Tastes

Received a sample in trade. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium-dark amber. Nose: Vanilla, apples, a hint of honey. Palate: Apples, caramel, baking spice. Finish: Medium-short, without much heat. Splash: Opens up some more berry notes. Overall: 6.5/10 - a longer, warmer finish would go a long way.

Stagg Jr. Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch 9 Received a sample in trade. Proof: 131.9 Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Cherry pie with vanilla ice cream. Palate: Honey, baking spice, toffee. Finish: Warm and very long. Splash: Baking spice gives way to cherries. Overall: 9/10 - proof is a bit high for a daily drinker, but would probably be great with an ice cube. Delicious!

Received a sample in trade. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Honey, caramel, vanilla. Very sweet. Palate: Cinnamon and baking spice mix with the honey and caramel. Finish: Short with just a touch of heat. Splash: Calms spiciness, but no new flavors are revealed. Overall: 8/10 - a good sipper, could be a daily drinker if the supply ever catches up to the demand. With this being a single barrel, that's doubtful.

The Glenlivet 12 Double Oaked 80 proof Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Very light amber. Nose: Peat smoke dominates, but gives way to pear and vanilla. Palate: Little of the peat smoke, mainly pear and vanilla. Finish: Over too soon. No heat. Splash: A bit of oak flavor cones through. Overall: 6/10 - Other expressions at higher proof might pack more punch, but this one left me expecting more and not getting it.

Four Roses Small Batch Select Proof: 104 Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Nose: Fruity and floral. Sweet. Palate: Baking spice, vanilla. Not too sweet, not too spicy. Finish: Medium, warm but not hot. Splash: No new notes. Overall: 8/10 - a solid sipper, good enough to be a daily drinker. Reasonably priced and available everywhere. My favorite expression from Four Roses.

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Proof: 90.4 Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Light-medium amber. Nose: Apple, caramel, baking spice. Very sweet. Palate: Rye spice and cinnamon. Finish: Long and spicy. A good Kentucky hug. Overall: 7/10 - a solid sipper. Rye seems a bit strong in the palate but would probably be good in a cocktail.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Vanilla, caramel, toffee, baking spice. Palate: Baking spice, cinnamon, more toffee. Finish: A warm Kentucky hug. Medium-long with a good amount of hear. Splash: Opens up earthy and smoky tones. Overall: 8.5/10 - punches above its weight. A good daily slipper and a great value bourbon.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Very light amber. Nose: Floral with grapes and pears. Palate: More pears and apples Finish: Short, sweet, with a tiny bit of spice. Splash: Opens up a bit of oak. Overall: 5/10 - definitely different (mashbill is 100% barley) but not similar to Irish Whiskey or Scotch. Probably won't drink again.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nice, thick lacing on the glass. Nose: Apples, vanilla, toffee. Palate: Vanilla, toffee, baking spice. Finish: Medium with sugar and more baking spice. Splash: Doesn't reveal any new flavors. Overall: 7/10 - too pricy to be a daily drinker, but an interesting dram.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Apples, caramel, baking spice. Palate: Baking spice and cinnamon. Finish: Medium, warm finish. Splash: Apples and caramel return. Overall: 8/10 - at $60+ not really a daily drinker, but good with a splash or on the rocks.