Tastes

I really like this bourbon but I have to say, I expected more from it when I visited the distillery. Not to say I was necessarily disappointed but maybe once I realized it was only 4-5 years old, I could tell it tasted younger than what I wanted it to. Still a great dram however (I wish I could give it 3.5 stars). And the tasting experience at the distillery is highly recommended.

Both the regular Woodford and this double oaked are fantastic bourbons. The double oak is much sweeter so if that's more along your palette go with this one.

I have tasted my fair share of ryes, this is certainly one of the top ones on my list (but maybe not the best). Rye spices, caramel and cinnamon. Palate has more spicyness, nutmeg and cloves and licorice. A very long-lasting finish with more caramel and toffee and some pepper, oak, and, of course, spice. Add a drop of water and the spiciness comes forward and then yields to the rich sweetness noted above. Fantastic rye all around. Can't wait to see what their bourbon will be like next year!

Doesn't taste like a 101 proof bourbon. Lots of sugar, vanilla and oak. Quite liked it. Update: Liked it so much tried it again at Jockey's at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville. Liked it again so when I left KY, I picked up a bottle to come home with me.

I have only tasted this once so I'm still unsure how to rate it. I do know that it does not taste like a Islay Scotch to me. I know they weren't trying to replicate it as such either so being that it has the smoke, it's hard not to compare it to that region. "Ripe honeydew drizzled with a peated syrup" was the inspiration for this bottling and that sounds fantastic and different. That's why I got it. Will update my note after I give it a few weeks and taste again. Let it sit for no less than ten minutes and it really starts to come alive.

Hadn't had this in years then a I was putting together a flight for somebody just getting into whisky and included this. Wow, I'm so glad I did. It really is a super dram. Complex and layered with fresh fruits, vanilla, dried apricots and cinnamon. Is there better out there? Of course. But I think it's a wonderful bottle and a must-have in any whisky cabinet.

For a higher strength whisky, this does not need a lot of water. With just a drop it turns creamy on the mouth feel. Tons of butterscotch on the pallet with red fruits. The finish lingers on delightfully. What a corker!

For starters, I LOVE Lot 40 regular. I think it's my favorite sipping rye to be honest. And at the price ($40 in Ontario), I don't mind throwing it in some ginger ale either. If there are any 'Rye and Ginger' lovers out there, give the regular a try. I guarantee it will change your life. Onto the cask strength. How can you make the regular Lot 40 better? Bump up the ABV to 55% and age it for 12 years obviously. I tasted the cask side by side with the regular. On the nose, the cask is as you'd expect, a little stronger on the alcohol side. But I was surprised at how little it burned. On the palette it was the regular amped up. Lots of dark fruit, spice and a hint of molasses. The finish lingered, as it should. Here's where it got fun! I added five drops of water and WOW!! Not only were the flavours more pronounced, but it became thicker and creamier. The regular Lot 40 just doesn't do that with water. I've had that happen with some single malts before, but never a rye. After letting it sit for a few more minutes, cinnamon starts to develop. And the finish is long bringing all the flavours back over and over again. I'm ecstatic about this rye. I won't be testing it with ginger ale, that's for sure. It certainly doesn't need it!