Tastes

Ive got #27876 which is finished in Madeira casks at 56.6%. Pungent and powerful fumes lighting up the glass. Rich dark fruit with trademark Balcones notes on the nose. Palate delivers chocolate nougat melted into a fruit roll up. There is explosion of cinnamon and nuclear nutmeg, sweet pipe tobacco, heavy malt and tanned leather. Ethanol is present but just adds fuel to the flavor fire. I swear its like they distill pure sunshine into their products with a hot vibrant funk. Finishes with plenty of non bitter tannins, coffee grounds, pencil lead and lingering dark fruit. Need to be able to handle proof as this drinks with heat. Bombastic, it slaps you around a bit but grabs you before you fall. Another strong performer from Balcones....89/100.... Hop on the wild Texas stallion and go for a ride. Im dinging a bit for value as I think its overpriced but as with all their single malt offerings(most hard to find) the tip is: if you see it buy it

First time for me with this distillery. A lot of people talking about the 10 yr ive never tried so quite curious. This single malt is very interesting throughout. Nuanced and delicious with gentle smoke, peat, Novocaine, plastic resins, apple skins and charred barrel. It's subtle yet very complex. There is smoky creamy malt and Nik L Nip wax bottles with a cool menthol finish and balanced bitterness. This is a speyside but seems like it has some springbank dna. Great value for 15yr and an absolute delight. More suited for experienced scotch palates to appreciate the subtleties offered but make no mistake this is superb scotch.....93/100

Got another bottle of this and HAD to re-review.... This is a true sherry bomb scotch aged completely in sherry casks not just finished. Non chill-filtered with natural color. Poured neat, nose is wonderful strong and heavy sherry influenced fruits. We're talking cranberry, strawberry, apricot and cherry deep and rich with some background of vanilla ,malt and spice. Oily textured palate brings layers of sweet sherry goodness balanced with leather and oak. Dark berries and heavy cream combine with dense malt, nutmeg and crisp smoke to support the worn saddle and museum wood notes. This tastes much older than 12. Finish is superb with palate extension and transition from sweet to dry tannin not even close to bitter. This is a succulent delight punching way above its class. I know this says discontinued but my Twin Liquors is stocked for now. I don't know if the new replacement is as good but Im hedging my bet it is as this distillery has great new make and their other offerings both peated and un are strong........91/100... I will grab a couple bottles of this to stash but eager to try the new version as well

Finally picked up this small batch after passing by many times. I have had the single barrel which was pretty good. Nose is vanilla yankee candle, toasted oak and baking spice with some resin. Palate is sugary vanilla with cinnamon oak and some pepper heat. Finishes quick and dry with the sweet sugars and lotsa oak testing the edge of bitter. Couple drops elevates the cinnamon heat. Overall I come away thinking of a candy cigarettes vibe. Its a thin texture and flavor is not very deep yet still somewhat enjoyable. Solid bourbon that I think most will like but its not quite my favorite profile .......78/100

Garrison Cowboy no matter the year is in a league almost its own. Having this back to back against a bourbon you really love will be eye opening. It is amazing how Cowboy can dismantle and destroy pretty much all comers. There is a price to pay for that level of dominance however and this years offering tops out at $250(good luck finding at that price). I was able to wrangle a bottle from my whiskey connection in San Antonio at a bit under MSRP. Pour it out and let it breathe for a bit. Nose is pungent, thick and deep and takes time to unpack. Rich dark fruits wrapped in soft luxurious leather. Sticky simmered caramel and toffee, baking spices, sweet pipe tobacco and antique wood. Ethanol heat is non existent which is remarkable at proof allowing for deep inhales. Palate is explosion of singed pie crust, blackberry& fig, overcooked caramels and spice swimming in leather, tobacco and oak. Texas funk(flour/sawdust)supports the whole experience but less so than prior years. Finish is very long fade of palate notes drying out but never attaining bitterness. This is a succulent supreme bourbon that presents way beyond its years. The flavors are so dense its like they scraped out the barrels adding the (bourbon molasses ) back in. I have given 5 stars to the 2020 and 2021 editions of Cowboy and this warrants near 5 stars as well. It is a bit different with less blast of flavor punch and more refinement than before making it taste older which it is. If you have an opportunity to try or purchase any of the Cowboy recent releases do it. I would rate as follows 2020>2021>2022 but all are magnificent.........96/100

This comes off a little thin but is loaded with flavor. Plenty of smoky vanilla, animal crackers, fresh creamy malt plus the beach. Salt and surf but no sand in your shoes. This is a winner as are all their offerings. No age statement but no matter its great stuff. Similar to the Bunna peated has a nice richness.........bumping to 4 stars..90/100

Just finishing up another bottle of this so wanted to re-review since years ago. This is a delight if you can find it. Nose and palate sweet and creamy with melted butterscotch, toasty oak and hint of red apple skin. This is like butter rum lifesavers and has a succulent smoothness elevating it above others in price range with a 10 yr age statement to boot. Has become much harder to find and scalped on the secondary but just as Blantons not truly worth those crazy prices. Regular price of low $30s is a smokin deal for very enjoyable bourbon.....89/100.... Happy hunting!

I know , I know.... another Texas bourbon. They age this in little barrels then put it in little bottles. Nose is dusty and fruity with a bit of dark caramel and oak. Palate has the Texas funk(sawdust/flour) with soft caramel, grassy hay and toasty barrel. Good long finish with sweet nougat, pinch of anise and oaky goodness riding off into sunset. This is along the lines of Garrison Small Batch so if you like that you will like this. If not then don't bother. It has good flavor depth but could use more barrel time. Tasty but overpriced for what you are getting I think between this, Garrison Small and Lone Elm Small the winner would be Lone Elm. Its just a better value with similar taste characteristics. I got this on sale at TW for $20/375ml so no ragrets.......83/100.......you know what Im sayin

Found another Indian whisky on sale at TW. I have become quite a fan of this country's single malt. This is lesser known here (not sure about there) but still delivers. Nose is apple cider and cream, rich malt, dusty books and the usual lovely Indian spice rack. Full and deep without ethanol interference. Palate is bright and youthful but loaded with flavor. Tangy malt and tropical fruits(maybe kiwi) alongside toasty oak and simmering spices. Its slightly hot but has a crispness to it. Indian malts have a unique finish just as Islay's do. The fruity malt and spice with barrel tannins combine for a nice long fade. I like this better than PJ Ive had and its not too far behind Amrut.......87/100

Ok Ive climbed the ladder. I started with the 12 which is great and probably the best 12 yr sherried scotch. The 15 was even better and tremendous value at $89. The 18 was absolutely divine and the best scotch Ive ever had an easy 5 star. $170 is a lot for most people for a bottle of scotch and stretches the diminishing returns quotient pretty far but I can assure you the 18 yr is worth the $$ if you can swing it. That brings us to the 21 yr Parliament which costs about $ 230(suddenly raised to 280!!!) How in the hell can this be worth that much more than the magnificent 18yr and why should you consider buying it. Well I can give you the cliches like yolo and if you got it spend it which have some truth to them or wouldnt exist and you would think yeah but F this guy its still $230. I waited until end of the bottle to finish reviewing and can now honestly say I would not repurchase this. It is a wonderful sherried scotch. The nose and palate are refined and exquisite with luscious dark red fruits and malt layered with aged leather, dark chocolate and antique wood. Finish is soft and delicate fade like a cotton ball to the cheek. It is a glorious 21 yr scotch any sherryhead will devour. The only issue here is the 18yr is better imo. It has a creamy, heavy rich flavor where the 21 is restrained and flattened . Both are superb but why spend the extra scratch when the 18 just nails it. If utter refinement and babyass smoothness are your endgame then this is for you. Either way you win......95/100