Tastes

Nose - some classic Laphroaig here but sweeter. I get the sweet but gentle aroma of band aid with caramel, vanilla, BBQ and milk chocolate to round it out. Palate - the bourbon cask immediately hits me with caramel and vanilla. This gives way to the sherry finishing with dried strawberries, cherries with some milk chocolate. Finishes off with classic Laphroaig flavors. Mouthfeel is thick and coating. Finish - at cask strength it just lingers on - smoke, milk chocolate. This is one of my favorite bottles of Laphroaig, it just hits so many flavors I like in a whiskey. I’m glad I bunkered a few because this bottle is nearing the end.

Reaching the end of this bottle and it sounds like it has been taken out of the core range, too bad. Nose: Dried fruits, to me it is dried strawberries and cherry. I hint of that HP smoke, gentle and floral. Palate: The dried fruits continue to the palate with some vanilla and the gently heather smoke of HP. The sherry shows here but is not overpowering, for a NAS a nice blend of some old with new so the malt still makes an appearance. Nice balance. Finish: Medium. I’m happy this is higher than 40% ABV so you get a little bit of lingering finish, but nothing like a cask strength whiskey. Overall a 3.75 for me.

Color - light, pale golden straw. Nose - first pass best described as buttery. Taking some time reveals a creamy lemon bar note, melon, vanilla and very slight sweet oak Palate - the buttery cream note from the nose immediately translates to a buttery mouthfeel with the vanilla, slight lemon, and a hint of pepper on the back end. Medium finish that makes you want to return for more. For me this dram is about the grain, it’s highlighted here with the aging in oak taking a back row seat. This is one I can taste the quality of the ingredients and the overall experience does not disappoint. On a 100 point scale this would be 87/88 for me, 3.75 for Distiller.

Pulled this out tonight because it was conveniently located in my cupboard, hard to believe I’ve had it almost 3 years. This was purchased from a large chain before they became so difficult to find, so at SRP. Nose - vanilla and caramel with a decent amount of alcohol. I’d give it a 3 - average Palate - Vanilla and cherries, some barrel oak and tannins but not overdone, very little of the caramel here. For me the cherry really stands out. If you like the vanilla and cherry note this is for you. Finish - the higher proof leads to a decently long finish with the oak and vanilla taking center stage. Overall a solid pour, especially for SRP which is probably difficult to find in this market. 3.75 for me.

Nose: Butterscotch followed by vanilla and light caramel. Palate: I get a cherry note right off the bat, followed by the vanilla, caramel and spice. Very mellow for the proof, definitely not thin though, good mouthfeel. Finish: A little light, the cherry, vanilla and caramel vanish quickly leaving only the spice and the first real evidence of the higher proof. Parting Thoughts: I enjoyed this bottle but it’s not one I will replace. Is it better than my staple “3’s?” Yes, but barely. I rather save the $$$ and go with something else. Not unhappy I purchased but there’s a lot of bottles out there I’d like to try vs. going back to this well. 3.25

First impression I’m a Turkey fan and wanted this bottle but after the early, glowing online reviews, I was afraid the tater crew would be in high gear to swipe these up. Fate being what it is, I had to fill up my car at Costco this morning, saw a mostly empty parking lot and headed in to pick up a few items I needed before the daily onslaught my local store endures. As I was walking up to the entrance I saw someone walking out with a bottle, asked him if they had some in and lucky me, it was on the shelf for $139.99. Started my night with a small taste of 101 to set my palate. On to the main event: Nose: Cherries, caramel, slight vanilla. The cherry theme seems to be consistent across the reviews and I was surprised just how forward this was to me. Palate: Again, the cherry comes through, unmistakable. Some of your usual caramels, vanilla and surprisingly light oak for this age. Mouthfeel a little thin for my preference. The finish for me was a little short, light on the actual oak, dry and tannic. I had to pull out a Russell’s pick from K&L to compare after tasting this. I had been meaning to open this bottle - no time like the present! The pick is Camp Nelson, to be specific it is the #18-439, Camp Nelson A, Floor 4. 55% ABV. This has more of the usual Turkey taste, only more so. Hint of that rye, nice caramel, and thick, viscous mouthfeel. Does the extra 10 proof do that much? Added a little water to make a fair fight but to me at least the pick is just “more.” More classic turkey, more thickness, more finish with less tannin. These picks sell out for good reason. Final, Initial Neck Pour Thoughts: Let me start by admitting I’m looking forward to letting this open up. The 17 year BiB is a unique product and if you are a Turkey fan I’m sure you’ll want it. Value wise I lucked out, $139.99 is probably about as inexpensive as you’ll find this. Is it worth it? If you’re a Wild Turkey collector unfortunately you’re stuck, it is a must have because of it’s uniqueness. Not a die hard Turkey fan? Then I’d say don’t chase it. Keep your sights on RR picks. Even in my case we’re talking 139 vs. 64.99 for the pick. Drive the BiB price to the usual 169-179 then I say it would be a pass, get a RR pick instead. I’ll revisit and update. Revisit 8/20/22 - As promised this really opened up after a month or so. It has risen to the special pour category (although pretty much there based on price alone). This is one to bring out to show what Wild Turkey is capable of. Raising the score 1/2 a point, 4.25.

Barrel # 15L3019C, 55.5% ABV, bottle 59 of 238, tasted over a few weeks, usually in a Bourbon Trail glass. One of the more unique, if not the most unique Rye I’ve had. On the nose the proof is well hidden in a sweet, almost forest like aroma with a hint of licorice and pine. I’m not a big licorice fan, but this is not off-putting to me, it actually hits a few things I like about it. Very viscous, nice glass coating. On the palate the proof again is well hidden, the first touch reminds me of the sweet smell of a pine forest after a rain. Again a slight hint of licorice, very pleasant. Medium viscosity on the palate, the proof kicks in just enough to give a medium length finish. The sweetness with a hint of spice lingers on. My favorite local liquor store recommended this to me. At first I was taken back, it’s a very unique taste. After a few pours it really started to grow on me. The initial surprise wasn’t negative, it was unexpected. I’ve really come to enjoy it and very happy with the purchase.

Barrel #5947 barreled on 11-20-08. “Caramel-y Goodness” Every barrel varies slightly and this is an excellent one. Nose is caramel, butterscotch, slight vanilla, really no proof sting at all. On the palate this is just waves of caramel, a little butterscotch with a thick viscous mouthfeel. For me, this barrel is really flavorful with just the right amount of alcohol to bring out the flavor. Excellent to sit back and savor at the end of the day. I was able to pick this up after the awards but before the pricing started to get crazy. This bottle makes me completely understand why the regular McKenna drinkers are upset, at the original SRP this was a gem. Whether it’s worth paying much over that price is up to the buyer. Unfortunately with the current Bourbon craze price very often doesn’t equal quality. For what I paid for this bottle, it is punching above it’s weight class. I’ll be savoring this one.

Very easy to drink. Picked up a mini of this during the lockdown, not much to choose from. It did the trick. Very light on the palate and taste, smooth. It went well with the Nigiri I was eating. You really have to look for any IPA flavors, it only adds a slightly different profile to your standard Jameson. Paid $2.99 so couldn't go wrong in a pinch.

Honey, light vanilla, floral on the nose. Palate is smooth, floral, creamy, slight pepper on the end with no alcohol burn to speak of. Medium finish reinforcing the initial palate, but slightly dry. Decent choice to share with a new whiskey drinker, or as a first pour of an intro to Japanese Whiskey tasting.