Tastes
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Rock Island Mezcal Cask Edition
Blended Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed November 1, 2023 (edited November 12, 2023)I'm not the biggest fan of mezcal, but this is a very interesting whisky. The nose brings a bit of lemon, red apple, vanilla, campfire smoke, saltwater, roasted veggies, agave. The palate leans more heavily into the savory notes, roasted vegetables, agave, brine, smoke, along with a little pear and vanilla. On the finish sweet comes out a little more, along with the agave and smoke. I haven't ever tried the regular Rock Island, also I think formerly known as Rock Oyster, but i imagine I would like it as a fan of many of the Island distilleries. The mezcal finish seems to accentuate the savory and smoky elements in the peated whiskies, and I really enjoy it. Big thanks to @PBMichiganWolverine for the sample! -
Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye (2023 Release)
Rye — Tennessee, USA
Reviewed October 29, 2023 (edited November 22, 2023)This particular barrel was bottled in 8/23. Proof is noted at 131.6, 65.8% ABV. On the nose banana bread, cinnamon, apple, vanilla, bubble gum. Smells a lot like the barrel proof Tennessee whisky. Maybe slightly spicier. The palate is much the same as on the nose. There's a slight savory note that I'm sure is attributable to the rye. Good bit of burn going down. Could probably benefit from some water or a cube of ice. I was excited to find this at a reasonable price and am pleased with the bottle, but kind of also expected a little more considering all the buzz the 2020 special release got. I'm also tasting this after the ECBP C923, which is a particularly exceptional whiskey, and this isn't on the same level. It feels pretty similar to the barrel proof Tennessee whisky with a little more spice to it. I'd give the rye the nod between the two, as I enjoy the complexity that the rye adds. Overall, very good bottle, but not one I think worth paying a premium on secondary or going really out of your way to find.64.0 USD per Bottle -
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch C923
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed October 29, 2023 (edited December 28, 2023)I am relatively new to ECBP. My first bottle was A121, which I loved, and I've thought none of the others since have been as good. Of the 2022 batches, my favorite was C922. I still have a good bit left of it, and since I haven't been drinking much bourbon recently, I passed on the previous 2023 releases. I decided to bite on the C923 when it started getting good reviews, but feel lucky to have found one, as it seems they've been flying off shelves. On the nose dark brown sugar, vanilla, furniture polish, and a bit of charred steak spice and crust. The mouthfeel is fairly thick and coating, with caramel, vanilla, cherry syrup, oak tannin. It drinks well below its proof. The finish has a slight astringent tannic note, balanced by the sweet caramel and vanilla drizzle. This is rich, decadent, oaky, delicious. The only other batch on hand is the C922, and this is a good bit more enjoyable. I've had better bourbon, but at a price under $80, this is a screaming deal in the current whiskey market. 4.5 - 4.75, but gets a bump from me for value.76.0 USD per Bottle -
Talisker 8 Year (2020 Special Release)
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed October 28, 2023 (edited March 21, 2024)From a freshly opened bottle, the rum finish looms large. Thankfully, some air causes the rum notes to dissipate some. Still, on the nose I get overripe banana, pineapple, charred lemon, vanilla, salty brine. No real evidence of the high proof on the nose. The palate continues with brine, smoked bacon, banana, pineapple, chili pepper. Slight burn, but drinks lower than its proof. No water needed, but a few drops doesn't hurt either. Straight from a new bottle, I thought the finish was overbearing, but given some time to breathe it's quite a lovely dram. I really enjoy the 2021 8 year old, but think I may prefer this one slightly. When it settles down, the rum finish is interesting and enjoyable layered over the top of the already wonderful sweet, smoky, briny Talisker malt. Well worth the 50 pounds plus shipping from Whisky International. -
Wheel Horse Bourbon (Batch 4)
Bourbon — Owensboro, Kentucky, USA
Reviewed October 28, 2023 (edited November 1, 2023)Had never heard of this and don't know what it costs, but from a small taste thought it was decent. Middle of the road bourbon flavors, but has a hotter finish than you might expect for the proof. Probably work well as a mixer. -
Jefferson's Reserve Pritchard Hill Cabernet Cask Finish
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed October 28, 2023 (edited January 15, 2024)Had this blind last night. Starts with quite pleasant bourbon flavors, but takes a wild turn toward the finish and goes very skunky. I kept going back to it thinking it was something I ate before tasting, but the skunk remained. Someone else said it reminded him of the stink from a flowering Bradford Pear tree. -
Lagavulin 12 Year The Flames of the Phoenix (2022 Special Release)
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed October 6, 2023 (edited November 1, 2023)On the nose musty peat, citrus, menthol, dark chocolate, anise, greasy bacon, smoked vegetables. The palate brings more sweetness than the nose lets on. Vanilla citrus, then the bacon vegetable peat smoke. The nose is really interesting as it leans much more savory and herbal. The palate seems less complex in comparison, but the sweetness that shows up is a nice surprise. A few drops of water help to bring out more of the notes from the nose. I love Lagavulin and this one does not disappoint. I bought this on sale from one of the European sites, including shipping at around $120, and at that price I'm more than pleased. I recently tried the Lag Distiller's Edition and gave it a 4.5, but i like this even better - although owing I'm sure to my predilection for higher proof whisky. It's bordering on a 4.75 for me, but going with a high 4.5 for now. -
Nose of vanilla, maple, banana, sweet oak. The palate follows with the same, along with some cinnamon and clove. Maybe a slight wintergreen mint. This is quite a bit better than you'd expect for a $22 bottle. No brainer value buy at the price. Ok t feels like a very different profile, but would be curious to compare with Turkey 101 Rye. I remember really liking it for the price, but it's been a while since I've had it.
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Teeling Explorers Series Brazilian Edition
Blended — Ireland
Reviewed September 27, 2023 (edited October 14, 2023)Thank you to @PBMichiganWolverine for the sample of this one. I think this is my first time trying anything aged in Amburana, which seems a little surprising considering lately you can't shake a stick in a liquor store without hitting a bottle of something Amburana finished. Incidentally, I've been banned from multiple liquor stores for shaking sticks in them. The smell and taste of this is so much stewed cinnamon apples. Very sweet, almost artificial, and coming across like a liqueur. I've never tried an Ole Smoky flavored moonshine, but if they had a flavor called Apple Pie Filling and this was inside, I'd say they nailed it. I think I like this a little better than previous tasters on here, but it's too sweet to enjoy much of. My one ounce sample was broken up into 3 separate tastings. It's interesting and unique. I imagine a creative cocktail could be created with this as the base, but I'm not much of a cocktailer.
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