Tastes

8 Seconds whisky, no age but minimum 3 years. ABV: 40% Bottled in Fairfield, Ca by Frank-Lin Distillers. Aroma: sharp, maple, vanilla, some oak and grains surprisingly. Uses synthetic cork. Taste: light to moderate sweetness up front, light spice, faint oak influence, very minor astringency which passes as it sits. Moderate spice when sipped on neat. Very smooth. A little overpriced and seems to be "competing" with Pendleton whisky. It is an average whisky but oddly enough I graded this slightly better than Pendleton which I bought for 3 to 4 dollars less. Cost: 23.99+tax for a 750 ml bottle. Grade: C/C+ I also tried the 8 seconds black (8 year) and it is a step up form this (B-) and cost me $29.99 for a 750 ml bottle. 8 seconds black uses a real cork as opposed to the synthetic one in the regular 8 seconds. Hoping to add that review once it's on the site.

Wicked River Canadian Whisky. ABV: 40%. No age listed, minimum age is 3 years. Bottled in the USA (sazerac). The bottle/label are almost identical to high river Canadian whisky (also sazerac) which is exclusive to Canada. Aroma: faint barrel notes, light to medium sweetness. Taste: light barrel/grains up front, some sugary sweetness on the back end. Over time it gets more sweet and less oaky. It had a soft/worn cork and was borderline sub par whisky for the price. Cost: $19.99 plus tax. Grade: C-/C range

Bison Ridge 8 year. Canadian whisky that is imported then bottled in Minesota by prestige Wine and Spirits Group. ABV: 40%. Aroma: very faint sweetness, some ethanol, no good. Taste: Sweetness rotating from up front to back end, minor barrel notes, some astringency. Some odd/off flavors. Very smooth. The 8 year taste very immature, definitely not worth the price. Cost: $21.99 plus tax. Grade: C-

JP Wisers Rye, bottled in Canada, only sold in the US. recently formula/bottle has been changed and is called triple barrel rye. ABV: 40%. No age listed, minimum is 3 years. This variation is no longer made and this bottle is likely from 2014/2015. Aroma: not much, some fruitiness and vanilla/maple sweetness. Taste: light to medium sweetness, tart, grainy, mild oakiness/used barrel, and some spice. Some astringency at the end. Pretty smooth with some minor off notes, if I ever see the newer version of this I will give that a try. Cost: $15.00 for a 750 ml bottle that came with glasses (gift set). Grade: C

Point Rider Bourbon. ABV: 40%. Aged 36 months (3 years). A sazerac brand, uses same bottle as benchmark. Distilled and bottled in Kentucky. Aroma: sweet and sour apples/fruity. Taste: sweet up front, fruity, minor charred oak at the back end. Similar taste to old crow. Smooth for the price and okay taste overall. Ralph's find/private label. Cost: 8-9 plus tax for a 750ml bottle. Grade: C

J.P. Wiser's Deluxe. Distilled, aged, and bottled under Canadian government supervision. ABV: 40%. No age statement, minimum age is 3 years. Bottle is about 8 to 9 years old, old stock. Aroma: a little alcoholic, grainy, not much there. taste: on the sweeter side, lightly astringent, definitely can tell it is sat a long time and not under the best conditions. Only minimal grain/oak notes. Sweet finish. It is semi-smooth. This one on the verge of being a poor offering but I'd say very low average considering it is old. Cost me 13 to 15 dollars plus tax for a 750ml bottle. In fairness a more recent bottle would probably get a better grade. Grade: C-

Ezra Brooks Blended (white label). No age and 80 proof. Distilled/aged in Kentucky but bottled in Missouri. Aged in new charred white oak and charcoal filtered/mellowed. Does not mention any grain neutral spirits on the bottle so I'm going to assume there is none in this blend. Aroma is very faint but I get a maple syrup/sweetness with some barrel notes. Taste: a little astringent, charred oak comes through mildly, light bodied and light in flavor. Moderate sweetness at first but the taste changes over time and it becomes sweeter. Cost: 13.99+tax for a 1 liter bottle. Grade: C to C+

Samuel Grant Bourbon. Aged 3 years. 40% abv. A sazerac private label for vons, using benchmark bottle. Aroma: only slight hints of fruitiness/oak, similar to a cognac. Taste: a little sweetness, felt like a cognac/bourbon hybrid but light on taste. My dad when he tried it even said it tasted a bit like a cognac (he liked it). It tasted more like a bourbon after it sat a week, less sweet more charred oak. Super smooth. Might try again in the future to see if I still get that cognac taste. For the price it is a good buy and enjoyable. Cost: 8-9 plus tax for a 750 ml bottle. Grade: B-

Ezra Brooks Bourbon. Distilled, aged, and bottled in Kentucky. ABV: 45%. No age but has to be minimum 4 by law since it is a straight bourbon. Aroma: a lot of charred barrel notes with some sweetness. Taste: charred oak up front, a little spicy, and minor sweetness/fruitiness. Got a little kick but its a fine sipper. Not bad overall. Cost: 14-15+tax for a 750 ml bottle. Grade: C+

Ezra Brooks Rye, aged 2 years according to bottle. ABV: 45%. Aged/distilled in Indiana (MGP). Bottled in Missouri for company based in Kentucky. Mash Bill from what i read on their website is 51% rye, 45% corn, 4% malt. Aroma has a lot of sweetness, slightly similar to Canadian whisky. Cork has a very pleasant/sweet smell to it. Taste: fruity, semi-sweet, a little spice, and a hint of oak. Smooth but with some kick. Cost: ~16 bucks + tax for a 750 ml bottle. Grade: C+