Tastes

I could tell it was mash bill #2 off the nose. A little citrus woth a light vanilla and Caramel undertone. The pallete distinguishes itself from standard Blanton’s with it’s bigness. Floral notes grow in second and third tastings. But doesn’t depart much beyond that. Not much of greater finish and certainly not worth the nasty hunt in my mind.

I think my last pour of this was from a loaded bottle. I scored it poorly, but this is darn perfection. Nose is brown sugar, caramel with no edges. A little hershey chocolate undertone that you can find mid-stream in the palette. The kentucky hug is up front of the palette smooth out to rich bourbon goodness. Wood tannin, wheat, and baking spices round out a dynamic finish. Yum!

Subtle nose considering it’s proof—barrel oak base with caramel overtone, light on cherry compared to typical OF BIB. Tight but deep palette leading with brown sugar dropping into a kentucky hug, spice ends quickly though for a long barrel finish. 2nd nosing is greater sweetnes. 2nd tasting is more complex with flavors typically reserved for aged bourbons. Really good, buy it if you see it, don’t hunt for it or pay secondary.

Brown sugar forward nose with some classic rye baking spice notes. Palette yells the classic MGP rye flavors. Tannin overtone with a slight citrus finish. Nothing offensive, but not worth a hunt in my state. Other MGP products available with similar profile. Art Deco bottle is cool.

Grassy and herbal nose with peppers. Brown sugar appears after it opens. Peppers carry in the overtone for a long herbal tone. Minor citrus notes in the palette. Body is weak up front but finishes with a burn and complexity. Under tone is vanilla, but not particularly sweet or strong. A good drinking experience but not worth the hunt compared to a Stagg Jr. for the proof hounds out there.

Rich honey undertone and Smokey overtone in the nose with the smoke varying from traditional peat and leaning mesquite. Mesquite flavor lingers into the palette’s overtone. There is an excellent chocolate and honey undertone with a delicious balance. Some of the bandage iodine flavor common in scotch, but generally speaking a unique scotch experience.

Brown sugar undertone nose with Oregon oak overtone. Oak remains dominant in the palette with apricot lead, spicy overtones go to finish with honey. This is probably a best kept secret and would be near perfection if it was aged two more years. Don’t tell anyone.

A floral overtone with a shoe polish undertone. The palette changes direction and has a sweet pear undertone and a spicy overtone. Dry texture with modest tobacco finish. Good value for a six year age stated bourbon. I wish the source was transparently stated.

Nose is a blast of brown sugar with some oak. Lots of maple on the palette. A little flat and runs with very little spice. Nutty finish. Not worth the hunt based on the palette. Nose makes a superior experience than most. I would love to have this at cask strength.

Retain light black pepper with heavy honey tones on the nose. Some floral notes. Palette is an aged version of high-quality Beam with more wood flavor, mild pepper and a longer smooth finish. I think the 7 year has more to talk about, but a taster newer to whiskey may really love this. Tastes well below its ABV.