Tastes

Buchanan's De Luxe 12-Year has a deep golden, clear appearance, with noticeable & noble alcohol legs. The aroma is mild, yet pungent, with wax, peat smoke, a citrus peel. There is, perhaps, also an almond oil aspect. The flavor is of smoky, waxy, peat; orange pith, mild chocolate, barley bread, and a spicy finish. Mouthfeel is medium, and Buchanan's De Luxe 12-Year finishes with a slow, but not sloppy, fade. RJT

I noticed the appearance to be deep honey amber, with little fence board alcohol legs, all lined up. The aroma is of mellow nectar, spearmint, candied dry fruits, and a touch of wood. Taste is of soft wood flavor, a whisper of char, some mint, flowers, and sugar. This is very mellow and mild (as per the tasting notes, on the label). The finish is of a moderate and gradual fade, but it's not lingering and cloying. The 8-year aging seems to bring out the best of the whiskies, blended in this one. I think it's what a bourbon hater will love and what a bourbon lover will hate. It's a jewel, in my booklet. I'm sad that it's going away. RJT

Wild Turkey Bourbon (Wild Turkey 81) has a medium-to-dark amber appearance and typical alcohol legs. Aroma is of fairly heavy wood & char, with heavier bee's wax and dried flower scents. Taste is weaker in the char & wood area, relative to the aroma, and there are lots of sweet, light-brown sugars, caramel, wax, and pepper. Mouthfeel is light to medium, and Wild Turkey Bourbon finishes with a relatively quick drop. RJT

Kessler has a chestnut color. Aroma is of caramel, candy sugar, wood, and nut oil. Maybe, florals, too. Taste is of those elements, with a very strong wood flavor. Some nectar. Mouthfeel is high medium, and Kessler had a moderate finish. RJT

Redemption High Rye has a lighter amber appearance, with thin alcohol sheeting (not legs). Aroma is of peppery spice and light generalized whiskey aroma, with some bee's wax & honeycomb. Taste is of spiced whiskey, with more spearmint than rye, from my reckoning. Honey and dried flowers show up, too. Mouthfeel is medium, and Redemption High Rye finishes with a quick drop, although there is an underlying pepper rye linger. A bourbon, aged "no less than one year"? Odd. This new bottle design (2016) has a cork stopper cap and a Bulleit-style medicine bottle. RJT

Ten High has an amber appearance, which was darker than I expected. The aroma is of wood, char, caramel, dried flowers, and a touch of dry, candied fruit. Taste is of charred wood (stronger than expected), dried fruit, a bit of light brown sugar, some straight alcohol, and some corn. Mouthfeel is somewhat heavy, and Ten High does linger, in the finish, but it's not cloying. A good deal for $9.99 for a 750 ml bottle.

Early Times has a gold-amber appearance. Aroma is of sweet & light caramel. Also, the drinker will pick up some faint wood. Taste is of mild, charred wood, sweet caramel, alcohol, and a background charred wood. Mouthfeel is medium, and Early Times had a moderate fade. Aside from using used barrels, this is bourbon, essentially (in its presentation). A good value-priced item. RJT

Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 has an amber appearance, with drippy alcohol legs. The aroma is of a noticeable nectar, light brown sugar smell, with background char. Taste is of charred wood, a touch of vanilla, dried flowers, and some grain alcohol. Mouthfeel is medium, and Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 does linger around a bit. Not a quick drop, here. RJT

Old Grand-Dad has a fairly light, golden appearance, with faint alcohol legs. Aroma is of mellow charred wood and rye spice. Taste is of light vanilla, some bees' wax, strong rye spice, mild caramel and dried flowers. Mouthfeel is relatively light, and Old Grand-Dad finishes snappy, with little linger. RJT

Jim Beam has a standard, yellow amber appearance and alcohol legs. Aroma is of char, green wood, dried flowers, and moss. Taste is similar, with almost a cellar mold aspect. Caramel, nectar, dried flowers, candied fruit cake fruit, vanilla, sweet corn, and charred oak also show up, here. Mouthfeel is light to medium, and Jim Beam finishes smooth. RJT