Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-08-05

Happy August ... hopefully we get some rain here in Oregon soon, dry days of summer are upon us for sure. Another random whisk(e)y sample for Whisk(e)y Wednesday, let's see what we have today.

On the nose, sharp, peaty, meaty. Seems high proof on the nose with some ash in the back, earthy. Once acclimated a bit to the proof, more sweet and with plenty of smoke an ash - less sharp. The taste is hot and spicy, earthy, peaty, sweet bbq, ashy. The finish is sweet, bbq, dry at the back. It has a nice heat that lingers for some time. I'm thinking this one of the Ardbeg Cask Strengths I have, or a different CS Peated Scotch, or it could be McCarthy's too. Guessing 55% ABV - 60% ABV though, it does have a nice punch.

With water, things are similar - a bit more sweet on the nose and taste, but still plenty of ashy goodness. Finish flips, with the heat up from and sweet and wood in the back. Overall the nose is amazing, the taste is a bit of a let down, I'll rate it 4.25/5.0. 

Turns out this was the McCarthy's Cask Strength, Single Barrel - Westmoreland Store Pick, Barrel #375, 56.2% ABV, bottled back in 2021. I went through several of these bottles as they were in the $60-$65 range and just really darn tasty. I think Westmoreland finally ran out of these, and I don't know if they'll be doing another single barrel or not. If they do, I'll jump in for sure (:

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-07-29

Whisk(e)y Wednesday time yet again. I pulled out a random sample to try blind and see what I thought.

The nose - minty, brown sugar, spearmint. It feels a bit sharp, touch of cherry too. I'm thinking bourbon or rye... more thinking rye with the mint, but unsure - seems low-ish proof, around 45% ABV or so. The taste is brown sugar, minty, bit of spice. Taste feels more rye so I'll lock that in - feels young too. The finish has a nice spice that lingers along with a good heat.

With water, this seems more minty, the taste is sweeter and more plain. The finish gets a bit more heat. This seems like a fairly standard rye, and I'll stick to 45% ABV. I'll give it 3.25/5.0 - feels pretty middle of the road.

Tonight I was drinking Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 45% ABV. Right on proof - wrong on Rye, heh. This was a sample from a friend and I had not rated it before. It costs around $35 - but at that price point there does seem to be things I like better to buy before this one. Cheers!

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-07-22

Here we are yet again ... Whisk(e)y Wednesday ... random sample, blind tasting, you know the drill (:

On the nose, I get malt and honey, a slight touch of sulfur in back, apple, vanilla ... even some molasses. At first I thought Irish - but I'm leaning towards unpeated Scotch. The taste ... apple, honey, with some spicy petter. The finish is honey, vanilla and malt.

With water, this is more fruity on the nose. It also feels a little more spicy on the taste and finish. Overall this is pretty good, but also a bit simple. I do think it's a fairly low proof Scotch, maybe a Compass Box blend, and I'll rate it 3.75/5.0 tonight.

This was the AnCnoc, 12 Year Highland Single Malt, 43% ABV. I had this during 2024 24 Days of Whisk(e)y and rated it a 4.0/5.0 that evening. It's pretty good, but I doubt I'd pick up another bottle.

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-07-15

Whisk(e)y Wednesday yet again ... let's see what our random sample is this time (:

On the nose, malty and fruity ... almost artificially fruity. This carries over to the taste... seems like grape jelly or such? The finish ... more fruit (:

I don't think I have any in the random samples, but all that grape reminds me of Eagle Rare - though this seems way too malty so most likely an American Single Malt or possibly an Irish. With water ... everything just seems more and more fruit. 

Overall, this feels a little flat and one note - I do think it's an American Single Malt, probably around 45% ABV, maybe even lower. I'll rate it a 3.25/5.0 tonight. This was the Stranahan's Diamond Peak Single Malt, 45% ABV. I had this during 2025 24 Days of Whisk(e)y, and this one is Batch No 2, Aged between 5 - 8 years and then finished in Extra Anejo Tequila Casks for 2 years. Distilled in Denver, Colorado. I rated it 3.5/5.0 previously and thought I might like it better on a different night, but it doesn't look like it, cheers!

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-07-08

Time for another random sample Whisk(e)y Wednesday - here we go...

On the nose, I get campfire, ash, brine... I am getting some floral too, but it's in the back. The taste is sweet up front, charred wood, charred fruit, charred meat and some heat. Lots of char for sure. The finish is heat at first, then brine, charred oak ... maybe some mint too?

With water, everything to toned down a bit, seems more floral on the nose with some more bbq as well, taste seems sweeter, finish still has the char but I think the mint zing is more present. Overall this is enjoyable, I'd rate it a 4.0/5.0 very good, but not quite great... seems around 50% ABV. If I was going to guess, I'm betting it's one of the Ardbeg One-Offs that I have bought over the years.

This was the Ardbeg Scorch Single Malt from 2021, 46% ABV. I rated this a 3.5/5.0 during 2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y ... so it looks like I enjoyed it a bit more tonight, or it had more competition back in 2021 (: Either way - I'm not seeing this one again, so it was nice to revisit, cheers!

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-07-01

Whisk(e)y Wednesday time ... a random sample from the collection, let's see what we have tonight.

On the nose - this seems pretty laid back. I get some cherry and molasses, some alcohol in the back, but not too much so I'm guessing around 45% ABV. This feels finished, but not exactly sure in what. It might just be from the color - which has some red hue to it. The taste is woody and cinnamon, with some burnt sugar as well. The finish is cherry and vanilla with some cinnamon in the back. Almost feels like Wild Turkey 101, although I'm getting some spearmint too.

Water doesn't seem to change things too much, about the same really. It's fine, but not great. Guessing a mid priced, 45%-ish proof bourbon, and I'll rate it 3.5/5.0. 

So this was the Woodford Reserve Double Oak. I had this during 24 Days of Whisk(e)y 2025, and I rated it a 3.75/5.0 for that and I thought it was an Irish Whiskey ... at least I got the bourbon part right tonight (: 45.2% ABV - so I was on those nose for that too. Until next week, cheers!

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-06-24

Time for another random sample Whisk(e)y Wednesday... here we go!

On the nose, this is brown sugar, molasses, vanilla, touch of malt. My first hunch is crafty bourbon or maybe an Irish. It seems a little proofy on the nose too. The taste is molasses, fruit, peppery, with a finish that is sweet cherry - leaning towards a cask strength bourbon.

With water, this is more sweet on the nose, more orange and fruity on the taste and finish. Overall this is quite enjoyable, I would rate it 3.75/5.0 - solid for sure. This was the Trail's End 8 Year Bourbon Van pick, coming in at 56.85% ABV. This was finished in a McCarthy's Peated and Smoked American Single Malt Barrel ... I didn't really find that this came through the finish, but it was quite tasty regardless. Cheers!

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-06-17

Whisk(e)y ... WEDNESDAY!!!

Random sample time - let's see what we have this evening. On the nose, I get hits of orange, malt, a touch of sulfur I think - but just a touch and some vanilla. The taste I get orange, malt, some black pepper and vanilla. The finish is malty and vanilla. This feels maybe mid proof, around 50% ABV I would guess, and my first hunch is Scotch, maybe something like Compass Box Glasgow Blend.

With water, the nose is very similar, but more sweet. The taste is more sweet too but feels more plain as well. On the finish I now get a touch of sulfur. Overall this is pretty nice.. I almost gave it a 4.0/5.0 - but I'll call it a 3.75/5.0 instead. 

Turns out we were drinking Ardnamurchan Highland Single Malt Whisky, 46.8% ABV. I did almost scream "SCOTCH!" so I'm glad I got that part right (: Cheers!

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-06-10

Another random sample for Whisk(e)y Wednesday - let's see what we have tonight.

On the nose, this is honey, mint, malt ... fairly mild. I would lean Irish, maybe an American Single Malt ... I suppose possibly a non-peated Scotch. Seems pretty low ABV on the nose, 90ish proof I'm guessing. The taste is bright-citrus with some spice too. The finish is malty, honey, cereal, fruit on the back end... I don't think it's apple, but maybe? I'm thinking maybe *not* Irish, hmm.

With water, the nose is still minty, with floral and honey too. The taste and finish seem more mild and malty. My final thought is this will be a middle of the road Irish - lower proof, maybe even 40% ABV as that's a popular point for Irish Whiskies. Tonight I would rate this a 3.5/5.0 - it's good but not great.

Turns out this was Compass Box, Glasgow Blend, Blended Scotch Whisky, 43% ABV, no color added, non-chill filtered. I originally had this in 2024's 24 Days of Whisk(e)y and at that time I rated it 3.75/5.0, so in the same ball park... cheers!

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-06-03

Back from vacation - time for another Whisk(e)y Wednesday, so here goes another random sample.

On the nose, peaty, rubber, phenol ... the nose is very nice, I could just sniff this all night long. It seems very Ardbeg - it's sweet too. The taste is sweet bbq along with the char and ash and peat. This has to be an Ardbeg. It seems a bit high proof so many it's a Cask Strength Committee Release. 

The finish is heat and sweet with smoke in the back. With water, the nose is similar though it may have more char. The taste is very sweet then more char. The finish is spicy and nice. This is really good and I would rate it 4.25/5.0.

Well, it is an Ardbeg... but not a Committee Release. It's Ardbeg Wee Beastie - Aged 5 Years, 47.4% ABV. This one keeps surprising me how good it is when I have it blind. I really need to pick up a new bottle (:

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-04-29

Hump DAY! Whisk(e)y ... WEDNESDAY ! ! ! Another random sample today, let's see what we think.

On the nose, I'm getting honey, apple, sweet, vanilla, fairly mild overall. The taste I get bright fruit and a touch of heat - the finish is fruity and honey ... again a touch of heat. I don't think this is 40% ABV - maybe closer to 50%.

With water, more honey on the nose, taste is sweet with less heat, and the honey on the finish seems to linger longer. This is pretty nice overall, I'm guessing Irish - 50% ABV ... though there are not many at that ABV so it might be higher and Cask Strength. It's solid and tasty, I'll rate it 3.75/5.0

Today's sample was Knappogue Castle 12 Year California Blend, 46% ABV. I had this during 2024 24 Days of Whisk(e)y and rated it a 3.5 that time - so I seemed to like it a bit more now. Or I was wanting some Irish Whiskey (: Either way ... cheers!

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-04-22

All right, here we go with another random blind tasting. I saved off 2oz samples of past bottles before finishing them, and I grabbed one to try tonight - let's see what I think.

On the nose, this has spearmint, dark brown sugar, and honey. It seems maybe more rye that bourbon, but I think it could be either one from the nose. The taste I'm getting wood, brown sugar and some spicy heat. I would guess this is around 55% ABV or so. The finish is brown sugar, has a proof hug here too - might be even higher proof. 

With water the taste is more spearmint, nose is more brown sugar - finish is brown sugar and spearmint. It did tame down the heat considerably. Overall this is pretty good, and I would rate it a 3.5/5.0 tonight.

This was the Uncle Nearest Rye - 50% ABV. When I had this during the 2025 24 Days of Whisk(e)y, I was not a fan, and rated it 3.0/5.0. It just seemed flat and that night I thought it was around 40% ABV. Just goes to show that tastes can change night to night. 

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-04-15

Another head to head matchup with bottles from the 2025 24 Days of Whisk(e)y ... plus a bonus one as well (: We are trying out the peated Scotch Whiskies this time, the lineup is ...

Port Askaig 110 Proof (that's the name... and the proof, go figure!) 55% ABV

Highland Park 12 Year 43% ABV

Compass Box Peat Monster Cask Strength 56.7% ABV

Kilchoman Cask Strength 57% ABV

and the bonus pour is ...

Ardbeg Wee Beastie (5 Year) 47.4% ABV

The Ardbeg I haven't taste tested since 2020 and I thought it might be a good addition to the mix. I poured these and randomized them - let's see what I think about them.

Glass 1 : Nose is sweet and BBQ, some rubber and some dirt too. The taste is sweet with ash and some pepper. The finish is heat, ash in the back with some sweet too. This seems well balanced for sure, I'll rate is a 4.25 today as I really enjoyed it.

Glass 2 : Nose I get some ash, some sweet and some char. The nose seems hotter and on the 2nd round I get a touch of mint too. The taste is hot spice, some sweet, ash, tar ... and then more sweet. The finish is hot pepper, then sugar, it lingers nicely, then I get some simple syrup and ash way in the back. I'll rate it a 4.0.

Glass 3 : I get a sweet BBQ and pepper. On the second nose I get more heat and ash in the back. The taste is candy sweet, with some ash and char too - peppery after a bit. The finish i candy sweet as well, then pepper, a nice tingle with some heat. I will say that this feels one note-ish to me, but that note is good. I'll rate it a 4.0 as well.

Glass 4 : This one seems less peaty on the nose ... it's sweet and has some heat too. The taste does have some ash, along with some sweet and pepper. The finish is peppery that turns to sweet and savory, it lingers with a nice tingle. I'll will also rate this one 4.0.

Glass 5 : I get matchstick on the nose, some sulfur and some sweet as well. The taste is fruity with some sweet, some matchstick and this is a bit prickly - it's a bit proofy. The finish is fruity, sweet and has some sulfur as well. I'll rate this one 4.25.

Trying the ones I rated 4.0 - I'd have to say Glass 3 was my least favorite, with Glass 2 being my favorite of the 3. Which means Glass 2, Port Askaig was #3 tonight, with Glass 4, the Highland Park being #4, and Glass 3, the Compass Box coming in last place. It was a tough crowd for sure.

Trying Glass 1 vs Glass 5 ... I have to give it to Glass 1. Glass 5 turned out to be the Kilchoman, and was #2 tonight. Which leaves Ardbeg Wee Beastie as my favorite for the night. I currently don't have a bottle of this, and should pick up another one for sure. Cheers!

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-04-08

Another shootout with bottles from the 2025 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - this time we have 5 American Single Malt whiskies. The lineup is ...

Stranahan's Diamond Peak 45% ABV

McCarthy 6 Year Oloroso Cask Finished 56% ABV

Westland American Single Malt 46% ABV

Wanderback Batch #6 42.4% ABV

McCarthy 3 Year Single Barrel Cask Strength (Westmoreland store pick) 56.2% ABV

I've poured these, mixed them up and will try them out.

Glass 1 : The nose is light fruit and honey, maybe some cherry syrup. Malty, reminds me of an Irish. The taste is peppery, malt, cereal, grain. I would guess it's around 50% ABV. The finish is sweet and dry, but it does feel a bit off. With water the nose is more mild but also more floral and potpourri. The taste is more sweet, malty and brighter along with some pepper. The finish seems more peppery too. Tonight I would rate it a 3.75.

Glass 2 : The nose has some spearmint gum and honey. There is brown sugar too, it gives me rye vibes. The taste, sweet spearmint, malt, brown sugar and some wood. I would guess this is 45% ABV or so. The finish is brown sugar, drifts to some hot pepper, lingers, maybe some wood. With water, on the nose I get a touch of dill? The taste and finish seems the same overall though I do seem to be getting a little dill too on the taste. I would rate this a 3.75 as well.

Glass 3 : On the nose I get sulfur, bark, char, meaty, sweet bbq. The taste is pepper, hot, char, turns a little woody, some bbq. I would guess this is in the 55% ABV zone. The nose turns more sweet after sipping. The finish is pepper and sweet, along with the char. Adding water, I get more pepper and ash on the nose, The taste seems more balanced and really quite nice. Finish is better too overall, nice sweet and heat. I would give this a 4.25 tonight.

Glass 4 : With the nose I'm getting honey, cookie biscuit, a PNW malty vibe, juicy fruit. The taste is a bit thin, malty, sweet, juicy fruit there too, and some wood. I would put this around 45% ABV. The finish is juicy fruit, malt, and wood dryness. With water - similar nose but with a little floral, taste is still juicy fruit. The finish is malty and good overall. I would rate this 3.75.

Glass 5 : For the nose I'm getting fruit, matchstick, a bit spikey and sharp, a touch of ash, ripe fruit sweetness, syrupy. The taste is matchstick, ripe fruit, maybe some ash or dry wood. The finish is peppery that turns to sweet fruit with a dryness that lingers - I would guess this is around 55% ABV. With water, the nose is more matchstick and sweet bbq; taste is bbq sweet, ash, char and spicy pepper, while the finish is more peppery. Really nice overall, rated 4.25.

Tasting Glass 1, 2 and 4 head to head, 4 is my favorite of the 3, and I really can't say 1 or 2 are better, so we'll say it's a tie. Glass 4, 3rd tonight, was the Wanderback. Glass 1 was the Westland and Glass 2 was the Stranahan's - tied for 4th tonight.

Tasting 3 and 5 side by side, it's really close, but I think I prefer 5 more this evening. 2nd places was the McCarthy's 3 Year, and glass 5 was the McCarthy's 6 Year. Honestly, all these were very tasty, cheers!

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-04-01

Tonight we are going to try 5 non-Islay Scotch Whiskies - which usually means non-peated, but not always. Anyway, the lineup is...

Bunnahabhain Stiuireadair, Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 46.3% ABV

Compass Box Spice Tree, Blended Scotch Whisky, 46.0% ABV

The Macallan 12 Year Sherry Oak, 43.0% ABV

Deer, Bear & Moose 2011, Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Distilled at Isle of Jura Distillery, Scotland, Aged 11 Years, Natural Cask Strength, 59.2% ABV

Ardnamurchan, Western Highlands Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 46.8% ABV

I generally enjoyed these during 24 Days of Whisk(e)y 2025, Deer, Bear & Moose, Bunnahabhain and The Macallan I rated 4.0/5.0, while the Compass Box and Ardnamurchan I rated 3.75/5.0

Glass 1 : On the nose, butterscotch, touch of proof/spice/heat. Once acclimated there seemed to be less proof. The taste is sweet, peppery, spicy, hot. The finish is Crème Brûlée, simple syrup, pepper, hot cinnamon - it lingers quite some time, really enjoyable. I'm guessing this is between 50% ABV and 55% ABV. With water, similar nose, taste is hotter but still sweet and peppery, the finish is still hot peppery with sweet and maybe a little meaty bbq. Tonight this is just hitting nicely, I'll get it a 4.25/5.0[

Glass 2 : The nose has flora, sweet, some heat and butterscotch. The taste is floral with some baking spice and potpourri. The finish I get a bit of make up talcum powder, drifts off pretty quickly, I'm guessing this is 45% ABV or so. With water, nose is similar, taste and finish similar too. I'll rate this one a 3.75/5.0. 

Glass 3 : I get vanilla frosting, maybe a touch of sulfur on the nose - seems more sweet going back to it. The taste seems thin, some wood, dry. The finish is woody and some pepper, There is a bit of spice and heat there too, but I'm guessing this is around 45% ABV. With water, I still get vanilla frosting on the nose, the taste is more sweet and more peppery, finish is about the same. I would rate this a 3.75/5.0 tonight.

Glass 4 : For the nose, I get matchstick sulfur and fruit jam. The taste I get some matchstick and burnt rubber, some charred wood as well. The finish continues with the matchstick with some pepper, hangs around for a while, pretty enjoyable. I would guess this is between 45% ABV and 50% ABV. With water the nose turns a little sour, but still some matchstick. Taste is similar, finish seems sweeter with some bbq meat as well. This is pretty good overall, I'll rate it a 4.0.

Glass 5 : On the nose I'm getting a touch of matchstick, sweet candy, very sweet. The taste is matchstick, some burnt sugar, seems around 45% ABV. The finish is peppery tingle, dry, lingers for some time. With water the nose is similar, taste more sweet as is the finish. This was certainly a nice pour, and I'll rate it 4.0.

Glass 2 and 3 were bringing up the rear, and I'll have to say glass 3 was my least favorite, which was the Compass Box. Glass 2 was the Bunnahabhain. These were still very tasty. The next tier had glass 4 and 5... and I'd have to say Glass 5, The Macallan, I enjoyed more than the Ardnamurchan.

Which means Glass 1 was my favorite, The Deer, Bear & Moose 2011. It certainly doesn't seem like it's 59.2% ABV. I do wonder with doing 5 in short succession if there was cross contamination for the nose/taste/finish notes, but all these were mighty tasty.

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-03-25

Time to try the 3 Irish Whiskeys from 24 Days of Whisk(e)y 2025 head to head. Tonight we are having...

Redbreast 12 Year Cask Strength, Batch B1-23, 57.2% ABV

Mitchell & Son Blue Spot, 7 Year Cask Strength, 58.4% ABV

Redbreast Lustau, 46.0% ABV

These were well rated during 24 Days of Whisk(e)y with all 3 being rated 4.0/5.0. I tend to like Irish Whiskey more if I know I'm drinking Irish Whiskey - so let's see how things go (:

Glass 1 : On the nose, this one is a touch proofy. Candy bar, sweet caramel, apple, but the proof is certainly there. On the taste the proof carries through along with caramel, sweet, some apple and cereal. The finish is nice and lingers for quite some time with the sweetness. I went ahead and added water, which seemed to open things up some. The nose was more chocolate and less proofy, insanely nice. I find some wood on the taste and the finish is candy bar sweet that lasts and lasts. The some of the parts on this one is fantastic, and I'll rate it a 4.25/5.0

Glass 2 : The nose is brown sugar, tame but there is some proof in the back. Strawberry fruity with some dry cookie as well. The taste is cherry and fruit with some peppery in the back. The finish is hot, cherry - a fruit bomb for sure, lingers for some time. With water the proof is tamed on the nose, get some mint as well now. The taste just seems muted, with the finish is sweet but does have some wood now too. I'll rate this a 3.75/5.0

Glass 3 : The nose is brown sugar, biscuit, seems really low proof after the first two samples. The taste is fruity as is the finish. The finish seems to drop off quickly. With water the nose is the same, taste is watery with a touch of oak, the finish is fruit with dry oak. While this is pleasant enough, in a head to head this just is left in the dust, most likely by the proof as I'm guessing this is the Redbreast Lustau. I'll rate it 3.5/5.0 tonight.

Glass 1 was the clear winner tonight - with Glass 3 in 3rd place and was the Redbreast Lustau. Glass 2 was the Blue Spot - which leaves Redbreast 12 Year Cask Strength as the winner.

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-03-18

For tonight's Whisk(e)y Wednesday, I'm going to do a head to head tasting of the 3 Ryes from the 24 Days of Whisk(e)y 2025. In the lineup are ...

Willett Rye, 54.3% ABV
Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey, 50.0% ABV
Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye, 66.05% ABV 

These are quite different, and I'm guessing it won't be too hard to guess which is which.

Glass 1 : On the nose, this has brown sugar, mint, tea, cinnamon... seems a bit proofy. The taste is cinnamon, hot, burnt sugar. The finish is sweet and brown sugar, along with cinnamon and spicy. It drinks a bit hot, but very tasty... will rate 3.75/5.0.

Glass 2 : This nose is nice... mint, herbal, sugar, for a lack of a better word, "green". It's pretty mild overall. The taste is mint, sweet, brown sugar, touch of spice, mild. The finish is sweet and brown sugar, some cinnamon, but again overall - mild. Certainly an easy sipper and pleasant enough, I'll rate it 3.25/5.0.

Glass 3 : On the nose, this one just smacks you with the proof. Once you get acclimated a bit, it is fairly nice. Sweet caramel, marshmallow fluff, cinnamon, brown sugar. The taste is just hot... I am hesitant to add water because I usually don't for this type of review, but I might have to. I get some bitter tea but otherwise I just can't get past the proof. On the finish - heat and proof. This once certainly demands attention. Adding water tames things for sure, and how I would normally drink this. Despite the unpleasant heat and proof, I'll rate it 3.5/5.0 because it's pretty good with some water.

Glass 2 was last place tonight - which was the Uncle Nearest. I originally rated that one 3.0/5.0 and tonight I gave it a 3.25. Glass 3 was 2nd place... and was the Jack Daniels. I rated it 3.5/5.0 both times. It's a proofy bugger for sure. I've had a few other bottles of Jack Daniels SBBP Ryes in the past and this one has the be the hottest... it's about 0.5% ABV higher than the others, but it feels a *lot* more than that. Glass 1 was first place, which was the Willett Rye. It was the most balanced - and I rated it 3.75/5.0 both times. 

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-03-11

Well, what do we have here? Another Wednesday? Tonight I'm going to run through the four bourbons from the 24 Days of Whisk(e)y 2025 and see what my thoughts are. I poured a 1oz sample of each then randomized the glasses. We have ...

Wild Turkey 70th Anniversary Release, 50.5% ABV

Uncle Nearest 1884, 46.5% ABV

Four Roses Single Barrel Proof OBSK, 57.4% ABV

Woodford Reserve Double Oak, 45.2% ABV

Glass 1 : The nose was brown sugar and a touch of pickle. The taste is *very* cherry, sweet, some pepper in the back. After the first sip I certainly get the cherry on the nose too. The finish is more cherry and it lingers. This is certainly a cherry bomb, guessing around 50% ABV, feels like a decent budget bourbon, but nothing fancy, I'll rate it a 3.25/5.0.

Glass 2 : This seemed a touch proofy on the nose. Cereal, molasses, dusty, maybe a touch of bbq. The taste is watery, molasses, oak and marshmallow. I get oak and sweet with some pepper as well on the finish. Going back to the nose I get more dark molasses, burnt brown sugar. With the taste I think this is probably around 45% ABV and it just is meh tonight - l would rate it a 3.25/5.0 at best, maybe a flat 3.0/5.0.

Glass 3 : On the nose this one is pretty mild, has some cherry. Pretty simple. The taste is sweet and pleasant, seems low proof, though there is a spicy pepper in the back that builds. The finish is very peppery... and some heat that builds, maybe it's higher proof than I first thought. The taste and finish are better than the nose, I'm thinking this is certainly above 50% ABV, and I'll rate it a 3.5/5.0 tonight

Glass 4 : The nose is cherry and brown sugar, it seems to scream bourbon (: Even if you dive in deep the nose is pretty simple. On the taste, this seems lower proof, easy... brown sugar, a touch of cinnamon and the cherry and wood. The finish is dry oak and brown sugar. On a different night I might enjoy this more, but tonight it's lackluster, and I'll rate it 3.0/5.0

So overall glass 2 and 4 were in the back of the pack. Head to head I'd give the advantage to glass 2, which was the Woodford Reserve Double Oak. I last rated that 3.75/5.0 and tonight 3.0/5.0 - so clearly it just wasn't doing it for me. Glass 4 was The Wild Turkey 70th Anniversary Release. That one I rated 3.5/5.0 and tonight 3.0/5.0 ... clearly my taste preferences are quite different tonight.

Which left us with glass 1 and 3. Tonight glass 3 was the winner. Glass 1 was Uncle Nearest 1884. I gave that a 3.5/5.0 previously and tonight a 3.25 ... so same ball park and for whatever reason it seemed to hold up in the head to head tastings. Glass 3 was the For Roses, which I had originally rated 3.75/5.0 and tonight gave a 3.5/5.0. I have woozies of most of these so I'll have to revisit them at some point... cheers!

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-03-04

Another Wednesday - another blind sample. Is it a good one? Hopefully!

On the nose on this one, it's pretty neutral, maybe some floral/potpourri, a little brown sugar sweetness, maybe a hint of dill ... but not much there. The taste - sweet, peppermint, some heat, would guess this is around 55% ABV. The finish is a lot of brown sugar, wood - still thinking mid-proof.

With water the nose seems more dill - but I'm getting a sweet fudge/caramel. The taste is sweet, toffee, wood and baking spice. The finish is similar. I don't have a good feel for this one, seems bourbonish ... but not sure. It's pleasant enough, I'll rate it a 3.5/5.0

Tonight we were drinking ... Redbreast 12 Year Cask Strength, Batch B1-23. This is one of my favorites so I'm a little surprised I didn't pick up on what it was. After knowing ... I did get the more typical nosing and tasting notes of apple and some cereal. Just wasn't my night, though this is 57.2% ABV so at least I was close on the proof. I rated this one 4.0/5.0 during 24 Days of Whisk(e)y 2025 and I really enjoyed it that night. I do have a woozie saved of this, so I'll have to give it another go at some point.

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-02-25

Another Wednesday, another blind sample. Let's see what we have tonight.

On the nose, I'm getting mint, honey... and it seems like a touch of sulfur? Maybe my glass wasn't very clean (: The taste, honey, pepper, it seems proofy. I think I'm getting some dill as well, along with some burnt sugar and wood. The finish - sugar, wood, baking cinnamon - it's oily and clingy. 

With water, more mint on the nose, still proofy. I get some sweet on the nose too. Mint, pickle and peppery on the taste, with the finish being more wood. Overall tonight this just seemed too proofy, I'd guess 60% ABV. Seems like it's a rye, and it's just not doing it for me - I'd rate this one a 3.5/5.0

Tonight we were drinking Maker's Mark Cask Strength, batch 22-04, coming in at 55% ABV. I had this during 24 Days of Whisk(e)y in 2024 and I rated it 3.5/5.0 and generally liked it better. After knowing it was bourbon I did get more bourbon notes from the nose and taste - I guess I was just off tonight... cheers!

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-02-18

Hump DAY!!!! Another go with a random sample ... let's see what tonight brings.

On the nose, this is very sweet, and I get rubber, fudge, some proof, maybe around 50% ABV, but I don't think this is cask strength. It's giving me peated single malt vibes ... but it could be a peated American Single Malt too. The taste I get fig, sweet frosting then sweet bbq and a nice hot spice. The finish is pepper, char, sweet marshmallow with some ash at the end. This is really good and hitting all the bells for me tonight.

With water, there seems to be more proof on the nose, still sweet too. Sweeter on taste, but still has the sweet bbq meat and some tar that turns into hot spice. The finish is pepper hot with sweet in the back. Overall this is quite nice, guessing Peated Scotch Whisky, 50% ABV and I'll rate it 4.0/5.0 tonight. It could be Port Charlotte as that is the right proof point and this reminds me of that somewhat.

We were drinking Deer, Bear & Moose, Isle of Jura 2011 Single Malt Scotch Whisky. It comes in at 59.2% ABV ... which I was caught off guard when I had this during 24 Days of Whisk(e)y as well. It just drinks much lower. This is a Flaviar exclusive and I believe cost me around $70... so *well* worth it in my opinion. 

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-02-11

Time for another one of these... doing a blind tasting of one of the samples I've saved off, we'll see what tonight brings.

One the nose, it's mild, touch of spice, sweet, maybe floral. Thinking this might be a rye, or a not-so-sweet bourbon. The taste ... it tastes like bourbon (: Sweet, some cherry, does seem to maybe have some proof... probably around 50% ABV or so. The finish is light and short ... but certainly bourbon. 

With water, this gets more sharp. Still sweet, but also more sharp and woody on the taste. The finish is still thin. There is nothing wrong with this ... but it's nothing special either. I pleasant sipping whiskey for sure. I am going to guess bourbon, 50% ABV, and rate it ... 3.5 (I could see rating this 3.25 as well, but I do think it's slightly more interesting than a good budge bourbon).

Tonight I was drinking Weller Antique 107, Wheated Bourbon, 53.5% ABV. This was a barrel select from Oregon City liquor, and cost $60.95. Probably not worth the extra price, and these are near impossible to find in Oregon anyway, but no need to go hunting in my opinion, cheers!

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-02-04

Hump ... DAY! Random Sample ... DAY ! ! !

Tonight's pour... on the nose - this seems really neutral. Minty fresh, some floral, low proof, maybe around 45% ABV. The taste... bubblegum and a spicy pepper. It's all right overall, but not all that memorable. The finish is minty fresh ... seems to linger. On first thought, this seems more rye than bourbon, but I'm not certain.

With water, more mint on the nose, and a minty taste, along with a simple sweetness, some pepper heat and a tough of wood too. This finish is still minty. Overall this isn't very unique, kinda simple, but it is enjoyable if you're wanting something simple to sip on. I'm not sure how to rate this - but I think I'll go with 3.5/5.0 this evening.

Tonight I was drinking Blanton's, "The Original" Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey, dumped on 2020-06-04, Warehouse H, Barrel #108, Rick #5, Registered Bottle 209, 46.5% ABV. I rated this during my 2020 24 Days of Whisk(e)y and I finished the bottle back in 2022 - so this sample has been hanging around for quite some time. I rated it 3.5/5.0 back then - but at that time I wasn't doing my 24 Day's of Whisk(e)y blind, so I'm glad it seemed to have held up. I picked it up for $59.95 at that time - I do not think I would pay much more than that for a bottle though.

Whisk(e)y Wednesday 2026-01-28

Here we go again - Whisk(e)y Wednesday. Let's give tonight's random sample a spin...

On the nose, I'm not getting anything originally. Going deep, I get brown sugar, maybe some peanut but it seems light overall. Agitating the liquid in the glass to open it up some, I get some more sweetness. The taste is brown sugar, sweet, nutty - it seems mid ABV, maybe around 50%. I seem to get a hit of dill too, it seems prickly and a bit peppery. Going back to the nose after sipping, I am finding the previous notes easier. Taking a larger sip - this does seem to have some heat - so maybe mid 50% ABV.

The finish is minty, but drifts off too quickly. A bit of a let down after the taste in my opinion. With water, the nose opens up and is better - sweet, a touch of floral and maybe some dill. Taste is sweeter, some mint too. Nose is nice ... similar but does seem to have a bit more body. The dill I seem to be finding is trying to lead me to a rye - but it just seems too sweet for that.

Overall, this is pretty good - I'd rate it a 3.75/5.0. Looking to see what I was drinking tonight, it turned out to be Four Roses Single Barrel Barrel Proof - a store pick from Oregon City Liquor, OBSK recipe, 57.40% ABV. I rated this originally as part of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y 2025 and rated it a 3.75 that night as well. It had me thinking it was a Rye ... so at least that part is consistent (: 

Whisk(e)y Wednesday - 2026-01-21

Another Whisk(e)y Wednesday, another random sample. On with the show!

On the nose, I get Crème brûlée, burnt sugar, and a touch of sulfur. The taste as burnt brown sugar, molasses, simple syrup, along with a matchstick sulfur. There seems to be some heat in the back. 

The finish is brown sugar, molasses, maybe some mesquite style smoke, and some char. With water the nose is more sweet, the taste is more hot spicy pepper along with the sweet, and the finish is more hot pepper too. 

Overall this is nice, and it grew on my as I sipped it, I'll give it a 4.0/5.0 tonight. It seemed young, so I'm thinking a smoked or peated American Single Malt, at around 55% ABV. Looking up what I was drinking, it was a Blended Scotch, Black Bull 12 Year from Duncan Taylor, 50% ABV. I reviewed this as part of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y 2024 and rated it a 4.0 that evening as well. I paid $43 for the bottle and would certainly pick up another at that price.

Whisk(e)y Wednesday - 2026-01-14

Let's get this party started ... Whisk(e)y Wednesday... random sample day - here we go.

On the nose, I get rubber, sweet cherry syrup, bbq meat. This is really quite nice. The taste, I get a phenol characteristic, sweet hot pepper, bbq, cherry syrup, and some ash if I hunt for it. I get a bit of numbing pepper if I take a bigger sip and hold it for a while. 

The finish is sweet bbq. It's nice, but a bit of a let down compared to the taste and nose. With water, I get less rubber on the nose, more sweet bbq and ash. The taste is similar but maybe more ashy, and the finish seems to have a touch of matchstick to it. 

I'm guessing this is a peated Scotch Whisky (or possibly a peated American Single Malt - but it seems more like a Scotch), with the spice and heat it seems over 50% ABV, probably a bit young. I'll rate it a 4.0/5.0 ... quite nice, would drink anytime (:

Tonight I was drinking Longrow Peated Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 46% ABV and costing a bit under $100 for a bottle. I reviewed this as part of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y 2023, and rated it a 4.25/5.0 that time, so same ball park.

Whisk(e)y Wednesday - 2026-01-07

Well here we are, Whisk(e)y Wednesday. I'm back to doing some random samples from bottles I've finished off the last few years. I'll nose it, taste it, give a best guess as to what I might be drinking, rate it - and then see what I might be drinking.

Here we go - on the nose, I get peanut brittle initially, but then it fades away. Light cherry, molasses, a touch of mint. Seems pretty light proof wise, maybe around 45% ABV, and on those nose I'm guessing bourbon. 

The taste, more spearmint, simple syrup... I do get some heat, so maybe this is a bit higher, 50ish? Unsure. I also seem to get some grape as well. The finish is more spearmint and simple syrup and some cherry. This almost tastes like a carbonated sweet cherry soda - effervescent like... but not really carbonated. (Yes, I know that doesn't make sense...)

With water, the peanut brittle is back on the nose along with molasses. The taste is similar with maybe some bubblegum, the finish now has a touch of wood. I'm guessing this is a mid-tier bourbon, 45% - 50% ABV, I'll rate it a 3.25 / 5.0 ... overall it's pretty good but I do feel a little out of practice on this, and I can't think of any lower proof bourbons in the random sample mix.

Tonight I was drinking Kirkland Small Batch Bourbon By Barton 1792, coming in at 46% ABV and costing about $21 for a 1L bottle, so quite a bargain. I'll buy it again the next opportunity I get (: