Tastes

Appearance: The color of the dram appears to be the same as its 12 year old sister, that “amontillado sherry” dark yellow straw shade. The legs are a bit thicker and oilier than its sister too. Nose: In a word: fruity! Notes emerge that you can clearly put a name on, and others that jog your memories: Coconut, apples, a fall day at an orchard, yet summer sunscreen and ocean surf, coating a base of oak wood. Taste: The texture is creamy and the palate is delicious with notes of cherries, various dark fruit, apple pie with cinnamon, and after adding a splash of water, Sour Patch Kids gummy candy and dark chocolate. Finish: Orange tang and ripe bananas take over the last remaining notes of the short finish and a little heat comes and the very end to say hi before leaving. Thoughts: This is a delightful scotch, and I’m very glad I decided to try it. I compared it to 12 year old and though it too is a fine scotch, the Founders Reserve is more complicated and exciting. It really reminded me of the Autumn season embodied and think this a good dram to try or have on hand as we enter these colder and cozier months. Glenlivet, thanks again! Sláinte!

Appearance: This bourbon shows off a tawny or darker copper color. It’s legs look thin but oily and they stick around like a boy with a crush in junior high. Nose: The nose grabs your attention with its lack of aggression for the proof and its notes of caramel, black pepper, cornbread, and red wine. Adding a splash of water makes the nose even smoother and adds in straw, dusty warehouse, salted nuts, and Smarties candy to the mix too. Taste: The palate is rich and has notes of oak tannins, vanilla, and a little heat. There’s a root beer-like taste toward the end and leading into the finish. Adding a splash of water mellows it out a bit making it not nearly as aggressive as it was. It also adds in grass and sour candy notes too. Finish: The finish is hot, and that root beer-like taste lingers for a second. The aftertaste is still wood heavy, but adding two splashes of water takes away the burn and adds a caramel and dark chocolate note to the finish. Thoughts: This was a fun experience drinking this bourbon. I have always wanted to try it and it was a high enough proof (50 abv) so that I got to use my new Glencairn Water Jug to water it down after a while. As far as the bourbon is concerned, it was complicated, aggressive and subtle, and delicious. I’d recommend this and I’d buy it again. Before I do though, I’d like to try the others in the Jim Beam small batch lineup. This on though, gets a thumbs up from me. Sláinte!

Appearance: The color this Irish explorer is showing off is a deep gold, with thin but viscous legs holding on to the inside of the glass. Nose: The nose is similar to its stout brother, but more floral and with a funky hops note added in. Buscuity bread, straw in a barn, dried orange rind, cinnamon, and sawdust notes also find their way into the lovely nose. Taste: The palate is smooth coming in, smoother even than the Caskmates Stout if you can believe it. There is definitely the slight taste of a hoppy IPA beer in this dram, which, IPA’s being not my favorite style of beer I thought I wouldn’t like, however, this meshes with the standard Jameson so well! Heavy notes of orange and grapefruit, with notes of baking spices add to the palate as well. Finish: The finish is less harsh than the Caskmates Stout and with no burn. The finish is short to medium and leaves a hoppy bitter aftertaste and also a fresh clean feeling that reminds me of a Colorado bourbon. Thoughts: I compared this to the Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition, as you could probably tell, which I really enjoy! I wasn’t expecting much from this Irish whiskey, but shoot, I like it a lot! It’s not overwhelmingly bitter or IPAesk, but you can definitely detect the influence, especially if you’re familiar with the standard Jameson. I’m so glad I tried this, I would definitely recommend it and would buy this again! Thanks for a good dram Jameson! Sláinte!

Appearance: The color I see looking into my Glencairn is "amontillado sherry," in between a straw yellow and a copper I guess. The legs are thin and slightly watery and leave little droplets taunting you on the inside. Nose: The nose is nice. After the initial alcohol kick to my nose, I picked out notes of fresh green grass, honey, a clean incense-like smoke, dried apricot, leather chair, and salted caramel. Taste: The palate is fruity and welcomes you in with notes of honey, green apple, orange, and perhaps it’s just mental projection from what I read on The Glenlivet’s website, but notes of pineapple as well! Finish: The finish doesn’t last too long but leaves behind a fresh feeling and a light ashy note, like a clove cigar. It also leaves you with a tingling mouthfeel, urging you to take another sip. Thoughts: This dram is one of the most classic single malts in the world and I can see why. It may be simple at times, but dang, it is a classic and I am a fan. I am curious what other tastes the Glenlivet distillery has to offer with their other scotches, but if this is their entry level, I’d say the rest are amazing! Sláinte!

Appearance: The color this single malt is showing off is a deep copper or caramel syrup. The legs are thin and slightly viscous. Nose: On the nose one is welcomed by beautiful notes of honey, pine, vanilla, white grapes, baking bread, and the nostalgic scent of walking through the woods. Taste: The palate is not overwhelmingly complicated, but is so delicious and welcoming. Notes of cinnamon, banana and kiwi, wood tannins, and orange and lemon zest excite your taste buds and invite one in for another sip. Finish: The finish is short in length and has an almost milk chocolate and creamy finish. Thoughts: This is a great single malt scotch. My only small complaint is that this scotch seems like with a higher ABV it would bring out more flavors and “Oomph.” However, I would still recommend it and would buy it again myself. Sláinte!

Appearance: The color on this blended scotch is a beautiful old gold. The legs are also thin and viscous. Nose: The rather unique nose has notes of buttered toast, funnel cakes, alcohol, plum, basil leaves, sourdough bread, and a slight note of cooked sausage brat. Taste: The palate is nothing like the nose for me, notes of grapes, smoked cheese, cinnamon, roasted pear, and oak greet my tastebuds. Finish: The finish is medium length, and starts off smooth and has a rising bitterness in the back of the throat and some peppery spice, as well as a tingling mouthfeel. Thoughts: This is a decent scotch. It's not the best, but it isn't bad. I probably won't buy it again, but I'm glad I tried it and if it were offered to me, I would drink it with a smile! Sláinte!

Appearance: The color here on this Irish whiskey is not as red as you would be led to believe, it’s actually a light golden hue. The legs are also very watery. Nose: This nose is more subdued than the Bushmills Original. There are notes of honey, cherry, petrichor (the smell of after it rains), sour candy, paint, and I assume from the bourbon barrel influence, corn and vanilla notes. Taste: The palate is delicious but subtle with notes of strawberry, buttered toast, dark chocolate, all contained in a creamy mouthfeel. Finish: The finish is medium in length and leaves a dry, unripe pear aftertaste. Thoughts: I had this dram in a two whiskey flight comparing the Bushmills Original to its sister, the Red Bush. I didn't like the Red Bush as much as the Original though it's still a great whiskey! I think it was unique and I did enjoy it, but the Original and the Black Bush are my preferred choices. Thanks, Bushmills! Sláinte!

Appearance: The color of this Irish whiskey is a pale gold. There’s medium legs to be found and they stick around for a bit. Nose: The nose boasts notes of biscuits, cinnamon Graham Crackers, Whoppers malt balls with the milk chocolate, honey, cut grass, hay, and rubber. Taste: The palate is overall fresh, orange and lemon citrus notes start the show, and a melody of jasmine tea, dark cherry, overripe banana, and my wife’s homemade pizza crust again add to the song. Finish: The finish is slightly sharp at first, then melts into butter for a short but satisfying finish. Thoughts: I had this dram in a two whiskey flight comparing the Bushmills Original to its sister, the Red Bush. It was great getting to compare the two but I would say the Original is my favorite between the two. It's a tasty classic Irish whiskey with vibrancy, and it's also welcoming to anyone who cares to meet him! I'd happily buy this whiskey again. Bushmills, you have a stellar history, may it only continue! Sláinte!

Appearance: The color for this bourbon is a mahogany wood brown. Its legs are pretty thin and watery. Nose: The nose is strong without water added, and greets you with caramel, pine, vanilla, and slight mint notes. There are also notes of maple syrup, leather, sawdust, and cocoa hidden throughout that long to be found. With a few drops of water, a peanut butter note is added in too. Taste: The palate shows of its depth as well with notes of nuts, orange, berries, mint, and fruity pear and green apple. After a few drops of water the palate is maybe not as diverse, but very approachable. And the last taste is something reminiscent of the swallowing of some Sour Patch Watermelon candy. Finish: The finish is long lasting with, once again, a minty note finishing up the show. Thoughts: Wow. This bourbon is a real treat! I would definitely buy this again! I am very impressed with every aspect about it! The smell, taste, the distilling process and website, this and its Woodford brothers and sisters I'm sure, are just great products, and I am excited to try them all. Woodford Reserve, Sláinte!

Color: A tawny leather brown marks this Canadian blend. Also, the legs are the thinnest I have ever seen, but they do stick to the edge of the glass for a while. Nose: The nose marks a vibrant aroma that demands recognition. It’s surprising, for only being 40% ABV, it stings your nasal cavity if you don’t inhale with your mouth slightly open. Cotton candy notes lead the way with the smell of a craft store following behind. There’s a metallic note that I can’t decide whether I like or not, it reminds me of the smell of my summer job working in a glass and metal framing warehouse. Taste: The palate has it’s sweet corn and buttery notes, but it’s rounded out by some spice as well. There are notes of almond and cashews, and a dry red wine vibe I get too. Finish: The finish is medium to long in length and leaves a dry, tingling mouthfeel with a cherry note. Thoughts: Though it may not be life altering, its a decent Canadian whisky I can get behind. I think their website can use some attention though; the graphics and vibe felt cool, but the site didn’t have any relevant information. (Sorta random, but I thought it was worth mentioning.) Anyways, Buffalo Trace, thanks and keep it up! Sláinte!