Tastes

Peerless sb is one of my bourbon problem children. I love the sweet early palate and the spice on the finish when on its own, but in tastings the finish turns ashy and it doesn’t do as well as expected. But overall it’s quite good and I’d give it a higher score if it cost somewhat less.

Specifically IBN Dame to Drink For. One of my favorite SiBs so far. Sweet, spicy, long finish, rich mouthfeel … what’s not to like? One of the happiest surprises I’ve had in bourbon so far.

Liquid cashmere. Silky smooth, plush, mouth filling with classic sweet rye spice and a hint of menthol. Not overly complex but hedonistic. I love it at times, the way I love classical music when my nerves are frayed. That said, for the price point I would prefer a more forceful palate—an eye-opening experience rather than a mellow vibe, as it were.

I’m a 4 Roses fan, but the Single Barrel was one I’d somehow missed. Too bad, because it’s now my favorite of the core lineup. It’s a little thin up front, but the mid palate explodes with spice, and the finish is just exceptional for a 100 proof bourbon. It’s not sweet, but there’s just enough brown sugar on the palate to balance the spice. I was disappointed by the Small Batch Select, but this works well as my go-to 4 Roses now.

A wild ride. Sweet fruit (cherry? pear?) yields to smoke and spice, with a drying charcoal note leading into a fruity, smoky finish. It takes a few sips to acclimate, but once you do, it’s very enjoyable. It offers more complexity than the usual Ardbegs, and it’s more accessible. It is a mood thing, but in the right context Blaaack is a great dram.

When I first opened this, I liked it fine but felt it wasn’t fantastic given its price and hoopla. So it sat through the fall, then I returned to it for a tasting. Holy cow did it improve! Its somewhat subdued, savory palate has exploded into a burst of honey and ginger and heather, a great highland Scotch turned up to 11. In addition to being much sweeter than it was before, it carries the high proof better, and it doesn’t have the smoke accent that came in on the finish. I love Islay peat, don’t get me wrong, but it was an off note here. If I have the chance I’ll definitely grab another bottle.

A really solid ECBP that carries its super-high proof very well. This one has more oak and savory spice than most, and those flavors dominate the finish. I gravitate toward a slightly sweeter profile, but if you like complexity and spice, this won’t disappoint.

I like a sweeter profile, and this brings the butterscotch. Big, brawny, spicy but sweet, this checks a lot of boxes. It’s a proof monster but hides it well (unlike the A120) while retaining a long, warming finish and KY hug. A hedonistic delight.

I like A120 but it has finished last in my ECBP tastings of recent batches. The alcohol just smacks you full in the face up front, making it difficult to fully appreciate the other, really quite appealing, flavors. The finish is a nice mix of butterscotch and baking spice, but when I go back for more, whack, the alcohol is dominant again. I like my bourbon neat, but the next step is to see if water helps calm it down.