Tastes

Nose: I pick up cherries and dark, sweet syrup. Almost like cherry cola. Vanilla and a slight apple acidity. Call me crazy, but there are hints of grape Big League Chew as well. After reading reviews, I actually pick up spearmint and cinnamon candy — like red hots. Both are undertones, but definitely present! Spearmint shows up towards the top of the glass, while the cinnamon candy note is closer to the whiskey. Palate: The cinnamon candy definitely carries over to the palate, black pepper spice builds slowly, and hits its peak right before the finish. Sweet cherries, and leather are also present. Again, I’m finding notes of grape Big League Chew or grape soda. Finish: Finish is dry, with notes of cinnamon, leather and oak. Slight Kentucky hug, but not quite as pronounced as batch 14. My lips are left delightfully tingly and a little numb. My only complaint is that this batch seems to be missing the bold Kentucky hug I get from batch 14. The finish of batch 13 just leaves a touch to be desired when compared with 14. Still an excellent whiskey on its own, and one I highly recommend for all.

Appearance: Blonde ale color, and really coats the glass. Legs are slow to form and linger for quite some time. Nose: Rich rye bread and pepper spice. Toasted sugar cookies peak through as well. After reading reviews, I pick up some ripe banana. Palate: Very spice forward, like a right cross packed with black pepper and red chili flakes. Oak spice and toasted rye swoop in afterwards before fading into a banana-sweet finish. Great mouthfeel throughout. Finish: Rye bread and oak linger with hints of dark dried fruits. Medium-long finish. A delicious rye, deserving of the hype. If you can find it, I recommend purchasing - I know I will be if I ever come across it!

Nose: Wonderfully complex and inviting. Cherries greet you at the top of the glass, and long, deep breaths close to the whiskey reveal brûléed sugars and caramel. Breaths with an open mouth hint at a minty note that I did not catch until I read other reviews. Palate: Bright and sweet on the tongue initially, reminding me of oranges and peaches. These notes give way to a dark-fruit sweetness and bread notes that make me think of a Fig Newton. Toasted oak spice builds slowly on the palate, reaching its peak at the finish. Finish: Dark, red, dried fruits linger with the oak spice long after the whiskey is gone, punctuated by faint notes of cracked black pepper. My gums, tongue and cheeks all tingle pleasantly, and there is a gentle warming sensation in my throat and chest. Got to taste this, courtesy of @anorakjackson — thanks, my man!

Nose: Very cherry-forward. Long, deep breaths reveal notes of rising bread dough, vanilla and toasted oak — like a cherry pie about to go into the oven to bake. Palate: Again, cherry-forward. The raw dough and vanilla appear in their baked form this time, though, like a cherry pie with a crisp, toasted crust. Finish: Oak spice punches through, providing a nice contrast to the sweet nose and palate. Medium-short finish, but still nice. Got to taste this, courtesy of @anorakjackson — thanks, my man!

Appearance: Deep amber in color, with hints of mahogany. Legs form very slowly. Nose: A cacophony of underripe banana explodes into the nose, followed by a high octane burn. You can smell the horsepower. It’s also peppery. Palate: A very unique experience — I get a rush of brown sugar sweetness that seems to focus on the sides of my mouth, and a black pepper spice that carries to the top of my tongue and roof of my mouth. Baking spices (cinnamon, cloves) peek through as the pepper spice fades. Very creamy and rich on the tongue. The palate also has a certain FEEL to it — a snappy character like a green banana. Finish: Once again, black pepper spice announces itself with a woody undertone. As the finish fades, it becomes dry and reveals a green banana taste and smell that concentrates in the back of the throat and nose. I got to taste this blind, courtesy of @anorakjackson — thanks, man! A great experience overall, definitely a unique one for me. I will admit, the banana was not apparent until I knew this was Jack Daniel’s SBBP, but I think it was more of a case of missing words than my experience being influenced. I’m very impressed, and will add this to my collection soon.

Nose: Warm Apple strudel and ethanol make for an interesting nose — like a nice hug followed by a slap in the face. Pick up some oak as well. Palate: Tangy green apples boldly announce themselves, before introducing their sweet, red apple companions. Both step aside to reveal licorice and baking spices. All of this is underscored by a woody character that makes a solid supporting cast member without overpowering the rest of the crew. Finish: Cinnamon candy starts the finale, before finishing dry and fruity, which makes me think of a nice Cabernet Sauvignon. Gently warms the throat and chest, and leaves a tingling sensation on my gums and lips for a while after the whiskey is gone. This bourbon was meant to be sipped by a fire in winter, I am convinced. You won’t be blown away by this bourbon, but it is an excellent choice as a night cap.

Color: Honey, blonde ale, more translucent than I expected based on how it looks in the bottle. Nose: Green Apple and vanilla, and heavy ethanol freshly poured. After sitting out, heavy oak and cherries on the nose. Palate: a complex blend of baking spices, bread notes and black pepper. Like biting into an apple pie — cinnamon and brown sugar, followed by tangy apples — then black pepper takes over before fading into a nice, warm, raisiny finish with a delightful Kentucky hug. Great mouthfeel — very oily, coats every bit of the mouth and clings long after the whiskey is gone. Sipping this bourbon is a wonderfully complex experience. I have not gotten the opportunity to try many heavily sought after bourbons, but this one is definitely one of the best I have had and an instant favorite.

Nose: The familiar fruity nose, punctuated with licorice and orange peel. Palate: The licorice and orange peel dance together, followed by a big, fantastic black pepper crescendo, finally fading into a raisiny finish with a warm Kentucky hug. This already impressive bottle is greatly improving after sitting on the shelf. Don’t sleep on this bourbon.

Presence: Really coats the glass and clings for a while. Color: Honey and deep amber. Nose: Green apple, vanilla and spice. After sitting for 15 minutes, the green apple dies down and gives way to brûléed sugars. Delightful nose. Palate: Like biting into a green apple covered in creamy caramel, with a nice spice that builds over time. Coats the mouth and tongue really well, and has a warm, grainy finish that hangs around for a while. This has instantly become one of my favorite bourbons, and a “must try” recommendation.

Color: like the Ring of Power illuminated by fire, or warm honey bring drizzled on a buttermilk biscuit. Nose: Freshly opened box of Fruit Loops cereal, and baking vanilla. Palate: Immediately taste orange peel, then buttery toast, a nice spice that builds over time, and finishes with a hint of Hot Tamale candy. Doesn’t linger for long. Great “bang for your buck” bourbon. I would like it more if the finish lasted longer, but that is a minor critique all things considered.