Tastes

Color is a reddish hue. Nose gives off a definite cherry scent, but you can still smell Whiskey shining through with notes of vanilla most prominent after the cherry. First sip is surprisingly and plesantly unsweet. There is a distinct cherry flavor, but it is not overwhelming. After the cherry, notes of baking spices, mild oak, and subtle vanilla follow. The finish is a little short, but pleasant. Overall, leaves you wishing for just a little more kick of the Bourbon, but not at all unpleasant.

Color is a light amber. Nose is grassy, not very sweet, with notes of vanilla and very subtle fruit notes. First sip is mellow and yet has a little bite at the same time. Notes of fresh grass again shine, with a nice slightly oily mouthfeel. The flavors blend into a tight mesh, starting with an every so slightly sweet and creamy malty note, then transitioning to grassy smoothness washed in baking spices that linger all the way through the finish, which is nice and long, staying with you for an extended period. Overall this is an excellent Whiskey. While the individual notes are a little hard to pick out, the overall flavor profile is greater than the sum of the parts.

The nose is very sweet, with molasses and brown sugar notes. First sip starts off with a very smooth, very mildly sweet fruity hit that is hard to identify (raisin/date/other?). That is quickly followed by molasses, but not too sweet. It finishes with a short mild spicy and a lingering molasses. Very unique flavor. Neat, the spice is more noticeable. Adding a couple drops of water opens up the sweetness slightly. With an ice cube, it really mellows out, and the taste becomes almost exclusively the hard to identify fruit. Overall impression: unique and different, but may be not a flavor profile I am in love with. Makes a decent Mint Julip, especially when mixed with Chocolate Mint.

Spicy first notes. Slowly transitions to a sweet and smooth finish before the spice returns and lingers for a long finish. Overall, above average but nothing too special. Appropriate for the price.

This Scotch is good on the front end. I definitely taste the raisin and fruits. However, despite trying it neat, with a little water, on a little ice, and also after letting it sit for a while neat, I cannot get over the finish. I know the term rancio comes from the Cognac world, but I just keep recalling the Spanish word for rancid and putrid, which is the best way to describe the finish.

Color is dark amber. Nose is initially sweet, with notes of oak and toffee. First sip is a fruity note, then transitions to baking spices that linger for some time. Additional sips reveal notes of vanilla. Overall this is a solid Bourbon for the price point, but not the Double Gold Winning flavor I expected. For the price though, I can't complain.

Color is amber, maybe just a little more yellow than dark. Nose is a sweet burn with notes of pepper. The ethanol burn is not off-putting, as it contains the notes of rye and pepper and other spices that draw you in. First sip is sweet with notes of honey, pepper, and baking spices, with a subtle orange peel note. Finishes with a little heat and baking spices that linger. Overall, this an enjoyable Rye, especially at the price. There are better options out there, but few at the price range, and less that are not just repackaged MGP product.