Tastes
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As someone who grew up in Texas, what I remember of the Alamo is mostly Davey Crockett's coonskin cap and Pee-wee Herman's bicycle. We'll see if there's anything worth remembering about this Alamo. Christmas gift from a friend. Never heard of the brand before. The nose is pleasant, taffy candy, vanilla, roasted corn, apple. The palate is a little thin, but the flavors are good. Vanilla, light caramel corn, slight barrel char, maybe the mildest of subtle fruit. Actually surprised there's nothing really off here. It's more like a Kentucky bourbon profile than what I'd expect out of Texas. I'd even go as far to say it's not far off from Buffalo Trace. So much so, I'm going to go ahead and side-by-side them. Unfortunately, in the process of pouring and sitting down with the two glasses, I've actually lost track of which is which. Neither blows me away as anything worth seeking out, but I generally think of BT as a competent, if unreasonably hard-to-find at times bourbon. And the Alamo appears to hold it's own. There are some differences in flavor, but I can't easily pick apart which is which and which is better. Don't get carried away, it's basic budget-level bourbon, but it's surprisingly decent. And from what I can gather, it appears this can be purchased at or less than BT's SRP. Texas whiskey, you never cease to amaze me -- to have a never-heard-of brand stand toe-to-toe with BT. But will I remember the Alamo? Honestly, as with Buffalo Trace, I don't know that I'll think much about it after I finish this bottle.
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Single cask, ex-bourbon matured, bottled for the state of Oklahoma, nearly 60% ABV. I haven't previously tried any Penderyn. The nose is green apple, cotton candy, banana, pear tart, creamy custard. On the palate, the proof hits hard. I hardly ever find whiskies to be too hot, but this one is. A little water to tame the Welsh dragon. Now pear juice, ginger, honey, banana, tropical fruit, coffee. The finish goes fairly bitter. There are some appealing flavors in here, but it's probably too young and the balance is off. Without water it's much too hot, and with water it finishes with too much bitterness. This was a Christmas gift, so I have no complaints for the price to me, but if I'm spending my own money I'm not a buyer at what appears to be over $100 locally, and this isn't piquing my interest in spending on their other offerings.
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Glenmorangie 18 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed December 28, 2022 (edited March 2, 2024)Tasted side-by-side with a 19-year ex-bourbon aged bottling. The color of the 18 is very slightly darker, but both are quite light in color. The nose on each is fairly indistinguishable from the other. If I had to say, I get the slighest bit more of brighter fruit on the 18. Both carry quite a bit of vanilla, coconut, pineapple, pear. The palate on both is fairly thin and understated. There's a bit more vanilla and spice on the finish of the 19, while the 18 finishes with a little dried fruit. They both seem to have smoothed out the slightly sour note I get from younger Glenmorangies. I would prefer both to be bottled at a higher proof, but both are nicely done and enjoyable whiskies. -
Glenmorangie 19 Year Finest Reserve
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed December 28, 2022 (edited March 2, 2024)Sample generously provided by @PBMichiganWolverine tasted side-by-side with the 18-year release. The color of the 18 is very slightly darker, but both are quite light in color. The nose on each is fairly indistinguishable from the other. If I had to say, I get the slighest bit more of brighter fruit on the 18. Both carry quite a bit of vanilla, coconut, pineapple, pear. The palate on both is fairly thin and understated. There's a bit more vanilla and spice on the finish of the 19, while the 18 finishes with a little dried fruit. They both seem to have smoothed out the slightly sour note I get from younger Glenmorangies. I would prefer both to be bottled at a higher proof, but both are nicely done and enjoyable whiskies. -
Had a little sip last night of the Sovereignty, and found myself liking it more than I had previously. It got me thinking about the most recent ECS release, which I had passed over because of price and fear of too much tannin. Today my curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to pick this one up. Thankfully, there were still a couple bottles left on the shelf. It’s expensive, but 17 years in bourbon barrels in the Caribbean got me. Pineapple cake, vanilla, brown sugar, candied nuts, banana, coconut, key lime, slightly floral, semisweet chocolate, dusty oak warehouse, cherry pipe tobacco, menthol. I was worried this would go too bitter like the Shibboleth; fortunately, it manages to be nicely woody but stay short of overly bitter. The oak is there, but it’s less prominent than I thought it’d be. I’m admittedly somewhat limited in my rum experience, but this takes up the mantle as the best rum I’ve tried to date, which had previously been occupied by FS Nobiliary. Unfortunately my taste of Nobiliary was only a sample, so I won’t be able to do a proper comparison. But, as I’m quite fond of the FS 2009 (and do still have a bottle), I did a little SbS. This was clearly deeper, richer, and more well-rounded with the oak, tropical fruit, and vanilla flavors. This is bold and rich, but it’s also super easy to drink. Truly an incredible rum. It’s in the 4.75-5 range, but going with a 5 for now.
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Red Spot 15 Year Single Pot Still
Single Pot Still — Ireland
Reviewed December 9, 2022 (edited January 3, 2023)Restaurant pour. The nose has me thinking this is really good, but I've also been fooled by Irish whiskies with good noses that don't deliver on the palate. I'm getting tropical fruit, tree nuts, vanilla, sweet oak. The palate actually delivers like few Irish whiskies do. Much the same from the nose. Full-flavored. I wish I could side-by-side with Gold Spot, as it seems to be in the same realm. I'm going 4.5, but will hope to come across a bottle to do a proper comparison. Also still need to find the Blue. -
Lagavulin 12 Year (2021 Special Release)
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed December 9, 2022 (edited February 21, 2024)Briny lemon peat custard. Sea spray on a smoked pear tartlet. The palate is a little more ashy than the nose lets on, but also has more vanilla sweetness. This is such a satisfying pour right now, just really hits the spot. Thank you for the generous pour @PBMichiganWolverine - I may have to order myself bottle of this one, as I see there is still some available on the European whisky sites. -
Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2022 BRT-01
Bourbon — Kentucky , USA
Reviewed December 9, 2022 (edited December 11, 2022)The nose is Raisin Bran, caramel, cherry, oak. The palate is butterscotch, charred marshmallow, cherry, wheat bran. It’s fairly simple, but there’s nothing really off about it. I’d say it’s a little better than a cask strength MM, but I don’t have any on hand to compare. Seems fairly priced at SRP, but I wouldn’t pay more than that unless you’re a big MM fan.60.0 USD per Bottle -
Wilderness trail rye whiskey family reserve cask strength
Rye — Danville, USA
Reviewed December 5, 2022 (edited December 12, 2022)This particular single barrel is 5 years, 3 months. Bottled at 53.85% ABV. The nose is powdered sugar on rye bread, caramel, orange peel, something slightly floral. The palate has caramel, mint, fresh cracked pepper, cinnamon, mild herbal note, orange and a smidge of grapefruit bitterness on the back end. I remember being more impressed with the previous single barrel I tried, although it was 58%, and was only a small taste at a whiskey night tasting with many bottles. This is pretty good, although for the price I’d favor Pikesville or Contradiction coming in cheaper.56.0 USD per Bottle -
Kelt Blenders Expedition Cask Strength Cognac
Cognac — France
Reviewed December 4, 2022 (edited December 8, 2023)I’ve probably had cognac once or twice before, but it didn’t make a strong impression previously. This’ll be a first to review. The nose reminds of fermented apple cider, grape skin, white wine, acetone. The palate is more satisfying with apple and pear at the front. Some Christmas spices round it out with clove, ginger, nutmeg, maybe a hint of vanilla. I don’t get the sense that this has added sugar, which I understand is common with cognac. It’s got a little sweetness, but doesn’t taste unnaturally so. The higher ABV of 51.3 is appreciated compared to most I see coming in at the minimum 40%. I obviously wouldn’t know where to rate this in comparison with other cognacs, but according to my enjoyment as primarily a whiskey drinker, I’d give it a 3.25.
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