Tastes

Down to my last three pours of this guy... man it’s been one hell of a ride. One of the first “oh shit! Scramble down to the liquor store the moment it becomes available bottle” and that was about 2 years ago. Very small pours here and there, appreciating every succulent drop. Big heavy nut, steroid induced corn, and scorched oak are my notes. This is, always has been, and always will be, a bourbon that hits at such a high weight class that it’s basically your free agent next in line to join the BTAC big leagues. There’s a reason it’s called junior because GTS is a monster that can never be caught (easily up there as one of the greatest bourbons to ever exist, second only to William Larue Weller in my palates opinion), but this guy hits way above his msrp. I paid $45, and that’s the greatest investment I have ever made in my bourbon journey. I’d pay stupid amounts for this bottle because what they do aging wise, proof wise, flavor wise, it checks all the boxes and will always be worth it.

Trying out the Liquor King Single Barrel today... it’s a heater! Lured in with some sweetbread, and light corn delusions of grandeur thinking this would be a pleasant experience... and then you sip. Immediately get your taste buds stabbed with sharp hot spikes full of corn, spice, and grain... about two sips later, I think all my tastebuds died off. Honestly, not the worst experience I’ve had with full proof private barrel bourbon. Will try again in a few days and add some water to see how it opens up. But an interesting approach to my palate for sure. My lesser developed friends will try this and curse me for having such a thing... but I see some potential promise in this thing. I’m not done with you yet Wyoming!

Discontinued, Discounted, and Last bottle on the shelf at my local total wine. Had to try it for the name, and for the bold claim : “Spirit of Texas Single Malt”. The 2016 medal at SF World Spirits didn’t hurt either. Honestly it drinks really clean. I’ve had a number of single malts, both American and Scottish, and for the most part they have an iodide, heavily granular, almost dry butter flavor. Like I’m drinking Cheerios pressed into a liquid with the slightest bit of salt added. I understand that’s a very broad and terrible interpretation of single malt that probably will piss a lot of people off.... but I’m a corn boy. I drink high proof bourbon, with low rye content, and that’s it. So jumping out into this category, I was pretty sure what I was going to get... and was really happy to taste something completely different. It’s still got that heavy grain focus on both nose and front of tongue, but where I’m used to a bitter salty linger, I instead get sweet fluff. Almost like a corn flavored cotton candy is trying to emerge. Mouthfeel and finish are just the right temperature (not too hot, not too thin... 92 proof was a perfect bottling strength for this). Overall, it does represent a great spirit of Texas. It has more maturity and resilience on it than many of the 100% Texas corn bourbons I’m way too familiar with, but not old, dusty, and dry like a 12+ year single malt scotch. A great balance for people who want sweet, but not corn. Glad I picked this up and will savor it as the beautiful budget bottle that it was to me... especially since I can’t get any more.

First tried it in a tiny plastic sippy cup thanks to a good friend, then moved up to a beautiful glencairn pour, neither items were disappointing. The rye shines through and is incredibly prevalent, giving a nice balance between herbal and heft candied corn. Slight heat on the finish, but a long linger of the already dominating balancing characteristics. This is an awesome bottle that deserves much more recognition than it gets. I hope this is a standard Cathead distillery holds themselves to in future pours.

Was stoked to see this sitting on the shelf regularly once I moved mid country (not regularly on the shelf in Ca, but it’s everywhere in Texas), and I must say, it’s a very impressive pour. Lots of big sexy caramel and succulent vanilla (almost like a caramel pie), that opens up into a whole lot of long peppered chewy oaky finish. Drinks very consistently, and makes for an awesome sipper day in and day out. Glad I can find this, it’s definitely underrated.

Picked this up on my birthday and I must say... quite a solid pour. The first (and only other) blood oath I ever had was no. 4 (many moons ago), and that was pretty good.... I think. I didn’t know about whiskey back then but it was expensive and came in a wood box, so I was there for it. Fast forward to today, and I’m enjoying this blood oath a lot. Very decadent, lots of big spice and even slight nutmeg/acorn.... it has that beautiful French tannic finish you know and love from those Sauterne barrels. It definitely drinks with so much more depth than a lot of other non-finished bourbons. As far as good complex bottles to show your friends just how far a whiskey can go flavor wise, I’d put this in front of them often.

Definitely hot. Picked up the Someone Say Whiskey? 6 year barrel proof barrel pick coming in at just over 119 proof. It’s got some really nice vanilla and chocolate on the profile, but boy does it linger with some heat. I like it. It’s a slow sipper, but a fun one to enjoy. I’m glad it exists, and it’s a cool bottle to have for under 70$.

It’s definitely sweet corn MGP juice. It’s cool to see young Texas distilleries, especially from small towns... my concern is how young these guys are, and how HEAVY they hit the market. I mean, starting msrp for this at my total wine was a whooping $80+.... for a sourced blend of bourbons... aged less than 2 years... from brand new master blenders... none of those statements are incredibly attractive. The juice drinks pretty easy. Low proof (by my standard), opens to light honeysuckle, cornbread... very tropical fresh with some subtle almost caramel apple... finishing very crisp. Not much linger. So the conclusion: I’m excited for these guys and they put out a solid product. I wouldn’t pay the price they want for it, but I’m glad they hit the market running. I’m more excited for what they do moving forward. Grain to glass stuff, single barrel barrel proof stuff... longer age statements. They have a bright future and I know they’re capable of aging and blending stuff... now what else can they do as the brand evolves. Show me!