Tastes

Just cracked a new bottle of Dickel 15 year single barrel, and I am quite pleased with what's inside. I've had a pour of a friend's bottle of 15 year, but this is my first taste of my own bottle. Having tried two different barrels, I think these 15 year single barrels represent some of the best whiskey that Dickel offers up. This is super smooth and sweet, with loads of caramel and vanilla. Light toasted notes and hints of candied cherry. The oak is subtle and if there's anything lacking, it's spice. You do get that classic Dickel mineral note ( which I happen to like, unlike most folks) but, it's muted. This is very easy to sip. It also falls in my sweet spot proof wise at 104 proof. I'm a fan of these 15 year bottles, and Dickel. I may be in the minority, but I think Dickel is very underated and this 15 year is a great value.

Nice rich nose with fruit and toasted caramel. That rich caramel continues on the palate. There's a smokey oak that comes through and some bittersweet chocolate. There are tastes and smells here that remind me of Weller 107, though it's not quite on par. It's far superior to Makers standard offering, which I've never really cared for. This is a solid bourbon at a good price.

Bottle kill and final thoughts on Michter's Small Batch Bourbon. I enjoyed this bottle and found myself reaching for it often as a lower proof nightly sip. I'll stick with my previous tasting notes and sum it up as a solid pour that has sweetness, a little spice, and a pleasing amount of oak. I wouldn't say that there's an abundance of complexity, but it certainly has character. If I were to find this at a good price ($44 in AL being a bit steep), I would probably pick up another bottle.

Basil Hayden Toast is light bronze in my glen and a little on the thin side viscosity wise. The nose is light on ethanol with mild apple and graham cracker. It has a thin mouth feel as well. I get a nice amount of caramel sweetness that lingers throughout the sip. I get just a bit of that graham cracker from the nose on the palate as well, maybe from the rice? I get some toasted oak on the finish, but it's very mild. I really want there to be more of that toasted oak, but it's just not as prominent as with the other toasted oak bourbons I've had. There's also something there that I can't quite put my finger on, almost like an old lacquer. It's very faint, but I don't love it. I tried my second pour on ice, and I think I prefer it that way. I'm slightly disappointed with this, but my expectations may have been too high. The absence of the rye spice that features so prominently in Basil Hayden's and the Old Grandad line is very noticeable. Still, this is very easy to drink and pretty enjoyable. I'll need a few more pours before I can say if it's a favorite or just an also ran.

I get a good blast of alcohol in my nostrils on the first wiff, but I find some rich dark cherry cobbler notes once it's had a chance to breathe. I get the sweet taste of toffee and chocolate, would that make it Heath Bar?? It's smokey with a bit of char and an underlying fruitness. The oak is subtle. It's super smooth for the proof. It's a very rich bourbon, but I wouldn't say it overly complex. The finish is medium in length, but sweet without any bitterness. I had high expectations for OF 1920, and I've got to say I'm impressed.

Accidental bottle kill tonight, and I think that's a good indicator of what a delicious easy drinking bourbon this is. This bottle sort of disappeared on me. It definitely stands out as one of the better finished bourbons I've tried. It's more rich and less dry than some of its finished competitors. This was a gift, but I know it's probably a 60-70 dollar bottle, which is a little on the high side for what you're getting. In the end, I enjoyed this a lot, and would love to be gifted another bottle.

I'm getting mostly alcohol on the nose, with a touch of something savory, like cornbread. This is my first time trying this neat, and as far as I know it's my first sweet mash bourbon. I get some nice sweet caramel notes and roasted corn initially that faded quickly and gives way to some spice and leather. My big problem with Peerless is the finish, it's a musty corn that hangs around way too long. It shows every bit of it's 109 proof and goes down on the hot side. I'm not a big fan of this one. It's a little like taking a big bite of an uncooked ear of corn husk and all.