Tastes

Well this used to have an age statement edition which no longer exists. NAS is becoming more prevalent as we all sadly know. This review then is for the current version. Poured neat, cinnamon spice , caramel, wood and alcohol fumes. Noses hotter than the 100.1 proof. Does settle a bit as it sits. Palate continues the heat with charred cinnamon and wood with a funky malty note that I believe BDanner has brought up before. Its much better than the Pure Kentucky XO I had as the cinnamon is held in check. Adding water really opens it up and is a marked improvement. This spicy, malty, charred funky flavor seems(to me) to be the Willet signature. Its very different from other distillers and is growing on me. Finish is long with the spicy cinnamon, char and malty notes along with wood barrel that is less dry than most. Overall its pretty hot for proof but brings unique flavors in fairly good balance. I think this will be a like it or hate it proposition for most. Im getting used to it now and actually believe the Clyde May Straight Bourbon is sourced here. For me this bourbon hits its sweet spot at lower proof so I will most likely pass on the Noah's Mill Ive been considering and just get the Clyde May as Im 90% sure its from Willet. As far as Rowan's Creek its a solid choice if you enjoy the profile........81/100....good spicy flavorful bourbon with a different take than the usual vanilla/caramel entries

Ok Country ham 6 yrs 4mo 2 days. 124.7 proof as always unchill and no coloring. Poured neat/1drop nose is graham cracker, almond butter, dusty spice with some brown sugar and barrel woods.Sure there is some ethanol but it does not hinder. Sewing machine oil mouthfeel brings palate of burnt sugars, and dark caramel. Hazelnut and chocolate along side seasoned oak and salted butter with (am I imagining) glazed ham? Wonderful richness and depth of flavors. The proof is there but for me its still EASY drinking with heat a non issue. Understand I am a high proof bourbon lover so I may be less affected by proof/heat. Finish is nice and long with traditional fading salted caramel and drying barrel but has a nutty/malty note that I relish in the Booker's line.....97/100...... For me this is high end bourbon(haven't had elite high$$ product such as Pappys , GTS , craft releases or the like) That being said I have had a lot of bourbon and can say that the Booker's line is my favorite along with OF1920, Knob Single barrel and Stagg Jr. Ill even throw in JD single barrel barrel proof just cause its that good. The common theme is proof. OF1920 is lowest at 115. IMO American whiskey(bourbon etc) needs high proof to bring out the intensity of flavors and depth unlike scotch which needs age to deliver the same level. Bourbon lovers rejoice.....an available, affordable (somewhat) delicious whiskey. Gonna put this head to head with Shiny Barrel edition to compare

Port Charlotte Heavily Peated 10 yr Islay. BDanner has been singing the praises of this for a while. Poured neat, nose is great...heavy bbq pit smoke, bread pudding, dark berry wine with classic laddie dusty library book malt and wood. Its deep and complex with more to tease out if you want. Palate is wonderful rich blast of peat smoke, ground coffee, salted brisket and some barrel char balanced with sweet malt and sherry like fruit along with chocolate orange and pancake batter. This is frigin awesome! Creamy smooth mouthfeel just adds tactile thrill to experience. Finish is long with smoky malt, pudding skin and raw vanilla supporting oil rubbed wood and earthy peat. This is up there my friends. Fantastic flavor and depth plus gets better with each pour and time is on your side. More $ than Lap/Ard 10 but you get more imo. Lag 16 takes it so does Oogie but PC10 is in the conversation..........95/100......cheers enjoy!

This bourbon is very highly regarded across the web. Here there is a little less enthusiasm with some reviewers a little disappointed. Regardless I love WT 101 so I had to try this. Poured neat, glossy leggy coating on glass. Noses dark caramel, bit of nutmeg and that dusty hazy WT spice so many of us enjoy. Palate has creamy toffee, some cinnamon, and more spice with oak and light char. There is no concern with heat as this is silky smooth. The extra time in the barrel has mellowed any aggressiveness. Finishes with caramel fade, cinnamon and oak/alligator char. The finish is the sticking point for many. It is drying and moves out a little quick. I just hold it longer and chew on it and much of the astringency dissolves giving a better finish( still not long though) . The thing is this stuff is eminently drinkable with great flavor, watch out or look up and half the bottle is gone. Its 101 sent to finishing school, refined and under control. This is Austin Nichols version of Woodford Reserve. Something a little upstream but not too expensive. Im a huge fan of the brash, bold flavorful 101 and might choose its value over this but there is no denying RR 10 is excellent bourbon 86/100 . I would purchase again as its around $30 in my area. Many will prefer this for lack of heat and fact that its one of the easiest drinkers out there(its like butter) I would recommend this to someone looking to try bourbon as its very user friendly

Had this before but never formally reviewed. This is well known readily available scotch which can be a good thing. Poured neat, nose is ripe red apple, mild spice and barrel with barley malt. Standard speyside if you will. Pleasant and inoffensive. Palate is more of the same with fruity notes along with light malt, spice , and wood however a flash of gentle peat is there. Finish is drying malt and wood with lingering overtones of fruit and maybe a hint of smoke. This is just a nice plain jane single malt. Think of it as scotch training wheels till your ready to jump in the deep end. Seems to be a bit overpriced in some markets(I paid $41) but I have to say this stuff delivers a basic smooth scotch experience without any off notes or scary heavy peat for newcomers. If you have been around the block this will probably bore you but I still appreciate for what it offers........82/100.........Yes this is a long review for a relatively average scotch but I think its important to give some love to these gateway single malts that can lead down the path so to speak...... I do like the new packaging as well

Bunnahabhain Stiuireadair is a relatively new release. Nas and 92.6 pf non chill filtered natural color and only $37 for a non peated Islay. Im a lover of the 12 yr so was looking forward to this less expensive offer. Poured neat, nose im getting fresh from the pot hot strained al dente pasta, little bit of white grape, scotch tape, light malt and a pile of leaves and twigs. Palate is soft sherry malt, under ripe fruits and nuttiness with some young wood tones. Mouthfeel is soft and slightly oily. Finish is drying vanilla malt, toothpick and a whisp of smoke. Im digging this stuff. The flavors are somewhat underdeveloped compared to the wonderful 12 yr but somehow this is not a problem for me. It makes it different swapping the dark fruits for a more raw Scottish barley feel. Gives it a purity in some ways. Adding couple drops of water amps the nose and adds some beeswax, makes the mouthfeel flat out creamy and blends palate notes together. This isn't a deep complex malt and wont ring your bell if you are a seasoned vet.......however for the money this is tasty guilt free indulgence. Straight up ide give this a low B but factoring price Im bumping to a mid B rating 85/100...........Bunna and Laddie are superb non peated Islays in pretty much whatever they put out imo

Never had a 100% rye so was very interested in this. Its from Canada so maybe that impacts the %. 10 yr age statement is much appreciated. Poured neat, nice thick glasscoat. Nose is sweet bubblegum, bread dough, baking spices, banana peel, tea leaf, dill and barrel oak. Ethanol is mild even at 100pf. Don't worry the proof makes itself known on the palate. Powerful heated blast of sweet gum and dusty spice with oaky vanilla and cooling mint. Strong but very smooth delivery. Finish is buttery oak, savory spice with mild drying cinnamon and mint. Its worth the pricetag and damned good rye. If your not sure you like rye get your hands on some of this.........89/100.......great depth of delicious flavor

Boy this gets a lot of love here so I guess Im gonna be "that guy". Im a big fan of WT products so had to try this. 112.8 proof vintage. Poured neat, has that wonderful Turkey nose of dark caramel and dusty spice, with amped up ethanol. Rich, powerful palate of caramel, strong pepper and spicy oak with char. Finishes with more pepper and cinnamon oaky char. This is the family recipe brought up several notches with some heat. The extra proof delivers very strong flavor and this stands up to other barrel proof bourbon. Not all good however for me. I find the heat and pepper spice a bit excessive and think it takes away from the delicious WT taste. Tried adding water but still too peppery. Maybe I got a bad bottle but I much prefer the flavor of Russell Reserve 10 yr or WT 101 over this and would not re-purchase..........74/100........ Im in the minority here so your mileage may vary.

I posted short review on this a while back here is full take: The only Whiskey row series I hadn't had. Had to try it for $41 at Twins liquor sale. As ive stated before I love everything Old Forester. This is no exception. Poured neat, robust caramel and dark cherry coated candy apple up front. Sweet wood notes with strong rye spice, hell even some dill creeps in. Oily mouthfeel leads palate of delicious varnished candy apple and dark caramel with a mocha nutty note supported by the hefty oak and rye spice kick. Its not the explosion of the 1920 but in some ways for many that's a plus. Don't get me wrong this stuff has PLENTY of rich powerful flavor. Finish is wonderful long oak and drying cinnamon with caramel and nuts wrapped in milk chocolate. Savory and luscious with deep flavors this is another smash hit from OF. I still will take the 1920 but this is hella good...........90/100.......For those who don't care for barrel proof this will be AMAZING with heavy handed flavors that are heated to 100pf. This stuff can run with Col Taylor as best BIB bourbon which is sayin something......Update: going through the bottle it keeps getting better. Really exceptional bourbon imo. Worth getting both this and the 1920 for different levels(this will probably appeal to more people as its easier to handle)

I realize JD has been beaten to death but here's my take. Im not getting into popularity and cultural influence and such, just straight up review. Like many people I drank a lot of this back in the day but never really paid attention to taste/flavor. I recently got some JD rye and thought it was very good so wanted to revisit #7. Neat, has decent legs. Nose I get banana, maple, oily charcoal and a touch of heat. Slightly oily mouthfeel has banana taffy, caramel, maple,oaky char. The sooty character with the sweetness really works for me but it needs more proof. Finishes medium with slight dryness but has remaining burnt banana residue. The charcoal adds dark flavors along with some maple sweetness. I find it enjoyable (Really like the banana taffy) but tastes watered down. I think this stuff would be much better at 90pf. I agree its overpriced ( should be under $20) It is easy to drink and has ok flavor but inflated cost so.... 74/100........Dickel 12 and even Beam Black crush it for less money so really cannot justify purchasing JD