Tastes

Huge shout out to my generous northern neighbor from OKC for providing this and many other samples for my tasting/reviewing pleasure. The proof is well evident on the nose but a couple drops takes care of that. On first intake Im getting maple glazed donut, liquid coffee mate and the crumbs at the bottom of the tortilla chip bag(corn dust with salt). There's a bit of a varnish note with some raw vanilla dropped in to sweeten the scent. Oak is light and restrained. Palate is rich and vibrant with the cask strength flexing its muscle. Oily vanilla creme leads the way alongside rock candy and cow tales. Its a sweet and loud affair as the ethanol while integrated is very present. Tannins and oak again are at a minimum with just a toasty bump. Finishes with the fading confections and at last some barrel moderating to dry green oak. Im finding this quite enjoyable and pretty sure working a whole bottle wouldnt change my opinion too much. That said it is kind of a one note whiskey and many will struggle with the proof......86/100.....I still think the single malt line is Balcones wheelhouse but will be trying some more of their bourbons soon. Thanks again Sooner!

Finally bought an Aberlour and was expecting a sherry bomb. This 12 yr is not that. There is some sherry influence but it is minor. Nose is mild speyside fruit, gumdrops with toasted barrel and some malt. Gotta work for it though its shy. Palate brings some decent crisp malt, red apple and flinty barrel char. Its blended into a juicy fruit gum vibe but its like you've chewed it for a while. Flavors are nice but diminished. Finishes as expected with the malt and barrel tannins most present. The fruit takes a back seat. Overall the sherry is lacking and the American oak casks just seem to add some light bitterness rather than vanilla or caramel. It is not a bad scotch by any means however the $50ish pricetag and lack of sherryliciousness drop this down a good measure........77/100....There are many scotches for less $$ I would recommend over this such as Naked, Sheep and Monkey and the entire class of 12 yr sherry malts walk away from it. If it was $35-$40 would make it to 3 stars

Ive been up and down with this one as I went through the bottle but have come to conclusion. Its not a total gimmick bottle like I anticipated. That said its not whiskey Im gonna dissect with all kind of notes. What it is happens to be is young mgp with a splash of Stranahan malt. Drinkable though at times the youth flashes some green bitterness but overall a tasty enough endeavor at mid$20s that its worth a shot to see if it hits you right. Im not interested in another bottle too many better bourbons in the range but it doesnt suck.......75/100

After my indoctrination with the 10 yr this was the next logical step. 100% sherry finished yes please. Nose has flattened out any spikes from its younger sibling. Its overripe red grape and prune, roasted yellow bell pepper with plenty of seaside fire smoke put out with a bucket of ocean water. SB funk is alive and kicking along with malt and a kiss of maple. Palate delivers deep waves of salted dark fruit malt, smoldering innertube, heavy charred barrel and pine sap with a bit of menthol. Finishes with the cooling funky malt fading to smoky tannins and lingering grilled fruits/peppers. This is wonderful scotch with layers of flavors and plenty of depth. It dims the brightness of the 10 yr to a more mature experience. If you can find this at a reasonable price and Cascode has sworn you in go for it......93/100.......That said for the money I think the 10 yr is almost on level ground

I have become quite a fan of these double oaked bourbons. Woody DO was very good and Balmo is amazing. This doesnt reach Garrison level but is a fraction of the cost. Noses antique wood, leather, fudge brownie batter with white chocolate chips and polyurethane. Its sweet and oaky. Palate is rich heavy flavor with singed smores, milk duds and charred barrel leading the way. There is sticky dark toffee, creamy vanilla as well as some hints of baking spice. Finish slowly dries out the sweet notes to some nice toasted kd 2x's. Its not super complex relying mainly on the confectionary/lumber yard two step but make no mistake this is yummy. If you are partial to sweeter bourbons and the DO profile in general you will like this, I sure do.........91/100.........if you want to see how good this profile can be get yur hands on some Balmo, it will cost you but its sublime imo.

The sherry bombastic Edradour 10 was great so eager to try this 50 ppm offering. This is not a standard peated scotch at all. There is little smoke and more pure earthy peat notes. Nose is bee hive, straw hat, unlit cigarette filters with a sweet floral like maltiness. Palate is rich honey with a bit of menthol, chestnuts, pinecone and some mild pipe tobacco. If anyone remembers those Pine Bros soft cough drops its kinda like the honey ones. There is a good malt presence and some light barrel tannins as well. Finishes slightly bitter with grassy raw peat and tree bark. The honeyed cooling malt slowly dries up to pipe ash. This is pretty interesting stuff without the usual BBQ or roaring campfire smoke. It does accumulate some saltiness as you continue to sip adding more character. Overall its very good and though I usually prefer a bit more smoke with my peat this is worth purchase. This distillery has it going on and Im assuming their other options are worth a look ......88/100

I am known here as a Balcones fanboy and I'm good with that. This is yet another monster malt from the Waco distiller. If you like Lineage (who doesn't) this is an amped up more mature version. Nose is pungent with boisterous apricot and nectarine followed by heavy malt, aged cheese, leather and barrel tannins. Has some funk only seasoned drinkers will appreciate. Palate delivers wallop of ripe apricots and dense malt alongside scrumptious cheese danish with dusty old library books and toasted oak circling the perimeter. The flavor saturation is off the charts providing a rich powerful experience. Finish is lasting with the fruits, malt and cream cheese funk carrying to a fade of dry oak for balance. The dessert casks provide an additional layer of sweetness and depth that is noticeable. It's a heavyweight in the realm of Balcones Peated. These are imo the best American single malts in existence. Potent rich complex and magnificent. I realize this one is a unicorn at this point but trust me you want it .......92/100

I enjoyed the Blue Peak and love sherried scotch so this seemed like no brainer. Neat the nose is strawberry cheesecake, juicy fruit gum, malt with a touch of ginger and some light barrel oak. Not super deep but ethanol is nowhere. Palate is loaded with rich sherry fruits. Malt, barrel and spice are there but take a back seat in this American sherry bomb. Flavors are complete but not overly dense. Finish tails off the sweet dark fruit with malty barrel that dries out slightly along with the zesty ginger. The new make is evident in this high quality American single malt but can it compete with Scotland. I say yes, it does display some youth and sharpness but overall delivers a delicious malt. There are single malt scotches I would take over this in the sherry range but if you like Stranahan's go ahead and buy this its good stuff.............86/100...This is better than Blue Peak but the value knocks it down

Another Christmas gift this is a Total Wine brand and high priced at $99.99. This is a 12 year sourced bourbon finished in Cabernet Sauvignon casks with a marketing story about someone getting shot over a whiskey tax back when Washington was prez. The juice is ok but the price is crazy. Plenty of rich red fruits and heavy spicy oak with a coconut milk vibe throughout. Tobacco and tannins close it out. Its a little thin but flavors are tasty. The Cab barrels are an interesting add and the bourbon itself is decent but the $$ is a non starter. I am enjoying this bottle but no chance for repurchase. This is a 3 star bourbon with a value hit .....75/100

Spot on review here by Blair. This is a friendly easy drinking single malt. Its better than my recent malt blends Copper Dog and Shackletons with a richer flavor and longer lasting finish. Good new make barley sugar presence and barrel spices combine with ripe banana for a pleasant experience. Not a thinker but totally slammable and good value for well known brand.......83/100....I prefer the Caribbean rum flair to this but could drink this all night and live to tell about it