Tastes

Nose: Closed off at first. After 5 minutes I get nutty sherry, malt, light spices, complex yet subtle with many other notes I cannot define. Palate: Silky, coating, malty, berries, sherry, biscuits, citrus, mixed nuts, vanilla, caramel, honey and barrel spices. Finish: Long, malty, cereal grains, sherry and spices. Near perfection in a bottle. I seriously think, if I could afford it, I could be content drinking only this the rest of my life.

Found this at the same little out of the way liquor store where I found the 1983 edition, tucked in between two other 1983’s. On the label it says was distilled in 1985 and bottled in 1997, 10 years (bad math ?), 43% abv. Not much info available about this bottling. I am now 3/4 through this bottle and I must say I like it better than the 1983. I get orchard fruit, general sweetness, sherry, quite a bit of oak, but more pleasant than the 1983, some honey and chai tea on the nose; The palate is silky, sweet and rich with subdued sherry nuttiness, vanilla, barrel spices and hints of chocolate; The finish is long and very pleasant with some raisin, spice, vanilla and chai tea notes.

A unique mash bill of 80% malted barley / 20% rye. Bottled at cask strength of 55 ABV. Batch numero uno. Smells and tastes a bit like a highland scotch finished in rye cask. Mild and light, semi-sweet, slightly malty, fruity and spicy, hints of vanilla and cinnamon. Water brings out more rye spice and heat.

Barrel 16-1565, 116.26 proof. Nose: Sweet, malt, strawberries, honey, caramel, vanilla, baking spices and a hint of banana and apple cider. Palate: Viscous, oily, sweet, dried fruits, spices, more honey, caramel and vanilla. Finish: Long, a little spicy, slightly bitter.

2018 release. This whiskey is delicious and right in my wheelhouse with malt, honey, caramel, vanilla, berries, red wine and mild peat on the nose and palate. The palate is semi-sweet, slightly creamy and has a little heat, smoke and spice which carry over to the medium finish.

Malt, honey, berries, spices, creamy mouth feel, a little bitterness on the medium length finish. Nice whiskey, but I liked the two fold a little better.

Didn’t want to like this one, but I do. Sweet with caramel, honey, perfume, a little banana and mesquite. A bit thin. A little bite on the tongue and the finish is a tad harsh.

Thanks to a buddy in Oregon for sending me a substantial sample. Can’t find this in my area, at least not for a reasonable price. Tasting: Take ECSB and add extra vanilla and toffee. Tasty for sure. Worth MSRP, not a penny more.