Tastes

I was compelled to buy this one after a friend sent me an article that discussed the 2018 bourbon of the year. This one beat out Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, which, though I'd yet to try it, had enough of a reputation to get me interested in this Old Ezra. After seeing it at a very reasonable $45, I pulled the trigger. Nose: Traditional bourbon notes turned up a notch. Very rich. Big-time caramel, brown sugar, and oak. I'm not sure what the mash bill is here, but the corn notes really come through. Beneath that, I get new couch leather and tobacco. A trace of vanilla. Great nose. Palate: Heavy caramel, vanilla, butterscotch, peanut, and sweet cola. Shockingly easy-going upon arrival. This changes, however, when the spice kicks in on the mid-palate. Lots of cinnamon, as well as nutmeg and other baking spices. Oak is prominent throughout. Finish: Medium-to-long. Maybe a tad shorter than I was expecting considering the ABV, but it's still very respectable. Spicy cinnamon hits hard. The charcoal-mellowing also shows up here. While I can identify the same characteristic that I get in Jack Daniel's products, it's done infinitely better in this one. Bourbon of the year? Maybe. I'd probably take the Elijah Craig (though to be fair the one I picked up was 2017). However, this is half the price of that one, and really not all that far behind. This one punches well above its weight class in terms of quality, but has is as drinkable as far weaker bourbons. At $45 it's a no-brainer, and quite possibly the best value of 2018. If you're into bourbon, pick this one up. It will not disappoint. Edit: I've finally finished this one 3 months after cracking. After some oxidation, I must say that it has only gotten better with time. I've decided to bump it from 4.75 to 5 stars because it's amazingly balanced and comes at a ridiculously low price when you consider what's inside.

Woodford was one of my first true sipping whiskies. At that point in my whiskey journey, it stood toward the top of the pack. Years later, I'm curious to see how this one holds up. Nose: It's a notably dusty nose. Very standard for a bourbon. Caramel, vanilla, maple, cola, cocoa. Oak is prominent. It's a bit grassy as well. Faintly reminiscent of the smell of fresh-cut hay. Occasionally, I pick up the scent of a burnt/burning match. Solid nose. Palate: A tad water and thin. Doesn't destroy the experience, but it is a slight detractor. Once again, standard bourbon notes. Caramel, honey, vanilla, toffee, and cocoa. Cinnamon and black pepper are especially prominent with the high rye mash bill. Oak is still prominent. Finish: Moderate, maybe slightly above average in length. Spicy notes coming in the form of cinnamon and black pepper. There's also a bitterness similar to what you'd get with an IPA. Overall, this bourbon is exactly what one should expect it to be. In terms of price and quality, this one floats between what I'd classify as the first and second tiers. It's slightly above the standard entry level, but cannot compete with McKenna 10, Eagle Rare, Maker's 46, Four Roses SB, Russell's 10, etc. At $34, this is a fine value. Another example of a reliable bourbon that you can find in a pinch. And in my opinion, it's one of the top 5 introductory bourbons for beginners. Not too sweet, not intense, and a great representative of the genre. My only complaint is that it's a bit thin and just doesn't feel like it's really 45.2%. More like 43 or even less. That aside, this one is good enough to warrant its reputation.

Angel’s Envy is one if the champion drinks for the casual whiskey drinkers. I’m not complaining about that, as it means I get to have a lot more of it when I’m over a friend or family member’s house. I generally try to mix it up almost every time I drink, so I feel like I’ve Nose: At first, this appears to have a very standard bourbon nose. Caramel, vanilla, almond, peanut brittle, brown sugar, and black pepper. Maple pecan. As I dug further, I was able to detect what can only be likened to a berry parfait (blueberry, strawberry, yogurt). I suspect that this is the port influence at work. Heavy cocoa. Sawdust. Clove, nutmeg, and oak. Palate: This is the highlight of the whiskey. Initially, it's more standard bourbon notes. Cinnamon, black pepper, brown sugar, leather, peanut brittle, vanilla, and caramel. There's a surprising, and welcome, bite right off the bat. Then, as with the nose, the port barrel influence makes itself at the tail end of the palate. This time, I experience what can only be equated to a banana walnut muffin. Maple pecan ad well. Very good. Finish: Moderate in length. Once again, surprisingly hot for the ABV. Big-time cinnamon and black pepper notes. Cocoa, almond, pipe tobacco, black tea, and oak notes. Overall, this one is solid. Bumping up the ABV to even the bourbon standard of 45% would likely do wonders for this. I'm sure the cask strength is phenomenal. I wouldn't go so far with this one though. As it is, this is very good. I came back to this one after 5 years. It’s .5 star better. Maybe this batch (Batch 87Y, Bottle 1621) is better than what I had back then, or more likely than that, the product has improved. It’s also possible I’ve developed a proclivity for this after years of having it out. It also demonstrates thegreat potential in finishing bourbon in various types of casks. Would recommend to a Speyside/Highland drinker looking to break into the bourbon scene, or to a bourbon drinker looking for a change of pace. Decent value at $50. Overall, pleasant experience. Hopefully we'll see this at 45% one day. Regardless, this was a fine experiment and will hopefully continue to remain a fixture in public and private bars alike. Cheers.

Batch C917. 65.5%. I'd heard the hype for quite some time, so I decided to finally take the plunge and shell out for this one. This will be the first of a short string of bourbon reviews, and I've got to say this one is my favorite by a decent amount (also by far the most expensive). I often read comments where reviewers suggest that a particular whiskey is almost there, and that a cask strength release would put it over the top. Heaven Hill ensures that one will never say such a thing about Elijah Craig, with this Barrel Proof taking what is a pretty decent entry level bourbon and bringing it to its full potential. Nose: The nose makes itself known immediately. Caramel, vanilla, crisp red apple, cinnamon, black pepper, and a heavy oak presence. Clove and nutmeg. Black cherry. Almond and walnut. Also a big leather note, like a baseball glove. Enough complexity to mask most of the ethanol. Very nice start. Palate: The oak is presence is even more prominent than it was on the nose. Nice barrel char. Caramel, vanilla, and cola are the most prominent. Nutmeg, brown sugar, and cocoa are also there. It's mostly sweet, but there is some black pepper and cinnamon spice. Done to perfection, and astoundingly drinkable without water at 131 proof. Finish: Long finish that comes in waves. Not all that hot. I'll call it a warming finish. Definitely cinnamon and black pepper, but there are sweeter chocolate and cola. Amazing from start to finish. This is my first batch of ECBP, and now I'm going to be hunting down as many as I can possibly find. It's an absolutely phenomenal experience. At $90, it's an expensive buy, but worth every penny. I think that the standard EC is a respectable entry level bourbon. But at Barrel Proof, this stuff really shines. Well done on top shelf pour, Heaven Hill.

I hadn't had the chance to try the original 15 Revival so I can't compare this to its predecessor. That was aged exclusively in Olrosso sherry casks while this one also spent time in PX casks. Nose: Absolute sherry bomb, as one would expect from Glendronach. Loads of dark fruits: dark cherries, plums, blackberries, and grapes. I also get the new car leather I often associate with sherried scotch. Cola, dark chocolate, vanilla, banana, and, toffee round what is a very sweet nose. Palate: Heavy sherry once again. Cola and Christmas pound cake. Plum, fig, and cocoa. It's got a velvety texture. All very standard notes for a sherried Highland, though I find this to be the most rich and cohesive of the bunch that I've tried so far. Finish: Sharp transition from sweet to heat, which I'm enjoying. There's a nice kick that reminds me that this one is a bit stronger than the average Scotch at 46%. Cinnamon and pepper spice, moderate to long finish. Overall, a solid sherried Highland. Upon cracking the bottle, I had this pegged as a shoo-in for 5-star rating. I was prepared to write it up as a game-changing, bar-setting Highland malt. After a month and a few subsequent tastings, I've determined that while it's far above average, it doesn't quite reach the summit. It's damn good, and if you see for it under $100, I'd highly recommend a purchase. At $90, I think it's a fine value. Bottled at 46% with dual sherried cask aging, this is a respectable dram. This and it's 12 year old younger brother are fantastic values, and I look forward to trying the 18 next. So far, Glendronach stands out as the pound-for-pound king of sherried Highland Scotch, and that's due in no small to the fine effort produced with this 15 year old.

I've heard these guys are doing some good things, so I figured I'd start with their entry level offering too see what it's all about. Nose: Fruit heavy. Banana and red grape. There are also some tangy, citrus notes of lemon, grapefruit, and orange. These dissipate the longer it sits. Vanilla, shortbread cookie, tart, and toffee are also present. There is another note that I can only describe as "toasted," and it's quite nice. I get a bit of that metallic note that I commonly find with young Irish whiskies. Still a good nose though. Palate: Some basic toffee, shortbread cookie, cereal, and vanilla notes. There's also some respectable heat to this one. Very malty and grassy. Oak is present as well. It seems like a very basic Irish at a glance. But if you look had enough you'll find sugar cane and molasses, evidence that this of the rum cask. More of the metallic note here, but not enough to tarnish what is otherwise a solid sip. Overall, it's light, but it's got just enough going on to distinguish itself from the herd. Finish: And then the heat hits. This one waits till the finish to let you know that it's 46 percent, which is relatively high in the Irish category. Big time spice. Cinnamon and red pepper. Long finish. Slightly metallic once again, but nothing excessive. This is a unique Irish whiskey. The rum cask works well here, and I really appreciate the boost in ABV. It's solid from start to finish, though I'd say the nose stands out just a bit more. I was hovering between a 3.5 and 3.75. It was the metallic notes that caused me to choose the former. It's not a deal breaker, but I think this blend could use a higher percentage of older juice. If you're into Irish, this is definitely worth a try. And if you're looking to get into the genre, this is one of the more respectable entry level bottlings out there. It's worth the $40 (though I think it'd be reasonable to drop it $35) and it's good enough to warrant exploration of their higher end expressions.

This Quarter Cask is the third Laphroaig expression I've owned to date. At this point, I'm pretty sure that I could pick a Laphroaig out of a police lineup with absolute certainty. There are only a handful of distilleries I could say this about, and of them, this may well be the most easily perceived by smell and taste alone. No matter the age and blending process, Laphroaig is incredibly distinct. Iconic, I daresay. On to the whisky. Nose: Classic Laphroaig notes. Heavy, heavy peat. Campfire smoke, ash, iodine, and sulfur. Brine, sea salt, and wood as well. A real juggernaut of a nose; true to form. If you search beyond the obvious, you'll find a nice dose of chestnut, vanilla, orange and cinnamon, the latter of which provides a different heat than the peat. Maybe even a bit of red meat. Overall, nosing this one is akin to lighting a campfire in the woods immediately after a heavy rainfall. There's a lot to like here. Palate: Medicinal peat. Big time chili and spicy salsa heat. Beyond that, I get some sweeter notes. Dark chocolate, toffee, vanilla, and coconut. The maritime qualities are still present. Sea salt and seaweed. Very oily. Once again, it's superb. Considerable length on the finish. More of the peaty, spicy notes. Chili, black and red pepper, and a little kick in the ass to remind you it's 48%. Great way to cap off a great whisky. If you can't tell already, I'm really enjoying this one. I'm struggling to come up with any criticism so I'll say this. It's not the best Laphroaig I've had. That title belongs to the Lore. But that hardly matters when you consider that each exists for a different purpose. The Quarter Cask is a peat bomb, here to kick your ass and make its presence known and felt. And it performs amazingly in this role. And yet, its complex enough to keep the most experienced drinker on their toes. Another quick gripe. I can't seem to keep it in the bottle. Fortunately, it's reasonably priced, so I can always grab another. If you're a lover of Laphroaig, or peat for that matter, this is an absolute must try.

Nose: Earthy peat smoke with some medicinal qualities. Yet, there are still plenty of sweet, floral notes, not overpowered by the smokiness. Butterscotch, vanilla, honey, and lemon. Despite the peat, many of Balvenie's hallmark characteristics manage to shine. Very nice. Palate: Here, the smoke hits harder than on the nose, right off the bat. Honey, vanilla, apple, and melon move to the forefront after the initial smoke dissipates. Oaky. It's a bit thinner than the nose would suggest, but it's still enjoyable. Finish: The heat picks back up on the finish. First it's a fiery cinnamon spice. This is followed by smoked meat, ribs, and bacon. And heavy smoke the whole while. The oak influence makes itself known on the way. Long finish. Overall, this a solid whisky. I've yet to have a peated Speyside that changes the game; and while this one is enjoyable, it falls short of doing so. It's distinctly unique from Islay/Island whiskies; and while it's good, it doesn't quite measure up to the cream of the crop. The nose and the finish are the strong points, while the palate feels like a bit of a letdown wedged between those two. It's a worthy effort from Balvenie, but at the price point, I need just a little more oomph to give it a higher rating. I'll give it a 4.25, down from the 4.5 I was expecting to the give it before running one last trial. I've heard great things about the 2002 vintage, and I will certainly be checking out the 2004 when it hits shelves. If you're an Islay drinker looking for a change of pace, consider trying this one. It's pretty good stuff. Edit: I decided to sit on this one for a couple days and then retest it. I'm going to bump this one up to a 4.5. The palate is better than I gave it credit for this time, which is consistent with some of my earlier tastings. Great whisky from start to finish. It's pricy, but you get your money's worth with this one.

Batch 4/507 "Lagavulin" might as well translate to "quality." These guys have yet to disappoint me. With high expectations, let's see if this one delivers. Nose: Peat smoke, iodine, sea salt and brine, seaweed, vanilla, and sherry sweetness. A small hint of ash, and a smell akin to the one you find in the air about an hour after a campfire has been put out. Tamed a bit from the 16, but great in its own right. Palate: Peat smoke, vanilla, coffee, rich dark chocolate, raspberry, hazelnut sea salt, seaweed, and dry, dark fruits. The sherry cask influence is there, but it is less prominent here due to the strength of the peat smoke. At the same time, the smoke and peat seem toned down a bit as compared to the 16. It's a great balance. Finish: Long and hot. Fiery smoke, cinnamon, dark fruit, and a distinct oakiness. You can still taste some of the dark chocolate if you can get past the heat. This part of the experience is most similar to the 16. It's excellent. Overall, this is a fantastic Scotch. Sherry and peat smoke play in perfect unison.They really compliment each other so damn well, which justifies spending a few extra bucks than you would for the 16. Both are superb whiskies, and if you like one you will probably like the other because they are quite similar. It's also a damn good value at its price point. A must try for any Islay enthusiast. Well done Lagavulin, well done.

Balvenie's flagship expression is one of first and single malts and remains one of my go-to Speysides to this day. Nose: vanilla, white grape, champagne, toffee, honey, caramel, oak, and a hint of sherry. Grassy and sweet. Palate: Toffee, vanilla, banana, grape, cinnamon, dark chocolate, plum, caramel, oak, and more sherry. It's rich and creamy. Finish: Moderate finish. The sherry influence is most prominent here. Lots of dark fruit, cinnamon, and baking spice. The DoubleWood is a fantastic value and a great representation of what a Speyside Scotch can be. The American oak and sherry casks play well together here. There is a perfect amount of sherry influence; it has a clear presence but not so much so that it detracts from the other attributes of the whisky. You can get this one just about anywhere. If you haven't tried it yet, make it a priority.