Tastes

Surprisingly a smooth dram. Nose is pretty muted, with some slight fruit skin (apple, pear) notes present. The Distiller tasting notes mentions "hints of green olive", and while it makes me uncomfortable to compare this bourbon to olives, there's that very hint of a sensation on the nose. Flavor wise, it wasn't a punch in the mouth but rather a very smooth collection of vanilla-y butterscotch and smoked/roasted nuts. Has the mouthfeel of the Michter's American Whiskey, which is pretty thin as well. Upper 80s for me, but a very decent pour indeed. Won't rush to buy further releases but I am very glad I was able to enjoy '18's release. Much better for cheaper out there.

Has got to be in the top 3 ryes I've ever had. Perfectly balanced, there's a slight medicinal on the nose followed with some cedar and spice, brown sugar and cinnamon. Tasting gives way to lots of intricate flavors all perfectly balanced. Very smooth sweet vanilla "creme brulee" alongside the spicy rye and pepper notes. Didn't pick up too too much oak in this one, but it was there. Good mouthfeel too from what I can remember. Great, great bottle. If you can find it sub $100 it's worth it. Even over, I'd consider it anyday. Looking forward to their other future offerings.

This bottle took the ticket in my first blind tasting event. Came first of 15, surprisingly beating out a few other favorites of mine. Really has a nice chewy butterscotch flavor to it. Original tasting notes: "Black pepper, very hot nose. Slightly sweet as the heat tapers off, very slight butterscotch. Taste wise, nutmeg, hazelnut - definitely a little nutty but in a good way. Warm finish, little woody. Butterscotchy, chewy, and very flavorful. Very slight spice right before the finish too. Very well rounded bourbon - 90"

Flat out did not care for this bland, bleh of a bourbon. It tries to have some flavors, it really does, but they come off as only a weak attempt and the aromas picked up on the nose are stronger than anything your tongue with pull out of your dram. Maybe I'm just used to bourbon that puts hair on your chest at this point (or really anything else that's halfway decent). Labeling it as a "beginner's bourbon" may be the only way to label it, other than "don't buy again".

Forever a staple for my collection, and always a cheap go-to. Nose has faint honey but definitely some sweetness to it. Little bit of fruit, and some spice to go along with that. Taste wise, it starts smooth with honey and apricot, hints of nut in there. Followed up with a little pepper and a nice spiced rye finish. Very well rounded pour, definitely mid 80s for me.

This got me into the world of bourbon, and is one of the ones I always go back to.