Tastes

It’s been quite some time since I have done a review. Work and play with a head cold has prevented a concentrated amount of time. But tonight the tasting stars aligned. This is one I have been hearing some good things about. On sale locally, a snagged a bottle and looked forward to tasting. Out of the gate, it’s fruity; grape jam, like Welch’s Grape Jam. Time is much needed to draw out the additional notes as it’s light in initial aromas. Peanut brittle, oranges, almond extract, vanilla work their way through. There a touch of red wine like a Cabernet or Merlot that keeps the grape notes ever present. The arrival is a fruity, sweet, spicy and rich in a dense, creamy, silky body. Plumbs, strawberries with butterscotch, creme brûlée. Ground Cinnamon provides a mild kick mingled with oak spice. Charcoal/barrel char is present and adds the flavor characteristics in a positive way. An almond or walnut nutty quality gently weaves itself within the fruity spiciness. Water is definitely not needed and expectedly dilutes the fullness of the flavors. A subtle woody dryness with the plumby, jammy and orange fruit carry over from the palate; a seamless segue to the finish. The cinnamon tingle stays for a long time and provides a warming sensation deep down. This is full of energy and vibrance. A fruit bowl with some sweetness and a pinch of spice. An extremely easy sipper. Though there is some weight behind this one at 47%, it feels like sipping at 43% or 40%. There is a noticeable Japanese style silkiness to the bourbon and the is a Booker’s baseline quality and flavoring is forefront. The fruitiness is not overblown and balanced, slightly to the side of fruit. Well blended. A enjoyable sweeter sipper that will not disappoint, especially at $30 a bottle. This experiment of East meets west (Suntory/Jim Beam) has proved itself with positive results. [$30][90/100][Tasted: 4/20/19]

I was at a local whiskey tasting event and near the end of the evening, I found myself at the Heaven Hill kiosk. This Henry McKenna was one of the samples. We had some good discussions about the whiskey lineup they were providing and in talking about this pour I mentioned that this is not sold in our area, which they did acknowledge to be true. So, before close, they handed me the 2/3 full bottle of this and Rittenhouse for me to take home. So now I can properly take my time and truly taste (amongst a bunch of other different goodies.) The mash I’ll is comprised of 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% barley all aged for about years. Caramel color which brings with it a nose that is very straight forward sweetness: caramel, corn, vanilla. A damp, mustiness is mixed in with the sweetness; like a old barn on a fall, damp day. Cinnamon notes are lightly apparent. Acetone seeps through as you draw in the aromas. The body is extremely thin. What is delivered is caramel, vanilla and corn. Cinnamon spice starts to appear towards and into the finish. Not much in flavor variety. The finish is oak and spice, vanilla and caramel all lasting for a medium length. This is about as straightforward as a bourbon goes. Affordable as I see it retails for under $20 (more in the $15 range). Sips extremely easy. Simple as simple gets. This is probably geared for mixing than sipping. Easy, simple, enjoyable, approachable. [82/100][Tasted: 3/23/19]

The second day of Irish pours. This newly (re)released spotted series is aged 15 years. A brief background on the colored spots: this was a practice of the Mitchell family which would place a colored spot on the cask to indicate its age. Blue for 8, Green for 10, Yellow for 12 and, of course, Red for 15. The Red has been triple casked in bourbon casks, Spanish sherry butts and Sicilian Marsala wine casks. This is a single pot stilled whiskey that is non-chilled filtered and bottled at 46%. Sounds good so far. Okay, onto better things (the whiskey). This is a shiny, new penny copper color. The nose begins light, fruity and sweet. Apricots, Gala apples, pears and fig jam topped with confectionery-cinnamon crumbs. Some more time brings forth candied walnuts, hazelnuts, vanilla and softened leather. Light oak spice overtones provides a gentle sweetness counter balance. A medium-light mouthfeel delivers sweetness, spice and fruit. Hot & sour sauce with cracked black pepper. Marsala wine notes come through but just enough to detect and not overwhelming. Apricots, orange, dates, plumbs with vanilla. Barley sugar works it’s way towards the finish, which only increases over time. There is a nuttiness of walnuts and almonds. That forward spice on the near initial sip subsides in the mid palate and gains momentum towards the finish. Slight oak drying tannins remain on the palate and burnt whole wheat toast. Barley sugar oscillates to a diminished amount and hints of vanilla are detectable. The flavor does diminish rather quick. However, the soul is warmed deep with red pepper, cinnamon and clove spices and remains warm for a good long length of time. Scotch and Irish whiskies, though share similar origins, are quite different and are often compared as siblings but they really are two different varieties of whiskey. Irish whiskey has, I perceive, a reputation as cheap, quick hit, down the hatch type of whiskey (I am looking at you Jameson) and scotch a sophisticated sipper for sophisticated people. However, there are those Irish whiskies that are meant for sipping and sharing. The Spot series are meant exactly for this purpose. Red Spot provides a solid, balanced, flavorful, sweet and spicy dram that’s sophisticated yet simple. I quite enjoyed this one. Worthy of seeking a pour. If you like Irish whiskies and those qualities, you will not be disappointed. [$99][92/100][Tasted: 3/16/19]

The beginnings of an Irish weekend commences with a pour of this regional neighborhood version of this Caskmates edition. Around 2014, Jameson partnered with Brooklyn micro brewer KelSo Beer Company and finished the Jameson standard with barrels that contained the brewers IPA. Only available in New York for a limited time, I snagged a bottle or two before they became extinct. This was a followup to the Stout Caskmates and may now been replaced by the new IPA Caskmates. The color is a golden copper. It has the Jameson baseline of hay, cereal and vanilla. This nose is a bit brighter with honey, apples, dill and rye. A bit of grapefruit citrus and floral and earthy hops, just enough to know it’s there. The nose is sweet spice, light and inviting. The palate takes on a soft, silky and lightweight body fluid that brings with it a malty-honeyed sweetness. Light citrus with hints of a mild coffee and cocoa. There is a bit of oak spice that appears towards the finish with a slight crescendoing presence of hops. What remains is a bit hoppiness with a caramel sweetness and a touch of cinnamon spice and lasts for a medium short length. For those who imbibe Jameson, this is a step up. It’s mild spicy sweetness makes this more of a sipping Jameson then a shooter or mixer. Quite enjoyable. As the Stout Edition provides nice chocolate notes and smoothness to the Standard, the KelSo IPA provides a nice citric and floral quality, nose through finish. It’s unfortunate that this is no longer produced but I am glad I was able to taste this one. [$37][86/100][Tasted: 3/15/19]

Quick hit: Local whisky tasting in Glen Cairn. Rich, deep sweet nose. Dark chocolate , vanilla, crumb cake and leather. Silky arrival that crescendos from sweet to spice, but restrained. Baking spices of Cinnamon, nutmeg with vanilla, wood spice. A soft tingly finish that’s slightly drying. Vanilla, tea and honey with hints of orange bitters. [Tasted: 3/6/19]

Quick hit: Local whisky tasting in Glen Cairn. Soft Sweet fruity nose. Plumbs, blueberry or black cherry, Butterscotch , caramel. Gentle sweet arrival that immediately turns cinnamon spicy. A flash of red hots that settles down to ground cinnamon. Then turns sweet with vanilla, apples, pears and honey. Tingly long but the sweet flavors fade fast. Vanilla, oak spice. [Tasted: 3/6/19]

Another crazy week. A few days in Tampa, flight delays (and then again not...), a whisky tasting midweek, work and more work and now some down time with a bonus sample from @Telex for the tasting group. A pale amber color similar to watered down apple juice. A soft vanilla-confectionary sugar sweetness blended with a mineral quality like the interior side of clam or oyster shells. Orchard fruits dipped in orange marmalade sprinkled with nutmeg and clove. Some sulphur notes gives a slight funk to the overall nose. Odd nose yet sweet and inviting. A spicy sweetness starts the palate. First sweet which fades rather quick and becomes spicy, crescendoing. Vanilla, caramel and honey sweet; cinnamon and white pepper spice. Apples, pears and apricots provide, obviously, the fruity side and the sherry influence all reveal itself in due time and towards the finish. All these flavors are packaged in a medium-light body. A slightly dry wooden finish with some orange bitterness and cinnamon. A warming sensation deep down is ultimately provided and lasts and lingers for a good length. Initially, this came across quite ordinary. The nose sweet and funky made it difficult to pin down; intriguing or off putting? The palate sweet, spicy and fruity not clearly defined. However, time is the stabilizer. With time, the nose becomes softer, the palate better balanced with a weighted sweetness. It becomes a fine dram; slightly complex with an easy spicy sweetness. [88/100][Tasted: 3/8/19]

I started this on the previous Saturday afternoon in the Catskills. A no agenda day continuing with a bourbon weekend. Foo Fighters in the background. Just laughs, food, drink and fun. But either I needed to concentrate more as I couldn’t discern or identify the aromas and flavors accurately or a week of oxidation was needed to draw or strengthen the characteristics of the bourbon. Bottle-Batch 18-32 which is a reddish amber. Similar in color to birch beer. The initial alcohol fumes are quite potent and need time to dissipate. Oaken brown sugar sweetness, charred marshmallows, Karo corn syrup and leather. There is a sweetness of vanilla cream with maraschino cherries and cola. A cinnamon and rye spiciness counters the sweetness. All of these collective aromas are somewhat subdued and light. On a medium light body comes, initially, a soft vanilla sweetness that fades into a peppery, tingly cinnamon and wood spice. Butterscotch, oak, cola, sweetness all fairly sweetly balanced. A bit of water softens the nose and, obviously, dilutes the bourbon. Water, strips some character. The finish is medium long and dry. Tangerine or orange bitters with charred oak and all warms the soul. I was expecting more on the initial tasting. More richness, more depth, more flavors. Nicely backed by 50% ABV but sips like it’s 43%. However, a good dose of aeration and time improves the dram as this is what it needs to broaden and concentrate and define itself. A quality nose which lacks a broader palate. A decent bourbon overall. It’s brethren, Noah’s Mill, is what this aspires to be. This is a good everyday sipper at an affordable price. [$38][87/100][Tasted: 2/17/19; 2/22/19]

Escaped surburbia to upstate New York with some old dear friends at their getaway home. He is a JD No. 7 drinker and bleeds this Tennessee whiskey. I broaden his Jack vocabulary every now and then. The JD rye. Now Red Dog. I too was curious about this as it’s seems to be relatively positive. From the Crayola catalog of colors, this pours to the color of Burnt Sienna. Of course, as expected, the signature Jack Daniels banana nose begins the nose. Rye notes intermingle; banana-rye bread. Dill, pickle brine with a touch of nutmeg. A steady cinnamon brown sugar sweetness hovers in the background stabilizes and maintains a consistency. Vanilla cream, apple crumb pie, pine cones or saw dust (or some soft wood) and peanut brittle. A nice, busy nose the needs time for these aromas to expose themselves. A medium weight body that brings with it a spicy sweetness. Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves (your standard baking spices) with vanilla cream soda. As it draws towards the finish, some charcoal flavor pulls forward with a black pepper tingle. A slightly wood drying finish, again, with vanilla and caramel. This all lasts for a medium length of time. A solid offering from Jack Daniels. It’s not a deep thinker but a good social sipper. Maybe this should be the standard? The beefed up alcohol at 43% provides some strength and backing. A good nose, a simple middle offering and a medium finish. A good, simple sipping bourbon. [85/100][Tasted: 2/15/19][$39]

A rare pour that @LeeEvolved provided for our virtual tour of Scotland via actual scotch. Lee’s review provides a good overview of the distillery. A good pour to start a much needed three day weekend. A sit back on the couch, a crack of the sample into the Glencairn... A vibrant amber color which is enticing. Immediate notes of rich sherry. Walnuts, raisins and figs. There is a wooden quality that lingers in the depths. More fruits seek their way through. Syrupy cherries, like Luxardo cherries, and apples. Sweetness is all about but not over saturated. Dark brown sugar and dark chocolate which is tempered by a pinch of ground cinnamon and nutmeg. Considering the rich nose, the palate is quite thin in feel, lighter than water. An initial sweetness of caramel or butterscotch. The sweetness quickly fades and turns to baking spices: cinnamon and nutmeg. Drying oak begin to root as it fades into the finish. The palate remains dry and oaken with vanilla bean and an earthy quality. The dryness ultimately wins out and remains for a fair length. The nose so promising and quite drawing, one of the better nosed whiskies, unfortunately is unable to fulfill itself in any embodiment. There is no weight or depth which makes this somewhat disappointing, in that you want more from it than it can actually deliver. What flavors are discernible are pleasing and enjoyable. Thanks @LeeEvolved for the experience. [84/100][Tasted: 2/15/19]