Tastes

The favorite Fusion that i’ve tasted, and I got 3 bottles. It’s more grain forward than i usually like, but there is so much else going on—brown sugar, baking spice, a bit of pepper on the finish—that the grain is still in good balance. It’s a really good < 100 proof pour.

Received as a gift. I have Heist, which is okay, more compelling than most young < 100 proof bourbons, actually. But though i’ve heard some good things, the expectations were modest for this. They are exceeded. It more than held its own in a blind with Pursuit United and a very good 3 Chord single barrel. Really good classic aged MGP notes—brown sugar, cinnamon, oak, some pepper spice on the finish. Nothing earth shaking, but a lovely pour!

For < $50 US this is a great value and has become my everyday Scotch. It is not at all challenging but has a touch of smoke and complexity that elevates it above the classic Highlands (Glenlivet, Glenfiddich) IMO. And I don’t know, YMMV, but it’s just particularly tasty and appealing for me at this price point.

Bought at Ardbeg distillery on Islay. I had no interest in BBQ because it sounded unpleasant tbh, but our guide gave me a taste of it and Heavy Vapours side by side. HV was good, BBQ was fantastic. Rich, meaty, smoky, sweet … it echoes a great grilled steak but still retains the character of an Ardbeg Scotch. I see this making next winter much more enjoyable.

The neck pour had serious spice. Like cayenne pepper on the finish kind of spice. A little air balances it—the spice is still there, and strong, but the brown sugar/vanilla notes of good bourbon become more prominent. If “smooth” is your jam it’s not likely to be in your wheelhouse, but I’m a rye fan, so this is really appealing for me. I’ve enjoyed Barrell finished ryes (Dovetail, Seagrass) before, but this will get me looking for their bourbon batches too.

Toured Lux Row and had a good tasting at the end. The barrel samples they gave us in the rickhouse were fantastic, and I’ve since gotten Ezra Brooks and Rebel SiB picks at 120 proof that I love. Nothing in the regular tasting impressed me as much, but I did like this (French oak) at least as much as the 12-year that’s almost 4x the price and bought a bottle to bring with me. Air helps, and it’s now among my favorite sub-100 proof sippers, with lovely sweet caramel and oak flavors and a nice burst of spice on the finish.

Have had a bottle for a while now, and it’s just fantastic. Definitely the favorite bourbon I now own, and among the best I’ve ever tasted. Powerful but silky on the palate, classic bourbon flavors of brown sugar and baking spices, amazing and long finish. I lucked into it for MSRP at a local shop and will likely never do that again so I’ve only had bar pours of other batches, but if memory serves this holds its own against those too.

Solid whiskey with a nice blend of peppery spice and sweet corn notes. There’s an ashy/mineral accent on the finish that’s a little bit of a detractor, but it’s enjoyable overall. Not a wow, but a step up from most everyday-level pours.

Store pick in VT, 60% Madeira, 20% Sauternes, 20% Port. The palate is not as sweet as expected from the nose, but in a good way, as the sweet barrel finish notes combine nicely with the rye spice. The finish is long and warm for the proof as well. There’s nothing wrong with this bottle, it’s just that I enjoy the 10 year about as much for a fair bit less money.

Lovely stuff, with toasty marshmallow notes dripping overtop solid bourbon flavors. Its character is rather sweet, and there is no missing the toasted barrel—it jumps out in a blind tasting, and I’ve never called it wrong. Kind of a mood pour, but if I’m looking for something rich and sweet, it’s high on the list.