Tastes

The nose is presented with cereal and yeast notes, like rising bread. Light and sweet. Arrives on the palate lightly bodied. Strong oak prescence with strong drying tannins. Eventually leaves the mouth dry with white pepper. Overall, an average dram. The addition of water may be needed to open this up more. [82/100][Tasted: Whiskey on the Hudson 2015]

Pleasantly surprised by this one. An inviting nose of fresh and warm banana nut bread with brown sugar. The enticing nose leads to a sip and fills the mouth with brown sugar, fruits (apples/pears) and cereal. Finishes, again, sweet and traces of fresh mint. This was my favorite of the evening. Look forward to adding to the collection. [$60][87/100][Tasted: Whiskey on the Hudson 2015]

A faint aroma of banana and brown sugar. As with the nose, the palate is sweet with hints of caramel. Light an easy. A short finishes. Rather enjoyable. Not overly complex. [84/100][Tasted: Whiskey on the Hudson 2015]

With the family, out of state, I purchased a bottle with the intention grabbing a "cheap" whiskey. Decided on this at $13. Noses with caramel, corn and a light whiff of banana. The mouth feel is creamy with an initial blast of brown sugar. The sweetness fades quickly and gives way to oak and the drying tannins. The flavors don't last very long and leave the mouth oaky with black pepper and cinnamon. Sweetens up and is better over a cube or two of ice. This is a touch of the Single Barrel, like a sneak preview. A decent whiskey at a ridiculously low price. In my opinion, better than JD at half the cost. [82/100][Opened: 8/22/15]

At the Rod 'n Reel and decided to order a dram. As described, honey-amber color with a fruity nose with straw, banana and toasted coconut. Arrives extremely soft and gentle and then opens nicely to spice and sweetness. The sweetness of creme brûlée with a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg. The palate remains soft throughout, never thinning while holding all the the flavors. As the dram finishes, a slight amount of bitterness, oak and spice remain and hang around for quite some time. Overall, an easy soft and sweet dram that is balanced very well. Not overly complicated and enjoyable. [87/100][Tasted: 8/22/15]

Sipping a bit listening to a band across the canal at the Rod 'n Reel in Chesapeake Beach. A light and fruity nose with hints of vanilla and brown sugar. Soft palate that arrives sweet. Brown sugar profile carries over. Walnuts or pecan notes arrive but leave as quickly as they came. The palate is left with a small amount of oak, white pepper and traces of sugar and leaves the mouth slightly bitter. Overall, an easy, simple blend. Straight forward, safe and unadventurous. [81/100][Tasted: 8/22/15]

The green and yellow bottle immediately brought to mind the Green Bay Packers. On nosing, Elmer's glue and banana are dominant, however, not very strong. Black pepper, oak and creamy butter make their way onto the palate. Finishes with hints of corn and oak. This is a bit unique and slightly funky. Not as bold as the Packers. More like a college frat house football team: not exciting stuff but definitely cheap ($13). [78/100][Tasted: 8/12/15]

Faint notes of nutmeg, cloves and molasses. Each of the aromas become heightened as the dram breathes and the rye notes arrive. A light body delivers a black pepper spice. Brown sugar flashes in and out, sweetening the palate. Upon the finish, the rye tones begin to dominate the palate and ultimately leaves the mouth full of black pepper, rye, cinnamon and oak. While in Nashville, I thoroughly enjoyed this in an Old Fashioned at Kayne Prime Steakhouse and will use this as my cocktail rye of choice. I am finding myself enjoying the Whiskeys of the Heaven Hill family and their price point; high quality delivered and an extremely fair price. [$25][88/100][Opened: 10/4/15]

Orange, toffee are the primary aromas. The palate discerns pineapple, cinnamon and black pepper. Finishes with a hint of mint, like toothpaste. Decent, probably, for a mixer, however, I was not overly impressed. [81/100][Tasted: 8/12/15]

The nose is light and almost indistinct. When it opens up, banana bread and vanilla/toffee can eventually be drawn. The palate, as I seem to realizing with the Heaven Hill line, is smooth and soft. The wheat can be found with a sweet arrival. A nice strong oak finish fading with cinnamon. [83/100][Tasted: 8/12/15]