Tastes

Nose: Classic JD Banana with vanilla wafer notes (banana pudding) rather than the oak and barrel tannin I was expecting; Palate: Banana Pudding notes remain with slight oak barrel traces, again none of the barrel tannin I expected; Long peppery finish with just the right amount of burn for a 94 proof and lingering banana pudding flavors. I was expecting far less, so I am pleasantly surprised! If it wasn’t for the price point for a 375 mL bottle, I would recommend this over any JD product. It’s really good for JD though, and I will probably suck it up and keep a bottle for occasional enjoyment.

Baking spice and fruit on the nose; Medicinal spice with cherry noteson the palate; Moderate and dry finish rather than sweet like Rittenhouse Rye. It tastes more like a high-rye bourbon, but at the price point ($16.95) it’s hard to beat. Should be a good mixer and a light sipper for anyone who wants to dip their toes into the rye pool. I would buy again at this price, but for a more solid 90 proof rye I would probably grab Woodford Reserve Rye.

Vanilla and spices on the nose after it breathes for a few minutes after the pour; Classic Oak, traces of rye spice & ever-present vanilla bean on the palate that is typical of a traditional bourbon; long dry slightly spicy and warm finish that reminds you that you’re sipping wild turkey; I love this bourbon as a nostalgic dram that brings back those classic bourbon notes that we all love. All of the Russell family bourbons are top notch, and easy go-to pours for me. Especially this one at $20!!

a little oak with some hints of toasted marshmallow on the nose; sweet and pleasant on the palate with no burn; medicinal (yet not harsh) vanilla that is medium but does not disappear. For $12.99 it can’t be beat! It’s a pleasant sipper but I wouldn’t use it as an old-fashion or manhattan mixer…Drink neatfor best experience i.m.h.o.

Excellent Rye heavy bourbon (because that’s what it really is) but all of the great rye characteristics w/o the burn. Nice Cinnamon and toffee candy on the nose with the same palate to follow; slightly smooth but medium length finish. A good and easy all night sipper at 90 proof, but probably wouldn’t stand up in an old-fashion or any other cocktail. It doesn’t quite measure up to Rittenhouse Rye, but for the price I paid ($19.95 promo) it’s exceptional. I will probably pick up a couple more at that price while they last.

Cherry notes and traces of leather on the nose, it opens up more after 10-15 minutes or so; Soft and thin (for a bourbon) on the palate with more leather and fruity traces, I can’t quite catch the vanilla others claim is so strong; Medium and semi smooth finish with a slight burn, but not at all unpleasant; A good buy for the price ($20.99 at military exchange), but it was hard to find. It’s a decent bourbon and I would buy it again, but honestly at 90 proof in the $20-30 with 86-90 price and proof range there are better choices. In my opinion, those are Russell’s Reserve, Evan Williams Single Barrel and Elijah Craig Small Batch. However, based on my palate, it’s quite a bit better than some more expensive offerings such as Blanton’s.

I’m just now dipping my toe into the rye world, but if this is a sign of things to come I’m jacked! Grass and wood on the initial nose with allspice and vanilla spice cake creeping in the back end; full and creamy with a nice baking spice/vanilla spice cake notes; Long and peppery but very pleasant finish, probably be a definite go to by the fire in the winter time; Will definitely be a staple in my home bar; probably makes an awesome old-fashioned, but is quite a treat neat; I wouldn’t recommend on the rocks, but a drop or two of water might bring out more nites; and at only $25-27 it’s such a steal that it should be illegal. Awesome introduction for me into the world of Rye!

It’s pretty decent for Canadian whiskey, based on my experiences. I would buy as a sipper when I feel the need for an occasional changeup. Rich and vanilla-like on the nose and the palate with a slightly spicy but short finish. Sort of like a weak bourbon. I think its better than the Crown deluxe.

Neat: Alcohol and traces of vanilla & banana flavoring on the nose; Strong on the palate with loads of barrel tannin and charcoal; Burning but lasting finish....However, when served with a hare of water or one small ice cube: Sweet and rich with smoked vanilla & bananas on the nose, very pleasant! On the palate, much of the same rich, creamy & smokey Vanilla ice cream with banana; Shorter on the finish, but still quite pleasant. I recommend serving with a few drops of cold pure water or a small ice cube; It helps if you like the sweet-smokey flavors as well; It gets a 3 neat & a 4 with the aforementioned water or ice cube, with an overall 3.5 due to price point ($33).

First thing is ethanol on the nose, it dissipates a little after a bit and then emits traces of maple syrup; Sweet on the palate with maple again but ever so slight nail polish remover as it goes down; Barely any finish that dissipates quickly; Overall a typical Canadian whiskey, but better than most I’ve tried, including Crown....A 75-77