Tastes

As a burgeoning bourbon aficionado, my collection is still rather small. As such, the Eagle Rare 10 Year is the first bourbon with an age statement that I have purchased, and despite the fact that the high-speed bottling line used by Buffalo Trace prevents them from any longer using the "single barrel" descriptor, this is technically my first single barrel as well. With those attributes in mind, along with the bottle's stellar reviews and recommendations, I was very eager to try this one. At $35, my wallet was eager to let me. The nose is citrusy sweet with orange and honey dominating and the smell of the charred oak tagging onto the end. The palate is oily enough to coat the mouth without being too thick and the taste is sweet. The citrus continues and is aided by dark cherries and brown sugar caramel. As it hits the back of the tongue, the flavor brings the spice of cinnamon and pepper with the charred oak becoming more prominent. The finish is moderately long and pleasant with lingering honey, vanilla, and faint chocolate. I almost hesitate to add yet another positive review to the growing library of Eagle Rare commentary lest the fine folks at Buffalo Trace finally wise up and charge what this bottle is worth. In the meantime, grab a bottle, pour it neat or on the rocks, and find somewhere quiet to sip it and watch the sunset.

The Jim Beam Black Label has a nose of creamy vanilla, oak, caramel, and corn. It is pleasant, but not powerful. The vanilla and caramel continue into the palate with a sip that is sweet with a consistency that is just thin enough to be called thin and with just enough oil to keep it from being dry. Towards the back, charred oak, pepper, and cinnamon lead to a finish where the vanilla, caramel, and oak linger for a shorter than expected time. It's got all of the classic bourbon flavors and feelings but not in a way I'll remember or crave. Excellent quality for the price and a very good introductory or well bourbon for your home bar. I would say it's something to keep on hand as it is well rounded and will be an excellent first choice for cocktails and a decent sipper, if there is nothing better on hand.

Another TCW tipple and this time it's their straight bourbon whiskey finished in port wine casks. The alcohol aroma is obvious just after the pour, so I let it breathe for a few minutes before going in for my first honest to goodness smell. The nose is unsurprisingly strong with the smell of port and is underpinned by corn, raisins, caramel, and dried fruit. The flavors from the nose carry over onto the palate and are aided by a mild and pleasant spice in the swallow. The mouthfeel is on the thinner side and dry with a finish that is quite short, but just enough to leave you wanting more. For the folks at Traverse City, smooth is the name of the game. While the flavors and feelings are undeniably bourbon, the experience is pure Michigan.

It's no wonder people like this bourbon and the name fits well regardless of the lore behind it. The quality for the price is a steal. Truly larceny in a glass. I don't normally think of smooth as a way to describe a smell, but the nose on Larceny is smooth and sweet with notes of caramel, butterscotch, and a hint of vanilla. The sweetness continues into the sip with the addition of honey and orange blossom and just enough spice to remind you that you're drinking whiskey. The finish adds cinnamon and oak and lasts delightfully longer than expected. Easily the best bourbon at this price point and punches above its weight. Steal a sip when you can, but buy a bottle for yourself. At this price, you'll feel like you're getting away with something.

After the initial punch of ethanol, this bourbon provides a Triple C nose of corn, cedar, and citrus that is pleasant but neither complex nor intriguing. The sip is sweet up front with a crisp, dry mouthfeel that gives just enough of a smooth, oily texture to show that a couple more years in the barrel would make something really special. On the way down, a punch of spice in the back of the throat leads to a smooth, moderate finish with vanilla, caramel, and oak. Go back in for another smell and find raisin, molasses, and apple. It's Michigan autumn in a glass. This bourbon definitely belongs in the category of sipping whiskey but is perhaps only just on the other side of the line from being a cocktail mixer. Overall, a balanced and easy bourbon from a young distillery with a lot of promise.

I certainly did not expect much from a bourbon at this price point and may not have been eager to try it had it not been for the positive reviews and recommendations I had come across. That said, I was aware that because of the combination of mash bills and yeast strains used, there was likely not to be any standout flavors and smells for this dram and went in with moderate expectations. I put a generous neat pour into a Glencairn glass and gave it a spin. The first smell was noticeably tinged with alcohol, but continuing to inhale revealed a floral base with fruity undertones and mint. The first sip provided a light, dry mouthfeel and as expected did not spotlight any distinct flavors. On the way down, light spice and woody oak give way to a short but pleasant finish. After the first sip, I went back for a sniff that displayed new hints of vanilla and caramel. There was certainly nothing unpleasant about the Yellow Label, but it definitely was not a standout. I would likely not regularly choose it as a sipping whiskey, but it would be great in cocktails, especially anything with ginger beer. Probably not a "must-have" bottle, but certainly one of the best things at this price.

The 46 brings a floral nose with vanilla and toffee and hints of caramel. If I wasn't so eager for a taste, I could sit and smell this all day, and the longer I do the more pronounced the charred oak. There is not much of a mouth coat, but the feeling is oily and smooth. A sweet sip that's nice to savor with a bit of spice on the way down. The finish is quick which means another sweet sip comes just as quick.

Pleasant nose of vanilla, caramel, mint, and oak. The palate is sweet of front with a bit of spice in the back. A smooth, velvety mouth feel with a moderate finish. Good introductory, all-around bourbon for those just starting with bourbon.