Tastes

A nice overall well balanced bourbon. The extra char comes through nicely especially in the finish. It was fun to try this but I feel like it is a bit one dimensional. I have had regular 1910 and I don’t think this is significantly better to warrant a 4x price increase.

The typical Jack Daniel’s banana flavor is present but more subdued compared to other special releases. Oak and maple take center stage here. There is definitely a warming sensation as a result of the proof but it is a pleasant sensation as if you were sitting by a campfire on a chilly evening. This is a much more pleasant experience than Stagg Junior batch 13 (128.4 proof) which is more of an I’M ON FIRE sensation despite being close to 11 proof points lower. I thought that the high proof of this release might just be a gimmick but this is actually an incredibly delicious whiskey. 139.1 Proof

Banana. Rye spice. Charcoal. Medium sweetness. Considering it is 131.1 proof it is drinkable neat with a mild burn. Overall it is nothing special.

Sweetness. Cherry. Peanut. Herbal. Cinnamon. Missing the funkiness that I loved about C921. Tasted in a blind tasting. Results: #1 - C921 #2 - B522 #3 - NH Private Barrel #4 - A122 #5 - A119

Tasted next to FAE-01. With FAE-02 being the best smelling whiskey I have ever smelled this just can’t compete on smell. The smell is oak, caramel and a faint sweetness. Tastes just like it smells. It is a bit one dimensional. It is much hotter than FAE-01 despite being 1.2 less proof. It lacks the fruity characteristics and complexity of FAE-01. The FAE-02 is receiving some hype but I would recommend to pass on this release.

Big chewy mouthfeel. Oak. Faint leather. Chocolate fudge. Rye spice in the finish. This is the benchmark for what a 51% rye should taste like. I prefer this over Elijah Craig Rye.

Ethanol and caramel on the nose. First taste reveals that this is Willett in disguise. Signature Willett profile of cinnamon. Reminiscent of fireball. Mouthfeel is thick and chewy. Slight vanilla in the finish. Loch & Key store pick. 137.2 proof. Aged 6 years.

Caramel. Chocolate. Berry. Sherry comes through in the finish.

Char. Wheat. Equal parts sweetness and heat.

Cherry. Menthol. Acetone. Citrus. Was not a fan.