Tastes

Appearance: The appearance of this popular rye is a russet/caramel color with thin oily legs. Nose: The nose is quite interesting with notes of eucalyptus, malty stout beer, honey, fruity cherry and peach, sweet caramel and vanilla, and also black pepper and coconut. Taste: Compared to the nose there’s not much taste. Barrel spice, rye bread, smoke like aromatic pipe smoke, and sour raspberry notes are some I could identify. Finish: The finish starts with a mild burning that transitions into a tart lemon-like note. Thoughts: This is a good rye that does its category justice; it’s not the best there is, but for the price and the honest proof, it is nothing to be ashamed of. I am curious to try the new 12 year old rye from Bulleit too and hope that one to be exceptional. Thanks, Bulleit! Cheers!

Appearance: The color of this increasingly popular rye is a dark brown football leather, with really thin, extra viscous legs. Nose: The nose is punchy and bold, but so good! Notes consist of cinnamon raisin cookie, fig and plum, dark chocolate, almonds, waxy chestnuts, fresh rye bread, and strawberry Twizzler. With a splash of water, it turns more floral and sweet with much of the complexity getting muffled. Taste: The palate is delicious, rich, and sweet with notes of chocolate mints, oatmeal cookies, subtle dried fruits, and the perfect level of wood tannins (for my tastes). There is also an ashy mouthfeel. With a splash of water, the taste becomes biting and imbalanced. I don’t recommend adding water. Finish: The finish is long with an aftertaste of black tea and mint. Thoughts: My notes here are from barrel number 461, bottle number 38/61 (just in case anyone was wondering). I love this rye! This is Distillery 291’s flagship whiskey and is winning awards all over! I would definitely recommend it and will be getting it myself again! If you’re not a rye person, I would at least try this and then reconsider. Distillery 291, as always, thanks! Cheers!

Appearance: This delicious whiskey has a dark brown leather color with very thin mostly viscous legs. Nose: The nose is quite complex! It takes one on a journey through familiar notes of dusty corn, cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla, molasses, and cocoa, as well as more unique findings like smoke, black grapes, pear, boiled carrots, and a light polyurethane note. With a splash of water, notes of wildflowers, honey, and more caramel come forward. Taste: The palate is bitey and rough but delicious - a cowboy’s bourbon. Notes consist of caramel, brown sugar, maple, wood tannins, BBQ char, and pineapple. Finish: There is a long sugary and nearly minty finish, making this bourbon ideal for a julep. Thoughts: On my shelf is bottle number 39 of 56, of barrel 387 (for the nerds like me). In my opinion this versatile bourbon is perfect neat, in an old fashioned, or in a mint julep. It’s the Robin Williams of bourbon: multifunctional and a strong act. I love it all and am a big fan of this juice! Distillery 291 has yet to disappoint me and I highly recommend anyone to hunt down a bottle. 291, thanks again, guys! Cheers!

Appearance: This new make (technically whiskey) is clean and clear as filtered water with very thin and viscous legs. Nose: The nose is funky. It’s tequilaesque, with notes of eucalyptus, pineapple, lemon, overripe watermelon, and what I will call “sour vegetation;” the note is almost like arugula lettuce when let grown too long. Taste: The palate is a bit harsh. Notes I gather are red apple, bitter chocolate, lemon, and (so sorry for this) that back of the throat taste after you throw up. I will say though the taste becomes much more friendly when paired with a nice cigar. Finish: A long almost minty finish transitions in this whiskey from after that bitter sick note. Thoughts: So this whiskey is aged in barrels for two weeks then bottled, allowing it a “Rye” title. It’s a funky journey that is a conversation piece for sure. Distillery 291 uses this whiskey as a substitute for tequila in their bar, and it does a good job. For a mixer I would definitely recommend it! 291 team, thanks for everything! Cheers!

Appearance: This unique craft whiskey is a darker copper color with thick watery legs making their way down the inside of the glass after a little swirl. Nose: The nose overall is sweet and nutty with definite sherry influence. Tantalizing your nasal cavity are notes of caramel, vanilla, honey, walnuts and almonds, hay and straw, strawberry yogurt, plum, and a slight varnish. I also got a reminiscence of my dad’s Thanksgiving pecan pie with notes of pecans, cinnamon, and buttery bread. I could sniff on this all day! Taste: The palate is fruity and subtle yet complex. Detectable notes for me consisted of cherry, raspberry, green apple, snickerdoodle cookie, a dry maltiness, and dark chocolate. Finish: There is a finish of medium length that leaves a sweet and lingering memory. Thoughts: This whiskey has jumped through a lot of hoops and legal / political hurdles, but according to Victor, Master Distiller up at Black Bear, it is the first legal whiskey of its kind. This American tribute to the style of Irish whiskey has won many awards and has won my taste buds over to its side as well! I highly recommend getting a bottle if you can, and will definitely be getting this again! Thanks, Victor! Sláinte!

Appearance: This particular “whiskey” has a light straw color and thicker watery legs. Nose: The nose is pretty and unique with rich notes of caramel, sugarcane, straw and hay, buttered sweet corn, dried banana chips, over ripe apple and peach, and tortilla chips. There’s also a floral quality as well as a young maltiness that’s hard to describe. But big picture - It’s great! Taste: The palate overall is sweet with a slight astringency. Notes of carmel, lemon, and sugarcane namely, make themselves welcome. Finish: The taste after the swallow drops from existence, but then a sweetness rises up one’s throat and lingers for a bit. Thoughts: So, first a disclaimer. This spirit is made from aged white corn and sugarcane distillate, therefore it is not technically all “whiskey.” It’s more of a whiskey/rum hybrid. Even so, I find it very delicious and unique! This one is a special release made by Master Distiller, Victor Matthews for his friend, Sean Fitzgerald, owner of the award winning Wobbly Olive in Colorado Springs. I was given a bottle and have really enjoyed it! If you are around the area or somehow see it in the wild, I would definitely recommend giving it a try! Thanks, Victor! Cheers!

Appearance: This bourbon and single malt blend has a nice copper color. Semi-viscous legs dribble their way back down the glass (or tin cup’s) interior. Nose: The nose is overall sweet and nice. Notes consist of butterscotch, caramel, french vanilla, pumpkin spice, Whoppers chocolate malt balls, graham cracker, brown sugar, red cherries, apple, and honey. And I’ve found for me, if it opens up for too long some dead grass / seaweed funk and paint / wood stain notes come out. But most people won’t leave their whiskey sitting for a couple hours. Taste: The palate is overall pretty mellow with a creamy mouthfeel. Notes of black pepper, some rye spice, honey, red apple, and brown sugar tickle one’s taste buds. Finish: The finish has a warm baking spice kind of flair. Thoughts: This local offering was quite nice for me. Not crazy complex nor boring, but really nice for the great price. I liked the blend of the bourbon and the single malt to create a semi scotchy-bourbon hybrid. I’d recommend this, and now I would love to try the 10 year old! Tin Cup, Keep up the good work! Cheers!

Appearance: This whisky had a light caramel syrup color. Thin watery legs dribbled their way back down the glass. Nose: The nose was friendly and sweet with not much complexity. Notes consisted of butterscotch, caramel candy, window cleaner, vanilla, and fresh arugula lettuce. Taste: The palate was not offensive but bland. The only takeaways I could glean were notes of caramel, unsalted walnuts, a strange waxiness, and woody tannins. Finish: The finish was medium in length and dry. Thoughts: I will have to say they need to drop the “Ultra Premium” out of the name as there was nothing really like that in this whisky for my tastes. I’d say though it was pleasant and sweet, it was also among the most boring whiskies I’ve had. I think more time in a barrel and bottling at a higher proof would help in these areas. And also, I knew it before I bought it, but this is a Canadian whisky. The label says so but only really small on the bottom. Maybe I’m just overthinking it, but it just seemed to me like they might be trying to pull a fast one on less educated consumers. But maybe not. Anyway, not my favorite, but I’m happy to have tried it. Cheers!

Appearance: This Irish offering has a light straw gold color. And thick semi-watery legs make their journey back down the glass. Nose: The nose first hits with a “grainy” nose more typical of blended Irish whiskies, but overall, sweet and full is the impression. Notes of sweet honey, lemon candy, milk chocolate malt balls, snickerdoodle cookies, red apples, and orange / cantaloupe parade across one’s nasal cavity. Taste: On the palate the impression is also fruity and full with notes of orange, cherry, cinnamon, strawberry Twizzler candy, shortbread cookies, black tea with lemon, and red grapes. Finish: The finish is lingering with a Tannin-y and lemon rind flourish at the end. Thoughts: Hey, for a budget Irish whiskey, this was not bad at all! It was complex, tasty, I liked it better after letting it open up a bit, but dang, for less than $25.00, I’ll recommend it! Thanks to both of you Gingers! Sláinte!

Appearance: This blended Canadian had a caramel syrup color with thick watery legs. Nose: The nose was inoffensive in every way. Notes like caramel apples, maple syrup, and vanilla greeted me first, followed by ground black pepper, green banana, and a faint hint of fresh carrots. Taste: The uncomplicated palate boasted a creamy mouthfeel, with notes of peppery spice, Irish cream coffee creamer, and vanilla. Finish: It had a shorter length sweet finish. Thoughts: This whisky was pretty alright. Nothing to write home about, but for an easy sipper while watching The Office after getting home from work, I didn’t mind it one bit. It’s definitely a sweet Canadian blend, but if you want a cheap easy drink, it’ll do. Thanks, J. P.! Cheers!