Tastes

This one kind of annoys me now. This was THE bourbon that got me on my adventure with bourbons. On the nose, a mild black pepper and rye spice are forward with vanilla and a light citrus in the background. The palate has notes of the rye and pepper spices with a Granny Smith apple tartness also present mixed in with the typical bourbon notes of brown sugar, vanilla, and caramel. The annoyance is that the flavors all dissipate all too quickly. This is definitely due to this pour being 80 proof. It makes Basil Hayden the perfect gateway whisky, but it also makes it a frustrating knowing that all other Basil Hayden products retain the 80 proof. Also frustrating is the knowledge that there are so many other bourbons cheaper than this offering that offer more, cause lets face it, this one is not one of Jim Beam's cheaper brands. My frustration is that I will continue to buy it as it was my first love. Overall Impression: Nose 3.25/5; Taste 2.75/5 Overall 3/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Special Occasion (only because she was my first true love)

On the nose, caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, oak, rye spice, and light citrus notes are prominent with subtle traces of honey and pear. On the palate, the vanilla, caramel, and brown sugar sit forward on the tongue and roof of the mouth with the rye spice hitting the back of the throat. Other subtle notes of black pepper also are present. The flavors are fleeting but do linger long enough to fill the mouth with profound flavors. It's often said that bananas are a flavor profile but I fail to pick it up on this particular pour. Overall: Nose 4/5; Taste 3.75/5 Overall 3.75/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Daily Drinker

On the nose rye spice and black pepper dominate with slight notes of vanilla, and apples. On the palate, the rye spice filled the throat but but does not hang around for more than a few seconds. Other notes of vanilla blended with white grapefruit and mild honey flavors linger momentarily closer to the front of the mouth. Other notes that are almost indistinguishable include cloves, dill, and bartlet pear. The bottle indicates that it is more designed for cocktails than as a sipper, but I do not find anything offensive here as a sipper. It is not offensive, and rather a pretty straight forward rye costing more than it should due to its name. Overall impression: Nose 3.5/5; Taste 2.75/5; Overall 3/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Daily Drinker/Mixer

Nose: Candied peaches like a sour peach candy, and vanilla. On the palate loaded with sugared peaches, so much so that one can almost call this a liqueur. Too sweet for my palate but I can see this mixed with iced tea with a sprig of mint for a lovely summertime drink. Overall impression - Nose: 3.5/5; Palate 2/5 Overall 2.75/5 Repurchase: No

On the nose, this one is a vanilla bomb. Like a trip to a Caribbean Island where real vanilla is sold everywhere. Overwhelming to the extent that all other notes are muted. On the palate, the vanilla is forefront followed by a muted note of caramel and a hint of clove spice. The finish is fleeting, with a gentle linger of vanilla and smoke. I think the low proof creates a smooth crushable pour, but also harms the overall impression of this one as a higher proof would allow the flavors to linger and perhaps more of the slighter hidden notes to come forward. For a double oaked whisky, there is no trace of oak. Overall I am not terribly pleased with this offering and would recommend the Red Cask above this one. Nose: 1.5/5 Palate: 1.5/5 Total Rating 1.5/5 Repurchase: No

On the nose the sherry cask finish is immediately apparent. Additional notes of honey, vanilla, green apple, and white grapefruit are very noticeable with the typical brine and black pepper notes also immediate. The nose is quite complex for an 80-proof offering. Further nosing brings out bananas, ash, and smoke. On the mouth swirl, spice was immediately evident on the throat with not much flavor lingering on the tongue or nose. Further sips bring out more spice, light vanilla, and a smidge of the sherry and citrus evident in the nosing. Far more complicated a scotch on the nose than on the palate. The finish is fleeting, likely due to the low proof, but also disappointing are the flavors that are evident on the nose that do not show up at all on the palate. Overall impressions: Nosing 4/5; Tasting 1.75/5; Finish 2/5; Overall 2.25/5 Repurchase: No

On the nose burnt caramel, rye spice and black pepper are prevalent. Further wafts bring out aromas of peanut shells, oak, and ash. On the mouth swish, the nose is filled with notes of vanilla, caramel, and honey, the tongue and throat are coated with caramel and a lovely rye and black pepper note. Caramel, honey, and rye linger on the palate with little to no ethanol burn in the throat. Very crushable. Overall impressions: Nose 3.75/5; Taste 4/5; Finish 4/5 Score 4/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Daily Drinker

Spicey on the nose, with lots of oak, rye spice and burnt caramel. Further notes of black pepper and a small amount of the Jack Daniel's banana note make their presence known. On the initial mouth swirl, rye spice and black pepper coat the tongue and fill the throat with a lovely numbing quality but not harsh. The caramel and vanilla make their selves known in the nasal passage but quickly subsides. Further sips bring the banana and a lovely honey note. Numerous other faint notes make their presence known which include, brine, smoke, ash, peanut shells, and toasted almonds. Overall impression - Nose: 4/5; Taste 4/5. I was impressed with the Triple Mash, but I do believe that this offering may be even better as the maltiness expressed in the Triple Mash is not apparent. Quite lovely. Repurchase: Yes Type: Daily Drinker