Tastes

Rack: 11404.12 A gift and my first experience with Calumet Farms. I really enjoyed this. Nice heat at 92Proof, this bottle first hit with bubblegum on the nose. Quickly opening up to more bourbon and wood centric notes. The flavor hits with nice fruitiness and billows across the tongue with some sweet and spicy notes. I recently had Michters US*1 10yr, and I enjoyed this more. Aroma: Bubblegum, oak, vanilla, & honey. Flavor: Fruit, vanilla, toffee, black pepper, & spiced orange. Aftertaste: Long burn, caramel, & pepper Body: Medium-heavy

Their straight bourbon is definitely not the most complex whisky. But, I believe its a staple bourbon. Sweet, subtly citrus, but not overpowering with corn. Not very balanced as its heavy on the sweet side. Hits then finishes with pleasantness and a gentle heat. I find myself reaching for this bottle when I want something simple and sweet. Aroma: Vanilla, honey, orange, & faint leather Flavor: Orange, frosted cornflake, & gentle spice. Aftertaste: Torched citrus, salt, & cedar Body: Soft, Light-medium

Dumped on 9-12-18, barrel #1571 Re-evaluation really opened this bourbon up. I can get the hype, but I won't pay over retail for a bottle. Nice complexity, but the palate seemed to ebb and flow in balance. Sometimes, the sweetness was too loud. Others, the spices took the experience on a savory trip. While often, they all found themselves intermingled and transitioned smoothly presenting that complexity gently. Just not often enough for this bottle to make its way onto my personal "Top Shelf". Also, a Thanksgiving blind tasting had Basil Haydens beat out Blanton's by a landslide. A verdict that I still uphold, having tasted both side by side again. Overall, I will say its a good bourbon that shows flashes of greatness. But, not a white whale. Aroma: Banana pudding, acetone, & spices. Flavor: Vanilla, black pepper, oak, & tobacco. Aftertaste: Salted toffee, vanilla wafer, & tobacco. Body: Medium

Pretty unimpressed with Act 6 Scene 5, but have heard amazing things of the previous acts. Immediately, the nose was unpleasantly dill and alcohol. As expected with a fairly high proof. Opens up to allow cinnamon toast to take over with some warm plum, but the dill remains. Burn and wood assault the palate like a young whisky might, but the calm down and allow pleasant rye and barrel characteristics. I found red fruit, speaking to the port finish, with warming spices and rye, but plenty of alcohol burn and airiness with a maple syrup sweetness throughout. The aftertaste bites at first with more alcohol, but warms with spiced pear and oak, unfortunately the dill note returns, overshadows, and makes the entirety feel discordant. Aroma: Cinnamon toast, dill, & plum. Flavor: Red fruits, alcohol, oak, cinnamon spices, & maple syrup. Aftertaste: Spiced pear, dill, & oak. Body: Medium-heavy, thinning as it opens up.

OWA is my favorite of the bunch. Starts off simply with a pretty standard aroma and taste that opens up and washes over you with intense flavors. Sweet and flavorful with everything you expect from Weller's wheated mashbill plus more burn, warmth, and complexity than Special Reserve. Aroma: Flan, spice, & candied orange. Flavor: Vanilla, dried fruits, cinnamon, & flan. Aftertaste: Oak, toasted marshmallow, & alcohol burn. Body: Medium

The aroma is somewhat lacking for a bourbon of this caliber and proof. Indistinguishable fruit, with nice caramel that gets lost after a moment to the alcohol. First impressions, I expected more out of the 2018 Best Bourbon and Best Single Barrel Bourbon from San Francisco World Spirits Competition. But, then you get to the palate. Not an overly complex whisky. The fruitiness and caramel carry over to the tongue as you get some of the oak you would expect of a well aged bourbon, but not too much. You're not overpowered by splinters as you get some nice spice and cream soda. The aftertaste was particularly pleasant with butterscotch and barrel. Overall, much better than I remember 3 years ago (last time I had a pour). I see the merit, and hope to appreciate what San Francisco saw in the bourbon as I sip away. Aroma: Fruity, caramel, & alcohol Flavor: Fruity, caramel, oak, cinnamon, cream soda, & rye spice. Aftertaste: Butterscotch & oak Body: Medium-heavy

Aroma: Orange candy, vanilla, leather, & brown sugar Flavor: Vanilla, caramel, fresh mint, & red apple. Aftertaste: Vanilla bean marshmallow & leather. Body: Medium It's been awhile, but I returned to Elijah Craig Small Batch after it won 2018 San Francisco World Spirits best Small Batch Bourbon. The profile reminds me of Weller 12yr of 3 years ago. Not a very complex whisky, but it is all tasty. That marshmallow aftertaste was especially pleasant, and the fresh mint took me awhile to pin down but adds a nice refreshing aspect to an otherwise warm and slightly spicy bourbon. I can see how this stood out among other Small Batches this year, though I wouldn't say it's my favorite on the list, especially considering their Barrel Proof was involved as well.

Aroma: Cherry limeade, caramel, & oak. Flavor: Candied apple, slight cornflake, & melon. Aftertaste: Anise, honey and citrus oil, & charred oak. Body: light-medium Beautiful rich color and one of my favorite aromas. I try to keep some in stock as a staple. I hear some people knocking the SR, but as a budget bourbon it's quite good. Smooth, complex, sweet, and with a pleasant finish. I always try to stock up on SR when I can find it. I'd give it 4 stars if it weren't compared to the Antique 107 or 12yr.

Aroma: Vanilla cream & baking spices Flavor: Cane sugar, spicy, sparkling, orange zest, & savory oak. Aftertaste: Cinnamon & pleasant tobacco smoke Body: Medium-heavy I was pleasantly surprised here. Rich body and a nice spice and smokiness, but a little unbalanced sweet. I don't get a lot of browned sugars here, more cane sugar or refined. Tasty and strong, but for the price I wouldn't repeat. Worth the experience for the rarity, but this won't be a shelf staple. 3/5