Tastes

Maker's Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky Proof: 90 Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Honey, wheat bread, nuts. Palate: Baking spice, honey Finish: Medium, but little heat. Splash: Cinnamon and nuts. Overall: 8/10 -A solid sipper, it's everywhere and it's inexpensive. A little more complexity would be nice, but that's what the higher proofs are for.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Apple pie with vanilla ice cream. Palate: Graham crackers, apples, caramel. Finish: Medium with some heat. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 8/10 - A great sipper at 92 proof.

Tree House Distillery Batch Two, No 1101/1400 Bottled 9/1/22 Proof: 100 Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Light amber Nose: Grass and sawdust. Some honey. Palate: Pine, baking spice, cinnamon. Finish: Medium length, medium heat. Splash: Baking spice with notes of bread. Overall: 5/10 - Has some promise, but not a great sipper. Might be decent on the rocks or in cocktails. Received as a gift, so not sure of the cost.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Light amber. Nose: Vanilla and caramel. Some oak. Palate: More of the same. Finish: Short, no heat. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 5/10 - Pretty basic. Inexpensive.

Received a sample in trade. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes Color: Medium amber. Nose: Caramel and apples. Some honey. Palate: Sweet with caramel and fruit. Some baking spice and cinnamon. Finish: Long with medium heat. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 6.5/10 - a good dram, at a good proof, but probably not a daily drinker for me.

Received a sample in trade. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Bread with some nuts and fruit. Palate: Baking spice and cinnamon. Finish: Long and warm. Splash: No new flavors are revealed, but spice and cinnamon give way to nuts again. Overall: 7/10 - a bit too spicy to be a daily drinker, but probably good in cocktails.

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.