Tastes

Only bourbon I’ve tried with such a distinct red berry taste on the finish. I tend toward higher strength bourbons in general (50 abv to cask strength generally) but this has such an enjoyable taste and punches higher than its proof. Also, after finishing, the glass smells exactly like a rickhouse.

Picked up two bottles of a single barrel edition selected for the New Hampshire state liquor store. Wonderful bourbon and absolutely a step up from the Weller Reserve. More flavorful and dynamic with the extra proof certainly contributing to its potency and yet next to no burn which is remarkable given the 53.5 ABV. Made a killer Old Fashioned!

84 is a criminally low score for this whisky. If ever a dram deserved a re-review it’s this one. Quite simply one of the finest I’ve tried. Tastes like an 18-21 year old whisky.

Very oaky expression from Crown Royal. Significant barrel influence from the thirteen years aging. Tannic finish. Much more interesting than any other Crown Royal I’ve tried. Definitely a drier Crown with little of that traditional CR sweetness to be found.

I was expecting big things from this and while it was a very tasty pour it lacked a certain something. Definitely no regrets with the purchase but given what I’d read re. this malt I was prepared to be wowed. The extra 5 years in cask certainly mellow out that classic Laphroaig flavor. It’s a tasty dram for certain and worth checking out if you get a chance, just don’t expect a world beater.

First time trying a committee release from Ardbeg. The standard Ardbeg wallop of peat off the bat but then switches to a vaguely tropical, sweet and tart finish. A little water really brought out the tropical flavors for me on the finish which remains for quite a spell. Really delightful stuff.

The batch I tried was distilled in 2007 and was about 7-8 years old per the label. It ticked off all the boxes really for a low end, high quality bourbon. Heaven Hill is rapidly becoming one of my go-to distilleries for both quality and value. For the price and the proof it’s a solid purchase.