Tastes
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Stagg Jr Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch 17
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed October 12, 2023 (edited December 27, 2023)Nose- traditional cherry cola sweetness prevails! A bit of spicy sassiness too Palate- not complicated. It is in your face and traditional Stagg Jr. A bit rough and ready, at other times caramel, cherry, and oak. A bit of nail polish in there too. Finish- medium for its proof. A bit one note, but good to the last drop. Overall- tried this next to ECBP C919, and a 2019 SFTB Blantons. In my opinion it finished a close third. It wasnt bad, it just wasn't as complex. As a stand alone it is just a great bourbon.....not the greatest, not life changing, but what it does it does well. The balance was a bit off, and the finish fell flat vs. the other two. That said, Stagg Jr. (Now Stagg) has gotten better and better. This is a step up from previous -
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch C919
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed October 12, 2023 (edited October 13, 2023)Nose- The nose reveals some nice age. Plenty of green apple jolly rancher and musty book leather. I love the age that comes through. Their is also some tobacco notes. Palate- spicier notes are revealed. A baking shelf of nutmeg, all-spice are revealed. It then gives way to oak and leather book. It is chewy, and at the same time caramel coated. Their is some heat, a bit of astringency, but super sippable without water. With water, a taffy apple comes through! Finish- long an oaky. A bit of bitterness is there but not so much as it is off putting. The finish does not go quietly into the night. Overall- One of the most challenging batches I have sipped. On one hand the nose is fantastic, on the other it borders on too much oak. It doesnt cross the line, but if you are one of those who don't like a bit of a drier finish, you may find that is where the flaw is. I for one like everything it sets out to do. Water is your friend in releasing more of the scrumptious nose -
Smoke Wagon Straight Rye Private Barrel "Joe's Pick"
Rye — Indiana, USA
Reviewed September 22, 2023 (edited September 24, 2023)Nose- Buttered rye, caraway seed, bit of cream soda Palate- Candy- Corn at entry, hint of dill. Traditional MGP rye Finish- Medium finish, goea out on the rye seed note Overall- traditional MGP Rye. Not much to see here. It is solid, but not worth the private barrel price. I would buy Rosseville Union at half the price if I had to do all over again. $30 for the hyp and sexy bottle is not worth what is in this glass -
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 6 Year 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. -
Ron Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva Rum
Aged Rum — Venezuela
Reviewed September 1, 2023 (edited April 3, 2024)Nose- caramel creme brulee with a hint of maple. There is a bit of smokiness just like the crust on creme brulee. Palate- Greated by flat cola. This is 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! -
Blanton's Straight From the Barrel
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed August 13, 2023 (edited January 13, 2024)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 -
Mijenta Tequila Reposado
Tequila Reposado — Los Altos, Jalisco, Mexico
Reviewed June 21, 2023 (edited March 14, 2024)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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