Tastes

I have been waiting a while to taste this. I did not want to spring for the $75 bottle, especially with how disappointing the no age statement offering was for $35. This dram was really two dimensional. It had heat and Smoky char...but little else. Where are all the other notes hiding? Where is the vanilla, the citrus, the cherries and apple? Where is the burnt sugar and caramel that you expect from quality bourbon aged 15 years? Again, I find myself looking for the high score of an IW Harper product that the, "Pro Evaluator" has found... ??? I have viewed a few videos where the reviewer agreed with me, and a few where they loved the 15yr. I guess that is what is great about bourbon. There is a place for everyone. While not bad, no way is it worth it $75. Very nice bottle, even if it is a dribbler. Thanks @ridethalightin for another Greensboro Buyers Club pick!

I have never really cared much for Bulleit. I revisited the regular orange label as part of my September bourbon challenge. I was surprised to find my opinion has changed a bit. Call me a "skeptikan", but I just don't buy the whole back-story/gimmick. If the bottle doesn't stand on its own, it's a pass as far as I am concerned. I don't find myself following the pro evaluator tasting notes, but there are some good flavors here. It is much smoother than I remember. Maybe I needed a reset for my taste buds. Have my tastes just evolved? Have I matured in my brown juice affliction??? I am not sure, but I ALWAYS choose Knob over Bulleit regardless of price. Well...I now have room in my bar selection list to include Bulleit Orange. While I will not be buying it by the bottle, I could see this as a change of pace when I am out. Especially when JB White and Maker's provide no real attraction. Almost 3 stars.

Young and hot. This is not a bad bottle but not worth the $35 in NC. These folks run a nice distillery in the Greater Winston Salem NC area. They are trying hard to put out a quality product. Please go by and visit, tour and taste. They also make trips around the state signing bottles and speaking with customers! The heat is strong all the way through and it dampens the flavors that might be hiding. Other than some astringent notes and heavy alcohol, I could not detect anything bad. This reminds me of the freshman girl I left behind in high school when I went off to college. She was hot and had real promise...just a bit too young for me at the time. If these guys can manage to stay in business for a few more years, they might have some good offerings for the region. Think New Riff.

I generally love Russell's and Wild Turkey offerings. I really like Matthew McConaughey as well. I just can't find a place in this drink for me. It seems a bit disjointed and confused. I am not a Tennessee Whiskey fan. I love charcoal in my grill, I just do not care for charcoal in my drink. I am by no means saying this is Jack or George, I am just saying this reminds me a lot of that with the heavy charcoal characteristics. If you are in to that, this would probably work for you. There is no doubting the quality, it is just the process that rules it out for me.

Fall 2018 Batch 63.95% ABV GSO Buyers Club Pick courtesy of @ridethalightin via Atlanta. Man this is good juice! I can't easily describe the complexity this presents. Spice, heat, tart cherries, orange bitters, but not sweetness. I can even detect a bit of coca on the long aftertaste. All I know is I need another pour(and another). I certainly suggest a bit of distilled water, but not chilled. Even with the heat, you will not want anything to dampen your abilities to pick up the many flavors this bottle offers. At $50, the price per flavor ratio is very favorable. If you see it, get it!

Asheboro, NC ABC Store Pick The nose is very sharp with alcohol. It is not isopropyl but not acetone either. The fruit aroma finally cuts through. Think very good apple brandy. The flavor is very fruity with citrus and apples without the benefit of the baking spices I love. There is no real floral presence and not a lot of vanilla. The flavor that is there is a winner. It sips very smooth and is very complex. The finish is a medium long smooth fade out. I had difficulty getting the alcohol aroma to fade. A splash of water helps out with all the flavors. One rock changed a bit of the dimension but not in a negative way. I think this dram stands stronger by itself. When it is tasted along with other pours, the flavors seem a bit muted. While I was on a recent vacation, I hosted a blind tasting of 5 single barrel bourbons. This bottle finished 4th. It didn't have really negative responses, it simply couldn't stand with Four Roses SB, Jim Beam SB, or Evan Williams SB. If there was a way to supress the alcohol overtones, I believe the more subtle notes could shine through. This is a nice change of pace from a distillery with different flavor profiles than my normal go-to drinks. Find it on sale and pick up a bottle. It's a big step up from their regular small batch.

This is really good rye. There is a smoothness and dimension to this not found in most I have tried. It is well above the HW Double Rye. IMO it has as much flavor as the WhistlePig 10 yr but more in line with flavors I prefer. (Cinnamon, cloves, and citrus). The only reason it does not get 4 stars from me is the $75 NC price. I will just drink great bourbon and sip Sazerac 6 for a night cap every now and then when I need a change of pace. I just can't see $75 much less $85 for WP 10yr. Too many good bourbons out there to break bank on rye. GSO Buyers Club selection. @ridethalightin

This is really great whiskey! Cinnamon abounds.(I love cinnamon). Flavor after flavor. The finish is like having Dentyne gum in your mouth. When tasting, there is no way to guess it is 117 proof. It has 117 flavor and drinks like a 90. A very good deal for $45 in NC.