Tastes

Just came to add a note to all bartenders; stock this in your bar. While it’s a fine sipper, it would be great in a Manhattan. In fact it would be perfect! (Bad pun. Sorry). Good value.

I agree with the professional review that this one may be good in a cocktail. But on it's own, no so much. Has way too much sourness for me. But blending with other ingredients, it could work.

Boring, non descript. But the milk chocolate and orange notes makes it somewhat interesting. If only it wasn’t too thin.

McKenna was my go to bourbon for years. But then it got "discovered" and has become a cult classic and can no longer get it. Although my local liquor store did finally get a shipment in and he saved me a bottle. I was buying from him all those years. I really miss it. It had been 2 years.

A strong blast of rye bread. With wood notes. A bit of menthol. As the fill level goes down a sweetness emerged. Malty. A bit of sourness and tangyness Earthy. For a craft distiller and 100% rye I rated this fairly highly.

Carmel toffee candy but not overly sweet if you let it sit in the glass for 30 mins. I definitely add water to unblock the flavors. Taste of banana peel tones down the sweetness. A hint of caramelized orange peel. Vanilla bean. Good value

To me it's like drinking liquid pecan pie. It is definitely different than the usual American whiskey. Maybe explains the low score by the official reviewer. Enjoyable for the price.

If you love cult status whiskey and you have money to burn this is the bourbon for you. It is nuanced, very well made. But...It is not worth the $130 price point. Its good. But not that good. I'd rather go to scotch whisky at this price point. If it were $80 I would buy it again.

Give it time in the glass. Too be sipped over time. DON'T put any drops of water like I did at first. Take your time and it will mellow out. Not overly sweet. More nuanced. Dare I say more "sophisticated" bourbon? Menthol, butterscotch, candy apples. Getting marzipan which I assume from the higher content of barley. Hints of vanilla, leather, and nutmeg. I assume vanilla from good casks, leather from the age, and nutmeg from the rye. A hint of brewed tea. All that said I really like Russells 10 year reserve because it is richer is taste and mouthfeel. Both are good. Both are different.