Tastes

After leaving it in the glass for a bit, the nose gives off a nice oak and big league bubble gum. Flavors are developed and transition well. Sugary sweetness throughout but there is a butterscotch, plum, maple syrup and cinnamon spice. Finish is long with a little leather, oak and spice.

Old Forester is best at 100 proof in my opinion. Bold flavors in this one but it was awfully warm. Air time does well for it.

Not your typical rye flavors. More of a bourbon drinker type of rye in that it doesn’t deliver dill or spearmint. It has good fruity flavors. There is some elderflower in there and the finish is extremely pleasant but just wish it was longer. There is smarties candy on the nose and tropical fruit punch wafts after it sits in a Glencairn for 15 minutes. I don’t get any rye smell on the nose at all. I’m not sure how much the Hazlet rye varietal in this has an impact but I enjoy the overall dram quite a bit.

Wish I had gotten this one years ago. Total bourbon drinkers rye with a little rough edge on it that I enjoy. I get leaf tobacco on the palate and finish. Nice little oaky finish. Great value rye here.

This is a product that I feel slipped a bit here the last couple years. This is LL/MD filled April 24 2024 and while it’s not the LL/ME filled in May it is still a major improvement from the last couple years. This is the one that started it for me. Up until I rolled the dice on this at the recommendation of a small liquor and cigar shop in Belle Meade TN. It was a staple for me from 2016 to 2019 and then it fell on hard times in 20, 21 and 22 in my opinion. Started to come back in 23’ and now is back to where it was almost a decade ago. I feel like when it’s on …. Cherry, mahogany leather chairs, musty old library books and a hint of butterscotch. Finish is wet oak and it is short but pleasing. Kentucky Spirits are more my wheelhouse and very underrated in my opinion but every once in awhile I check on this offering to see where it’s at? I enjoy the bottom floor Turkey when it gets some age on it and at times I feel like there is 12-13 year juice in here. Great starter bourbon and a great 90 proof option- my favorite at this proof. Cheers!

Line drive up the middle for bourbon profile but adds pecan note that makes it interesting.

Very sweet sugar and sweet oak combination product. At 121 it doesn't drink near it's proof in the palate but gives you a warm Kentucky hug. Excellent nose that I could sit with and sniff for days. While I like to add water to many of these releases, this one is excellent neat. It's more reminiscent of Evan Williams full proof (doesn't exist) than Elijah Craig which is a great batch variation for me. Wish I had a backup bottle - Cheers!