Tastes
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Recommended to me, I picked this up expecting an adventure. I consider myself a rum novice, so my notes may not be particularly helpful, but I am sharing them anyway. Popping the cork is like opening the door of a food dehydrator making banana chips. Pour some in a glass, admire the classy gold on blue label, notice the smell of cooking bananas, with butter, and brown sugar, and cloves, and molasses. Ok, people were not exaggerating when they promised this is potent. The smells are bold, mouth watering, and carried by an ethanol punch that lets you know right off that this isn’t some watered down rum flavored vodka. It is big, but not overly refined, not that it is aiming to be. 18/20 The first sip is not what I was expecting, it is hot, but not as hot as I thought it would be, but it’s not sweet at all on this first taste. Lots of magic marker notes, something slightly Scotch-like, and the funk/hogo is here. First impression isn’t as strong a showing as the smell. 23/30 Sip a bit more, admire the warmth … ginger, nutmeg, cloves, bananas, burnt sugar, sweet molasses, something metallic. There is a lot to love here, but there is this note that is metallic and unpleasant. I get why many people say this is perfect for mixing, I can imagine it making amazing cocktails, being fantastic with some ice, and a little bit of pretty much anything, maybe even just opening up the bottle for a few weeks will fix it. As it is, I love some parts, but overall there’s a lot that’s just not there for me. 18/25 On the experience and presentation, a nice bottle, really nice label, wonderful smell, and several really good points, but some parts that let me down too. 15/20 I keep five points for entirely subjective assignment, and I’ll give one, bringing the total score to: 75/100 I will be reassessing this in a few weeks.35.0 USD per Bottle
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Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed April 23, 2021 (edited April 28, 2021)It seems strange to me, but this is my first time having anything from Bruichladdich, I’m pretty excited about it. The first thing I get on the nose is apricot preserves, it smells sweet, jammy, and rich. After sitting in the glass for a couple minutes, other notes emerge. There’s a briny note, and a dry, malt smell. Maybe some cocoa powder. 18/20 First impression, comes in sweet, more floral than fruity. Some citrus zest, and a pleasant warmth (from the 50% ABV no doubt). The taste develops over a long while. 27/30 Following tastes and finish: This is a whisky to savor. It is sweet, but not cloyingly so, and there is a tingling, almost peppery quality present. The floral notes develop nicely, the fruit I find on the nose is subtle in taste. There’s an almost bitter citrus bite, and the proof shows up, but doesn’t overwhelm. I’m really enjoying the finish, the malt is rich and sweet, almost like Ovaltine. The brine is soft, like the salt air along the coast. Strangely, while I keep mentioning how subtle, and not overwhelming this is, it is a very rich and flavorful whisky, just in a balanced way. 22/25 I like the bottle colour, the metal tube is classy, and the story on the tube is interesting, so points for the experience too. While it’s pricy, I think it is worth it. 17/20 I keep five points for completely subjective assignment, I give the Classic Laddie all five, as it actually meets my expectations. Total Score 89/10050.0 USD per Bottle -
Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey
American Single Malt — New Mexico, USA
Reviewed April 10, 2021 (edited April 22, 2021)Ok, if you are a fan of the challenging flavors in peated Scotch, but want more than just smoke, this will be something for you to try. It is really interesting, complex, and tasty, like a peaty Scotch, but different too, I enjoyed the experience of trying to think through it nearly as much as the dram itself. -
Westward American Single Malt
American Single Malt — Oregon, USA
Reviewed April 10, 2021 (edited November 10, 2021)Someone has completely confused this poor beer. It really thinks it’s supposed to be an ale, but it isn’t sure how to go back to the way things were in the before times. This gets a “try before buy” from me. -
FEW Single Malt Whisky
American Single Malt — Illinois, USA
Reviewed April 10, 2021 (edited August 21, 2023)So, imagine a bucket, on the ground, under a horse’s feeding trough. A heavy rain comes, soaks the barley and hay in the trough, then drips down into the bucket. Want a drink from that bucket? This whisky is not for me, stale, sour, mildewed grain and hay water from an old bucket. -
Coopers' Craft Barrel Reserve 100 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed April 4, 2021 (edited July 8, 2021)I get a fair amount of citrus, a bit of underripe apple, and cinnamon on the smell. The taste is sweeter than the nose, but the citrus is very present. There’s some vanilla, and ginger. The finish is a bit of citrus pith, somewhat bitter. There’s toasted wood, as well as more tannic wood notes. It is a decent whiskey, there’s plenty of what we expect from bourbon, but also some unique flavors that keep it interesting. A note on the bottle, this bottle seems purpose built to be a decanter, or infinity bottle. Smell: 15/20 First sip: 21/30 Following taste and finish: 20/25 Esthetics and Value: 18/20 I will give 3/5 of my subjective points as it is an interesting expression. Total: 77/10029.95 USD per Bottle -
Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof Tennessee Whiskey
Tennessee Whiskey — Tennessee, USA
Reviewed April 3, 2021 (edited April 22, 2021)Quick tasting: Hello cherry syrup, there’s less heat on the nose than from the Single Barrel Select? Wow, the taste is cherry syrup, and IDK, but I’m digging it. Strangely, the thing I would most compare this to is Maker’s Mark Cask Strength, (they’re very different, but have more in common than I ever would have expected). I will be coming back to explore and fully experience this. A54.95 USD per Bottle -
Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select
Tennessee Whiskey — Tennessee, USA
Reviewed April 3, 2021 (edited June 14, 2021)Quick taste: It’s banana bread, with a hint of ethanol heat on the nose. A taste reveals, banana bread, and some oak char. It Jack Daniel’s can make this, why is Old No. 7 a thing? A-39.95 USD per Bottle
Results 41-50 of 146 Reviews