Tastes

Beautiful, dangerously approachable sipper. I enjoyed this, winter tent camping... probably never above 20 degrees Fahrenheit. This is “lose track and never wake up” smooth. I got ours, direct from the distillery, laser engraved for the occasion. The straight rye is tough to find- but we’ll worth it. Sweet, friendly, festive spice. No heat, wonderfully balanced.

I want to spend the rest of my life in a port cask. AE Bourbon is a cozy sweater. It can’t offend. I don’t love the branding or anything hyped, but AEB deserves success and recognition. That nose is near perfect, and there is a maraschino cherry hiding in a swirl of fascinating dimensions.

A collectors item now, grab a couple bottles if you see it in the wild because Anchor Distilling can no longer use the Anchor trademark after the sale to Sapporo. This is a unique and honest take of a traditional frontier malted rye. Not just for show like every other distillery is trying to convey in an “all hat and no cattle” sort of way. This is well-crafted historical fiction, like “Gates of Fire.” The hue is light, the nose and palate are gentle but tough. Rough and tumble, an honest under appreciated rye and a new rarity.

This is wild. A dessert rye...? I’m tasting this neat at a restaurant and I’m not entirely convinced this is the rye, but the waiter insists and I was too chicken to walk over to the bar to check the bottle. After a few sips, I’m convinced that it is. The rye crackle is there but it’s so sweet you’d think it’s a bourbon. The palate is frenetic and has multiple-personalities. Honey, deep dark 10w30 maple syrup, coconut, bananas. Ironically, the rye spice is oddly out of place, but not detrimental. What an interesting experience.

I’ve wanted to try Nearest for a while, I found that prices at Trader Joe’s vary wildly - I got mine for $49 after seeing it at another for $61. On to the taste... UN is Jack Daniels’ refined, lively cousin. Made with care, full of soul, it tastes the way Tower of Power sounds. Nose opens up resting in a glass neat after 5-10 minutes. There’s an interesting hint of Flintstones vitamin on the nose and tip o’ the tongue that I can’t get a bead on. Maple is there. I recommend having Uncle Nearest on your shelf.

Best described as “muscular.” Triple Barrel is like that buddy you have from back home named Ry-Ry, Big John or Bonesaw, or something like that... he’s usually quiet, drinks Bud Light and wears the same dirty baseball cap everyday. He doesn’t start fights, he ends them. WTB is the best of opposing worlds. This bourbon is beaten into submission by oak 2x4s, but the oakiness itself is too scared to show up or make too much noise. It’s a bourbon winking at you dressed up as scotch. The Ardbeg influence is dreamy. The color is enthusiastically leather. American leather, not Italian. Feels, tastes, smells like a catchers mitt. This is an experience. Not for everyone, but has SOMETHING for everyone. This will unite scotch and bourbon drinkers, either for or against. Maybe in the future I’ll pick out notes. Time being, I’m enjoying this.

Location makes such a difference in tasting. I love being on-site, tasting a flight, being excited, talkin’ grains and hearing other excited people chattering. Probably my second favorite rye, but a very good one at that. Solid, respectable, a little spice, a little oaky, get down tonight.

How are there not more reviews for WDB? I’m becoming a major fan. The PNW is pulling of some wonderful magic in the whiskey world. Double barrel is good, but not my pick of the batch. Quite nice, with a syrupy top end, however, slightly hollow in the middle. Like drinking a wooden box or an empty apple crate.