Tastes

Whisky Mentors store pick @ 112.5 proof. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Cinnamon toast crunch with some caramel notes beneath. Palate: Cinnamon, some oaky bitterness. Finish: Long length with medium heat. Splash: A few drops of water allow milder flavors like clove and baking spice to come through. Overall: 9/10 - This is one of the better amburana finished bourbons that I’ve tried. Would definitely stand out in a cocktail.

Received a sample from a friend. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium-dark amber. Nose: Maple syrup, some oak, and dark fruit. Palate: Big spicy cinnamon notes overpower any hint of subtlety. Thick mouthfeel with a bit of sticky sweetness on the tip of the tongue. Finish: Very warm and very long. Splash: No new flavors are revealed and the spicy cinnamon note is barely tamed. Overall: 8.5/10 - Even knowing the mashbill and proof, I was still surprised by how hot this drinks. Some more time in oak would have evened out some of the rough edges, but I like where this is going. Would make an excellent cocktail.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Caramel, toffee, raisin. Palate: Cinnamon, clove, baking spice. Finish: Warm heat with medium length. Splash: A dry oaky note appears. Overall: 6/10 - This drinks a little hot and young, despite the six year age statement. I’ve had better MGP sourced bourbon, but this would probably make a decent old fashioned. Received as a gift from a friend.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Raisin and oak with some baking spice. Palate: Spicy cinnamon and baking spice. Finish: Long length with medium heat. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 7/10 - This is decent rye, decently priced, but fell somewhat short of my expectations. Would probably hold up in a cocktail, but isn’t exceptional on its own. $15/2oz

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium-dark amber. Nose: Caramel and vanilla Palate: Baking spice and oak. Finish: Long length with medium heat. Splash: A mild cinnamon note appears. Overall: 9.5/10 - Despite the lower proof, this is an outstanding pour, at a bar. I would definitely buy this if I could find a bottle for MSRP. $16/1oz

Glass: Rocks, at a bar. Color: Dark amber. Nose: Cherries, raisins, oak, caramel. Palate: Thick mouthfeel, cinnamon, cherry, oak. Finish: Long and hot, goes on and on. Splash: Heat is calmed, and a new flavor emerges, the typical hay flavor that I get from Texas whiskies. Overall: 9.5/10 - This is outstanding bourbon. $35/2oz pour

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Pale amber. Nose: Almonds, plums, raisins. Palate: Some bread and baking spice with oak. Finish: Long length with medium heat. Splash: A fruity, floral note appears. Overall: 8.5/10 - This is a step up for Teeling. The nose is incredible, and maybe with some more time in oak the palate would be as nice.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Lught amber. Nose: Banana bread. Palate: Oily mouthfeel with mild spice fading to oaky dryness. Finish: Medium length with mild heat. Splash: Baking spice becomes somehow more pronounced with a few drops of water. Overall: 9/10 - The nose was a pleasant surprise that I had not found in an Irish whiskey before. The palate and finish remind me more of an American Single Malt than Irish whiskey. Nicely done!

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium-dark amber. Nose: Maple syrup, berries, and dark fruit. Palate: Smoky, with oak and a little salt. Thick mouthfeel. Finish: Long length with medium heat. Splash: No new flavors are revealed, but the smoke and salt become more prominent. Overall: 8.5/10 - This has a nose like an aged rum, but then it's all Islay. The bourbon notes are there in the mouthfeel and the finish, but the scotch notes overpower the typical bourbon flavors. Still, this is one of the better scotch/bourbon hybrids that I've had. Maybe a little less time in the secondary barrel would have let more bourbon flavor come through.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Light amber. Nose: Cornbread with honey. Palate: Thick mouthfeel with some mild baking spice. Finish: Medium heat but a great length. Mainly baking spice. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 6/10 - The nose is promising, but the palate falls short. The finish, while long, also doesn’t hold up. It’s a passable but not great Irish whiskey.