Tastes
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Redemption High Rye Bourbon Single Barrel Select
Bourbon — USA
Reviewed October 29, 2020 (edited July 8, 2021)Surprise find at Total Wine. Let’s see what we have here; says “Indiana” so like most Redemption products it’s MGP, it’s a 105 proof barrel pick, NAS but it’s “straight” so we have at least 4 years old, and non-chill filtered (yay!) Nose is straight up peanut butter. So much so that it makes any other review where I have detected heavy peanut on the nose pale by comparison. There’s some vanilla, honeysuckle, pomegranate, and ethanol in there as well, but peanut butter leads the way. On the palate, tastes just like it smells. Hate to be repetitive, but big peanut butter and vanilla flavors. Not complex at all, but what’s here is tasty. Finish and mouthfeel is where is where we have some youth showing through; finish is hot with considerable bite, and is pretty short. And it’s not really cinnamon or “baking spices”; just heat. While a flaw, it does help offset the sweetness a little. Some tea leaf after everything else fades. Mouthfeel is grainy AF. Is “sandpapery” a word? Well it is now. I liked this probably more than most will because I LOVE peanuty whiskeys. But like loving an ugly child, I see it’s flaws too. At $45, it’s not a rebuy because I can get this same profile at a higher proof for less money in the recent 5 yr Smooth Ambler Old Scout Total Wine pick. (Also MGP) If you don’t have access to one and enjoy peanuts in your whiskey, this might be worth a go.45.0 USD per Bottle -
Decently strong aroma of toffee, vanilla, black cherry, and ripe plum. Not terribly complex, but inviting and completely absent of ethanol. Palate opens with Charleston Chew candy, maple, ice cream sundae, and the black cherry from the nose. Not much going on in the mid-palate; rushes right to the finish. (something I have noticed in other Makers expressions) The flavors are all on the sweet side, but the richness is there. Finish is very dry and brings cashew nut, sharp oak bite, and a warm heat that comes from alcohol more than anything else. It’s a little harsh, but actually welcoming as it keeps everything on the palate from becoming cloying. On the short side, though. Mouthfeel is full. My favorite Makers product to date. Tastes like a completely different whiskey from the standard expression. So I initially paid $48 at Total Wine and still didn’t hate it, but on a subsequent visit saw it now priced at $30. I was ripped off! So I’m going to go with $30, and at that price it’s a delight and a rebuy.30.0 USD per Bottle
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Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon
Bourbon — Texas, USA
Reviewed October 16, 2020 (edited February 18, 2023)So first a disclaimer: after having reviewed multiple Balcones expressions, I feel there is a sameness between them that is higher than other distilleries. So I apologize in advance if this has similarities with some of my other Balcones reviews. Strong nose nose of burnt caramel, molasses, vanilla bean, charred mesquite, and smoked applesauce. Some pesky ethanol requires one to back off the glass a bit. I have to admit it is inviting, with more sweetness and less savory notes than found in other Balcones expressions. On the palate we have BROWN SUGAR. I mean loads of it. Some maple and cake icing as well. In the mid palate, the smokey fruit from the nose presents as more of a smoked peach, but it is hard to get past the brown sugar wallop. Finish is where the wood presence is felt (always coming off to me as more mesquite than oak), along with burnt toast, cinnamon, camphor, and liquid hot fudge. Mouthfeel is slick and oily. As you read the above you may think “sounds pretty delicious!” but this just doesn’t come together all that well; it’s like the whole is weaker than the sum of its parts. Don’t get me wrong, it’s far from terrible, and if you are a Balcones fan there is no reason not to give it a whirl. At a bargain price of $30, it’s hard to feel ripped off, but ultimately not something I’m going to seek out again.30.0 USD per Bottle -
Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed October 8, 2020 (edited October 13, 2020)Supposedly distilled by Four Roses; perhaps a way to get a cheaper, more available 4R Barrel Strength? Let’s give it a go... Nose definitely shows the 4R roots as fruit is front and center with candied orange, clove, ginger, vanilla, poppyseed muffin, oak, and a hint of what of some whiffs is lemon and on others, lime. Low to no ethanol. Off to a decent start. Palate hits very differently from the nose and screams “Bulliet”; baking spices large and in charge in nicely equal amounts so you aren’t blasted like you just did the cinnamon challenge or something. Some of the candied orange from the nose present in the mid palate, and an undercurrent of vanilla holds the whole thing together. Medium length finish features more of the same with cinnamon and clove taking the lead in the baking spice olympics. A little charcoal sneaks in at the end along with some dusty old oak sticks. Finishes BONE dry. Mouthfeel is surprisingly light and airy, but it works. Well, definitely not 4RBS, (lol) but pretty decent in its own right. If you really dig the Bulliet profile this is definitely worth a look. At $55 for 116 proof, it is neither a value bourbon nor overpriced. Solid, but just not unique or interesting enough to warrant a spot in my regular rotation. Juuuust misses a 4.0. Call it “3.95”55.0 USD per Bottle -
Belle Meade Sour Mash Straight Bourbon
Bourbon — Indiana (bottled in Tennessee), USA
Reviewed October 3, 2020 (edited February 24, 2021)Moderate strength nose of cherry cola, tangerine, cedar, toffee and sticky bun. More surprising for what I’m NOT getting a lot of (vanilla/caramel). Pretty low on ethanol as expected given the low-ish proof. The vanilla/caramel I didn’t detect in the nose is present here in the form of Creme Brûlée (complete with the burnt sugar topping) along with apple, and nutmeg. Flavors are DAMN punchy for the proof. Nicely balanced. Finish brings cashew nut, cinnamon, heavy allspice, and a dry bitter oak bite. Some of the palate carries into the finish as well and when it all blends together you wind up with a bit of “ice cream sundae” vibe. Little on the short side, but with building spruce/mint after repeated tastings. Mouthfeel surprisingly chewy. Easily the richest and most flavorful 90 proof bourbon I’ve had. This stuff is legit great. Had always avoided giving it a try because I thought it a little pricey but I’m very glad I did. At $48, it’s surely more than I usually like to pay for this type of ABV but the quality is definitely there so I will consider this a rebuy.48.0 USD per Bottle -
Rossville Union Barrel Proof Straight Rye
Rye — Indiana , USA
Reviewed September 23, 2020 (edited November 3, 2021)As a barrel proof MGP rye, I already have a good idea of what I am getting into with this one...let’s see if it lives up. Herbal nose with wintergreen, lemongrass, dill, ginger snaps, clove, and biscuit. Nose is powerful with zero (and I mean zero) ethanol which amazes at 112 proof. Outstanding. Palate opens with shortbread cookie, clover honey, butter, hops, and apricot. Flavors are punchy as hell and nicely balanced. Abrupt transition to the finish (normally a sin for me) but somehow works here; Finish is heavy on mint, anise, white pepper, and coriander. Lasts a good long time. Mouthfeel is resinous. The tasting notes above don’t do this justice, because damn this is some delicious stuff. This is no Pikesville or Rare Breed rye; you aren’t going to get warm snickerdoodle cookie here. This is an botanical rye and near the pinnacle of the style for me. I can’t remember if I paid $55 or $65 for this but it doesn’t matter because it’s a hella rebuy either way. Looks like MGP saved some of their good stuff for themselves. Winner.65.0 USD per Bottle -
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed September 22, 2020 (edited April 13, 2021)On the nose getting brown sugar, pear, cinnamon, nutmeg, and char. Nose is decently potent for the proof with low ethanol but lacks complexity. Palate features cherry cola, vanilla creme, orange zest, and oak chips. Flavors don’t suck, but kind of muted. Finish is very short and peppery, with black pepper and baking spices dominating. Mouthfeel is pretty grainy. What do I have to say about this one overall? “Yup, it’s Bourbon.” Nothing wrong here, but nothing to write home about either. And I got to say it, it’s horribly overpriced. How OF could think each of the Whiskey Row series should be roughly the same price is beyond me. I’ll gladly pay the upgrade for the 1910 or 1920 (depending on mood) over ever buying this one again.47.0 USD per Bottle -
VERY strong aroma consisting of molasses, burnt sugar, caramel, nutmeg, mesquite wood, beef jerky, and tire fire. For a rye, I’ll be damned if I can get any rye spice in the nose. On the palate there’s not much on the front end, basically a little light caramel and then everything goes crazy in the mid-palate; burnt ends, brown sugar, burnt creme brûlée, leather, burnt wood, tobacco, burnt tea leaf...are you sensing a theme here? Super long finish is the best part; hot fudge, vanilla, heavily toasted bread, and cinnamon. Rye is really only present as an underlying heat. Mouthfeel is creamier than the flavor profile would suggest and it’s welcome. This is a weird one. As a rye, it’s an epic fail. As a whiskey? Not half bad. While I like Balcones, they definitely have a “thing” present in nearly every one I have tasted; smokey, burnt sugar flavors. I feel like you definitely only need one Balcones whiskey in your cabinet at once because of the similarities between the varietals. For $40 I can’t say it’s truly overpriced, but just not balanced enough or nuanced enough to get a rebuy out of me.40.0 USD per Bottle
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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B520
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed September 9, 2020 (edited September 21, 2020)Pungent aroma has coconut, baked apple, clove, nutmeg, allspice, vanilla, green cedar, peanut, and smoke. Give it 5 minutes to rest and you can enjoy all the smells without getting your nose singed; a major plus. Palate features more apple, vanilla, butterscotch, toffee, peanut shell, oak, and the slightest hint of banana. Flavors are deliciously rich. The long finish is where this really shines, as it bring a host of new flavors from the palate and evolves constantly; cinnamon, allspice, creme brûlée, charcoal, candied ginger, and oak again, this time more of an “old dusty” oak. Mouthfeel is thick and chewy and compliments the flavor profile perfectly. Really really good and while not my all time favorite batch, this is a worthy contender. At around $70 and usually readily available, ECBP is one of the most consistent values in bourbon and this is no exception. Looking forward to the next batch.70.0 USD per Bottle -
Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Proof Rye
Rye — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed September 7, 2020 (edited January 11, 2021)Nose is nice and strong with cinnamon, honey, ginger, fennel, caraway seeded rye toast, a bit of briny sea salt, orange slice candy, and what I can only describe as “funk”, but it’s a good funk. This smells awesome, although I must be honest as well and say that if your nose gets to the rim of the glass, expect some fiery ethanol. Know your distance. On the palate we find graham cracker, caramel chew, fruit loops cereal, oak, hazelnut, clove, and barrel char. Flavors have both richness and depth. Finish is snickerdoodle cookie, sticky cinnamon bun, pink peppercorn (closer to chili pepper than black pepper), anise, nutmeg, ginger, and mint. It’s spicy, aggressive, and lasts forever. Mouthfeel is full bodied and unctuous. This is an extremely well balanced rye, with all elements in harmony and presenting in equal strengths. To me this hits the middle ground between a more herbal rye like Rossville Union Barrel Proof, and a sweeter rye such as Pikesville. Needless to say, I dig it. At $57 and 112 proof, it’s a no brainer rebuy.57.0 USD per Bottle
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