Review

Blanton’s

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Blanton’s Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
46.5% ABV
$55
Website
blantons_sb
What the Distillery Says:
In the winter of 1881, Albert Bacon Blanton was born into one of the first families of bourbon history. At the age of sixteen, he started work in the Distillery as an office boy and fast became a leading pioneer in the development of bourbon. From the time he was made company president in 1921 until his retirement in 1952, his Distillery expanded from 44 to 144 buildings to become the largest Distillery of its day. During that period Colonel Blanton created his very special and limited supply of bourbon – his private reserve – handpicked and stored in what now is known as the famous Warehouse H. Although Colonel Blanton died in the spring of 1959, his legacy lives. The Single Barrel Bourbon is the first of its kind.

Tasting Notes:
What Richard Says:
Nose: Light and powdery on the nose. Vanilla and wintergreen stand out with a little anise. Orange and citrus notes as the nose develops.
Palate: Surprisingly sweet and reminiscent of Corn Pops. Heavy vanilla, caramel, and oak.
Finish: Dry, oaky, and slightly bitter.
Comments: Elmer T. Lee’s groundbreaking single barrel bourbon is still and damn good dram. The “single barrel” field has exploded since this was first release in 1984 but Blanton’s still sets the benchmark. An excellent mid priced bourbon. Either try it for the fact it was the first single barrel bourbon commercially release or just because it’s damn good. Either way, try it.
Rating: Must Try

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Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey
47% ABV
$45 to $50
Website
JD SB
What the Distillery Says:
Single Barrel is matured in the highest reaches of our barrelhouse, where the dramatic changes in temperature cause its color and taste to deepen further. We still hand select each barrel for its robust taste and notes of toasted oak, vanilla and caramel.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Caramel, vanilla, oak and peanut butter on burnt toast.
Palate: Richer and creamier than regular Jack by far. More vanilla, caramel, black pepper, and wood in the mouth.
Finish: The alcohol gives it a little more heat on the finish riding into pepper and oak.
Comments: Not challenging by any stretch but much better than Old No. 7. $50 better? Well, no. I do enjoy this and to me it’s what Jack Daniels should taste like but it’s not a $50 bottle. At least not if it’s my money. That said, if you haven’t tried it and see it at a bar I would recommend giving it a try.
Rating: Must Try

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Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey
Bottled in Bond
50% ABV
$40-$50
Website
Taylor Small Batch
What the Distillery Says:
As founding father of the bourbon industry, Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. left an indelible legacy. His dedication to distilling began at the close of the Civil War when he purchased O.F C. Distillery. There, he developed innovative techniques that are still in use today. Made by hand, this Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey has been aged inside century old warehouses constructed by E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrels are evaluated and selected to create a perfect blend of distinctive character that is like no other. This bourbon is a true sipping bourbon that honors the uncompromising legacy of E.H. Taylor, Jr.

TASTING NOTES:
Tastes of caramel corn sweetness, mingled with butterscotch and licorice. The aftertaste is a soft mouth-feel that turns into subtle spices of pepper and tobacco.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Hot, with notes of maple syrup and mint.
Palate: Caramel, hot peppers (jalapeno like heat, not peppercorns),
Finish: Oak mellowing into rich black tea.
Comments: In the spectrum of of the E. H. Taylor range I would put this second only to the Warehouse C Tornado bottling. It’s a good, well constructed, and moderately aggressive bottled-in-bond bourbon. Fortunately, it happens to be the cheapest in the E. H. Taylor range.
Rating: Stands Out

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Dewar’s Signature

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Dewar’s Signature Blended Scotch Whisky
Bottle Number A18955
43% ABV
$180 to $200
Website
Dewars_Signature
What the Distillery Says:
There are over 160 years of blending traditions in every bottle of Dewar’s Signature Blended Scotch Whisky. Carefully layered from the rarest whiskies from each of Scotland’s whiskies regions and double barrel aged to bring out the complex flavor, Dewar’s Signature Blended Scotch Whisky is our richest, fullest, and smoothest creation.

Our Dewar’s Signature Blended Scotch Whisky is Honeyed, rich toffee and velvet

What Richard Says:
Nose: Oranges, smoke, wet hay, floral notes, and vanilla.
Palate: Rich, creamy, and welcoming. More vanilla, caramel hard candies, more hay, and spicy oak notes at the back of the palate.
Finish: Heavy on the pepper, spice and oak. Medium length. Surprisingly robust given the delicate nature of the nose and palate.
Comments: This is possibly the most well balanced dram of scotch I’ve ever had. This is absolutely delightful. The next time you’re thinking about grabbing a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue, grab a bottle of Dewar’s Signature instead. You won’t regret it.
Rating: Must Try

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Dewar’s 12 Year

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Dewar’s 12 Special Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky
40% ABV
$25
Website
dewars-12-year-scotch-whisky
What the Distillery Says:
After we blend our Dewar’s 12 Blended Scotch Whisky, we return it to the vintage oak casks so it can mature a little more. This extra step is called double barrel aging and it makes Dewar’s 12 Blended Scotch Whisky an even smoother blend with a long, lingering finish.

Our Dewar’s 12 Blended Scotch Whisky is Warm, buttery and mellow

What Richard Says:
Nose: Fresh hay dipped in honey and vanilla. Green as in vegetal not new or young. Lots of toffee and orange zest.
Palate: Sweet and creamy like a custard with more vanilla and light oak.
Finish: Surprisingly dry and woody.
Comments: If the sum total of your 12 year of blended scotch experience is Johnnie Walker Black and Chivas then you need to get out more. Dewar’s makes some lovely drams. Their Special Reserve is a nice well balanced dram that you shouldn’t overlook.
Rating: Stands Out

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