Tastes

(3.20.15) Preface my review with the fact that I got this on sale, with rebate for a grand total of $4.25 for the bottle. I couldn't lose. For the price, this was a home run. Disregarding the price I am still fairly pleased with the value I got. I would even go so far as to tick off the Crown folks out there by saying I would take this over standard Crown most days of the week. I appreciate Paul's (reviewer) comment about not calling this a rye if blindfolded. I totally agree. This lacks the spice I expected and instead just reminds me of a rye influenced fresh bread. It is fairly sweet with a strong alcohol odor. [6.26.18] An update. Probably won't buy this again but it provided another nice evening with friends over ice. Sweet and fresh, light spice. I gave the last half of the bottle to a homeless man in Knoxville; at least he was honest and asked me for a drink instead of money "for food".

Simple, harsh, sweet caramel and straw. Dry at room temperature this is like plain-flavored cough syrup. But on ice this is tolerable. Don't ruin a good cocktail with this either, spend a few more bucks and dramatically improve your quality. I'd drink it again for free, but not likely under any other circumstances.

This was my first, and luckily not my last. Awful straight - drank half a bottle out of my boot on the Riverwalk in San Antonio and found myself at a wedding. And bad if mixed poorly, the frat standard 7&7 was the only way to go (mixes ok with Mountain Dew, too, if you really want to screw up your system). We took it literally as a 50:50 mix and put on some hair. It really does have a rum-type taste with strong sweet and vanilla characteristics. But take the reviewers' word for it - don't expose yourself to it straight. I still have a nostalgic soft spot for the 7/7; it takes me back to the days when I had less discernment.

Barely a four star, this didn't measure up to my preconceived notions from others' reviews. Yet, this is a good bourbon in its own right. I smell spice and oak at the pour, but first taste has more toffee and cinnamon. Velvety is a fair review of how it feels in te mouth; I just couldn't quite put my finger on it. A bit more raw than the single barrel and yet still pretty smooth. I can taste cinnamon, honey and dried fruit before this fades into old oak. [4/29/15] A later taste reveals more nutmeg and clove than I've tasted before.

(2.13.15) This is an old standby for me in mixes but I'm just getting around to a real review. This is very sweet and a touch of sour but pretty mild all around. Ice makes it even milder - I'm afraid I could drink it all night long on a bad night without ever tasting much except a buzz but luckily I just keep it around for a mixer and resealing my barrel for bourbon beer. Too much and you start realizing the earthy/mineral off-flavors in the background.

Not so many years ago I wouldn't have appreciated this bourbon for its delicate blend of flavors and smoothness. This is a fine sipping bourbon, though maybe outpriced by some fair competition (in Ohio, this would actually be a $$ rather than a $). Maple syrup and and sweet pancakes come to mind from the nose and first taste, but these give way to soft fruit and chocolate, followed by sharp but balanced spice. While not ordinarily a fan of spice, this one is well done and hits right with the higher proof heat. Good work.

This was a standby for me back in college - a tough whiskey to scare off the weak ones when we went out for a night. This has a bit that comes with the higher proof that will pucker the face of many a young one. Mixes very well in my experience, but also is great on ice with cherries. It helps bring out the fruity subtleties that can otherwise be lost in the wash of corn grain alcohol and light barrel spice. Good buy that will separate a crowd.

The Ohioan whiskey lover in me wishes for a closer bond with our great alcoholic president and sipping this with a respirator would be a good start. But I just can't do it. For me, this straight is intolerable and on ice is just asking for trouble. It is just one step above trying to drink Southern Comfort and relaxing. Sweet, dirty liquor is not made for a casual night out and that's where I categorize this gem. It belongs on the shelf in a frat or a hunting camper but nowhere else.

When I opened this I had the sinking feeling that an affair had begun that would greatly offend my Talisker. But once on the palate and beyond the nose, these two are very similar in smoke level and sweet malt but not much else. Early wood smoke at first crack of the bottle persists throughout the glass (yes, I drink glasses, not drams). Distiller is quite right to recommend this to me on a day when I would rather curl by the fire and read Tolkien than anything else. A fine fire malt. Beyond the smoke, I catch honey, green pears, lemon and peat. The spirit is a bit oily for my liking but I can compromise for all else I get with it. Finish is slightly spicy.

Bought this tonight. After OSU beat Bama it seemed an ironic drink for the national championship game tonight since it was branded "Roll Clyde". Frankly, this was a fair quality whiskey - as advertised. Applewood lingers throughout but I'm not sure I want to know how it got there. This smells and tastes of cheap corn and rye whiskey touched up with some finer flavors. Aging six years gives enough oak flavor and spice to redeem this whiskey and keep it on my shelf.