Tastes
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Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof Tennessee Whiskey
Tennessee Whiskey — Tennessee, USA
Reviewed November 23, 2021Bottle dated 4/13/20 from Kenwood Liquors (Chicago) at 131.1 proof. Really vibrant nose that betrays the proof of this whiskey - loads of brown sugar, dark fruits, vanilla, wood, and a peppery spice if I dig in a bit...some ethanol burn if I look for it, but nothing to indicate we're dealing with 65% alcohol here! Incredibly soft drinking for the ABV as well, this is as close to an easy sipper as you'll find for something 115+ proof...caramel, vanilla, dried oak, more spice than was evident on the nose - not rye-like, but "spicy", and chewy levels of brown sugar. Water opens up both the nose and the palate a bit more, allowing more fruit to come through on the sip. Good neat, good with a few drops - nothing to complain about either way. When I first cracked this bottle (disclaimer, its been 'open' for a year) it was hands down the best JD product I'd enjoyed...now it sits alongside the Barrel Proof Rye. Credit where credit is due - Jack Daniels does Barrel Proof in a way that will please those enjoying a high proof, but not overwhelm those who like their whiskey a little softer.63.0 USD per Bottle -
1792 Full Proof Single Barrel Select
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed November 21, 2021 (edited July 10, 2022)Drinking a SB Select bottled for Trail Inn/Triangle in NW IN. Nose is generally sweet - some butterscotch, cereal, a healthy layer of fruit and a significant dose of ethanol, but it is warm and inviting. Water opens things up just a smidge, but a bit of glass time worked as well. Flavor is full bodied...brown sugar, dark and light fruits (apple/berries), vanilla/wood, hints of spice...this is some pretty damn good stuff. I like this neat, and I like a bit of water in there - yes, its hot but always approachable. I hope I can keep finding this at MSRP...but I worry this will become harder and harder to find...44.0 USD per Bottle -
Years back, I had a pour of Yamazaki 12 that was purchased in the 1980s. It was delightful, and I have clamored for a bottle ever since. Finally found one at a reasonable price, so here's the review... Pours a straw color, and brings a vibrant, floral, sweet nose...fruity, sugary...this is a bold, and wonderful, nose, particularly for the proof. Feel like Ireland and Scotland are both in this bottle, and Ireland emerges on the palate. Soft, gentle sweetness in a honey-like fashion is the base here, and one could argue the flavor is not very complex, but more a delicate flower. I find you get more by holding it on the tongue a bit, else it finishes bit more quickly than I'd like and, dare I say, a bit thin (blasphemy!). Very fruity with melon notes...I really enjoy this pour, but wouldn't want to pay much more for a bottle of this, as some of the Nikkas and the Hibiki I've enjoyed offer similar for much less...110.0 USD per Bottle
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J. Henry & Sons 5 Year Cask Strength Patton Road Reserve
Bourbon — Wisconsin, USA
Reviewed November 20, 2021Picked this up as a value buy - was $42.99 at a Hyvee in MN (store barrel pick) - Figured more than a reasonable price for a cask strength, 5 year pour. Nose is sweet and dripping with brown sugar...solid dose of ethanol here lets you know this is high ABV. Digging deeper I get some vanilla and oak staves...just a bit of spice on the edges suggest a bit of rye in the bill (and yes, there is...). Water does some nice work, really allowing the vanilla to emerge. Flavor is quite hot...the ABV/youthfulness are evident - nothing offensive, but it feels like its overwhelming some other aspects. Water does wonders for this dram...much more vibrant after the heat is tempered. The vanilla comes back out on the palate alongside some sweet milky caramel. Finishes at a medium length and is overall on the sweeter end of the spectrum. Definitely enjoyed this with a few drops which allowed just a bit more complexity to emerge. Good bourbon, and a nice value at the price I snagged this bottle for...43.0 USD per Bottle -
Red Spot 15 Year Single Pot Still
Single Pot Still — Ireland
Reviewed October 23, 2021 (edited February 23, 2022)An opportunity presented itself so here we go. Nose is mostly sweet, not super complex bit wisps of smoke and fruit. Flavor is very fruit forward...lots of berry and a splash of vanilla. Butter smooth throughout. Solid pour though want this at the MSRP for proper value. -
Michter's US*1 Kentucky Straight Rye
Rye — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed August 22, 2021 (edited September 25, 2021)Golden amber body. Mildly spiced nose has a spearmint-like cooling feel built in...otherwise, feels a bit outdoorsy...underlying sweetness. Flavor has a tea-like herbalness among the spice...more minty notes...some brown sugar. Not overly complex, and the flavor is not long-lasting . Easy drinking in the sense that it drinks light on the palate...not watery, but on the borderline. Used to love this...now its more of a like, but when I'm not looking for a complex rye, this is a good choice. Admittedly there are much better choices for cocktails as this does not have the depth/spice of other straight ryes...38.0 USD per Bottle -
Sagamore Spirit 'Sagamore Reserve' Double Oak Rye (2017 Limited Edition Release)
Rye — (bottled in) Maryland, USA
Reviewed August 22, 2021 (edited September 27, 2021)Beautiful, deep garnet pour...shimmering on the edges. Nose is notably spicy with some wet wood notes throughout. Sweet, nutty, marzipan-like notes. Flavor brings a LOT of oak...plenty of spice, and an underlying sweetness that carries the finish. Some cherry notes entwined. Feels a bit youthful...but it is nonetheless an enjoyable pour -
Thomas S. Moore Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Finished Bourbon
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed August 5, 2021 (edited August 12, 2021)Rating #2 from the three bottles from this series. Notably better than the Chardonnay, this is unmistakably red wine from the start - grape-forward nose, there's gotta be some bourbon underneath, right? Definitely sweeter than I'd expect a Cab, and hints of brown sugar hang around. Flavor carries some of the expected Cab Sauv dryness, but not the oppressive astringency of the chardonnay offering. Just a bit of a one trick pony...nothing bad, but just not 'good'. Medium finish...I'd nip this again, but not a go-to on any occasion -
Beautiful garnet-brown pour. Nose is like boozy chocolate chip cookie dough - lots of vanilla, brown sugar, chocolate....hint of baking spice. Flavor is also full of vanilla and baking spices/breadiness...not a ton of barrel here as it finishes sweet-forward. Mild ethanol burn mainly post-sip with a long finish. Enjoyable drink - medium complexity with enjoyable flavors and sips beautifully for a strong ABV.50.0 USD per Bottle
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Snagged a nip from a buddy a while back, then saw it lying around for $17, so picked up a 750. Nose is sweet...catch the corn and the caramel...seems to pack a bit more than I would expect at the price point. Flavor reminds me of a ballpark - peanuts and popcorn - get a 'circus peanut' vibe here, but not in an off-putting way (which is tough, as 95% of the time this would be a detractor). Still corn...vanilla...hint of wood - I'll be damned if this isn't quite good. Short finish, which wasn't unexpected. One of the best value bourbons I've had (and I know I got a good price). Old Tub won't be confused with something mid-upper shelf, but if you're reaching below waist level, this is a solid pick. Worlds better than JB white label! Bonus tick for value!17.0 USD per Bottle
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