Tastes

Weller C.Y.P.B. ("Craft Your Perfect Bourbon") was a "crowd-sourcing" experiment done by Buffalo Trace a few years ago. They asked consumers to pick their favorite mashbill, age, rickhouse floor, and proof. CYPB is cheated; matures on the highest floors; is eight years old, and is bottled at 90 proof. I haven't had this bourbon in some time; my last review was June 20, 2022. I tried it with friends a couple nights ago, and thought it was significantly better than I'd recalled--but I wasn't taking notes. I reminded myself to try it again in a couple days. Clear caramel color. Fruity 1970s ambrosia nose: tangerine wedges, maraschino cherries, and mini marshmallows, in addition to vanilla, spice cake and cool mint. Some toffee and espresso on the palate, along with the ethanol, with some caramel, vanilla, and char on the finish. Perhaps the "significantly better" perception from the other night was after a couple of pours beforehand. It is still better than I'd recalled, but not exceptional--and certainly no value, considering the price (~$700 on the secondary market). It's something that all bourbon aficionados need to try--but try it at your friend's house. 3.75 on the Distiller scale (value not considered). N.B. Tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: B517 vs C917 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (ECBP) is one of my favorite bourbons. Heaven Hill, the distillery for Elijah Craig, releases ECBP three times per year (January, May, September), with a four-character code: January is “A1” (A for first release; 1 for the month of January); May is “B5” (B for the second release; 5 for the month of May); and September is “C9” (C for the third release; 9 for the month of September). The second two characters correspond to the last two digits of a particular year. Thus “B517” is the second release, in May, in the year 2017. All ECBP have a 12-year age statement, and proof typically ranges from around 120 to nearly 140. Caveat bibitor. I did a side-by-side tasting of ECBP B520 and A122 on June 25, 2022; this tasting compares B517 and C917. B517 (62.1% ABV): Clear and dark orange mahogany color. Upon opening, the nose was reticent vs the C917, but opened up with air. The expected ethanol (this is barrel-proof bourbon) is not out of balance with root beer concentrate, cut hay, maple syrup, Thai basil, roasted marshmallow, vanilla cake, and spearmint. Cinnamon red hots and espresso finishes with some drying tannins and vanilla on the finish. 4.25 on the Distiller scale. C917 (65.5% ABV): Clear and dark orange mahogany color; indistinguishable from the B517. But the nose immediately differentiates itself: it is far more effusive and ebullient, showing candy apple, cola, chocolate-covered cherries, and vanilla with intoxicating intensity. There is a similarly boisterous palate, which piles on with the addition of sweet pipe tobacco. The vanilla finish goes on and on and on. The incredible aromatics and palate intensity more than stands up to the hazmat proof. Outstanding; few bourbons reach these heights. 4.75 on the Distiller scale. Going back and forth between the two reveals a significant difference. The B517 is very good, but lacks the depth and breadth of the C917. If the B517 is a Porsche 911, then the C917 is a GT3 RS. This is a not-insignificant difference. Despite these differences, the consistent quality and hedonistic pleasure that both of these bottles affords illustrates why each release of ECBP goes into my inventory whether tasted already or not. Irrespective of release, bourbon afficionados can rely on consistent excellence. With wide (if seasonal) availability and a price around $80 retail, ECBP represents incredible value in the ever-crazier bourbon world. N.B. All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: B517 vs C917 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (ECBP) is one of my favorite bourbons. Heaven Hill, the distillery for Elijah Craig, releases ECBP three times per year (January, May, September), with a four-character code: January is “A1” (A for first release; 1 for the month of January); May is “B5” (B for the second release; 5 for the month of May); and September is “C9” (C for the third release; 9 for the month of September). The second two characters correspond to the last two digits of a particular year. Thus “B517” is the second release, in May, in the year 2017. All ECBP have a 12-year age statement, and proof typically ranges from around 120 to nearly 140. Caveat bibitor. I did a side-by-side tasting of ECBP B520 and A122 on June 25, 2022; this tasting compares B517 and C917. B517 (62.1% ABV): Clear and dark orange mahogany color. Upon opening, the nose was reticent vs the C917, but opened up with air. The expected ethanol (this is barrel-proof bourbon) is not out of balance with root beer concentrate, cut hay, maple syrup, Thai basil, roasted marshmallow, vanilla cake, and spearmint. Cinnamon red hots and espresso finishes with some drying tannins and vanilla on the finish. 4.25 on the Distiller scale. C917 (65.5% ABV): Clear and dark orange mahogany color; indistinguishable from the B517. But the nose immediately differentiates itself: it is far more effusive and ebullient, showing candy apple, cola, chocolate-covered cherries, and vanilla with intoxicating intensity. There is a similarly boisterous palate, which piles on with the addition of sweet pipe tobacco. The vanilla finish goes on and on and on. The incredible aromatics and palate intensity more than stands up to the hazmat proof. Outstanding; few bourbons reach these heights. 4.75 on the Distiller scale. Going back and forth between the two reveals a significant difference. The B517 is very good, but lacks the depth and breadth of the C917. If the B517 is a Porsche 911, then the C917 is a GT3 RS. This is a not-insignificant difference. Despite these differences, the consistent quality and hedonistic pleasure that both of these bottles affords illustrates why each release of ECBP goes into my inventory whether tasted already or not. Irrespective of release, bourbon afficionados can rely on consistent excellence. With wide (if seasonal) availability and a price around $80 retail, ECBP represents incredible value in the ever-crazier bourbon world. N.B. All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

For years I unsuccessfully tried to secure a bottle of Elijah Craig 18. Then around Thanksgiving of 2021, I saw a bottle behind the bar at West End Tavern on Pearl Street in Boulder, CO. It was nearly empty, and I was given the remainder of the bottle, even though it was slightly more than the typical pour. I spent the next 45 minutes savoring it. Earlier this year I was able to find a bottle saved for me by the manager at my local shop. I've enjoyed it on a couple of occasions, only with friends who I know would appreciate it (including said manager). Clear pale mahogany in color. The nose shows baking, fruity, and woody notes: Honey-Nut Cheerios, blueberry, apple pie, rosin, nutmeg, vanilla, and clove, finishing with a subtle menthol. These descriptors continue on the palate, along with drying tannins that lead to a long vanilla-highlighted finish. Overall, this is a sophisticated, subtle, and restrained pour which is not unlike modern nonrepresentational art in its aesthetic, in that some prior knowledge is required to bolster the appreciation. It is not ostentatious. Tasted blind, a connoisseur could detect an aged bourbon, but armed with the understanding of a bourbon that has aged for 18 years surely elicits a deeper investigation and appreciation. 4.5 on the Distiller scale. My only reservation is that EC18 isn't bottled at a higher proof. But the cutting with water might not only be an economic decision; because it has been in the barrel for 18 years, EC18 does have woody notes that perhaps benefit from some dilution. Barrel 5863, bottled 6.2.22. 45% ABV. N.B.: Tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

I couldn't decide which whisk(e)y to have this evening, so I reached for the Springbank Green 12, and realized that I'd yet to review it--even if it's already 20% gone. I rarely see Springbank of any sort in my neck of the woods, so I don't drink it often. (Separately, I was recently at Trevor's in Scottsdale, AZ and they had more bottles of Springbank than I've ever seen in one place--but that's another story). The first thing one notices upon removing the bottle from its box, and even moreso when pouring, is its pale straw color; Springbank proudly notes on the back of the bottle that it is "free of artificial colouring." The nose shows peach, hay, salt, pineapple upside-down cake, a whiff of smoke, and gentle peat. The palate is full, almost oily, with both sweet and salty elements, and the 46% ABV becomes apparent. White pepper and smokiness on the long finish. 4.25 on the Distiller scale. Apparently this expression is no longer available, as it does not appear on the Springbank website at the time of writing. An Internet search shows that this bottle is available for $700-800, and while I don't recall what I paid for it a few years back, I believe it was around $100. Only 9,000 bottles produced. 46% ABV, non-chill filtered. 100% organic barley. Aged in American bourbon casks. As always, tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Balvenie stopped producing (or releasing) this whisky a couple of years ago, and when I heard the news I scooped up a couple of remaining bottles around town. Because of the scarcity, I don't drink this too often. My last tasting note was August 27, 2002. The "DoubleWood" nomenclature refers to the fact that this whisky is aged in both whisky and sherry oak casks. Clear darker burnt orange color. Very pleasant nose showing apple, golden raisins, dates, vanilla extract, pomander, and honey is followed by a welcoming, gentle spiciness (43% ABV), lingering sweetness, some length with a touch of char on the back end. What I'd initially noted on my review in August 2022 as a "monochromatic flavor profile" now strikes me instead as restrained, belieing the dark brown canister emblazoned with the gold all-caps "DoubleWood." While it is an easy whisky to drink, patience is rewarded. More enjoyable than my last tasting; 4.0 on the Distiller scale. As always, tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Not dissimilar to my review on 5/6/22. Clear burnt orange. Noticeable sherry influence, which is expected. In addition to the brown sugar and strawberry preserves, noticeable Chinese five spice, tangerine, caramel, and graham cracker. Some disjointedness with noticeable ethanol (51.2% ABV) lacking integration; knocked down half a point as a result. Penultimate pour from this bottle; tasted in a Glencairn glass.

Since this bourbon just won Whisky Advocate's Whisky of the Year, I had to go grab a bottle ($41.99 at my local shop; well above the $30 that WA says it can be found for). Deep clear mahogany color. Sweet nose shows peanut brittle, butterscotch, some orange, and light brown sugar. Sweetness continues on the palate, along with a little char. There is a subtle bitterness on the finish, though not offputting; like a dark espresso, giving way to some lingering vanilla. Only the faintest spiciness (just 8% rye in the mashbill), and the 100 proof drinks smoothly. It's annoying that this bourbon is sold in a nonstandard 700ml size. This effectively means that you are paying an extra 7.1% per bottle compared to a normal 750ml. Alternatively, there are 16.9 standard 1.5oz shots in a standard 750ml bottle, whereas there are only 15.8 shots in a 700ml bottle. This is my second taste, after trying it last night as well. All in, an enjoyable bourbon, but not overly complex. Much better value if it could be found for $30, but if you're drinking it neat, only $2.66 for a 1.5oz pour at the price I paid--far cheaper than any bourbon you'd find in a bar or restaurant. Would I buy it again? Yes. 3.75 on the Distiller scale. N.B. All whiskies tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

I last tasted this on 5/23/22, and remarked that this bottle wasn't as good as I'd remembered with previous bottles, and thus a retasting was warranted. Unfortunately, this tasting confirms the one in May. It's unfortunate, because a couple of prior bottles I've had were much better. Oiled teak is an apt color descriptor. OF 1920 has a very nice nose, but goes downhill from there--if only it could live up to the olfactory intensity! Hedonistic, penetrating nose of graham cracker, maple syrup, chocolate covered cherries, banana bread, navel oranges, nutmeg, juicy apple skins, and a sprig of mint. Mouthfeel shows an oily viscosity, quickly transitioning to a sharp bitterness on the finish, before revealing some long-lingering vanilla. This bourbon is all about setting high expectations, and ultimately failing to deliver on that promise. 3.5 on the Distiller scale.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C922 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (ECBP) is bottled uncut, straight from the barrel, without chill filtration. It is released three times per year: January (“A”, or first batch; month 1), May (“B”, or second batch; month 5), and September (“C”, or second batch; month 9). This bottle is the third release of 2022: hence C922. The mashbill is 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye. It carries a 12-year age statement. Fruity nose, with cherry coke syrup, apple pie, cinnamon, clove, some subtle tangerine, and a whiff of cool spearmint. On the palate, super sweet chocolate covered cherries and lots vanilla oakiness, with a modestly viscous mouthfeel. The finish begins with more of that sweet vanilla oak, a pleasantly bitter espresso, freshly crushed pine needles, and a lingering tangerine reappearance, preceded by some noticeable heat—but that’s both wanted and expected when drinking a 124.8-proof bourbon. ECBP is always one of my favorite bourbons, and I try to find each of the three releases each year. I already have this year's A122 (reviewed 6/25/22). I've not yet seen the B522, and were it not for the sharp eyes of a good friend of mine who found the C922 for me in an adjacent state, I wouldn't have this one either. The $99 retail was $15-20 more than what I usually pay, but I'd not yet been able to find this release. 4.25 on the Distiller scale. N.B. All spirits tasted neat in Glencairn glasses.