Reviews

Taste- 2 oz. Glen Cairn, neat Nose- prickly strawberry rhubarb, apricots, and oakiness. The nose is bold and vibrant Palate- mouthfeel is thicker and coating. Strawberry jam followed by tart, zesty citrus. Blended together it is the strawberry- rhubard note I got on the nose. Dried apricot fruit leather, oak, then finally followed with a pie like bakery crust note. It is very good. Finish- long finish that goes out on a milk chocolate candy bar note. Overall- Nicely dine! So far from the run of the mill Maker's Mark. Best comparison is Heaven Hill's grain to glass Wheated Whiskey. To me this is richer and fruitier.

Nose- cherry, oak, and a bit of smoke. The nose definately ahows age as compared to some of the other bottles in the lineup. The oak is sweet and inviting, and the smokiness reminds me of that first whiff of a rickhouse on a hot summer day. Palate- it is sweeter. I get brown sugar, caramel, and a bit of rye seed and tanginess. The oak is felt on the palate just as it was on the nose. There is signature Old Forester cherry and cola notes that embraces its lineage. The mouthfeel is smooth and buttery like fine croissants. Finish- a bit of a cherry tobacco, and oak finish. It is nice and even. It lingers in the palate like bourbon should. Overall- I really like it. It is a fine addition to the series and the oaky and smoky notes help to show what good aging can do. I would prefer this over some of the birthday bourbon I have had over the years. Good stuff! That saying, I would not layout for secondary prices, but rather wait until one falls your way.

Taste- 2 oz. Neat in glen cairn and then 1 oz with 5 drops of water. Batch 27 at 108.6 proof Nose- Neat the nose is big and bold. The oak is very pronounced. Not in a bad way, but much more than in the traditional Peerless Sib Barrel proof bottles I have had which are normally more cherry forward. There is also a menthol/mint and spice note that tells you that the sip is going to be a bit sassy. Reminds me how Wild Turkey sets up. With water that oak tempers down and the menthol smooths to more of a cherry luden's cough drop. My preference is with the water to round out the roigh spots Taste- Neat this starts out a bit hot. Vanilla, mint, oak are the stars of the show. There is also some allspice flavor on it with a bit of smoky campfire. With water the Peerless cherry note pops out. Finish- the finish is definately nutmeg with or without water. It is warming and even, but the burn isn't shy. I like the finish as it is a kick in the ass and not a mellow fellow. Overall- I love Peerless and this is right in my wheelhouse. The extra barrel gives it some spice and backbone similar to a 10 yr. Russell's Reserve SiB pick. But you can taste Peerless lineage here- the cherry, the spice, the minty overtones with that extra oak layer. This bottle is a winner.

Nose- fresh cut flowers most distinctly honeysuckle and lilac. There is a lingering smokiness. Palate- mouthfeel is viscous and creamy. The sip clings to the palate and well coats it. There is no one pronounced flavor that shines. Some people might find that to be the problem, while others will note the wonderful layered balance of vanilla custard, lilac, and hayloft. Finish- finish is short and adds a bit of citrus at the end. Absolutely no alcohol burn. It is nothing to write hone about. Overall- wonderfully balanced and light sipper....and for some that is the problem! If you admire the creamy mouthfeel, absence of any ethanol burn ("smooth") and the nose true to the palate you will love this. Others may find it unchallenging and ho-hum. I found it a wonderful example of the harmonious, soft blended whisky that makes Japanese whisky its own distinct thing..

Tasting- 2 oz. In glen cairn with and without water Nose- citrus, burnt orange and some mint. Ethanol forward Palate- citrusy burnt orange peel, ginger, earthy, and a tad bitter. Smooths out with water, but very condensed. Lacks sweetness. Finish- bitter lemon with some earth. Needs water Overall- a bit of a letdown. This needs to be cut to release concentrated flavors. 100 proof is the way to go.

Tasting- barrel #25, 108 proof, neat in glen cairn, no water Nose- pronounced cherries and oak with a hint of toffee and caramel. Traditional bourbon nose. The oaky aromas are sweet and reminded me of walking through a rickhouse in the warmer months. Very inviting! Taste- luxardo cherries are upfront. Boozey, cherry soaked goodness! Sweet oak follows with a hint of musty tobacco. The mouthfeel was coating but not syrupy. There is some spiciness like clove that hits ever so slightly mid-palate. Finish- wonderfully long and lingering. That sweeter oak is the star of the finish. Overall- This is an incredibly delicious bourbon! At 108 proof it answers the question about what would happen if you took the 90 proof in EC18 and punched it up. Incredible things. I like this way more than Pappy 15. The two are a great comparison albeit the rye used in the EC15 vs the softer wheat in Pappy. For my money-- this is the one to seek. It takes all the wonderful things about EC18 could be, erqses that thinness, and delivers an excellent bourbon

Nose- starts with a whiff of apricot followed by vanilla. The nose is pleasant. It is soft but not muted or lost. Palate- vanilla dominates followed by light spice and oak. It is a tad watery at 43.5%. I would have loved a bit more kick and texture. Finish- spicy cinnamon toast crunch at the end. The finish is stronger and more dominant than the mid palate. Overall- pleasant but light. The texture and spice remind me of regular Bulleit which isn't bad, just doesn't stand out. No shock and awe here from me

Taste- 2 oz neat from rocks glass Nose- full and oaky. Vanilla is the dominant scent followed up by some duaty tobacco. It is a pleasant, welcoming nose that showcases the bourbon's age. Palate- Vanilla beans are front and center, the mid palate gives way to something more peppery. There is some tannic parts that come in toward the end and are drying. Dare I say over oaked? Finish- Goes out in an oaky and lacquer type note. Finish was long, but the oak sucked the water right out of me. Overall- where 15yr was a hit, this was not. Older is not always better. This moved out of the sweet spot to overoaked spot for me.

Tasting- 2oz neat in Glen Cairn glass. Rested 5 minutes and then rested another 10 minutes after first impression Nose- this is a rich, robust, fruit forward nose that leaps from the glass. Reminds you of fruit cocktail/fruit cup without being too sweet. It is balanced by older notes of oak and fragrant pipe tobacco. Palate- a virtual fruit-cup covered in caramel! I know that sounds too sweet, but it really isn't. After resting and a second taste after 10 minutes, it gives way to strawberry-vanilla cream. The sturdy oak supports it as a backbone. This is nicely done. Finish- Long, lasting, no burn Strawberry and cream, a bit like strawberry/vanilla ice cream. Overall- Exceptional bottle. I feared this to be soggy and overoaked. It was the farthest from that. So, so good!