Tastes

From a distance, the nose is vanilla. Closer up, the amber colored elixir is rye and barrel spice. On the palate, there’s more spice and some barrel char, as well as a bit of heat - a bit hotter than expected for its ABV. The finish is fairly long and spicy, with some vanilla as I breathe out through my nose. The palate is t up there with my favorite ryes like Knob Creek, Rittenhouse, and Crown Northern Harvest, but it gains some points back on finish. Side note: benefits from ice. 3 stars.

Nose: Initially vanilla and creme brûlée, with peach cobbler following, and then baking spices, primarily allspice and clove. Palate: sweet tea, followed by more spices, with a little alcohol warmth mid palate, and a bit of dark chocolate. Finish: The dark chocolate continues with a pleasant bitterness through the warm medium long finish. This is a fantastic bourbon for the modest cost. A tasty and accessible offering from Buffalo Trace. A solid four stars.

Another Drinks by the Dram sample. Nose: next to nothing. I have to inhale deeply to finally get some alcohol, fruit, and light perfume notes. Palate: mildly sweet on the front of the palate. Just plain hot mid-palate and through the fairly short finish. Light notes of grain and sawdust. This might make a good mixer, but was a lackluster sipper. 2 stars.

Another Drinks by the Dram Sample. My second after a long break... Nose: Barrel spices, oak, baking spice (nutmeg and clove), and vanilla. Palate: nice coating mouthfeel. Good balance of sweet and spice. Finish: short and a bit hot. Not a bad dram, but I’m unlikely to pull a muscle seeking it out. 3 solid stars.

I’m happy to be back in the world of whisk(e)y enjoyment after a 3-month hiatus. Medication for which drinking alcohol was not recommended is the culprit. So, perhaps it is forgivable if my first few reviews upon returning are maybe a bit too generous and somewhat vague. The relative novelty of enjoying whisky makes it all taste pretty good, and the time away has left my senses in a somewhat uncalibrated state. We’ll give it a go with this sample from Drinks by the Dram. Nose: A little expected vanilla, but more stewed fruits, especially peaches. Perhaps peach cobbler? I also note another southern favorite: a hint of strong, sweet iced tea, lime my grandmother from Georgia used to make. Palate: Just a little sweetness, well balanced with oaky barrel flavors. A hint of salt but not in a maritime, briny Islay way. Finish: medium and of a warmth commensurate with its 45 ABV. I like it. Good solid dram. However, likely not worth the $65 it fetches locally. I think it would be a four star dram but for that. I would ding it a half star for value, but I will have to just give it three.

Deep amber in the glass with medium legs on the side of the glass. Nose: vanilla, spice, sawdust, and alcohol. Palate: sweet on the front end with barrel char and light spice. Mid-palate a little bitter from the barrel char. Nice mouthfeel. Finish: slightly bitter and hot. Fairly short. Conclusion: This isn’t one I’d sip neat, but it might work well mixed. I can muster 3 stars.

Medium pale amber in the glass, a little lighter in color than most bourbons. Thin legs on the side of the glass. Nose: alcohol, vanilla, peaches, and something vaguely sour that I cannot place. Sweet corn, too. Palate: sweet and lightly nutty. Hotter than one would expect at 40% ABV. Sweetness carries through mid-palate, along with a little wood. Finish: medium length, hot and slightly bitter. Conclusion: drinkable, but not great. Perhaps a good mixer or base for an old fashioned. A “C” player. 3 stars owing to its affordability.

Nice, thick sticky legs in the glass. Nose: Hint of white chocolate, caramel, brown sugar, and an earthiness like wet rocks. A little ethanol. Palate: medium heat with sweetness on the front end, with the earthiness of the nose carrying through. Full mouthfeel. Finish: medium-long and spicy, with some oak barrel influence. When breathing out through the nose, a hint of something subtly vegetal, but cannot place it. Good dram. Worthy of four stars.

Amber color in the glass. Legs disappear quickly from the sides of the glass. Nose: the expert review is spot on: corn and sawdust, wrapped in honey. Palate: sweet and hot with candy corn and a hint of vanilla. Finish: not very long and a tad hot. This one is a C player. Three stars.

Deep amber iced tea color in the glass with long sticky legs. Nose: not overly sweet or vanilla-like. Spicy, with lots of woody oak and some char. Palate: moderately sweet and savory, with some candy corn and vegetal notes both in the background, sparring for attention amidst the oaky and somewhat earthy notes. Finish: moderately long with pleasing heat, commensurate with its ABV. Nice dram overall. I’d give it a good B+. For those critical of bourbon for being too sweet, this is a balanced, savory dram that doesn’t overwhelm with sweetness.