Tastes

This is my second year diving into the Old Rip or “Pappy 10” line. For me the 2020 offering surpasses its predecessor. The aromatics of this bourbon are truly special. They are prominent and leap out of the glass like a pre-2020 hand shake. Ripe, freshly cut Honey Crisp Apples are prominent. Notes of honeysuckle, toasted and salted pecans and vanilla fudge. Cinnamon is the doorway greeter for the palate. There is a tremendous Mineral taste that follows. It has a clear, clean and vibrant mountain stream flavor. It tastes pure. It’s not complicated. Cinnamon, with a red berry bouquet and poblano peppers on the backend. It’s spicy yes, but well balanced. This review is tainted. I am able to get my hands on one bottle each year from a family member in the business, so the nostalgia of it is of course special. Sipping this on the final days of 2020 when so many have been through so much makes this an even more special bottle. Cheers to health and wealth in 2021 to all.

The aromatics of this bourbon are quite spectacular. It’s rich, decadent and even smooth. Can a smell be smooth? If so this is it. Ripe dark fruits; cherries, plums, currants with a balanced, almost perfect touch of oak. As this whiskey breaths the smells level out and a very unique licorice scent emerges. The 8 years, 8 months resting in oak (which this particular bottle transparently reveals) results in a woody taste up front. It makes no allusions of its 107 proof, with a spicy heat that is not overpowering but not quite refined. Once the palate acclimates itself there is peppermint, chocolate, cocoa, dried fruit and mineral water notes. This whiskey feels like one that is going to reveal more and more about its character with each pulling of the cork. It’s a complex bourbon with a lot of good things going on.

Smell of Medicinal cherry at the forefront. Atomic fireball jaw breakers, cinnamon, and buttered toast. The medicinal cherry carries through on the taste. Behind it, is some flavors that take some searching to uncover. Raisins, merlot grapes and unsalted mixed nuts. It’s texture is light but not thin. An interesting backstory but it’s still just a traditional bourbon at heart.

The ‘BIB’ Bottled in Bond acronym is a sure fire sign of good quality. Even more surprising is the tremendous value you get out of those whiskeys. I have never been a fan of Jim Beam. Their line has an overly sweet and at times artificial taste I find unappealing. So, it was with apprehension I picked up the Beam BIB. A subdued sweet and sour aroma crept out of the glass upon pouring. Charred oak and vinegar. Allowing this whiskey a few minutes to breath and the sour hints began to subside. Replaced by a syrup sweetness scent and hints of boot leather Letting the whiskey settle on the tongue it feels a tad thin and there is not much flavor other than the charred oak. This whiskey is deceptive. It’s a closer. A nice fiery finish on the back end, tastes of cinnamon and French toast. There are better BIB whiskeys available for sure but for the Beam line this is pretty good and a decent value.

This whiskey is that blue collar assembly worker that’s pulled himself up into a management role. Standard nose, charred oak, vanilla and brown sugar. It’s quite the sweet thing on the palate. Loads of cherry, toffee and a dash of cinnamon. Nothing fancy. It’s a straight down the middle, well made Kentucky bourbon.

This whiskey smelled like a county fairground in a bottle. Funnel cake, caramel apple, sweetened popcorn, boiled peanuts and singed hay. The nose on this scotch is as rich as a Rockefeller. The taste is a tad thin. A mineral stone flavor with rich barley, honey, cinnamon and vanilla. This whiskey is lucid yet loaded with character.

When smelling this bourbon you feel nestled in an oak forest... that has been set on fire. The smoldering bark and timber are prominent. There is some vanilla and black cherry to be found. The taste is surprise, surprise more oak. You’ll find traces of caramel and apple as well. It has a well rounded white pepper spice. The texture is fairly oiled and the finish has some legs.

The aroma is an interesting hybrid of sea and highland. A light scent of peat and pear upfront followed by a floral honeysuckle note and candied hazelnuts. It’s texture is abundant and oily. The finish is crisp. As you set this dram down you’ll find a lasting maritime aroma that transports you to a fishing vessel on the North Sea. This whisky is a storyteller.

On the nose, a toasted sugar cube, toffee, banana, and vanilla. Very rum centric aromatics. The palate is quite thin and flat. Some grain, pears and sugar cane. Short finish. Just seems this would be a much better whiskey if they ticked up the abv to 43% or 46%.

Certainly smells Irish. Scents of amber grain, cereal, wheat, honey and a tad of citrus notes. A bit surprised to find a limestone flavor in this whiskey along with more grain notes and honey. Very smooth and easy. No whiskey PhD needed to find the flavors. Like most Irish whiskeys it’s not pretentious, simply simple.