This is a really nice whiskey, super approachable and easy sipping, a go-to when evangelizing for Scotch. From entry to finish, it’s delicate, flavorful and fun. Do I want to spend $90 on it? Nope. It’s not that remarkable to me. But if someone told me to bring a Scotch to a party, I’d spend the extra bucks on it. No one will regret it.
Wine Plays Fine Role In Bardstown Bourbon Co.’s Tourism Strategy
View PostExpresiones Del Corazon William Larue Weller Añejo Tequila Review
Over the past couple of years, I’ve tasted multiple iterations of Sazerac-barrel-rested Corazon tequilas, and with each, the influence of those barrels has increased. At first blush, I like that. I mean, why make a reposado or añejo unless you want to taste the oak influence? Again, that increase is a welcome addition to the Expressiones line.
SAP56 Canadian Maple Whisky Honors Maker’s Heritage and Taste Memories
View PostChicken Cock 15 Year Old Barrel Proof Bourbon Review
This is a swell whiskey. It’s balanced, bold—even muscular—and pretty much what a properly aged 15-year-old bourbon should taste like. Some sourced whiskey shows the talent or luck of the barrel hunter, so let’s call Grain & Barrel Spirits’ master distiller Gregg Snyder talented. It’s delicious. Ironically, I had this same whiskey from a full bottle bought by a friend, and it did little for me. A month later, I got a sample bottle from Chicken Cock, and it was praiseworthy. Go figure. I have no explanation for it.
Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review
Despite the inviting nose—which revealed layer after incredible layer of aromas the longer it rested—whiskey is for drinking, and that effort ended the fun for me.
I get that others like some of these extra-long-aged bourbons; in fact, I appreciate it. That crowd is wired differently from me and variety is a great thing. But unlike Michter’s, which somehow pulls off the feat of bottling 20- and 25-year bourbon and rye that is as drying, it doesn’t win me over. This 22-year dries up quickly and heads right to astringency for me. Your reactions may vary, and I hope they do, especially if you spend the exorbitant sums requested online.
Angel’s Envy Limited-Edition 2020 Cask Strength Bourbon Review
I’m really pleased with this release because of its port-forward notes. Some recent Angel’s Envy Cask Strength releases tasted more like delicious, polished bourbon while lacking the distinctive port finish components of early releases. For anyone wondering why I pointed to purple iris in my nose notes: Years ago, a friend gave me some purple iris bulbs that I replanted. As they grew and bloomed, a powdered grape aroma (think grape Kool-Aid) emanated from them. Ever since, they’ve been one of my favorite flowers. That aroma is present in this release.
Old Forester 2020 Birthday Bourbon Review
Old Forester’s 100 proof standard is a super-versatile and amazingly affordable favorite of mine. Some of this year’s special distillery releases (such as the 150th Anniversary Bourbon, Batch 2, which I reviewed here) have been brilliant. But Old Fo’s Birthday Bourbons are always hit or miss for me. The 2019 Birthday was brilliant, one of my favorite ever. At the press event when we tasted it, master taster Jackie Zykan included slices of birthday caramel cake because she deemed it the whiskey’s paramount note. She was dead on. It was deep, dense and rich, just like the cake. So confident that we’d love that release, she even poured us a 150 proof-barrel strength sample that, believe it or not, was far softer than anyone would think.