Tastes

So, today I messed up. I went to one of my local stops to see what new bottles may have appeared since the last time I had been there. Important to note, they keep most of their allocated items behind the counter which has a shelf and plexiglass on one side to act as a display, but the requires you to ask the cashier to get the bottle for you. I was looking through the plexiglass beyond the display items and saw on a counter behind the register the Woodford Master's bottles. They had them lined up in two rows and they hadn't been there just three days ago, I'm excited. I go to the register and request "the Woodford" on the back counter and ask how much. $116. Rough and out of my normal preferred range, but since I hadn't seen any other bottles at my other sources, this year or in past years, I decided to go bold. Fast-forward; I get home and want to admire the new addition, and that's when I realize I made a mistake. First, I should have been more critical of the TWO rows of the master's. I had spotted the Master's Batch Proof, but as you realize based on where I'm posting my review, I did not purchase the Batch Proof. Oof. But, I'm up for the adventure and I'm actually happy with how this turned out. This rogue gem has a great sweet scent, as you may expect from a heavy corn bill. Hints of cocoa and cherry, too. The taste is first similar to the reserve, but a hint of rye spice. It quickly goes to the chocolate and cherry flavors, but in a very smooth transition. I'd quickly point out that this is NOT a flavored bourbon, nor a rye, really, but the flavors stem from the roast that emulates the chocolate and cherry flavors. If you're not a fan of chocolate or cherry, sample at a bar, but don't get a bottle. Personally, I'm a big fan. The finish is a lighter percent dark chocolate, cherry cordial, and together reminds me of a hot cocoa cereal. Lesson learned, read the dern label if I don't grab the bottle of the shelf. In my defense I was excited for the find and hungry given it was 1pm and I had yet to eat lunch.

This one had to grow on me. I love the 10 year, but the smoke and barrel flavors on this one was more complex than my palate may appreciate. Nose is sea side with distinct smoke. After sniffing for 10-15 seconds some sweet came through, but it was a battle vs the smoke. Reminiscent of a ripe banana bread. First taste is a wash of peat and young oak. Very little spice considering it’s 48%. Despite how smooth it was, I added some water and a floral and tobacco profile emerged. This feels and tastes like a fantastic scotch with real complexity. If you like smoke, peat, and oak this scotch will delight you. It’s a great contrast to the laphroaig 10 and really provides depth for a tasting.

Very smooth overall. Has a reminiscence of a Highland scotch but primarily American whiskey. Light wood and tobacco with a hint of apple on the palate. Finish reminds me of a cinnamon apple dessert; slight spice but plenty of sweet.

Nutty nose and palate. Slight spice with a hint of baking spices.

Really interesting direction in the Blood Oath lineage. Distinct rye and cane sugar flavor. White rum on the finish but wasn’t a particularly long finish. Found at Costco late summer 2019.

I have a bottle of 16 year that is coming to its end and thought I should do a little documentation before it’s gone. This is a 55.7% bottled 08/14, batch 0814D. I think Naddura is a great line, but new releases may be a disappointment from what others have said. Nose was vanilla and fruit, like a hint of a very ripe honeydew melon. Spicy on the palate neat and with a half ounce of water. Fruity in the sense of citrus with something like a tart berry or cherry, but in a pleasant way. I added another half ounce of water and the spice faded and made way for the sweeter and savory flavors to shine. Finish is fantastic. The feel is full but not particularly heavy. I thought the nuttier notes were more present in the finish vs the palate. Tobacco also comes to mind but too light and likely more oak flavor.