Tastes
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Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select
Tennessee Whiskey — Tennessee, USA
Reviewed December 19, 2015 (edited December 29, 2019)A nice oaky nose and very unlike No 7 (no banana). The oak profile continues along the palate with cinnamon and vanilla. A nice long dry oaky finish. A few cubes draws the brown sugar out and sweetens the dram. Jack Daniels the way it should be. Enjoyable as a sipper. [85/100][Tasted: 12/19/15] -
Sitting in front of the tree on the unbelievably warm December with some Christmas music playing so figure I might as well be sipping a scotch. The initial wave of aromas starts with tangerine with salted caramel. As it opens, over some fair amount of time, cinnamon notes become apparent. A soft, thin texture on the palate that carries caramel, which quickly fades to a bitter orange rind. A small amount of black pepper begins the finish. The palate is left bitter of the rind, with some cinnamon. The addition of a small amount of water mutes the nose somewhat but doesn't alter the aromas. The sweeter side of the dram is drawn out, pulling the bourbon traits of brown sugar and vanilla. Much better dram with water and is a must. Decent for what it is: a blended, sweet, Dewars scotch. The high review sparked my initial interest, but found myself disappointed as I expected more. 79/100][Opened: 12/13/15; Revisited: 1/2/16]
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Knob Creek Small Batch Bourbon (NAS)
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed December 5, 2015 (edited December 6, 2015)Popcorn initially on the nose with whisps of vanilla. Sweet brown sugar arrival the quickly fades to a drying oak tannins. Leaves the mouth oaky and dry with a hint of cinnamon. A straightforward bourbon that gets the job done. [86/100][Tasted: 12/5/15] -
Glenlivet Nàdurra First Fill Selection
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed December 2, 2015 (edited March 16, 2020)Banana is the dominant note on the nose along with vanilla, the basic bourbon traits. The high ABV makes this hot on arrival. The aromas are realized on the palate. Addition of water is a must. Tames the wild side and increases the sweeter side of the dram. As it opens, it increases in sweetness and fruitiness. Finishes with some oak and black pepper spice. An enjoyable, simple sweet dram, however, a bit on the pricy side. The Nadurra 16 year is better and cheaper, which, in today's market, means it will be replaced by a NAS (Nàdurra First Fill). [Tasted: 12/2/15] -
Laphroaig Select
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed November 22, 2015 (edited December 31, 2019)Dinner with friends and enjoyed beer and wine. Saw this in the stock and ordered one for sipping through good conversation. The peat is immediate and on the sweet side. Some faint fruity notes arrive once the peaty-smoke fades. The body is thin and light and delivers, at first, a light oak that's slightly funky(?), but not off-putting. Finishes on the short side with brown sugar/toffee and oak. I did notice that, over time, since I sipped this slowly all evening, it become a much sweeter and softer dram. Time and patience with this one I think is warranted. A simple enjoyable dram. A decent balance between smokiness and sweetness. [85/100][Tasted @ Mannino's; 11/21/15]Mannino's -
George Dickel No. 12
Tennessee Whiskey — Tennessee, USA
Reviewed October 25, 2015 (edited October 21, 2019)Another quick stint to Maryland to see family. Stopped by Roland's in Chesapeake Beach to pick up a something new to share. This was the bottle of choice. The familiar bourbon nose of corn, brown sugar, vanilla, ground cinnamon and oak char are immediate. As it opens, with a bit of patience, subtle hints of bananas can be found. Oak tannins dominates the palate on arrival. Brown sugar is briefly revealed, segues to a small amount of char and quickly fades back to the dominant and primary oak and cinnamon spice characteristics. Finishes just as it arrives with a with a trace of black pepper. The addition of water/ice tempers the oak and enhances the sweeter side and is preferable. A decent sipping whisky (their spelling) but somewhat safe and static. A better quality, punched up (45% abv), more defined whisky than the Old No. 7.[Dry Glass: Brown sugar and nutmeg][$25][85/100][Opened: 10/24/15; 4/8/16;10/28/16] -
Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea Voyage 3
Bourbon — USA
Reviewed October 15, 2015 (edited August 15, 2018)Watched the Mets defeat the Dodgers and decided to celebrate with this dram. Caramel, apples define the nose, but the aromas are all faint and almost indiscernible. Cherries on the arrival, fairly bright on a soft and silky body. The cherry notes give way to a nutty and autumnal spices; nutmeg, cinnamon. Finishes with a the same spices and some oak tannins. A cube or small amount of water increases the cherry and vanilla notes, morphing more towards brown sugar. A warming whiskey that is suited well for a crisp October fall evening. Enjoyable and warming. #LGM. [86/100][Tasted: 10/15/15 @ Vaughans, Hartford]Vaughan's Public House -
Tullamore D.E.W. 12 Year Special Reserve
Blended — Ireland
Reviewed October 15, 2015 (edited August 15, 2018)Still watching the Mets @ Vaughans and working this dram. The nose is more bourbon traits than Irish whiskey. The arrival is soft; one of the softest drams that I can recall. Rich vanilla-honey sweetness fills the palate. Some oakiness comes through after the sweetness subsides. The mouth is left dry and a skosh spicy; cinnamon and walnuty. Stephanie's review is right on and on par with what I experienced. A lovely, sweet whiskey. #LGM. [88/100][Tasted: 10/15/15 @ Vaughans, Hartford]Vaughan's Public House -
Bushmills 10 Year Single Malt
Single Malt — Ireland
Reviewed October 15, 2015 (edited January 6, 2020)While watching the NY Mets in game 5 vs the Dodgers, ordered a dram to ease the anxiety. Ripe pears, vanilla and banana are the featured aromas. A hint of dried hay are found a bit deeper in the dram. Spicy on arrival in that velvety Bushmills body. That spice subsides and opens to sweetness of brown sugar, honey, milk chocolate whoppers. The flavors do not stay for long and give way to a slightly spicy cinnamon finish. The mouth is left oaky dry and remains on the palate. A good dram that is clean, neat and easy. #LGM. [86/100][Tasted: 10/15/15 @ Vaughans, Hartford]Vaughan's Public House -
Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed October 14, 2015 (edited August 15, 2018)A similar nose the the 15: honey, tea, heather and vanilla; soft and sweet. A hint of dandelion? Like a warm spring April day. A soft arrival, thin and light. The honey notes dominant which then reveals brown sugar. A bit of spicy pepper begins to creep in and becomes the primary remnant on the the palate. Hints of oak and drying tannins are the last notes of flavor on the palate. A good whisky that's easy, not overly complex and enjoyable. Balanced, soft, sweet and dry. [87/100][Tasted: 10/14/15 @ Hartford Hilton]Hilton Hartford
Results 381-390 of 503 Reviews