Tastes

Nose is sweet, sweet corn, hints of orangey tropical fruits, banana, and more corn. Flavor is unique for me...the corn notes are still prevalent, but there's a sticky sweetness...a cross between caramel and butterscotch, some apple notes, and finishes with an important dose of young wood that levels the playing field. Palate is light on it's feet and a very easy drinker.

Fruity esters, brown (slightly burnt) sugars, vanilla, and mild ethanol dominate the nose. Know some folks have mentioned various berries here and though I'm not able to place individual fruits, the berry sweetness is evident. Gets better with a bit of glass time. Flavor is sweet with a bit of underlying spice - keeps it interesting - along with some oak and fruit. Good stuff that seems to evolve from sip to sip. Palate is full...easy drinking even with a bit of backend heat, and a well-above average length to the finish. An interesting dram that will keep you guessing.

Been a while, so time to settle in and rate and old friend. Very sweet nose with hints of marzipan, light oak, and almost a buttercream frosting - the sherry barrel is in control here. People who don't like scotch would like the nose. Approachable flavor remains sweet, but somewhat dry - some almond/honey notes mimic the nose for me - some other fruits emerge. Pleasant and easy drinking. Not the most complex scotch, but one that never disappoints!

Bottle 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.

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...

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...

Picked 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...

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.

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...

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