Tastes

This review is over several tastings and with a focused sitting on the final day. Kept hearing about how wonderful this bottle was from folks and then when the brand was sold, I knew it was time to grab a bottle. Aroma is nutty, caramel, slightly sweet and from time to time I get some burnt nut notes. Flavor runs from very nutty and peanut butter when good to moments of burnt hazelnut. Sweet caramel and a moment of Maple now and again. Orange peel on the finish. Pretty oily on the tongue, which I like. Finishes sweet and nutty. As all have said before me, for the price a nice pick up. Misses a 4.0 due to lack of complexity and lingering finish.

I hear from time to time that Willett is a Love it or Hate it distillery. I clearly fall in the Love camp. Every time I try their Family Estate Bourbons I think their beautiful. This one is no exception. Husk Barrel Pick and had both the 5 year barrel and 5 year 6 month barrel. (both said to be Wheaters). Phenomenal. Cherry, Cinnamon on both Aroma & palate. The perfect back pepper. Smells and tastes like a beautiful cinnamon roll. Toasted warming goodness. I think it's time for me to start chasing some purple foil neck bottles.

Aroma was lighter than expected and mostly of soft caramel. Flavor was one big caramel note to me and not nearly as deep or complex as I had imagined. 3 drops of water changed everything here. Toasted oak, baking spice. Long caramel finish remains. Clearly one for me where the H2O improves the experience. Drinks hotter than a 114 normally does. Glad that I was able to try in this setting and now I won't look to spend time chasing this. I prefer Antique 107 (Husk Charleston Barrel Pick)

I truly loved this one and it grew on me more as I slowly worked through the glass. Chocolate, COCOA and a coffee finish that is amazing, black pepper and bread notes lovely.

So happy to have had the opportunity to try four different versions of Birthday Bourbon. Here I can taste the Brown Forman classic taste, but not as much banana. Less sweet than the 3 others I tried. While awesome, this was the 4th place for me. Again, really special.

Brownish, Copper - sweet oak, Maple, cinnamon or nutmeg, perfume, vanilla comes out. Flavor Nutty and a touch Minty at first. Opens to lots of vanilla cream & sweet oak. Two drops of water kick up the spice. Finish is not deep or complex which keeps this just below a 4.0 for me. But still wonderful

(Blind vs. Woodford Reserve) - This won by a nose due to finish and complexity. Nose - Peanut butter immediately and roasted peanuts. A touch of dusty corn early. More oak, more dusty corn as it opens, but peanut butter remains. Oak, spice early in flavor with Undertones of peanuts early and a moment of perfume. More cocoa as it opens putting peanuts to the back for now. More floral and corn notes come out. Deeper on finish, which is nice as you take your time in the glass. At first I was neutral on adding the water.. But as time ticked, it was worth the 3 drops. Finish eventually opened nicely and spice and nuttiness linger on your palate long after liquid is gone. Head to head at a standard bar..(Knob, Maker's, Woodford only 3 choices) I know will say Knob Creek!

(Blind vs Knob Creek) Before ever doing a review I always thought of Woodford as the quintessential Caramel bourbon. This didn't change my mind. (and that's good) Aroma - Cherry and a touch of chocolate. Light corn and some rose. (perfume) Vanilla & caramel emerge as it opens. Flavor is perfume, floral, fruity with berries Lots of caramel and a touch of pine. Caramel takes center stage soon. Cedar in the finish along with Vanilla & caramel. 3 drops of water were nice. Brought out corn and more luscious caramel. Improves this, makes the finish longer and a note of black pepper. Not as complex as I enjoy now, but a total pleasure..... Afternoon bourbon on a day off.

(Blind vs. Maker's Mark) As mentioned in my Maker's review, like many Maker's was a gateway bourbon for me. As I've become more of a bourbon fan, I hear all the experts speak about Larceny and how much of a great Maker's substitute it is... (boom - Blind!) As I drank this, I was convinced it was Maker's. Convinced - I thought the other was more complex and this was formulated to be muted for the mass market. I was wrong. Aroma was of straight corn grain and a touch dusty. Light Oak. Flavor - Honey, cinnamon and toasted bread. Then Corn Flakes and a touch of caramel. Smooth front to back. No finish to speak of. (Finish is my favorite) 3 Drops of water really helped open this. Straight to more Corn, more cereal and some light baking spice.

(did blind next to Larceny, which is important) Like many, Maker's is a gateway bourbon for me, so it holds a warm spot in my heart. As noted I did this blind, so I didn't have any label loyalty. In fact, I was wrong and thought it was Larceny. Bright Copper in color, Aroma was so light I couldn't understand it. Weakest part of the experience in my mind. Flavor of caramel and nutty. Really floral in the flavor (aroma?? none) a moment of a medicinal quality that I later took to baking spice/clove. More nutty as it opens. 3 Drops of water were interesting. Nothing, and I mean nothing at first. But much later really opened and became a bit more nutty. So, Makers beat out Larceny in my mind, if anyone cares. (blind)