Tastes
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Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed January 22, 2022 (edited February 3, 2022)[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.
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[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.
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[Early 2011] I want this review to go down on record with a caveat: 4.5/5 within vodkas, not across liquors. I don't always drink vodka, or good vodka, but when I do this would be a top choice. Versatile in mixed drinks, safe on the rocks, this has a favor profile worth drinking from guys who know how to make some booze. The fruit is just what you'd expect but not overpowering - because they're not hiding anything in the vodka base. A solid keep in the cabinet.
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Middle West Spirits Michelone Reserve Wheated Bourbon
Bourbon — Ohio, USA
Reviewed January 22, 2022 (edited January 29, 2022)[Early 2011] It all started with a Groupon... "Come learn how to make whiskey." A buddy and I received these from our SO's as a Christmas gift and went down to have a breakfast (with whiskey) where we made a mash, tasted profiles, and took home some bottles - including this one. Not a bad whiskey but was never something special. The story is probably cooler than the dram. Sweet logo, good family heritage, good people. And since have worked up some solid liquor I keep on the shelf. But their gem is vodkas and this reserve whiskey is just part of the standard lineup for me. Raw, woody, like Evan Williams Single Barrel. Harsh polyphenols that almost make you think of cleaning agents. It's a good whiskey but not their best. And for the price not something I keep around. Last bottle I bought was in 2014 for a bachelor party whiskey bracket. If you've never done one of those, do it.39.0 USD per Bottle -
Jim Beam Signature Craft Bourbon Finished with Spanish Brandy Finish
Other Whiskey — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed December 16, 2021 (edited February 28, 2022)[12.16.21] I don't want to own up to how long I've had this bottle. Saw it at the Jim Beam tour and thought I'd give it a shot. Their black label signature was amazing, and their red wheat ones were pretty good. This has the high corn, refined moonshine opener. First sip has a bite but you don't notice after that. Salty/acrid in the middle but it mellows out to a brandy (dried, fruity whiskey) finish. Have to be honest that I don't really like brandy so the finish for me isn't as good as a red wine finish. I'm most likely to use the rest of this in some dead-awesome Madison-style old fashioneds. But not my sipper. Tl;dr? Watershed makes a limited release bourbon aged in cab barrels. That is better and similar price for us locals. -
Four Roses Small Batch Select Bourbon
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed December 15, 2021 (edited December 16, 2021)[11.11.21] What. A. Year. Am I right? A cryptic text and a short visit later, this bourbon was delivered to my doorstep as a thank you for a year as board president. Let's be honest, this was mostly for having a spine and not letting corrupt bullies do what they do best. I'm happy to report my house isn't burned down and my kids haven't been "destroyed". People these days... But that's a story for another day. Or never. This bourbon was a fitting token, given its tougher, leathery bite. I'll credit my wife for the choice (apparently she recommended it for me). Salty, like a bit of sweaty, harness leather, a bit of bitter tannin/spicy bite like oven-torched flowers steeped in rye, and still a smooth, easy finish as if those flowers had been blended to a corn base. I'm biased because I paid for this in blood and sweat but this is a pretty solid version from a classic distillery. -
Copper Fox Original Single Malt
American Single Malt — Virginia, USA
Reviewed August 31, 2021 (edited September 8, 2021)[8.31.21] Remind me next year to say no to board presidency. Driven to drink, I was looking for something new and found this bottle from our trip to Williamsburg mid-COVID. Can't remember what I paid for it but it was worth it. Batch 167, 96 proof. Drink this at room temperature. [If you ice it, metallic and oxidized flavors (think bad homebrew kit) overwhelm the flavor profile. (I debated if my ice was bad, but my kids tell me it's fine.)] But this is a dang fine smokey malt that is sweet on the front end that sours until it's bitter on the back like the end of a cheap cigarette. Simple, not too salty or floral, not extravagant barrel complexity. Just American single malt, start to finish.45.0 USD per Bottle -
[3.18.21] Got this for nearly nothing and figured it couldn't hurt to try. Left it on the shelf for nearly a decade til "COVID made me do it". But seriously, the whiskey is getting narrowed out and I needed a new donor. Lambing season is a wreck so here goes another... This is actually pretty good. And better neat at room temperature. A high proof whiskey that lacks culture but not flavor. Strong vanilla and caramel, leathery burn, salty. This is a solid buy for the price I paid but no idea how it stacks in 2021.
Results 21-30 of 187 Reviews