Tastes

Color is a pleasant golden on the lighter side. Legs are notably uniform and slow moving. Nose has predominant rye spiciness with sweet vanilla mixed in, not too harsh. Palate is full of flavor with a nice buttery mouthfeel; an obvious but balanced spice with carmel and cinnamon. An oaky sweetness develops on subsequent sips, really becoming soft on the palate. Finish is short and smooth, much like lower proof whiskeys. Out of all the complex flavors, a rye spice lingers the longest, underscoring the fact that this is a 100% rye whiskey. Overall, a solid whiskey at a decent price that is very drinkable without being too spicy or strong for a rye.

Color is a crisp golden amber. Legs are notably thick and viscous, creating a nice ring around the glass. Nose is incredibly unique for a bourbon; very soft and smooth with complex sweetness. Starts with vanilla and cherry then opens up to fruity pears and bread. Palate is exceptionally smooth and hits with sweet vanilla mixed with smoky oak. Nose has shifted to carmely orange with a palate more fruity, demonstrating the complexity of this bourbon. A fantastic whiskey full of pleasant surprises makes for an enjoyable drink every single sip.

Color is a soft crisp gold. Beautiful average legs. Nose is sweet honey, vanilla, and buttered toast. Palate is soft and sweet; more honey and vanilla with the classic oak underneath. Finish is smooth and warm, with a tiny amount of spice. A classic whiskey with nothing too overpowering nor underwhelming.

Color is on the darker side of golden. Legs are thin but viscous. Nose is soft and balanced; subtle aromas of vanilla, oak, and spice. Initial palate is warm and spicy; notes of brown sugar, vanilla, and spice with oak beneath. Finish is smooth and subtle, but still warm and long. Overall the high-rye mashbill creates the expected spiciness, and for 30 bucks this is a great casual sipping bourbon.

Color is crisp gold. Legs are thick. Nose is immediate peat smoke; smooth but almost pure peat. Palate is less smokey than the nose and quite smooth but still very peaty. Finish is also smooth and warm. I’m not experienced enough in peated scotches to pick out the more subtle flavors. Regardless, this is a great peated scotch that is surprisingly approachable.

I’ve drank makers for a while now but this is my first tasting note. Color is you typical whiskey-gold. Nose has a soft sweetness of vanilla and buttered toast. Palate is noticeably light and smooth; vanilla and pear. Finish is also light and smooth but has lingering oak. A classic whiskey I would recommend to a beginner due to the lightness/smoothness of being a wheated bourbon.

Color is a crisp golden amber. Legs are notably thin and viscous. Nose is quite full but smooth; spicy vanilla with complex secondary aromas. Palate has a beautiful spiciness up front but balanced by sweet brown sugar and oaky undertones. Finish remains spicy, full, and smooth, especially considering the high proof. I tasted this one after a japanese whiskey and this simply reminds me why I like bourbon more. Great cask-strength bourbon.

This is my first Japanese whiskey. Color is a very light gold, almost like a white wine. Nose is light and sweet; honey and vanilla with a slight oaky undertone. Palate is similarly light and sweet; smooth and fruity. Finish carries the warm oak. This whiskey is reminiscent of a speyside scotch in my initial opinion. Overall smooth and light.

Color is beautiful golden amber. Legs are notably viscous. Nose is vanilla, butter, and bread with undertones of spice and dark fruits. Gaining complexity the longer I sit here smelling it. After a few minutes, the nose noticeably softened and opened up to the more delicate scents of pears and peaches. Initial palate is thick with a smooth burn. Subsequent sips result in a palate of chocolate, vanilla, and cinnamon; the spiciness perfectly balances out the sweetness to the point that neither are overpowering. Much like the nose, the palate becomes more complex and new flavors jump out every sip: coffee, smoke, pepper, oak. The finish is smooth and deep, creating that pleasant warm feeling lasting well beyond the last sip. Overall, I love the complexity of this bourbon. I bought this bottle on sale specifically because I enjoyed their single barrel rye so much; I think this one might be even better. As I work my way up the ladder of nicer bourbons, this one currently sits on the top of the list.

Color is slightly on the lighter golden side. Legs are indicative of the 111 proof. Nose is sweet and oaky with a slight spicy kick. Palate has a nice spice to it initially that opens up to vanilla and honey; lighter notes of florals above. Leaves a nice tingle on the tongue and in the mouth but is surprisingly smooth in the throat. Remnant flavors of oak and those higher florals once the spice fades first. Overall, I’m actually quite impressed with the smoothness; the spiciness makes some of the more delicate flavors more difficult to pick out, but still a great bourbon.