Tastes

The nose of this one requires time to really take in and saturate. Some notes are extremely easy to find. There's vanilla, almond and a bright caramel. However, upon sitting with it a moment longer, I found citrus and key lime pie, toasted crust and all. It's quite creamy. This one isn't too sweet. While other bourbons give you a candy store, this is a more civilized portion, and it's quite nice. At 88 proof, the heat shows up, takes a picture with the group, then leaves pretty quickly. You have some residual heat balance on the throat, but again, it's a short visit. On the exit, you'll find toasted grains and what I believe is chestnut. While I can't really speak to Wyoming Whiskey and their other variations on this line, I have to say this one is quite nice and does reward you for looking for it. (FWF Share #44) Opened: 10/18/17 Finished: 03/06/18

At 14 years, this is an amazing scotch for the money. On the nose you'll immediately find fresh melon, honey, and ripe fruit. There's a harder to find but definable sweet note, displaying candy and tropical hues. I got banana and wood upon first contact. That's all mixed with a mild heat to get your salivary glands working over time. It's only on the finish that you detect baking spices and walnut. This one is has something for everyone to love at some point along the journey. (FWF share #33) Opened: 08/24/17 Finished: 05/18/18

Out of the gates, Straight Edge is fighting and uphill battle. It's sister bourbon, Slaughter House, in my opinion, is one of the most interesting and satisfying bourbons I've ever encountered. That said, one hopes this particular outing lives up to that same hype. Spoilers! It doesn't. There's nothing wrong with it though. It's a strong bourbon with a woody nose, brown sugar, dried fruits and a subtle cherry profile. It's rich, deep and satisfying and does give you what you'd want out of a uniquely bottled bourbon. It's biggest issue isn't that it's a bad bourbon. Quite the contrary actually. It's really good. I genuinely like it and would recommend it to my whiskey friends. It's biggest issue is that for the same price (or less), you could be drinking Slaughter House instead. This stuff is too good to use in cocktails, but not as good as Slaughter House. That's a tough place to exist unless one prefers traditional bourbons. (FWF share #32) Opened: 08/21/17 Finished: 01/30/18

Full Disclosure: I had to look up what Merced Rye was. Turns out, it's a brilliant idea. On the nose, you'll first find fresh fields followed by strong vanilla, caramel and fudge. Take a few moments to breathe this one in. There are layers to find and if you like sweets, they just keep coming out of the woodwork. That sweet aroma is is trailed by mild heat as it rounds out your entire mouth. This is a full experience from beginning to end. Dried nuts, and a distinctive almond profile say their last goodbyes as you wait between sips. One should appreciate a fine whiskey that can walk that perfect line of lingering on the back end, especially when the notes are well defined on every level up to that point (FWF share #35). Opened: 09/08/17 Finished: 01/13/19

At face value, this is an extremely enjoyable dram. You find what you'd expect here: slight brine offset by sweetness and burnt nutty notes. It's just plain pleasant and really nice to kick back with. That's simultaneously gratifying and a bit disappointing. With something labeled as the first ever IPA aged scotch, you hope for a little more. Had I not been told this was IPA aged, I wouldn't have been able to tell any difference. It's only by knowing this fact that you're able to pick out the slightest (and I mean, slightest) IPA character elements. On top of that, they're extremely fleeting and you find them only in the very last second of swallowing. If you're not familiar with IPAs, you'll be lucky to find them at all. If you're in search of a solid scotch, you'll find one here. However, if it's adventure you're looking for, you're better off spending less on a more pronounced wine finish option. (FWF share #26) Opened: 07/13/17 Finished: 04/06/18

Do yourself a favor and avoid this if you want to enjoy anything after it. The nose isn't terrible. It has some nice depth to it. That's about where the positive side of this bourbon ends. This stuff removes taste buds and requires Wolverine's healing factor to bring them back. Maybe this is decent in a cocktail, but on it's own, you better be making money on a dare or have lost a bet. Wild Turkey makes some really savory and delicious bourbon. This just isn't it. (FWF share #16)

The best way I can think to sum up this bourbon is something like this: imagine you have a friend and you go way back. You treasure that friendship until you find out one day that he sold the PlayStation you lent him for college along with all your games. You then realize that your history is sorted at best and you begin to see that your friendship has a lot of holes you've just been ignoring for the past 6 years. Ouch. This bourbon is like that. You're captivated for a moment with its character, then all of a sudden the proof punches you in the throat out of nowhere. "That's odd" you think to yourself and you take another sip, this one totally enjoyable. You laugh at yourself saying "see? We're totally fine!" That's when you next sip chokes you, then steals and sells your favorite vintage Journey tee. This was inconsistent and too harsh at times for me to enjoy as much as I wanted to. (FWF share #4)

On the nose, you'll find what you'd expect from any average bourbon, subtle spice, a hint of brown sugar, caramel and a nice woody finish. The low proof means you taste it quickly and then it's gone. This is pleasantly palatable own it's own legs but might be more enjoyable and arguably more interesting when used to enhance a cocktail. (FWF share #29)

This is a fun entry from Laphroaig. Upon the first nose, you sense how deep and rich the dram will be. There's wood, dried fruits, vanilla, pecan and even a buttery caramel lurking. This is a Laphroaig after all, so smoke is there too, but compared to your standard 10 year, it's mild and provides room for all the aforementioned notes to shine through. On the tongue, a lovely and welcomed sweetness, accentuated by heat and warmth as it hits the back of your throat. The length of time this one stays with you is staggering and acts as a reminder that this isn't your standard Laphroaig. Here's to a hearty scotch that doesn't let you down while toying with some unique and interesting elements. (FWF share #30)

There's no doubt this is a smooth and satisfying bourbon. The nose is soft with vanilla and dark cherry greeting you upon entry. There's a mild wood tone you really have to search for. Be patient. It's more identifiable if you add a drop of water but no drop is needed. In the mouth, full bodied, leaving no surface untouched. You get to savor it even after it's gone and that's a beautiful thing. There's almost no burn and the subtle warmth it does have hits in all the right places to accentuate the sweetness. This will be one I have on hand frequently. (FWF share #25) Buy #2 Opened: 12/8/18 Finished: