Tastes

I need some advice: I’m seeing a lot of chatter on the web these days about the newly branded Highland Park 12 Viking Honour and how it’s not the same quality level as the old Highland Park 12. With the old Highland Park 12 now basically gone from the shelves forever, is there value in buying it (if found), then stashing it away until the demand for it could rise?

Came across this one for $40 in MD. Said “The hell with it” and grabbed a bottle. Decent wheater but it’s not a $40 bottle. Smoothness and wheat bourbon notes are there (apples, vanilla cream, cinnamon, caramel) but more like a $25 with its short finish and slight alcohol burn which holds on for dear life even with water added. I think east coast scarcity and internet hype stole my wallet on this one. Oof. Damn you wine-searcher! Onwards...

Perfect.

I have to say this upfront: I was coming in hot to this review ready to throw this bourbon under the bus. Disappointment was too nice a word to describe my initial takeaway. The nose is ok, don't get me wrong. The brown sugary, cotton candy, vanilla and oaky fragrance is both pronounced and smile-worthy. But the palate. THE PALATE. My first thought was "Did I dump a liter of Aquafina into my glass?" After reflection I realized that no, no I did not. That watery, thin, arrival was from a neat pour. And my oh my is it thin. For a 10-year, 90-proof, non-wheated bourbon, it's almost shocking the languidness of the arrival. And for $35, anger was induced, my dear friends. At that point, I was already reeling into that place you go when you just dropped $15 more on a bottle than it was worth. A dark place to be indeed. Buuuut then something happened. The finish. And wow what a finish it is! After getting past the muted palate, a long, balanced and most of all complex finish paves the way home. Honey, cinnamon, allspice, sweet corn, oak, a touch of mint and others I have not quite ID'd yet dance in a symphony of satisfaction. Each dram showcases a new note, and I'm dancing all the way. So, is this a good small batch bourbon? It fits right in there. If you're looking for a smooth as silk dram, you could do much worse. But for a few bucks more (or even less) other options, like Eagle Rare, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve, Elijah Craig small batch or even Evan Williams Single Barrel are still a notch above. If anything, this one's value rises with repetition, which is not the worst thing you can ask for in a mid-range bourbon. 3/5

Finished up my first few drams this week and am stunned at the brilliance I am tasting from this single malt. Creamy, malty, tropical and red fruit goodness—from nose to finish it’s a party. They could have easily over done it with the rum, but instead it’s complimentary, not dominant. No gimmicks here. 4/5. Well done, Balvenie.

My home bar was in dire need of a cheap mixer so I snagged up a bottle of this for $24 in DC (came with 2 tumblers, too!). As someone with limited experience with Beam over the past decade. I figured the abv and spice (according to distiller) would do nicely in an old-fashioned cocktail and maybe even enjoyable neat. The nose is heavy on sweet corn, caramel and punch of vanilla which for me triggered the feeling I’d struck bargain basement gold, but sadly it’s downhill after that. A thin and pedestrian mouth awaited and is bookended with a quick, hot, oaky spice but ultimately flat, blah finish. As far as being a mixer goes, so far so goodish, but I feel a ping of regret for not just getting Turkey 101 as planned. Alas, my rabid search for a bottom shelf but respectable utility mixer continues. Free glasses though! ;) 2.5/5

Excellent bourbon action going on here at a $35 price point ‘round my parts. Nose is red fruits, caramel and vanilla that grabs your attention. The cinnamon and clove get loud and proud on the velvety mouth and a medium dry finish of tobacco, cinnamon and burnt cane sugar seals the deal. Not my favorite finish ever but no major complaints. Can’t really go wrong with this one, folks. Despite their somewhat dated bottle art (1990’s, anyone?) Eagle Rare 10 year is a great daily sipper worthy of a spot inside your home bar. 3.75/5. It’s a bourbon wise beyond it’s cost.

Wow, what a fantastic scotch whisky! Rich and complex. The nose sets up a boutique of pear, red fruits, lemon zest, vanilla, a touch of ocean brine and peat smoke,and more still to be uncovered! The mouth is soft, layered and inviting. The fruits really stand out here but don’t steal the show from the layers of spices. They all comes together nicely for a long and balanced finish. This is a single malt you don’t just drink, you explore. No coloring, no chill-filtering and 46%abv, this is a standout 10 yr scotch made the old world way. A nearly perfect dram. Cheers, Springbank. Got a bottle for $66 with tax in DC. Buy yourself one next time you’re shopping. 4/5