Tastes

Peaches, caramel, vanilla on the nose. Apples and baking spices on the palate. Somewhat thin mouthfeel. The fruit disappears at the finish, leaving behind leather and oak to linger for a good while.

Cherries and spice on the nose, basically smells like a pie. Incredibly rich nose. A real cinnamon bomb on the palate. The cherries are still there too, as is vanilla and a hint of pepper. A smooth, sweet wheater with a little kick... this is a truly interesting bottle at the price point.

Fine for a cheap mixer, and that’s about it.

Original tasting notes from 2018 for the first release: This is a case of “don’t meet your heroes.” A disappointment when held against both Antique 107 (especially great store picks) and the 12 year. The nose is its best quality, fruity, sweet, inviting. On the palate, an herbal licorice, oak, and hint of leather, but short of the 12 year’s depth. Short finish. Updated 2021: This year’s release is much improved.

Don’t understand this one. Tastes like an ashtray.

Dark, amber color. Nose like a Werther’s Original - caramel, butterscotch. Caramel continues on the palate, with a peppery kick after a second or two. Rich flavor - 100 proof is about perfect, no need to add water. Spicy, peppery finish more akin to a higher-rye mashbill, with notes of leather.

Sweet cereal nose and palate, true to its 100% wheat composition. Hints of pear on the back end. Delicate throughout.

Nose: citrus, oak, pepper, vanilla. Blanton’s through and through. The palate packs every bit of punch you’d expect from a barrel proof high-rye mash bill. Citrus, oak, and pepper continue, and are joined by a honeyed sweetness that can be found amongst the high proof heat. Strong pepper and oak finish that sticks around just long enough, with a pleasant warmth. The heat doesn’t wrap your tongue the way a Stagg does, but is enjoyable nonetheless. If barrel proof bourbon is your thing, this is highly approachable even without a few drops of water, but it does respond well to a small amount and I would still suggest adding this to bring out the fruity notes. A substantial improvement on Blanton’s single barrel and a top choice in its own right.

Young and sweet. Corn dominates the nose and the palate, with hints of apple and vanilla, but this is a very delicate whiskey. Finish is peppery, quickly fading away. Would be interesting to see what a few more years in the barrel would do.

2017 bottling. Oak is the dominant player on the nose and the palate. Cinnamon notes are not nearly as pronounced as, say, Weller Antique 107. Hints of vanilla. Sings to you with a delicate sweetness. Gets more interesting at the finish, as spices push the oak out of the way.