Tastes

On the nose it is very sweet and subtly smoky with lots of candied cherry notes, fresh cherry juice, maraschino cherries. Underneath is some dry oak, rye spice and a hint of charcoal. Floral vanilla, candied lemon peel, bright citrus, sweet wood, and another whiff of smoke. - To the palate, like the nose, it is very sweet up front with just a touch of spice that arrives with the oak. Smoky notes of barrel char appear with a subtle barbecue flavour, maybe some sweet mesquite wood charcoal notes. Sweet vanilla, dry cinnamon, bright lemon zest, syrupy maraschino cherry, buttery caramel popcorn. - In the finish resides some savory spices, cracked black pepper, dry oak, barrel char, lemon zest and sweet smoke. — With a drop of water, the candied lemon zest starts to dominate the candied cherry on the nose. A little more oak dryness in the palate with some spice and a touch of sugar cane, but very thin mouthfeel. The citrus dives towards orange peel in the finish. —//— Bourbon Mark: 87 —//— This was different than I was expecting for being lower proof. It’s sweeter than typical, yet richly flavoured, though less smoky than I was hoping for with the mesquite that was very subtle. — Compared side by side with Wild Turkey 101, you realize how much more intense, spicy and oak forward it is compared to this very sweet and approachable expression.

On the nose is dark brown sugar, oak wood, cinnamon spice, vanilla, ginger, rye grain, barrel char, subtle smoke, dried orange peel, cracked leather and cherry lozenges. The aroma feels very dense and heavy, like it doesn’t want to leave the glass. - To the palate it is incredibly hot with a powerful flavour kick at that 60% ABV! Lots of oak, very astringent, drying on the palate with savory spices, cinnamon and black pepper before sticky brown sugar sweetness arrives with orange citrus oil and spicy ginger with a touch of rye spice. - The finish is long with dry oak, leather and tingling black pepper spice accompanied by a pleasant warmth and finally a whisp of smoky char on the exhale. — With water added the aromas open up revealing more sweetness. More approachable on the palate, showing that signature root beer flavour I usually associate with Knob Creek. Even more dry on the finish, more savory oak. —//— Bourbon Mark: 95 —//— Foolishly, I bottle killed the standard Knob Creek after my review weeks ago, but I did compare them back then. From memory, I find this one is more richly flavoured and intense. I really like it! I think this will replace standard Knob Creek for me.

On the nose is very intense at first with sweet butterscotch, oak, cinnamon, vanilla, brown sugar, warm corn bread and slightly floral soft wheat. - To the palate it is incredibly hot, it really packs a punch! Flavours of sweet dark fruit like cherries, strong vanilla and intense wood spice followed by dry oak and tongue tingling cinnamon. - In the finish it reminds of that dark cherry syrup, very warm with rich savory spices and cinnamon on top of oak. — With a dash of water, I start picking up more oak and wheat on the nose; slightly sour. Less intense on the palate, but still very rich with sweet and spicy notes. The finish is still quite warm and savory. — Interestingly, with a second dash of water, I start getting those honey and red apple notes on the nose. Still spicy on the palate, maybe a touch more fruity. The warmth is finally down to a smolder, still with cinnamon dusted oak, but less spicy. —//— Bourbon Mark: 91 —//— The more I sip on this, the more I like it. Compared side-by-side with Special Reserve, which is more subtle and sweeter on the nose. 107 is richer and far spicier on the palate, with a much warmer and longer finish. Yeah, hands down, 107 is definitely my pick between the two.

On the nose is rich dark fruits, dried fruit, bright citrus, spicy oak, caramel, vanilla, fresh corn on the cob, and a hint of roasted hazelnuts. - To the palate it is very juicy, fruit punch, fruity red wine, bright citrus, lemon, orange, watermelon candy, then wood spice, oak, pepper, chili, cinnamon hearts, dried fruit, berries, and slightly nutty oak. - The finish has a lingering spice and oak with roasted nuts and dried fruit. — With a splash of water it becomes even more fruity on the nose, if that was possible - think skittles and starburst candy. Incredibly juicy on the palate with more oak a wood spice character developing towards the finish. Once it settles down again, it retains that fruity red wine and sweet corn whisky character. —//— Grain Mark: 82 —//— This one definitely stands out as being different! Not just in the Canadian Whisky category, but I don’t think I’ve tasted anything else quite like it. I’ll be looking forward to whatever their next innovative finishing or blending project is!

On the nose is dark fruit, dried fruit, smoky barrel char, fresh oranges, cocoa powder, sweet vanilla, gentle spice, a hint of tobacco and whisper of rye mint. With time, the dried fruit aromas take over and dominate. - To the palate it is viscous, coating the tongue with buttery caramel, sweet sponge toffee, cinnamon, black pepper and a zing of citrus with hints of cocoa on oak. Given time, I start picking out espresso coffee, cigar tobacco, dry cedar, more chai spices, roasted nuts, with hints of herbal mint and anise from the rye. - The finish is warming with lingering dried fruit and oak. — With a drop of water, everything becomes very subdued. Some sour wood notes appear on the nose and in the finish. I don’t recommend adding water. —//— Bourbon Mark: 87 —//— This is actually a pretty interesting bourbon. Maybe I should have bought the full sized bottle! I think that dominant fruity character from the special yeast, which you can smell from when you first pull the cork, really makes this one stand out from the others! I may be persuaded to examine some others from this distillery in the future.

On the nose is sweet toffee, cherry hard candy, rye, oak and a hint of black tea with subtle chai spices. Given time I start picking up some rich, worn leather and some grassy, herbal and mint notes. - To the palate it has a soft sweetness with oak wood throughout, chai tea, maple syrup, grassy herbs, spicy rye, and a subtle hint of that cherry candy. - The finish presents some subtly smoky barrel char and dry oak flavours. Leather and subtle spices linger, with some memory of that toffee sweetness. — With some water added, the nose presents a more sweet wood note and enhanced herbal rye aromas. The palate becomes very dry, melding the oak, spice and herbal notes together, with only the lightest sweetness. I find a sort of sour wood note in the finish with some orange peel bitters. —//— Bourbon Mark: 89 —//— I think I really like this one. That added age brought some added complexity and nice oak dryness that I’m enjoying. Comparing side-by-side with standard Bulleit Bourbon, they are remarkably similar, but there is a noticeable difference in sweetness, and oak flavour.

On the nose I smell wheat, cola, butter toffee, sweet bread and maybe a hint of roasted nuts. - To the palate it is sweet, like honey on buttered toast, some wood spice and a rich caramel leading towards a bare hint of oak. - The finish is gentle with lingering sweetness and a touch of wood spice with subtle oak. That wheat grain aroma remains as I exhale. — With a drop of water added, the nose becomes softer, sweeter and more subtle. The palate becomes more savory with hints of cherry and roasted nuts. I find the finish is even softer, but those wood spice notes are enhanced. —//— Bourbon Mark: 84 —//— I think this is a very nice bourbon. Quite friendly compared to others, without lacking flavour.

Bottling Date: 5-7-13 Barrel No. 13-2761 Rick No. L-09 —//— On the nose is fresh baked banana bread, buttery caramel and toasted oak. With some time in the glass, I start getting a hard banana candy, then a subtle hint of wood glue and sawdust. - To the palate it is viscous with rich caramel, cinnamon, toasted oak and chalky banana candy. After a few sips, I start to pick up some subtle spicy rye notes and white pepper. - In the finish there’s some oak, charcoal, sticky brown sugar and dusty white pepper. — With a couple drops of water, the caramel on the nose thins down to maple syrup and some soft rye notes appear. The palate significantly softens with some added charcoal notes. Wood notes are heightened in the finish with more sweetness. —//— Bourbon Mark: 87 —//— This is by far the most enjoyable Jack Daniel’s I have tried. Highly recommended for those who would prefer a more full flavoured Tennessee Whiskey. The smell alone is worth pouring a glass - that’s definitely the best part of this one. — 47% ABV is a huge step up from the minimum strength of Old No.7, and I don’t recommend adding water.

On the nose is rich vanilla and oak with a touch of rye. With time I start picking up some floral, herbal notes with a honeycomb sweetness. There is also an underlying rich worn leather aroma and a hint of shelled peanuts. - To the palate it is surprisingly dry and oak forward. A rich blend of spices arrive with a viscous honey sweetness, warm leather, roasted almonds and a hint of blackberries. Very dense and flavour packed. - The finish is long, dry and warm with rich oak and leather notes. There are lingering hints of vanilla, nuts, berries and cinnamon. — With a drop of water I get more floral rye on the nose, more of a caramelized sweetness on the palate and a slightly shorter finish, but more oak. —//— Bourbon Mark: 91 —//— Not surprising, but I really like this one. Tasting side-by-side with classic Wild Turkey 101, I find that one is more sweet, while Kentucky Spirit is significantly more dry on the palate with more oak influence overall. - I think I do actually like this more than Wild Turkey 101, but since it’s hard for me to buy, and way overpriced for what it is... I’ve got to give it a slightly lower mark.

On the nose it smells like Jim Beam; caramel, vanilla, oak, spice, ginger. Still reminds me of Root Beer with a hint of smoky barrel char. - To the palate it’s a little sharp to start, with sweet spice hitting first before some dry oak settles in with vanilla. Sweet caramel, spicy cinnamon, black pepper, sharp ginger, vanilla bean, oak wood and some subtle smoky char. - In the finish I find there is an alcoholic tingle left on the tongue along with those sweet and spicy notes sitting on top of a subtly dry oak. — With a splash of water, the alcohol sharpness is gone, but none of the spice. In fact, I think it got sweeter and spicier... the pepper note is lingering long after the finish. More oak on the nose and palate as well. —//— Bourbon Mark: 83 —//— For this one, I’d have to say it’s like the spiciest version of a root beer you can imagine. That being said; tasting side by side with Jim Beam Bonded, I think I actually like the cheaper bottle better. - They’re both spicy, they’re both young, they’re both good... I like them both, but I think I prefer the drama of Bonded’s flavour profile over the peppery notes of this particular Single Barrel.