Tastes

Nose is disappointingly average. It has typical aroma of caramel, vanilla and charred oak; not terribly distinct. Darker color and moderate legs provide hope for this bourbon. It definitely tastes better than it smells. Overall this bourbon is fairly sweet with some rye spice, and enough oak to moderate the blend of flavors. The sweet flavors find elements of sulfured molasses, sorghum and singed caramel. Spices are present, but challenging to distinguish individual spice notes. Black pepper, paprika, and a touch of chipotle powder are present but severely subdued by the sweetness of the bourbon and the bitterness of the oak. Finish starts sweet, stays long and transitions to a wonderful oak bitterness. Adding a touch of water did not substantially bring out hidden flavors. This a hearty bourbon that is best to drink neat.

Barrel char, cocoa, and some sea salt caramel on the nose. It takes a few minutes to open up. Tasting reveals a wonderful texture to this whiskey. A few drops of water really brings out the subtle flavors. Taste is flavorfully rich and complex. There are dark chocolate, molasses, orange, gingerbread, and toasted oak notes. Deep in the background is a light fruit presence. Ginger and Mexican cinnamon dominate the balanced spices that are present. Barrel char appears with the spices, toasted oak and molasses in the finish. This is a wonderful rye whiskey that is worthy of five stars.

Nose hints of caramel, orange peel, apple cider and canola oil. Flavor notes include barley malt, apple, allspice, and bitter chocolate. Some smoke towards the finish. Better with more than a few drops of water added. Worthy of three and a half stars.

My bottle was labelled as 43% ABV/86 Proof. Distiller.com listed as 80 Proof. Aroma of cornflakes and dry roasted salted peanuts. This is a fairly sweet whiskey. Corn flavors predominate the taste. There are faint flavors of sorghum, cashews, honey, black cherry and light smoke in the background. Finish shows some rye spiciness. The spice in the finish is not hot, but not as mild as lower rye content bourbons; almost like the master distiller could not figure out whether to make a high rye or low rye whiskey. That leaves this whiskey in an odd middle ground as the spice notes are present, but not powerful and distinguished, nor mild and complimentary. Alcohol burn typical for the proof. Whiskey is smooth, perhaps a touch thinner than optimal. Definitely not as thin as Jack. A touch of water did not bring out additional flavors. Despite the shortcomings, this is the best Tennessee Whiskey I've tasted.

Nose of slightly charred light brown sugar, vanilla and honeycrisp apples. Sweet tast to this whiskey. Flavors include light caramel, honey, with a fair amount of rye spices. Noticeable among the spices were clove, nutmeg, white pepper and some mint. Finish is fair with hints of wood and rye spice. Best to drink neat. Overall this is a very nice rye whiskey.

Light caramel, sweet apple, a touch of honey, corn and light oak on the nose. Taste runs sweet with a touch of nuttiness; almost an almond and cashew mixture with small amounts candy corn. Finish has a bit of white pepper and oak bitterness. This is an acceptable bourbon that improves after opening and sitting for a while Solid 3 stars.

Interesting nose. It has hints of prairie flowers, clover honey, mild tobacco and a hint of smoldering wood. Medium body. Slightly sweet flavor but very balanced. Neat this whiskey has flavors of nouget, vanilla, black pepper, mild wook in the background with subtle banana notes. Adding a touch of water reveals notes of honeydew, canteloupe, white grapes, along with sorghum and caramel over a light toasted oak in the background. Minimal pepper on slightly dry finish. Enjoyable every day whiskey worthy of three and a half stars.

MGM Single Barrel Select. Bottle is labelled as 'SMALL BATCH'. Nose is butterscotch, white pepper, with a touch of vanilla and oak. Nice mouthfeel. Spicier flavor. Notes of various peppers predominate. Subtle falvors include an oaky vanilla, tootsie rolls, and a very light note of sweet cherries. Finish is mid to long and fairly dry.

Yeasty corn nose, almost a little bread dough aroma. It has a similar aroma to an ethanol plant. Sweet nouget and honey arrive early. Taste morphs into something different, almost unexplainable. Not unpleasant. Hints of almond, Ritz crackers and sorghum. Different from other bourbons and may take a couple of tastings to get used to flavor profile. Two and a half stars; worth rounding up to three.

Wonderful nose of brown sugar and rye spices backed by light oak. Starts with light brown sugar sweetness and finishes with a nice burn. Spice notes in finish include cayenne and white pepper. A touch of water really brings out subtle flavors of peanut, leather, orange flavors. Nice short to mid finish. Definitely a good value bourbon. Worthy of three and a half stars.