Tastes

NEAT NOSE - Cinnamon; Lots of Cinnamon, Oak, Caramel, Vanilla, and Red Apples PALATE - Cinnamon is the most dominant note. There’s a huge rush of cinnamon that slowly gives way to some vanilla and light caramel. If you’re patient and take your time with this on the palate, you’d pick up some red apples. FINISH - Quite long. The finish lingers with cinnamon and oak. BUY? - Absolutely at the point. I hope you grabbed one while they were out. BUY AGAIN? - I bought a second before trying this one and I’m glad I did. I think this will open up beautifully in the bottle over time. Already, with about 10-15 minutes in the glass, the cinnamon starts to subside in intensity and the caramel comes through more noticeably and strong. The two start to balance out one another as opposed to competing for the top spot. I will definitely nurse both of my bottles.

NEAT NOTES - Molasses, Brown Sugar, and Well-Aged Carribean Rum PALATE - Dark Brown Sugar, Maple, Molasses, and Plums FINISH - The finish is quite long with notes of rum and chocolate covered blueberries. A nice and surprising twist with the addition of the berries. BUY? - Yes, but it does have that characteristic “Texas funk” to it, although I feel like the Rum casks cover it up quite a bit. BUY AGAIN? - I don’t see myself reaching for this too often, so probably not. However, while it may not be something I reach for frequently, I can appreciate it’s uniqueness and complexity sparsely.

NEAT NOSE - Sweet Corn, Vanilla, and Honey PALATE - Very light on the palate. This is decently sweet, but not overly sweet. The vanilla and honey come through on the palate and it transitions to a buttery caramel note. This is a four grain, but I don’t get any hint if spice here. Very beautiful bourbon at a enticing pricepoint. FINISH - The finish fades away slowly, but doesn’t linger. I’m happy with the finish at this age and proce point. BUY? - Absolutely. BUY AGAIN? - Yes. It’s a no brainer at the flavor and price point.

NEAT NOSE - Rich, decadent caramel, Oak, Citrus, and Cinnamon PALATE - The mouthfeel is slightly viscous. The oak note is dominant, but not tannic or bitter. The oak is engulfed in rich caramel with orange. FINISH - The finish is quite long. The oak note is still dominant but the caramel and citrus fades into a cinnamon spice. BUY? At $60-$70, absolutely. I cut my teeth on their small batch offerings as opposed to the single barrels due to cost, but I may have to pick one up eventually. BUY AGAIN? - Nothing groundbreaking here, but it’s a good bourbon at a very reasonable price to be sourced and cask strength. I’d pick one up again.

NEAT NOSE - Caramel, Vanilla, and Oranges. There is also the faintest hint of spice. PALATE - This is not overly complex on the palate but it is extremely well balanced. This drinks like a sweet, well rounded bourbon on the palate with rich caramel and vanilla and a buttery mouthfeel. FINISH - The finish is what tells you that this is a rye. The finish is quite long with some oak and rye spice. BUY? Yes. Not as good at last years, but still worth it. BUY AGAIN? - I think I’d back up the 10 year before I back up the 11. Nonetheless, I do still look forward to the 12 year this year.

NEAT NOSE - Caramel, Honey, and Banana Pudding PALATE - Lots of caramel and honey. The mouthfeel is light. FINISH - Medium-Long. Tiny bit of baking spice along with some sweet oak, banana, and bakers chocolate on the finish. BUY? - Absolutely. Great price point especially for craft whiskey. Whiskey for the People! Support what Chattanooga is doing! BUY AGAIN? - Future batches, yes!

BARREL SERIAL NO. // 248 BOTTLE NO. // 16 PROOF // 121.7 ALC/VOL % // 60.85 HAND SELECTED BY // Spec’s NEAT NOSE - The nose starts off pretty tight with lots of barrel char and dark brown sugar. I added two drops of water and the nose opened up with more caramel but the brown sugar remained a dark brown sugar. A dark cherry note also springs forward after adding the water. PALATE - Nice, viscous mouthfeel. There is an explosion of dark brown sugar and oak on the palate without water. With just two drops of water, the oak is dialed back and the caramel shines through more along with vanilla. FINISH - Long, bold. Full of a combination of oak, caramel, and vanilla. BUY? - Absolutely. The pour tends to evolve into sweeter and lighter flavors as water is added/exposed to air so I’m sure this will evolve wonderfully over time. BUY AGAIN? - Absolutely, no question.

NEAT NOSE - Bold on the nose. Dark Brown Sugar and Maple PALATE - There is a herbal spice that introduces itself immediately on the palate followed by a dominant oak note with brown sugar and maple. 💧💧💧With just three drops, the NOSE opens up with notes of vanilla and caramel. The maple note also starts to come across more as a table maple syrup full of sugar. The palate still has a dominant oak note but the herbal spice is subdued and vanilla comes out to shine along with the brown sugar and maple. FINISH - Long. Oak and Herbal Spice with touch of vanilla on the back end. BUY? - Yes. I’m sure this will only evolve beautifully over time as well. BUY AGAIN? - The price point of the Discovery Series always deters me from backing these up, so no.

This is the bourbon that started it all for me a little over two years ago. When I first tried this, I got nothing but ethanol. I don’t think I ever would have called this sweet. Two years later, alot has changed and my palate has come a long way. NEAT NOSE - Candy corn, Butterscotch, Vanilla, Honey, and Caramel PALATE - Decent mouthfeel; fairly viscous. Everything from the nose transfers over to the palate. The honey and vanilla are strong on this one. FINISH - Long. Candy corn sweetness and vanilla with a soft touch of oak. BUY? - This is a great beginner bourbon and is well balanced with good flavor. BUY AGAIN? - It makes a good whiskey sour. Otherwise, I’d prefer to buy the double oaked over buying this one again.

NEAT BATCH 002 NOSE - Eucalyptus, Honey, and Citrus PALATE - The palate starts off with quite a bit of rye spice. Just before it starts to dominate the palate, there is a quick transition of honey sweetness with a watered down honey viscosity. The palate is fairly straightforward and simple with mint and honey. FINISH - Quite long. There’s a clean, refreshing aftertaste similar to after chewing spearmint gum or eating mint ice cream. BUY? - Hmmm. This is not bad, but so far it’s my least favorite of the Small Lot Series. I haven’t tried the Foggy Burl yet though. If you need to complete the small lot series collection, it’s not a terrible buy but I don’t think you’d miss much by skipping it. BUY AGAIN? - Likely not unless I hear that future batches are much better.