Tastes

Poured neat in a glencairn and rested 5 minutes. Aroma is dominated by clove chewing gum. Flavor is brown sugar and Sichuan peppercorn with a backbone of mint and hints of malt. Finish is long and fairly astringent… just enough to get you ready for the next swig.

Poured neat in a glencairn; rested 5 minutes. Nose is mild but typical of bourbon: vanilla and caramel with notes of peaches. Full mouthfeel with subtle flavors of nutmeg and invert sugar. Finish is short but fairly astringent. Certainly nothing extraordinary, but an easy sipper for the price.

Neat in a rocks glass at the distillery’s tasting room. Aroma is vanilla and ginger, reminiscent of a Christmas cake. Flavor is largely clove, cinnamon, and citrus. Finish is clean and mildly tannic.

Poured neat in a glencairn and rested 5 minutes. Bold notes of vanilla, caramel, and dried fruit on the nose. Flavor is caramel flan, cinnamon, and candy sugar. Finish is long and spicy.

Poured neat in a glencairn. Aroma is caramel and and cinnamon gum. The flavor is surprisingly mild; dominated by cinnamon, clove, and hints of anise. The mouthfeel is full, but the finish is flat. Compared to other High West whiskies, this one is a bit of a letdown.

Poured neat in a glencairn and rested 10 minutes. Nose is strongly malty and reminiscent of apple crumble with hints of hawthorn flower. The palate has a bit of honey sweetness followed by granola and mint, finishing with Sichuan peppercorn. This is a really interesting and tasty whiskey for the price.

Poured neat in a Canadian Glencairn. Nose is subtle with passing hints of clove. Palate is pleasantly dry with butter and mint, and a longish finish reminiscent of stevia.

Poured neat in a Canadian Glencairn. Aroma is wood heavy with hints of toasted marshmallow. Flavor is closer to a high-rye bourbon than many other ryes I’ve had. A bit spicy in the finish but overall not very assertive.

Nose is vanilla, orange, and marshmallow. Palate consists of the usual bourbon notes of vanilla and brown sugar but add to that a tannic wine and mulling spices. This would do really well at Christmas dinner. Ling oaky finish with hints of raisin.

Neat in a glencairn at Refuge Bourbon Bar. Aroma is dominated by malted cereal with hints of peach. Flavor is cultured butter and Werther’s candies. Full mouthfeel and a clean finish.