Tastes

[11.19.22] This has become my newest standby bourbon as I practice old fashioneds. A plain-Jane classic with the proof to counteract melting ice, it has the classic flavor profile so I can balance my ingredients and not worry about the whiskey. And yes, price has everything to do with mixed drinks.

[11.12.22] Got a free sample of this tonight at Liquor Barn after the stock show. Really, it's fine, and I enjoyed hearing the story about the pure Colorado water. And if that's your aspiration, it's probably better than Tin Cup. Clean, crisp, no burn despite the high proof. It's fine. But not fine enough to pay $55.

[10.6.22] Family pictures with my in-laws were tonight and we celebrated with pizza and whiskey from their recent trip. Find yourself in-laws like these - they are the best in the business. I have to say that after this one, I'm totally in love with whiskeys from the Lake Michigan shores. First the Grand Traverse Islay Rye (excellent), then the Eastern Kille Breakfast Rye (nearly drank it all in one sitting), and now this. Mellow is the word choice - maybe this comes from the constant turmoil of humidities and temperatures in the region flexing the barrel exposure? This is a sweet, oakey vanilla, minimal florals or leather, low tannins but a dose of spice underlayer. Truly a fine piece, at least the bottle I sampled was.

[8.27.2022] Was at a recently discovered cousin's house for dinner and drinks. Fair warning that my opinion is based in 6-7 rounds of Elvis Juice and a few Millers. Good drinks, fuzzier memories. Pretty sure this was a 2021 bottle bought in town. Good conversation, good people, glad to share the time and celebrate not being whiskey snobs. This barrel strength is easily one of the best bourbons I've had (and I've had plenty). Think like a Staff, Jr., just sweet enough to take the edge off but sharp, leathery. The wood tannins are balanced out really nicely. Only complaint would be that it's a touch salty for my taste but I know it's a lot of folks' jam. All said. If you get the chance for a dram, don't turn this down.

[5.25.2022] I'm shocked I haven't posted a note for this one yet. Broke it open sometime last year. Actually bought the bottle in 2020 when I was up near GR pheasant hunting and giving a talk. Because obviously the pandemic never made it that far North. They got me with the hunt and then told me I could drink whiskey while I gave my slides. How could you say no? Anyhow, this was my go-to as board president when I sold race programs because everyone else was "too important" to do it. And my easy sipper when I sighted in a rifle last fall. And a guaranteed warm-up when sledding. And now a good glass while the first bonfire of summer burns down. This is sweet, barely spicy and I'd drink it straight all day (and have). Really carries the maple flavor - not just the syrup but the bark smoke and woodiness. Stronger proof but you can't feel it. Don't drink the bottle in one sitting and don't let it sit upside down for long (aka in a luggage compartment). The cork falls apart and leaves a funk. Looking for a donor to keep this on my shelf if you need my address.

[1.7.2022] Paired this with the 1910 edition taste-off (neat) on a cold night downtown and can confidently say it's the better of the two. But if you read my other note that's not bragging rights. This whiskey at least carries some proof and fire to the table. Strongly spicy with an afterburn, there's some of the smoother notes (vanilla, fruit, leather) in the middle that can get lost the first few sips. Probably a good historical piece. Probably don't need to own when I could just buy another bottle of Russell's 10.

[1.7.2022] Forced maturity (the pro's words, not mine) is an apt description for this work. Had some at a dive bar with friends, neat. While it was just what I needed to warm up on a cold night, it's nothing I need to feel guilty not owning. The whiskey has a lot going on and it's difficult to pin down flavors, but one thing for certain is the raw, almost ether, feeling in the back of my throat as I work through it. Not sure it was pepper but it certainly had a burn. Did a side-by-side with the 1920 and much prefer the younger sibling. My guess is that this is probably a fair recreation of an older time but if that's what I was looking for I'd probably stock up on Old Tub for the price.

[1.22.2022] I'm a bit surprised at the low score this pulled from the pro review. Visited friends we haven't seen since the start of COVID and he share a couple glasses tonight. Had with an ice cube so maybe that cuts the heat some are worried about. I thought this was a pretty soft whiskey. Easy sipper, I could have drank the whole bottle. Was surprised by the chocolate malted undertones. Who're we kidding, they're far from undertones and I was surprised to see they're only 4% of the bill. The taste reminded me of chewing some malted grain from the Guinness factory including the bitter like you broke into your grandma's cocoa powder. Mixed with the vanillins, I found it to be a bit sweeter than spicy, and mild. Surprisingly good, just no space on the shelf for this one.

[Early 2011] Surprised I never "tasted" this but I guess I had it before this app was a thing. Ranked this higher than the Michelone because my expectations (and price point were lower). This is a heavy wheat whiskey that is harsh but holds its own in a workshop cabinet. If you wanted to try your hands at self-aging in a mini-barrel, this would be a good base. Has the parts for a good bourbon (and has fathered many) but simply too raw to pay the same price for it over other more refined yet wheated options. Here's looking at you, Weller or Bernheim.