Tastes

I gave this a less than favorable rating a few years back. Couple things. I’m a much more seasoned drinker now (whether that’s a good thing is up for debate), the last review was a bar pour, and it was from the older edition of this. The Irish whiskey market has also changed in the last few years. Redbreast 12 is getting more expensive, harder to find, and has taken what I think is a dip in quality (something something Sherry casks…). Yellow Spot (another 12 year old Middleton offering) is $110 where I live. Powers 12 however, is still $60-70, 46% ABV, and non chill filtered. I’d say that deserves another look, wouldn’t you? If you’re a single pot still fan, you’re gonna love this. Nose is rich with aromatic baking spices, toffee apple, and tonight I’m even getting a touch of cardamom. Taste (with about 4 mL of water) is full of depth and richness, milk chocolate, Manuka honey, baked apples. It’s fall in a glass. Because it’s non chill filtered there’s a rich coating mouthfeel that extends the finish on for a minute or more. Awesome. If you’re having a hard time finding affordable Redbreast and don’t want to drop the coin for one of the upscale Spot series, give this one another look. It’s a relative sleeper for now produced in the same stills as those other drams, but for either better presentation or value. Cheers!

Bull City Bourbon Club pick, "Rye'm or Raisin" Barrel No. V933 100% Canadian rye Age - 15 years and 9 months 67.92% abv; 135.84 proof Open 2 months Nose - Golden raisins, roses, oranges, ginger snap cookies, pine sap, white pepper, light oak, and strong ethanol. Palate - Freshly cracked peppercorns, raisin medley, vanilla bean, Turkish delight, light anise, clove, pine needles, confectioners sugar, and corn dust. Finish is long with peppercorn medley, really dry raisins, chalk, candy corn, pine bark, and sharp ethanol. Another fantastic Barrell pick, and easily the best Canadian rye I've had (which is not many). It was a bit strong and ethanol-forward when I first opened the bottle, but it settled well. Although Barrell is not cheap, this is a significant step up from Alberta Premium Cask Strength for only $25 more. That bottle was all hot spice and no complexity, this has the raisins, syrup, and conifer notes to round out that spiciness you expect with a >130 proof rye. Highly recommend if you see their rye label with the Canadian rye source. Their MGP rye single barrels are excellent too, but MGP rye is easy to find.

C921, 61.3 abv. Deep golden brown color and good legs in the glass, served neat. Nose is sweet, maple and cherry fruit, and a little grain spice. In the mouth big sweet vanilla oak, some tannins, burnt sugar, and rich toasted grain. Coating and rich. As big and brawney this is, there's only a little ethanol in the mouth. Sweet lingers but slowly gives way to grassy spice in a long finish. No odd off-flavors, just sweet grain and oak. Ice softens the flavors, more sweet malted barley, maple, and vanilla, less ethanol and tannins. Ice or neat, nice sipping, complex enough to keep it interesting.