Tastes

This is not 'harsh'. The nose is typical bourbon- vanilla and caramel and toffee. The initial palate is sweet marshmallow and sugar cane, underscored by caramel and vanilla. The marshmallow taste expands and continues, followed by nice toasted oak and hints of barrel char. This is worlds away from regular Beam White- this is a downright great whiskey.

How the crap does this only have an 82 score on here? This is a VERY good, complex, sweet bourbon. You can definitely tell it's sourced from Buffalo Trace, as the similarities with Blanton's are very obvious. Nose on this is exceptional, wonderful vanilla and toffee flavors. Initial palate is soft and flavorful, with typical vanilla, caramel, and toffee notes undernoted by a pleasant taste of cherries and blueberries. Midpalate sees the berry taste continue and expand. Finish is sweet with hints of oak. 5 stars, easily.

This is an OK bourbon. It's got a great nose of sweet flowers, fruit, and caramel, but the actual taste is disappointing vs the amazing smell. Initial sip is immediate rye spice, with undertones of vanilla and caramel. Rye spice predominates through the midpalate and finish. Finish is short and flat.

Very good bourbon. Great caramel and toffee nose. Initial palate entry is sweet vanilla, transitioning to a sweet, fruity taste reminiscent of fresh blueberries. Finish is more blueberry and vanilla with just a hint of oak.

Having had Laphroag forced on me over and over over the past few years made me think I'd hate this one, as I've heard they're very similar. I disagree completely. While every bit as peaty/smokey as Laphroag, instead of having a foul medicinal taste it has layers of pleasant, sweet, inviting flavor underneath all that powerful smoke. Stand out flavors include dark chocolate, caramel, and even some vanilla. Finish is as long as it gets - smoke for days.

I've drank a lot of whiskey over a lot of years. I'm not afraid of peat smoke - Highland Park, Talisker, Laguvullin, even Walker Double Black - yum! But this stuff is straight up nasty, period. It tastes like sour cough syrup. Absolutely disgusting medicinal taste, with under tones of actual dirt and salt. It's NOT the smoke that makes it bad- it's the fact that the whiskey tastes like what'd I'd imagine soured piss to taste like, with a cigar butt dropped into it. This has been pushed on me over and over for the past few years by anyone who finds out that I like whiskey. No thanks. I honestly can't believe that anyone actually likes this stuff. I really mean that.

This is an excellent peated Scotch - rich, full, pleasant, luxurious and smoky. This deserves a higher score on here - this is a flat out excellent whiskey. This is what smoky Scotch should taste like. Follow up 10-22-2015 - grabbed a bottle of this last night as my local store has it on sale $8 off - this last bottle falls well below my normal expectations with this stuff. Very flat this time, with even a somewhat unpleasant, dirty smell to it. Hoping I just got a random bad bottle, as this had previously been one of my favorites. I'll leave the 5 star review, for now.

This just won the 'Best Bourbon' award at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. It's '84' score on here is riduclously low. This is a great, complex bourbon worthy of a place on any serious drinkers shelf.

I'm not sure how this only has an '80' score on this site- this is an excellent whiskey. Very similar in taste profile to a high end bourbon, very different then standard Crown Royal. Interesting notes of plum and black cherries. Well balanced whiskey. Hint of barrel char on the finish, but not nearly as smoky as an Islay Scotch.