Tastes

Nose: crusty artisanal bread, yeast, unripe apple, apple skins, unripe banana, berry, vanilla, cinnamon, spearmint. Palate: toasted barley, fruit, vanilla, barrel spice. There’s a slight savory note in the mix that keeps it just interesting enough. From what I understand, this is only about five years old, between first fill ex-bourbon and PX cask finishing, but it’s a well-made spirit. Single barrel, so will be curious to see if there’s any significant difference between barrels. Since it was on clearance at $18, I bought 8 bottles from barrels 81 and 82, although I’ll give away all but two as holiday gifts. Update: Opened bottle from Barrel 81, which has a little more ethanol and lacks the interesting savory note in the bottle from Barrel 82. So I expect there’s a fair amount of variation between barrels.

On the nose heavy brine, something meaty that reminds me of young peated Benriach, lemon, grapefruit pith, vanilla, wet gauze, iodine, burning tire. On the palate a good hit of vanilla, charred chili pepper, pear, citrus fruit, salty barbecued meats, soot, ash. This is pretty decent, particularly for the price at under $50. It's got a lot of peat and smoke, so it scratches the peat itch in a fairly satisfying way, but also adds a little fruit and vanilla.

The nose is mango, tangerine, pear, raisin, dried cherry, salty ocean spray, slight industrial funk. On the palate the fruit basket continues, then pepper, then dark chocolate. Supposedly Longrow is in the mix, but I’m not getting much in the way of peat. There was the slight industrial note more on the nose than the palate. Seems like Hazelburn and Glen Scotia are playing the most prominent roles in the blend, although there are moments when it feels as if Springbank and Kilkerran pop in for brief cameos. I’d prefer they had starring roles, but as a fan of pretty much anything out of Campbeltown, it’s still a winner for me. Price is fair-ish for what you get, but I’m not sure I’d go much higher than the $60 I bought it for. Update: halfway through the bottle, it seems like some peat is emerging and the fruit flavors are receding. Interesting, and makes me enjoy this even more.

Nose: dark chocolate and raspberry, oaky. Prickly ethanol. Taste: peppery and hot up front. Tingly on tip of the tongue. Berries, red apple, cloves, then chocolate. Maybe almost coffee. Some vanilla cream in the mix as well. Empty glass smells like a candied mushroom. I seem to always enjoy Bunna, and this one is no exception. Thank you @PBMichiganWolverine for the sample!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

A lot of the heavy cedary flavor also found in the bourbon. Didn't enjoy this one.