Tastes

The Oregon Spirit bourbon is a straight American bourbon, with a corn forward approach with a mix of rye, wheat and malted barley. The combination of the mash bill should provide sweet, earthy, spice that should hold for an interesting experience. The Nose is noticeable right out of the pour, the rich and intense aromas are noticeable long before a swirl or a whiff. Cinnamon spice rolls out of the glass and decorates a wood and slight vanilla like nose—cereal grains accompany a deeper spice note as you approach the glass. What’s also noticeable is a well heavy dose of ethanol, maybe it’s due to the age but it’s noticeable and ruins what would be an otherwise pleasant aroma. The taste—intense cinnamon spice is very forward, while the finish is slightly sweet and woody. Second taste a little more develop nice fruity notes underneath the rich spice, the oaky and vanilla finish is a nice touch. The drink isn’t overly complex and is fairly simple, the spice really comes through, maybe even too much, would be nice to get a bigger hint of the fruit, oak and vanilla that’s pretty pleasant. The Oregon spirit is definitely worth a visit, it doesn’t have a great nose, nor is it very complex, but it’s a great pour with intense spice forwardness and a polite woody vanilla finish, it leaves more to be desired, but was surprisingly good. — the scotch guy

The Grangestone 12, from the makers of Glenfiddich and Balvenie, an entry level scotch that is perfect for newcomers and shareable experiences. The combo of light floral, citrus combined with oak, malt and vanilla makes for what should be an interesting experience. The nose—the citrus notes pick up on the upper part of the aroma, the floral/oak notes are layered deep in the aromatics—as with the non-aged statement versions you have to dig a little to get past the aroma of phenolic influences which are pretty heavy for a 12. The taste—Smokey goodness, the influences of grains/cereals, wood (oak), noticeable peat/smoke bring a level of depth and flavor that is surprising as it is rewarding. The finish is accompanied with a tie of floral notes and a subtle delicate sweetness that invites you to try another sip. The bigger surprise is the consistency drink to drink. The Grangestone 12 is a rare occasion of development beyond the nose, the aromatics are messy and chemical like, while the aromas aren’t unpleasant—they don’t tell half the story. The truth is in the juice, what is expected to be a unrefined explosion of malt, phenols, and ethanol, instead is a balanced taste of subtle spice, rich notes of cereals, smoke/peat, and oak, with a delightful finish to match. This was a surprising dram, that would make for a great beginner scotch as well as a good well for season scotch drinkers and a perfect share at a party. —the scotch guy

Grangestone’s rum cask finish, a combination of American oak casked with a rum cask finish, which makes for a bright honey colored juice with a noticeable aroma. The nose—is an inviting aroma of sweet sugary tones of rum that develops into an earthy oaky aroma shrouded by a heavy influence of malt; subtle notes of caramelized sugar peek through with hints of spice. The malt is noticeable and interrupts what would be a delightful inviting aroma, while the smell of malt isn’t bad persay, it is most noticeable. The taste—fairly heavy malt with a dry spice finish, the inclusion of any fruit or sweet notes of sugar or rum influence are fleeting to borderline unnoticeable. The strong presence of ethanol is present and can hi-jack what would mimic some sherried inspired juice—instead it’s entirely missed with a bomb of heavy spice limited oak, sugar, and practically void of much else. It’s hard to be disappointed in something so friendly in price but with an expectation of a rum influenced that opportunity is missed by overpowering notes of oak, malt and spice. While inexpensive, it doesn’t live up to the small investment, and probably wouldn’t be worth a revisit—what’s not bad is the juice; it’s drinkable but is just not better than other offerings at this price under the same product label. Next. —the scotch guy

Grangestone sherry cask stands to be an introductory scotch that is casked and distilled to be an entry level rendition scotch. It’s desire is to be an easy drinkable imitation of a much finer/pricier scotch without too much sacrifice on aroma and taste. The nose—strong sherry notes shine through, followed by notes of plum, hints of vanilla and caramel lurk deep within the shallow aromas giving you just a minor peak at what you will experience. The taste—nice sherry spice develops through the finish and is surprisingly delightful. The smokiness is subtle, the juice is fairly rough and acidic with a malty flavor that coats your tongue. The consistency is lacks continuity and there were major variables between taste while never terribly it’s difficult to really get a consistent note from one drink to another. The spice on the finish is nice and brings your back, but the heavy malt flavor drowns out the subtle notes of fruit and vanilla, oak makes an appearance and is pleasant. It’s hard to not like the Grangestone, it’s rough edgy and charming, while the aromas and taste leave a lot to be desired—it is enough to keep you wanting a more enriched experience. What it lacks in refinement and consistency it produces in bold and sometimes rich flavors which pans out to a fairly balanced and pleasant experience—a great introduction for things to come. -the scotch guy

RB15 an ode to the 12, bourbon and oloroso sherry makes a much anticipated return for a rich and intense experience. The aromatics—very bright and acidic, notes of citrus and a woody influence poke through. The maturity of the casks definitely provide a more in depth aromatics. The taste—scotch, scotch, scotch, very interesting flavor profile, floral earthy tones, feel peated, but “unintimidating” this mellow/rich experience is smoky, woody, and spicy work in tandem for an mellow cascade of balanced matured sweetness with a long lingering spice. Definitely enjoyed this pour, although, the 12 remains the favorite, this should not be slept on—this would make a very enjoyable single malt and comparatively it could hold its on in terms of upfront notes of smokiness and juicy spice, which provide a memorable tasteful experience.

RBL a delightful marriage between a bourbon cask and oloroso sherry cask—should make for an interesting blend of sweet/fruit/spice—the bottle is finished in the Lustau Sherry cask for an additional year. The aromatics—a surprisingly sweet nose that is accompanied by notes of dates/figs, and a rich sweet aroma are really forward for a very simple aroma, but lacks the depth and complexity of the RB12. The taste—this taste is very different from the aromatics, the spice is forward and rich, delicate notes of figs coat the tongue and enrich the experience, but surprisingly there’s not a whole lot coming out in the first few drams. Although the bite is pleasant making for an easy drink, it hasn’t offered much in terms of finish. At this point, the Lustau was a bit of a disappointment, although I try not to let anticipation influence my review, I really expected those notes of sherry and bourbon cask to be noticeable and discernible, but at this moment it was balanced but completely flat in terms of taste, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing because it tastes good, but the experience was left to be desired.

RB12, I’ve long anticipated trying this dram, and at first try this single pot still does the trick. A lovely marriage of malted and inmates barely tied together with great aromatics, good palate, and a surprisingly long finish. The nose—lots of floral and wood tones, the fruity notes are not shy and come through in tail and bring a citrus balance, the sweeter notes are hidden down below and buried by the aforementioned, but by far a delightful aroma and a good tale of what’s to come. The taste—not love at first sip as expected, but the fullness in the body coats your tongue with a warm subtle bit with wood and floral tones—similar to those found in the aromatics—the sweetness and fruit soon follows for a pleasant finish the balance of vanilla and citrus are not hard to detect but can get lost with wood/floral/spice start. All-in-all this is a very tasty bottle, despite not holding up to my high expectations, I don’t feel slightest on the least, as with most, this bottle will only become more lovable as you dive into over time, those characteristics mid-bottle will shine and show their true intent. I cannot wait to dive into the next dram.

The Whistle 15 brings the mash bill back to 100% rye, it also reintroduces the aroma of sweet (caramel, vanilla, or toffee) with an oaky/wood complexity. Aromatics—immediately the sweet aromas (caramel, vanilla, toffee) are noticeable, in tow are a wood (oak) and subtle buttery notes. Several sniffs in, it reminded me of a kettle corn aroma which drove my taste buds mad. Taste—the taste is fairly complex as there was a lot to unpack, in the first go my start was warm welcoming sweet caramel/vanilla flavor that was quickly interrupted by notes of spice and pepper. In my second taste, it was much smoother, and welcoming as I could anticipate the intense/complex change of characteristics. The warm welcome of sweet caramel was more welcoming in transition of heat from the rye and spice from the peppery notes, minor hints of herbal/earthy notes accompany a semi-complex finish that dribbles a small dribble of caramel sweetness that leads you wanting more. The WP15 is definitely a more complex and intimidating dram, while the aromatics are fantastic and are well put together. The taste is a charismatic flow of multiple flavors from sweet caramel, to pepper and herbal/earthy notes that stick with your palette much longer than the WP10; the lingering taste leaves you wanting another go. Fans of the WP10 may be left wanting more of the velvety vanilla forward notes that dominate the experience for an easy sipper—meanwhile the WP15 is more complex, adventurous, and rewarding dram with each taste. For the price it may not offer enough to justify the amount—be advised. — a scotch guy”

This 95% rye - 5% barley has some elements of scotch, while lacking the smoke and the bite of a traditional scotch, the Whistle Pig 12 is well balanced and put together, the strong spice finish is rewarding without being punishing. Amoratics—floral and earthy, it’s somewhat delicate and it overpowering, the spice notes are not as noticeable on the nose, but sneak up on you in the finish. Taste—definitely strong notes of floral and earthy notes in the front. The finish is fairly rich with a lasting spice note, it’s just enough wake up your taste buds without being overly powerful. I feel like this bottle betters the more you get into, while not as easy on the pallet as the WP10 it’s has far more character. — a scotch guy”