Tastes

Received a blind sample from a friend. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Sweet with floral and nutty notes. Palate: Cinnamon, baking spice, and an oaky dryness. Finish: Long length, with heat that fades slowly. Splash: The spicy notes retreat, leaving behind oak and some of the nutty notes from the nose. Overall: 8.5/10 - This is bourbon done right. It would be a 9/10 if the finish didn't fall away so quickly.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Light-medium amber. Nose: Vanilla and apricot. Some raisin. Palate: A sweet corn note that turns to somw clove and baking spice. Finish: Medium length with not much heat. Splash: A bit of oaky dryness appears. Overall: 6/10 - This expression had eluded me for a long time, so I was excited to try it. In a world of Sazerac produced wheated bourbon, this struggles to stand out in any way. For about the same (or less) money, Buffalo Trace or Eagle Rare are better expressions and easier to find.

Received a blind sample from a friend. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Caramel, vanilla, some peanut dust. Palate: Baking spice and dry oak. Finish: Long and warm with a sweet clove note. Splash: No new flavors are revealed, but the clove is more pronounced. Overall: 8/10 - The oak and the long finish give away some idea of the proof and age. It's good, but not the best I've tried.

Received a sample from a friend. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Light-medium amber. Nose: Vanilla and caramel with fruity and floral notes. Palate: Lots of cinnamon and baking spices. Finish: Very long and very hot. The 140 proof is on full display here. Splash: This opens up beautifully with a few drops of water. The oak which had been covered up by the spice in the palate comes through, with distinct notes of clove and a bit of peanut brittle. Overall: 9.5/10 - Even though this is the highest MSRP ($499.99) of any whiskey I've tried, my rating is based purely on enjoyment. The light color was a bit of a concern at first, and the nose that started off overly sweet became much more floral while resting in the glass. The palate, which was a spice bomb at first, became a delightful mix of flavors with just s few drops of water. The finish just won't quit. I'd put this up against any whiskey that I've rated, period. If I could, I'd blind this against some true unicorns, but alas, that $500 price tag, if you can even find it at that price.

Received a sample feom a friend. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Oak, caramel and vanilla, with some minty notes. Palate: Prominent oak with baking spice and more mint. Finish: Medium heat, but surprisingly long for 104 proof. Splash: No new flavors are revealed, but the oak in the palate is subdued by baking spice and that minty note. Overall: 8/10 - This would be a good or even great rye at under $100. At $275 MSRP, I would expect much more bang for the buck. I am glad that I got to try it without spending that much. (Rating not based on value)

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium-dark amber. Nose: Caramel, maple, chocolate notes. Palate: Baking spice, mild clove and some oak tannins. Finish: Medium length with mwdium heat. Splash: No new flavors are revealed, but the clove and oak somehow bwcome more pronounced with a few drops of water. Overall: 8/10 - I didn't get a chance (yet) to try the older wood finishing series from MM, so my only comparisons are to the regular MM and the Private Selects. This seems to be in between them, but not in a bad way. This is bolder than regular MM and less spicy than the Private Select bottles I've tried (albeit more pricy). This hits the right notes, but at a premium price point. I hope to try more in this series as they come out.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Minty and medicinal. Not sweet at all. Palate: Spicy and vegetal. Clove and baking spices and some peppery notes. Finish: Medium heat but very long. Splash: With the spicier notes muted, a very vegetal note comes through. It reminds me of asparagus, but in a good way. Overall: 7.5/10 - This isn't the Willet that people chase. This is their entry-level rye and it could be an example of what sets them apart from other ryes. It's different but I'm not sure I'd want to drink it every day.

Received a sample from a friend. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Vanilla and dark fruit. Some minty notes. Palate: Cimmamon and clove with some oaky tannins. Finish: Very warm and very long. Splash: Minty notes from the nose return. Overall: 9/10 - This is a banger of a rye. Sadly, it was a single barrel and is long since sold out. It would be nice to have on my bar. Luckily, Barrell Craft Spirits keeps putting out decent ryes.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium-dark amber. Nose: Fruity and floral notes with a touch of caramel. Palate: Baking spice and cinnamon with a nice oily quality. Finish: Medium length with medium heat. Splash: A minty note appears once the spice from the palate is toned down. Overall: 8.5/10 - Although the proof is somewhat low for the price, this is an outstanding bourbon. A slight bump in proof would go a long way.

Received a sample from a friend. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium-dark amber. Nose: Caramel, apples, some nutty notes. Palate: Clove and cinnamon red hots. Finish: Very warm and very long. Splash: Some oaky tannins and the nutty note from the nose appear. Overall: 9/10 - This is a seriously hyped bottle (and a store pick at that) that actually lives up to the hype. At MSRP, it would be an instant buy, I just need to win a store lottery first. The long finish is the clear winner here.