Tastes
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Del Maguey Ibérico Mezcal
Mezcal Joven — Oaxaca, Mexico
Reviewed March 28, 2022 (edited October 22, 2022)I tried this before I realized that actual ham was used in the making of this mezcal, and was shocked that they could get an agave spirit to taste like ham. On the nose, ham. And along with it, citrus, pear, smoke, and the vegetal note. The taste is like an orange brined slice of smoked ham with a side of almond liqueur. A surprising amount of sweetness, along with the savory and smoke. I have to say this is really well done, but it's also not something I think I'd be in the mood for very often. I actually had this one ounce sample, generously provided by @pkingmartin across two different sittings, and the half ounce was about as much as I wanted each time. Tough to rate for me, as I can appreciate it and feel especially grateful to have tried it, but at the same time not be disappointed if I don't ever come across it again. -
High West Bourye (2016 Release)
Blended American Whiskey — USA
Reviewed March 24, 2022 (edited April 10, 2022)Bar pour from a bottle marked 2016. Really enjoyable, vanilla, cherry, cinnamon, spice. One of the better High West whiskies I've tried. -
I've had this bottle sitting in my cabinet for some time. Thought I'd give it a rating before trying samples of a couple other mezcals. Based on the nose, I always think I'm going to like mezcal more than I do. This has a really pleasant lightly smoked grapefruit on the nose, with something slightly vegetal. On the palate the smoke jumps to the front and the fruit recedes to the background. I like the nose on this, but drinking this is not particularly enjoyable to me. However, it's not yet clear if I just don't care that much for mezcal, or if this just isn't a great example of the spirit. Looking forward to seeing if I enjoy a couple others that I received samples of, but this goes back to the back of the cabinet.
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Clyde May's 6 Year Special Reserve Straight Bourbon
Bourbon — USA
Reviewed March 21, 2022 (edited May 12, 2023)Caramel, orange, apple, vanilla, cinnamon, allspice. I like MGP, and I'm particularly fond of the 36% rye bourbon mash bill. I couldn't find the mash bill on this one, but took a flyer hoping it was the high rye. Alas, this comes across as very similar to Belle Meade Reserve, so I think it's likely a lower rye mash bill. Despite the slight disappointment, this is actually quite tasty, and I'd be inclined to think it's a good deal at 50ish bucks if I hadn't just bought a case of Belle Meade Reserve for 30 bucks a bottle. It's not enough different from the Belle to warrant a different score. Edit: have had a little more from this bottle, and while it tastes a bit younger, it's got more fruit, which I enjoy. I actually think I prefer this slightly to the BMR.50.0 USD per Bottle -
GlenDronach Revival 15 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed March 20, 2022 (edited April 15, 2023)Dried fruit, raisin, date, honey, nutty, cola. It has a nice punch at 46% ABV (I don't understand why any whiskey is bottled below 45-46%). Doesn't suffer from the sulfury funk that a number of sherried scotches show. Really enjoyable pour from my brother's bar, which also happens to be the only scotch in my brother's bar. Turns out it was a gift. -
Redbreast 12 Year Cask Strength
Single Pot Still — Ireland
Reviewed March 14, 2022 (edited February 6, 2023)Going out of town for a few days, so reviewing the lone Irish whisky in the cabinet this evening, ahead of St. Patty's. Reviewing B1 2020, 57.6% ABV. Picked this up after really enjoying the sample of Small Batch Cask Strength. For whatever reason, I remember liking the nose on the Small Batch more, but I like the palate more on this one. This smells more like Irish whisky to me, but has some bourbony vanilla/caramel in the palate. I didn't really catch the shortbread cookie note on the SB, but this one has it in spades. Fruit - apple, peach, raspberry? Honey, dried fruit, cinnamon, a little spicy. I wish all Irish whisky tasted like this, although there appear to be very few cask strength Irish whiskies. Overall, I think this is a notch above the SB Cask Strength in complexity. And I picked it up for considerably cheaper than the SB appears to go for. Happy (early) St. Patty's Day!85.0 USD per Bottle -
Ironroot Republic Texas Straight Corn Whiskey 2020 Single Cask #4 (Lost Lantern)
Corn — Texas, USA
Reviewed March 12, 2022 (edited March 23, 2022)Water was definitely needed to tame this beast. Added some water, tasted, then added some more water. Big buttercream frosting, butterscotch, creme brulee, apple, cinnamon. Spicy barrel on the back end. I like the buttery front of the palate on this, but I prefer the finish on the other LL Ironroot. This hits me as fairly similar to the Balcones True Blue Cask Strength, but better. Overall, I do think I like the other Lost Lantern Ironroot better, but this is really good too. Another winner, @ctbeck11 - thank you again! -
Ironroot Republic Texas Straight Bourbon Single Cask #10 (Lost Lantern)
Bourbon — Texas, USA
Reviewed March 10, 2022 (edited March 23, 2022)Compared to the Harbinger, this hits me as much more similar to something from Kentucky. Caramel apple, cherry, cinnamon. Not picking up any of the funk that I did in the Harbinger. There's oak, but it's not overly tannic or overbearing, which can sometimes be the case in these Texas whiskies. If I were drinking this blind, I would've guessed this is 1792 Full Proof, which I haven't actually tried, but it tastes like what I think 1792 FP should taste like. Thanks once again to @ctbeck11 for this sample. Really enjoyable pour. Planning to make a trip soon to the distillery and hope I can find something that tastes like this one. -
Blanton's Single Barrel Black Edition
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed March 9, 2022 (edited September 28, 2022)Watery Blanton's. The Buffalo Trace sweetness sticks out. A little barrel char. Not a lot of flavor. It's in the same ballpark as Basil Hayden, although it seems like the BH was maybe a little better. -
Hazelburn 13 Year Oloroso Cask Matured
Single Malt — Campbeltown, Scotland
Reviewed March 8, 2022 (edited March 23, 2022)For whatever reason, this smells more Springbanky than the 10 year, with a thick layer of fruit, cherry, apple, orange. It's one of the more impressive noses I've experienced on a scotch. The palate is just as impressive, with all the syrupy fruit enveloping the malt. There's a little of the Springbank funk that makes this much more than a sherry bomb, the sherry balanced with the salty, funky Springbankness. The 50.3 ABV gives some nice warmth on the finish. Really enjoyable whisky. Thank you for the opportunity to try this treat @ctbeck11!
Results 221-230 of 385 Reviews