Tastes

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

The nose can best be described as brined apricot honey if such a thing were ever to exist. Just flat out lovely. Additional notes of vanilla bean, tart green apple, and white grapefruit are also present. On the palate, the brine is immediate, followed by citrus and honey notes. Light spice coats the throat, releasing saliva causing the flavors to release once more. Overall an extremely easy sipping Single Malt and complex for the price point. Overall: Nose - 4/5; Palate - 4/5 Score 4/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Friday Night Pour

On the nose, an immediate bomb of brown sugar and vanilla infuse the nostrils. Further wafts unravel subtle notes of the charred oak and I also pick up caramel and molasses. Some background spices make themselves known but are faint. The mouth swish brings out black pepper notes as well as rye spice. The vanilla and brown sugar also make themselves known filling the mouth is sweetness, with a lasting finish. Lovely pour. Overall rating: Nose - 4/5; Taste - 4/5; Overall - 4/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Friday Night Pour

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