Tastes

On the nose, vanilla takes the immediate note, followed by oak and spiciness from the rye and barley mash. Peanut shells, and semi sweet dark chocolate are also present. Tasting notes include brown sugar, and vanilla that coat the palate. Spices fill the back of the throat but do not overwhelm. Their is a musty note also present that is slightly off-putting. The finish is rather long which was unexpected due to the rather low proof. I am a massive fan of wheated bourbons, but the mash bill here may have too much barley and not enough corn giving it a an astringency and mustiness. Interesting, but not as good as the standard Woodford bourbon and far behind the Double Oaked offering. Nose: 3/5 Taste: 3/5 Overall 3/5 Repurchase: No Type: Daily Drinker/Mixer

A gift from a friend, this one is unavailable in my area. On the nose, this offering delivers a ton of spice - heavy in pepper, rye spice, oak, and mint. The spices are so upfront that the usual sugary notes are lost. On the palate a immediate salivation occurs creating saliva and a want for the next sip. The spices are not overwhelming and actually become lost quite quickly. The roof of the mouth experiences is coated with a vanilla and caramel note close to the teeth and the mid palate holding onto honey and toffee. This whisky can best be described as a Jekyll and Hyde offering. Upon opening the bottle, there is an unpleasant note that I can only describe as minerally, but as the bottle obtains some oxygen and is allowed to breathe that note is lost. This bottle gets better the more it is allowed to breathe, in fact it is fantastic once the bottle is about half empty, but early on, the mineral note is quite unpleasant and is a very different experience. Overall: Nose 3/5 Taste: First Half 2.5/5 Second Half 4.25/5 Overall: 3.75/5 Repurchase: No Type: No category

On the nose notes of caramel, burnt brown sugar, vanilla, apricot, and rye spices are present. Further wafts bring out traces of green apple, and unripened melon. Pleasant and welcoming aromas. On the palate much of the notes expressed on the nose are lost and a very simple and uncomplicated caramel, vanilla, and toffee fill the roof of the mouth with the back of the throat hit with a very mild expression of the pepper spices. The finish is fairly quick as well with only the pepper lingering. Overall: Nose 3.5/5: Taste: 3/5 Overall 3.25 Repurchase: No Type: Daily Drinker

A gift from my friend on his many travels, this is a treasured addition of my collection. The nose on the Voyage 17 is beautiful and rich. Burnt brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, and oak spices hit hard. Subtler notes include pear, apricot, and seaspray. On the palate the spices hit the back of the throat and linger nicely. The brown sugar, caramel, and vanilla coat the roof of the mouth and create a salivation to occur wanting for the next sip. The brine from the seaspray is present but very faint (I wish there were more of this here as per other Voyage offerings). Also on the palate is a black cherry note that adds to the peppery notes from the spice. I am a big fan of the Jefferson's Ocean releases and love the voyages with more brininess as the spray adds to the flavor profile in the most delightful way. The Voyage 17 must have encountered very calm seas as this note is very indistinct. A unique bourbon and worth pursuing. Nose: 4/5; Taste: 4/5 Finish 4.25/5 Overall: 4/5 Repurchase: Not available in my area but Yes if I encounter it along my travels Type: Special Occasion

Complex and constantly evolving best describe the nose. Maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, raisin, figs, apricots and black pepper are immediate. Leather notes and green apple become apparent upon later wafts. On the palate the brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla are up front and center with the peppery notes filling and lingering in the back of the throat. The finish is long and lasting, odd for an 80 proof whisky. This one causes salivation to occur triggering the need and desire for further sips. Another lovely offering from Forty Creek. This distiller knows their business and makes a lot of very good whiskey. Nose 4.5/5; Taste 4/5 Overall 4.25/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Friday Night Pour

Green apple, Bartlet pear, toffee, brown sugar, vanilla, and rye spices all hit strongly on the nose. At first, the subtle notes of the fruit fill the nose, followed by the sweetness of the sugars, and than the minty spicy notes of the rye spice. The nose is quite complex as a 15 year old whisky should be. The tasting is entirely reverse. The spices hit first, and fill the back of the throat. Next comes the vanilla and brown sugar. The toffee note from the nosing is almost absent on the palate and instead is replaced by a gentle maple syrup. The apple and Bartlet pear also make themselves known with the addition of unripened pineapple and green mango. The flavors linger for awhile, allowing for the enjoyment of the flavors, but dissipate quicker than you would expect. This can only be attributable to the low 80% proof. However, a heavy salivation occurs on the tongue wanting for the next sip. This is a complex whisky and one worthy of purchase. Very, very good whisky. Nose 4.25/5; Taste 4.25/5 Overall 4.25/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Friday Night Pour

The nose on this is sweet with artificial vanilla striking hard. Candied pineapple, brown sugar, and light spice finish the nose. The taste is very sweet with vanilla, brown sugar, and apricots, mango, and pineapple notes also present. A bit of oak and spice are also present and hit the back of the throat but there is no lingering spice. The finish is lasting but entirely made up of sugary notes. It is extremely crushable and due to the heavy influence of sweet fruit would also likely make a great cocktail rye. I will have to experiment a bit with some cocktails, but I do like it as it is, even though it is on the sweet side. Overall: Nose 3.75/5; Taste: 4.25/5 Overall 4/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Occasional Pour/Mixer Too sweet to add as a daily Drinker

The nose is rich in caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, and rye spice. Black pepper, oak, and a touch of the alcohol also comes through. Call me crazy but I also get a hint of ripe pineapple and black cherry that creeps in. The sweetness of the brown sugar, vanilla, and caramel immediately make themselves known on the palate, with the rye spice sneaking in to say hello at the back of the throat. Also present is a pleasant semisweet chocolate note that lingers on the roof of the mouth. The finish is average but creates a salivation sensation wanting for the next sip. There is a complexity here that bats well above its price and proof range. I am a big fan of this offering and am immediately aware of why the claim of Gateway Bourbon is given to this bourbon. Overall impression: Nose 4.25/5; Palate: 4.25/5: Overall 4.25/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Daily Drinker