Tastes

Combination of two 3yr barrels and one 5yr barrel On the nose: butterscotch, vanilla, a bit of red fruit, some light maltiness, and citrus On the palate: butterscotch, vanilla, some oakiness, citrus, baking spices, mild maltiness, and light leather. A lot of zing to it Finish: More vanilla, more maltiness (not in an offensive way) and leather approaching a touch of smokiness. With water: More citrus and oak on the nose. The palate softens and sweetens, and a red berry fruit flavor comes forward, and there is more maltiness on the finish. Overall: An impressive homage to the Speyside style that i doubt would have made me think North Carolina if I tasted it blind. Don’t be afraid of the 3 year age statement - there is a touch of youthy malt flavor, but it is well integrated in a tasty and complex single malt. This combination of 3 and 5 year barrels is definitely mature for its age thanks to the North Carolina climate, and very much worth trying.

Batch 2 On the nose: campfire, ocean, green apple On the palate: canpfirey peat, mild salt, iodine, green apple, a little black pepper, ginger, honey. Definitely a heavily peated, but so well integrated with the fruit/sweet flavors On the finish: effervescent on the tongue, more honey and ginger and orchard fruit with the smoke going to the background. Doesn’t leave you with a mouthful of smoke Overall: A great take on the classic heavily peated Islay. The peat is so well integrated with the sweeter notes. Hardcore peat-heads may want to skip this one, but this is a great pick for someone looking for a complex peated dram

Nose: honey, apple, pear, vanilla, and lemon zest Palate: butterscotch, pear, yellow apple, vanilla, oakiness, a light earthiness, lemon zest, light baking spice, surprisingly chewy for a lower ABV. Finish: more butterscotch and some oak tannins Overall: It’s a sin cutting down the ABV, but man is this still solid classic Speyside

On the nose: orange, oak, clove, and vanilla On the palate: big oakiness, orange, peanut, big caramel, maple syrup, cinnamon and big baking spices On the finish: nuttiness comes out more, and more caramel and some oaky bitterness With water: more sweetness and especially more orange comes through Overall: reminiscent of the regular 100 proof with more oak and intensity of other notes. Doesn’t drink harshly for 120 proof (in my opinion). If you like the 100 proof, this isn’t all that different, just with the intensity turned up

On the nose: peach, vanilla, apple, and some woodiness On the palate: Peach, a little bit of cream, butterscotch, green apple, honeydew, substantial oakiness, and solid baking spices On the finish: oak and spice come more forward and some herbal elements come out Overall: I’m a huge fan of the original Balcones single malt, and this is a nice compliment. Definitely more mellow (at least for a distillery that mostly makes high proof punchy whiskeys). Some Speyside character blended with Texas whiskey power

Warehouse M E, Barrel 42-5 L On the nose: big vanilla, cherry, baking spice, and a little bit of wood On the palate: big almost creamy vanilla, sweet cherry, caramel apple, light oakiness, and present cinnamon and clove spice. On the finish: fruit remains but spiciness and oak tannins pick up Overall: I’m not a huge fan of Four Roses Small batch, but this is a winner for me. Great balance of big sweet notes and big spice notes. I got it for $40 and definitely think it’s a great deal at that price

On the nose: loads of wood, wood lacquer, vanilla, angel food cake, On the palate: again intense oak, oak tannins, big vanilla, butter, brown sugar, char, and cinnamon and nutmeg On the finish: more spices, then more sweet and even creamy vanilla but the oak bomb flavor remains Overall: This is definitely not for everyone, but I really appreciate the uniqueness and intensity. This is a definite Texas-aged oak bomb, and if you dig something super oaky this could be for you.

On the nose: peanut, caramel, oak, sandalwood, medicinal cherry On the palate: thick mouthfeel, caramel, cherry, light oakiness and a cedar note, and root beer On the finish: still sweet, but more herbal notes and some sourness push through. Getting some peanuts on the aftertaste too Overall: A good craft offering. Not blowing me away, but it’s promising. With some more age this could be something

Batch 071 - 61.5% ABV/123 Proof On the nose: big sherry cask notes of raisins, cherry, vanilla and some sherry funk/sulfur, and some ethanol On the palate: big chewy honey, orange, huge raisin note, cherry and baking spice. Drinks a little hot, but it is 123 proof after all With some water: mellow honey, more even sherry notes of raisin, dried figs, and black cherry and pronounced baking spices. This is the way to drink in my opinion On the finish: sweet and fruity - a lasting finish Overall: Powerful stuff. Sherry bomb concentrate. If you like cask strength bourbon and sherry bombs, this is a great pick in particular

Barrel # 0182 - Bottled in Bond - 100 Proof On the nose: cherry, banana bread (overripe banana, walnut, baked goods), and oak On the palate: big and chewy mouthfeel with pronounced oak, medicinal cherry, honey, baking spices, black pepper, and pronounced chocolate. On the finish: caramel, chocolate and more pronounced spice and pepper Overall: As a local resident, I am biased, but this is great stuff. That thick, chewy mouthfeel is wonderful. This barrel is definitely big on the darker and spice notes. If you’re in town, give it a try