Tastes

Poured neat. Robust nose of dark chocolate, cherry pie and licorice. I get some damp earthy notes as well. The nose carries into the flavor as well. If grandma whipped up a homemade chocolate cherry cheesecake this is what it would taste like. Some notes of cola and baking spices dance on the back of the palate as well. Excellent balance of proof and flavor, this is a very delicious whiskey!

Poured neat. Nose is dusty wood, sugar and vanilla chewing tobacco. Flavor brings forth earthy tobacco and burnt wood notes. There's a slight hint of red apple peel as well. Finish is moderately long leaving a leathery and unsweetened chocolate flavor on the tongue. This would make a great campfire whiskey.

Nose is light and floral with notes of dark berries and toasted sugar. Palate is a direct reflection of the nose with notes of butter, oak and leather. Pretty decent for a $13 bottle. It won't knock your socks off but it'll tickle your toes.

Rick No. R-19 Barrel No. 21-05087 Bottled: 06/07/2021 Poured neat. Sweet cream, sticky buns, baking cinnamon, and liquorice on the nose once you get past the high alcohol percentage. Stating the obvious first, it drinks hot. There's a mixture of sweet and hot cinnamon flavors that jump out first, followed by a heavy maple syrup, banana nut bread, and tobacco. Potent, but delicious.

Poured neat. Nutmeg, vanilla cream and stale wood on the nose. White pepper, tea and more of the old wood flavor on the palate. Finish was nice and long with a reasonable amount of spice and leather notes with a hint of dark chocolate. For a $70 bottle I was mildly disappointed. Given all the hype I've heard about it I'm wondering if this was a bad batch or if it's just not my style. I'm still interested in trying other OE expressions but won't be picking up another one of these for myself.

Poured neat. Light and floral nose with peaches and grapes with a slight bit of cola. Palate is just as soft. Peach rings, Black & Milds with a hint of pepper. Finish is short, fading into a sweet tobacco flavor. Great option for a mixer, social sipper or someone venturing into the whiskey world.

Poured neat. Sweet mint gum, spiced oak and hay on the nose. First sip is punchy, sweet and dusty. It's like a nice warm bowl of over-spiced apple cinnamon oatmeal. Mouth feel is buttery, and finish fades to a mild tobacco flavor. Overall a very enjoyable pour. Will be hard to talk myself out of grabbing a few more bottles when I see it again!

Poured neat. Soft, slightly youthful nose that leads with vanilla and the syrup from a jar of cherries. I pick up a soft liquorice bubble gum note as well. The first sip surprises you with a Big Red tingle right away that levels out to a creamy cherry jam with sprinkled with brown sugar. This bottle amplifies the sweet and fruity notes expected from the standard Maker's and turns up the Kentucky heat a couple (much appreciated) notches. I'm super stoked on this pour.

Poured neat. Nose gives a pleasant mix of caramel, white chocolate and a touch of red wine fruitiness. There is a faint twinge of wood and Red Vines in the background as well. Mouth feel is oily, and the wood picks up quite a bit on the taste. Along with that comes notes of plum, baking spices, maple syrup and slightly undercooked dough. Mild heat that fades into a leather, tobacco and warm red wine finish.

Poured neat. Delicate nose that is a blend of beer mash, a big box furniture store and a copper pipe note I associate with pot stilled spirits. It isn't off-putting, but does leave a little to be desired. Palate is sweet and smokey. The finish is pleasant and peppery with a slightly bitter citrus note similar to your typical IPA. I found this to be very enjoyable, but would personally give the nod to Jameson Black Barrel over this one if given the choice between the two.