Tastes

Wally’s barrel select. They said it was 11 years old. Oak, vanilla, and butterscotch on the nose. Thick and pleasant viscosity. Definitely a step up from the standard Small Batch, which is a good value in its own right. Really enjoyed this select. 4.5 ⭐️ / $30 / Wally’s / LA

Typical bourbon nose with a not so typical bourbon taste. Silky smooth mouthfeel. A delicious balance of smoke, oak, vanilla, and red fruits. The subtle smokiness really sets it apart. Hardly any burn. Finish is a little on the short side but the balance of all flavors are always present. I seem to be hitting this bottle a lot; purchased a back-up bottle. 4.75 ⭐️ / $115 / Third Base Spirit & Wine

On the nose I get banana bread and slight vanilla. Very unusual and fruity, in an unexpected, good way; especially for the proof. Medium viscosity with a big bold flavor of banana bread, vanilla, caramel, some spice and back to banana bread. This really breaks away from the traditional bourbon flavors I’m used to. Hardly any oak, a slight char flavor with a nice hug. Finish tapers off into apple and banana with lingering spices. Looking forward to comparing to a store pick I grabbed for even less $. While I don’t see this on the shelf frequently. For the price, proof, and flavor, this is an amazing deal and quite enjoyable. I love the barrel proofs (this isn’t truly a barrel proof) but this is one of the more unique ones I’ve had. Not my favorite, but definitely some delicious juice. 4.5 ⭐️ / $50 / Random corner LQ in O-Side

Dark fruits and slight oak on the nose. Reminded me of the Rhetoric 22 on first nose. First taste was WAY more different than expected. I guess it’s smokey, a bit of mint and a funky—musty flavor that hits hard. No alcohol burn, but not something I really enjoyed. There’s a taste of tobacco and leather that I normally like but the musty flavor is throwing me off BIG TIME. Tastes nothing like a typical bourbon. Almost as disappointing to me as the Old Potrero 18th Century. I wish I had tried this before buying. But saw it for a good price and heard some reviews that sounded promising. I have doubts that it will even work for me in an old fashioned. 2⭐️ / $78 / Remedy Liquor / LA

On the nose a nice, truffle like smell. Unbelievably delicious. Nice thick viscosity, like silk on the tongue. Rich toffee flavor. Nice long finish that tapers off with a red delicious apple flavor. 5 ⭐️ / $130

Vanilla, caramel, dark cherry, and very slight truffle-like scent on the nose. Sweet taste of honey, corn; almost Corn Pops cereal taste. Medium to thick mouthfeel. Smooth finish with more corn, caramel and slight citrus. A bit smoother than regular Blanton’s. More complex with a slightly higher proof. If you like the regular Blanton’s you will not be let down. 4.75 ⭐️ / undisclosed price