Tastes

Tasting was a neck pour neat in glencairn, no water added. Don’t always like to review a neck pour, but this one is impressive. Fully expect it to open up more. Nose - is fantastic, heavy caramel and maple, little bit of butterscotch, apple, raisin, maybe a little cotton candy, and oak. I could smell it as I was pouring. There’s absolutely no ethanol coming off of it. I do get a breakfast vibe with a maple bacon, syrup and pancakes or waffles. Great nose! Palate - pretty impressed with the palate as well. Palate goes for a little bit of a ride, it went sweet to spicy back to sweet. Definitely caramel and maple on the front end. I do often pick up apple on Makers Mark products and I do here as well but not quite as prominent as other pours. Get a little bit of a sweet bread, and a dark fruit, keep going back to raisin, mid palate cinnamon red hot is standing out, get oak and some barrel char, then the maple starts to creep back in as it finishes. Finish - For me this hung on quite a bit. Not a super complex finish but I do get oak, little bit of leather, get hints of the maple and apple, and then drys out a little but not in an unpleasant way. Immensely enjoyed the first pour. That’s maybe a dangerously crushable 54.7%, little to no burn, nice viscosity. For some the palate may not pack the punch the nose is giving off, but as this opens up I could see that changing. By no means is the palate bad, but the nose is strong. No question this is a buy it if you see it. Not a fan of secondary prices, who is right? This I’d consider going up to a $100 for though. Cheers!

Tried this in a Barrell blind lineup with about 5 other Barrell products and this won. Decided to give it an individual rating. Taste was neat in glencairn with just a drop of water. Nose - vanilla, smoky, does have an earthiness to it, pick up on some oak, little bit of orange, has a dark fruit jam flavor, a nice complex nose. Palate - sweet, with vanilla the stand out up front, maybe even a vanilla frosting, but really well balanced, nice amount of oak and smokiness comes in behind it, really coats the mouth well, closes out with little bit of pepper and allspice, get hints of a dark fruit as well. Finish - relatively short, but again well balanced. A lot of bourbon or whiskey tends to go dry or dryer flavors, oak, leather, anise, etc. I do pickup a little bit of oak and leather, but still have a sweetness lingering. Some cinnamon. I remembered why this one won the blind after trying it again. It just kept evolving. One of those where you go back to it and you keep pulling out different flavors. The Barrell batches sometimes are hit or miss, not bad necessarily, but when price is usually around $80-$100 some hit better than others and batch 28 probably one of my favorites. Batch 25 was also in this blind and was a very close 2nd. These can be pricey, and as mentioned already some blends are better than others. Batch 28 definitely recommend, ideally if you get into the other batches it would be a try before you buy if possible.

Good ole Weller 12, one of those bottles where you have to know a guy who knows a guy to find, at least in my neck of the woods. Got this bottle last year, has been opened for about 2-3 weeks, pour was neat in glencairn. Nose - really good nose, vanilla, maple syrup, definitely some smokiness to it/barrel char, candied orange, and a fair amount of oak, tobacco, little bit of cherry. Palate - lot of oak and smokiness on this particular bottle, does not drink near as sweet as the nose would suggest, get a little bit of maple syrup, and a little bit vanilla, some orange, and a little bit of nuttiness, but this is heavy oaked and smoky more than anything, mid palate is pepper and oak. Very light texture as expected for a 90 proof. Finish - short to moderate, this hung on a little bit more than anything because of such a strong oak presence, got a little bit of cherry, sweet tobacco, but again the oak and smoke continue to be the standouts. This tasting was a pour from my bottle, but I also had a pour from a friends bottle 4 weeks prior and these pours were drastically different. His bottle was 3 or 4 years old and mine being from last year. His was sweet with heavy vanilla and cherry flavors, my batch as can tell heavy oaked. The big complaint about Weller 12 usually seems to be proof and based upon this bottle I’m not sure if this was a higher proof it would be any better. I think I’d be left with a even stronger oak flavor or maybe this has been proofed down so far it zapped all the other flavors, I’m not sure. My friends bottle fantastic and do think a higher proof is what it’s missing. This one not my favorite pour, don’t mind an oak flavor if it’s balanced with other flavors, but this was pretty one tracked as far as palate and finish went. It’s a rare hard to find bottle so would I pay a little extra for it sure, but about a $100 is my cap, and this bottle would really make me question even paying that. Think there are several better options out there, but it’s a Buffalo Trace product and will probably continue to be bought at stupid secondary prices but based upon this bottle not even close to being worth what stores are charging for this.

Tried this, as usual, neat in glencairn glass. Bottle has been open for about 3+ weeks. Have rarely ever had a bad MGP product, let’s see how this stacks up. Nose - candy in a glass, right off the bat very prominent caramel, candied orange, and a sweet oak maybe even a little bit of cedar, just a hint of rye spice, not something I normally get with MGP products but a slight hint of banana, little bit of a cherry note almost like a red licorice, and vanilla. If you like sweet then this definitely checks that box. This was a nose that the longer it set it just kept evolving and more scents were coming out. Palate - jumps all over in a good way, palate matches the nose with the caramel, orange, and oak, little bit of chocolate and cherry, pick up more of those high rye mash bills, allspice and a pleasant spiciness overall in the mid palate, pepper and cinnamon. For a 100 proof it has a fantastic buttery texture, coats the mouth well. This has complexity to it no question, there’s some sweetness, little bit of savory with a buttered popcorn, then finishes off with the spice. Finish - moderate to long, felt like it took over my taste buds, slightly drying but not to bad, oak mostly, the spiciness becomes much more muted, and back comes a little bit of sweetness almost like a chocolate mint. This would be a highly recommend if you can find it. For bourbon lovers I think Remus Repeals are a mystery no longer so might be hard now. This from initial open has just gotten better and better. It’s got a ton of flavor and one of those bourbons that evolves in the glass and will likely change from initial pour to the time you finish it (I guess depending on how big or small a glass you pour). Probably one of the best bourbons I’ve tasted for 2021.

The Joseph Magnus story is interesting if you like history. I’ve always enjoyed Joseph Magnus casually so thought I should finally give it a proper review. Pour was neat in glencairn, fresh cracked bottle, let glass sit for a long while before diving into it. Nose - is fantastic and a lot of complexity. It has dark dried fruit probably most closely associate to raisin, caramel, vanilla frosting, oak, pepper, little bit of nuttiness like maybe a toasted walnut or almond, hint of cherry, little bit of sweet tobacco. It definitely evolved as it sat and was swirled. When did a heavy swirl the drier notes were more prominent then if just let it sit. Palate - again a lot of complexity but the palate may come across a little more reserved than the nose would suggest. Some caramel and raisin sweetness very quick on the front, chocolate and maybe a little bit of that vanilla frosting as well. Mid palate and back palate is interesting. The mid palate goes dry; I would assume that the oloroso sherry barrels used for one of the finishing barrels were using a dry grape because get a lot of dry wine sherry quality, dry dark fruit, some nuttiness and a lot of oak. Back palate brings the pepper, oak hangs on, just a hint of dark chocolate, and leather. Has a really nice viscosity, little bit of an oily quality and coats the mouth well. Finish - short to moderate finish, those dry notes are the most prominent flavors, oak, dried fruit, pepper, get just a little teaser of sweetness trying to jump back in the mix. Finish overall is subtle. This is one honestly that you’re just gonna have to try, depending on your palate and the finishing in three different barrels there’s just so many flavors that could jump out at you. This pour was different than other glasses I’ve had of Joseph Magnus. In other pours I’ve gotten a sweeter palate that lasts longer. This went dry pretty quick but will be curious to see how this opens up as this was a fresh cracked bottle. If you don’t like a dry wine or sherry flavor then maybe steer clear as these do tend to run $80-$110 a bottle retail, and if that’s not a flavor you’re familiar with this may come across bitter in the mid palate. This has a lot of complexity though and some really great flavors. It’s not an everyday sipper, something that I’d bring out for special occasion or to sharpen the taste buds every now and then, or if someone was a tried and true bourbon or dry wine fan probably pull this out to see what they think. This is something I’ll always have stocked at my house, big fan of Joseph Magnus.

Well this was a take a chance pick up. This is one of these celebrity backed brands, most notably Peyton Manning and Andy Roddick among others. It’s a blend of 4, 6, and 16 year bourbon from undisclosed Tennessee distilleries. What does that mean? Most likely Dickel distillate for at least some of it if not all, but chance others could be involved. The hold your horses moment is the price, which I’ve seen range anywhere from $157-$199. I was able to get this around $120 on sale. The sole reason for taking the plunge, not because of Manning and co., but because of their master blender Marianne Eaves. If you don’t know who that is give it a google, but simply put she knows her stuff. Now for that price, the potential distillate, and that age range of blends that’s still a tough pill to swallow. With that being said let’s see how she did. This was a fresh cracked pour in glencairn and let sit for about 30 minutes before starting. Traditionally I feel that a bottle gets better after at least a week or more after opening, not always, but most of the time if I can open it and it’s good then would expect it to get better. Nose - subtle, there’s no superstar, but there is some complexity hidden within it. I get a plum jam or dark fruit characteristic, caramel, honey, a brown or melted butter or maybe even a hint of buttered popcorn, there is some earthiness to it, grass, and does have the mineral note typically synonymous with Dickel, so I’d be shocked if this wasn’t Dickel or at least some of it. Now when I nose the bottle it was a caramel bomb so will be interesting to see how this opens up over time. Palate - wooo she’s a sweet and spicy gal, the nose matches the palate, has the plum jam/dark fruit, caramel, honey, grass, butter or buttered popcorn, little bit of butterscotch, and peanut brittle. That mid palate turns up the heat big time, allspice, pepper, cinnamon, little bit of oak. The minerality is there and it often gets associated with flinstones vitamins for Dickel products. I don’t know if mask is the right word or maybe to be nice, the blend is complementing that flavor and it’s melding within some of the other flavors as it doesn’t really come across as vitamin. Overall has a really nice viscosity, coats the mouth well and hits all over. Finish - moderate and pretty pleasant, honey comes back, little bit of oak, leather, pepper, and caramel. The caramel stood out more than anything and reminded me of those Brachs caramel chews back in the day. Maybe a slightly drying effect but minimal and hardly noticeable. I admittedly went into this taste with a lot of skepticism especially for the price being asked. Is it good? Yes it is. Do I like the price tag? Eh, not so much. At the sale price I got it at it makes it a little more attractive. With Barrell and Bardstown Bourbon Co. being the big blend names, this for me sits somewhere in the middle if not closer to the Bardstown Discovery series. In my area Barrell products are usually $80-$100, and Bardstown Discovery Series is usually $110-$140. I’d rather see this in the $90-$120 range. It’s got complexity, it’s got good flavors, and a good finish; nose didn’t wow me but it was decent. I could see this be a moving target for people for notes and flavors though. It’s a blend of straight bourbons but almost tastes like it’s been finished in another barrel. I almost think the younger bourbon could be Chattanooga whiskey as there was some sweetness and honey notes that reminded me of their 111 whiskey. Would definitely recommend try before you buy. If you’re feeling adventurous and have the money to throw down then yea this would be a high price tester. I think the $157-$199 is heavy handed and playing the marketing game based upon who all is involved. If you are super sensitive to Dickel then may take a pass as it does have a little bit of the mineral note but felt it was much more muted than prior products. All in all it does taste good, maybe even great. If you’re thinking about buying this would be a roll of the dice splurge pick. It hasn’t built a reputation like Barrell or Bardstown, but it could be knocking on that door step with Eaves at the helm. The big knock though is price I think it needs to come down at least $30.

Would normally do a full review, nose, palate, and finish, but this was a first in that I couldn’t even finish the glass. I’m not sure if this was a bad batch, but this was just downright offensive. Taste was astringent, had a lot of barrel funk, overly musty dare even say moldy. As an Indiana native was hoping this would make a Hoosier proud, but sadly the opposite, and am reluctant to try the other offerings from French Lick as a result.

Taste was neat in a glencairn glass. The bottle has been open for about 5 weeks. Had to let this sit for about 15 minutes for this to open up, got almost all ethanol on the initial pour. Nose - it’s a decent nose but, subtle. The most prominent things that jump out are a sweet vanilla like a vanilla frosting and fresh apple peel. There’s some caramel undertones but not as prominent as the stave profile would suggest. Rounds out with a little bit of cinnamon, toasted oat, and slight oak presence. Palate- palate is unique, vanilla, but got more caramel than the nose was suggesting, really pick up on the apple, and then the spice takes over. Mid to back palate is a spice bomb, lot of pepper, cinnamon, the apple hangs in there as well. Little bit of oak. Finish - medium, pleasant and not drying, apple continues to be the standout, hints of caramel, vanilla, oak and leather. The SE4 x PR5 didn’t blow me away but it’s good, definitely hits above average. There’s some good flavor there, but you might have to work to identify it. The caramel and vanilla dance around a little bit, the apple was always consistent. If you like a spicy bourbon then this is a good option, it’s not a burn it’s a legitimate spicy flavor. This would be a good bourbon on a crisp fall evening. Definitely recommend.

Been hearing a lot of good things about Chattanooga Whiskey so had to see if the buzz was worth it. Tried this one neat in glencarin from a fresh cracked bottle. Nose - Really good nose, was like opening a bottle of Fall. Strong note of honey and toffee, followed by vanilla and brown sugar, little bit of oak. Has a very sweet profile. Palate - really well balanced, still pick up the honey, toffee, caramel, little bit of maple on front end, moves quick to cinnamon, ginger, and pepper, pleasant amount of spiciness. Finish - that spiciness hangs there for a minute, dries out a little bit, pick up some leather, just a hint of mint, little bit of the honey brown sugar comes back. Has a medium finish. For 2 years old this is firing on all cylinders. Has a really nice richness to it, and the flavor profile is delicious. This doesn’t drink like a 2 year old bourbon. The buzz is worth it. Chattanooga is on to something, if they release older age statements gotta believe those will be flying off the shelves. I would highly recommend as a bourbon to constantly have on the shelf.

Full proof I have is a store pick and taste was a neck pour, neat, in rocks glass. Let sit for about ten minutes heavy swirl. Nose - vanilla icing, maybe a little bit of butterscotch and caramel, hint of oak and cinnamon. Palate - ton of flavor, vanilla, buttercream, caramel on the front, mid palate goes to an allspice, oak, and what reminded of just a hint of mesquite and smokiness. Coated the mouth well, velvety oily consistency. Finish - much of the flavors on the palate, vanilla and oak the most, with black pepper and smokiness. Not drying or bitter at all. Finish extremely pleasant and moderate in length. I’ve only had the Weller Special Reserve and the Antique, but this just moved to my favorite Weller product thus far and is just an absolutely delicious bourbon. Doesn’t drink like a 114 proof. Retail should be $50 and if you found it at that then no doubt about it you buy that all day. Now with where I live you see the stupid secondary prices where stuff like this goes for $200-$300+ and that’s absurd. I’d be willing to go up to $100 just because it is rare and hard to find, but mainly because it tastes fantastic and think it’s a good value still for how it tastes. Cheers!