Tastes

I love Sherry Wood. A cousin of Peated apparently, both employ ex-sherry casks. Today brought me a buttery note I hadn’t previously noticed. Simple and elegant. This thing is like a wild horse. I’m not sure what I mean by that, but it sounds right. Like when you see a shiny, black horse running in slow motion so you see all the veins and striations. This sip is kinda like that.

Now with my own bottle from the Westland sampler... Peated is smokier and dustier than American Oak but somehow possibly younger feeling? At least, brighter? The smoke is delicate. There’s an astringent quality highlighted in Peated more so than Oak and Sherry... but still, you can’t go wrong with Westland.

Nothing says “PNW” like Westland. It feels like the weather and habitants of Seattle: dramatic, independent, steadfast. American oak somehow feels more distinct than the peat and sherry offerings with a profile all its own. I’m noticing the tannins more, and a little water popped out a raisin note that I hadn’t previously noticed.

Somehow weirdly similar to my Bulleit taste... nice in the nose; but astringent tannins on the back end.

Pleasant and gentle on most accounts with a slight astringent twinge on the back end (albeit, short lived.) A mass appeal bourbon, well branded and hard to fault if only a little boring. Shiny corn cherry is noticeably absent. Bulleit is a “barely bourbon,” good for mixing or cheap long term sipper at an event that has limited options.

A better than average well option... billed as “good enough to drink neat.” *Good enough* being emphasized. Paper thin hue, aggravating aftertaste. It is whiskey; but you have to hunt for notes.

Sometimes the setting and ambiance lifts up the experience. I gave FR neat high marks, but then again I need to experience it again. Not super exciting, but not much to fault either.

Rich and inviting on each level. Aged 3 years and it shows. A dangerously sessionable neat sip. Rich, syrupy honey.