Tastes

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Dark fruits, with either honey or caramel hiding underneath. Very sweet. Palate: Some oak tannin, a bit of baking spice, and some subdued caramel. Not as sweet as the nose suggests. Finish: Very warm, medium length. More clove tham anything else. Splash: Mild notes of clove and cinnamon appear with a few drops of water. Overall: 9/10 - This is a fantastic pour, and one I've wantwd to try for a while. At around $40, it's a contender in an increasingly crowded field. The nose is fantastic and the finish is dynamite. It could be a 10 if the palate were a bit more complex, but overall I'm really glad I picked this up.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Deep amber. Nose: Apple, caramel, graham cracker, a hint of banana. Very sweet. Palate: Medium mouthfeel with some baking spices, still very sweet. Finish: Very long with medium heat. Splash: Fruit and caramel from the nose return. Overall: 8/10 - This was surprisingly good as I don't typically rate American single malts very high. I will definitely be on the lookout for this bottle, as I got a sample from a friend.

Swift single malt Texas whiskey Aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels & Spanish oloroso sherry casks 43% abv Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Light amber. Nose: Fruity with notes of pear, peach, and grapes. Palate: Clove and baking spices overpower the fruity notes. Finish: Practically nonexistent. Splash: Fruity notes return, but muted. Overall: 5/10 - This might be good in a cocktail, but not much going on neat.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Toffee and caramel. Maybe some marshmallow. Sweet. Palate: Strong clove and baking spice. Very strong spice. Finish: Heat fades quickly, but some lingers for a while. Splash: A few drops calm the spiciness, allowing some of the flavors from the nose to return. Overall: 7/10 - This would probably be good on the rocks, but the price makes that a hard sell. Received a sample as a gift.

Bomberger's Declaration 2023 Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Dark reddish amber. Nose: Cherry cola, oak and raisins. A hint of maple syrup. Palate: More cherry cola, cinnamon, and baking spice. Finish: Long with some oak tannins. Medium heat. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 9/10 - Smooth and pleasant, with a great finish. It reminds me of Stagg, which is really saying something.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Deep amber. Nose: Dark fruits, honey, tree nuts. Palate: Not very spicy, but some baking spice mixes with the fruits and nuts. Finish: Long but not very hot. Pleasant. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 7.5/10 - A nice sipper but way too expensive to be a daily.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium-dark amber. Nose: Caramel, apple, graham crackers. Palate: Cinnamon, baking spice, oak tannin. Finish: Long and medium heat. Splash: Some of the sweet caramel notes from the nose return. Overall: 7/10 - A bit smoother than the 9 year expression, but overpriced for what it is. This would easily be an 8/10 at a better price point.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Deep amber. Nose: Oak and maple syrup up front, with some subdued peanuts. Palate: Oak, maple, and peanuts continue. Not as spicy as expected. Finish: Long but not very hot. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 5/10 - I had high expectations for this, based on the single barrel barrel proof being so complex. This drinks more like regular JD than the premium stuff. Honestly, it's about average.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Butterscotch, apple, some nutty notes. Palate: Clove and baking spice, none of the sweetness from the nose. Finish: Medium length with medium heat. Splash: Leather and oak notes open upen up with a little water. Overall: 8/10 - This is something of a unicorn where I live and I received a sample in trade. It's more complex than I expected, but not the best I've had from Heaven Hill. Might be good over ice or in a cocktail, but alas, I only received 50 ml.

Starlight bourbon whiskey finished in VDN barrels r/Bourbon Single Barrell selection aged 4 1/2 years Barrel no 21-2248-2 Proof: 106.7 Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Orange is pretty strong, but other sweet notes and nuts (almonds?) are also present. Palate: Clove and cinnamon overpower the sweet notes. Some oak and barrel char. Finish: Long and warm. This is the first time the high proof is apparent, and just won't quit. Splash: No new flavors are revealed, nutty flavor from the nose returns. Overall: 7.5/10 - This was the first pour from this bottle and I had high expectations. It drinks below its proof, but the orange from the nose is drowned out by spice in the palate.