Tastes

This one is extremely difficult to obtain here and when it comes is worthy of procurement. On the nose, the rye spice and black pepper are immediately present. Going deeper, black currant, black cherry, dark grape, burnt brown sugar and vanilla also show up. I also pick up a bit of a earthy or musty note that I can best describe as wet oak. On the palate, the finish lasts incredibly long. The rye spice makes its self known hitting the back of the throat, but not overpowering. Notes of mild semisweet dark chocolate, caramel, vanilla, and grape coat the roof of the mouth and just sit there to enjoy. Extremely complex, with new flavors emerging on each sip. Ridiculously long finish. Crazy good. Nose - 4/5 Taste - 4.5/5 Overall 4.25/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Special Occasion

Wheaters.......my weakness. Is this one better than Weller's Special Reserve, or Makers? I don't know. Going to have to blind them to determine. But on its own, this one has some spiciness which is present immediately, but dissipates quick. Brown sugar, vanilla, black pepper, mint, and orange peel are the apparent notes. On the palate, the sweetness of the brown sugar comes across immediately coating the tongue with caramel, slightly burnt marshmallow and vanilla also noticeable. The spice hits the throat with black pepper and rye spice up front and center. This one definitely is better tasting than smelling. Overall Impression: Nose 3/5; Taste 3.75/5 Overall 3.5/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Daily Drinker

The nose is an intense mixture of brine and smoke. Sea salt, honey, lemon, white grapefruit, and peat fill the sinuses. The initial mouth swish is spicey and peaty. Immediate salivation occurs causing the mouth to water in anticipation of the next sip. The finish is lasting with the palate being overwhelmed with peaty smokey notes and brine. The throat is tickled with black pepper. Further sips bring out sea salt, honey, and apricot. This one is complex and worthy of a spot as a Special Occasion offering or a end of the week Friday night pour. Nose: 4/5: Taste 4.75/5 Overall: 4.25/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Friday Night Pour

The aromas are very vibrant and fresh. Lemons, Bartlett Pears, Fuji Apples, honey, vanilla, with the slightest of black pepper. On the palate the spice becomes apparent but is fleeting. A salivating sensation takes over immediately coating the entire mouth with flavor and the anticipation for another sip. Further sips bring out more traditional notes of shortbread cookies, powdered sugar, honey, and vanilla with apples also present. The overpowering aroma of lemon never really appears on the palate but is replaced by the black pepper. Overall a very nice pour. Nose: 4.5/5; Palate: 4.25/5 Overall 4.25/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Friday Night Pour

The nose on this one is vibrant, fresh, almost briney. Vanilla, butterscotch, caramel, honey, green apple, and botanical potpourri fill the nose with black pepper and rye spice following. On the palate, the vanilla, butterscotch and caramel are present with the black pepper hitting the back of the throat and coating the tongue. The brightness from the nose is very much expressed when tasting with a medium lasting finish that could be more vibrant with a higher proof point. This one is complicated all around and a very enjoyable sip. The flavors would likely create a very good Old Fashioned. Very nice. Overall Impression: Nose 4.25/5; Taste 3.75/5; Overall 4/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Daily Drinker/Mixer

On the nose, a coffee, semi sweet chocolate, and sherry note are immediate. Further wafts also pick up dried apricot, and some light spices. Tasting immediately brings forth the spices which are hot at first than simmer nicely coating the palate and tongue. Other notes include black pepper, smoke, and white raisin. Quite complex for an 80 proof whiskey. Overall Impression: Nose 3/5; Taste 4/5 Overall 3.5/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Friday Night Pour

Ok this is my first ever Japanese whisky and wow what an experience. On the nose this is very much like an Irish whisky in having notes of honey, citrus, apple, peach, nectarine, and this one has a huge lemon note that is ridiculously pleasant. On the palate, the spices show up with the presence of short bread cookie, honey, green apple, and a hint of smoke. Very pleasant, and a dangerous sip. This one coats the mouth leaving you salivating for another sip. Overall: Nose 3.75/5: Palate: 3.75/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Daily Drinker

On the nose the rye spice hits first, followed by black pepper and maple syrup. A light dill, sweet vanilla, caramel and white grapefruit are also apparent. The palate starts off spicey but soon diminishes with notes of caramel, maple syrup and honey. Quite complex for the proof. All in all a pleasant pour. I like to drink my whiskeys neat but this one may also make a great Old Fashioned. Overall: Nose 4/5; Taste 3.5/5 For a Score of 3.75/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Daily Drinker/Mixer

The nose is spicey, rich in clove and cinnamon spice. Further notes of bananas and brown sugar also make their presence known. On the palate, the spices are apparent but not overwhelming making themselves known but not dominating. Caramel and a light honey note also make themselves known. Flavors linger on the esophagus and numb the tongue. Overall a very nice offering and quite complex. Overall impression: Nose 3.5/5; Taste 3.75/7 Finish 4/5 Overall 3.75/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Friday Night Pour