Tastes

This is my 200th review even some reviews I only give a score and tasting notes along with it. Even though it's 5 years ago, i double checked the bottle at the whiskey bar I went to. I wanted to try something different than a normal whiskey for my 200th and it was also my anniversary so there ya go. I really enjoy the standard bottle for its rich sweetness and it's 10 year age statement for the price. What I would say about this BTAC bottle is that the mouth feel is not as thin as the standard bottle and more refined. It has a nice oakyness to it without being super oaky. I think what a lot of people like about Buffalo Trace bourbons is that they are well balanced and actually somewhat mellow compared to other bourbons. Of course there are pros and cons to this because you will enjoy a balanced or "smooth" pour without a lot of character. I enjoy the blantons and Elmer T Lee offerings, but in my opinion are not worth the 100's of dollar stores mark up for them. Back to this Eagle Rare 17 year.... It was definitely a step up from the 10 year bottle with nice oak and sweetness and you can definitely tell from first sip that it is an older version of the regular. With that being said, I'm glad I tried another whiskey in the BTAC collection, but there is not way I would pay over $1,000 a bottle for this whiskey which is standard in the market place today. I haven't tried the higher abv bottles of the last few years but I assume it is even better then these lower proof bottles.

ladies and gentleman, this bottle is an absolute winner when it comes to wheated bourbons. People like wheated bourbons because they are softer and don't have that rye spice to them. My small complaint about many wheated bourbons in the market is that they are too sweet for my taste, but of course that is just my opinion. When you look at the Weller Special reserve, it is less sweet and very slightly better than brands like Makers Mark. However, it is nothing more than a mediocre whiskey that people get really excited about. Mckenzie has so much more flavor and it definitely is on the less sweet side of the wheat bourbons. This comes in at 50% which i think is the perfect abv for this bottle. And the finish is quite long and it makes you want more. If this is in your area go and pick it up, the bottle is about $43.

This batch is a bit different then the other batches i have tasted in the past. The best way I can describe it is that it is softer and doesn't have as much in your face high proof burn to it. For the abv, it doesn't seem like you are sipping a 124 proof bourbon.

This was my second favorite in the Flaviar box that my wife got me for fathers day which also included the US small batch and Sanaig. This distillery is fairly new and has only been around since about 2004 so basically a baby compared to the infamous scotch distilleries. What i like about Kilchoman in general is the more low key laid back peat influence compared to the big boy Islay distilleries. Those to me tastes like plastic and rubber tires. The one is light and crisp with a peat influence that is not overpowering and the finish just kept going and going for what seemed like minutes. Overall very impressed with all three.

The Sanaig was my favorite of three samples from the Flaviar box which included the US small batch and Machir Bay. This one has the most oloroso sherry barrels influence of the three which makes it a little sweeter and more complex. I am not a big peat fan, but compared to the other Islay distilleries, these whiskies are much more tame and subtle on the smokey side. Big plus in my book!

do you like bourbon for breakfast? Imagine having a waffle doused with syrup and bourbon and that what you get with this knob creek flavored whiskey. The aroma is heavy with maple syrup and it continues on through the whole drink with a nice touch of oak on the finish. The maple flavor to me, is very artificial. Didn't really want to finish the drink and luckily the sample bottle was only $3.