Tastes

Got a sample from The Rotgut Review of YouTube Tasting a flight of 10, beastie, Super Nova, & Traigh Bhan. Nose is light. After 10 and beastie, the peat is not as strong. bacon. smoked ham. Palate is peaty, tarry, and just delicious. Finish at the higher proof brings the heat.

Great new addition to the Ardbeg lineup.

One of my favorites. A staple in my liquor cabinet. Tasting as a flight of 10, Wee Beastie, 2019 Super Nova, and Traigh Bhan Batch 2 Obviously peat on the nose, with a light pear. Mouthfeel is oily and wonderful. Palate is that lovely campfire peat an easy sipping. Great staple.

Nose of bananas, some oak Palate spice, oak, finish hot with banana cream and dark fruits.

I was not a fan of Old No. 7. However, everyone kept telling me to give the upper tier bottles a chance. I had the opportunity today with a smoke from a good whiskey buddy This has a nice rich golden color with great legs. The mouthfeel is rich and oily On the nose I get Oak and a buttery sweetness. It's not quite a caramel or toffee but along those lines.. The palate is sweet caramelized sugars. You get a hint of that classic JD banana flavor. The finish is where the banana flavor shines. The finish is long and complex. I really like this over basic JD. So if like me, Old No.7 isn't your thing, give this a shot. P.S. The high alcohol has my lips numb. 😂

Day 30 of #30daysofbourbon for the #30daybourbonchallenge #bhm Benchmark Full Proof 62.5% ABV Buffalo Trace Distillery Mashbill #1 Low Rye (<10%) It only seemed right to end this year's journey with Bemchmark Full Proof for me. I bought Bemchmark #8 as am impulse buy for the journey and discovered I really liked it. I also love my high proof bourbons. This seemed like the perfect combination. Before I move on to the last tasting for this month, I want to thank everyone who has come along with me this month. You all made this so enjoyable by interacting with the posts. So many of you offered me samples to ensure I succeed in completing the journey. Honestly. this was a spur of the moment thing that O decided to start on 9/1 and see how far I could get. I wasn't sure I'd be able to get it to 30 days. Yet here we are. I want to send a heartfelt thanks to Matt Allen for being so generous with the samples, Brent Sherri Ross and Matthew Carver for being willing to add to the samples if needed, The Rotgut Review for the ER, and Ben Jalowiec for sharing a pour. The many friends I've made over the last 2 years are what make the bourbon so much better. Cheers🥃 Now on the final tasting of 2020 BHM Nose: Caramel and spice abound. I smell a green note as well. It's not quite grass or hay. Maybe a little like a green apple. I swear after the 1st sip I am getting root beer. Not straight but a sweet root beer. Palate: Wow, that was different. Oak, and something else. I just can't place it. I like it. Finish. There's no mistaking this is a HP whiskey. It gives you a nice KY hug but its not horrible.

Day 29 of #30daysofbourbon for the #30daybourbonchallenge #bhm Backbone Bourbon Uncut 56 2% ABV 75% Corn 25% Rye 5% Barley Today is the last sample provided my Matt Allen for the BHM. This is distilled in Lawrenceburg IN and bottled in Bardstown KY. I am so excited to be opening this sample finally. Nose is oak, some spice. Decent amount of ethanol on the nose. vanilla and caramel. Palate is sweet with some oak and spice. Finish. The upper proof hits you 1st with that awesome KY hug that stays around a while. You can taste this one for quite a few minutes after. This one leaves a coating in your mouth. It's here to stay for little while. 4/5

pretty light nose. I hate allergies as my nose is somewhat blown tonight. As the review states, this has a decent amount of spice for a wheated bourbon. oak. Finish is medium with some lingering spice and leather.

Day 25 of #30daysofbourbon for the #30daybourbonchallenge #bhm New Riff SiB 4 yo straight bourbon 53.5% ABV A new whiskey friend Matt Allen graciously shared a sample of the latest barrel pick from Miami Valley Water of Life. Everyone has been bragging about this pick. I was so thrilled to get to sample this one. I took one sniff of the nose and new I liked, no loved, this pick. Nose: caramel, spice, vanilla. Ethanol Palate: oak, spice, something else I can't put my finger on. I like it though. 🙃 Finish: Strong KY hug from the higher proof. The flavour lingers on your tongue. This is an great bourbon. I'm truly glad I saved a little for a second pour. I regret I didn't get a bottle. 4/5

Day 27 of #30daysofbourbon for the #30daybourbonchallenge #bhm Russel's Reserve SiB Basment #7 Barrel Pick 55% ABV Today is another whiskey sample brought to you by the amazing Matt Allen who graciously shared a sample of this SiB group pick of Russel's Reserve with me. I am a huge Wild Turkey fan an love the 101 and Rare Breed expressions. I wasn't as impressed with the Russel's Reserve 10 yo. However, I was also pretty young in my whiskey journey when I purchased that one. Great legs and mouthfeel. golden in color. Nose: Oak, caramel, brown sugar Palate: Spice, honey, a little oak, Finish: Coffe, leather. This is an excellent bourbon. If you ever come across this pick, be sure to buy or take a sip. 4.5/5