Tastes

After completing our high proof wheaters competition, I decided it would be good to re-taste that which I consider the high bar of affordable wheaters. Weller is far more subtle than the high proofers as would be expected but I also consider it a far more drinkable bourbon and very pleasant experience. There is a muted vanilla cotton candy or marshmallow on the nose and no alcohol here. What I like about wheaters is that they let the corn come through which enhances the barrel traits. Weller does this very well. The overall nose is subtle but the fragrances are also very balanced. It's a little light on body but that's to be expected for a 90 proof wheater. The flavors are generally true to the nose but rich caramel develops on the tongue and then the finish that could last a little longer. As for those high proofers I have, They are all fabulous on ice with a little water so that I don't have to get past all that alcohol.

Always looking for quality MGP juice and my son's neighbor brings over a bottle of this. Last night, I was sipping on Belle Meade Reserve, so this is another treat I am not willing to compare as this is a neck pour from a bottle opened two days ago. The nose is a rich toffee overlayed with butter. Yeah butter. There's a nice layer of citrus and rye spice as you drill down. The nose leads into the palate where the citrus and spice take the lead and the toffee becomes more oaky I really like this one although the mouth feel is a tad thin. The finish is nice a long with a bitter citrus

Went to the new Urban Stillhouse in St Petersburg this evening. Extensive bourbon list including many unicorns at semi-reasonable prices. Try the octopus. This was the first of two bourbons and both were winners. Took less than a minute to open and the nose says cognac laced creme brulee. A very satisfying sipper and I especially like how they got so much nose from something under 100 proof. The body is a tad thin but the flavors are there. Caramel custard, burnt sugar, vanilla, a touch of dark fruits and of course cognac. A lovely combination but the lack of body contributes to the short albeit tasty dry finish

The original plan was for this to be included with our wheated bourbon tasting now being published. With four high proofers in the mix we decided it was too many and a bib did not fit in. Two days later we tried this one as the weather turned cooler and the looks on the faces as the sniffing began said this is a good one. It's been open for a couple months and still in the top third of the bottle but that oxygen after open has had time to play it's magic. As a matter of continued speculation, we did the right thing holding off on this one as it was 20 proof lower than the others. But it was well worth the wait. I tried this at the distillery a couple of months ago and thought it was only ok as it was served in medicine cups as a covid precaution. The story at Wilderness is a good one and a worthy tour. I was most impressed by the philosophy of 100 proof barrel entry. It is unlikely you will ever see anything from them above 105 proof. While they have some 6 year juice out there most of their stuff is bib or slightly younger. None of it has that edge of the tongue bitterness from young alcohol. The nose on this is wonderful with nougat, oak and a touch of nutmeg. Taste is true and it has the nose and flavors I love. It's moderately sweet but I don't find much a layer down. The finish is short, dry and unremarkable. The oak is a tad underdeveloped at this point so I look forward to trying the six year juice after open a couple of months. This may be the top up and comer in the Central Ky area. I will continue to follow them closely.

On a trip to Florida and four of us are trying four high proof wheated bourbons: Lanceny barrel proof batch A120 and B520, both bottom third Makers Mark barrel stave program with 6 French mocha staves 109 proof, top third Boone County 7yr SiB 122 proof, top third Pretty stiff competition with very close scoring. We all appreciate sharing thoughts. One will say "I get ---" and the replies vary from "Yeah, now that you mention it" or, "No not at all" . Nobody is offended by any opinion. A great way to spend the afternoon with ribs on the smoker. This one is rich on the nose a with caramel and oak that I love. The alcohol is well in the background and I get coffee a layer down. The palate is true less the coffee. The finish is predominately oak and fairly long. I like that. This was my number two but others had it lower. It hasn't been open long so it may improve.

On a trip to Florida and four of us are trying four high proof wheated bourbons: Lanceny barrel proof batch A120 and B520, both bottom third Makers Mark barrel stave program with 6 French mocha staves 109 proof, top third Boone County 7yr SiB 121 proof, top third Pretty stiff competition with very close scoring We all appreciate sharing thoughts. One will say "I get ---" and the replies vary from "Yeah, now that you mention it" or, "No not at all" . Nobody is offended by any opinion. A great way to spend the afternoon with ribs on the smoker. This one is very hot on the nose but there's lots of oaky caramel that I love. The palate is true and it drinks beyond its proof. I find it Balcones hot not the subtle hot of Stagg Jr or ECBP As I try to get past the hot ethanol, a little water helps a lot. 15 minutes of air later and we are taming the beast and it really opens it up. Rich butterscotch comes along as does some citrus. The finish is predominately butterscotch and very long. I like that. This was my number three but others had it lower. Showing my bias, I was hoping for this as number one. It hasn't been open long so it may improve. Several days later and it's still very hot but at about 105-110 it's really enjoyable.

On a trip to Florida and four of us are trying four high proof wheated bourbons. About half way through, I was reminded how I sometimes have difficulty with the high proofers with my taste buds and nose adversely affected. The Larceny pair were first tasted but I went back to re-try MM and BC. The rankings held but I still feel the BC will improve. The tastings: Lanceny barrel proof batch A120 and B520, both bottom third Makers Mark barrel stave program with 6 French mocha staves 109 proof, top third Boone County 7yr SiB 122 proof, top third Pretty stiff competition with very close scoring We all appreciate sharing thoughts. One will say "I get ---" and the replies vary from "Yeah, now that you mention it" or, "No not at all" . Nobody is offended by any opinion. A great way to spend the afternoon with ribs on the smoker. Mildly hot on the nose but there's sugar wafers and maple in the background which evolves with open time. The palate is heavy on vanilla but there's maple and brown sugar and little alcohol. The finish is but moderate length with maple and oak The group was unanimous that this was the favorite. There was a great nose and palate, well balanced with a good finish while drinking below its proof.

On a trip to Florida and four of us are trying four high proof wheated bourbons: Lanceny barrel proof batch A120 and B520, both bottom third Makers Mark barrel stave program with 6 French mocha staves 109 proof, top third Boone County 7yr SiB 122 proof, top third Pretty stiff competition with very close scoring We all appreciate sharing thoughts. One will say "I get ---" and the replies vary from "Yeah, now that you mention it" or, "No not at all" . Nobody is offended by any opinion. A great way to spend the afternoon with ribs on the smoker. This one starts out really hot and took a few minutes to settle out. While it's mostly traditional bourbon fragrances, it's strong on burnt marshmallow and brown sugar. The palate is of pecan pie with bitter edges. The finish is hot and leaves a pleasant brown sugar, marshmallow for a good while. I put this one at fourth and actually rate it more of a 3.9 but there is less than a half point difference across the lot. Two other tasters placed this higher.

Not sure what I read where that inspired me to try this. One of my favorite stops when passing through Georgia had a bottle and it was a pleasant surprise. I'm glad I got a bottle This is a really dark orange and it coats the side of the glass. On the sweet side, it's solid but not very complex. Rich with caramel and a touch of citrus in the background. Nice long lasting maple-brown sugar finish