Tastes

Nose: Rye is dominant smell, but I also get a weird (but pleasant) mint gum smell. Spearmint maybe? Palate: once again, the spicy rye flavor dominates, but great oak and clove flavors come through. Was expecting a very thin mouthfeel, but for just the opposite. Coats the tongue well and is full of flavor! Finish: Medium in length. Wa expecting a bit of a burn out of a 93 proof rye, but not really there. Extremely smooth. Overall: possibly the best $29 bottle of whisky I’ve had. I’ve always been a big fan of Baby Saz but Riverset surprisingly outperforms it in every way. This whisky will win some awards and deservingly so. Get a bottle of you can find it. Actually, get two bottles. You’ll thank me.

Nose: For the first time ever, I get a strong banana smell from a bourbon. I had read other’s reviews that stated they smelled banana, but I thought they must be stoned. I totally get it now. Taste: Sweet. Banana does come through, but not a dominant flavor. Honestly, just a very simple, mild bourbon. Great beginner’s drink. A little too sweet for me, but I’m a fan of high rye and high proof juice. Finish: Mellow. Sweetness turns into a more earthy, oak flavored. Represents the Coopers well at the end. Overall: I like it. A lot. Really grows on you. Definitely on the milder side. Would make for a great summer neat pour. Would also be great in cooking due to the sweetness. Great buy at $20.

Nose: not getting a lot of nose. Very faint vanilla and oak. Very surprising considering it’s a 100 proof. Palate: bold flavors which are surprising based on nose. I get “peppery peanuts” with a bit of chocolate and honey at the end. Buttery texture Finish: possibly one of the strongest finishes I’ve ever had in a bourbon. Finish is medium to long and full of above flavors, especially peanut. Overall: An amazing pour at $40 a bottle. With that being said, I never tried the former 6 year old HH BiB which sold for less than half. I’ve heard it was as amazing and adding a year was more about marketing to add to the bottom line, but just like McKenna, I will happily pay $40 for a bottle of this quality.

Nose: Oak and mint are dominant. Leather looms as well. Palate: Light. Sweet for a Rye. In fact, if I had tasted blind I would have swore it was a wheater. Nothing bad about it, but also nothing outstanding. Finish: Overall it has a medium finish, however the KY hug remains for a bit. Overall, this would make a fine Fall whisky. Perfect for sipping next to a campfire. Leaves a warm fuzzy feeling which helps make up for the lack of a lot of flavor.

Nose: very subtle. Honestly, not a lot there. Does not excite the tastebuds for what’s a lot to come. Palate: earthy - rye influence is dominant. I leather and a hint of plug tobacco. A bit thin, but it works for this one. Not great overall at this point. Finish: strangely, this bourbon finishes strong. Mix “hug” lingers for a but along with leathery, chocolate tones. Makes me want a nice cigar. Overall, a little disappointed. I had high hopes for this bourbon based on my research. It didn’t live up to expectations, but still has a place on my bar. Will pair very well with a nice fat cigar.

Nose: Big Red chewing gum. I swear I couldn’t tell the difference. Palate: Extremely smooth and sweet for a rye. Cinnamon and black tea are the dominate notes to me. Finish: Once again, smooth. Cinnamon and brown sugar (maybe?). No big “KY Hug”. Fine whisky. Would never have thought it was a rye in a blind test. Smooth and sweet. More of an after dinner drink to me. Probably not a daily drinker, but it has a place on any bar.

Nose: Citrus (orange) and vanilla are the high notes. Very pleasant and excites the palate for what is to come. Palate: Smooth and sweet with just the right amount of burn. The orange notes still come through but also caramel and vanilla. Possibly one of the best tasting pours I’ve ever had. Finish: This is how a pour should finish - a sweet burn full of flavor. Caramel, burnt sugar - all the “sweet” stuff you want in a bourbon. Overall: One of the few bourbons that live up to the hype. I honestly was prepared to find a reason to not like Blanton’s because of the hype. I couldn’t find one single bad thing to say about it. Find you a bottle and drink it. Do not let it just set there and look pretty. You’ll be glad you did.

Nose: like opening a bag of fresh rye bread with a hint of cinnamon and char. Really excites the palate. Palate: Tastes exactly like a rye should taste - now you are not only smelling that fresh loaf of bread, you are now consuming it straight from the oven. Absolutely amazing. Several spices seep in - nutmeg and vanilla being predominant. Slight burn, but that’s to be expected with a 113+ proof. Mouthfeel is exceptional - nice coating of tongue with huge flavors. Finish: While every aspect of this whisky is amazing, the finish is the highlight of this pour. The “Kentucky Hug” seems to last forever and the flavors linger and even grow stronger. Overall: Absolutely amazing. I am a huge rye fan and this one has now set the bar high for all others. If you can find it - buy it. You will not be disappointed.

Nose: Actually very pleasant At first I couldn’t identify, but in reading other’s tasting notes I came across one that said reminded him of his grandmother’s butterscotch candy jar. He nailed it. That’s exactly what you get - sweet, smooth, butterscotch candy. Palate: Flat. Not a whole lot there. Very faint black pepper and oak, but overall not a lot of taste. Surprisingly it coats the mouth well. Finish: Finish is actually pretty good considering lack of taste. Finishes with a sweet burn - a Kentucky hug I suppose. Overall, not great, but not bad. Will be on my shelf for friends who like to mix with a coke, but can’t see it being used for much else as long as I can remain employed. Very much worth $10 though.