Tastes

Bottle kill. Still fruity and malty, the barrel spice notes have expanded and resonate loudly, still quite silky on the palate. This ended its journey as a blend of equal parts with Johnnie Walker blue label, and the combination of the two exceeded the component parts, creating a luscious, silky, spicy, delicious concoction. Enjoyable as as a stand alone product, but exceptional as a component in a blend/infinity bottle.

This is a significant step down from the old Baker’s Small Batch I just tasted. Nose: Ethanol, corn syrup, vanilla, saw dust and peanuts. Palate: Semisweet, corn, vanilla, some heat, hints of baking spices, caramel and leather. Finish: Medium length with a little heat, barrel spice and sweetness. Not objectionable, but not something I will buy again.

Nose: Vanilla, toffee, caramel, crème brulee, dried fruits, peanuts and barrel spices. Palate: Silky, semisweet, vanilla, baking spices, caramel, crème brulee and leather. Finish: Lengthy, nice interplay of sweet and spice, lovely Kentucky hug.

Fruity, floral, port, citrus and vanilla notes on the nose, creamy and light on the palate with vanilla, barrel spices, port, citrus and a hint of chocolate, the finish is short and spicy. Like it better with a bit of water.

"The two most powerful warriors are patience and time." - Tolstoy Sweet nectar of the gods. Creamy, tangy and lightly viscous with tropical fruits, tangerine, other citrus, honey, malt, butterscotch, vanilla, caramel, crème brulee and barrel spices. Lasting finish for the proof. I found this Initially unimpressive. Oxidation is it’s friend. I suggest giving this a good rest in the glass and drinking this with a fresh palate, not at the end of a flight. Give it time and maybe, like me, your patience will be rewarded and initial opinions rendered moot.

Neck pour. It’s slick, caramelly, and the rum finish really stands out. Not much in the way of rye spices. A little bitter finish.

Neck pour. Similar to the 15 year, more refined. Rich and buttery, chocolate, raisins, nuts, vanilla, malt, barrel spices, less astringency than the 15, long spicy finish. Bottle kill. This is a nice sherried Speyside. Holds up pretty well against all the 18 y/o “Glens”. Bumped 1/4 point.

Neck pour. Rich and buttery, chocolate, raisins, vanilla, malt, somewhat intense barrel spices, some astringency, long spicy finish.

2018 batch 3 Refined and subtle, maybe a little dull, nothing that wowed me.

An excellent, big, thick, rich and velvety rye with vanilla, oak, barrel spices and right amount of heat. Prickly rye spices and heat on the long finish.