Tastes

Banana cream pie, orange peel, crusty bread on the nose. Juicy tropical entry on the palate, sugar cookies, some grapefruit bitterness. Quick finish, on the dry side.

Definitely a higher rye grain bill, there is a funky, spicy note that dominates the nose and palate. Beyond that there's a bubblegum and candy quality to this bourbon. The low proof is evident, but not a detriment.

I am continually annoyed when my tasting notes ride the app review's coattails. In this case my first big impression was candied orange and ginger. The peat is more of a sigh than a shout. Glazed ham, pepper, fennel, and spicy gingersnap cookies round out the flavor. The lingering note is the orange and spice. The whisky is not overly sweet, but is reminiscint of the rich, sweet food around Christmas time.

Tons of dried fruit on the nose, think apricots and raisins, then cinnamon cake and chocolate cookies. Alcohol is well hidden. Huge dessert flavors: chocolate orange, cinnamon and cardamom, brown sugar, bread rolls, but enough heat and wood spice to cut through so it isn't cloying. This one kicks you in the pants on the way out the door, the alcohol and spice clings. Even if this isn't true Pappy, just an inheritor of the surname, this is really good stuff, the sort of whisky to enjoy with a slice of pecan pie as dessert.

Very sweet nose, but not of rich dark fruit. Honey drizzled over buttery toast, fresh cut grass, salted pretzel. Bright, lemony herbal flavor, more honey, maybe some stewed peaches, quick finish. This will probably take me more time to appreciate this subtle dram. It's a nuanced pour, but oddly compelling.

Nose: Orange zest, cinnamon cake, bright and tart jammy notes. Palate: Buttery french toast with syrup and berries, ginger, lemon, mild pepper, cranberry tartness. Looong finish. The bright fruit lingers but not too sweet. Fantastic pour. Not overrated.

Stocking stuffer whisky, Part IV. This is a peated blend, but what's there is a very faint medicinal whiff and hint of smoke on the nose. After that, it's a lazy river of vanilla and baking spice. Not terribly complex, and I can't see myself reaching for this over Monkey Shoulder or Dewar's, which are comparably or lower priced and more layered than this one is.

Stocking stuffer whisky, Part III. I was honestly surprised how much I liked this. The aroma is grape must, doughy grains, sugar glaze. Flavor has earthy, chocolatey round notes, and toast. Sweet honey finish. Really punching above its weight.

Stocking stuffer whisky, Part II. Not a huge difference in tasting notes from the Founders Reserve. The time in the barrel has rounded out the flavor, deepened the frutiness. A good starting dram for novices.

Stocking stuffer whisky, Part I. I received several 50 ml nips from friends and family, entry-level stuff but for the most part were not drams I'd tasted or reviewed before. Honestly I dont get much on the nose. Some creamy sweetness, fruit preserves. Flavor is slightly syrupy like tinned fruit, some herbs, fairly flat. Quick finish. This is bargain tier single malt, and while it's perfectly palatable, its probably best described as the 'Gansett or PBR of respectable whiskies. It's clean, no frills, and doesn't ask much of the drinker.