Tastes
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Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye (2023 Release)
Rye — Tennessee, USA
Reviewed September 18, 2023 (edited September 19, 2023)Nose- The nose gives off rich maple syrup, fresh ground cloves, and oak. There is also a bit of chewy nougat in the background. Palate- at first sip I get candied orange and dark chocolate, whixh then gives way to some molasses and that maple syrup I had gotten on the nose. Finish- this lingers to a nice warm orange candy finish with a drizzle of dark chocolate, and spice. There is a bit of a waxiness near the end that I haven't decided if I like yet. Kind of like those waxy tube candies with the liquid inside. It is not overly sweet, but there is another layer that it fades to. Overall- This is a smashing hit! I enjoyed this way better than the 2020 Special Release. Quality, rich, deliciously layered rye all the way. Water helps release some if the concentrated flavors, but for "proofies" this will pass the muster right out of the bottle. I enjoyed it more with 3 drops to tame a bit of the heat and be able to separate the flavor notes, but suit yourself. This is NAS, but literature puts these barrels between 7-8years. This is one if you can find, completely outkicks the coverage -
Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Marsala Casks (2022 Limited Edition)
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed September 13, 2023 (edited September 14, 2023)After resting the bottle, I tried the last 1/3rd. Here is the scoupe- It does EVERYTHING a top 10 bourbon should do.....but not the being the best in anything a top 10 is. That said.....do not pass this bottle up! It is an unsung hero in a sea of limited releases that just dont outkick it. This is a worthwhile limited release that doesn't have huge secondary markup. -
Ben Holladay Bottled in Bond Bourbon
Bourbon — Missouri, USA
Reviewed September 9, 2023 (edited September 10, 2023)Nose- traditional vanilla and caramel nose with some banana runts candy. It is not a deep and rich nose, but certainly one worthy of saying this in fact should have its merits. Palate- I find it a bit thin. Vanilla and green banana prevail with a bit of burnt butterscorch coming in. There is some acetone/ fingernail polish notes that reveal the age. It isn't bad, but it is run of the mill. Finish- a bit woodshoppy but with some pleasant caramel candies which turn a tad bitter on the end. Overall- High praise to what they have done here. Resurrected an old label, didn't source out of the box, and instead waited, released a 6yr BiB instead of just a straight whiskey. NOT an easy road to take when it would have just been easier to either release a 2+ yr old, straight bourbon, or bottle someone else's contract distillate. The whiskey is a bit thin and one note. I would be interested at trying this after another 2 or more years in the oak, and perhaps at cask strength. For now, it is a mundane whiskey but with potential. It is just not quite ready yet. -
Nose- caramel creme brulee with a hint of maple. There is a bit of smokiness just like the crust on creme brulee. Palate- A sweet treat! I am hit with a mouthful of brown sugar and boozy maple syrup. There is a playful note of pineapple in the background. This all fades to chewy caramel and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. This is really nicely done! Finish- no burn whatsoever, but a gentle warming feeling. That maple syrup goes out on a stack of pancakes. Overall- If you are toying with the idea of diving into rum, this is the bottle you should buy. For its inexpensive price it gives you all of those nice sweet tropical tastes. It is sweet but delectably so. For those of you who crave rum funk, this isnt that. What this is is a rum definately outkicking the coverage, and worthy of your attention! A diamond in a sea of everything that calls itself rum. Delicious on the rocks too. Totally enhanced my cigar in my second tasting. This is a winner!
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Blanton's Straight From the Barrel
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed August 13, 2023 (edited August 15, 2023)Nose- oak, cherry, vanilla Palate- cherry, vanilla, oak and a touch of cola. This is so much better than regular Blanton's. It is deep, rich, and really in your face. Finish- medium to long finish. Those deep cherry and oakier notes stay with you. This hugs and doesnt play around. Overall- Now this is what I want- a bourbon that matches the pretty bottle! SFTB is an excellent example of what a barrel-proof should be! Is it as elegant as Blanton's Gold? No, and gold seems to hit all the right places for me. Can you dial it up to be exactly what you want it to be? You get yourself a bottle, because all you have to do is tune it to your liking and see. Quality is in this one! -
Expresiones del Corazon Barrel-Aged Tequila (Eagle Rare Anejo)
Tequila Añejo — Jalisco, Mexico
Reviewed August 11, 2023Nose- I get granny smith apple peels at first whiff Palate- it is buttery, sweet, and dare I say- smooth! I taste a bit of white pepper, some cherry and/or apple, with sweet agave nectar. This sip is elegant to say the least. Finish- there is a fade to lighter, crispier notes perhaps best described as lemongrass. This doesn't hit heavy, but leaves a lasting embrace. Overall- I would have liked more notes from ER17 which was undoubtedly my favorite bourbon of 2022. This had some of those parts but didnt embrace it enough. The previous WLW finish was much better. All in all it is damned good tequila, but it was not exactly what I had hoped. It had a really nice balance, but it doesn't leave me thirsty for more -
The nose features both herbal and citrusy flavors which are very upfront. I get a distinct hit of lime almost as if I have already bitten into the lime before taking a tequila shot. Not really the sipping type profile I was looking for. Some may find that nose crisp and vibrant, but I found it a bit "frat house." The palate is overwhelming oily black peppercorns. There is a herbaceous, floral note about it that offers a touch of bitterness, almost like dandelion. It isnt a bad sip, but it is such oily peppercorn that I really got none of the buttery, sweeter, oakier, or fruitier flavors that I usually like in a well balanced reposado Finish is the palate continued followed by a drying newer wood taste. I think the finish was unremarkable. It wasnt good or bad,but just kind of there. Overall I was not impressed. After reading some expert reviews I was hyped. I was interested at perhaps buying a bottle. Before that I was able to taste it at a sampling offered by a brand ambassador, and so glad I did before spending on a bottle. This might make a delicious margarita as I think the pepperiness and the citrusy nose would bring a lot to the table. It may also be one to shoot solo or with the neighbor on the deck with a beer chaser. Alone as a sipper? For me it was not. This is a pass for me with plenty of better reposado or anejo tequila around at or under this pricepoint
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Glendronach 2008 11 year Single Cask Pedro Ximenez
Single Malt — Highland, Scotland
Reviewed June 11, 2023 (edited June 13, 2023)Nose- grape jam, a touch of hay, vanilla wafer, and fruit stripe gum Palate- rich feel, vanilla followed by caramel, a bit of heat and a burst of red fruit. It is jelly in a glass. Finish- a but tannic and lingering. Pleasant oak, but perhaps a bit too dry. Overall- this is a great offering. The sweet grape notes balanced by oak and barnyard really deliver. Does it knock it out of the park? No. Ground rule double? Absolutely! -
Taste- neat 2oz in glen cairn Nose- flat cherry cola and sticky caramel dominate. Slight hint of leather or dried tobacco keeps you on your toes. Palate- the first thought is what a wonderfully thick, viscous mouthfeel! This is so rich and buttery to me. Cola and caramel carry through with a bit of nutmeg or perhaps eggnog flavor. There is some nice older wood notes but nothing soggy. I do get hints of milk chocolate with the caramel reminescent of Snicker's bar. This is what a bourbon should be 100%. Finish- lingered longer than I thought it would at 100 proof, and left on a nice chocolate cream note almost like chocolate mousse. Overall- I am REALLY digging this, and not really surprised. Reminds me alot of the Remus Repeal lineup, but more rich. The blending here is superb. I actually want to see how this stacks up with some of my most favorite 4rs Limited Editions. It is THAT good.
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Starlight Carl T. Huber's Cigar Batch Bourbon Finished in Brazilian Amburana Barrels
Bourbon — Indiana , USA
Reviewed June 5, 2023Tasting- this is 2 oz neat, Binnys SIB pick at 111 proof in a glen cairn Nose- Cinnamon stick, a bit of ethanol, and vanilla cream cheese frosting. Palate- Cinnamon candy, vanilla frosting, and fresh baked pastry dough. This is like a cinnabon! Only complaint is that it rides a tad bit hot, but quickly tempered with a few drops of water. Mouthfeel is creamy, and luxurious Finish- long and spicy. The cinnabon roll turns to hot tamale candies. Overall- completely unique! I have never tasted a finished bourbon like it. If you were expecting traditional bourbon flavors- this isn't it. Starlight has done something completely different here. Normally their finished bourbon tastes young, and the finishes used to dress that up. Here it is transformed to something completely unique and complimentary. Overall a very good experience. Traditional bourbon drinkers will find it all wrong. Exploratory whiskey enthusiasts will find it a completely "on of a kind." I am torn on this one.59.99 USD per Bottle
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