I am a sucker for those gift packs that come out around holidays. You know - you buy the big bottle of something and get some minis along with it. Yup, those get me every time. Sure sometimes you get glassware but I go toward the taster bottles - I am full up on glassware!
So I have had this sitting around for awhile. I actually tasted this before due to buying 2 of those gift boxes. That was before I was on Distiller however so now I am opening my last mini.
So here we go...
Nose: Low alcohol burn which is almost not present. It just tickles the nose playfully. Creamy vanilla, butter biscuits, rock minerals, honey and fig.
Flavor: Sweet and creamy, black pepper, sherry, vanilla, buttery AF, basically just like the nose only better.
I can easily sip this regularly with no problem especially considering how affordable it is.
Honestly I am surprised I have not already made a purchase of this but I was not so into collecting whiskies before - just buying one bottle at a time and drinking it until it was gone.
This is going into the collection at some point.
The mouthfeel is decadent like a warm vanilla custard with toasted sugar on top. AKA Creme Brûlée. It is not the fullest mouth feel I have had but its very pleasing on the palate.
The flavor lingers nicely for a good while becoming a bit more oaky, slightly bitter, and mineral.
There is also something herbaceous here or vegetal like endive.
I find this to be quite complex which may differ with others tastings but to each their own.
I find this pleasing.
Ratings have nothing to do with cost - just my impressions.
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@ghill40509 I love a great backstory too and thank you for sharing your experience with me! What a joy to introduce someone to bourbon as well! Oh well if the whole bottle disappeared lol those memories are worth every penny
I love backstories and you sir might be the King. Oftentimes, I will be at a most enjoyable environment and try a new whiskey and think it is over the top but did that environment influence my impressions? So I will try to get a bottle back home and see if I still love it. Several years ago, my wife and I were in France and met a lovely Irish couple at our bnb. He asked what I was tipping and I told him Rebel Yell Bourbon. “It’s not the best but the bottle is the thickest glass in my collection and I figured it would make the trip safely, would you like a taste?” “Irish is my drink and I’ve never had bourbon so I would love a taste” The bottle was to last the trip but we finished it that night. He learned to like bourbon and I made a new friend. As he departed, he suggested that I try Bushmills Black Bush. I did. A few years later, we were on a trip to Northern Ireland. I love distillery tours and learned that Bushmills was just a few miles away. That’s it, we’re going! Beautiful setting and even the newest buildings have a look of antiquity. They have 2 billion euro in inventory aging on site. Our tour guide was great and much of the story was like the distilleries here. We were joking back and forth and entered a warehouse full of Jim Beam and Wild Turkey barrels. I quipped “ya know why Irish Whiskey is so good?” Tell me. “Because it’s aged in bourbon barrels” He gave a controlled laugh and a clever grin. He got me a little later as someone on the tour asked about the bourbon barrels. His answer was that they bought barrels from Kentucky distillers and that people there actually drank the whiskey. Truth was that the whiskey wasn’t fit to drink but the barrels were great for aging Irish Whiskey. As the guide departed us at the gift shop, he told us to skip everything but the Black Bush. On that same trip, I was introduced to Redbreast in a bar with another new friend. I continue to enjoy both and managed to find a 21 year Bushmill a couple years ago. Waiting for the right occasion on that one. Oh how I love the backstory!!
@Cornmuse Thank you very much! :)
Nice tasting notes. BB is definitely in my regular rotation. At least 1 bottle a year ends its life in my glencairn.