Reviews

Nose is a fairly standard offering of vanilla, caramel, and cinnamon. Some apple comes out as it sits in the glass. A hint of toasted oak underneath. Ethanol is very low so points for that. Palate has the caramel and vanilla from the nose morphing into a custard/flan like quality. Add some baked apple, oak, and shortbread. A bit bland, as flavors are muted and lacking punch. Drinks like an 80 proofer and it’s not a compliment. Short finish brings brown sugar, pepper, and baking spices in the form of cinnamon, allspice, and clove. Oak is there, but for a toasted offering it’s not particularly toasty. A nice citrus burst of lemon/lime near the end. Mouthfeel is thin, light, and airy. Could use some more heft. Some MGP brightness, but so much so that it’s all sizzle and no steak. There’s nothing “wrong” with it per se, but at $53.99 there’s just plenty of better options at the price point. At this stage I think I will limit my purchasing of Penelope to limited releases and leave the standard offerings on the shelf.

Complex nose offers milk chocolate, cherry, nougat, fig, date, plum, burnt caramel, maple, nutmeg, and soft, sweet, toasted oak. Ethanol barely perceptible. A banger. Palate offers pipe tobacco, the milk chocolate, maple, and caramel from the nose, maraschino cherry, cola, toffee, marshmallow, and just the slightest hint of that good ol’ JD banana Runts candy. There’s also an umami note lurking underneath it all (soy sauce?) which brings distinctive flair. Surprisingly not getting vanilla but I don’t mind. Very complex and quite rich but I found myself wishing for maybe a few more proof points to give some added punch because the flavors are so good. Medium length finish brings tea leaf, leather, burnt brown sugar, barrel char, malt, and toasted oak. Interesting to not be getting any heat or spice in the form of cinnamon and/or black pepper, which is present in so many other whiskeys. Unique. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, but oh so silky. Added points for that. Marshmallow note lingers which is also awesome. Wow. This is hands down the best Jack Daniel’s product I have ever had. It’s less about whats here and more about what isn’t which ia a boring vanilla/caramel palate followed by a spicy baking spice finish (yawn). This goes off the beaten path in all the best ways. At $55.99 it’s…TAKE. MY. MONEY. Been a bit of a hard find in my area but if this remains readily available I will always have a bottle on hand.

A new expression from EC. Pretty excited about the age statement. Not as excited about a 108 proof whiskey being marketed as “barrel proof”, but on with the review… Nose features some interesting notes of nougat, burnt caramel, cinnamon sugar, rye crackers, bubblegum, orange peel, and mint. Hardly any botanical or herbal aromas. Smells much more like a high rye bourbon. Ethanol nearly non-existent. Palate matches the nose quite well but also features some blackberry notes along with spicy oak, white pepper, clove, rock candy, and barrel char. There’s a prominent tart cherry note as well that deserves its own mention. Flavors are bold and well integrated. Finish brings leather, tea leaf, stewed peaches, rye spice, licorice, spearmint, and some nice soft oak. Spice and oak notes really linger. Mouthfeel has decent viscosity, but finishes quite dry. An interesting and unique rye that I may not have gushed enough about in the description above. Bottom line, this is a layered and complex offering that comes together really well. If a marriage of fruit and spice is your jam, don’t miss this one. At $67.99 and packing a 12 year age statement, you’d be insane not to call it a great value. It’s a winner and there is no doubt that I’m going to be buying future releases as I cross my fingers for a 130+ proof banger.

Nose is layered with fresh cut hay, candied orange peel, rye crisp cracker, raspberry, and burnt sugar. Extremely inviting. Ethanol is crazy low. Palate offers peppery rye spice, peach cobbler, cinnamon, clove, black tea, sarsaparilla, cherry, and mint. Not very herbal/botanical, more of a “sweet and spicy” vibe. Flavors are rich, bold, and delicious. Lengthy finish brings floral honey, boysenberry, gingerbread, barrel char, the burnt sugar promised in the nose, and soft sweet oak. Mouthfeel is thick, chewy, and slightly creamy. A much spicer version compared to the 8 and 9 year, but absolutely fantastic. Everything meshes exceptionally well. At $79.99 it’s it’s actually ridiculously underpriced. (Don’t tell Sagamore lol) An absolutely top notch rye and one of the best I’ve ever had.

Given to me as a gift by a friend who didn’t enjoy it. Nose offers some nice elements in the form of cigar box, brown sugar, vanilla, toffee, creamed corn, cinnamon, and oak.Ethanol is…oof. But I suppose slightly forgivable given the proof. Palate is interesting with powdered sugar doughnut, blackberry, clove, nutmeg, grassy herbs, dark chocolate, and charred oak notes. Flavors definitely pack a punch, but not very well integrated; each individual flavor stands out sharply. Bright and brassy. Long finish brings heavy rye spice, black pepper, allspice, barrel char, oak, mint, and some interesting cereal grains after everything else fades. Mouthfeel is thick and creamy which really elevates, although oddly a hint of graininess pokes its head out every now and again. Overall a solid effort and much more subtle than other Texas whiskies I have had (looking at you Balcones). But in doing so, it also gives up some uniqueness. At $49.99, the price is right and I want to say it’s going to be a staple in my cabinet, but I just ultimately found it to be…somewhat disjointed and slightly forgettable. A pass.

Another first! Nose offers caramel, vanilla, nougat, oak, pancake, butterscotch, and a hint of maple. Outside of some unwelcome ethanol it’s pretty inviting. Palate opens with milk chocolate, French toast, rice pudding, nutmeg, toffee, raisin, and pipe tobacco. A candy bar in a glass. Finish brings caramel sauce, creme brûlée, cinnamon, white pepper, and bittering oak. Mouthfeel is lighter side medium-bodied and nicely slick. There is a sharpness lurking underneath felt of the side of the tongue that shows some youth or could be a result of the finishing as it is reminiscent of cheap, white rum. Overall the best of the series by far and one of (if not the) best 1792 products I’ve ever had. There are some flaws, but there’s a lot to like and at $49.99, its a solid value. Rebuy status.

Nose promises an herbal experience with wintergreen, fennel, lemongrass, mint, and oak along with shortbread cookie and vanilla bean. Ethanol is reasonably low. The nose doesn’t lie as the palate is herbaceous with heavy anise, camphor, eucalyptus, hay, but with some balancing caramel sauce and burnt sugars. Flavors are decently layered and complex. A very “dark” rye as the sweeter notes are quite rich. Shorter side of medium length finish offers earthy tobacco leaf, oak, black pepper, barrel char, rye spice, and sweetness from the palate that keeps going in the form of molasses and brown sugar. Mouthfeel is full-bodied and slick which is a joy. A wonderful example of a botanical rye that is nicely balanced with sugary notes. A word to the wise though as the anise/black licorice note is quite prevalent so this might be a “love it or hate it” kinda vibe. I lean toward the former as the herbal spice+gooey sweetness contrast really worked for me. At $40.00 for a 1L bottle, this is now the undisputed KING of budget ryes and it’s not close. Will rebuy often.

So the wife was supposed to pick up WT101 and accidentally grabbed the 81 proof version instead. Ooops! But hey, it’s an excuse for a review, right? Nose is…not good. Strange earthiness, with a very faint hint of vanilla and cinnamon. Also a bit of nail polish remover, orange peel, and mineral water which I’m very confused by but it’s there. Palate is better than the nose would indicate. That said it’s just so…bland. Sweet corn, mild vanilla, and cinnamon. And that’s literally it. No mid-palate whatsoever. Flavors are so rounded that I could just say “tastes like whiskey” and still be accurate. Not a compliment. Things don’t get better in the finish; short with more cinnamon, a hint of oak, and art class paste. Black pepper note lingers. Mouthfeel is actually not terrible; light bodied and airy but also a bit creamy and it’s by far the best part of this whiskey. Wow I expected this to be just watered down 101, but it’s a totally different (and much much worse) bourbon. What is the market for this? Why wouldn’t you just drink 101? At $19.99, it’s still an epic fail. Dammit woman! Check the label next time, will ya?

Hoo boy! Another first review! Let’s go. The secondary finish is present in the nose as it’s overall fruity with peach, white wine (I know Pinot Noir is a red but that’s what it smells like), caramel, vanilla, and very light oak. Ethanol is slightly more prevalent than I would like. Palate offers a very standard vanilla/caramel and some toffee. Some lively notes of strawberry, blackberry, and fig. Flavors lack complexity and depth, indicating younger whiskey. Finish is where things get interesting. Leather, oak, Concord grape, nutmeg, more strawberry, and cinnamon. Mouthfeel is light but thankfully airy and not grainy. It is longer than expected. A decent effort with a few interesting notes but ultimately this finishing of a young whiskey is a little like polishing a turd; it doesn’t quite work. At 49.99, the price is fine but too many flaws for me to justify a rebuy.

Nose is full of toasty goodness; fire kissed oak barrel char, burnt marshmallow, caramel syrup, campfire smoke, cinnamon roll, and lest you think it was all dessert and wood; a little bit of bright apricot. If only there wasn’t any pesky ethanol, but alas it’s there in small quantities. Palate definitely matches the nose well with added notes of creme brûlée, (both the burnt sugar and the custard), and almond butter, but with prototypical MGP brightness. There’s some surprising and welcome tangerine citrus as well. A bit of youthful sharpness keeps the flavors from having the desired depth and richness. The toasted oak comes out big time in the finish along with cinnamon, white pepper and a delicious roasted pecan nut note after everything else fades. Long finish for the proof. Mouthfeel is on the fuller side of medium bodied, and sufficiently oily. Much to like here. A quality, accessible whiskey that does the job of offering an elevated experience and a reasonable price point. Man, what I wouldn’t give for a 7-9 year version of this, but I digress. At 59.99, it’s a solid value for the price point and I will buy again.