Tastes

The nose is soft with ripe fruit, peanut, sandalwood, vanilla, mild cinnamon and a touch of butter. It is very soft on the palate, the spiciness only coming out after holding in the mouth for a moment. Buttered bread fills the mouth followed by a serving a ripe fruit, but not enough to overwhelm. Notes of sandalwood and oak hit the very back of the palate and it all comes together in a short to medium finish with a lingering floral rye and buttery creaminess

The nose is smooth with rye spiciness, vanilla, cherry, brown sugar and touches of baking spices such as allspice and nutmeg. It is equally as smooth on the palate and slightly chewy, warming the mouth with oaky rye, followed by the tingling of baking spices with a wonderful mixture of vanilla, brown sugar and cherry following it. The spiciness lingers but holds onto the middle of the palate with creaminess ever so slightly moving to the corners of the mouth.

The nose immediately starts with a generous dose of spice, strong on pepper, cinnamon and some clove. Underneath that is notes of dry oak, vanilla, floral rye and a touch of faint mint. The spice isn't as strong on the palate, balanced nicely by oak, rye, vanilla and a touch of some caramel sweetness. It has a slightly chewy and oil mouthfeel, going nicely to the corners of the mouth. The finish is medium but leaves the mouth tingling with spice, as the oak and vanilla take their time to fade.

The color is a glowing golden color, lighter than what you would imagine for part of this bourbon being 13 years old. It doesn’t hesitate with each swirl to be generous on how much oil it coats the glass in with heavy legs that run down. The nose starts off with cinnamon, black pepper, oak and a touch of sweet molasses. More baking spices such as nutmeg and clove comes out mixed nicely with vanilla with each smell. As it breathes, there is a slight bit of brown sugar and orange oil that comes out. The palate starts with a mouth full of dry oak, baking spices and the vanilla, which tastes a little more cooked than it smells, each perfectly balanced with each other. The spice subsides as you sip on it, leaving you with generous spice, more cinnamon and clove than anything, with some spicy oak and hints of rye. The finish is medium with oaky vanilla that stays in the mouth around mid palate, not quite reaching the corners of the mouth but still very pleasant. The spice takes its time to fade, making for a very enjoyable sipper. The only complaint is that the spice tends to be all you think of as you sip it, overshadowing the rest of its flavors. The aftersniffs are a juxtaposition of sharp Kraft macaroni and cheese mixed with hints of VO5 Max Hold Hairspray.

The color is a very deep and almost dull amber but has a wonderful glow to it. It leaves a thin veil of oil that thoroughly coats the side of the glass as it’s swirled around. The nose starts with a generous helping of oak which is pleasant and not at all overwhelming. Behind it is a build up of well balanced baking spices, vanilla, red apple, earthy rye and a touch of caramel. The palette is dry it rich and fills the mouth full of baking spices alongside enough creamy oaky vanilla to balance it out. The creaminess gives way to smooth notes of rye, brown sugar and almost bready quality making this whiskey chewier with a second sip. The finish is medium long with lingering baking spices and oak while sweet creaminess remains chewy until it fades.

The color is a very deep and almost dark amber, nearly ruby. Despite being such high proof, it doesn’t want to leave behind much oil as you swirl it around. The nose is very gentle and opens with notes of sweet fruit, vanilla and oak. Rye and subtle cinnamon follow behind, very much reminding you of walking into a bakery. The palette is dry and full and fills the mouth with spicy oak, cinnamon, a touch of nutmeg and black pepper. There is a certain creaminess to it behind all the spiciness which rounds out the taste very nicely, with buttery notes of vanilla and fresh bread. The finish is medium long and leaves the mouth feeling nice and spicy with cinnamon, oak, sweet vanilla all fading nicely but perhaps a little too quick.

The nose starts with ripe apples, brown sugar, soft vanilla, sponge cake and soft baking spices. The palate is mildly rich and fills the mouth with a smooth but spicy creaminess that is strong with cinnamon as brown sugar and apples round out the taste. The finish is medium with a lasting baking spiciness while the vanilla creaminess fades. Overall the spiciness leans more towards overwhelming the palate, as the other notes are not strong enough and get drowned out a bit too easily.

This is a private pick by Rochester Elite Barrel Pickers and is finished in oloroso casks. The color is a deep and vibrant amber that leaves strong legs all over the sides of the glass. The nose immediately gives off sweet sherry with bourbon notes of oak, vanilla, brown sugar, baking spices and touches of pepper. The sweetness from the sherry is evident right away which is followed by a wave of spice including cinnamon, pepper and rye. Dry oak and anise comes out along with faint hint of vanilla creaminess. The finish is medium with lingering sherry and spice that fades nicely to oaky undertones.

This same is from 1978 and has a bright gold color that leaves a jagged curtain of oils on the glass. The nose hits you immediately with a bouquet of caramel, vanilla custard, oak, brown sugar and a touch of cinnamon. The palate is very smooth and is heavy on dry oak, balanced by vanilla with touches of cinnamon and black pepper, with caramel and coconut following. The finish is medium with a lingering vanilla cream as the rest of the palate gently fades for a medium finish.

The color is amber but not as vibrant as you would expect in older bourbons. It does have legs that hang on and take their time making their way down the glass. The nose reveals some youth but also gives hints burnt toast, oak, orange zest and a touch of clove. The nose all carries over into the palate with a somewhat rich mouthfeel. The finish has more oak come out but is medium at best.