Tastes

[12.7.2018] I've probably owned this bottle since the first year 1792 had no age statement, but I honestly forgot about it in the basement. Broke it open tonight with a Balvenie-only friend to celebrate not being dead. Hindsight being 20/20, this probably wasn't the one. I appreciate the boldness up front but it leaves me wondering where the rest of the whiskey is. Higher proof, strong pepper and spice that left almost a burn feeling on the tip of my tongue. A little water seems to help; otherwise the flavor is shallow barrel tannins, spice, and herbal oils. I wouldn't buy this again for the price but heck, I don't remember buying it the first time.

[9.1.2018] Over with my former PI and a couple of colleagues/spouses. This capped off a night good drinks and food so by no means will I claim my palatte was clean. A great scotch, probably underrated on here but perhaps not the most price economical option so that could skew the ratings for some. You can smell this right out of the bottle, sweet and candy sugary. We've been drinking a lot of ports this summer and it was obvious to me very quickly that this has spent a bit of time aging in former port wood. Very rich, smooth, floral, and fruity, the scotch has a light color (almost pinkish?) and drinks very easily for a non-standard proof. Sweet and virtually no peat. This is a dessert scotch far superior to the Dalmores.

[7.21.18] Drank this at a 3-yr-old's birthday party. Luckily for all involved, the parents were great hosts. So call it the situation, or the Southern Tier bourbon just before (not so good), but I'd call this a high 3. Pretty good; I'd keep this around the house if we didn't already have dozens to drink. Easy drinker for the proof. This is pretty fruity, sweet, malty. Some vanilla but not much of the darker, tannin flavors or char that I associate with a good bourbon. Useful for your weaker friends who want to feel like they can drink a bourbon neat.

[6.24.18] This whiskey was worth the price of admission. Which, of course, I didn't have to pay so I was even happier. Dairy cow talk for a couple hours seemed like a good trade for a few pours. 🐄🐄🐄 Warm, spicy (I pick up cloves more than anything else), with a flavor mixing my leather work gloves after a day wood splitting dead fruit trees. Not overly complex, but deep enough to enjoy the drink.

[6.24.18] I've had this bottle for a few years and figured it was time to see how good it really was. Verdict is in from me and the boys at Select Sires: A grade. This is a fine red headed step child to big brother Jack. For the price, it's the best value Tennessee whiskey there is. Easy drinker, take it neat. It is lightly floral but tastes more like honey sat in charcoal before being turned into liquor. Definitely more fruit flavors come out as it cools off. Yes, there's vanilla but imagine more like if you warmed up the vanilla extract bottle. You can find a bit more spice if it warms up in the open for a while. I wonder if my palate is out of practice because I'm not picking up any cocoa or banana.

[6.16.2018] This is worth the price of admission. And in this case, that involved my father-in-law waiting unbeknownst to me in line downtown for over an hour to score one of 100 bottles released from the Ohio barrel. Fantastic bourbon. Balanced. Oak flavor is even, tannins/vanillin is more or less subtle, slightly salty and leathery. It opens up reveal the spicy/peppery side the longer it sits. Strong proof but don't water it down and waste it.

[4.16.18] Memorable moment. Best friend from graduate school breaks out a celebratory bottle when your department chair extends a verbal faculty offer. Great day, great celebration. Hands down, this is the best Jack product I've ever had. A premium bottle that any rye lover would be lucky to have on hand. Smooth and complex, spicy but not pepper and easy on the taste buds. I thought it was a bit saltier than the reviews and the vanilla came out very prevalent. Two of us drank half the bottle before we went out for the night. Hopefully that's my only hangover of 2018.

[3.17.18] My father-in-law brought this over to pair with my 10h smoked ham. No better way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day than that! Simple whiskey, an easy sipper. Malty, sweet honey, hint of vanilla, mild proof (compared to my usual suspects). I don't pick up any spice at all. This whiskey is straightforward and a predictable win with anyone who likes to open up a new easy drinker. And yes, this was purchased within the U.S.

[2.6.2018] I've got this one in my cabinet but drank a bottle today courtesy of the company for turning in my three weeks notice. Years ago I wasn't mature enough in my palette to appreciate the Elijah Craig line but this return has been enlightening. Odors are a bit stiff on the nose, especially as it opens up and cools down (patio in February). Warm and fresh from the bottle seemed best to me three drams in. Barrel spice, rich vanilla and moderate oak. Solid buy.

[1.20.18] Company money (house money) again, this time courtesy of my wife. Always wanted to give it a shot and the stars aligned. I had imagined what the angels share may taste like, this is on the money. This has some earthy undertones (wine barrels).but is driven by a balanced but presumptious sweet, vanilla, wood oils and brine. Solid piece, I'd own a bottle if the price was right.