Tastes

I walked into my local liquor store for a simple peruse with no (real) expectations of a purchase. Of course I couldn’t resist purchasing this new bottle. It was OESK or OBSF. It could only be one. I will have to circle back for the other at another time. But this purchase is OESK. N: A fragrant opening. Halloween tricks and treats in a glass. Candy Corn, Hershey milk chocolate, caramel apples, waxy Nik L Nips. There is a bit of earthiness that grounds the sweet treats. Straw grass, petrichor and ginger root. P: Unlike the sweet nose, on the draw, the palate begins to tingle with pins and needles. When the zings subsides, baking spices, well balanced, of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg mixed with orange zest, caramel, vanilla sweet cream. Given time, the dram becomes sweeter and softer while the body remains medium dense and viscous. F: A soft, woody finish with a touch milk chocolate, Irish tea, toasted coconut and a dusting of cinnamon spice. The melange finish sticks around and caps the crescendo of aromas and flavors. O: As with any (good) spirit, time is the friend. This OESK blend, on the palate, starts slightly coarse and spicy. As time progresses, the bouncing, chaotic qualities begin to align and the spirit finds itself and becomes a refined, balanced, easy sipper. From the opening to the finish, an enjoyable ride. [$50][88/100][Tasted: 4/11/25]

Browsing the liquor recently and saw this sitting on the bottom shelf. I have read generally positive reviews over the years and have been intrigued, but never actually pulled the trigger on purchasing, until now. At 114 proof and under $30 the only question to be answered is this a quality pour? N: Ethanol vapors initially cloud the aromas. As it dissipates, what a sweet nose comes through. Candy corns, Karo corn syrup, vanilla, aged leather and peanut brittle. As nose that has similar qualities to Old Tub. P: A medium full body with some teeth. Tobacco leaves, cola, the same Candy Corns carrying over from the nose, cinnamon, ginger root and rye. All the flavors are bold, punchy and bright. W: Much sweeter with a good dose of water. A toothless caramel and vanilla sipper without the earthy spice. F: A solid woody finish, earthy, leather, spicy hot, prickly and long. A finish that lasts long and deep. A trait that makes a whiskey a rewarding and is often lacking in many. O: Surprisingly crisp. This sips as a mid-tier bourbon that carries rich and flavorful flavors. The sweet nose steers you in on direction while the spicy palate take you on another path. With the spicy qualities, and strong punch, this has the qualities of a mixer. And this all comes at an extremely affordable price. A surprisingly good bourbon. [86/100][[$30][Tasted: 2/28/25]

Rye whiskey has always intrigued me. The spicy, earthy qualities I find more interesting and satisfying. Having the JD Straight Rye which was relatively good (and I believe discontinued) and reasonably priced, the next progression was the Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye. The SBBP Bourbon is excellent so naturally thinking, I have similar expectations. This release is bottled at a beefy 65.55% abv. Barrel #: 24-02519 Barrel House: 1-09 Bottling Date: 3-11-24 N: A greeting on the nose sweet, spicy and earthy. Light brown sugar, vanilla on the sweeter side. Pumpernickel, cinnamon on the spicy side. Leather and petrichor ground the sweet and spice. Deep in the recesses is the JD banana profile. P: After Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Proof Rye (2024 Release) Rye whiskey has always intrigued me. The spicy, earthy qualities I find more interesting and satisfying. Having the JD Straight Rye which was relatively good (and I believe discontinued) and reasonably priced, the next progression was the Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye. The SBBP Bourbon is excellent so naturally thinking, I have similar expectations. This release is bottled at a beefy 65.55% abv. N: A greeting on the nose sweet, spicy and earthy. Light brown sugar, vanilla on the sweeter side. Pumpernickel, cinnamon on the spicy side. Leather and petrichor ground the sweet and spice. Deep in the recesses is the JD banana profile. P: After getting past the anesthetic sip, and the palate acclimated you can begin to taste the flavors. Cola, caramel, cinnamon, vanilla all blended. Chewy. Towards the finish, the rye side comes forward, with barrel char F: Pins and needle’s tongue that fades towards a long, bitter finish. Wood char, cola, cloves with a tinge of spearmint. W: A good dose of water definitely softens the dram. However, the character, the spice and earthiness are diminished. O: This is a solid sipping rye. This sips closer to a bourbon than a rye. Sweeter than grainy. A touch of water definitely softens the experience. A solid nose with an enjoyable and approachable palate with a good, long lasting finish. Add in more rye spice and baking spice and this would be very solid. Would work well in an old fashioned or maybe even a Manhattan. But a good sipper. Comparatively, the Straight Rye I found to be a better mixer. [88/100][Tasted: 2/21/25] getting past the anesthetic sip, and the palate acclimated you can begin to taste the flavors. Cola, caramel, cinnamon, vanilla all blended. Chewy. Towards the finish, the rye side comes forward, with barrel char F: Pins and needle’s tongue that fades towards a long, bitter finish. Wood char, cola, cloves with a tinge of spearmint. W: A good dose of water definitely softens the dram. However, the character, the spice and earthiness are diminished. O: This is a solid sipping rye. This sips closer to a bourbon than a rye. Sweeter than grainy. A touch of water definitely softens the experience. A solid nose with an enjoyable and approachable palate with a good, long lasting finish. Add in more rye spice and baking spice and this would be very solid. Would work well in an old fashioned or maybe even a Manhattan. But a good sipper. Comparatively, the Straight Rye I found to be a better mixer. [88/100][Tasted: 2/21/25]

I received this as a gift. I have seen this on the shelves but it was never on my ‘buy it now’ list. One of the fancier bottles that have seen. This one has an enigma to me. I have not heard or read much of this Willett and I never happened to or come across or tasted prior to tonight. A quiet opportunity finds me and a pour (or two) to mull over. N: A gentle greeting upon the nose of light sweetness, floral and earthiness. Candy corn, honeysuckle, vanilla all encased in oak. P: The body is thin. A mouthful of honey and caramel sweetness tempered by mild peppery spice. There are small hints of lemon and strawberries that adds to the sweetness bowl. F: Inverse to the starting and mid palate flavors, the finish is delicately spicy. Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and pumpernickel. The vanilla and honey remnants keep the spice in check. O: Stowed in a Genie bottle, the liquid inside keeps metamorphosing. The aromas on the nose are few but bright. Changing on the palate, the transformation from sweetness to spiciness begins. More tangible and qualities are realized. Then at last a full spicy and long lasting finish is realized. The strongest part of this bourbon is born. This is an easy and approachable whiskey. Simple. The lack of overall complexity keeps this from being a first reach. But the finish does keep this one a strong pour and what I feel makes a good whiskey and great whiskey: the finish. Enjoyable. [87/100][Tasted: 1/24/25]

A last minute weekend purchase from family. With a few pours under my belt and not much left in the bottle means a proper tasting has to occur. N: A gentle oaken vanilla greets the nose. Slowly opening, slowly creeping out, caramel aromas, worn leather, blended pumpernickel and baking spices; allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg. Creeping out eventually are small wisps of maraschino cherries. P: Gently spicy on arrival. There are no strong or vibrant flavors. A gentle blend of caramel vanilla, lemon oil, oak, black pepper, maple syrup. Balanced where no one flavor dominates. F: The finish is shorter than desired. Wood spice, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon. Slightly drying on the palate when all fades away. O: A very approachable, inoffensive, enjoyable bourbon. It’s not flashy, but it’s rich and balanced. The vanilla, maple syrup with spices are blended well. Comparable to Buffalo Trace or a less spicy Eagle Rare. Shareable, affordable, enjoyable. [88/100][Tasted: 1/5/25]

There was a time when you would get a Highland Park 12, 15, 18, 21 or 25. Then came the whole Nordic marketing and the shift from age statements. The dizzying and muddled campaign steered them away from what they do best. This hopefully is a step back to what they do best. A quality, flavorful whisky with straightforward objective: good, straightforward scotch. This release is backed by at a full throttle 64.1% Abv. So it will be coming on strong. N: A sherry forward nose that brings with it raisins, plums, figs encased in petrichor; damp leaves and earth. Charred S’Mores burning over a fire pit. The ethanol vapors continue throughout but they don’t detract from the nose. In some sense, it reenforces the strength of this bottling. P: With its muscle, the tongue is desensitized and becomes tingly. Once the needles subside, the sherry influence encases the palate with raisins and cinnamon, dark chocolate, black pepper, salted peanuts. F: A long finish that leaves some soot and ash, oak, walnuts, a caramel. Sweet and savory. W: Of course water takes the edginess and rounds the sharpness. However the character of the dram is lost. Approachable and strengthening or enhancing the sherry influence. O: A balanced but forceful whisky. The flavor is unabashedly in your face and doesn’t care. The flavor is deep and rich. The earthy sweetness is unique. The sherry sweetness flavor balances the savory side. Water scales it back somewhat. Add in small amounts diluting is necessary. Slightly pricy comparatively to the standard HP12 but in a degree of justification, you are getting a concentrated version. If this had a slightly increases flavor profile, it would be in the upper tier of whisky. A tasty pour without the marketing flash that HP had gone through a few years ago. The way it should be. [90/100] [$99][Tasted: 12/28/24]

I have been on a light search for this whiskey since its initial release. By happenstance wandering into my local liquor store I discovered a few bottles on the shelf. New Riff has always intrigued me and has generally been a satisfying pour. The unique mash bill of malted and raw oats with chocolate malt seems just darn unique. Reminiscent of Corsair Distillery that would mash Quinoa and other non-standard grains (they are not as available as they once were, gone off the grid). Similarly, they created Oatrage. This mash bill consists 65% corn, 20% malted oats, 7% pale ale oats, 5% steel cut oats and 3% chocolate malt. N: Soft milk chocolate aroma is initially present. Time presents other aromas of oatmeal, stout beer, root beer and vanilla. Nice and gentle with no harsh elements P: A bit of zesty youth with a mild tingling sensation. Light and thin, earthy and sweet flavors. A winter breakfast. Butterscotch and maple syrup over oatmeal with walnuts with a sprinkle of spicy cinnamon (Red Hots). F: A warming finish with the cinnamon, charred oak and dark chocolate finish which last a good length of time. O: Pleasant is the best description for this whiskey. It’s not flashy or deep in aroma or flavor. But what it presents is enjoyable. The finish quite lengthy and the warming sensation on a cool night makes it that much enjoyable. If it had a bit more depth and dimension it would be a greater (winter) whiskey. [85/100][$59][Tasted: 12/5/24]

World Series opener. Yankees v Dodgers. I have worked this prior to about half a bottle. Now is the perfect time to sit back and ponder this pour. This is my first Larceny purchase and been quite impressed. This is bottled at 124.2 Abv. N: Upon first nosing, what is presented is full and deep while not overpowered by ethanol, considering the high proof. Butterscotch, candy corns, oak and baking spices (nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, cloves) that are all well balanced. Full visions of autumn. Time exposes the sweeter aromas revealing peanut brittle with trace amounts of floral and Strawberry Quick (for those old enough to remember). P: A medium dense palate where the tongue is immediately anesthetized. Once the numbness quickly diminishes, those baking spices coats the mouth. The aromas are embodied on the palate. Deep amounts of cinnamon, almost Red Hots-like, with added flavors of milk chocolate, cola, and, oddly, soft Bavarian pretzels. W: With a healthy dose of water, the palate thins out and the richness of the flavors are muted, but they do remain. Water just allows this to become the same sipper with minimal tingle. F: A finish that lasts an eternity. Oak-soaked caramel that dries the palate. Peanut brittle and cinnamon take it to an end, if it even has an end. I nice little Kentucky hug keeps the soul smiling. N O: This is a full powered, full flavored bourbon. It does not disappoint. The fact you can grab this for $65 makes this a must have. I have often looked Larceny grabbing the likes of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, Barrel or a Bookers. This is in the same league. This is preferable without water, in smaller doses. Water just allows you to take on more of the bourbon without losing much. [$65][94/100][Tasted: 10/25/2024]

A hectic summer prevented me from sitting down and doing tastings, but not from imbibing. I finally found a moment to pull a sample and just chill. I randomly grabbed this sample and thought to give it a go. N: Light and fruity sweetness greets the nose. Ripened pineapples, pears, white grape juice create a fruit basket of aromas. Marshmallows, vanilla wafers and vanilla custard, malty chocolates (Whoppers), Rice Krispy treats provide the sweetness. Sprinkle in a bit of trail dust which adds some earthiness. P: Orchard fruits of pears, peaches and apples, apricots and cranberries touch the palate first. With a light cinnamon and oaky tinge, much of the nose is embodied: Vanilla custard, milk chocolate, marshmallows. F: A wonderful lengthy finish of oak and the three baking spices of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. The tinge encompasses the palate keeping it alive. O: This is a solid Irish Whiskey with much about to take in (and I am sure there are more aromas and flavors that I can sense but can’t pinpoint). The quality casks add depth, variety and a delicate and balanced influence. A solid and seemingly very mature 12 year Irish Whiskey. Thank you @soonershrink for the great sample. [90/100][Tasted: 8/30/24]

Treated to a generous sample, I was looking forward to this tasting. My first Ardnahoe. Not sure of what to expect. Throw on a movie and take it for a ride. N: Sweet peat. Muscular yet approachable. A very inviting nose. A touch of salinity with the phenols always conjures images of a beach bonfire. Butterscotch, orange rinds, lemon drops, black tea and, believe it or not, eucalyptus. A very eclectic aroma mix. P: The body is thin. Thinner than you would expect given the hearty nose. Fruity and spicy. The sherry notes is the first flavor that you encounter. Somewhat akin to Glendronach. The phenols coat the palate. But with it, an apple orchard, leather, cherries, demerura sugar, nougat and milk chocolate ( think 3 Musketeers bar). These flavors don’t all come out at once. Time and patience are rewarded. F: At the end of it all, the palate is left sooty, tarry, vanilla-d. Cigar and caramel remain forever. A nice long finish. W: Water sweetens the dram. I am unsure if it improves the dram or not. It does help open the nose, however. O: @PBMichiganWolverine best describe this: “Think if Ledaig and Balvenie had a child”. Spot on analogy. This has all the right elements and balance to make it a wonderful pour. More impressively, this is only five years young but sips as a very mature whisky. This is worthy of a spot in the cabinet if you find it. Thank you again @PBMichiganWolverine [94/100][Tasted: 6/7/24]