Tastes

Caveat up front is I've had this a few times, but finally cracking mine open at home...so let's rate this (I already know wonderful) neck pour... Pours a reddish amber that tries to show off some of its age...its a nice looking bourbon, but let's be fair, that's not what's garnering the lofty reviews... So moving onto the nose...did someone swap out some long-aged Parker's Heritage and put it in my glass? Am I nosing some George T. Stagg? Holy heck this is glorious...both bold and delicate simultaneously. Ripe berries, caramel, about a perfect dose of oaky tannin, vanilla bean, and an almost wine-like character...with nary a speck of ethanol. I mean, while I think a challenge of guessing the ABV based on the nose would be preposterous (if not kind of fun), I would probably peg this as BiB level or less...and would be absolutely dumbfounded to find this is 133 proof. I'll say this - the nose is all but flawless...and I literally enjoyed the scents for 15 minutes before moving onto the first sip. The palate just continues the ride...and what a ride it is. Before getting into individual tastes, I found it fascinating how the taste just explodes upon sip, then eases back sharply before warming into a long, constantly warming, finish. A preposterous amount of caramel is met by warm berries, creme brulee, a splash of roasted coffee bean, chocolate, vanilla, more dark fruits, but blackberry/raspberry like, and again, about the perfect amount of charred oak - the barrel presence is something I'm harping on, for good reason. I'll sum up the flavor - 'damn!' This is as easy drinking as 133 proof could possibly be...just a skosh of initial ethanol burn and an incredibly amble sipper. Water you ask? Unnecessary, and if anything detracts from an already pristine experience. Quite possibly the best value I've ever received from a bottle purchase...there's nothing I can find as a fault to keep this from a firewall 5, particularly given the price point.

Cracked recently in our small society for higher end bottles, as this is a $200 bottle in my neck of the woods. But, its Redbreast, and I'm never disappointed by Redbreast...right? Pours just a bit darker than expected, and definitely has some hints of the aging on the nose as it isn't as light and airy as 'standard' Redbreast (speaking to the 12 year). Its definitely still sweet...laden with honey, but also plenty of light, tropical fruits, and there is some of the port character. Flavor is more robust than 'standard' Redbreast, but there isn't necessarily more character in this sip...yes, there's some evidence of the aging, but, as much as it pains me, I'm not sure it makes it a better pour, as some of the wispy character on the palate is lost with a more syrupy, heavier sip. There's still plenty of honey and general sweetness up front, but it gets a bit full with even hints of spice on the backend. The palate feels heavy, but not cumbersome...bits of dry oak on the finish. So, is this a good pour. Yes. But I would argue Redbreast 12 is a better pour...and the Redbreast PX feels worlds beyond this pour in terms of intrigue and depth. Let's be fair, this is a mild disappointment, but maybe that's because all (and I mean all) local places (Chicagoland) carrying this bottle are at the $195-$215 price point...and at that sticker, its just not worth it.

Took me a hot minute to open this bottle, but the up front TLDR - it was worth the wait... While I'd nipped this at a bar before, this is one to enjoy with plenty of time. The nose is instantly vibrant...and unmistakably Turkey, but in a good way. Plenty of caramel, wet oak, fruits (apple and berry), and a yeasty funk on the edges that rounds it out well, but this nose has some power, and while unnecessary, a couple of drops opens it up just a bit while not making any major changes. Flavor is also nice...a bold pour that like the nose, feels very 'Turkey' from start to finish. Plenty of sweet fruits, caramel, vanilla, and barrel up front that turns into a very dry oak before a roller coaster ensues...plenty of heat, bursts of sweet caramel, and an incredibly long, and enjoyable finish. If I'm nitpicky, this is a bit heavily oaked, and definitely feels like it has some age to it. It doesn't turn offensive or over-oaked, but I can see how this would be a bit much for some. I actually found this to be an excellent pour that is probably being bottled at the right point in its lifespan...and the nose and finish are the show... Worth the price? At MSRP, yes? Worth the chase - probably...this one kind of fell into my lap, and I'm quite happy it did...

Pale straw pour, and on the thin end of the spectrum. I'll start off by simply saying that if I nosed this 100% blind, I'd probably go Irish...this is a sweet, tropical, fruity, honey-filled, sugar-cookie nose. It is vibrant and inviting...and requires some time and digging to bring out a nice briny note, but plenty of melon and cantaloupe. It is light and airy if you give it a delicate nosing, but if you go in deeper, plenty of ethanol emerges. Water changes it very little...if anything, it detracts. Flavor is much more scotch-like...but remains on the sweeter end of the spectrum. Still plenty of tropical fruit - picking up some pineapple and orangey notes...still some saltiness, a bit of wood on the backend. Some spice...plenty of honey throughout makes this a very approachable scotch for those who don't really love scotch. Just a bit of alcohol burn, and like the nose, water does nothing to add, but also doesn't detract. Finish is medium...some backend dryness was a bit of a surprise, probably due to the sweet character, but kept me coming back for sip after sip. I would say this is one of the more intriguing 'whiskey of the year' winners in some time...its easy enough to find, priced well, and takes you on an interesting, unique ride that is, well, enjoyable throughout. Excited to try more Glenglassaugh products after this experience!

Figured I've nipped the 2022 and 2023 enough and in the mood for a couple rates tonight, so here it goes. This whiskey has a wonderful peanut butter nose that seriously reminds me of a Reese's PB Cup...boasting of chocolatey sweetness (maybe a skosh of oreo cookie?), peanut brittle, caramel, some fruits, and even some light flowery notes on the edges...its interesting and pretty damn great. The palate is enjoyable, but downright "vanilla" compared to the nose. Generally sweet, but not complex...hints of brown sugar, mildly roasted peanuts, a hint of chocolate if I search, and well, otherwise, just a characteristic bourbon, with a bit of back end ethanol that reminds you this is a 115ish proofer. Mouthfeel is average...not particularly viscous, but not thin either. Overall this is a really nice whiskey...but let's be fair, the palate/flavors keep this from being an absolute banger...like 4.75ish...and this was a bit of a surprise as I'd guess the palate has been the show on the vast majority of Barrell products (of which I am a big fan) I've enjoyed. This is quite good, and admittedly unique, and while the palate was a bit of a downer, I'm definitely happy to have this bottle on my shelf...

Batch 10 pour...nose is somewhat reticent, but what is there is mildly fruity, somewhat sweet, but with some spice on the edges, baking spices, and a splash of vanilla...but again, you need to work for this one. The palate is much more lively, and is definitely a surprise after the stubborn nose. Plenty of dark fruit, brown sugar, some rye spices, charred wood, a splash of honey, and maybe a bit of cigar...its interesting and gives you something new with each sip. Mouthfeel is slightly thinner than expected (and desired)...not a true detractor, but a trait that was notable at first sip. I'd call this a fun pour...one that I would happily share with others, but admittedly not one that I will look to restock when it eventually bids me adieu...as it felt like something that should sip around $50, maybe more like $60, though I do recognize that it is probably priced accordingly due to the cask aging.

Local store had a bottle of this on the clearance shelf for $9.99...I mean, is that not the definition of a no-brainer? Anyway, what do we have here...a nice ruddy amber pour with a surprisingly dry, leathery, woody nose...hints of fruit, but there's a lot of fresh oak going on here. It is a nice bourbon that noses like it has more age than I expect it has. The flavor is a bit light, and doesn't necessarily hold up to the nose. Sweet and fruity, but still some "wet" wood notes throughout...but while the nose suggests some age, the flavor feels much more youthful, but not in a bad way. There's also plenty of telltale vanilla. Drinks hotter than its ABV...this is an excellent pour for what I paid for it, but would have much less value at MSRP for me personally. Regardless, a pleasant sipper that would please most bourbon drinkers, including those newer to the game

Enjoyed in the past with my small whiskey club, and this is a pour about a month later out of an Aged and Ore Flask. Nice copper color with some serious legs after a swirl of the Norlan glass. Nose is overarchingly sweet, and it isn't hard to find the influence of the cognac casks rising to the top. A bit yeasty/bready, and somewhat grainy...water doesn't do much to open things up further, but while there's ethanol, it isn't over the top given the ABV. I find the flavor of this whiskey to be the show...its deep, vibrant, and thoroughly enjoyable (and a number of drops allows the palate to shine). Plenty of fruits emerge...some grape, some fig, mostly dark fruit though, but there's more, including some chocolatey notes, some beer-like flavors, and again, no mistaking the influence of the cognac cask. I really thought this was a solid pour...but as much as I'll give a bonus tick to the lower shelfers that rise to the occasion, this does feel a bit overpriced for a whiskey that relies so heavily on the cask. Again, it is quite good, but this feels like it would be better served around $100-120...just my opinion...

"Won" this bottle at a right-to-buy raffle, though it was still quite pricey, but served as an excellent offering for a group purchase/crack. This is a top ten, maybe top five nose in my modest, but far from neophyte, whiskey drinking career. Lively and vibrant from the first nose, this one has plenty of rum barrel influences that changes just a bit each time you nose deeper. Tons of tropical fruits ranging from orange and passion fruit to berries and banana-like esters. But beneath the rum barrel is an impressive base whiskey, replete with caramel and vanilla and oh-so-inviting. Note that water doesn't do much to open things further, but that is also completely unnecessary with this whimsical pour. Flavor is lighter than anticipated, but in a good, approachable manner (even if a 'negative' is that its 'too easy' to drink). I would argue the rum barrel is more prevalent on the palate than on the nose, and I can't scratch a 'rum and coke' like flavor with cola-like flavors. It is a very sweet pour, but doesn't feel fake in any sense, with plenty of caramel, vanilla, and light wood notes to make it clear this is, indeed, bourbon. Dessert like with hints of vanilla bon-bons and chocolate-covered cherries. Finish is light and airy, but lasting. I pick up some new notes of molasses and pineapple (seriously) on the finish. An amazing pour that I went into with considerable skepticism. I overpaid relative to MSRP, but I would pay this price again to have a fresh bottle on the shelf...

Rating a bottle that's been open a few years...probably purchased in 2020 or 2021. Pours amber, and a quick nose gives you the impression that this means business. Spicy, but bourbon through and through, there's plenty of vanilla and wood on the nose, but more than a healthy dose of ethanol makes you feel like you're diving into something 125+. Taking in the scent a bit more cautiously, it is actually quite pleasant, with vanilla remaining the key variable on the nose. Flavor is also vanilla-forward, with elements of spice on the edges (though far from a 'spicy' pour, there's also a sweetness alongside the vanilla). Some sweet cherry notes on the backend give it just a bit more depth to an otherwise straightforward pour. A pretty bold pour, this one drinks hot for the proof, which doesn't come as a surprise if you've given the dram a proper nosing. It's a pleasant drink...and one that I enjoyed early in my bourbon career, but there isn't a ton of depth here (which makes me excited to crack the Bakers 13 sitting on the shelf...another night!)