Tastes

I don't think a lot of people give this bourbon a fair shot. Maybe it's the branding, the rough and tumble image, or memories of drunken frat parties, but for whatever reason, Wild Turkey 101 just doesn't get the respect it deserves. For me it hits all the marks, vanilla, caramel sweetness and a spicy rye finish that brings just the right heat. There may be bourbons that are better, but WT 101 punches way above its weight class. I've had quite a few high dollar pours leave me saying, meh, but a pour of WT 101 never leaves me disappointed.

It's dark and viscous coming out of the bottle. It not only looks thick, it has an oily mouth feel as well. It's cinnamon graham cracker on the nose. Surprisingly, the alcohol smell isn't overpowering. On the tongue, what sweetness that there is tastes of brown sugar. I get vanilla, cinnamon red hots, and cereal grains. There's heat, but that's to be expected at this proof. The finish brings oak and a hefty dose of leather and licorice. There's a bit of a bitter aftertaste that hangs on for quite a while. This one is best enjoyed on the rocks, and a splash of water isn't a bad idea either. It's a good sip, but not great. Looking forward to seeing how much I enjoy it as I work my way to the bottom of the bottle.

This is my second taste of New Riff Single barrel and I'm liking it even more. It has a lot of the New Riff Bib flavor, but more robust. Big spicy rye notes and some baking spices. I pick up just the faintest hint of brine and just a little peanut. But the rye stars from start to finish. This is flavorful and complex for a younger bourbon.

The first thing you notice with Elijah Craig toasted Barrel is it's dark golden oak color. The nose is quite nice, floral almost perfume like. There are the classic Elijah Craig flavors like carmel and vanilla, but over laid with, as the name states, "toasted" oak. If you've ever smelled freshly sanded or cut oak, that's the dominant player here. It's not the bitter oak of young bourbons, it's a soft sweet oak that you can smell and taste as you drink. Its toasted marshmallow over a campfire. Where the small batch has lots of leather and some bitterness, this gives you a sweet oaky hug on the end. I think this is a sipper I'll be reaching for again and again.