Tastes

This is a great whiskey. Bourbon purists will turn a cheek, but the finishes on the bourbons that make up this blend give it a unique character. A slightly sweet nose teases what's to come. The pear brandy is right up front and sweetened by the rum cask, giving it a pear candy flavor, balanced by the herbal notes of the amaro cask. This is a sipper and a thinker. Don't expect to get your money's worth by pouring this over ice and tossing it back on a hot summer day - although the light fruitiness and lack of bold oak and spice notes you expect from bourbon make that a distinct possibility, I think this is better consumed served neat on a cool evening with the smell of an afternoon rain in the air.

I get a woodsy leather on the nose. Lots of charred oak and tobacco on the palate with a good amount of rye spice. The finish lasts quite a while. A bit more alcohol than I would expect for a 92 proof whiskey. If you like earthy bourbon, this is for you.

I picked up this bottle of Maria's Mammoth 12 year rye on Christmas Eve. This is my second bottle of Mammoth anything, but the first that I've opened. I have a Smitty's rye from over a year ago I haven't gotten around to yet so I'm not sure what to expect. So, in the glass, this has a very light golden color. If I didn't know better I'd guess this was a Scotch or Irish whisky. It has a sweet and delicate nose. I do get the rye of course, but I think I also get some of the malted barley. It wouldn't surprise me if this has more than the usual 3-5% barley in the mash bill. Up front on the palate this has a bit of light caramelly vanilla. Maybe a little green apple peel. The rye comes on strong in the middle and has a really nice spice from the rye - it actually starts to approach something like a red pepper flake. On the finish the pepper fades and you're left with a bunch of bright florals. I've gotta improve my palate in regard to these flavors I've only been able to describe as floral. It's the same way I describe an IPA - tastes like drinking flowers. Overall I like this. It's got a little more of the vanilla and caramel than some cheaper ryes. And I think that's probably due to the age - 12 years is a good amount of time for some of the more harsh flavors to mellow. I'm just a little surprised at the color for such an old whiskey. Definitely interested to compare/contrast with my Smitty's Mammoth pick!

Oh man, this Mayor Pingree bourbon (batch 14) from Valentine has such a wonderfully sweet nose. Caramelly sweet with maybe a hint of cherry and maybe even a little creme brule. On the palate is more sweet, creamy cherry notes. The rye spice comes in late and weak. It's surprisingly oily for a 94 proof bottle. I really like this one... I kind of regret waiting so long to try it.

Nice dark brown color. Almost looks like a Woodford Double Oaked in the glass. The nose has me baffled. I know wheaters are soft and subtle, but I get something kinda like caramel corn on the nose and wheat bread dough before its baked. So maybe a bit yeasty? It's got a quick bite on the palate but it quickly smooths out and makes me think of cinnamon on buttered wheat toast. It even has a bit of herbal, earthy spice on the finish that I'd normally associate with rye... but with this being 100% wheat, clearly that's not it. I wonder if they use malted wheat... Maybe that's where some of those earthy notes are coming from. Either way... It's interesting enough and not offensive at all, so I consider it a good purchase, but I probably won't be eager to replace it once the bottle is drained. Honestly, I expected a much heavier wheat flavor.

Creamy vanilla nose, with a hint of dark fruit like sweet cherries or plums and a bunch of rye spice in the nose. Soft on the palate at first, turns into a tartness that gets you in the back corners of the mouth almost like a sour apple candy. Peppery rye bite and smoky tobacco that lingers quite a while on the finish. I like it. I'll be watching for the next release!

At first I got caramelized banana on the nose. I took a sip and got some light grassy notes, a little citrus or lemongrass, and a smooth, mild baking spice. After the first sip, my wife and I agreed the scent changed - bubble gum. The cheap Double Bubble pieces we used to get for Halloween. Second sip, some woody caramelized barrel char flavors with a slightly herbal note. 3rd nose was empty marshmallow bag. Not marshmallow. Empty marshamallow bag. Weird, huh? It's that chalky, powdered sugary, light sweetness. 3rd sip... Still grassy, woody, barrel char type flavors. It gets a more oily mouth feel with each sip. Man... This is COMPLEX. Love this bourbon!

First thing I get on the nose is the alcohol... At 111 proof it's understandable. Nosing a little more gently I get orange rind, baking spices and rye. Initially light on the palate, but the baking spices come on hard and finishes with a lingering rye pepper that fades and leaves a little vanilla behind.

This is my second time pouring from this bottle. I get a bunch of anise/black licorice and almond on the nose. Light and sweet on the palate at first... Almost like a muted honeydew. Cinnamon and other baking spice slowly develops. Not much warmth on the finish, but the baking spices longer on the finish for quite a while.

Such a complex nose on Basil... I get candied orange, cereal grains, a hint of vanilla. Pretty thin mouth feel, lots of sweet corn. The peppery rye comes on strong and then it softens and you finally get some oakiness from the barrel.