Tastes
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Barrell Seagrass
Rye — (bottled in) Kentucky, Multiple Countries
Reviewed November 22, 2023 (edited November 28, 2023)Nose - Jolly Rancher medley, fruity bubble gum, fresh apricot, artificial grape, white pepper, orange peel, clove, very light oak, and strong ethanol. Palate - Runts, Jolly Ranchers, etc. The front palate is full of artificial fruit candies. Apricot and grape jam, white pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, brown sugar, butterscotch, and spicy rye notes. Finish is medium-long with lingering apricot syrup, grape candy, rye spice, Red Hots, black pepper, and strong ethanol bite. Finally got to try this via my brother, it's a good pour but also not sure the initial chase was justified. Luckily, it's readily available years after its release, and you can find it in some places for $80. If you like this kind of profile, definitely worth a pick up. -
1792 Full Proof Single Barrel Select
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed November 13, 2023 (edited March 28, 2024)Liquor City Uncorked pick, "Gallenstein Selection #12" Barrel picked in 2022 Open 5 weeks Nose - Caramel, cinnamon bun, charred oak, vanilla bean, wildflower honey, red apple, and medium ethanol. Palate - Creamy caramel, sweet oak, cinnamon, black pepper, plum, red apple, herbs, and bread pudding. Finish is medium-long with sweet and spicy oak, vanilla frosting, black pepper, anise, cinnamon, clove, and hot ethanol. What a fucking delight it is to find this at a local store for under $50. I tend to shit on Barton products, whether it's the chase for the core lineup or the generally crappy sourced Barton, but at least Barton hasn't jacked up the prices of the 1792 lineup. Even if this was marked up to $60 or $70, which I've seen recently in other Kentucky stores, I still think it's an excellent buy. It's a great substitute for fans of ECBP or Old Forester SBBS with less oak influence and more sweet notes. Is this one of the best whiskeys I've drank in the last year? No. Is it the best whiskey I've had under $50 in a while? Definitely yes.46.99 USD per Bottle -
Four Roses Private Selection Single Barrel Barrel Strength Bourbon (OBSQ)
Bourbon — Kentucky , USA
Reviewed November 12, 2023 (edited January 30, 2024)Received a 2 oz sample from a friend. Lost the info on the barrel, age, proof, price, etc. Nose - Rose petal, brown sugar, Corn Pops, orange blossom honey, light cinnamon, rye bread, cardamon, light oak, and light ethanol. Palate - Oily, brown sugar simple syrup, coffee cake, cinnamon, black tea, and fresh rye bread. Finish is medium with sharp rye spice, over steeped black tea, honey, dry cinnamon, clove, oak bitters, and medium ethanol. This is light, creamy, and delicate, with a big kick at the end. It is unexpected given the sweet, floral notes and the initial sugary palate. Honestly I think it detracts from the overall experience, I'd rather experience those harsher, bold notes throughout the nosing and tasting. Still a really good bourbon, but the finish and the reason below lower the overall score. The other reason I've knocked the score down is because of the price and scarcity of these bottles. I'm not sure the hype is justified given they now retail between $90-100 and still difficult to find without a significant markup. -
Liquor City Uncorked pick, "Gallenstein Selection" MGP sourced 95% rye / 5% malted barley Barrel No. 29 Age - 6 years 61.3% abv; 122.6 proof Open 2 months Nose - Clove, star anise, light black peppercorn, toasted rye bread, toffee, leather, and medium ethanol. Palate - Peppercorn medley, clove, allspice, toast, maple syrup, light dill, and juniper berry. Finish is long and oil with dry oak, tobacco smoke, black pepper, clove, and harsher ethanol burn. 6 year MGP ryes are typically good buys, and this is no exception. If some random NDP has sourced bourbon and rye at roughly the same age, I'd buy the rye every time. There are definitely cheaper options out there, but this compares favorably to a recent buy, The Senator. You can't go wrong with either, but I'm beginning to see more O.K.I. Rye picks in my area while The Senator is more difficult to find.79.98 USD per Bottle
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Russell's Reserve Private Barrel Selection
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed October 7, 2023 (edited November 11, 2023)Bull City Bourbon Club pick, "Marmalade Toast" Barrel No. 22-0597 Warehouse M; Floor 4 Barrel filled 10-23-2013; Bottling date 11-30-2022 Age - 9 years, 1 month, 7 days Open 3 months Nose - Orange caramels, browned butter, toast, cinnamon, mint, pine needle, light oak, and medium ethanol. Palate - Orange peel, pine sap, cinnamon bun without the frosting, black pepper, and mint. Finish is medium-long with black pepper, dry oak, citrus cleaner, anise, and medium ethanol. These picks are an auto-buy for me, unless they're unreasonably priced. This isn't the best pick I've had, but certainly not the worst. A lot of herbal and conifer notes atypical of a Russell's, more savory than sweet. I dig it, but it's lacking the big cinnamon and caramel oomph.65.95 USD per Bottle -
Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye (2023 Release)
Rye — Tennessee, USA
Reviewed October 1, 2023 (edited December 16, 2023)Barrel No. 23-03118 Rick 2-03 Bottled on 03-30-2023 66.35% abv; 132.7 proof Open 2.5 months Nose - Fresh rye bread. brown sugar, cinnamon, light banana, black pepper, clove, burnt vanilla, ginger, light coffee grounds, medium oak, and strong ethanol. Palate - Chocolate gingerbread, chalky raisins, herbal medley, pine, black pepper, cinnamon, clove, and toast. Finish is long with black pepper, clove, maple, cocoa, spicy oak tannins, and medium ethanol. I'm so glad this is now a regular release. The special release rye was one of the best whiskeys I've ever had. This isn't quite as great, but maybe one day I'll luck out with a single barrel. The difference, in my recollection, is this is spicier and less sweet than what I got with the special release. Dial down the pepper and rye spice and add in a little more caramel and maple, perfect pour.69.98 USD per Bottle -
Stellum Perseus Single Barrel Bourbon
Bourbon — USA
Reviewed September 25, 2023 (edited September 26, 2023)Bull City Bourbon Club pick, "Muffin Poppin" Perseus C9; sourced from MGP Age - 6 years 57.23% abv; 114.46 proof Open 2.5 months Received 2 oz sample from a friend Nose - Black pepper, rye spices, sharp cinnamon, fresh bread, light oak, and strong ethanol. Palate - Surprisingly oily, burnt vanilla, brown sugar, clove, cinnamon, black tea, and bitter spice. Finish is medium with black pepper, tannic oak, burnt black tea, orange peel, and medium ethanol. This is pretty good, but kind of the norm for MGP bourbons in this price range. Not enough sweetness for me, heavy on the54.95 USD per Bottle -
Elijah Craig Single Barrel Barrel Proof Bourbon (Private Label)
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed September 24, 2023 (edited January 11, 2024)Bull City Bourbon Club pick, "Ten From The Bullpen" Barrel No. 6179022 Warehouse Q; Floor 2 Age - 10 years 57.95% abv; 115.9 proof Open 2.5 months Nose - Creme brulee, vanilla cake, peanut butter, dark chocolate, cantaloupe, graham cracker, medium oak, and medium ethanol. Palate - Reese's, blueberry muffin, cocoa nibs, gingerbread, grilled peaches, and cinnamon. Finish is medium-long with pleasant oak spice, brown sugar, black pepper, nutmeg, ginger, cocoa powder, and light ethanol. The lowest proof ECBP I've had, but still delightful. It has a lot in common with some of the lower proof ECBP batches I've enjoyed like C921 and B522. These "low" proof ECBPs are dangerously easy to drink compared to MGP cask strength bourbons at similar proofs. Heaven Hill does such a good job aging these to the point that the graininess is gone and the oak barrel does not overpower the sugars and fruits. For me, any ECBP pick is a must buy, even at $80.79.95 USD per Bottle -
New Riff 7 Year Sour Mash Single Malt (Fall 2023 Release)
American Single Malt — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed September 23, 2023 (edited December 1, 2023)Trying a pour at the distillery bar, really good stuff. Definitely an American malt with heavy oak influence and hints of fruits from the wine finishes. Also black pepper and rye spices, likely from the oak and wine barrels.New Riff Distilling -
Traverse City Whiskey Co. Barrel Proof Straight Rye
Rye — Michigan, USA
Reviewed September 17, 2023 (edited September 18, 2023)Bull City Bourbon Club pick, "BCBC 2" Mashbill - 95% rye / 5% malted barley Age - 8 years, 3 months 59.5% abv; 119.0 proof Open 4 months Did not purchase the bottle, received a 2 oz sample Nose - Strong herbal rye spice, clove, menthol, fruity gum, chalk, powdered sugar, frosted cinnamon bun, medium oak, and strong ethanol. Palate - Fresh conifer needles, pine sap, anise, cardamon, black pepper, light caramel, unsweetened gingerbread, and chalky gum. Finish is medium with bitter herbs, heavy rye spices including black pepper, clove, anise, and strong ethanol bite. My club (and many other enthusiasts) raves about Traverse City picks, but I've avoided them due to cost. It's pretty easy to get 6+ year MGP rye for a lot less money. Based on this pick I think I made the right call. This is classic MGP rye with the ethanol and spice ramped up a couple notches. Personally, I've had equal or better MGP rye from Sagamore, Smooth Ambler, Templeton, and O.K.I. Unless you get to try it first, I'd save your money and buy a pick from one of those distilleries.94.95 USD per Bottle
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