Tastes

* Nose is, I kid you not: like a smoked shortbread cookie. Some ginger. Lots of sweet baking notes. This is a great nose! * Mouth is ... totally unexpected. Sweet, smoky, sugary, butter, it tastes like the nose indicates: a smoked shortbread or sugar cookie that’s been smoked over a campfire. Some black licorice in there. Super unique. Not the peat bomb Ardbeg usually is. * Finish is where the barrel becomes known. Oak hits, hints of allspice, nutmeg, and leather... some anise. Dry and lingering. The more you breathe, the more sweetness comes through. This is nice. I want to keep sipping this to see what else happens. Every sip the finish reveals more and more.

There is a lot going on with this bottle. First things first: The Puzzle is a pick that is 137.5pf at 11 years (not 13) and is MGP distillate. The nose is full of amazing sweet and rich baking notes. The mouthfeel is super oily and full-bodied. The hits of anise and black licorice are dominant, along with sweet burnt brown sugar and delicate baking spice. The finish is refined and surprising, especially given the ABV. $129.99 retail at Elixir Spirits in Spring Hill, TN. In my opinion: worth every penny.

Lone Whisker 12 Year MGP Tasting Notes: Nose: It’s a symphony of cream, fruits, and cocoa Mouth: oily, MGP for sure, slight oak, more fruit and cream. Almost a citrusy, floral note. The longer you hold it, the more apparent rye spices come through. No burn here. None. Silky smooth. Finish: I’m getting honey, more citrus, some dark chocolate. No Kentucky hug. Smooth all the way down. Amazing. This juice plays like a 3 act play. It’s extremely good and I found out it is rare: 2000 bottles a year, released once a year, MSRP: $150

This is what I wanted out of the other Rhetoric offerings. This is a very well balanced aged bourbon. The oak is prevalent, but is finally balanced out with caramel, vanilla, tobacco, and leather notes. The mouthfeel is oily and rich and the finish is long and lingering in the most pleasant way. The $140 price scared me off, but my wife happened to buy this as a Christmas gift for me. I’m so happy she did. This is spectacular bourbon.

Won our blind rye tasting. Absolutely fantastic.

16 year. Batch 1597. Bottle 31/106. 123.0 proof. $265 out the door at Willett Distillery 5/26/2018. This redefined what I thought bourbon could and should be. Nose is fruit, oak, herbal, and sweet. Mouth is rich, sweet, oily, and the flavors continue on and on and on. Fig, plum, raisins, almost a molasses sweetness, apple, cherry. Finish... my god, it lasts forever. The spice comes through gently. No heat, no burn, just smooth flavor for days. A+ bourbon. Second to none... including the Pappy 23.

Sampled at the Heaven Hill Connoisseur tasting. Utterly unremarkable based on the age and price. Only slightly better than the EC Barrel Proof I have. I could not justify spending $249.99 on this whatsoever.

This is my personal definition of what bourbon should be. N: incredibly complex. Pears, apples, gingerbread, fresh vegetables, creme brûlée M: so nice. Smooth, sweet, spices dancing, more fruit F: long, warm, and oh so smooth and pleasant. I haven’t tried other blood pact offerings, but #4 is fantastic. $99.99 in MI 5/19/2018