Tastes

The novelty alone of a blend from over 100 batches of whisky is worth the $50. It's a great example of how a blend can compete in a single malt world. It's got so much going on, I'm not even sure my pallet can detect everything, which is a little disappointing. Perhaps if I was more cultured and a better taster, I'd appreciate this even more. Get a bottle, if only to break up some of the monotony in the whisky market and to have a fun conversation piece to share with friends. They might pick things out of the profile you missed!

It's a decent dram, but you'd be better off at the price with some standard Arran. However, it is the only whisky that can legally have Robert Burns on it, so that itself is a talking point worth the price of admission to share with friends. Maybe read some of Bobby's poems while you're at it.

Is this the best Lagavulin release? No, of course not. But it has some unique notes not often found in Lagavulin, while still keeping its core profile. It's cask strength, has a beautiful illustration on the bottle and packaging, and isn't really out of the normal price range that the brand's regular offerings encompass. It's time for us drinkers to stop comparing modern releases and prices to the Golden age of yesteryear. If you can already afford Lagavulin 16 at today's prices, you'd do well to grab a bottle of this while you can. We can be discerning to avoid getting ripped off, without completely unfair comparisons to a time when whisky was cheaper across the board. If you're going to get a 2022 special release whisky, this is probably at the top.

It's the flagship. Not a lot to add here that hasn't been said before. At under $30, it's a great, simple sipper that works well in cocktails. Don't pay a markup for it, but grab a bottle or two if you see it and it isn't regularly available in your area. Should please even non whiskey drinkers.

Your milage may vary, barrel to barrel, but it's a great offering from an MGP sourced producer at a decent price. The high rye lends itself to a strong profile that taste a lot older than 4 years, with a great punch. You won't regret picking it up if you see one on the shelf. It's got its own uniqueness that helps separate it from the pack of new releases. Haven't had a chance to try a 6 yr release, but I'm sure the ageing will have added additional sweet notes that justify a price increase.

This is not a substitute for Eagle Rare 10, no matter what people say. The profiles are too different. However, it is an admirable bourbon in its own right, at a fair price with some nice complexity thanks to its rye content and ageing. It's worth adding to your bar, as something under $40 with a 10yr age statement that tastes it's age is a rarity in today's market. It's also easier to find than Eagle Rare. I do think for a bit more money, you should consider upgrading to some of the older, harder to find Russell's Reserves, or perhaps some Rare Breed.

If you know about Buffalo Trace's process, you know this is essentially Pappy 12 (if one existed). Just a slightly different profile, I actually think it hits a good sweet spot at 12 yrs between the Pappy 10 and 15. Likely the closest mere mortals on a working man's salary can get to Pappy. If you can find it it's worth it at the $80ish it's often hiked up to now. If you want a wheated bourbon more readily avaliable with more punch and less subtleties, look for a Larceny Barrel Proof.

Even with the price creeping up a bit, this is still a fantastic value for a bourbon that could easily compete with nearly all the "unicorn" bottles on the market today. If you only like wheated or soft whiskey, this likely won't be for you. However, if you enjoy some rye in your mashbill, even if it's only occasionally, you'll really enjoy this. I may be crazy, but I think it tastes like sweet tea on the finish. There's some heat from the proof, but its pretty tame and a good introduction if you're not used to something cask strength. It's easily found on the shelf, and has a storied past. You won't regret adding it to your collection.

It's a great, wheated bourbon at a reasonable price in a nifty bottle that can be found in nearly every store in the U.S. It even has a fun story to go along with it. With anything Buffalo Trace related flying off shelves, this is a standout from Heaven Hill that sets a very good standard for what wheated bourbon can do without breaking the bank or being impossible to find. It's not Weller 12, but its still a great substitute if you can't find anything from the Weller lineup, and I prefer it to Weller Special Reserve.

No need to go into detail on something that gets analyzed every year. At SRP, it's a fantastic buy that nearly anyone who enjoys whiskey will like. Even at twice SRP, $60 in todays market isn't a tough sell for a 10 yr age statement that does everything right. It's really a standard to measure other bourbons too. Don't kill yourself finding it, or get suckered into secondary prices, but anytime you see it $60 and under should be a buy.