Tastes

Delightful, delicate, yet full of flavor and complexity… I enjoyed it so much I didn’t even do tasting notes before I realized it was gone… gonna need a 2nd pour to fully review… buy, buy, buy

Nose is bright with a hint of peanut and loads of caramel. In the mouth it starts sweet caramel and vanilla and seems like the high proof is hiding… then the heat jumps out, yells “surprise, cinnamon bomb biootch!!!” and punches you in the face with a handful of atomic fireballs that have been melted down into a syrup… but in a pleasant way… sort of. Basically you know how fireball is all cinnamon and sucks? This is his refined and saucy grandfather in a suit and a wry smile. So it’s like fireball but waaaay gooder. Definitely not a daily drinker, but a fun “different” bourbon to have on hand. Tasted neat from a Glencairn.

Noms… nose of tobacco, hint of mint, smoke… wonderful… just love smelling it. Mouth starts sweet then peat and chocolate cream and smoked meats that fade to pepper. Pretty darn great.

Nose is peat and sea and awesomeness… yes, there is the smell of awesomeness in there. In the mouth it’s soft and slightly sweet at first and then she slaps you with a wicked Dutch double salt licorice “treat”… it’s intense and brilliant and I love it. Damn you Ardbeg… you take all my money!

Wow… I am floored that this is a sub $20 bottle. Nose is sweet, maybe a bit of maple. Mouth has a tiny bit of maple and honey then oak and a bit of burn. It stings the nostrils a bit. It’s lacking complexity but is very nice. Think I found a new mixing bourbon (that I can’t drink near if I just want a bourbon but can’t decide which one 😂)

New red-capped “bottled-in-bond” version. Sweet nose with a hint of spice. Mouth starts mild but with none of the watery presence of the lower proof version. Coats mouth well then erupts into a load of rye spices and anise. Runs well. Best rye for the price I have found ($25). Did an A/B comparison with the standard 86 proof bottle and the bonded version is markedly better