Tastes

Very smooth Very drinkable Sweetness Fruit No doubt some older refined whiskey I enjoy notes of sherry in my scotch that seem to be missing and it is just too smooth too low proof for me personally except for a early in the day/ lunchtime drink. This would do well for me as a cask strength offering I would term this as whiskey "lite" maybe too well done, although certain this would appeal to the occasional whiskey drinker. I give it a 4 because it is flawless but cannot rate it higher because it is devoid of the complexities, the proof and lacking classic sherry notes that i enjoy

102 Proof Distilled June 06 Non-chill filtered (“NCF”)

102 Proof Distilled June 06 Non-chill filtered (“NCF”)

Barrel 2064 124 Proof Hotel 21C Private Select Nose: Red Hots, Rich, Vanilla, Carmel.. Palate: Smooth, high proof, carmel, butter scotch Finish: Long, some heat, spice

The nose is amazing Hint of sherry hint of Mizunara, nothing overwhelms, all melds & balances for a unique freshness. The nose is incredibly delicious There is a sweetness to it I am seriously intrigued. The palate OMG Toffee, Honey, apples... Finish is long & fruity much like the palate

Last full pour out of the bottle Indescribable odor on nose & taste on palate. Uncertain what it is or how to describe it ...probably not 100% accurate but almost epoxy or plastic or... like?? Or something that does not belong here??? A little hot for 96 proof Long finish Good other than that off profile...Anyone else???

Love the name Samurai: Would indicate Japanese influence Scientist: Expert knowledge... in this case of whiskey Do not really pick much up on the nose Not picking up traditional rye "spice" Long finish Might have to come back to this ...But did not blow me away #1 like was the apparently high proof which stood out in a pleasant way Based on cost it did not meet my expectations

1st The only downside is the cork not only broke, but the part that remained crumbled, and parts fused to the inside of the bottle neck which required the bottle to be decanted & strained. Want to come back with tasting notes, as now eating pizza and want an accurate reference to nose, pallet and finish My initial notes would be pure decadence Sherry from start to finish Smooth As close to perfection as one can get Balanced Not 1 sharp edge anywhere along the way Very pleasant finish

As there will always be lovers and haters especially when one receives #1 from Whiskey Advocates Top 20 of any given year 2018 #1 • Nikka From the Barrel - I enjoy 2017 #1 • Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B51 - I most certainly enjoy OR 2019 #1 • George Dickel 13 year old Bottled in Bond (Distilled in Fall 2005) First of all for $40 hard to bash it that badly, in fact i really like it VERY MUCH SO It has a fairly unique nutty nose & palate that i enjoy The only thing I can compare that consistent from start to finish nuttiness is and this will certainly make you laugh as its not a bourbon & it costs in some cases $1300 a bottle is Van Winkle Rye - I shit u not. I have had several pours from different bottles and I AM PLEASED - VERY PLEASED!!!! Charcoal filtering pleasantly softens this whiskey A 13 year old whiskey does not hurt & one does not pay the price others might charge such as Bakers 13 at 2.5 times OR MORE the cost!!! There is Chocolate, a very pleasant spice, nuts, more nuts maybe peanuts, pralines, fruit like sweetness Gonna give this one a 4.25 - 4.5/ 5 - as 4.25 seems to low & 4.5 possibly too high CHEERS

Nose - Sherry/ Complex/ Would seem to be a scotch of significance... even if you did not know what you were drinking this dram shines through Palate - Sherry/ refined / complex/ well done scotch - holds its own against much more expensive bottles. Finish - starts off really nice// but i am met early on with something possibly a mild bitterness that disrupts the harmony and then it dissipates/ definitely a long pleasant finish.