Tastes

Worldwide Wine & Spirits single barrel 117.1 proof, aged 4 years Barrel 23-2085-02 Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Honey, caramel, apple. Palate: Thick mouthfeel, clove, cinnamon and baking spice. Finish: Long length with medium heat. Splash: A strong honey note appears. Ice: This is where this whiskey really shines. It's practically an old fashioned in a glass. Overall: 9/10 - Some people feel that finished bourbon is too much like flavored bourbon, and this makes that difficult to argue. The honey influence is everywhere, practically drowning out the bourbon notes. The finish is surprisingly long for 117.1 proof. A little less time in the honey barrels might have balanced the whiskey and honey notes better, but this is one of my favorite whiskies to drink on the rocks.

Signature Wine & Spirits store pick @ 133.6 proof Warehouse K Floor 5 Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium-dark amber. Nose: Caramel, vanilla, dark fruit. Palate: Oak, Cinnamon, clove with a lingering note of dark fruit. Finish: Long length, medium heat. Splash: The spicier notes and the oak are more balanced with just a few drops of water. Overall: 9/10 - These high proof OF store picks hit all the right notes for me. This is one of the higher proofs of the ones I've seen.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: So much fruit, ranging from apples to plums, with a dry oak note. Palate: Sweet clove and srepng cinnamon notes, followed by baking spice and oak. Finish: Long length with medium heat. Splash: Baking spice and oak tannins become much more forward with just a few drops of water. Overall: 9/10 - This is as good as I had hoped it would be. It's a solid sipper at a reasonable price and would stand up to ice or a cocktail without losing its best flavors. Well done!

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium-dark amber. Nose: Classic caramel and vanilla notes. Palate: Clove and oak tannins with some mild cinnamon and baking spice. Finish: Ling lengrh with medium heat. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 9/10 - I'm partial to Larceny BP, and found this dusty in December 2024, almost 5 years after it was relwased. I thought about hanging on to it, but I'm glad I opened it. Heaven Hill makes some tasty bourbon.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Campfire, salt, wet sand. Classic Islay notes. Palate: Salty bread notes with a good amount of spice. Finish: Medium heat that goes on and on. Splash: A bit of oak appears with a few drops of water. Overall: 9/10 - This is a classic Islay that I could probably pick out in a blind tasting. The finish is remarkable for the low proof, and the oak only appears with a little coaxing. I've had this bottle for a long time and just realized that I had never written a review. There's a reason that everyone knows the name Lagavulin, even those who don't like Islays.

Received a blind sample from a friend. Tasted 12/31/24. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Vanilla with graham cracker and raisin. Palate: Cinnamon, clove, oak tannins. Finish: Medium length with medium heat. Splash: No new flavors are revealed, but the cinnamon and clove become more balanced. Overall: 9/10 - This has a great nose and a classic bourbon palate. The oak tannins imply a long time in the barrel. The finish gives away the lower proof (if I'm right). My guess: Elijah Craig 18 year.

Glass: Spey, at a bar. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Caramel and vanilla. Palate: Sweet clove and a little cinnamon. Finish: Surprisingly lonh and warm. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 8/10 - This is a good dram, but I wouldn't buy for MSRP.

Conti's Wines & Spirits Single Barrel 124.4 proof, aged 5 years 10 months. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium-dark amber. Nose: Sweet with fruity and floral notes. Palate: Cinnamon and bakkng spice, with some oak tannins. Finish: Long and very warm. Splash: A few drops of water changes this immensely. The spicier cinnamon notes are slightly muted, allowing the baking spice and oak and a hint of chocolate to come through. Overall: 9/10 - This is a heavy hitter, and just a little water allows the more subtle notes to shine. Well done!

Received a blind sample from a friend. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Light amber. Nose: Butterscotch and caramel, with apple and other fruit. Palate: Cinnamon and oak. some baking spice. Finish: Long length with medium heat. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 8.5/10 - This is a good sipper, and the age definitely shows. The nose is fantastic!

Received a blind sample from a friend. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Light-medium amber. Nose: Sweet with lots of dark fruit. Palate: Sweet again with cinnamon and baking spice. Finish: Long length with medium heat. Splash: Somehow this becomes spicier with a few drops of water. Overall: 9/10 - This is a step up from 1792 full proof. I initially guessed that this was a finished rye like Starlight. This will definitely hold up to ice or a cocktail.