Tastes

Bought this some time ago and finally giving it a try. This is an interesting and complex whiskey, with balanced smoke, spice and sweet. There is a slight sherry sulpher taste, but I like that. Although there are layers of flavor this is a highly accessible malt that will appeal to the more educated palate, but not over power those new to the blended malt arena. Visit our distillery website - https://www.printzhofwhiskey.com

This is a Buffalo Trace wheated bourbon that is 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley. The same mash bill as Maker’s Mark. The founder of Maker’s Mark, Bill Samuels Sr got the mash bill from Julian P. “Pappy” Van Winkle S. That’s right the man “that” whiskey is named for. In fact, this is the same whiskey as in most of the “Pappy” Van Winkle line, just different barrel management. Nose: Caramel, vanilla, buttered popcorn and a hint of chocolate. It’s not my favorite whiskey fragrance. Taste: On the other hand, the taste is great, sweet, cotton candy, cherries, oak, caramel and vanilla. No real spice to speak of, typical of a wheated bourbon. Easy to sip and enjoy, not terribly complicated, but smooth. Finish: Reasonably long and sweet, a lot of cherry and some milk chocolate. Later there is some honey. Really very nice. This is a very good whiskey that will be enjoyable for those new to whiskey as well as aficionados. I recommend getting one for your home bar, if you can find a bottle. It is not a “poor man’s” Pappy, but it is a well put together whiskey.

On the first sniff you know this is a Heaven Hill product, in the same family as Evan Williams Black Label and Heaven Hill 6-year Bottle in Bond, but better. The nose is fresh and sweet, ever so sliightly grassy, with some cinnamon, oak and a hint of green grape. The palate is herbal and slightly spicy, a bit of oak, there is also carmel and vanilla. The mouth feel could be better, it feels a bit thin. It might be improved if the % ABV was higher, something similar to Four Roses Single Barrel at 50% ABV would be great. The finish is medium, but not that exciting. All and all not bad for the price, but not the most exciting single barrel available. I give it a 3.5 out of 5. I suggest finding a place that offers this by the ounce and try it before buying.

This one of my favourite whiskeys, and tonight I'm trying the steroid enhanced version. This is a single barrel store pick from Liquor Barn in Danville, Kentucky - barrel #6373. The nose is rye bread, peanuts and vanilla. The mash bill is not the highest percentage rye available, but my feeling is the sweetness from the corn actually helps to highlight the spices from the rye. The palate is full of vanilla, caramel, oak and a mixture of lovely spices. The single barrel is more intense, possibly due to the higher proof, 115 instead of the normal 100. A great and very affordable whiskey. Complex enough to be interesting. Unlike many higher percentage rye offerings there is no pickle juice flavor. If you find a single barrel pick, buy it.

An extremely good whiskey for the price. The bottling I'm trying was picked by Master Distiller Brent Elliott and was only available at the distillery. It is a lovely chocolate covered cherry bomb. Very little oak, but some nice toffee notes. Not a complex offering but very enjoyable.

I decided to give Bulleit Rye a try, another Drinks by the Dram. This is available in Sweden, but I thought I would try a sample before buying a bottle. The feeling from nose to finish was ..Meh. It is sweeter than I expect from an all rye mash bill. I think the whiskey is sourced from MGP. There is some spice notes on the palate, a bit of vanilla and cinnamon. Mostly I get a taste similar to Canadian dusties, a lot of pancake and maple syrup. The finish was short and sweet. For the price point 339 SEK (~40 USD) it's fine. I probably won't buy a bottle.

Another Drinks by the Dram bourbon. This is still available in the UK, though my understanding is the 12 yo has been replaced with a NAS product. This was a well balanced whisky not overpowered by sweet or spicy notes. There was a oakiness about it, but not overpowering. It had the typical bourbon notes on the nose, carmel, vanilla and oak. On the palate those carried through but there was also cinnamon and allspice. There was a lovely punsch taste that I really like. The finish was nice, with more punsch flavor, then finished with sweet tobacco and a bit of leather.

Kicked off Bourbon Heritage Month with Eagle Rare 10 yo. No particular reason, it was just next in line. This was a Drink by the Drams sampler, as Eagle Rare, like most bourbons, is not sold in Sweden. Seriously, the bourbon and rye selection is pitiful. The nose was oak and banana pancakes with maple syrup. The palate was the same but with more spices, including cinnamon and all spice, with some salt and white pepper. The finish was medium long with some sweet tobacco and leather. Very nice everyday sipper.

Tried this last night with a friend. I was dubious about the prospect, I'd read good and not so good reviews about this bourbon. It has a mash bill of 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley, and is aged between 6-7 years (for now). This all shows up in the flavor profile, and I agree with Rob Morton on almost everything. The nose is sweet, with some oak and a hint of wood stain , but the stain smell was not off putting for me. The palate was orange, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon (definitely can taste the rye notes), it also had a hint of red cherry licorice. I didn't find the finish astringent, there was a long lingering burnt orange taste. For the price point this is a decent bourbon. Bottled at 45.2 ABV , definitely enjoyed it. Oh, and so did my friend, a lot.

Soon it is September and Bourbon Heritage Month To celebrate this month I start a tad early with Buffalo Trace Bourbon. A lot of people have gone through the flavor profile so I'll just concur that it is very sweet, but I have a huge sweet tooth so I don't mind. It is not a deep complex whiskey, but hey it's only 369 SEK (~$45 USD), which is inexpensive. It's a great everyday sipper and doesn't pretend to be more. If you like bourbon and cocktails it's a must have for your whiskey cabinet, shelf, box, or wherever you keep your hooch. I give it a solid 4 because I like it and it didn't break the bank. Cheers. If ya go to Kentucky for Bourbon fest, drop by my mom's place, she always has cake. 😀