Tastes

I've had seemingly really good bottles, and seemingly really meh bottles. At the end of the day, it's a very sweet and smooth whiskey that I'll always enjoy.

Strong and hot nose. Darker molasses color. Rich caramel. First sip is apple pie, cinnamon, caramel and a caramel slight vanilla finish. A few drops opened up the nose and finish, bit more vanilla and brown sugar notes. Very good. Hot on the finish unless you let it open up a bit or give it a drizzle of water. Compared to Rebel Yell 10yr, less oak notes and a bit more vanilla. I prefer over RY. Half bottle update: tempted to up this to 90+ rating, it's opening up really well. Much less hot, much more flavors. If I find another bottle (for sub ~$75) I'd absolutely buy again.

First sample was a really solid rye, but when I purchased a bottle it tasted like a mold bomb. I've been scared to go back to this ever since, and have only recently purchased their X-Ray Rye (which is a HUGE improvement, upper 80s score from me on that one). This one however, I can't justify rating higher than mid 70s based on the fact that while one pour was great, the bottle was trash. From what I remember though, the other review that says "Peppery hot with sweet cinnamon cakey flavors" is spot on; add in some smoother vanilla notes and that's where my pour was at.

Note to self - add a few drops of water to open this bad boy up. It's a wonderful flavorful bourbon, if you do it the service of adding a little aqua pura. Like a grown up Buffalo Trace, it's got the same spicy sweet traits that made me fall in love with BT's mash bill in the first place. At $35, you can't go wrong.

Woodford has always been a go-to for me from the very start. I've loved how it weighs heavier on the side of brown sugar leather notes. This bourbon takes that to a whole other level. I tend to agree mostly with Distiller's taste notes - the nose did have quite a bit caramel, vanilla, oak-y Woodford goodness along with a little heat. Drier taste, but had the classic peppery leather followed by a warm brown sugar finish. Little more of a full-fledged flavor profile on this compared to the classic Woodford I've come to know and love. Thinking of this bottle as a higher proof double oaked - full of awesome flavor and an added bite. High score from me, would buy again (but looks like they're going like hotcakes).