacco but my impression could have been obscured by the smoke in the air. Good to sip but not the best for the price.

[7/14/15] Tried this after a few. Scotch florals and proof comes forth but not much else. Acceptable.

[7/14/15] Stiff drink, but it was free. Ether burn with oak, this lacks a more patient aging process. Sweet and spicey but direct and tactless, oily and ethereal. Not my whiskey.

[7/14/15] OSU reception at JAM 2015. Sweet and spicy bourbon easy on the senses as we say farewell to some old time class acts. Smoke is weaker than expected and oil and pepper are stronger. Quality spirit for a quality night.

It's the thought that counts with this one. Since I got it for playing the "organ" for a Greek Orthodox wedding in Cleveland the summer of '14, I am afraid I will always be biased towards tolerance for these good folks. A few great things come out of Cleveland - Lebron, Great Lakes Brewing, wine, Lebron returning - but this was not one of them. This sets my throat on an ether-fed fire like only a city with a burning river could do, and then sweetens the palate with tangy, oxidized pale sucrosy remorse. Props for the creativity, but whiskey is something most often best created with patience. Beyond the oxidized aging, this whiskey is hollow. Yet, simplicity may be it's redemption but for the price. The drink does open up with ice and my locals tell me that it is typically consumed this way.

I bought a bottle of Grant's back in the days when we first got married and lived by the discount liquor store. It was so cheap I couldn't pass it up, and the triangular bottle added a uniqueness factor. Still had a bit of this left when I took my candidacy exam in Feb. '14, but stat exam questions and a open fireplace finished it off that night. It pales in comparison to my collection now, but was the smokiest bottle I owned back then. I like the dried hay reference, I think this is what kept me drinking it. Otherwise, a pale scotch best served with some ice and low expectations. Something needs to soften the harshness of the liquor that is imbalanced with the flavor profile.