Tastes

This was a solid bourbon overall, but lacks the refinement of others readily available for a similar price point. The low proof (40%) is a bit on the boring side. Is it smooth? Absolutely, but that comes at the cost of complexity and quite frankly, fun-factor. There’s simply not much to comment on. It’s bourbon, and that’s about it.

For those familiar with Compass Box, you know the type of quality you’re getting into. This dram is delicious and calculated. While I wouldn’t consider it a standout for Compass Box, there’s no denying it’s a high-tier dram that delivers a consistent experience one would expect from the Blended-Scotch King. 6/10/21 - Compass Box Sampler

While now relinquished to a “relic rye,” A.W. Laws Secale Straight Rye was obviously a step in the right direction for a distillery I hope continues to hone its craft and make its presence known in the whisk(e)y world. For years, I’ve held onto this bottle, knowing that I’d eventually give it its due. There was something so enjoyable, so lovely that I couldn’t stay away from. I’d revisit it every few months over the course of several years, satisfied by its offering and longing to try more from the CO based distillery. Yet its not until now, when this bottle will give up the ghost, that the matter seems all the more urgent. It’s time. FIRST IMPRESSIONS - No doubt this is a smooth rye, with spicy notes throughout. The label claims “(i)t’s aggressive, full of character and unapologetic,” but unlike, say something like a Willett 4-Year Family Estate, it’s not overtly bold, nor does it immediately flaunt its profile in boisterous, more pronounced ways. It’s more subtle and refined, yet not too much so that it becomes dull. This rye has a nice place and might very well act as a “gateway rye” for new whisk(e)y drinkers. NOSE - The nose is quite frankly a culmination of traditional rye offerings and unexpected directions. It was reminiscent of walking on a trail during the early days of fall. I found wet leaves and an earthy musk alongside vanilla cream, burnt caramel, and just a hint of anise. A bit more time with it also laid bare buttery kettle corn and believe it or not, melon. PALATE - The palate slides in light to medium bodied and on the dry side. I found a predominant woody character that all other elements fell nicely inside. There was a delicious buttery tone with almond, sea salt, hay, corn, and an almost trivial herbal/grass note. At 100 proof, it really does surprise you with how easy and enjoyable it is to sip. WASH - all things considered, the wash doesn’t linger all that long, but it’s genuinely more satisfying than others I’ve had. This hits both the roof of your mouth and the back of the tongue as you complete the experience. There’s a nice heat that swells, falls, then reappears gradually as you sit. Over all, the wash caps off the refined experience you’ve seen throughout. It’s quite well done. WHAT I APPRECIATED - This rye is somewhat gentle for a newcomer while offering complexity to those with a deeper understanding of their own palate. I tend to gravitate toward bolder, more lively ryes, but this bottle is fun, lighthearted, and offers something quite interesting. CONCLUSION - Sadly, this bottle isn’t available anymore; however, if A.W. Laws has taken the budding/adolescent characteristics of this rye and added it into their current offerings with a bit more aging, whisk(e)y enthusiasts will be REALLY please. What is/was here is good and an even better starting place for the future. If you like ryes and you’re looking for and alternative to the standard KY Ryes, buy a ticket for CO and check them out. I believe you’ll enjoy the trip. (FWF Share #70 [4/13/2018]) Opened: 4/13/18 Finished: 1/17/21

Sagamore Spirit Straight Rye maxes out at “meh.” It’s one of the more boring ryes I’ve had over the years. One expects a rye to have some gusto, offering little pockets of spice and heat and wow as you savor the typical deeper complexities. This rye simply doesn’t have any of that. It’s dull and subdued and quite watery and fleeting. Sadly, like its wash, it leaves nothing behind to really remember with one exception: the memory of how it seemed miss the mark in surprising ways. While I really think this could be something delicious with more aging under its belt (maybe another 2-4 years), this offering simply can’t be justified compared to other ryes in the same price range. Try it to expand your palate and explore, not as a dram to snuggle into. Flaviar (free bottle [September]) Opened: 10/3/20 Finished: 12/1/20

There’s definitely something here. While it’s not necessarily my particular bag, I see why one might find this whisk(e)y quite intriguing. It bods well in hot toddies, and if you’re looking for a unique, corn-forward experience with a sugary profile, this will do. Flaviar (free bottle [June]) Opened: 7/7/20 Finished: 1/15/21

I liked this quite a bit. It’s a good bourbon, but $70 a bottle is a bit steep. When you can get Blade and Bow or a heartier Henry McKenna 100, there are just some better options for less. On the nose, spun sugars, caramel, overripe banana, nice corn essence, wood chips, herbal tones, an extremely subtle nicely cooked steak, latex paint, damp forest, vanilla fudge w/ cranberries. The palate shows really nice wood tones, sweet caramel, lite lemon zest, green herbs, with a sweet finish, quickly turning dry. There’s a hint of salt. The finish is fleeting, leaving almost nothing behind. Think “licking dried oak.” There’s a tiny heat that pops, then it camps out for a second, then cleans up nicely with almost no trace. Again, this is fun and honestly pretty good, but not ground shaking.

Compass Box has a reputation for making truly interesting options and Peat Monster doesn’t deviate or disappoint when it comes to a fun experience. FIRST IMPRESSIONS - Upon cracking it open, there’s no doubt Peat Monster will get you excited. It definitely holds a bright and vibrant peat essence and the color is elegant and alluring. NOSE - The nose on this one is particularly exciting, offering a wide array of citrus notes, melon, fresh cut straw, chestnut, fudge, butterscotch, and a beautiful and buttery finish. This one holds a savory peat, almost hickory smoke-like, finishing things out with an herbal fragrance (think green fields). PALATE - The palate is a lightweight fighter, swift when it needs to be, but heavy-hitting in some key, unexpected areas. I found a very pleasant vanilla fudge accompanied by sea salt, creamy oatmeal, and almond. Peat Monster hits dry and smooth, leaving a light residual heat, harkening back to that “heavy-hitting” comment. After a drop, I also experienced a very light creme brûlée and what seemed like pancakes. That was a nice and subtle addition. WASH - Peat Monster offers a proper linger, which surprised me due to the low ABV. You’ll find a pleasant heat here, which is a nice finish to this dram. WHAT I APPRECIATED - This is incredibly smooth, offering a treat of a nose and a genuinely elevated dram. This is one I’d share with mates and many who perhaps avoid peat might truly enjoy. CONCLUSION - To be fully transparent, the name seems to do it a disservice. Peat Monster is well balanced and extremely shareable. That’s not really what I was hoping for. While it does offer a wonderful peat profile, it doesn’t offer the expected depth of other “over the top” heavily peated scotches. It seems to only be turned up to 7 or 8 when others are at 11. Considering it’s called “Monster,” I have to say I expected more “growl” and low end. If your looking for a deeper, earthed peat experience, you may want to look elsewhere. If however, you prefer your peat in a three-piece suit and cleaned up, you’ve arrived. Cheers!

Port Askaig 110° Proof offers a high proof Scotch for one seeking adventure in Scotch territory. Whether of not it’s an adventure worth taking is up to you. I don’t often find high proof Scotches, so when I do, there is intrigue and a feeling that pursuit must take shape. Generally speaking, Scotch lends itself to certain levels of sophistication, even when boasting slogans like “it’s like kissing a mermaid after she’s just eaten barbecue” (I’m looking at you Laphroaig). While a peaty beast might seem unbridled, there’s still enough nuance and craftsmanship there to make an argument of art. Especially when that art is properly balanced. But what happens when you add a high proof to that art form? If you’re into high proof, wouldn’t that be the cat’s meow? The Initial nosing hit a tad hash revealing nail polish remover immediately. A bit more time allowed a sweet ethanol fragrance, followed by cantaloupe, popcorn, peat, butterscotch, and hardtack candy. Adding a drop of water opened the dram up a bit, offering mild lemon zest, just happy to have been invited to the party. It wasn’t much, but it did add complexity and that helped. The mouth on this was light to medium bodied on the tongue, showcasing dried pumpkin seed, salted sunflower seeds, sweet mid-tones and a resounding heat due to the high proof. The finish was lingering and warm, floating in the chest with a savory burn. This one might not be the best summertime dram. There is no doubt that pairing some of these elements together generates a fun exploration and something you don’t often find. However, the substance (flavor and nose) to proof ratio here simply didn’t hit high enough to make me want a second date. For those seeking something as a one and done deal, this might be calling your name. For those seeking a well balanced “sit and enjoy” type dram, you’ll likely want to look elsewhere. Flaviar (Peat it, pet it! Vol .2) 7/21/20