Tastes

Others describe the nose as floral, but I don't get that (I get floral from some Four Roses bourbons, but not this...Magic Marker???). To me, the nose is grassy alcohol with a hint of charred barrel (2 stars). On the palette, WT 101 improves significantly, with sweetness and spice (think caramel and cinnamon - 3+ stars). The finish is fairly long, especially in this price range, with more of the same along with some toasted wood and a hint of tobacco (4 stars), to average out at a little over 3 stars... factor in price and this is 4 stars in the sub-$25 market, but still not quite the value of Evan Williams BIB, which is not as delicious straight (and lacks the creamy mouth-feel of WT 101), but half the price and just as good mixed. With water and/or time, the nose improves a little. Overall, a solid and delicious bourbon for the price. I will definitely purchase when this is on sale.

Not sure why Distiller gives this an 84. Out of the bottle, the nose is dominated by acetone (not just the typical alcohol nose, but acetone - nail polish remover). After sitting for awhile, the nose transitions to barnyard, with acetone in the background. If you couldn't tell, I didn't like the nose. On the palate, young corn sweetness and dough - not much if any barrel. This is followed by the characteristic tingle of wheaters, and a short-but-smooth finish. Whereas I love to nose Maker's Mark, but don't like drinking it, I'd avoid nosing this one but pick it for drinking over MM. Simple, one-dimensional sweet, but no off notes while drinking... would probably mix OK, where floral/apple flavors might emerge. Glad I tried it, but won't buy again unless more flavor (and less acetone/barnyard) develop in the open bottle.

I only had a small sample of this Taiwanese whisky after a co-worker shared some samples - reminded me a little of Irish-style whiskeys that use bourbon/sherry barrels like Black Bush or Tullimore Dew 12, but slightly smoother at significantly higher cost (~$90/bottle according to my co-worker). My rating does not account for cost (3 stars if price is considered).

Excellent example of a good Irish whiskey - smooth, but nicely complex.

Not bad for a bottom-shelf bourbon (running around $13 in my area) that is marginally good enough to sip neat (for less $, Benchmark is better neat)... I tend to let mine sit for a little bit to decrease the acetone/alcohol nose. After sitting, it is sweet with the vanilla and toffee, but has a bit of mineral aftertaste (wet stone) on the finish. I ended up "vatting" a bottle of this with some 90 proof Ezra Brooks (that lacked sweetness) and the initial result turned the mineral taste to a soapy taste (yuck!). However, after a few weeks together, the soapiness was gone and the combo worked quite well.

I bought this because it was cheap when I was underemployed , but enjoyed it and found it more complex than Jameson's. This is very easy to drink...perhaps too easy? Update: I had some more recently when deciding what to buy for St. Patty's, and noticed corn sweetness similar to Bourbon... the Clontarf website mentions "maize" in addition to malted barley... Which is unusual for an Irish whiskey. Between maize in the mash and aging in ex-Bourbon barrels, I think this might be a good Irish blend for Bourbon drinkers.

Sweet and smooth, but a little one-note (sort of like Jim Beam White with Bourbon). I find Bushmills and Clontarf more interesting in the lower-end blends... and cheaper, too.

Bought it for my Scotch-drinking dad for Father's Day - he thoroughly enjoyed it (so my eight siblings can suck it!). Now I need to pick up a bottle for my bar!