Tastes

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Big fruit notes, mainly apricot and raisin, with some caramel and bread. Palate: Clove and cinnamon with some fruity sweetness. Finish: Medium length with medium heat. Splash: Bread and apricot notes return. Overall: 9/10 - I’m not usually a big fan of ryes (finished or otherwise) but this one hits all the right notes. The finish is a little short for 107.3 proof.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Lots of grass with some fruity sweetness underneath. Palate: Grass, clove and a little oak. Cinnamon arrives late to the party. Finish: Medium length with medium heat. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 5.5/10 - The grassy note is strong throughout, and masks some of the classic bourbon notes. Garrison Brothers make some amazing whiskies, but this base offering just doesn’t quite hold up.

Tasted blind at a friend's house. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Light-medium amber. Nose: Caramel, raisin, dark fruit, oak. Palate: Clove, oak, and something I can't quite place. Finish: Medium length with medium heat. Splash: Oak and clove notes and a grassy? note. Overall: 8/10 - I had wanted to try this and it did not disappoint. Will stand up well to ice and I'll definitely pick up a bottle.

Tasted blind at a friend's house. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Caramel, toffee, butterscotch. Palate: Fruit, cinnamon, oak. Finish: Long length with medium heat. Splash: Clove notes appear and mix with the oak. Overall: 8.5/10 - The fruity note in the palate is intriguing. This isn't hot, but drinks above it's proof.

Tasted blind at a friend's house. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium-dark amber. Nose: Caramel, vanilla, raisins. Palate: Clove, cinnamon, oak. Finish: Long and very warm. Splash: The clove really shines with just a few drops of water. Overall: 8/10 - Classic bourbon notes with a long finish. The proof only shows at the very end, and the high rye is evident throughout. This would stand up well to ice or a cocktail, and I'll probably never see it again.

Balcones Texas Single Malt Review#124 Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Dark amber. Nose: Lots of fruit and a sweet grassy note that I can't quite place. Palate: Some oak and spice with more of that grassy note. Finish: Practically nonexistent. Splash: The grassy note is tamed, allowing clove and oak notes to really shine. Overall: 4/10 - Some people say good things about this stuff, and after having True Blue, I had high hopes. This is...different. I can't quite place the grassy note, but I don't usually enjoy American single malts so I haven’t had much experience with them. This bottle was a gift, otherwise I would not recommend it.

Stagg Batch 23A Received a sample from a friend. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium-dark amber. Nose: Cherry cola, caramel, vanilla. Palate: Cinnamon red hots, clove and some oak. Finish: Long length with medium heat. Splash: All of the notes from the palale hold up to a few drops of water. Overall: 9/10 - This is classic bourbon dialed up to eleven. The long finish and the notes standing up to a splash of water give away the high (130.2) proof. Outstanding.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Caramel, raisins, apricots. Palate: Clove, baking spice, oak. Finish: Medium length with medium heat. Splash: The clove goes from spicy to sweet with just a few drops of water. Overall: 7/10 - I had high expectations based on the age statement (and price) that weren't quite met here. A little more proof would go a long way. Still, an enjoyable dram.

Glass: Tasting glass, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Cherries and other dark fruit. Palate: Clove, baking spice, oak. Finish: Medium length with minimal heat. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 7/10 - The fruit from the nose doesn't carry through and the finish is shorter than expected. $24/1oz pour was a good price to try but I wouldn't buy again for this price.