Tastes

Punches above its weight, but not worth top shelf prices. In a blind tasting, I think this scores as a pleasant cheese and crackers sort of bourbon. It’s sweet and light with a little spice and heat. Probably would make a nice cocktail mixer but I’m drinking neat tonight. Nose: honey crackers or cheerios. I can smell the fumes. Palate: sweet. Honey crackers. A bit of vanilla and oak. Spicy red hots / cinnamon finish. Definitely cinnamon. Not very complex… or maybe I’ve had too much to drink. This is not as full bodied and rich as it’s secondary price would have you believe. But it’s a hell of a pour if you can score a bottle for under $30.

I just finished a glass of Eagle Rare 10 and wanted to compare it to another buffalo trace bourbon. This is more of a comparison. Blanton's is much sweeter, more vanilla and less harsh. It is smoother and less full bodied. Its dripping in honey. Not as bold or spicy or full bodied as eagle rare. I taste some hints of oak. Syrupy. Definite hints of cherry on the nose, not so much in the taste. Its a great pour and I can see why its so highly sought after (besides just having a cool bottle).

Worth all the hype! For me, it's the best value on the market if you can find at MSRP. Nose: sweet caramel. oak wood spice. honey. Luxardo cherry. Palate: Bold. Love the oily mouthfeel. Dark syrupy sweetness with hints of oak. It's richer and thicker than most bourbons at this price range. Dark fruit like maybe cherry? There is definitely some heat but its certainly not harsh. Most of rich flavor is gone with a hot finish.

Nearly perfect. It’s a special pour. It warms me up and leaves me wanting more. It’s rich and almost creamy and hot. It feels like a serious bourbon for people who love bourbon. Nose: Caramel. Cherry. Rich. Wood. Fills my nostrils with power. It’s strong. Palate: Rich and full bodied. Sweet caramel. Dark fruit. Burnt wood. Oily mouthfeel that I love. It’s pretty hot but it hurts good. Lingering balanced burn. This is just the perfect balance of heat and sweet. It’s so rich and stormy! Great value!!

This is a nice scotch. It’s warm and so smooth with just enough flavor and complexity to keep it interesting. Nose: fruit. Rich. I definitely smell the wood. Sweet with some spice. Palate: I can hold this in my mouth like wine and it just glides around graciously. It’s not until the finish that I can sense any heat at all. There’s a white wine woodsy taste with some citrus and I guess I’m tasting the rum. I like that it’s medium oily in my mouth. I can enjoy this at any time. I think this will be a crowd pleaser. Not terribly complex but well balanced and really tasty.

Lacking complexity made up for with drinkability. Low proof. My guess is it’s best enjoyed outside with friends. Nose: flat coke, light wood, lemon wine, sweet tea. Light smoke. Palate: wet, lingering feel with muted taste. Wood with a touch of smoke- like a wet cigarette. Hints of lemon but not fresh lemon more like cleaning supply. Not a ton going on. Simple and smooth scotch. The age on this seems to make it pretty well rounded and easy to drink. But I’m guessing it’s not worth asking price (I was gifted this bottle and wouldn’t purchase again).

This is extremely solid sweet bourbon. Nothing complex. A little burn and some spice. Vanilla and oak. Absolutely my go-to cocktail bourbon when I want a delicious old fashioned or cocktail bourbon. It’s good enough to sip but I’d rather mix. I can usually find this at a grocery store for less than $30.

Candy sweet. Like Pepsi compared to Coke. Confectionary. Candy fruit. Butterscotch cake. Slight vanilla and hint of oak. Easy to sip. I imagine it makes a delicious old fashioned.

This is the best bourbon I’ve ever had. Full stop. It’s not really close. Oily mouthfeel. I love it. Rich and creamy. Sweet and caramels with hint of wood. Not cheap candy sweetness but bold rich chocolate covered cherry sweetness. Rich. Lush. Lingering with perfect balance. I know it’s high proof because my gums are tingling but in a good way. It hurts so good. Immensely drinkable for the high proof. It leaves me feeling warm inside like my mouth got a hug. This is a special treasure that I always want to drink but I don’t want drink because it’s so valuable. Really a special pour. If you can buy for under $200 do not hesitate! If you don’t have any on your shelf it’s worth paying up to $250 maybe. Wow. Tasting anything after this just feels like a cheap imitation letdown.

A new friend. Wish this could be a daily drinker. I’ve had EHT SmB before and loved it instantly- I finally got ahold of this SiB bottle. It is very comparable to Blantons original to be honest. I don’t know if I can put my bottle above SmB or justify the price increase but this is worth every penny of MSRP and instant purchase under $100. Nose: light wood. Fruit tea. Cherry peel. Toasted apple. Palate: fruity cherry. Woodsy oak. Almost floral. Light. Sweet. Hints of spice. Orange flavored wood on 2nd taste. Dry wood taste. Finish: wet finish. We’ll balanced and lingering. A little bit of spice. Will enjoy the bottle on special occasions and share with friends.