Jun 08

Old Scout Bourbon – Review

Old Scout BourbonOld Scout Straight Bourbon Whiskey

99 Proof

Price Point: $30 – $40 for 750 ML

Distiller: Smooth Ambler Spirits Co.

 

Background

Old Scout is a relatively new bourbon, coming out of the Smooth Ambler Spirits Co. in West Virginia.  In addition to the bourbon being reviewed, this distillery has a unique array of products – a straight rye whiskey, a small batch bourbon, two gins (one small batch, one “aged”), and a vodka.

 

Review

The nose on Old Scout is slightly harsh.  It’s very sweet with strong caramel notes, and a little bit of spice.  As you let your whiskey sit for a little while, the nose calms down and smooths out.

In the mouth, this whiskey has some rye to it with a nice bit of corn sweetness.  Old Scout drinks a little hot at 99 proof.  This really isn’t my ideal bourbon taste, but nice nonetheless.

There’s a decent length on the finish due to the proof with a nice, lingering flavor.

 

Rating & Recommendations

Old Scout is a decent whiskey, earning a rating of 80 out of 100.

I like this stuff but it’s just not my style of bourbon.  It’s saving grace is a high proof which allows more flavor to shine.  Given the choice, I’d probably spend the money to try Smooth Ambler’s aged gin…

 

-Ryan

Jun 01

Old Grand Dad 114 Bourbon – Review

Old Grand Dad 114 BourbonOld Grand Dad 114 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

114 Proof

Price Point: $20 – $30 for 750 ML

Distiller: Jim Beam

 

Background

Ah, once again, a high proof whiskey to review.  I can’t help myself sometimes – I find I usually get much more flavor out of these.  Even when I know I’m holding a lesser quality whiskey in my hands, I still get excited to see if the higher alcohol can highlight a flavor that may otherwise be non-existent in the standard bottling.

Old Grand Dad 114 isn’t known in the whiskey world as an outstanding bourbon.  But, why not give it a try – I’ve seen mainstream whiskeys at high proof do well before.

 

Review

There’s a quick and almost painful alcohol burn on the nose of Old Grand Dad 114 as soon as you bring your glass up to your face.  It has a simple bourbon sweet / bitter smell – not the best nose.

This whiskey is nicer in the mouth than on the nose, with less rye than most Beam products.  This is a bit closer to whiskeys like Benchmark, but much hotter and sweeter.

The finish is long and spicy.

 

Rating & Recommendations

Old Grand Dad 114 is a simple bourbon, earning a respectable 78 out of 100.

This is an okay whiskey with a nice value for the proof.  You can get a lot more out of your bottle of Old Grand Dad 114 than your typical bourbon.

 

-Ryan

May 25

Templeton Rye Whiskey – Review

Templeton Rye WhiskeyTempleton Prohibition Era Recipe Small Batch Rye Whiskey

80 Proof

Price Point: $35 – $45 for 750 ML

Distiller: Templeton Rye Spirits, LLC

 

Background

Sometimes a good whiskey is one that stands out from the rest of the pack and shows some honesty.  Many rye whiskeys are very similar to bourbons, and really do not differentiate themselves as such aside from the label.  In walks Templeton Rye, a mysterious whiskey out of Iowa that tastes like, well, rye!  As in rye bread.  Don’t knock it ’til you try it!

 

Review

Templeton Rye starts out very sweet and syrupy smelling.  There’s a nutmeg influence, followed by a heavy rye presence and anise seed (pizzele) aroma.  This is a bigger nose than expected for a 40% whiskey.

This is like drinking liquid rye bread – you can almost taste the seeds.  Templeton Rye isn’t as a sweet in the taste as in the nose.  It does, however, carry an odd orange taste.  It’s hotter than the average 80 proofer (which is a good thing for people like me).  This is not a drink for the whiskey novice.

This has a really pleasant finish with lots of spices.  Much sweeter on the finish than in the mouth.

 

Rating & Recommendations

This is a welcome change among a sea of similar ryes, earning an 86 out of 100.

Templeton Rye is a whiskey to enjoy nosing and a really good value.  I would buy again.

 

-Ryan

May 18

Baker’s 7 Year Old Bourbon – Review

Baker's 7 Year Old BourbonBaker’s 7 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

107 Proof

Price Point: $40 – $50 for 750 ML

Distiller: James B. Beam Distilling Company

 

Background

Well, time to round out my reviews of Jim Beam’s Small Batch Collection.  Most recently, I have rated the behemoth that is Booker’s.  Before that, I gave a middle-of-the-road rating to Knob Creek, and a very low rating to Basil Hayden’s.  So what does Baker’s have in store for me?  Let’s find out.

 

Review

From the nose alone, you can tell that this is clearly a Beam product, not unlike Knob Creek.  Baker’s smells very sweet and syrupy, with some rye for good measure.  Also very nutty and oaky.

This is a very tasty bourbon.  Probably the perfect proof (for my palate) to enjoy neat; others may not agree.  Baker’s embodies the characteristics of a great all-around bourbon: corn sweetness, oak, and rye.  I’d love to taste a more mature version of the same recipe.

The finish is nice, but a little bitter considering how sweet Baker’s is on the nose and taste.  This is the most disappointing part of this whiskey.

 

Rating & Recommendations

Baker’s is a solid bourbon, getting a rating of 87 out of 100 from me.

This is my favorite of Beam’s Small Batch Collection, but there is still something left to be desired.

 

-Ryan

May 11

Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Scotch – Review

Bunnahabhain ScotchBunnahabhain 12 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

92.6 Proof

Price Point: $45 – $55 for 750 ML

Distiller: The Bunnahabhain Distillery Company

 

Background

Islay Scotches have a heck of a lot to offer.  Pick up a bottle of Ardbeg 10 Year Old, and you’ll get a mouthful of smoke.  Try out a dram of Laphroaig 10 Year Old, and creamy peat is in your future.  Discovering Bruichladdich Rocks will make you wonder if you know anything about Islay at all!

Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old is another of Islay’s intriguing whiskies.  It shares some the isle’s patented characteristics, and has some of its own unique traits.  Leave it to Islay to keep me guessing.

 

Review

The nose is very similar, in my opinion, to Bruichladdich Rocks in that it has the trademark maritime Islay scent with a distinguishable aroma of bread (yeast).  It’s lacking the peat and smoke, however.

In the mouth, Bunnahabhain is bold and heavy at 46.3%.  It’s briny and salty, with a trace of sweetness – a true Islay at heart.  There’s actually a solid sherry influence, too which is sort of surprising.

Nice length on the finish.  It’s salty, almost requiring a glass of water to wash it down.

 

Rating & Recommendations

Bunnahabhain is a different breed of Scotch, earning an 84 out of 100.

It’s very nice, but doesn’t stand out enough to warrant a higher rating.  Perhaps the more mature expressions have more to offer.

 

-Ryan

May 04

Jefferson’s 10 Year Old Rye – Review

Jefferson's 10 Year Old RyeJefferson’s Straight Rye Whiskey Aged 10 Years

94 Proof

Price Point: $40 – $50 for 750 ML

Distiller: McLain & Kyne

 

Background

First impressions can be haunting, even with whiskey.  I had my first interaction with the Jefferson’s brand way back at Whiskey Fest 2011.  I walked up to their booth and asked to try their bourbon.  The gentleman working there looked me up and down, poured a few “precious” drops of his bourbon in my glass and gave me the impression that he didn’t want to waste time on my demographic.  I said something along the lines of “I’ve never heard of your bourbon” and he laughed a little and turned to the other side.  I tasted the bourbon, and really didn’t care for it.  I suppose it was partly his behavior and partly the sub-par bourbon itself.

Flash forward a year or so, and I have the opportunity to try Jefferson’s Rye.  I had my reservations as I typically prefer bourbons over ryes, so I had low hopes for this one.  Shockingly, this was one of the better ryes I have ever tasted.  But, I’ll tell you more about why in the notes below.

 

Review

Now here’s a great nose!  Jefferson’s Rye has loads of oak, and of course, rye (this is 100% rye, after all).  It’s very woody and the lengthy aging is very apparent.

The taste is rye, perfected.  Unlike many rye-heavy bourbons, which I won’t bother naming here, this is not bitter in the least bit.  You can really taste the care and craftsmanship in the wood chosen and the time spent in the barrel.  Cherries make a strong appearance at the tail-end of this whiskey.

Jefferson’s Rye has a delicious finish that is long-lasting with glimpses back at the aforementioned flavors.

 

Rating & Recommendations

Out of all of the ryes that I have had,Jefferson’s 10 Year Old stands out with a rating of 91 out of 100.

This is my second favorite rye, just behind Sazerac 18 Year Old.  What a tremendous value!

 

-Ryan

Apr 27

The Glendronach Revival 15 Year Old Scotch – Review

Glendronach Revival 15 Year Old ScotchThe Glendronach Revival 15 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

92 Proof

Price Point: $95 – $105 for 750 ML

Distiller: The Glendronach Distillery Co. Limited

 

Background

Sherried Scotches are special to me.  Whether it’s the Macallan, Glenmorangie Lasanta, the Dalmore, or even my personal favorite Ardbeg Uigeadail, these whiskies hold a special place in my heart.  That said, I’m always looking for new sherried Scotches to try because I know there’s a good chance I will enjoy them.

The Glendronach’s label proclaims that it is “exclusively matured in the finest Spanish Oloroso sherry casks“.  That’s good enough for me.

 

Review

There is a very noticeable scent of sherry followed by a hint of leather.  Glendronach is sweet and bitter smelling at the same time – very pleasant.  There’s also a touch of caramel to round things off.

The taste is very nice; even more pleasant than the nose (taking all of the aforementioned qualities and magnifying them).  There’s more leather present, with absolutely no peat or smoke.  Big sherry in the mouth, and a good amount of oak.

Glendronach has a smooth finish, which is suitable for such a well-aged whisky.

 

Rating & Recommendations

Glendronach 15 Year Old is an excellent sherried whisky, earning a high rating of 89 out of 100.

This is a delicious, well-aged Scotch that I would recommend to any fan of fine whisky (granted they can afford it).

 

-Ryan

Apr 20

Royal Salute 21 Year Old Blended Scotch – Review

Royal Salute 21 Year Old Blended ScotchRoyal Salute 21 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky

80 Proof

Price Point: $200 – $210 for 750 ML

Distiller: Chivas Brothers Ltd.

 

Background

Let’s face it, whiskey is expensive.  If you’re serious about it as a hobby, you’re going to drop some money on it.  I try to cap myself at around $70 a bottle, but even that is stretching it for me.

I know what you’re thinking – why did I spend $200 on a bottle of blended whisky?  Easy answer – I didn’t.  I found this bottle of Royal Salute 21 Year Old in my parents’ basement, hidden away and untouched for who knows how long.  I didn’t even immediately identify it as whisky, as it’s in a very strange, blue ceramic bottle.  I dusted it off and decided to give it a try, hoping it would be better than the similarly overpriced Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

 

Review

Royal Salute has a variety of interesting smells.  Caramel, coffee, and a touch of smoke.  Throw in some mixed berries for good measure.

The first thing I can think of when tasting Royal Salute is the very mature oak taste.  There’s also some leather in there and more coffee.  This is a very dark whisky.

The finish has a decent length for such a low proof.  This would be a good after-dinner whisky (perhaps a steak given the price point?).

 

Rating & Recommendations

Royal Salute 21 Year Old is decent but not worth the price in my opinion.  I give it a rating of 88 out of 100.

This is a very good whisky for a blend, and comes recommended from me.  But you can find single malts that are comparable at a much, much better price.

 

-Ryan

Apr 13

WhistlePig 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey – Review

WhistlePig 10 Year Old Rye WhiskeyWhistlePig 10 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey

100 Proof

Price Point: $60 – $70 for 750 ML

Distiller: WhistlePig Farm

 

Background

As I’ve written before, I am very limited with my whiskey selection living in Pennsylvania.  I hear about a lot of great whiskeys from blogs, tastings, and from friends.  But often, I am not lucky enough to be able to purchase such products.

WhistlePig is one of those whiskeys not readily available in my home state.  It receives pretty high marks all around from the “experts” in the industry, so I wanted to get my hands on a bottle.  In my traveling, I was able to acquire one, and I was finally able to see what all the praise was all about.

 

Review

This stuff is strong at 100 proof.  This is clearly a rye on the nose, but with a heavy bourbon influence from the bourbon barrel aging.

WhistlePig Rye tastes very mature, similar to the Sazerac 18 Year Old from the Antique Collection.  Although this one is perhaps a little more bourbon-like, with lots of oak and corn (which is weird because this is a 100% rye whiskey).

This rye has a good, long finish.  The flavors you just tasted will stick around for a while.

 

Rating & Recommendations

WhistlePig Rye is a little pricey, but certainly enjoyable getting a rating of 88 out of 100.

This is a tasty rye for the bourbon drinker; should be savored with some good friends..

 

-Ryan

Apr 06

Macallan Cask Strength Scotch – Review

Macallan Cask StrengthThe Macallan Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

120.2 Proof

Price Point: $50 – $60 for 750 ML

Distiller: The Macallan Distillers Ltd.

 

Background

If you’ve been keeping score on my reviews, you know that I really like cask strength whiskeys.  Glenlivet Nàdurra, Abraham Bowman, George T. Stagg all share that quality and all rate among the top.  Now let’s look at a heavily sherried Scotch, and see how it stacks up against the others super-potent whiskies.

 

Review

No surprise here – a deeply sherried nose with a rich, red wine aroma.  There’s also a yeast (bread-like) smell similar to Bruichladdich Rocks and Sheep Dip.  This nose is big and robust, very nice!

The taste of Macallan Cask Strength is a big step up from the 12 Year Old.  This stuff tastes younger but still better – it’s a sherried whisky on steroids!  This particular expression is slightly malty with hints of dark chocolate and a very small suggestion of smoke.

Of course there’s a real big finish on this one from the 60.1% ABV.  This will certainly leave your tongue tingling for a while.

 

Rating & Recommendations

I can’t say too many bad things about Macallan Cask Strength, which is precisely why it earns a rating of 89 out of 100.

This is easily my favorite heavily-sherried Scotch to date.  I would recommend this to a good friend, for sure.

 

-Ryan