Tastes

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium-dark amber. Nose: Toffee and apricot. Palate: Thin mouthfeel with cinnamon and a bit of dry oak. Finish: Medium finish with medium heat. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 6.5/10 - This is the base offering from Michter's at around $40. The other releases probably add complexity to this bourbon.

Blue Note Juke Joint Whiskey Single Barrel Uncut (Greens Farms Spirits) Proof: 122.4 Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium-dark amber. Nose: Sweet caramel with fruity notes. Palate: Baking spice with some dark fruit. Finish: Long with medium heat. Splash: Sweetness from the nose returns. Overall: 8/10 - Drinks smooth for the proof, and not overpriced. This is a sleeper, well worth picking up.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes . Color: light-medium amber. Nose: Big almonds and other nuts. Palate: Oaky with little spice or nuts. Finish: Medium with very little heat. Splash: No new flavors are revealed . Overall: 6.5/10 - Less complex and warm than other Heaven's Door offerings.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Green apple, pie crust, apricot. Palate: More fruit with a touch of cinnamon. Finish: Medium heat, medium-long length. Splash: Some dry oakiness comes through. Overall: 9/10 - I've never been disappointed by a Knob Creek store pick. I wish I could get more of this one.

Glass: Old fashioned, in a bar. Color: Medium-dark amber. Nose: Vanilla, caramel, apple. Palate: Tart apple, some baking spice, more caramel. Finish: Medium heat, medium length. Splash: Brings back the vanilla and calms the spice. Overall: 7.5/10 - Typical EC barrel proof. Nothing unusual, but still a solid sipper.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes Color: Medium amber. Nose: Nutty, dried apricots, sweet. Palate: Nutty, oaky, rye spice. Finish: Medium length, medium heat. Splash: Calms the rye spice, fruit returns. Overall: 8.5/10 - A great pour, but too expensive to be a daily drinker. Everything from Barrell has been fantastic. Will definitely try in cocktails!

Old Elk Wheated Bourbon QS03 Holy Cannoli Proof: 117.2 Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Nose: Sweet, nutty. Caramel apples. Palate: Oak and spice. Finish: Medium length, medium heat. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 8/10 - A great pour, could easily be a daily drinker for me.

Heaven's Door Cask Strength Single Barrel Proof: 124.3 Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium-dark amber. Nose: Nutty, with chocolate and marshmallow. Palate: More nuts, leather and oak. Finish: Warm, but not hot. Very long. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 9/10 - Every store pick of Heaven's Door tastes like almonds to me, but it's much more complex than that, with a thick mouthfeel and a fantastic finish. This could easily be a daily drinker for me.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium-dark amber. Nose: Caramel and nuts. Palate: Oak, nuts, baking spices. Finish: Long with medium warmth. Splash: Caramel returns, with some apple notes. Overall: 8.5/10 - A great pour, easily could be a daily drinker.

Russell's Reserve 13 Year Proof: 114. Received a sample in trade. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Almonds, honey, apricots. Palate: Cinnamon and baking spice. Finish: Long and very warm. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 8/10 - The flavors in the nose are overpowered by spice in the palate. A splash of water calms the spice, but doesn't reveal anything new.