Tastes

Batch No 17-01 Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Proof: 110.9 (55.45%) Age: NAS Mashbill: 70% Corn, 16% Wheat, 14% Malted Barley Distillery: Maker’s Mark Distillery, Loretto, KY Price:$50 - $60 Color: Medium Copper Nose: Alcohol, sweet, grass Palate: Full bodied, rich, creamy, caramel, spicy, cinnamon, hint of citrus peel Finish: Medium-long, quite warm, persistent heat, sweet, spicy, an earthiness similar to curing tobacco Personal Rating: 7.5/10 Notes: I really enjoyed Maker’s Cask Strength. I feel as though it builds on original Maker’s flavor profile and made it more flavorful. The mouth feel is really great, as you sip it really coats your tongue and feels very full. One thing to note is that it is a higher-proof and pretty hot. The creamy sweetness helps balance the heat but it will stay warm from the moment it hits your lips to the very tail end of the finish. That being said I do recommend enjoying a pour with a splash of water or on the rocks. I have to say my favorite thing about this bourbon is the subtle earthiness I pick up in the finish. For me, it tastes the way our old tobacco barns smelled in the summertime. Ultimately, the price is very reasonable for the quality you get here, I recommend picking up a bottle, especially if you see it on sale at your local liquor store. It is a great addition to your collection

Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Proof: 90.4 (45.2%) Age: NAS Mashbill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley Distillery: Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, KY Price: $45 - $55 Color: Medium-Dark Copper Nose: Light vanilla, oak, sweet, toasty Palate: Sweet and creamy, oak, caramel, vanilla, hints of black cherry, hint of leather Finish: Medium long, not much heat, leather, persistent toasted oak, dark chocolate, the smallest hint of vanilla cake Personal Rating: 8/10 Notes: I absolutely love Woodford. Double Oaked builds off the the Distiller’s Select profile and adds a little more complexity and richness. I love how creamy Double Oaked is. The oak flavor is definitely in the forefront, but not overbearing, it doesn’t drown out the more subtle flavors it has to offer. The interesting flavor on the exhale end of the finish was a very pleasant surprise, almost like a vanilla cupcake. While adding a drop of water may open the flavors up some, I would recommend drinking it neat initially, for the mouth-feel alone. If you’ve been on the fence about grabbing a bottle, do yourself a favor and go for it!

Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Proof: 82 (41%) Age: NAS Mashbill: 73% Corn, 18% Rye, 9% Malted Barley Distillery: Sourced Bottled: The I.W. Harper Distilling Company, Tullahoma, TN Price: $35 - $45 Color: Dark Gold/Light Amber Nose: Subtle, light and young, vanilla Palate: Rich, sweet, honey, hint of vanilla, hint of banana, smallest touch of cork Finish: Short, Smooth, fruity initially, leather, oak, hint of corn Personal Rating: 7.75/10 Notes: I.W. Harper delivers a decently drinkable bourbon. However, for me, there was nothing really overly remarkable. I will say that the sweetness is very forward, not bad, but makes me feel like I’m drinking bourbon with honey added to it (don’t get me wrong, that isn’t the worst thing in the world). I usually like anything in which I can get a slight taste of banana in the pour (that is what brought it from 7/10 to 7.75 for me), you can pick it a little closer to the finish. As always, you know I’ll drink this neat, but you can likely benefit from a few drops of water to cut the sweetness a little and allow some of the other flavors to come forward. I think this could be an introductory bourbon to a rum drinker now that I think about it. Overall, the price isn’t bad so if you want to pick up a bottle go for it. You won’t be mad, but likely not blown away

Bottle No. 124, Dumped 1-11-18, Warehouse H, Barrel No. 1094, Rick No. 56 Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Proof: 93 (46.5%) Age: NAS Mashbill: Undisclosed Distillery: Blanton Distilling Company, Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY Price: $55 - $70 Color: Dark Amber/Medium Copper Nose: Spicy, vanilla, tobacco, slight touch of citrus Palate: Sweet initially, blends into spice, rich, oak, hints of caramel, vanilla, and clove Finish: Medium, quite warm, spice, pepper, slight touch of a floral note at the end Personal Rating: 8.25/10 Notes: Gorgeous bottle, but don’t let it make yo think it is a gimmick. This bourbon is great for a moderate to experienced bourbon drinker. The flavor is complex is a very pleasant way. A pretty traditional bourbon of great quality. If you want a sophisticated sipping bourbon with a certain je ne sais quoi that will have you wanting another pour, definitely grab a bottle when you can find one. Not “rare” per se, but you may need to look around a bit. As usual, drink this traditionally: neat, with an ice cube, or a splash of water

Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Proof: 90 (45%) Age: NAS Mashbill: Undisclosed Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY Price: $30 - $55 Color: Light-Medium Copper Nose: Alcohol at first, apple, touch of a sweet oak Palate: Sweet, caramel, hint of vanilla, apple, slight nuttiness Finish: Long, warm, oak, honey Personal Rating: 8.75/10 Notes: Weller Special Reserve is always going to rate very high with me. Honestly, it was the bourbon that started it all for me. The fact that it is a wheated bourbon (the ORIGINAL wheated bourbon) there is a very pleasant sweetness that you just don’t get with the usual rye mash bourbons. Back in 2014, Weller was very easy to find and often came in at $20 a liter, but once everyone learned that it is essentially the same recipe as Pappy, no where can keep it on the shelves (I’ve heard you can still find it in Texas actually). Unfortunately the drinkability, rarity, and pedigree of this bourbon, shops will often charge more than the MSRP of $30. I paid $50 for a local shop’s last bottle. I’ve even seen it is high-end shops in the Chicago Loop for as high as $225...I LOVE Weller, but don’t go breaking the bank. Just be patient and keep an eye out and your ear to the ground in where to find it. As usual, drink this baby neat or with a little water/on the rocks. It makes a great decanter Whiskey and is easily enjoyed by bourbon drinkers of any experience level

Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Proof: 90 (45%) Age: 10 Years Mashbill: Undisclosed Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY Price: $27 - $35 Color: Dark Amber/Medium Copper Nose: Citrus, vanilla, hints of marshmallow Palate: Rich, brown sugar, caramel, apple, oak, hint of pepper Finish: Medium finish, sweet, toffee, leather, bananas foster Personal Rating: 7.75/10 Notes: I was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed a bourbon that is so mellow. I’ve usually been partial to a bold bourbon, but Eagle Rare 10 Year is highly drinkable. And for the price, I paid $31 at dang Target of all places, you really can’t beat the value here. This is definitely something I would recommend neat or in the rocks, particularly with someone new to tasting bourbon. I really couldn’t see how anyone would not enjoy it!

Batch QBC No 17-112 Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Proof: 100.1 (50.05%) Age: 12 Years Mashbill: Undisclosed Distillery: Willett Distillery (Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Rowan’s Creek Distillery), Bardstown, KY Price: $30 - $40 Color: Medium-Dark Amber Nose: Alcohol, oak, touch of tart fruit and chocolate Palate: Quite spicy, robust, maple, slightly tart, touch of floral, really coats the tongue Finish: Moderate, lingerie heat and spice, smoke, hint of orange peel Personal Rating: 5.75/10 Notes: Rowan’s Creek has a very interesting flavor profile for me. I felt a bit confused after my first couple of sips as it feels like there a lot going on there. But everything eventually melds together to form a pleasant drink. I will say, the nose is a bit harsh. While I drank this neat (as usual), I would recommend this with some water or ice, open up the palate of this somewhat complicated and interesting bourbon. And with a fairly low price tag, I would say it is definitely worth giving a shot

Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Proof: 90 (45%) Age: NAS Mashbill: Corn 70%, Wheat 16%, Malted Barley 14% Distillery: Maker’s Mark Distillery, Loretto , KY Price: $25 - $35 Color: Medium Copper Nose: Subtle, spicy Palate: Sweet, Smooth, vanilla, apple Finish: Medium, caramel, light spice, slightly floral Personal Rating: 6.25/10 Notes: Maker’s Mark is beautiful. Beautiful bottle, color, Hell...even the distillery is beautiful. The flavor is quintessential for many people. And the price and availability makes this a go to for many as well. Personally, not my style, but I can appreciate the uses of Maker’s Mark. I think it is a good bourbon for mixers (Whiskey Sour, Whiskey and Ginger Ale, etc.), and the sweetness lends itself VERY well for the kitchen. Great for BBQ and other sauces. Especially good for making Bourbon Balls!

Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Proof: 80 (40%) Age: NAS (8 +/- Years) Mashbill: Undisclosed, High Rye Distillery: Kentucky Springs Distilling, Clermont & Frankfort, KY Price: $30 - $40 Color: Dark Gold/Light Amber Nose: Honey, spice, floral Palate: Smooth, rye spicy, mildly sweet, buttery Finish: Quick, clean, spicy, warm, lightly floral Personal Rating: 6.75/10 Notes: Not a bad bourbon by any means, but not my personal style. I do enjoy how it drinks very buttery and clean at the same time. And the floral notes aren’t overwhelming, but a little to prevalent for my taste. That being said, I think this is a great bourbon to have in your collection as I think it is definitely a people pleaser