Tastes

BATCH - 12AJ BOTTLE - 0825 BY - LT NEAT NOSE - For the proof, I’m surprised this is so full on the nose. I would expect the nose to be more subtle, but it’s full and enveloping. I get notes of cinnamon, honey, and caramel. PALATE - Initially, there is a nice sweetness on the palate reminiscent of vanilla, caramel, and honey. As it develops on the palate, it transitions to a nice spice with some cinnamon and oak tannins. The oak tannins are noticeable, but not overpowering. The mouthfeel is thin and light. FINISH - Short and slightly spicy (rye spice) BUY? - I’m glad I picked this up, so I would say give it a try. BUY AGAIN?? - I’d buy this again as a daily especially at the price point. However, with how great this Rye is at 83 proof, I can’t imagine how great it would be at Cask Strength. My next purchase of Sagamore Spirits will for sure be their cask strength.

NEAT NOSE - Sweet Maple and Caramel. This honestly smells like maple syrup with a nice, sweet and approchable ethanol hit. It’s not overpowering at all. There is also some subtle brown sugar and bananna. PALATE - It seems a little thin at first on the front of the palate, but as I move it around, it totally coats my mouth and I get dark brown sugar and maple notes. Unlike the nose, I’m not picking up any caramel on the palate. FINISH - Not too short and not too long. It’s about midway but it’s pretty pleasant. On the finish is where I get that hunt of bananna. BUY? - For sure. It’s a unique and enjoyable pour. BUY AGAIN?? - At this price and proof point, I would pick up another one for sure. I could see this being a pour that I reach for every so often.

NEAT NOSE - Sweet and balanced. Caramel, Vanilla, and Cinnamon. The caramel and vanilla are mingled together and are the most prominent while the cinnamon lies in the background. PALATE - Very light, and smooth mouthfeel. Nose transfers to the palate pretty effotlessly. Doesn’t take too much brainpower to decipher notes. There is more caramel, vanilla, and cinnamon. The cinnamon, however does come more towards the end. FINISH - Short and Sweet, but Spicy. BUY? - Yes. Great introduction to bourbon and makes for a great daily sipper. BUY AGAIN?? - Yes, great value and taste that will not dissapoint.

SPEC’s SINGLE BARREL // Proof - 123.3 // ABV - 61.65% // Barrel No. - 17571 NEAT NOSE - Soft on the nose, but clear caramel, vanilla, and honey. PALATE - I’ve had higher proof bourbons, and this one doesn’t drink below it’s proof like some others but it’s not a bad thing. I get a rich and oily mouthfeel with the notes of honey, caramel, and vamilla transferred over from the nose. FINISH - Medium to long. Hot and Spicy. BUY? - Absolutely. This is a bargain for less than $50. BUY AGAIN?? - No doubt. This will likely be a shelfer for me. Also the fact that single barrels and store picks of this bourbon can be found easily and for very reasonable and affordable prices is amazing in today’s bourbon market. You can try it and if you don’t like it, you wont feel bad because it was only $45 or so. However, I doubt you wont find something to like about this pour.

NEAT NOSE - So much honey on the nose with an unmistakable malt note, so much so that it reminds me of an unpeated scotch. I also get some cinnamon and vanilla. Compared to a scotch however, the nose is more rich, warm, and vibrant. PALATE - Sweet, thick honey. The mouthfeel is thick and oily. I also get some cinnamon and vanilla on the palate with the cinnamon being very faint. FINISH - Long and Lingering BUY? - Absolutely. This is a very unique pour that may turn your attention to American Single Malts. BUY AGAIN?? I’d buy again if I was looking for this flavor profile. Again, it’s very unique. Also, they have Single Barrel Cask Strength bottles of this and I just got one. So maybe look out for those as well. I can’t wait to try mine.

NEAT NOSE - Sweet. Very Vanilla forward, but I get a faint caramel corn note as well. PALATE - Very light, thin mouthfeel. Vanilla is the predominant note here. FINISH - Short with a touch of butterscotch BUY? - Yes. For a newcomer to bourbon or wheated bourbons, this is a great introduction to the soft and sweet nature of wheated bourbons. BUY AGAIN?? - With the cask strength offering, probably not, but I don’t regret it. However, my wife likes it as a mixer so probably.

Barrel No. - 6802536 // Age - 8 YRs. // Proof - 125.1 NEAT NOSE - Lots and lots of Oak, Cinnamon, and Brown Sugar PALATE - The nose transfers over to the palate, but my O my, is this one oaky! Burried in the oak, you get the brown sugar and cinnamon. The oak is probably the strongest hint on the palate, but its a sweet oak, just very dark and rich. FINISH - Long SUMMARY - ECBP is arguably my favorite bourbon release and this is my first PRIVATE BARRELL offering. I love it and can’t wait to try others!

NEAT NOSE - Pleasant, Balanced and Approachable. Subtle hints of green apple and honey. PALATE - Faint Green Apple and Honey. The palate is very thin, smooth, and light. FINISH - Short. BUY? - SRP? Yes. Marked up? Probably not. BUY AGAIN?? - I’d buy it again, but I’m not paying over SRP and I’m not hunting for it. This is a very good bourbon at its price point if you can get it for SRP.

TWIN LIQOURS PRIVATE BARRELL Barrel No. - 8027638 // Rickhouse - gg // FLOOR - 5 NEAT NOSE - Very pleasant, balanced, and approachable. Very fruity, more specifically red apple. Honey and Caramel. PALATE - Caramel Red Apple, Honey, and a Hint of Rye Spice. Smooth mouthfeel. FINISH - Short BUY AGAIN?? - Absolutely. At this price point, this rye is a bargain. To add to that, I walk in many different stores and see private barrels of this, which could only lead to more pleasant surprises for $30 - $40.

NEAT NOSE - Sweet Hawaiian Roles with Honey brushed over the top initially after I poured it into the glass. After some aerating, more honey and cinnamon came through with some lightly roasted nuts. PALATE - Sweet. Cinnamon and Honey FINISH - Medium BUY AGAIN?? - This is a great bourbon, but the more wheated whiskies I have, I notice I’m not the biggest fan. I like high rye bourbons and ryes so much more. But again, this is good and I am far from giving up on wheated bourbons. I wouldn’t keep a backup of this, but I will try to get the next batch. RECAP: I have come back to this bottle and its much better than the first pour. All the notes are there, but its more full in flavor than before.