Tastes

This made me want a Reuben sandwich, so it's definitely a good rye whiskey. The nose is rye bread, lemon, brown sugar and herbs. The palate matches, but as you chew on it a bit the brown sugar notes become more prominent. Finally, the oak makes an appearance at the end. Not overpowering, but a nice and welcomed addition. The finish is a lovely, rye, brown sugar and oak mix. Definitely enjoyed.

Barell 88, bottle 147, proof 108. On the nose it has solvent, candied covered milk chocolate (think m&ms), dusty corn, candied cherry, a hint of honey, and some cardboard. I enjoyed the nose once I got past the solvent smell. The palate was a let down. Astringent alcohol and fairly simple. It did not live up to the nose. The finish was basically non-existent. It is a young whiskey, and may have a bit of heads and gone too deep into the tails. Still, I enjoyed the nose immensely!! Then again I love m&ms.

I like this whiskey, it's not shy or smooth. It grabs you by the collar and smacks you around a bit. The 1920 is the Old Forester standard release's big brother. Definitely in the same family, very sweet, but bolder and more dynamic. You don't so much drink this whiskey as chew it. Highly recommended.

This is a decent rye made from a mash bill of 33% corn 53% rye and 14% malted barley. You can really taste the rye, without the all too common pickle taste. It's not a complex whiskey and not the most interesting straight sipper. On the other hand it makes a great Old Fashioned or Manhattan. It's not a bad whiskey to have in your home bar.

If there was ever a dessert whiskey this is it. Picture peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream. This is a malt whisky and not. It has nuances of a single malt as well as a bourbon. It has a nice sweet finish. It is not complex but could make something nice to have with your after dinner coffee.

I'll start off by saying this is an awesome blend, very well balanced, with complex flavors, but nothing overpowers. It is a playful whisky. The nose is honey and heather, mixed with black pepper, cloves and cinnamon. This continues on the palate, but it is all supported by a lovely undertone of vanilla cream, in the end clove and cinnamon chocolate caramel arrives on the tongue and continues through the finish, which lingers. I think this is great anytime but would be perfect for Christmas. The price is how much it costs in Sweden.

First sniff screams wheated bourbon, not surprisingly in the same ballpark as Weller 12 yo. Same mash bill as Weller and Maker's, goes into the barrels at 114 proof (57% ABV). Interestingly, back in the 1950s both Stitzel-Weller and Maker's went in to the barrel at a very low 103 proof (51.75 ABV), which was lower than the industry norm at the time of either 110 (55% ABV) or 115 (57.5% ABV) proof. The nose is pleasantly sweet, with caramel candies, baked apples and milk chocolate. Not a bad combination. It is not astringent On the palate there is a creamy smooth texture, some strawberry enters the scene, a hint of bubble gum (baseball card type), yummy apple cake, caramel and at the end a very pleasant shortbread cookie taste that lingers on the tongue. It is nice, not spicy, sweet, but not overly so. Although, it is just on the verge of being too sweet. The finish is nice, no burn, a slight minty fresh feeling, with some pastry topped with sugar icing. Again just short of being too sweet. A very nice whiskey, may not be for those who like spicy, less sweet, offerings. I like it slightly better than the Weller 12yo. It seems slightly more approachable.

Bought this on a whim. This is a young looking and tasting whisky but still manages to be pretty smooth and silky. The complexity is there with chocolate, vanilla, honey, floral and a hint of salt on the nose. Some apricot joins on the palate and at the back end a hint of peaty smoke. Very nice mouth feel, creamy. The finish is less interesting, floral and honey. Overall a very nice whiskey, would definitely buy again. Sometimes a whim pays off.

I'm not a huge fan of the standard Maker's Mark. It's too astringent and a one note wonder. On the other hand, Maker's 46 is delightful, much of the astringency is gone and replaced by an intriguing spiciness. It still retains the sweetness found in wheated bourbons, making this a fun whiskey that's easy to drink.