2020

Fighting Cock 6 Yr Bourbon

Fighting Cock 6 Year
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

51.5% ABV
$17
Website
Fighting Cock Bourbon 6 years 103 proof

What the Distillery Says

The bad boy of Bourbon is bottled at a robust 103 proof, but its 6 years of aging smooth out the feathers real well. Through award-winning packaging and point-of-sale, and a unique and irreverent marketing campaign, Fighting Cock appeals to both male Gen X-ers and serious Bourbon lovers alike.

The “kickin’ chicken” has been a favorite throughout the South for years.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Salted caramel, vanilla, oak, brown sugar, nutty spice, subtle mint with a faint hint of overripe banana.
Palate:  Warm with vanilla, caramel, pepper bite, cinnamon, toffee and mint.
Finish:  Short and drying with oak, pepper and mint.
Comments:  For a sub-$20 bourbon, this is solid and definitely a great value. With an unapologetic rye bite, this has the edge you’d expect with the proof but also isn’t particularly harsh. While the web-site in September 2020 is still mentioning “6 years”, I want to be clear that current distribution of Fighting Cock Bourbon no longer carries the 6 year age statement regrettably (that was dropped in early 2015). This review however is from a bottle which did carry that age statement. I haven’t done a side by side (yet!) with the current version, but have that on my growing to do list.

Rating: Stands Out; Great Value

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Refreshed Review Index

If you’re a follower of the blog (like Heather, Rich, the other Rich, a few others …) you may be familiar with our Review Index page where we organize all of the spirits we’ve reviewed by category and include links to them (formerly listed as “Review Archive”).  I’m excited to make some updates (hopefully improvements) based on user feedback, and wanted to take a moment to provide a quick overview:

Filtering

You can now filter by category and/or rating!

Let’s say you’re a fan of Speyside single malt Scotch, and want to see only those reviews we rated as ‘Must Buy’.  Or – you’re looking for a Rye recommendation that we thought was a ‘Great Value’.  Simply select from the options and click ‘Filter’ and you’ll be presented with any reviews that match.  You don’t have to set both fields in order to filter.

Single Malt Scotch Regions

While most reviews on single malt Scotch whisky would denote the region, I’ve added the region as a category to each of the over 200 reviews on single malts.  I also reordered the Review Index page to group those by region.  I know some folks may argue that ‘Island’ isn’t a region – but they’re simply wrong (sorry).

 

I hope these updates help you find what you’re looking for more easily!  And as always, if you have feedback, just drop me a line at gary@whiskeyapostle.com.

Cheers!

Gary

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Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse Select Bourbon

Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse Select
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

50% ABV
$46
Website
Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse Select

What the Distillery Says

Extra-Aged Non-Chill Filtered For Richer, Full-Bodied Taste
Only available at the Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse located in Louisville, Kentucky

What Gary Says

Nose:  Vanilla, hint of maple, musty oak, a note of peanut brittle.
Palate:  Vanilla, caramel, oak, an odd herbal note, cinnamon and pepper.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length with oak.
Comments:  I bought this during a visit to the Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse in Louisville, KY. Unfortunately it was the last stop on a pretty busy afternoon so we didn’t have as much time as I would have liked to spend – but I did want to pick up on of these bottles as it can only be bought there on-site. I was disappointed. For the price, this is highly ordinary. Thought the non-chill filtration would give it some improved mouthfeel, but that didn’t come across. A bit of water improves it a bit, but for $46 there are a LOT of other bourbons I’d prefer (like Jim Beam Distiller’s Cut at roughly half the price, is a much better pour). If you visit the Urban Stillhouse, I’d highly recommend trying it on-site before buying a bottle (maybe the bottle I got was just a dud, as others I’ve spoken to enjoyed theirs). I approached this several times over the course of a year just in case I was having an off day or three, but no dice. Nothing exactly ‘bad’ about it, but again – highly ordinary for the price.

Rating: Average

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FAQ: What is your favorite whisk(e)y?

I hate this question.

Not because it is a stupid question, but because it is a complicated one.

For starters, the world of whisk(e)y is just too broad for me to pick a “favorite”. I get it – most folks who ask this aren’t as into whisk(e)y as I am, and they’re genuinely curious about which is my favorite.  They may be hoping to learn something, or to find a new whisk(e)y to try, or simply be engaging in conversation. If there’s enough time for an in-depth chat, I’ll try to narrow it down. Are they asking about my favorite bourbon? Or my favorite single malt Scotch? Or are they really looking for my favorite category of whisk(e)y? None of these are easy answers either, but at least segues to a conversation (or a way out if that isn’t what someone is looking for).

I liken it to asking someone what is their favorite food, although this seems easier for me to answer (pizza – duh). But if someone was asking this as they were thinking about what to make me for breakfast . . . I’d probably go with something other than pizza (not that day old, cold pizza for breakfast doesn’t bring some fond memories).

Whisk(e)y is sorta like that. For example, if I haven’t had a pour in a while, and am spending a quiet evening at home – I’d probably reach for something nuanced to ponder and contemplate. That could be an older single malt Scotch . . . or a premium blend . . . or a single barrel bourbon . . . or damn near anything not on the bottom shelf.

On the other hand, if I’m grilling in the backyard, I’m probably not looking for that same kind of ‘nuance, ponder’ dram. Or a really high proof dram either – unless I’ve got it over a few cubes (which is more likely in that scenario).

Which raises another frequently asked question: How do you drink your whisk(e)y?

That’s easier to answer for me, as I most often prefer to drink my whiskey neat, adding bits of water as I go. Some folks hear that and misunderstand.  I’m not saying that I don’t like my whisk(e)y any other way.  I do.  I enjoy cocktails (more lately than I did a couple of years back), and while less frequent – a few fingers of high proof bourbon over a big cube, which is like drinking a half-dozen different whiskies over the course of 90 minutes as the temperature change and dilution results in twists and turns from the original pour .  And based on the situation, I might prefer those over something neat.

Are there whiskies I like over others? Absolutely. If given some small, finite selection, I could probably pick one out of a group that I most often would prefer over the others. But I couldn’t even pick a favorite by category. And if I did, it would change from one day to the next.

Are there categories of whisk(e)y I like over others?  Again, absolutely. With family roots deep in Kentucky, I cut my whisk(e)y teeth on bourbon. But I wouldn’t say that is my favorite – as with the recent craze over bourbon I’ve tended to spend more time exploring Scotch, Irish, and other categories.

When there flat out isn’t enough time for an in-depth conversation? If I’ve got a pour in my hand, that’s my answer (“Whatever’s in this glass!”) If I don’t, and feel like the person asking is considering buying a bottle – I’ll throw out “Buffalo Trace” or “Wild Turkey 101” because they’re readily available, solid bourbons. If I don’t have a pour and feel like the person asking is looking to go stock up and flip bottles or something nefarious (or I’m just in the mood to be a bit of a prick), I’ll give them some unobtainium answer like “Dude, I ONLY drink Compass Box The General . . . but when pressed, manage to settle for William Larue Weller”.

Cheers!
Gary

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Tomatin 18 Year

Tomatin 18 Year
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

46% ABV
$90 – $100
Website
Tomatin 18 Year Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

What the Distillery Says

The Tomatin 18 Year Old is a truly world class malt. Matured in traditional oak casks and first fill Oloroso Sherry butts, honey and soft oak flavours develop into a hint of dark chocolate with a citrus bite before a sustained sweet and slightly dry finish.
Non-chill Filtered
Aroma: Orchard fruit, cinnamon, vanilla, maple syrup with just a hint of smoky heather.
Palate: Deliciously sweet, citrus and dark chocolate with a slightly oaky edge.
Finish: Long, sweet and slightly dry.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich fruit notes of apricots, figs, caramelized grilled peaches, subtle baking spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, hint of maple syrup, oak, subtle floral notes.
Palate:  Thick and creamy mouthfeel, rich , sweet with blood orange, peaches, plums, dark chocolate, toffee, a touch of cinnamon and oak.
Finish:  Moderately long, slightly drying with cocoa and fruit.
Comments:  This is delicious. Like the 12 yr, this is finished (not fully matured) in sherry which gives it a lovely balance. I appreciate the higher proof and non-chill filtration.
Age isn’t everything, but this is a great value for an 18 yr single malt (and I like as well as others that are 20-30% more expensive).

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try/Great Value

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