Tastes

I've been searching years for old Forrester birthday bourbon. I've never been able to find it. This is one of two special release old Forrester during 2015. I'm told by those in the know both these releases are better than the 2015 birthday bourbon. I tried it I like it it's rather inexpensive. And it certainly is a step up from their regular 90 or 100 proof versions

I'm a sucker for Lagavulin & their annual special releases are no exception. This cask strength version is four years younger than the standard 16 year release. I'm not sure if it's the same mashbill or it's just different because it's younger. It's very very smooth for barrel proof. Not at all over whelming. I'll take Lagavulin any kind, any time.

This is my favorite scotch. It's the perfect balance of Peat & Smoke (both on the heavy side but in harmony. ) Aged to a sixteen peak. Lagavulin is almost always what I ask for when I want scotch & it's available.

I totally agree with Stephanie's review. This really should be an annual release.

After trying the regular 12 year in a sparsely stocked hotel bar. I went searching for a bottle of 12 year Dewar's. All I could find was this 18 year old. Upon first blush... It wasn't the light touch 12 year old I was looking for and I was disappointed. But eventually I came to appreciate for what it is. A superb richer blend full of nuance and flavor.

This was my first blended scotch and I'm amazed at the quality. The smoke isn't over powering and it's just easy on the palet. I'll be looking for more blended scotch values in the future.

I don't much like finished bourbons. It can be nice in a lot of scotches. But I was surprised how much I enjoyed this sherry finish in this Rye. This is good sipping stuff.

I tried this the day JIM Murray named it the 2015 Whiskey of the Year. I think Mr Murray was paid off. As I sipped this neat. All I could think of was... This is innocuous.

I was fortunate enough to have found a local liquor store who made a barrel purchase of Eagle Rare. The name of the location was FishPaws near Annapolis Maryland. Having purchased a number of bottles previously, there does seem to be a great variety in the qualities of individual bottles. The barrel it fishponds was exceptional, enough so that I bought a case. And I'm probably going to go back for another. I am however noting an unsettling trend. It's occurring in all products coming from Buffalo Trace. The price and all buffalo trace products in Maryland seems to be greatly exaggerated. I'm sure some of this is because of high taxes on alcohol products. However, I'm equally certain there was a great deal of price gouging occurring at the level of distributorship. I frequented number of local liquor stores and the price varies widely much more so then should be considered normal.

My bottle was a single barrel purchased at Sherry's in Washington, D.C. I've tried their 10 year before and did not care for it as much. I'm not sure if they do this with all their 10 year old. But mine was finished in a Bourbon Barrel. I like it a lot.