Tastes

There's always something special about drinking a spirit that has been aged for 18 years: time has no substitutes. In terms of age, if Macallan 18 is an iconic , benchmark sherry-influenced scotch, this is its smaller and adoring but less polished little brother. Clear, deep amber color. Nose of dried apricots, apple skins, orange oil, nutmeg, and faint cool sassafras. Light sherry presence. Gentle spice on the finish, along with milk chocolate and lingering leather and vanilla. Smooth, balanced, restrained, and pleasant to drink. 43% ABV (Distiller incorrectly lists 40%). (Batch #3958) N.B. All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Clear burnt orange color (no added coloring). Sherry-influenced nose (17 years in oak followed by 6-12 months in second-fill sherry casks): caramelized sugar, vanilla extract, golden raisins, and sorghum syrup. Sweetness continues with the palate, showing dark chocolate and amaretto before switching to a white pepper finish, and a lingering mild, spicy burn that is surprising for the 43% ABV. When I learned over a year ago that this whisky was being discontinued, I bought the last two I could find, as I'd always enjoyed it. But a closer inspection reveals less complexity and a certain monochromatic flavor profile, with different shades of "sweet." It's very enjoyable, but simpler than other sherry-influenced whiskies. N.B. All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Burnt orange color, but not nearly as dark as other sherry-finished scotch; likely second-fill rather than first-fill sherry casks. Sherry influenced nose: not a "sherry bomb" per se, but rather a more restrained, harder, and more focused Balvenie-like version, with aromas of dates, dried apricots, pomander ball, vanilla, with a hint of peat underneath. Strong entry, with the 95.6 proof punching above its weight. Viscous, almost oily midpalate reveals some dark chocolate and dried cherries, with white pepper and some tannic oaky bitterness on the back end, where the 95.6 proof kicks in again. Long finish, with noticeable vanilla. The effect is not dissimilar to a tightly wound cabernet that needs several years of cellaring to soften and open up, though that of course won't happen. Each bottling is drawn from a single cask, comprised of fewer than 800 bottles, so variation can exist (note describes bottle #67 from cask 9008). N.B. All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

For a bourbon that's so difficult to find, with secondary prices that are difficult to swallow, it's funny to know that the favorite way for Elmer himself to drink this was with 7Up. (I myself have tried it in pineapple juice, and it's outstanding). Pale burnt orange with a subtle rosy hue. Nose with cedar, sandalwood, ripe peaches, and clove, along with a cool eucalyptus note. Palate has a light but noticeable viscosity, shows chocolate covered cherries, honey, creme brulee, rosin, and spicy cinnamon stick, before finishing with leather and vanilla. Light bourbon burn, consistent with 90 proof. Complex, with notes atypical of your everyday bourbon. N.B. All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

(Dump date 11/2/2017, Barrel #57, Warehouse H, Rick #15, 130.3 proof). I was able to trade for a couple of these a few years ago, but that's another story. If Blanton's is the Mercedes E-Class of bourbon (see tasting note 5/12/2022), this is the AMG version stripped of any extraneous weight and tuned for the track. Sheer, unadulterated power. Clear mahoghany color. Nose that demands--and receives--attention: honey, caramel, ripe plums, sweet tea, waffles with maple syrup, Chinese five spice. Assertive and penetrating palate: cinnamon applesauce, pipe tobacco, char, walnuts, drying leather, and white pepper, finishing long, with vanilla extract. Back-end burn not for the faint of heart, and not surprising given the high proof, but well integrated on the full-throttle frond end. Powerful and complex: one of the best. N.B. All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Interesting whiskey. Clear russet color. Glycerin-like from the bottle. Nose reveals Crackerjack, something like neatsfoot oiled baseball glove--which is not offputting-- mesquite, and a touch of vanilla. Entry is viscous like the pour, with a flavorful, mouthcoating palate that starts sweet and honeyed with some caramel on the back end, finishing with chilies and a long pull of vanilla and a touch of white pepper. Very nice, and $29 at my local shop.

Outstanding. Burnt orange color. Poured into a Glencairn glass out of the bottle, the bourbon appears viscous and oily. Nose of oranges, clove, and nutmeg ; cocoa powder and vanilla wafers from 5/4/2022 note still there, but not as pronounced. Coolness again present, but more spearmint than menthol. Penetrating, mouthcoating, fruity palate finishing very long with leather, vanilla, paraffin, char, and spearmint (again). Pleasant burn consistent with the 100 proof. So much to like here: unfortunately I'm not the only one with this opinion. I can typically find HMcK for $100, and once my inventory runs out, I'll have to pull that trigger. I justify it with mental accounting: a 2 oz pour--12 of these in 750ml--equates to just over $8 per, far cheaper than a bar or restaurant (if you can even find it).

New bottle. Clear oiled teak color. Cedar, cherries, toffee, honey-nut cheerios, maple syrup. Fruitier palate, adding some juicy citrus notes, and finishing with drying leather and a mild bourbon burn, belying its 115 proof. While I've not written a note on this bourbon before, I've had a few bottles, and recall liking them more than this one. My experience with prior bottles leaned toward more intensiveness, effusiveness, even a bit ostentatiousness. Certainly this bottle warrants another tasting to confirm.

This is a very good, refined and balanced higher-proof bourbon, but one that lacks sufficient differentiating qualities from other bourbons in this proof range. Clear burnt orange. Nose: fruity chocolate covered cherries, some cocoa, creme brulee, barrel char, and a whiff of spearmint. Cinnamon and pepper on the back end. Smooth, easy sipper at 104 proof.

Clear amber to a rose gold--ostensibly due to the 4 years spent in port casks. Wonderfully fruity nose of dried apricot, honey, and strawberries. Sweet midpalate, finishing with white pepper; the combination imparts a slight bitterness that detracts from a more enjoyable experience. Great nose, but downhill from there.