Tastes

Something funky and basic that was slightly offputting.

Oh boy - I’m finally tasting this polarizing and highly regarded blended rye. Initial thoughts: it’s hot! It’s sweet. It opens up after a couple minutes. Layers of complexity but a big bright bold punch in the nose right up front. Nose: fruity hay. Bright with a little spice. Palate: medium bodied grainy and oily. Orange fruit. My first taste just vaporized in my mouth and left behind a boozy fruity sheen that didn’t last long. Second sip adds complexity and more varied fruit sweetness. I’ll come back to this one and rate again. Just one pour hits hard. This one isn’t shy about its proof.

Store pick from Bob’s Liquors in Lake City, WA. I love Woodinville Straight Rye; it’s one of my favorites. The straight bourbon is excellent maybe not exceptional. I couldn’t pass up a cask strength private selection from WWC. I let this one rest for about 15 mins in a whisky glass before indulging. Nose: candy caramel apple. Hints of oak. Palate: great mouthfeel. Heavy / rich sweet red fruit. More apple. Didn’t get any chocolate like the tasting notes suggest on my first drink. Pleasant bitter burn to finish. I love the extra flavor of the cask strength. Much richer and more interesting than the straight bourbon. 2-3 drops of water mellows it out a little and brings out more apple notes.

A new "cocktail" I invented featuring Minor Case Straight Rye: "The Deluxardo" - 2.5 oz. Minor Case Straight Rye - 2-3 dashes orange bitters - 1 Luxardo cherry Serve over a very large ice cube. I killed my nearly full bottle of Minor Case drinking this with 2 other buddies last night. The Deluxardo pairs nicely with cigars, fire pits, and competitive axe throwing and wood chopping. Minor Case is a great pour served neat as well, but something about the Luxardo cherry and orange bitters really elevated this for me. They complemented the rye's sweet spiciness really well.

Simple goodness. Nose: cracker, sweet and light Palate: rich full sweetness like a moist bread cake. I’m going to have to revisit because I’m getting over a cold. I enjoyed it but didn’t taste the complexity of the 8 different SiB recipes. I did taste good pleasant bourbon though, so that’s a win.

This is a grand pour. Deeply rich and satisfying. Nose: caramel. Baking spice. Richness. Palate: full bodied. overwhelming richness. It’s got notes of caramel. Some spice. Love the oily viscous mouthfeel. Tremendous. The finish lasts forever. So good.

This is extremely unique. Miles different than the standard Westland offerings, but in a good way. This was a r/bourbon pick and my first bottle purchased from the program. I received one of 283 bottles. It was aged 6 years in a sherry cask. I can’t get over the strong smell and taste of chocolate covered almonds dipped in sugar. It’s all I can think about. It reminds me of a highland scotch. Nose: chocolate covered almonds with sugar. Dried fruit. Crackers. Pungent. Palate: nice medium oily mouthfeel with long linger. same chocolate nutty sugar notes as nose. Slightly astringent. Dry fruit. Raisins. Finish with a pleasant burn. Not too different from nose. A few drops of water doesn’t unlock any new flavors just makes it a bit smoother. I really like this pour but I think it may not be for everyone. It’s interesting and worth appreciating but it’s definitely different.

Quite enjoyable. It’s not as transcendent as the previous bottling, but still worthy of a spot on the shelf. Equally smooth, but less complex. Nose: orange pepper and spice. Fresh wood. Palate: moist pound cake. Baking spices. Ground pepper. Hints of fruit and honey. Slightly floral. Definitely drinks like a rye. Anyone who drinks this will enjoy it. There’s no need to be critical! It’s a little too pricey to use in a cocktail (every day) but I bet it would make an unbelievable old fashioned on a special occasion!

Complex and balanced. Oak forward. Not a beginner whiskey but has become a go-to favorite for a certain mood. It’s more earthy than sweet. Woodsy. Nose: fruity and earthy. Tangerine and apple plus wet oak. Palate: charred oak, oily mouthfeel that I really like (but not overwhelming). Leather. Tobacco. Not too sweet. Hints of musty band-aid but in a good way. Don’t taste the fruit that I smelled. Exceedingly drinkable. I really like it!

A perfect daily drinker. If only it was easier to obtain. Full bodied and sweet with just the right amount of heat. Dark fruit and molasses. Honey. Oak. The right texture and lingering taste on my tongue. Terrific we’ll-rounded dram.