Tastes
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Old Forester King Ranch Edition (2022 Release)
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed January 4, 2023 (edited January 14, 2023)Nose- caramel, vanilla, and just a puff of smokiness. This is traditional Old Forester, but without the green banana, and has a bit more depth. Taste- the taste is big, and rich. Caramel and vanilla are the main players, but there is a woodiness in the background. It's not old, rich oak wood, but more like a dustier wood shop. The traditional Old Forester 100 is in there, this in no way has any desire to abandon its roots- rightfully so! But there is a different woodier layer. Finish- finish is dare I say "smooth?" Not without taste, but perhaps one note- vanilla. The initial hit is big, but then fades for me all too quickly. It seems that those that find the smooth finish of a Tennessee Whiskey like JD will really like this, as it seems the rough edges are sanded off. Those that don't mind a bit of "talk back" in the finish, might find a flaw here. It's all matter of preference. Overall- I liked it, but it's not transforming Old Forester 100 by any means. It does exactly as it intends- adds a layer, but that is mostly wood. It also kind of lacks in the finish. If you find this bottle "in the wild" and at its msrp, it's a worthy addition to your shelf, and a really good riff on traditional Old Forester. I wouldn't seek it beyond that though, as it didn't wow me. Cheers! -
Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Marsala Casks (2022 Limited Edition)
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed January 1, 2023 (edited December 2, 2023)Nose- rich berries abound along with vanilla and butterscotch. It then turns to a rich milk chocolate. Palate- Chewy chocolate nougat with a raspberry jam center. Deliciously rich and decadent with a smooth, buttery coating. There is a puff of smoke and some beautiful tasting salt water taffy. Finish- there is a bit of heat through the chocolate and jam that gives way to a slight bit of clove. The finish goes on in waves. Overall- I am super impressed by this bottle. Some may find this a bit on the sweet side of things, but for me it is just the right amount of a sweet indulgence. It's a rich, chocolate and jelly in the middle type adult liquid candy. Of all the "limited editions," and "finished whiskies" that are out there I found this to be the most thoughtfully done. -
Appleton Estate 21 Year Limited Edition
Aged Rum — Jamaica
Reviewed December 29, 2022 (edited January 22, 2023)Nose- nose has a pungent yeastiness about it. No doubt from the higher esther's that Jamaican rum is known for. There is initially that stewed fruit aroma, a good bit of smokiness, and then something wonderfully floral. Reminds me of spring time flowers. Hibiscus maybe? Palate- thinner than what I was expecting. I love the chewy richness of the Appleton 15 Black River Casks, but this does not seem as rich. It is perhaps a bit more lively, layered, and more exploratory. Not to say that this is bad, it was just unexpected, as I had pegged this bottle to be more of Appleton 15 punched up a notch. Brown sugar, caramel, and rich vanilla bean give way to some nice coffee notes on the palate. I also get some of those hibiscus flavors along with green banana and some ripe pineapple This is a wonderful sipping rum that I grow more fond of with every sip. There is tremendous taste quality inside this bottle. Finish- finish is long and oaky. It borders on being a bit too tannic and dry. Reminds me more of older bourbon/whiskey than it does of rum. Where older rum usually has a musty, funkiness to it, this is not barrel funky, but rather a bit woody. I would have liked some more of those sugars like molasses, and brown sugar than wood at the end. Not a total let down, but perhaps where I find my biggest flaw with it. Overall- Appleton 21 Nassau Casks Limited is of course a delicious rum. It is a quality bottle worthy of any accolade that might come its way. It is not what one might expect from a 21 year old rum (yeasty, funky, fruity, rich, sugary). Instead it is more what one might expect from a 21 yr old whiskey- oaky, a bit tannic, but without richness. I like the bottle and hope as I explore it I find more to it as it opens. Comparatively though, I think the 15yr Black River Casks hit more of what I was looking for. I was hoping this to be like Appleton Joy (perhaps one of the best spirits I have ever had the pleasure to sample). It was not that. Considering the price tag, for now I will go with the 15 yr version. -
Kentucky Owl Confiscated Bourbon
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed December 27, 2022 (edited December 28, 2022)Nose- Butterscotch hard candy is front and center. Reminds me of grandma's candy bowl. It is a very welcoming nose. Palate- Vanilla ice cream, caramel drizzle, and peanuts. It is Mcdonald's soft serve sundae. This is sweet, but not sickingly so. The sundae drifts to some peanut brittle propped up with some oak. Finish- this hits harder than I anticipated. Although the nose seems a bit candylike, and the taste is dessert-like, there is some nice warming here. The oak get slightly woody on the finish, but not in a way that kills the experience. Overall- pleasant surprise. I doubted the price and sourcing on this so much that I was shy about buying a bottle. I still think k it is a lot of money for a non age stated, sourced bottle. BUT I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. -
Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed December 25, 2022 (edited September 14, 2023)**This is a rating of 2022 released bottle. Nose- Apples, stewed peaches, and red fruits. Vanilla, caramel and oak round out a deliciously traditional bourbon nose. Best nose I have ever experienced- no, but in the top 10 Palate- the taste is rich. Vanilla bean and candied apple hits you first, this then gets a hit of oak on the mid palate with just an ever so slight dash of all-spice. The taste progresses to more of those darker fruits as it rounds out. The mouthfeel is the right amount of balance- not too oily, but with a wonderful richness to showcase some age. Finish- Here is where Pappy 15 shines. It lasts, and lasts without ever burning your taste receptors......and at 107 proof! This is a dangerous sipping whiskey. A bottle you just want to sit right down with and slowly savor start to finish. I have been privileged now to have had a bottle the last 3 years. Of all the Pappy Bourbon I have tried (Old Rip, Lot B, 15, 20, and 23 yr.) Pappy Van Winkle 15 is the one I appreciate the most. It strikes the right balance between not being over-oaked (20 and 23 can be oak beasts, and a bit soggy for me) and not under-proofed (107 just hits the mark and needs nothing). Is it the best bourbon I have ever had? In a word- no. Is it among one of those rare treats- absolutely! -
Eagle Rare 17 Year Bourbon (Fall 2022)
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed December 24, 2022 (edited December 25, 2022)Nose- rich dark cherries, oak, a slight oaky mustiness that is earthy. Tobacco/cigar box, and milk chocolate. This nose is astoundingly good! Palate- those dark cherries and oak earthiness come through on the palate. Milk chocolate with a hint of mushroom breaks through mid palate. The sip is rich, slightly oily, and chewy. Flavors come in waves here. This is a decadent, delicious whiskey. Finish- the finish is long and warming. The age is revealed here as the oak turns slightly dry. Goes out on that wonderful tobacco/cigar box note. Overall- This is the best whiskey I have had this year. The taste layers are exquisitely done. Everything is in great juxtaposition. -
Nose- rich and dark. At first whiff this gives ethanol, smokehouse, and oak. Taste- It tastes like somebody butted out cigarettes in it! Just an overpowering ashiness to it. It was so strong in this I couldn't find any other flavors except perhaps oak bucket. Finish- the finish gives up some bitter bakers chocolate and imitation vanilla. Overall- I wanted to like this. I wanted to keep an open mind.......but with all of the smokey ash I could not. This was just harsh. A big NO from me.
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Nose- fruity and sweet nose, almost smells like a fruit salad. There is honey and cherry flavors with some syrupy poached pears Palate- sweet and fruity. Reminds me of juicy fruit gum on the palate. I think this would go well after a nice meal. It is a good dessert drink Finish- not much of a finish here. A bit of musky hay and vanilla usher you out. Not much warmth or depth to it. It is an easy whiskey. Not complex, but then again I don't think it was intended to be complex. Kind of an "everyman" dram. Overall- this is a good scotch for a person newer to scotch to cut their teeth on. It is a Speyside, so no peat which is usually that smokey note that chases folks away from scotch. This may though take it to the other extreme of being too sweet.
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Glendronach 11 Year Garden State Cask 4189
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed December 9, 2022 (edited December 10, 2022)This was delicious. Notes of plump raisin, figs, and toffee on buttery baked bread. There is notes of nutmeg and hay. Wonderfully rich.
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