The Old Fitzgerald 14 Year Old Bottled In Bond Bourbon is a solid whiskey that Old Fitz fans and grain-forward whiskey fans will enjoy. Were this a wine review, I’d compliment its “structure” and uniformity for playing no tricks and not changing with long exposure. The other side of that coin is it didn’t change at all with long exposure. A few drops of water did open it to reveal some nutty flavors and amplify the oak positively. Water also clears out that grassy exit that isn’t always pleasing (usually I love that). I’m not big on adding water, but it works well here.
Basil Hayden’s 10 Year Bourbon Review – 2020 Release
The initial mellow flavors hit on the traditional notes of caramel, vanilla, rye spice and oak but I found the taste thin and fleeting. After my initial tasting notes, I added a few drops of water (as per usual review practice) – this was a mistake; most flavors became non-existent and I felt like I was left with flavored water. I would love to see this as a 10 year, cask strength expression… although I would hate to see the MSRP if that were to ever happen.
The Ultimate Guide to the 2020 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection
View PostChicken Cock Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review
This is a good but unremarkable bourbon. It is a pleasant, easy drinker that is best savored neat. Even a few drops of water softened it appreciably, making rocks pretty much out of the question. A cocktail? Not for me.
Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel Bourbon Review – 2020 Release
Michter’s has treated me to the past several releases of this 10-year bourbon, and all were good, well-mannered and delicious. Crucial to my preferences, each also paired amazingly well with food. But the 2020 release is something truly special, my favorite of the lot so far. Warm chocolate gives way to supple oak blending with corn sweetness and softness. Yet this is more robust than in releases past and reminds me of a straight-from-the-barrel glass fill I had at Michter’s Distillery two years ago with a press group. The mouthfeel is amazing: an adult candy bar in a glass; fully creamy and mouth coating. This is supremely delicious liquid deserving quiet contemplation or sharing with deserving whiskey buddies.
Watershed Distillery Barrel Strength Bourbon Finished In Apple Brandy Barrels Review
This special, limited release bourbon celebrates the 10 Year Anniversary for Watershed Distillery. It is actually the same distillate as their previous 4 year old Watershed Bourbon, but with two additional years of age on it. It was then finished in spent Apple Brandy barrels and bottled at barrel strength.
Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Japanese Mizunara Oak Casks Review
For 10 years Angel’s Envy has produced delicate, rounded and balanced bourbons finished in second-use casks—port, tawny port, sherry and rum (for its rye). Now we have a first-use mizunara oak barrel from Japan, which makes this bourbon markedly different from its predecessors.
Four Roses 2020 Limited Edition Small Batch Review
Similar to last year’s release, this year’s Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch bourbon has a lovely nosed filled with buttery vanilla and complemented with a pome fruit bomb and spiced orange. Each aroma is full represented solidly but also flow naturally with the others creating an overall aroma that is greater than just the sum of its parts. It’s sweet on the tip of the tongue with berries & cream covered with crystalized brown sugar. As it hits your mid-palate, the flavors shift with notes of orange peel and toasted oak that balance out the sweetness with bitter – just enough to bring it all into harmony.
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Bourbon Review
The nose on the Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Bourbon is lovely. It’s more robust and more complex than the standard Elijah Craig expression we all know and love. As such, I was super excited to give this one a taste finally. Unfortunately, the flavor profile didn’t live up to the aroma. The sweet buttery caramel aromas that made the nose, so lovey are nowhere on the palate. Instead, they swapped places with hot baking spices touched with some black pepper for good measure. It drinks hotter than the stated proof. As a result, the spice mixes with a stronger than expected oak that is bitter and not what I expected. There was a slight touch of cocoa, but it was all too fleeting to counterbalance the tannic oak.