Tastes

I'll start off by saying this is an awesome blend, very well balanced, with complex flavors, but nothing overpowers. It is a playful whisky. The nose is honey and heather, mixed with black pepper, cloves and cinnamon. This continues on the palate, but it is all supported by a lovely undertone of vanilla cream, in the end clove and cinnamon chocolate caramel arrives on the tongue and continues through the finish, which lingers. I think this is great anytime but would be perfect for Christmas. The price is how much it costs in Sweden.

First sniff screams wheated bourbon, not surprisingly in the same ballpark as Weller 12 yo. Same mash bill as Weller and Maker's, goes into the barrels at 114 proof (57% ABV). Interestingly, back in the 1950s both Stitzel-Weller and Maker's went in to the barrel at a very low 103 proof (51.75 ABV), which was lower than the industry norm at the time of either 110 (55% ABV) or 115 (57.5% ABV) proof. The nose is pleasantly sweet, with caramel candies, baked apples and milk chocolate. Not a bad combination. It is not astringent On the palate there is a creamy smooth texture, some strawberry enters the scene, a hint of bubble gum (baseball card type), yummy apple cake, caramel and at the end a very pleasant shortbread cookie taste that lingers on the tongue. It is nice, not spicy, sweet, but not overly so. Although, it is just on the verge of being too sweet. The finish is nice, no burn, a slight minty fresh feeling, with some pastry topped with sugar icing. Again just short of being too sweet. A very nice whiskey, may not be for those who like spicy, less sweet, offerings. I like it slightly better than the Weller 12yo. It seems slightly more approachable.

Bought this on a whim. This is a young looking and tasting whisky but still manages to be pretty smooth and silky. The complexity is there with chocolate, vanilla, honey, floral and a hint of salt on the nose. Some apricot joins on the palate and at the back end a hint of peaty smoke. Very nice mouth feel, creamy. The finish is less interesting, floral and honey. Overall a very nice whiskey, would definitely buy again. Sometimes a whim pays off.

I'm not a huge fan of the standard Maker's Mark. It's too astringent and a one note wonder. On the other hand, Maker's 46 is delightful, much of the astringency is gone and replaced by an intriguing spiciness. It still retains the sweetness found in wheated bourbons, making this a fun whiskey that's easy to drink.

Bought this some time ago and finally giving it a try. This is an interesting and complex whiskey, with balanced smoke, spice and sweet. There is a slight sherry sulpher taste, but I like that. Although there are layers of flavor this is a highly accessible malt that will appeal to the more educated palate, but not over power those new to the blended malt arena. Visit our distillery website - https://www.printzhofwhiskey.com

This is a Buffalo Trace wheated bourbon that is 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley. The same mash bill as Maker’s Mark. The founder of Maker’s Mark, Bill Samuels Sr got the mash bill from Julian P. “Pappy” Van Winkle S. That’s right the man “that” whiskey is named for. In fact, this is the same whiskey as in most of the “Pappy” Van Winkle line, just different barrel management. Nose: Caramel, vanilla, buttered popcorn and a hint of chocolate. It’s not my favorite whiskey fragrance. Taste: On the other hand, the taste is great, sweet, cotton candy, cherries, oak, caramel and vanilla. No real spice to speak of, typical of a wheated bourbon. Easy to sip and enjoy, not terribly complicated, but smooth. Finish: Reasonably long and sweet, a lot of cherry and some milk chocolate. Later there is some honey. Really very nice. This is a very good whiskey that will be enjoyable for those new to whiskey as well as aficionados. I recommend getting one for your home bar, if you can find a bottle. It is not a “poor man’s” Pappy, but it is a well put together whiskey.

On the first sniff you know this is a Heaven Hill product, in the same family as Evan Williams Black Label and Heaven Hill 6-year Bottle in Bond, but better. The nose is fresh and sweet, ever so sliightly grassy, with some cinnamon, oak and a hint of green grape. The palate is herbal and slightly spicy, a bit of oak, there is also carmel and vanilla. The mouth feel could be better, it feels a bit thin. It might be improved if the % ABV was higher, something similar to Four Roses Single Barrel at 50% ABV would be great. The finish is medium, but not that exciting. All and all not bad for the price, but not the most exciting single barrel available. I give it a 3.5 out of 5. I suggest finding a place that offers this by the ounce and try it before buying.

This one of my favourite whiskeys, and tonight I'm trying the steroid enhanced version. This is a single barrel store pick from Liquor Barn in Danville, Kentucky - barrel #6373. The nose is rye bread, peanuts and vanilla. The mash bill is not the highest percentage rye available, but my feeling is the sweetness from the corn actually helps to highlight the spices from the rye. The palate is full of vanilla, caramel, oak and a mixture of lovely spices. The single barrel is more intense, possibly due to the higher proof, 115 instead of the normal 100. A great and very affordable whiskey. Complex enough to be interesting. Unlike many higher percentage rye offerings there is no pickle juice flavor. If you find a single barrel pick, buy it.

An extremely good whiskey for the price. The bottling I'm trying was picked by Master Distiller Brent Elliott and was only available at the distillery. It is a lovely chocolate covered cherry bomb. Very little oak, but some nice toffee notes. Not a complex offering but very enjoyable.

I decided to give Bulleit Rye a try, another Drinks by the Dram. This is available in Sweden, but I thought I would try a sample before buying a bottle. The feeling from nose to finish was ..Meh. It is sweeter than I expect from an all rye mash bill. I think the whiskey is sourced from MGP. There is some spice notes on the palate, a bit of vanilla and cinnamon. Mostly I get a taste similar to Canadian dusties, a lot of pancake and maple syrup. The finish was short and sweet. For the price point 339 SEK (~40 USD) it's fine. I probably won't buy a bottle.