Tastes

Chocolatey, hoppy and interesting as all get out. Tricky. Makes it clear that it doesn’t need or want your approval. A good transition for someone going from beer to whiskey. This isn’t a bourbon as Distiller suggests. There is zero corn.

Whiskey Pete would be a good hobo name. This is a truly American peated single malt. Not a brisket. No dog and pony show. A solid start. Complex cask utilization is really the secret weapon; ultimately a slice of PNW magic.

An update to my initial taste using a different rating system. Color and nose are EC’s strengths; but the astringent biting brightness that lingers is a real turn off for me.

WRDO is a delight. Rich amber hue, syrupy nose, balanced flavor and nothing lingering that you wouldn’t want around. It makes me nervous to rate anything so high, but based on my methodology, I can’t argue any less. A good oak option for someone who doesn’t like oak. In this case, we are talking color and richness minus any astringent or tannin overload.

The nose has a hint of what reminds me ever so slightly of urine. Not in an insulting way, but rather a hint of ammonia over a leathery note. The leather is a new leather, like a car interior. There’s a bite in the initial moment of the sip that feels like it is saying “haha! just kidding! gotcha!” ...followed promptly by good behavior like a straight “C’s” student turning in his homework at the last minute.

Like drinking a well-worn, leather bound bible.

My very first impression on the nose was Twizzlers. Neat it punches above its weight class but with a splash of water, it opens and presents with maturity. Suddenly, the nose turns into creamy spiced cider.

Solid, if not a little boring. Sometimes that is what you want. It is like elevator music: not offensive, not exciting, but nice to have in the room while you talk.

Oaky, but not like sucking on a coffee table. This whisky is better than the Jim Beam name suggests.

Starts smooth, ends up with a lingering bitterness. Just like life.