Tastes

The palate is just as dark and rich as the color and nose of this whiskey. Dark rich sugars, molasses, brown sugar, and oak are so intense and rich that it is indescribable. The finish is long and flavorful. At 135.3 proof there is definitely a KY bear hug and my lips want to go numb if I take too big a sip. You know, it wouldn’t hurt my feelings at all if my dentist used this to numb me up for dental work.

Fresh crisp green apple with a touch of caramel on the nose. On the front of the palate it is smooth sweet caramel that drinks like an 80 proofer then the spice and proof slowly rise up on the finish. The aftertaste is a clean oak.

Reminiscent of Ezra Brooks without the dustiness. Mix 2 parts apple pie filling with 1 part cherry pie filling served on a graham cracker crust with a sprinkle of brown sugar in terms of flavor but not sweetness. The tartness balances the sweetness. There is a little oak on the backside of the sip. The hug lingers but the flavor does not. C921 is still my favorite.

Nose: Cherry, vanilla and oak Palate: Caramel, vanilla, oak, orange with a strong burst of cinnamon in the back Finish: Cherry, vanilla and oak that ends in bitterness.

The nose is buttered toast and apple juice with a little lemon and spice. The palate is rich, buttered toast, honey, apple juice and spice. Apple peel lingers on the tongue after the finish. On first crack the buttered toast dominates nose snd palate. After some time in the glass the apple and honey are more prominent.

For some reason banana just seems out of place in a bourbon. The initial nose is exclusively banana runts, not even real banana fruit. Give it time in the glass and it will evolve into banana bread and baking spices. On the palate, banana bread, cinnamon and maybe a hint of oak if you want it bad enough. Seems hot for 100 proof. If you love bananas, this bourbon is for you. If you love bourbon, find something else.

Eagle Rare is definitely above average but not quite 4 stars especially with the poor availability and the $60 price tag. I turned it down at $60 but was willing to try it at $50. This is certainly a pleasant bourbon but not slap your mama good. I would purchase it again only occasionally for under $45 but I can see why people who can get it for $30 use it as an easy daily sipper. Nose: Vanilla, caramel, grape soda Palate: Caramel, vanilla, oak and grape soda

There is a bright fruitiness of apple and citrus and then brown sugar and creamy toffee before harsh baking spices kick in the back door and explode onto the scene with a hint of herbal notes on the backside. It starts out very pleasing and ends on a harsh note leaving you with the feeling that you just had a door slammed in your face. That might be why so many people use it as a mixer. But honestly, there are tastier cheaper bourbons to use as mixers.

At first crack this bourbon was all fresh cut grass and raw dough with a heartburn type sensation that is different from the classic wonderful Ky hug on most bourbons I’ve tried. I waited a week and gave it another try. N: Caramel, oak and vanilla with a hint of grass P: Rich Caramel, molasses and leather with oak and leather on the finish. Long finish. The oak and leather lingered delightfully for more than 5 minutes. I would buy this on a regular basis at $35 but only occasionally at $45

Vanilla icing, oak and slight fruit on the nose. Creamy mouthfeel. The palate is richer than the nose with caramel, vanilla icing, oak, dried fruit, leather, tobacco and citrus with a punch of Christmas spices on the back. Honestly I think this bottle keeps getting better with each pour. I just spent 25 minutes nosing and sipping one pour.