Tastes
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Bunnahabhain 30 year TWB Artemis
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed June 5, 2022 (edited August 17, 2022)Wow. This is freakin’ good. This was our pour #2, sent courtesy of @pkingmartin , for our quarterly online tasting ( followed after a old rare Balvenie 10, and preceding a hefty in-your face JD single barrel barrel strength rye). I so wish I bought this when I had the opportunity. Especially considering the price. And I’m not a sucker for labels, but this is of Artemis, which is NASA’s next flight to the moon ( sister of Apollo…which was the first flight to the moon ). I’m a huge space junkie, so this is one of the only labels that truly hit home for me. If Brora had a wanna-be little brother, this would be it. Farmy, slightly peaty, a citrus hit. All wrapped in an elegant silky backbone of shortbread. If you find this bottle, buy on sight. Thanks again to @pkingmartin for the pour! -
Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye (2020 Special Release)
Rye — Tennessee, USA
Reviewed June 5, 2022 (edited August 17, 2022)Jack Daniels is like that awkward kid in high school. You know, the kid with braces, pants that are 1 inch too short, glasses with a scotch tape in the center. Yeah, that kid. But then, that’s the same kid that 10yrs later is a knockout hottie , with a PhD in chemical engineering from Stanford, and a personality that lights up the room. Yeah, sudden metamorphosis from being a bottom shelf cola mixer to a much sought after limited release. This pour was generously sent by @ctbeck11 …we ( as in @pkingmartin , @Richard-ModernDrinking , and I ) had our quarterly online tasting. This was one of the highlight pours we had during the tasting. I’m so glad we had this as the last pour of the night. The first was an early 80s bottled Balvenie 10 (cognac bottle shape), followed by an amazing Bunna 30, and then this. The aroma is powerful. Herbaceous, minty. That mint burst even more on the palette, backed by chocolate and mocha. Just amazing. So…this is what I’m loving about Jack Daniel’s. About 10 years ago, all they did was make stuff we can mix into soda. Now, they have it all—-amazing limited releases like this that can stand up to the best of any rye, to the affordable new releases ( bonded, triple), as well as the single barrel ones that are in the $60-70 range. This is a special treat—-thanks again @ctbeck11 -
I stopped over Coppersea on my way for a family getaway to Lake George. Fortunately I was the only customer in their tasting room…they were literally just opening up for the day. I had a small pour of this as part of a tasting flight. Very different style of rye…fresh, herbal, but rich. My favorite out of the few I tasted ( closely followed by a distillery only Sauternes finish, and a distillery only Amontillado finish ) The green malt was pricey as a bottle , but so worth it as part of the tasting flightCoppersea Distilling
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Balvenie Founders Reserve Cognac bottle
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed May 26, 2022 (edited July 3, 2022)I had a small taste while pouring out samples for our tasting with @Richard-ModernDrinking @ctbeck11 and @pkingmartin This is incredibly rare, early 80s Balvenie 10 yr old. I don’t have the slightest clue on why they have this in a cognac bottle shape, but I’m guessing it was because back in the early 80s, cognac was all the rage. Did Balvenie think so little of the consumer that he/she would pick this up accidentally thinking it’s cognac? Anyway—-I don’t think this can be found anymore, except in auctions. My bottle was purchased over 15 years ago, but decided to dig it out for our tasting. Now, I don’t think any shops have this, but it’ll show up probably in secondary ( not sure of todays price, and I can’t remember what I paid 15 yrs ago ). I need to preface this that I’m not really a fan of Balvenie , as I am of say Lagavulin, Springbank or those whiskeys that are more in-your-face. This is delicate. It’s light, with aromas of apple juice, soft oak and ginger. Nose is amazing, and for me that took this from mediocre to pretty good score. Very elegant in the aroma. Taste is a step down—vanilla, white grapes. It’s good—-but for me, I’m just not a Balvenie fan ( only one of theirs I really liked was the Tun series ). So, my score may not really be reflective of how good, or not, this is. But I’m really appreciative of trying something so rare. -
Bunnahabhain Abhainn Araig (Fèis Ìle 2022)
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed May 23, 2022 (edited June 15, 2022)This is the 2022 Feis Ile non-peated version. I always thought Bunna was at its best when it’s peated, but wanted to give this a try. The price seemed right, and I’m a sucker for PX finishes. Without water: harsher on the nose and palette, with a strong taste of balsamic vinegar strawberries. With a touch of water: much more chocolate, the balsamic vinegar strawberries are more chocolate covered strawberries. Overall—-not a bad Bunna, but leaves me guessing if it’s any better than the much cheaper 12yr old100.0 USD per Bottle -
It’s funny how we as Americans are so only knowledgeable about predominantly western spirits. We know about wine, whiskey, beer…but there’s a whole other unexplored spirit range ( at least for us western culture folks). Take for example baiju ( which is consumed more than any other spirit ), sake, or this…clairin. No, it’s not rum. It’s as far from rum as Scottish whisky is from bourbon. This was gifted by my niece, who just completed a semester of surgical training in Haiti. This is the expensive, meant for westerners, version of their local spirit that’s distilled by small back alley distillers. The local version is about $1.50/ bottle. But this is close to 50x of that…more meant for US. Apparently, in Haiti , the local version is considered as working class, and used traditionally for voodoo ceremonies. It’s distilled from sugar cane , but that’s where any similarity to rum ends. This is more grassy, herbal, and earthy. I don’t get any sweetness at all actually. Have this with a cube of ice on a hot day, and you’re treated with flavors of minerals, grassy earth, and refreshing lemons. Truly unique. I totally get it that I got the westernized white-washed version as the intro one, but it now makes me wonder what a local only would taste like. I can’t help but wonder the local only one would be like that local only mezcal I had in Oaxaca—- just flavors and complexity that’s not available from on-shelf-main stream mezcal. ( @Richard-ModernDrinking , @pkingmartin , @ctbeck11 ——I included this for the June tasting…courtesy from a 25 yr old surgical resident’s rotation in Haiti)
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Spirit Works Straight Rye Finished in Sloe Gin Single Cask #4 Spring 2022 (Lost Lantern)
Rye — California , USA
Reviewed May 13, 2022 (edited May 14, 2022)You know that saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” ? I think every one of us here, or at least those reading this post, is an exception to that saying. Growing up, I remember my parents, who were immigrants carrying 2 blue collar working class jobs ( secretary and an electrician), would ask a millions questions before making purchases, and then, where applicable, bargain like hell just to save a dime. Here’s a typical scene—-them going to our local Hoboken produce market to buy veggies: “ when did these potatoes come in? Do you have any fresher ones in the back? If I buy a bunch of other vegetables, what’s the discount? “ etc. Now here we are…looking at a bottle of whiskey that’s only 3 yr old, finished in something called “sloe gin”. I don’t even know what the hell that is. All I did was a quick Google search and that’s it…forked down $100 and made a purchase. See…if I was of the previous generation, and of a blue collar working class immigrant community, I’d have asked “ $100 for this 3 yr old? I can get a 10yr old Russel’s Reserve for 1/2 as much. You should giving a major discount for a no-name distillery finished in some weird gin. Tell you what…I’ll buy this for $50. That’s fair” But, no…unfortunately , we’re of a different generation. And I think our kids will be even that much farther from the tree. They’ll be dancing while holding this bottle and making TikTok videos. So… this..this is weird. It’s a 2 year rye, finished in sloe gin ( which a quick Google search informed me that’s it’s just gin sweetened with some sort of berries). I love the nose…fruity but not sweet. Like junipers and berries…no surprise. Nose is spectacular. The taste is a bit weird…a slight bitter tinge to it, and intense heat making you feel every percent of that ABV. I added water, which tamed the heat, but also tamed the flavor where it became a bit high rye bourbon-y. It’s an interesting experiment, but not interesting enough to buy a bottle. Lost Lantern products are expensive—-and I think the lesson learned here is to ask the right questions to see if it’s a fit…some of their products are amazing for everyone ( Balcones #3), and some just not amazing for everyone ( this one ). -
Balcones Texas Straight Bourbon Spring 2021 Single Cask #8 (Lost Lantern)
Bourbon — Texas, USA
Reviewed May 7, 2022 (edited May 16, 2022)Two years can be really long or not long enough. It depends on the context, right? For example, in business school I dated this one woman, for close to 2 years ( more like 1 3/4 year ) who was a stripper unbeknownst to me. Those two years weren’t long enough. I wish that lasted at least a decade. But some two years are too long. Case and point—- my first job out of college was at a large pharmaceutical, where my job for 8 hours a day was to hold rhesus monkeys and force them to urinate into a test tube. Sterilize the test tubes, dry them, and then do all sorts of perverted things to these simians for the sake of greater science. Eight hours a day. Every day. For two whole fucking years. That’s an example of where two years can be too long. This whiskey here, graciously sent by @ctbeck11, seems to be a case where the two years are perfect. Waves of caramel and oak. A punch of vanilla. Sure …lacks the complexity of an ECBP or a Garrison Cowboy, but it makes up for it in youthful exuberance. One of the two best Balcones I’ve had ( the other one being a tequila cask matured Balcones). My vote for top dog in the American whiskey scene had always been Balcones, and this is an example of their creme de la creme. -
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch A119
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed April 29, 2022 (edited June 22, 2022)I love blind samples. It’s the one true way to appreciate something without bias. This generous pour here was sent courtesy of @Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington. Okay—-let’s dive in… Clearly getting bourbon-y aromas. Real oak-y too. So, either it’s well aged (> 15yr), or it’s been sitting in an intense heat somewhere ( TX, NV?). Some caramel. The only information on the label is 135.2 proof, but I’m not sensing that on the nose. It’s muted. With that high proof, I need to add some water. Wow. Now it’s not so muted. Comes on strong like a frat boy hitting on a drunk sorority girl. No qualms there on what this bourbon’s intentions are ( if it is a bourbon…but I bet my Karuizawa bottle it’s a bourbon). Vanilla , caramel, dark fruits. Oak. A lot of oak. Okay…I’m guessing either first choice Garrison Cowboy or second choice Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. Distant third ( highly unlikely) Barrel Bourbon. Peel back the label to reveal it…YES!! Elijah Craig BP it is! Batch A119. This is an incredible bourbon. For me to think this was the Cowboy simply shows how good it is. Thanks @Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington for the pour! -
Sho Chiku Bai Nigori sake
Other Spirits — Japan , Japan
Reviewed April 25, 2022 (edited May 16, 2022)I know absolutely nothing of sake…in fact, this is my first sake. But while in Rome, do as the Romans. And in my case, I’m at Disney’s EPCOT, specifically having dinner at their Teppen Edo restaurant in the “Japan” part of the world showcase. So..while in Japan, do as the Japanese… I had a pour of this with my spicy tuna sushi, as was recommended by the waitress. It’s a Nigori style, meaning that’s it’s cloudy and unfiltered..the sake version of NCF. Absolutely amazing flavors. It’s silky and velvety, with tastes of coconut milk, melon, sweet tea and cream. And dangerously drinkable. I feel as if I don’t need to dive into another spirit category, I’m quite content with knowing only about red wine and whisky, so I won’t be buying bottles of sake anytime soon. But at least it’s good to know other very affordable good malternatives out there10.0 USD per PourEPCOT
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