2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 24

Friday! Day 24 of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y ... and it happens to be my birthday too (: Had a good time tasting all the Whisk(e)y, and will start hunting down new and interesting bottles for next year. I'm finishing out this year with Bruichladdich Octomore 11.1, "Super-Heavily Peated" Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Aged 5 Years, 59.4% ABV, 139.6 PPM (a peat measurement). I had heard many good things about Octomore, so when I saw this on the shelf, I went ahead and picked it up. 

On the nose, this is smokey, ash, sweet butterscotch, honey and a touch of citrus. The taste, I get a spicy heat, butterscotch, smoke, and ash - this is quite different than an earthy Ardbeg. The finish is smoke, bbq meat sweetness, spicy pepper heat that lingers, drifts off into ash.

With water, I get a touch of brine on the nose along with sweet bbq. Maybe sweeter on the taste too, and the finish has more of a spicy tingle, but less everything else. It is good both ways, but I probably prefer it neat. 

Overall, this is amazingly good. My brain could be playing tricks on me a bit, and I'd like to sometime try this without knowing what I was trying to see if I still thought it was still in the 'amazing' territory. Best of the year, and I'll be on the hunt for 12.1 or other releases. Rated 4.75 / 5.0 - cheers all!

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 23

Thursday evening - Day 23 of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - tonight I'm drinking the Committee Release version of Ardbeg Scorch Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 51.7% ABV. I tried the non-Committee Release version on Day 19, which is 46% ABV. Let's see how this version is and if it's much different.

On the nose, I get campfire, ash, brine, cut grass and a floral perfume like note. The taste is sweet up front, followed by charred fruit, charred wood, some mint, an unspecific spicy hot pepper in the back. The heat carries to the finish, brine, charred oak, and a fresh mint tingle in the way back that lingers for some time.

With water, I get more floral on the nose, and a bbq sweetness. The taste is sweet turning quickly to heat along with the mint freshness, and the finish is char and that mint zing and it lingers a long time.

This is better than the non-Committee release, the finish is longer and it seems better balanced. Overall it's quite good - but I do probably like the Uigeadail and Corryvreckan better. Rated 4.0 / 5.0 - cheers!

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 22

Hump Day!!! Start of 4 Day Weekend Day!!!! Day 22 of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y. Tonight, I'm having The BenRiach, Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Peated Cask Strength Batch 2, 60% ABV (!!!). This one checks a lot of my boxes ... let's see how it is.

On the nose, I get campfire, bbq, earthy peat, with some fruit and in the back some faint vanilla. The nose is really quite good. The taste is smoke, peat, toffee sweetness, chocolate and some citrus. The finish is smoke, cocoa, fruit and some wood. This does not drink anywhere near the proof that it is - I would guess this was low 50s. This is no age statement - but it doesn't drink young. 

With water, the nose is similar, still very nice, maybe a bit more sweet vanilla. The taste - I'm now finding a touch of cinnamon, and the cinnamon carries over to the finish, along with everything else. This might be a bit better with some water - but it's not needed.

This is really good - well balanced, nice taste, nice proof... really no faults. I will certainly keep my eye out for Batch 3, and I might have to track down some other releases from The BenRiach. Rated 4.5 / 5.0 - best of the year for me.

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 21

Tuesday! Day 21 of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y ... tonight I'm drinking Game of Thrones Six Kingdoms, Mortlach 15 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 46% ABV. This is the final release from Diageo for their Game of Thrones Collection - only the 2nd age statement, and the oldest.

On the nose, I get apple, some grain, along with orange zest and floral notes. The taste, I get toffee, apple, orange, fig, there is some zip to this too - not sure if it's just alcohol burn, or something else - and some strong sherry notes as well. The finish is warming and sweet, and lingers for quite a bit. 

With water, on the nose I get a hint of bread with everything else, the taste is more sherry and sweet - easier to drink for sure. The finish is similar, but does seem a bit more hot with a little more tingle at the end, good either way, maybe a touch better with a splash of water.

This is well balanced, and if I had a guest over that liked Scotch, but didn't like peat or cask strength - this would be in their wheelhouse. It's not really for me - as I do like peat and I do like cask strength ... still, very enjoyable. Rated 3.5 / 5.0 - cheers!

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 20

Made it through another Monday ... Day 20 of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y. Tonight I'm having Jefferson's Ocean Aged At Sea Voyage 22 Single Barrel Special Wheated Mashbill Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45% ABV. They take this bourbon and toss it on a ship and go around at sea for a while so it sloshes around the barrel - does it make any difference or is it just a gimmick? 

On the nose, I get caramel, cherry, salt and some mint. The taste is brown sugar, caramel and cherry. The finish in caramel and mint - it lingers for some time. With water, the nose gets some hay/grass along with the other things, pretty similar. The taste brings some salt for me, while the finish is almost the same but I am getting a bit more wood now. I could drink this either way.

Overall, this is pretty good, I haven't had the standard Jefferson's bourbon to compare it to, and I don't know if this wheated mash bill is much different than other Ocean Aged At Sea releases. It does run around $80 - and at that price range there are many things that are superior, so I can't see buying this again. Better than the budget bourbons - not as good as the cask strength bourbons I enjoy - will rate it 3.5 / 5.0

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 19

Sunday! (Sunday!) (sunday) ... Day 19 of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y. Tonight, I'm trying Ardbeg Scorch, Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, "Limited Edition Fiercely Charred Casks", 46% ABV. This was the standard yearly release for Ardbeg Day. They can be hard to track down, but as a fan of Ardbeg, I've been on the hunt for these the last few years with limited success. Let's see how this one is.

On the nose, I get campfire smoke, ash, some brine and a touch of orange. The taste is charred wood, charred fruit, minty freshness, and a touch of sweet. The finish, some smoke and charred wood, with some brine that lingers. 

Adding water, the orange on the nose turns floral and takes over, the taste is mint and floral up front, then char and some heat in the back. More heat on the finish as well - I probably prefer this neat, but it's probably worth trying both ways as it does seem to be significantly different. 

While this is pretty good overall, it's not as good as any of the standard Ardbeg releases, including the 5 Year Wee Beastie which is less than 1/2 the price and can be found fairly easily. Ardbeg Scorch does have more char - which seems like the intention. Rated 3.5 / 5.0

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 18

Saturday - woot! Day 18 of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y! Trying Son of a Peat Batch 3 "The Redeemer" Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, Cask Strength (53.8% ABV) from Flaviar. My preferences for Scotch leans towards peaty, smokey varieties, so when I saw this on Flaviar, I figured I'd give it a try.

On the nose, this has a meaty smoke, peat, and is slightly medicinal. The taste I get smoke, peat, touch of spice, some almonds maybe, a bit of oak, and some sherry notes as well. The finish I get smoke and ash, peat, chocolate, spice tingle, dry wood. The finish lingers for some time and has nice warmth. 

Adding water, the nose seems more campfireish and more BBQ, the medicinal note seems to have vanished or is buried. The taste has more spice and the finish more tingle, seems hotter. I prefer this on neat. 

This one is really quite good. I tried another blended peaty Scotch, Compass Box Peat Monster, against this and the Son of Peat was much better. It probably is in Ardbeg Uigeadail or Corryvreckan territory - sometime I'll have to have it blind vs one of those and possibly some others. Rated 4.25 / 5.0

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 17

Friday!!! Down to the home stretch of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y ... Day 17! Today, we have from Bruichladdich, 10 Year Port Charlotte Heavy Peated Islay Single Malt, coming in at 50% ABV. I'm looking forward to some of the whisk(e)ys I have coming up - let's see how this one is.

On the nose, I get smoke, peat, fresh cut grass, cinnamon, mint and some floral notes. The taste, I find caramel, sweet orange, earth, smoke, chocolate, and some wood. The finish is candy sweet, wood, savory tail end... and lingers for quite some time.

With water - nose has a little more peat, sweeter on the taste, more spicy tingle on the finish. This one is really good. Same ball park as Ardbeg Uigeadail, but maybe not quite as flavorful overall - certainly worth keeping around. Rated 4.25 / 5.0

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 16

Day 16 of the 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - tonight I'm trying out Teeling Blackpitts Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey, 46% ABV. There are not many peated Irish Whiskeys... let's see how this one is.

On the nose, I get toffee, bbq smoke, orange, sweet honey. The taste I get dry wood, sweet honey, touch of fruit, and a bit of peat way in the back. The finish is sweetness, wood, touch of spice, touch of smoke.

Adding water, I get a little more fruit on the nose and the nose is softer. The taste I do get a little smoke now, along with more wood, and the finish is more woody - I probably prefer this neat. Connemara, another peated Irish Whiskey that I have currently (though the cask strength version) seems to have more peat on the taste and finish, and I probably like a bit more (I should get another bottle of Connemara 12 sometime, haven't had that in ages). Overall, I had higher hopes for this one, and this was a bit of a letdown. Still, it's not bad - rated 3.25 / 5.0

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 15

Hump Day!!!! Whisk(e)y Wednesday, Day 15 of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y ... today I'm having Ry3, Private Reserve, 61.82% ABV. Is it a Rye? Is it a Bourbon? Who knows... let's try this (:

Ry3 is a bit limited on information, it says it a blend of 3 mashbills - but then doesn't say what or who or where the mashbills are from, so it could be more or less anything. On the nose, I get some initial alcohol burn, after that I get vanilla, chocolate, dark fruit, toffee, spice.. and way way way in the back some dill. 

The taste - it's a bit hot, but this is over 60% ABV, so it is to be expected. Does have some hot petter spice, rye, also get the sweetness, along with some oak in the back. The finish is spicy, hot dry wood, hangs around and eventually turns into more wood. Occasionally on the finish I get some coffee - but not always. 

With water, the nose is similar, maybe more sweet. The taste is very spicy, sweet in the back, touch of wood too. The finish is more wood and seems to drift off quickly - I think this is better neat. Overall, this is very flavorful, there is a lot going on. Comparing to my highest rated rye - Willett 4 Year - this doesn't quite get there, but it's also much different. Biggest surprise of the year, rated 3.75 / 5.0.

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 14

Treat Tuesday - and today is day 14 of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y. We're having 10 Year Ledaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky, coming in at 46.3% ABV. Let's see how it is...

On the nose I get brine, sweet honey, touch of citrus, faint smoke. Coming back to the nose after a bit, I do find a touch of peat too and maybe some rubber cement. The taste is toffee sweetness, black pepper, spicy pepper, light smoke and peat. The finish is sweet and earthy, brine, oak, pepper lingers, along with a touch of that rubber cement. 

With water, the nose has a little more smoke, along with everything else, and the taste has more brine along with more pepper in the finish. Overall, this is good - not great, but good. It could be a good gateway to more peaty Scotches. It reminds me somewhat of the Balvenie Week of Peat 14 Year - which can be hard to find. I'd say the Balvenie is better, but the Ledaig isn't far behind. Will rate this 3.5 / 5.0

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 13

Made it through another Monday, time for Day 13 of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y. Tonight I'm having Wild Turkey Rare Breed Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, 56.1% ABV. I like the standard Wild Turkey Rye - will I like the barrel proof big brother?

On the nose, I get caramel, citrus, apple, some baking spice, and a touch of dill in the back, especially if I let it set for a bit. The taste I get caramel toffee, black pepper, touch of rye spice, and some mint. The finish I get some rye spice, hot cinnamon and it lingers for some time.

With water, the nose has more citrus for me, while I get some wood on the taste and finish, but otherwise pretty similar, good either way. Overall, I probably like the Willett 4 Year Rye I have better, but this holds its own versus other higher proof, rated 3.75 / 5.0, cheers!

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 12

Day 12 of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y. I drank this and took notes last night, but then was busy and didn't get a chance to write up the review.

Trying another Bull Run offering, this time a 7 Year Single Malt Whiskey, then finished in Cognac casks for 13 months, 59.98% ABV. This one does say 'Distilled by...' on the back, the 13 Year did not, meaning it was most likely sourced.

On the nose I get mint, a black tea note that's a bit funky (similar to other Oregon Single Malts), cherry, and some sweet fruit. The taste, I get the malt, tea, some spice and a low level sweetness. The finish I get that funk coming back. With water things are very similar. for nearly 60% ABV this doesn't really drink that hot, but the water does tame it down a bit.

Overall this is good and fairly unique, but I do think the 13 Year I had the other day was better. Rated 3.25 / 5.0

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 11

Saturday! Rainy windy day in Portland, good day to hunker down with a cask strength Whisk(e)y! Today, I'm having Balcones Peated Texas Single Malt Whisky, 2020 Edition, Aged 3 years, with a 62.9% ABV. While I've not loved every Balcones I've tried, they have been unique and interesting, and I really love the nose on the Balcones Brimstone - so when I saw this one I picked it up.

On the nose I am getting smoke, ash, burnt wood, and sweet BBQ. On the taste, I find smoke, wood, cherry (but not a sweet cherry), hot pepper spice - overall not too sweet. The finish it hot with spicy tingle, lingers - with char on the backend. 

Adding water, there is less smoke on the nose and there is more BBQ sweet - almost Teriyaki. The taste is not much different, but the finish is hotter, spicier, and has more heat. I could take this either way.

Overall, this is quite good, and I'll be looking for the 2021 edition. I'd say it's similar (but different) to higher proof Ardbegs or such, same wheelhouse anyway. I'd rate this 4.0 / 5.0 - would buy again, cheers!

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 10

Friday! Woot Woot! Day 10 of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y, tonight we have Bull Run Distilling American Whiskey Aged 13 Years then finished in Cabernet Casks for 6 more months. Cask Strength at 62.47% ABV. This is a barrel pick from Westmoreland Liquor not too far from my house I picked up on clearance at $41 - is it worth it?

On the nose I first get the alcohol -125 proof is hard to ignore, but then I get sweetness, molasses, caramel, vanilla and fruit. The taste is fruit, cherry syrup, but with a proof kick too. The finish is sweet, wood, cherry and lingers. 

With water, this does get tamed down a bit. Still sweet on the nose with brown sugar, similar on the taste, and more woody on the finish. Overall this is really interesting. Doesn't drink as hot as the proof is, but isn't boring by any means either. The best value so far for the year, that's for sure. Rated 3.5 / 5.0 - cheers!

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 9

Thursday! Day 9 of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y, today, we have Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey Bottled In Bond, 50% ABV, 100 Proof, aged at least 4 years (rumored to be around 7 years). I bought this one about a year ago and it's getting really hard to find anymore - is it any good?

On the nose, I get caramel, corn, spice and a hint of dill. On the taste I get butterscotch, cinnamon, spice, wood and apple. The finish I get vanilla, some wood, spice, and it lingers for some time. With water the nose is more wood and spicy, while the taste is sweeter overall. 

This in nothing fancy, but it's really well balanced and the sum is better than the parts. It's from Buffalo Trace, but comparing either Buffalo Trace or Eagle Rare to this is just not fair - this is significantly better overall. If you can find this at retail, it's an instant purchase - but good luck. I have not seen this in a store since I picked it up. Rated 3.5 / 5.0 - better than all budget bourbons, not quite in the barrel proof bourbon category. 

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 8

Hump Day, aka Whisk(e)y Wednesday aka Day 8 of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y. Tonight I'm trying Wolfburn 3 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 46% ABV.

Originally I thought this was Wolfburn Northland, but after further investigation, it looks like Northland is more or less the same as this, but aged 4 years instead of 3. From the reviews I've seen, people think it's quite similar, so I won't sweat it too much.

On the nose I get malt, salt, touch of light peat/smoke, fruit (grapes?) and some grassy notes. On the taste, I get vanilla, smoke, pepper and some dried fruit. The finish has malt, chocolate, some spice, it is fairly light and short. With water, the nose has a bit more brine/salt, the taste is a bit more smooth with more chocolate and vanilla. Might be better with a dash a water, but it probably will depend on my mood.

This does seem young, but is overall fairly interesting. My memory is that it reminds me of Kilchoman, but I don't have any of that currently to compare to. The peat/smoke is gentle, and nice overall. Rated 3.25 / 5.0

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 7

Day 7 of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y ... today, Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Proof, coming in at 58.4% ABV. While no age statement is on this whiskey, it's believed to be a blend of 6, 8 and 12 year. Wild Turkey 101 is probably my favorite budget bourbon, so I've been wanting to review the barrel proof Rare Breed.

On the nose, there is some barrel proof sharpness, along with caramel, vanilla, citrus, some oak and when I came back to it, some tobacco. The taste I get sweet up front, then spicy pepper coming in after that, along with maple sugar, and tobacco. The finish I get maple and caramel, with spice in the background, then tobacco and wood trailing off. 

With water, the nose is more floral and baking spice. More sweet on the taste, but with a spicy/hotter finish. It's good either way. I don't have many high proof bourbons to compare this to currently. Comparing it to Old Forester 1920 (57.5% ABV), the Old Forester is just completely different with a lot of cherry on the flavor. Comparing it to Old Granddad 114 (57% ABV) - that one just is a lot lower end with nowhere near the finish. 

Overall this is pretty good, I give it a 3.75 / 5.0, but I would like to compare it to some other higher proof bourbons, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, or Russel Reserve for example.

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 6

Made it through another Monday - sooner or later, I'll be done with Mondays (: Anyway... day 6 of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y, today we have 1792 Bottled in Bond, Single Barrel Select Barrel #5918, Store Pick from Baseline Liquor, 50% ABV. How is the pick? Let's find out...

On the nose I get hints of rye spice, some caramel, vanilla, and a touch of dill - in the background, for a lack of a better term, I get dirt. The taste, lots of wood, spicy, peppery, hints of nut/peanut in the back, damp cut grass and earth. The finish I get wood and pepper, and it hangs around quite a bit.

This has an odd taste and finish that is hard to describe. I don't particularly like it, and I went back to it later in the evening to see if it's still there. It triggers a memory of my youth of line trimming dry weeds with a line trimmer - which isn't necessarily what I'm looking for in my whiskey. I'll give it another try down the road, but for now this is just too 'earthy' for me.

Overall, this is quite woody, and I'd like to try a non-store pick to see if the flavor profile is much different. Rated 3.0 / 5.0 - mostly because I feel that if I'm in the right mood, this could hit some good notes for me, otherwise it would be lower. 

On edit - over time, this got even worse ... I was never in the mood for it. 2.0/5.0 ... barely drinkable - even in mixed drinks.

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 5

Sunday=Funday ... and the 5th Day of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y. Today we have from Lagavulin, 11 Year Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky finished in Guinness Casks coming in at 46% ABV, aka "The Offerman Edition". Who doesn't like Lagavulin and/or Offerman ... marketing GENIUS!!! I tried the first round of this back in 2019 (on day 5 as well) - and I thought that one was pretty good. They upped the game this time with the finish in Guinness Casks... let's see what I think of this one. 

On the nose, this has the Lagavulin smoke, along with meaty bbq, and some mint and vanilla in the back. The taste there is initially some sweet caramel, but then hot pepper comes in and takes over. The finish is a spicy pepper tingle that lingers for quite some time. I would have guessed this was higher than 46% ABV - not that it burns, the finish just is trying to trick my brain. I get a touch of brine in the back along with something I can't quite place - maybe it has to do with the Guinness Cask finish. 

Adding water, I get a little more sweetness on the nose. The taste flips for me - with the spicy pepper front and center, but with the sweetness and a touch of chocolate in the back. The finish is similar - I could drink this one either way depending on my mood. 

Overall this is quite enjoyable. It does run around $80 - $90, so not something to go through too fast (: I do have a sample of the 2019 Offereman Edition, and tasting that one, it just doesn't have the spicy pepper notes for me. As this is my first time drinking the latest version, it could just be my mood tonight that is making it spicy, and I'll give it another try down to road. Even so, the spicy pepper is not enough for me to not enjoy it - I still rate it a 3.75 / 5.0 - best of the year so far, but not as good as the 2019 version. Cheers!

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 4

Saturday! Was a pretty nice day here in the PWN - certainly can't complain seeing that it's December and we're in the rainy season (: Anyway, today we have the 3rd of the Heaven's Door Trilogy Pack ... Double Barrel Whiskey, coming in an 50% ABV. It seems like they do not say exactly what is in this ... only that they combine 'them' then finish 'it' in new toasted oak for a year. 

On the nose, I find vanilla, wood, and butterscotch in the back, it's a bit sharp, I would have guessed a higher proof. The taste, it's quite spicy and hot, but not a cinnamon hot... and quite a bit of wood. I would have guessed this was a rye on the taste. The finish I get shortbread, wood that lingers.

With water, the nose is less sharp and it's quite nice - the taste is mostly the same. Overall, I can't put my finger on exactly why - but I like this one quite a bit. It is a bit punchy - drinks hotter than 50 proof, but that's not necessarily a bad thing in my book. I tasted a Blanton's that is similar in price and proof (when you can find it) - and the Double Barrel compared well to that. I'll rate this 3.5 / 5.0, and at $45-ish ... the best value of the three I'd say.

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 3

Friday! Day 3, woot woot! Today we have Heaven's Door Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Vosges (French) Oak Barrels, 46% ABV, NAS - but at least 4 years and reportedly between 7 and 8 years. How is it? Let's find out...

On the nose, I get vanilla, fruit, floral, clove, mint and after sitting awhile some toffee. The tast I get vanilla, wood, pepper, with toffee in the back. The finish I get cloves, wood, mint and pepper. With water, the nose is more floral, with a woody and peppery taste, I will probably prefer this 

neat, overall it's more interesting and has more depth. 

Really good overall. Hard to compare this to other ryes though. This comes in around $75 a bottle, and in the same ball park Willett Family Estate 4 Year has more licorice and tea on the taste and is more interesting overall, while Crown Royal 16 Year has similar notes, but is more smooth overall. It's worth trying, not sure if it's worth buying. Rated 3.5 / 5.0

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 2

Day 2 - today we are trying out Heaven's Door Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45% ABV, aged a minimum of 6 years. Does Bob Dylan know bourbon? Or does he at least know someone that knows bourbon? (:

I picked up a 3 pack of 200ml bottles of Heaven's Door offerings and will be trying them all over the next few days. 200ml is enough to get a good feel for a whisk(e)y before buying a full bottle - I wish more distilleries would do 200ml bottles.

On the nose, I get sweet caramel, bread, dried fruit and corn. The taste I find cinnamon up front and strong, baking spice, oak in the back with some vanilla. The finish is warm cinnamon that lingers. With water it's more floral on the nose, and on the taste it brings out more oak, I prefer this one neat.

Overall, this is pretty good. It reminds me of Wild Turkey 101, but with more cinnamon and a longer finish. Bottles go for $45 or so - I could see picking up a bottle of this but do want to try the other two first. Rated 3.25 / 5.0

2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 1

Back for another round! No better way to send out 2021 than to drink some good whiskies. Tonight, we're starting with Deanston Virgin Oak - NAS (said to be between 6 and 8 years), Highland Single Malt, 46.3% ABV. These days most of my Scotch drinking is peaty Islay, but it's nice to mix it up every once in a while. How will this one fare?

On the nose I get floral/herbal ... almost like potpourri, along with a hint of fruit and some spice - quite pleasant. The taste has oak, smooth honey notes, some spice. The finish I get some sweetness that drifts off clean and some spice tingle and the very end. Water seems to dull things overall, I prefer this one neat. 

All right overall - solid, and at about $37 a bottle, not a bad deal. Reminds me of Compass Box Artist Blend - which about the same price, though I think I prefer the Compass Box a little more overall as it's a little more interesting. I give this a 3.0 / 5.0. Cheers!

Whisk(e)y Wednesday - 2021-09-22 ... RYE ! ! !

Another Whisk(e)y Wednesday - today... RYE! Trying two higher proof young-ish ryes today. We have Willett Family Estate Small Batch Rye aged 4 years, coming in at 111.8 proof - 55.9% AVB along with Knob Creek Single Barrel (Westmoreland Liquor Store Pick) 115 proof - 57.5% AVB aged 6.25 years or so.

First up, the Knob Creek. On the nose, I find expected rye spice, a touch of dill, some cinnamon and licorice. The taste I get the licorice coming through along with the cinnamon heat. The finish is cinnamon and spice.

With water I get a bit more dill on the nose, more baking spice on the taste, and more wood on the finish. To me this was nothing outstanding, a touch above Old Forester Rye but about twice the price too. Rated 3.25 / 5.0

Next we have the Willett. No batch statement or such on this one. The nose I get brown sugar, a touch of dill, cinnamon and some floral notes. On the taste I get molasses, toasted marshmallow, baking spice, some fruit, and some bitter tea. The finish has spice, some spicy/minty numbing, and a touch of wood.

Water brings out more floral notes on the nose, and brings the bitter tea to the front on the taste for me, along with more molasses - which makes for an interesting combination. Overall this one is interesting, and if you are going to have to hunt down a bottle - you want it to be at least interesting. A step above the Knob Creek - I'd rate it 3.50 / 5.0

I also tried my old standby budget rye - Old Forester 100 proof - and compared to these two, it's a bit flat, but at half the price, probably a better value. I also had a sample of a different Knob Creek Single Barrel Store Pick (same 115 proof) that had more of the typical Knob Creek notes of being nutty and I probably prefer the Westmoreland store pick over that one - but only slightly.

Cheers!

Whisk(e)y Wednesday - 2021-09-15

Here we go ... Hump Day aka Whisk(e)y Wednesday! Today we're trying a budget Kentucky Straight Bourbon - Early Times Bottled in Bond - which means 50% ABV and aged at least 4 years. How does this one compare to others?

On the nose, I get some cinnamon spice, honey, citrus and a hint of nut in the background. The taste I get caramel, spice, citrus and vanilla. The finish is peppery, sweet and a hint of nuttiness.

Water seems to bring out some dill on the nose for me, more spice on the taste. Wood bite on the finish, I like this one more neat. Overall, I like this one better than some other budget bourbons such as Buffalo Trace or such. While I didn't do a head to head, I'm guessing I would prefer Wild Turkey 101 over this. Rated 3.25/5.0 - which is what I give all decent budget bourbons it seems (:

Whisk(e)y Wednesday - 2021-09-01

Whisk(e)y Wednesday - two weeks in a row... maybe I'm back in the swing of things! Tonight I'm drinking Roknar Minnesota Rye Whiskey, from Far North Spirits. This comes in at 47% ABV, aged for 16 months and finished in Cognac casks. Let's find out how it is...

On the nose I get spearmint, vanilla, brown sugar, and fruit flavoring (not exactly fruit). The taste I get (real) fruit - like apricot or similar, wood, pepper, ginger, brown sugar with some vanilla creaminess. The finish is vanilla, sweet and honey. 

Adding a dash of water - the nose and taste are very similar, a touch more ginger on the nose, and less spicy on the taste. With the water, I do get the Cognac on the finish. Overall this is interesting - it's certainly better than the Basil Hayden Dark Rye, which is about the only other rye I would compare this to. Not a typical rye, would need to be in the mood for it - but it's interesting and overall pretty good. Rated 3.25 / 5.0

 

Whisk(e)y Wednesday - 2021-08-25

All right - it's been a while since I did this. Time to get back in the swing of things. Tonight - we're trying Wild Turkey 101 Rye. The Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon won in a head to head blind taste test between Eagle Rare and Evan Williams Single Barrel - will I be a fan of the Rye as well?

On the nose, I get caramel, citrus zest, spices, vanilla and fresh apple. The taste I get rye spice, some cinnamon, citrus, ripe fruit, a hint of vanilla and toffee. Something else is there that I can't quite place. The finish I get wood that lingers, with some mint-like freshness giving it some tingle. 

Water seems to bring out the spice on the nose, and it gives the taste more vanilla. The finish seems to have more spice coming through. Overall I would say it seems a little different than Old Forester - not better, not worse. I think I probably like the budget-ish Woodford Reserve Rye a touch better, as well as the High West Double Rye - which again is a bit more expense. This bottle is nearly empty, I don't see a need to buy another one at this time. Rated 3.25/5.0 - Cheers!

Whisk(e)y Wednesday - 2021-07-07

Hey... it's Wednesday. Been a while since I've done this... today we have a 6 Year Oregon Single Malt Whiskey from Bull Run Distilling Company, coming in at 45.18% ABV. This is Batch #007, Bottle #1002. My bottle was getting pretty low a while back, so I moved what was left to a smaller bottle to hold onto it a bit longer (:

On the nose I get honey, sweet tea, grass, some herbal notes, along with musty funk, maybe some pickle. The taste has come caramel, barley grain, honey, tea, some saltiness/brine too. The finish lingers for quite some time with some spice, touch of wood bite, and a funk at the end.

Adding a dash of water doesn't change much. Initially things are a little hotter, but then I do find more brown sugar on the nose, and the taste is smoothed out some overall. Overall this one is growing on me. My initial taste I wasn't sure if I was a fan, but I think each time I try it I like it a little more. Rated 3.5 / 5.0

 

Whisk(e)y(?) Wednesday - 2021-03-03

Back at it for Whisk(e)y Wednesday? Not quite - tonight I'm having Ron Zacapa Centenarlo Sistema 23 Solera. A blend of rums between 6 and 23 years old.

On the nose, I get orange peel, ripe bananas, toffee, cinnamon, vanilla and some honey. The taste I get honey, sweetness, some apple, a touch of licorice, and some cinnamon spice. The finish is sugary, candy, simple syrup and some spice on the backend. 

This is pretty good overall. I used to drink random rum mixed drinks and such, so I thought I would try a mid-level rum to see what I thought. This one is in the $40s, so not too expensive, but we're not talking rum for mixed drinks. I could see having this when I wanted a break from scotch/whiskey/bourbon. Rated 3.0 / 5.0

Whisk(e)y Wednesday - 2021-02-24

Whisk(e)y Wednesday ... back at work this week, so I've been looking forward to this all day (: Tonight I'm tasting Mars Iwai Whisky 45, an "American Style" Whiskey coming in at 45% abv. I've had very few Japanese Whiskies - so let's see how this one tastes.

On the nose, I get apple and other fruit and a hint of butterscotch. The taste is sweet - not overly sweet, but it's the biggest note I'm finding - it seems very clingy too. It has some young alcohol burn to it as well - there is no age statement but this seems pretty young. The finish is candy sweet that hangs around for quite some time. 

With water, the nose opens up some - not finding anything different really - but more seems to be there - more present. The taste is similar, and the finish seems even longer. This one is all right - not great, but certainly drinkable. Got this for about $35, so while pretty low cost - there are many bourbons/ryes/etc that are similar in price and I prefer over this one. Still - I can't think of anything that this reminds me of - so I guess it's somewhat unique. Rated 2.5 / 5.0

Whisk(e)y Wednesday - 2021-02-17

I thought I'd be missing Whisk(e)y Wednesday this week, as we had ice storms around here in suburbia Portland, and I was without internet access until... today! It's a Whisk(e)y miracle! So... the show must go on... 

Today we have three Irish Whiskeys - having two Jameson Whiskey variants, and then a Redbreast 12 Year Cask Strength to compare to. The Redbreast is one of my favorite Irish Whiskeys, so the two Jamesons have their work cut out for them (:

First up, Jameson Blender's Dog. This is triple distilled and comes in at 43% ABV. On the nose I find fresh cut grass, floral, cinnamon and some vanilla. On the taste I get caramel, pepper and wood. The finish is sweet and spicy. With water the nose is similar and the taste is less peppery with more wood. I could drink this either way. Overall this one is pretty good - I don't have the standard Jameson on hand, but from memory I would say this is quite a bit better and more interesting. Rated 3.0 / 5.0

Next we have the Jameson Distiller's Safe, triple distilled, 43% ABV. On the nose we have floral, herbs, almonds and vanilla. The taste I find citrus zest, clove and other baking spices, sweet fruit, and oak. The finish I get spice and dryness that lingers. With water the nose is similar and the taste has a bit more wood sourness and I'm finding nutty as well. Probably better neat. This isn't as good as the Blender's Dog in my opinion, Rated 2.75 / 5.0

Finally, Redbreast Single Pot Still 12 Year Cask Strength Irish Whiskey, Batch B2/19, 55.8% ABV. On the nose I find apple cider, pear and bread. The cask strength is present as you'll want to take small sips for sure. The taste I find butter, spice, baked fruit pie, and wood. The finish I get spice and oak wood that lingers, along with some high proof burn. With water, I found this hotter on the nose, and I find some mint on the flavor that I didn't notice before. I could drink this either way - and for me this is one that deserves to be sampled neat and with water. Overall I find this one really good, Rated 4.0 / 5.0 - it's a keeper for sure.

Whisk(e)y Wednesday - 2021-02-10

Hump day! Half way through the week ... I might make it to Friday and actually get a few things done as well (: Relaxing with Compass Box Oak Cross this evening. This is a blended malt of Highland single malts, aged in American Oak, and then some of it is moved to first fill French Oak - before being combined back together. Does all that work make for good whisky?

On the nose I find sweet fruit in the front, some spice as well. This seems to have hints that reminds me of a ginger beer or a ginger flavored hard apple cider. Touch of brine as well. The taste I get sweet with some baking spice, along with vanilla. I get some oak and some spice in the finish that hangs around. Adding water doesn't seem to change things much, the nose is more mellow and there is a bit more spice on the taste, but not really much. I probably prefer this neat. 

This is quite nice. I would say it's a little better than Compass Box Great King Street Artist's Blend - but not by much. It has a little more flavor going on. It's almost twice as much as Artist's Blend though - and it's not that much better (: Rated 3.5 / 5.0 

Whisk(e)y Wednesday - 2021-02-03

Hump Day ! ! ! Tonight for Whisk(e)y Wednesday I'm reviewing something I've enjoyed for many years - but have never actually reviewed - Lagavulin 16 Year.

I decided to taste this side by side vs some other scotches. The Lagavulin Distillers Edition (2019 4/508) is one of my favorites, so it's a good baseline to compare to, while the Bank Note Peated Reserve Blended Scotch (5 Year) is a *budget* blend - costing around $25. Where on the scale between these two will the Lagavulin 16 fall? (:

First up, Lagavulin Distillers Edition, Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky - distilled 2013, bottled 2019, lgv. 4/508, 43% ABV. On the nose I find some mint and floral, a touch of ash and peaty smoke in the background, sweet, vanilla and caramel. On the taste I get some peaty smoke, touch of brine, sweetness and vanilla. The finish I find a fresh mint tingle and a nice sweetness that lingers for some time. Water brings out more mint and floral on the nose, the taste is a bit more tame - I would prefer this neat, but could see people enjoying it with a dash of water. Really well rounded and easy to drink. This one is so good and would be what I would offer a visiting friend or relative if they were visiting. Rated 4.5 / 5.0

Next, Bank Note Blended Scotch Whisky, Peated Reserve 5 Year, 43% ABV. I bought this mostly to see if a $25 Peated Blend would be half way decent. On the nose I get some smoke, sweet fruit, toffee and a bit of floral. The taste I get ashy smoke, some sweet and a hint of dark chocolate. On the finish I find it a bit bitter and harsh. Some spice with a sweet aftertaste turning a bit metallic. With water the nose is similar, a touch less harsh on the taste - might prefer this one with a splash of water. Overall - this one tastes a bit off at first, but by the time you're finishing the pour, it seems all right. There are things that are not much more, Compass Box Great King Street Artist's Blend, for example - that are much more enjoyable - though not peated. Rated 2.5 / 5.0

Onto the Lagavulin 16, 43% ABV. On the nose I find sweet caramel, some peat smoke, vanilla and iodine. The taste for me is salt and pepper, some earthy smoke, and nice balance. The finish I get mint freshness and pepper that hangs around for some time. With water I get more spice on the nose, and it tames the taste a bit - I prefer this one neat. Overall this one is well balanced, and will always be on my shelf. I don't enjoy it as much as the Lagavulin Distiller Edition - but it's close. Rated 4.25 / 5.0

Whisk(e)y Wednesday - 2021-01-27

Woo! Hump Day ... Whisk(e)y Wednesday yet again. Note that I got lazy last night and didn't get around to posting this review - but I have all my notes so here goes. I thought I'd run through some different Westward Single Malts - I have samples of the Pinot Noir Cask 45% ABV and the Cask Stout 45% ABV, along with a bottle of the Single Barrel Women of Westward 45% ABV release. Will one stand out among the others? Will there be much difference?

I did this blind, but it was easy to pick the Pinot Noir Cask out - and I was pretty sure between the Single Barrel and Cask Stout versions as well. First up, the Single Barrel Women of Westward release. This came out in 2017, and I picked up a 375ml bottle a month or so ago. The nose I get fruit along with some dark chocolate in the background. The taste is licorice and tea, the tea note being similar to the standard Westward Single Malt release. On the finish I get grass and some spice. With water, the nose opens up for me and has more chocolate, a little less bite on the taste and a bit more sweetness, I could have this either way. This is better than the standard Westward, but the cask strength Westward is better in every way. Given the price of this, I can't see buying again. 3.5 / 5.0

Next up was the Pinot Noir Cask version. On the nose I found sweetness, fruit, and grass. The taste I got grass, fruit and old leather in the background. The finish was a touch of fruit, not too heavy, and some tobacco. With water the nose is more interesting - ripe fruit, multilayered, but sadly the taste is more dull. I could drink this either way. Of the three tonight, this was probably my favorite, 3.5 / 5.0

Finally I tried the Cask Stout. I didn't really find any stout on this one in the nose, taste, or finish. The nose was fruit, some citrus and cinnamon. The taste I got the bitter tea like the standard Westward, some nuts, a hint of brine, and some wood. The finish was dry with some tea. Water brought out some citrus on the nose, and some fruit on the taste, but still heavy on the tea. This one was the most like the standard Westward Single Malt - but I probably like this a little better. It was my least favorite of the three, but possibly because it was the least different. 3.25 / 5.0

Whisk(e)y Wednesday - 2021-01-20

Hump Day!!! Time for another blind taste test. Today I'm trying Black Maple Hill Small Batch Limited Edition, 47.5% ABV vs. Starward Two-Fold Double Grain Australian Whisky 40.0% ABV vs Westward American Single Malt Whiskey, 45.0% ABV. I poured the three glasses and then mixed them up until I didn't know which was which...

Sample A: On the nose I found cinnamon and honey, wasn't overpowering, fairly subtile. The taste was rye like spice, floral, herbs, caramel and some maple. The finish had spice that lingered for quite some time - but wasn't overly strong. A dash of water made it more floral on the nose and more rye spice, with the taste becoming more bitter - I would prefer this neat. Rated this 3.5 / 5.0 - This one turned out to be the Black Maple Hill. While it was good, at about $90 a bottle it would be hard justifying purchasing.

Sample B: On the nose I got eucalyptus and tea coming through. The taste I found bitter tea, some grain funk, orange and some ripe fruit. The finish gave me a long herbal finish, bitter tea, and some wood. With water I found the nose more enjoyable - relaxed and inviting. Still got the bitter tea on the taste with some spice as well, I probably liked this one a bit more with water. Rated 3.25 / 5. 0 - This was the Westward. Once I noticed the bitter black tea it was hard to ignore, but I thought it was pretty good overall. At about $70 a bottle I can't see buying this again though.

Sample C: On the nose I got pepper, mint and orange juice. The taste was suite fruit and wood. The finish was dry wood with some spice heat as well. With water I got a bit more sour on the nose - possibly wood along with apple. Fruity on the taste, but the finish seemed more thin, would prefer this one neat. Rated 3.25 / 5.0 - This was the Starward , and was all right overall. At about $32 a bottle, it held its own vs the two other higher priced Whiskies tonight. 

While the Black Maple Hill was the best of the three in my opinion - the Starward was clearly the best value. They make a single malt that I might have to try. Cheers!

Whisk(e)y Wednesday - 2021-01-13

Yet another hump day, woot! Whisk(e)y Wednesday - or more accurately Whisk(e)y Monday as I had these Monday but didn't get around to posting until tonight. We're going to try 3 high proof whisk(e)y - 2 American Single Malts and 1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon. 

We have Balcones Texas Single Malt Whisky, Single Barrel, Cask Strength. This one is coming in at 64.9% ABV, barrel 15961, European Oak, Distilled 2017-01-10, bottled 2020-08-04. Next we have Westward American Single Malt Cask Strength, 62.5% ABV (NAS). Lastly we have the control whiskey - Old Grand Dad 114 Straight Kentucky Bourbon (at least 4 years), which given it was a bourbon, I was likely going to be able to pick out. If the $80ish Balcones and the $100ish Westward don't taste any better than the $30ish Old Grand Dad - it's time to stick with lower priced pours (:

I poured these and shuffled them around to do a blind taste test. First glass, on the nose I had toasted marshmallow, touch of smoke or campfire char, molasses and some alcohol punch. On the taste I got candy corn, caramel, sugary, oak and some grain funk. The finish was punchy with some minty freshness that seemed to linger. A dash of water tames the alcohol on the nose, ramping up the sweetness. The taste got a bit more sharp - I probably prefer this one neat. Overall I enjoyed this quite a bit, and I could see sitting with a glass for a nice relaxing evening. Rated 3.75 / 5.0

Second one was a bit bland on the nose, getting some caramel, brown sugar, citrus and some baking spice, but somewhat having to reach for them. The taste was sweet, caramel, spicy and peppery. The finish was somewhat thin, with some alcohol burn, pepper and some oak. Water opened the sweetness on the nose, and I found some nutmeg as well. It smoothed out the taste, more wood on the finish, probably would prefer with a splash of water. This is good overall, and worth keeping around - my guess is this was is the Old Grand Dad 114 (spoiler - yep). Rated 3.25 / 5.0

Last one ... this I find sweet candy, fruit, oak and a hit of spice on the nose. The taste I find butterscotch, brown sugar and frosting. The finish was lingering, fruity, spice and wood that goes on and on. With water the nose turns to nothing but sweetness for me, more spicy on the taste. I prefer this one neat. This is shockingly easy to drink despite being over 120 proof. Rated 3.75 / 5.0

#1 and #3 are very close for me preference wise. They are different, I'd lean towards #1. I guessed #1 was the Balcones because of the touch of smoke on the nose, #2 I thought was Old Grand Dad, and #3 I thought was the Westward. Turned out I had The Balcones and the Westward swapped - the slight grain funk in #1 should have led me to know it was Westward, as the non-cask strength single malt has the same grain funk. So of the three, the Westward Cask Strength was the slight winner.

The Balcones Single Malt was a store pick and likely will not see it again - but if I see another Cask Strength Single Barrel Balcones Single Malt, I might pick it up. The Westward Cask Strength is fairly easy to find around here since it's made in Portland, OR, but at $100 a bottle it's more of a special occasion pour. The Old Grand Dad 114, at $30 is a steal - likely a bottle to always keep around - my guess is with the high proof it would stand up well to water, ice or mixing. 

Whisk(e)y Wednesday - 2021-01-06

Hump Day!!! Whisk(e)y Wednesday ... today I'm doing a blind A/B comparison between Old Forester Rye 50% ABV and Woodford Reserve Rye 45.2% ABV. Both are reasonably priced, let's see which one I think is better.

After pouring the two, I rotated these around until I was sure I didn't know which one was which, other than the label on the bottom of the glass. The first one I sampled turned out to be the Woodford Reserve. On the nose, I got sweet caramel, vanilla, apple, some rye spice and pepper, and a faint hint of dill. The smell reminded me of a bourbon overall.

The taste I got the rye grain and spice, toffee, some fruit. With water things seemed to mellow out a bit, I could take this one either way. The finish was warm with some licorice. This one was interesting, and I'd rate it 3.5 / 5.0 - would drink anytime!

The second sample turned out to be the Old Forester. On the nose I got cherry, sweet and some menthol, with some dill notes in the background. The taste was inline with that, maybe a little bit of pepper too. The finish I got cherry syrup, rye spices, menthol finish along with some pine. Water mellows things out a bit, nothing really changed, I could go either way with this. I feel this one wasn't quite as good at the first, but it was still pretty good overall, rated 3.25 / 5.0 

Around here, Woodford Reserve Rye usually runs around $30 a 750, while Old Forester is $25 or a bit under for a 750. They are both good enough to keep around - but the Woodford is a bit better overall. Cheers!