Tastes

First time review on a fresh cracked bottle. Drinking neat. Nose - notable heat from the 110 proof, vanilla, cinnamon red hot candies, and some floral hints. Taste - vanilla and earthy beginning. Middle you get a lot of the oak and finishes rather quick with some subtle heat, a mild bitterness and the classic vanilla sweet taste we grow to love from makers. Overall - I am a sucker for any limited edition bottles and this one being no different. This bottle lacks depth but it is good. It’s exactly as it suggests, a harder hitting makers 46.

First time trying a freshly popped bottle, enjoying neat. Nose - a lot going on here with vanilla, oak, cherries, spices and some light heat. Very strong nose that smells absolutely delicious. Taste - starts very light and refreshing. Vanilla and honey kick start this one. Then follows in with the hefty oak as expected but not as robust as you would expect from a bourbon aged this long. The finish is rather short but still get some more oak on the tongue. Overall - Elijah Craig makes one hell of a bourbon and this one is no different. The nose is brilliant on this one but the taste I expected more flavors. Solid bourbon and cool to see a 18 year age statement sitting in the collection but hard to justify a 150+ price tag which makes me bring down the score a touch.

First time enjoying a pour neat. Nose - smells very sweet. A lot of honey, vanilla, and chocolate sweets on the nose Taste - starts as the nose suggests and much more. Kicks off honey, vanilla, and very green and floral. There is clove, spices, citrus and a slight hit of heat from a pepper taste. Very sweet yet balanced with the floral and fruity notes. Overall - this is stellar. I’m glad a friend decided to share me a pour. I will be on the lookout for this bottle in the future. This is a must have.

Enjoying a glass neat. First time trying. Nose - very similar to regular blantons. Oak and heavy honey. Taste - this is like a “Blanton’s Light” if you will. Less burn, a ton of vanilla and honey. Lacks depth that traditional blantons has but still good. Overall - this is worth about 50-60$ cause the cool bottle and story. The juice is rather average.

First time review of this bottle. Had it opened for a couple of weeks now enjoying a glass neat. Nose - a lot going on. Vanilla and chocolate, maple syrup, spices, and more. Quite good nose Taste - honey and vanilla kick this one off. Quite smooth yet a good balance of very subtle heat towards the end. A bit nutty in the middle and cannot pinpoint the subtle heat flavors. This ends with more vanilla. Overall - I think this is a perfect bourbon fir a beginner. It’s very well balanced and ultra smooth. There is a ton of hype into this bottle, but I personally don’t get it. It’s good and nothing wrong with it at all, but it lacks depth of flavors for me, especially seeing this bottle go for 200 on secondary market. Gladly pay under 60 but that’s it

3rd time trying but first time review. Enjoying neat. Nose - heavenly sweet and well balanced nose. Great vanilla hit, creamy chocolate, lightly spicy that evens out the nose. Smells delicious. Taste - starts very sweet, vanilla, very light char and oak flavorings, nice and creamy throughout with a nice finish of caramel that is rather short. Surprised I don’t get really any rye when the bottle suggests it’s a rye heavy bourbon. Overall - wow this is a good find here. Great looking bottle and huge style points for the label. Looks like a 100$ bottle. Found this one for 35$ and well worth it. Very good and a must have.

First time trying a freshly popped bottle. Enjoying neat. Nose - reminds me some of the 13 year GDBIB. Sugar, marshmallow, nutty smell with a subtle heat of clove and fruits. Taste - starts nice and sweet with a quick transition into a slight butter oak, char, baking spices and clove. There is so much going on here it’s really hard to describe all the different flavors. Still has the classic dickel flavorings and yet so much more. The finish is very long and again with a lot going on. Caramel, bitter oak, and fruits with some more char. Oak sums this bourbon up well. Overall - 15 year bourbon, cool bottle, 60$ price range which is good considering the age. The taste is pretty complex but full of oak. I think I prefer the bottle in bond better. Nonetheless this is a good complex bottle. Prepare for a heap of oak.

First time trying a pour out of a friends freshly popped bottle. Enjoying neat Nose - sugar, vanilla, heavy apple after it set out a bit longer. Taste - apples, sugar, vanilla, then a bit of clove or cinnamon to make a nice balance and then the finish is rounded off with more sweet notes and a hint of earthy flavor of oak. Overall - wow this is good. Believe the hype. If you can find this bourbon for the retail prices of 30-50$ you are in for a treat. This drinks like a 100$ bottle in my opinion. Quite good.

Valentine’s Day special! Four Roses is a must have brand on Valentine’s. This particular single barrel is warehouse KE barrel 27-6h Nose - hefty alcohol burn and cherries. Vanilla, fruit and caramel. Taste - starts sweet and then comes some heat. Vanilla and caramel begin this taster. Followed by some heat and spices. Hefty oak finish that is rather short. Overall - not a bad batch at all, but I have to admit I have had better barrels with more sweeter notes than this one provides.

I have been wanting to try this bourbon for a long time. Finally found a bottle and for a very reasonable price. Enjoying a glass neat. Nose - vanilla, fruits, sweet candy treats, and dare I say a hint of peanut butter and bananas? Taste - a lot going on here. Chocolate. Sugar, fruit, slightly earthy finish with an ever so slight spice to create some balance. The finish is very nice and long, slightly dry but lasts for ages. So much depth into this pour. Overall - damn this is good. The nose is unique, the taste is packed full of flavors, the price point being 50+ is justified. Very good bourbon.