Tastes

Unfortunately the smoke feels so forced into the bourbon that it masks everything else for me. At 80% it just can’t show it self with that smoke. I appreciate Basil Hayden for what it is.

First time tasting whiskey from Maryland. Pleasantly surprised! Big nose of brown sugar and slight butterscotch and sweet vanilla. The double oak really comes through on the mid palate. Finishes shorter than I would want but palate pleasure none the less. Not for a high proof lover. Sits at about 98proof but drinks more like a 90proof.

So much going on from beginning to end. The apricot barrel really makes its presence known right away. Sweet vanilla finish with the maple coming through late and lasting. Yes it’s a higher price tag but compared to a lot of others, the complexity and mouthfeel make it worth it. Barrell continues to put out amazing stuff.

Damn!!!! Insanely smooth for the higher proof. Great mid palate spice with a finish that evolves into pure joy. Best way to describe the finish is taking a spoonful of a crème brûlée at the very moment it just got torched. I never thought I’d say it but it might be a better char/toasted finish than Michter’s.

Severely underrated and unknown compared to the big names but it holds its own for sure. Great full mouth feel with awesome spice. Might be a tad on the sweet side but that hits and then goes away allowing it to develop further. Toffee and caramel palate.

Michter’s crushes it again with the toasted barrel. Floral and dark fruits on the nose. First sip was very complex. Complex to the point that by the time the first sip ended I was a bit lost. Let it rest for about 5 minutes and dove back in. Vanilla extract that lingered on the pallets with a sweet spice. Excellent full mouth feel. All the right flavors the rest of the way.

Tons of caramel on the nose with subtle fruit. Hazelnut right of the bat on the palate. Added a few drops of water since hazelnut is not my favorite in whiskey. Water brought out some vanilla bean but fresh hazelnut still there. Easy drinking but not my style.

Dark fruit notes at the beginning. Slight maple start on the tongue but quickly moves to toasted marshmallow and caramel but that fades into a nice and complex finish that keeps evolving. A bit sweeter for their pact releases but damn good.

Very soft entry with slight spice at the end. Orange creme brûlée but the ora he was short and faint. Honestly, better than some $100 plus bottles that I’ve had.

Very approachable and not just because of the proof. It enters soft with low spice and a sweet créeme brûlée finish is pleasant.