Tastes

On the nose there is banana bread. Is it imaginary? Maybe my perception is just as subject to influence as everyone else's, but I find myself agreeing with them anyway. The palate is light, but so was the smell coming from the glass. Banana bread here too. There's nothing too sharp or offensive. When I say banana bread, I mean, this tastes like brown sugar, butter, ripe bananas, a tiny bit of cinnamon, and maybe a tiny bit of cloves? The baking spices are very mild, but pleasant. The finish is very short, and again, light. I don't want to sound negative, this is nice, it is worth the price I paid for the bottle, and is a lovely version of Jack Daniels. I can see why people love the cask strength version of the single barrel.

So, I was able to pick up a bottle of Weller Special Reserve last Sunday. I know it is in very high demand, that’s probably why this was the first opportunity to get one I’ve had in three years. I am sure it isn’t worth the secondary market prices people rant about. I also understand that the turkey fans will always prefer 101 to any other whiskey. Knowing that, I did what I felt I had to do when given the opportunity to buy one at retail, I bought it. I then did the next reasonable thing, checked the secondary prices. Then I opened it up to try it. I agree that it’s not a $200 bottle, not even $110, or really a $75, but for $26 why do so many people rag on this? I wonder, is the desire to be contrarian too strong in some? I find Weller SR to be a very nice wheated bourbon, it has a pleasant nose, balanced and welcome flavors, and (for a $26 bourbon) a surprisingly good finish. There is an actual reason that Weller has such a strong following, it’s good. I am happy I got one, would highly recommend you grab it too, if you can find it at retail. While you’re enjoying it, ignore the haters, and hey, go ahead and pick up some WT101 too, it’s always there, and always good.

It has been a nice journey drinking through this bottle. I still think that the standard release Maker's Mark is a perfectly acceptable basic wheated bourbon. Maker's 46 is a significantly more complex bourbon than Maker's Mark. Nose: Vanilla, Cherry cola, Cinnamon, Orange zest, Caramel, Oak, Cereal Palate: So soft on the palate. A vanilla caramel flavored hard candy hits you immediately. The cherry is there in the midpalate, followed by the citrus zest. Then there's a slightly over steeped black tea. Finish: The citrus dominates the finish, the baking spices show up too. Medium length, and medium complexity. 90/100 (+2 for the bottle, experience, and value) Final thoughts. The bottle is beautiful. The base is heavy and thick, the label is printed directly on the glass. The wax and other ornamentation is fantastic. It looks more luxurious and expensive than the MSRP. I know that some bottles have a screw top, mine had an artificial cork with a most satisfying pop. Highly recommend

Bottle has been open for over a year, about 1/3 left. Nose: Dry dill, rye bread, acetone, mint Taste: Instantly sweet, then herbal, rye bread, old black tea. Finish: mint, tea tannins, orange peel

Bottle has been open for about two months, and is less than half full (a bit more than 1/3) The nose is classic high rye bourbon, vanilla, toasted barrel, orange zest, baking spices. Sweet and spicy, like some kind of cinnamon roll, or a spice cake. Or maybe a spiced tea, as there is an astringent note. Finish has some oak, and some of the vegetal rye bread notes, but that fades into a tingling spice that lasts.