Tastes

First foray into the Islay smoke and peat. Read the reviews and chose this over the L16 yr. since I have a predilection for Distillers Editions and Cuts. Am quickly growing fond of tasting smoked meat in my drink. Although I lean more to the non/light peated Sherry cask Whiskys and like the fruit and floral nose and flavors produced, this example shows what can be achieved with both fairly strong Islay smoke and peat and also sherry casking. I could drink this daily it is so well done. Being a relative novice to the world of Scotch, the Islay way seems a more masculine, straightforward approach to the water of Life and I fear it has hooked yet another fish on the line. Will definitely try the Laga16 yr. but feel certain the DE will remain my favorite. As to chasing the smoke and peat, along with bottles of Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Laphroaig 10 yr, I hope to make a good Islay start. Edit 8/28/2018: I've simply fallen in Love...just don't tell my wife. Could drink this exclusively, it is that damn good. $99.99 USD in PA 2015 lgv 4/504

Received this as a surprise gift from a nephew and his fiance last Easter after making a joke about what they could bring for the dinner ("a single malt would be nice"). Lovely little dram and a great bargain for the money. 92 proof and burns like it's higher, especially with some drawn air. Rarely drink anything other than neat ... and as everyone's tastebuds and nose are different, I'll only say there is little peat, good fruit and decent complexity. Just finishing the bottle now and waiting for yet another nephew (brother to the first) and his wife and son to arrive for the 4th of July. Family, good food, good whiskey and a great American Holiday. Doesn't get much better in my book.

Just opened a bottle. Thought I'd add something to the collection with this flavor profile I hadn't yet purchased. Very nice Decanter style bottle is pure icing on the cake for this fine dessert. Have to say Kentucky Straight Bourbons like this have an awful lot to offer for the money. Usually not a fan of it but I love the mint on the finish...with mango and coconut as well --- a true dessert. The burn and mist is just right with this proof making this an anytime Bourbon. Can see why the Japanese fell in love with this label and am very happy the US is finally seeing some of it back in the States. Can't wait to share this with my tasting group. (5/30/18 - $62.99 Gettysburg, PA) Edit 8/20/'18 - Just ordered 2 more bottles after returning to this for a taste from the original which was getting to the bottom third. This whiskey is getting scarce but found a good source at very near the original price paid above. Of course shipping adds some but that is the price of scarcity and distance. Have been so busy lately delving into Scotch, Irish and other American Whiskeys, I forgot what a joy it is to have a sweet Bourbon like this to have with even a simple sandwich for lunch. I'll note it again: 86 proof makes this a neat only, fire-proof sipping anytime whiskey. Anything else in the glass is simply not needed. Cheers!

There's a reason this is so well liked. I'm ready to open my second bottle for 2018. Along with a few others like Cooper's Croze from Jameson and all of the Spots from Mitchell & Sons (especially the Green), this level of whiskey is a perfect fit for me in terms of price/reward. Along with once-a-year bottles of Midleton Very Rare Irish and Elijah Craig 18 yr. old mixed in, life is very good. Now to start tasting the Smoke and Peat soon. Saints preserve me! $57.99 USD in PA.

I have no idea why this very fine whiskey is rated so ridiculously low. It is the smoothest whiskey to ever touch my lips, and a blend at that. Perhaps it is the smooth creamy nature of it that leaves people desiring another kind of whiskey experience. Only 80 proof? And, of course, the asking price (how much of that is the box? I can just hear people saying). All well and good as it will leave more of this wonderful very rare Irish liquor for me. $220 USD in PA

Just opened this, my first Booker's. Passed on the 2017-03s that were left but might go back and see what is still available. The '18- 01 Batch is strongly aromatic of rye when first opened, and with my somewhat stuffy nose, a bit medicinal. But poured into a proper tasting glass it changes very quickly to closely follow the Distiller's review, at least for me. I love the color of this whiskey. The legs are spaced almost with regular precision and very long. I really like this bourbon. I drink almost every proof neat, at least at first, and this one has a very nice level of heat without pain. It enhances the full bodied experience and the spice, both with the nose and the buds, is generously proportioned. Finish is Medium as described but quite satisfying. Now if I could only corral a bottle of Tommy's Batch I would likely be even happier. But alas, late to the party ... Edit: July 2018 Did in fact corral a bottle of Tommy's Batch (2017-1), along with a Front Porch Batch (2017-3), and indeed I am a very happy man now with 3 delicious Booker's in the barn! All $79.99 USD in PA.

Tasted: 2016 ( a double - $50 gift card) and 2017 (Bottle x 2). Why rated so low? Is it the exquisite smoothness of these blends? Or maybe the absence of burn? As if that is needed to enjoy any whisky, especially one of this character. I know it took me a while to fathom the smooth complexity of this whisky. Something tells me it is the exclusivity and price for same which is responsible, as many today have become ultimate bargain seekers and will not settle for less. Well let them pass it over. There will simply be more for those of us who love it. $219.99 USD in PA

Have to say I seem to enjoy the Green Spot a bit more and consider it a better value. While the Yellow is presumed to be a more finished work and is truly a very fine whisky, with my admittedly novice level taster for a tongue, I actually get more from the Green Spot as an overall experience. Perhaps this humble taster will improve over time with experience. The Yellow indeed has a more polished and longer finish, benefiting from both the Oloroso and Malaga casking. There's no denying the greater complexity. And with the higher proof, it does actually improve in some respects with a touch of water, revealing more than what is tasted drinking neat. But for me the Green still dazzles in it's own way straight from the bottle and for some unknown reason I taste more peaches and cream from it than with the Yellow, despite the lack of the Malaga cask aging. A very pleasant (and economical) conundrum. Glad I tried it and would certainly buy it again. But with the Green I can save the extra $30-35 and enjoy life. As always, your mileage may vary. $99.99 USD in PA

For me, this is one of those Whiskys that combines elements of other favorite whiskys making it perfectly drinkable anytime. It has so much to offer, it very often tastes different with each sip depending on what I do with air, placement, and swallow. Amazing product with outstanding fruitiness derived from the Sherry casks. I'm now getting a peaches and cream on the finish long after swallow ... truly a Chimera. Need to try the Yellow Spot to compare which is the better value. $64.99 USD in PA

A wonderful everyday/anytime whiskey by whatever measure. I think I'm going to like this 'hobby'. $71.99 USD in PA