Tastes
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A few weeks ago, I put together a whiskey tasting. To expose some of some of the friends who usually just stick with their bourbon, I figured, being close to St. Patrick’s Day, I would expose them to Irish whiskey; something other than the green bottle Jameson. Since this was in Whiskey Advocate’s Top 20 whiskeys of the year, number 16 to be exact, I grabbed a bottle as the price was moderately priced. Along with Jameson Black, Redbreast, Green Spot, Teeling Single Grain and Glendalough 13, I presented what are affordable, good quality Irish Whiskey. The hopes that next time they enter a, liquor store, in hand would be an Irish cousin that would formerly be overlooked. A triple wood Irish whisky. Aged in Oloroso and Bourbon casks and finished in Marsala casks. When initially nosed, it comes across similar to an airy bourbon. Hints of vanilla and honey. A slight walnut nuttiness. Time improves the nose allowing wax and butterscotch notes to manifest. Thin and delicately spicy and mildly sweet. Bartlett pears drizzled with honey and pickled ginger. Black tea and figs provide some bitter sweetness. Oddly, white grapes with white pepper develops towards the end of life the palate zing the tongue with pins and needles before the is finally consumed. A slightly drying finish of wood, grapes, milk chocolate and lemon zest that’s short and clean. OThe Bushmills I have in the past have have been typically sweet and silky. This breaks that mold as it’s spicy and thin. Not that that is a bad thing. It’s just different. If it was part of a bourbon tasting I suspect that most would be surprised that this was an Irish whiskey. Sips young to the likes of a 5 or 8 year old. Sprite and zesty than mellow. A nice sipper. However, if being compared to Redbreast or Green Spot, I would be inclined to grab either one of those before the Bushmills 12. Would like to see this priced around $10 less. [$55][85/100][Tasted: 4/7/23]55.0 USD per Bottle
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Amador Double Barrel Bourbon Chardonnay Barrel Finish
Bourbon — USA
Reviewed March 11, 2023 (edited May 7, 2023)Batch: 2 Bottled: 1/2022 Case: 3687 A mash bill that consists of 65% corn, 20% wheat, and 15% barley My son grabbed a bottle of this and of course was now naturally curious. Tasted over a few pours on different days. One that I would normally overlook. But since it’s in my purview, I might as well try. Faint and restrained nose. Floral, vanilla, brown sugar, and honey begin on nosing. Within that floral faintness, a light woody cedar incense (ala smoke punks) aroma is detectable. Hints of cinnamon apple linger. Even more faintly are the the white grape skins and white wine. With a creamy mouth, a sweetness coats the palate. Breaking it down, vanilla, light brown sugar, cola, white pepper, pickled ginger and a touch of oaken tannins which provides a delicate dry sweetness slightly offset by a mild spiciness. A drying woody finish with the lingering vanilla and brown sugar sweetness that linger for a fair length. A straightforward, easy sipping, bourbon. Though finished in Chardonnay barrels, the wine influence is just barely detectable. Does it influence the bourbon? Just slightly, if at all. But overall, a decent, sipper that’s enjoyable, inoffensive and affordable. [85/100][Tasted: 3/10/23] -
Balcones Texas Single Malt
American Single Malt — Texas, USA
Reviewed February 26, 2023 (edited August 24, 2023)On a quick weekend trip to Florida, a backpack of clothes and necessities to carry on and off the plane. I wound up meeting up with a friend nearby for a lunch and a quick catchup on life. Well, in the same plaza of the restaurant is a Total Wine. After a fun catchup, like a moth to a light, I was drawn in. Alas, I cannot bring anything thing back with me on the plane; I only have a backpack. Peruse the sample and for $7 grabbed the Texas Single Malt and at 53% abv, this feels like a sensible purchase. Sitting down for the evening, I crack this open. The color of natural maple syrup brownish-amber. Dark Karo Syrup strikes the nose, molasses-like. Wafts of chocolate malt (I.e. Ovaltine), golden currants, cinnamon-sugar, nutmeg and pecans. There is a fragrant sweet note of butterscotch cream and brine that surrounds and encapsulates all earthy notes. Quite unique. The body coats the palate delivering spice and sweetness. Caramel, root beer, cinnamon, baking spices, ginger, fig/Fig Newtons, maple syrup, oak, dark chocolate and oak tannins. This is a hodgepodge of unique and differentiating flavors all packed in a burst of boldness. The flavors seem to never fade and palate stays coated in an oily thickness. Maple syrup and oak wood just linger and await the next sip. Red hot cinnamon tingle the tongue. Unique is not a description I have used often, if at all, when tasting. From nose to finish. Dirty, bold, brawny. I can picture tumbleweed rolling past me as I sip on this. You may need to be wearing a Stetson, boots, spurs and chaps while sipping. A fun one for sure and will and to snag a full bottle for the collection. [88/100][Tasted: 2/26/23] -
Four Roses Small Batch Select Bourbon
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed January 23, 2023 (edited March 4, 2023)I picked up a sample bottle at a TW while checking out. A perfect way to try before you buy. However, with Four Roses, buying is often a no-brainer, in my opinion, as they create quality whiskeys and often at a reasonable price. Chocolate powder, like Nestle Quick, opens on the nose. It brings me back to childhood days. Oaken sawdust, Karo corn syrup and vanilla. A subtle earthiness of worn leather , mint leaves and cinnamon deepens the nose. A creamy and viscous arrival delivering a balanced spicy sweetness. Peanut brittle, caramel, maraschino cherries, dark chocolate, toasted marshmallows and vanilla mixed in with cinnamon, white pepper and red pepper flakes. Chocolate sauce coats the palate that slips into wood spices, cherries and cool mint. The flavors and sensation infinitely lasts. Another splendid bourbon from Four Roses. The balance of sweet and spice is spot on. With the abv at 52%, it sips at 46% and seems capable as an all evening sipper. No water necessary, but only if preferred. Four Roses is producing quality bourbon. Grab a bottle, any bottle, Blind-Man’s-Bluff style and you will have a great pour. [89/100][Tasted: 1/21/23] -
I picked this up for my routined Christmas Eve dinner Old Fashioneds. Since it was finished in Vermont maple syrup barrels, we (my son and me) thought it may be an fun experiment. I was discussing that when in doubt for a simple sugar, maple syrup can work. And it has in the past and has blended nicely with Wild Turkey. This is bottled at a respectable 46% abv. This was reviewed as a sipper. A winter-esque vision comes to mind when first nosing. Walking through a pine forest on a gentle, snowy morning with saw dust, spearmint, rye, dill, pumpernickel and vanilla. Arrival is a sweet spiciness with wood tannins. Maple syrup undercurrents that pushes white pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla, lemon zest The palate is left woody with a maple syrup coating over the palate. Ultimately, the palate is left with a tinge and tickle of black pepper. Rye is a finicky beast. Or maybe more definitive. An good, balanced rye can keep you entertained just on a nose. The palate can leaving searching and tasting flavors for days. But most, in my opinion, are mediocre, uninspiring for singly dimensioned. This falls under n the mediocre, unfortunately. The nose is decent, but you sense there should be more. The palate brings in the primers of spice of sweetness, but stops there. You are wanting and expecting additional flavors, but none other arrive. If you want to knock one back with simplicity and a bit of vibrancy, this is fine. As a mixer, it holds its own and and has the subtle sweetness, spice and punch to make a respectable cocktail. But for the price, it’s better to spend on a Pikesville. On a side note, years ago, I had a pour of the Hudson Maple, the previous incarnation, and recollect that as a syrupy, rich maple sweetness. This newer , repackaged version is a shadow of it’s former self. [84/100][$53][Tasted: 1/13/23]53.0 USD per Bottle
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Chartreuse Green Liqueur
Herbal/Spice Liqueurs — France
Reviewed December 31, 2022 (edited January 17, 2023)I read @cascode review and and just had to try for myself. The unique coloring, the mystery of ingredients and mostly someone’s and different. This all seems a perfect analogy to a new year. I tasted over several pours over several days. To the best I could uncover, expose and experience. A pale green, artificial looking color similar to the color of sour apple Jolly Rancher. If judging a nose by it’s appearance, then you would most like guess correctly the aromas. Earthy and minty. Fresh mowed lawn clippings and spearmint, basil, oregano, pine needles, fennel, thyme, oranges with cloves all awaking the nose. Cinnamon and nutmeg add a bit of earthy spiciness. This is unlike any other combined aroma I have previously nosed. Antiseptic yet captivating. The palate is quite unique as well. It arrives viscous, oily and dense. Spiciness of white pepper is coated on the tongue from the slick fluid. From there, it turns delicately sweet with herbaceous. Take a simple, white sugar syrup and blend in thyme, basil or pesto, fennel, spearmint, rosemary, pickled ginger, cinnamon. There are other flavors that I cannot fully extract. The complexity of flavors is far beyond what the palate can isolate and detect. What could be detected feels like just a fraction of what’s there. Like and iceberg (as we all know the analogy) there is much more below the surface. The palate remains oily and tingly with the white pepper, syrup, spearmint and pesto sauce. Fortunately this remains for an essential eternity, and rewardingly so. Not sure what else to say. This is unique, refreshing, satisfying, cleansing, aromatic and tasty. I haven’t used that many adjectives together to describe a single spirit that I have tasted. Perfect compliment as a digestif. But just as much for the simple enjoyment. Worth the price of admission. [$56][96/100][Tasted: 12/21/22]56.0 USD per Bottle -
Bardstown Bourbon Co. Château de Laubade Armagnac Finish
Bourbon — Indiana (bottled in Kentucky), USA
Reviewed December 18, 2022 (edited March 4, 2023)Finally starting to slow things down. New digs. New locale. The holidays racing forward. But now a bit of downtime. Amongst the disarray of boxes, I found the sample provided by @pkingmartin. In a bourbon-y mood, this seems to fit this evenings mood. As this settles in the glass, that lovely aroma of leather-bound books that are a tinge musty awakens the senses. And that aroma just stays as the other aromas swim through. Baking spices make up some of those additional aromas. Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger snap cookies. Cigar tobacco and then the fruits: Maraschino cherries, lemon and orange zests blend with the baking and oak spice. A sort of liquid Christmas. The spirit arrives rich, thick and syrupy. Subtly sweet counterbalanced with those aforementioned baking and wood spices. A Caramel and toffee swirl with cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger and black pepper (allspice essentially). The pepper spice crescendos, but as it ramps up in strength, bitter dark chocolate, like the 95% cocoa chocolate comes forward with dates and figs. Added in is charcoal and cigar ash which all work there way towards the finish. The finish is long lasting and and enjoyable. The oak and wood char coat and stick. Caramel, spearmint, cherries, apples, pears and the bitter dark chocolate. There are bourbons, the eveydayer’s that most are quite familiar. We mix and enjoy. Then there are bourbons the are we stumble upon or are given a sample and are blown away. This falls into that latter category. An exceptional bourbon that is bold, balanced, flavorful and aromatic with a long lasting finish. Thanks to @pkingmartin for sharing. A lovely pour. Cheers! [95/100][Tasted: 12/17/22] -
An opportune moment arises for some time for a tasting. I picked up a bottle of H/Hine for Thanksgiving and have been sipping some here and there. Tonight finds time to sip and contemplate this pour (on the anniversary of John Lennon’ unfortunate and untimely passing - big Beatles fan) An initial nosing reveals touches of Raisin Bran cereal dusted with ground cinnamon. As it opens, caramel, apricots and white grapes fruitiness coupled with honeysuckle and lemon zest. A lovely fruity and floral nose. The mouthfeel is thin and watery. Surprising for a rich nose. Wood, cinnamon and white pepper spices keep the palate spry; a effervescent sensation. The sweet fruitiness works it’s way forward with that of apricots, apples with a touch of confectionery sugar. All this is delicate and light. But the flavors all seem to blend well. The finish with medium to short in length. That effervescent sensation carries through. Lemon zest, white pepper with spearmint leave the palate crisp and fresh. An easy sipping cognac. It’s summery light and fruity. I could see this mixing with cloud soda for that summer, poolside refresher, like White Claw (H-Claw?). My exposure to Cognac is small and looking to seek more experiences. This is quite acceptable and will not burn your wallet. [84/100][$57][Tasted: 12/8/22]57.0 USD per Bottle
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High West Double Rye
Rye — (bottled in) Utah, USA
Reviewed December 4, 2022 (edited January 20, 2023)I picked this up as a cheap alternative to my standard Rittenhouse mixer. Stir the pot and senses. At $25, if the experiment goes sideways, it’s not with significant damage to the wallet. To quote an 80’s movie (I will leave you guessing at which 80’s movie), “Sometimes you have to say what the f***”!” An almost corn-based aroma with a touch of dill, pumpernickel, rye, vanilla, clove and nutmeg. The nose senses these aromas as if they were diluted. Upon first sip, a small wave of black pepper, cinnamon tingles the palate followed by a soft vanilla and caramel sweetness. Woody dryness slight tempers the sweetness. As it fades, spearmint infused wood lightly coates the palate with a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg. The finish is medium short and just like that it’s over. An average rye. Nothing that blows your skirt up. As a mixer, it didn’t quite wow me either in an old fashioned or Manhattan. Quote ordinary cocktail mixer. However, it is an affordable purchase. But all things being equal, the same dollar is better spent on Rittenhouse or Sazerac. Not sure I would repurchase. But, was a painless experiment. [82/100][$26][Tasted: 12/3/22]26.0 USD per Bottle -
Charleston Distilling Co. Crosstown Rye Finished In Wine Barrels
Rye — Charleston, SC, USA
Reviewed November 27, 2022 (edited December 8, 2022)So, I figured I would jump right into some local culture. Looking for a rye for a Manhattan or Old Fashioned mixer while sipping from a local distillery (and the wife liked the bottle for the eventual decorative lights in a bottle), I picked this up. This particular rye, per the label, is “100% rye whiskey made with Scottish yeast and finished in Syrah wine barrel.” Additionally, it’s bottled and 90% abv. All promising. The color is a rich amber with a light purple hue. It opens with a sweet grape wine, dill-infused nose. Pumpernickel and raisin, maple syrup bread with wisps of vanilla and milk chocolate. A sweet nose, surprisingly so for a rye. The body is extremely thin. Expectations from nose, one would envision a rich and heavy palate. The sweet grape jam greets you but then segues into black pepper spice with vanilla, caramel. All along the the palate, the grape jam has enough presence all along the ride of the peppery-sweetness, right to the finish. The grape sweetness stays throughout. Oak dryness, not overtly. The first time any wood quality is introduced followed by a small bite of the black pepper. This is on the cusp of being a quality dram. The wine finish of Syrah adds a pleasant sweetness. Comparatively, has qualities similar to Sagamore Port Finish or High West A Midwinters Night Dram. A tall order. However, this is not exactly in the same league. AA vs the Majors. As a sipper, it’s fine. As a mixer, it may work best in a Manhattan because of the wine finishing. However, for the price, there are better and cheaper options out there. [84/100][$55][Tasted: 11/25/22]55.0 USD per Bottle
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