Tastes

I don’t feel like the addition of the quarter casks does this any favors. The sherry-smoky dynamic just comes across like a smoked sausage flavor to me. Reminds me a lot of a Schlenkerla beer, if you’re familiar with those. Which is to say, it tastes gimmicky, especially when compared with the Lore.

Wasn’t sure what to expect, but this was a pretty nice surprise. The backbone of the palate is a dark honey, which is made more intense with the higher proof. There’s no real caramel to speak of, but you don’t miss it. There’s some significant spiciness from the yeast and the wood, and also some bright fruits bouncing around with the spices. This bottle also has a bit of an “antique” vibe, with faint corn dust, vanilla, and pecan nuttiness hanging in the background. Tastes quite similar to (and possibly better than) Old Forester Birthday, but it isn’t stupidly rare, so that’s a plus. The only real flaw of this bourbon: it makes a really disappointing Old Fashioned. Highly recommended if you want something off the beaten path.

My second rating, for a different barrel. Whereas the first had a kind of off-kilter palate with a wonderful finish, this bottle has the opposite. Wonderful flavors, almost a bullseye for what you’d want bourbon to taste like, but just a little too harsh for its own good, especially for 50% abv. Great stuff, and I wish it weren’t so rare, but as long as the quality remains at this level, I won’t complain.

No amount of hype and rarity can take away from the fact that you can easily find a better, cheaper replacement in Maker’s 46. The Weller/Van Winkle flavors that you want to taste are certainly there (cherry, vanilla, corn dust, black tea, etc.), but are mostly covered up by excess alcohol and astringency. Very rough around the edges. Giving the bottle time to air out over the past two months hasn’t helped much either, but at the end of the day, it does make a very good old fashioned. It’s supposed to be a budget bourbon, and it functions best if you treat it that way. Save your expectations for the higher-tier Weller stuff, which is indeed pretty nice.

It’s really boring honestly. Certainly doesn’t taste bad, but it gives you nothing to think about once you’re past the first couple of sips.

Probably the fruitiest bourbon I’ve had. Heavy on the stone fruits, berries and barrel tannins. Pretty interesting combo. Not god-tier, but it is tasty and unique.

As expected, tastes like Pikesville but better. But that’s the opposite of a problem. No complaints with this one, other than the availability

Better than I was expecting, quite balanced and pretty for something that’s peat-forward, in the vein of Oban and the like. Doesn’t taste overly young despite the no age statement.