Tastes
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Smooth Ambler Contradiction 92 Proof
Bourbon — West Virginia, USA
Reviewed July 9, 2019 (edited July 10, 2019)The contradiction here is why this Smooth Ambler product is so lacking with an avg rating of 3.9. This is just not very good unfortunately. I usually like SA offerings. I am not sure what happened with batch No.131. I cannot recommend for $37 a bottle. The GSO Buyers Club stock pick by @ridethalightin37.0 USD per Bottle -
Henry McKenna 10 Year Bottled in Bond Bourbon
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed July 8, 2019 (edited August 24, 2019)This is not a bad pour, but not a great one either. It has heat and spiciness in areas of my mouth I am not used to. I am just not a fan of the overall flavor profile. It seems disjointed and a bit harsh. This might have been better at 8 to 9 years. It may have missed the sweet spot. I had heard so many positive things about this bottle that I was cautiously optimistic. Unfortunately, the drink did not live up to the hype. I am already expecting the replies saying, " you just got a weak bottle." "You need to try this store pick or that barrel number." et al. I know the nature of single barrel whiskey. Unfortunately, I just can't suggest this pour. Even if it was a weak barrel, how can "good" whiskey be this average after 10 years in the cask??? A famous NFL football coach once said, "...you are what your record says you are..." With Bourbon, you are what your nose, palate, and finish say you are. IMO, Henry Mac 10 year is average ~2.75 stars. It gets extra points for being a 10 year SB for $38 in NC. However, there are better $40 bottles regardless of age or otherwise(Four Roses SB, EW SB, JB SB). I guess the older I get the less time I have for average. Thanks @ridethalightin for sharing more from the, "GSO Buyers Club" private stock.38.0 USD per Bottle -
Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed June 27, 2019 (edited November 7, 2019)Orange fruity nose. Floral and more fruit in the first sip. Citrus and vanilla back for the finish. Pepper and some spice at the end of a medium long finish. This particular pour is from a good bottle. However, my memory says the small batch I sampled a few months ago may have been a bit better. I tried neat, then with a splash that opened up sweetness. I tried with a few rocks and messed up. I found in a rocks pour, most of the good complexity dissapeared. The good news, this 100 proof dram is neither hot nor fiery nor spicy. It drinks neat very much like an 80 proof-er but with 100 proof flavor. Find another 100 proof SB that delivers all this for $39.(regular price $42)39.0 USD per Bottle -
Seagram's 7 Crown American Blended Whiskey
Blended American Whiskey — USA
Reviewed June 24, 2019 (edited March 22, 2020)Too sweet for me now. My tastes have moved forward. Enjoyed many a great hi-ball...but that was yesterday. -
With all the small batch and single barrel offerings out there today, JB White Label seems pedestrian. However, for its price and availability, it is perfect for mixing and high balls. I keep a bottle on hand for those who are not into higher proof bourbon, or those who think they need to take my hard to obtain bourbons and mix them with soda, ginger etc. I also like to use it from time-to-time as a base line comparison to other bourbon during blind tests. Sometimes my taste buds need a reset.
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The nose is heavy dark corn syrup, butterscotch, an aroma of slightly burned caramel, and a bit of Isopropyl. The first taste is sticky sweetness, followed by a floral flavor that I can't identify. The flavor levels out and the finish is pleasant with sweetness moving out being replaced by a bitterness that is not unpleasant. There is no real spice, or bite. The dram is very smooth but not super complex. I would love to identify the floral flavor that is dominant after the dark brown sugar. This is designed to be mixed but I sampled neat and with a few rocks. I do not drink sweetened beverages and haven't in almost 20 years. Therefore, I tollerate unsweetened and less sweet drinks better than most. I am certain that the big sweet drink lovers might find the bitterness on the finish a bit much. I don't drink much rum. This is mostly due to some overconsumption episodes while in college. I am using this as a reintroduction to an old favorite. The good news is, the absence of traditional rum flavor. I didn't find any triggers to have to power through. It was good and I might find a place on my shelf for another bottle for summer months. I also have a bottle of the XO 15 year that I have not cracked. The bad news... neither bottle is available in NC. I picked this up in SC. It is available in limited areas in VA as well. Thankfully I don't have a "rum issue" (like my bourbon issue).28.0 USD per Bottle
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