Review

Jameson Signature Reserve

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Jameson Signature Reserve Irish Whiskey

40% ABV/80 Proof
$45-$55/Liter
Website

What the Distiller Says

What’s in a Signature? Well, over the centuries the Jameson signature has been recognised as a stamp of authenticity and assured quality, and has played its part in building Jameson’s worldwide reputation. Long before distilleries began bottling their own whiskey, Jameson insisted that their own labels, each bearing the John Jameson & Son signature, accompany every delivery of casks to the whiskey bonders. And so it was that the Jameson signature became synonymous with the characteristic taste and superb quality of Jameson.

Jameson Signature Reserve celebrates this fine tradition, with its high pot still content and a significant taste contribution from oloroso sherry casks. Aged in the best quality American bourbon barrels and Spanish oloroso sherry casks, this is a whiskey as sophisticated as it is well-balanced.

Available when you are on your travels in airport shopping outlets only, this Jameson family member is sure to become a favorite for people on the move.
Tasting characteristics

NOSE – Sweet, floral, light perfume notes are followed by underlying spice. Some nuttiness, apples and dried fruits.
TASTE – Initial impression is a mouth coating of heather honey sweetness. This is closely followed by the some smooth spicy notes. Additional complexity is added with cedar wood and vanilla notes from the American Oak. There is a touch of citrus and rich dried fruits.
FINISH – A long, warm, sweet finish.

What Richard Says:

Nose: Apples, pears, southern ambrosia lay the groundwork then are followed by a light sherry character.
Palate: Sweetness reminiscent of orange blossom honey flowing into classic Jameson with a little extra sherry kick.
Finish: There is more oak than usual for Jameson. It mellows into fresh straw and apple extract.
Comments: I would not consider this a “better” Jameson. Rather, it’s like a riff on the Jameson foundation. The Jameson songbook played in a different key. I picked up three new Jamesons on my travels to Ireland and this is my least favorite of the three. Their website still says this is travel retail only but you can also get it at The Whisky Exchange and The Celtic Whiskey Shop.

Rating: Average

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Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 20 Years
Fall 2011 Release
45.2% ABV/90.4 Proof
$100 to $130
Website

What the Distillery Says:
They really don’t say much. Like most Buffalo Trace whiskeys they refer to review PR.

This is the #1 rated Bourbon Whiskey in the world—Rated 99 out of 100 by the World Spirits Championship. This bourbon is aged 20 years and bottled at 90.4 proof. This whiskey is wonderfully smooth and rich. No other bourbon today can stand 20 years of aging, but this bourbon does it with style. “Pappy” Van Winkle was a true character. This bourbon, like “Pappy”, is full of character that makes it a very special whiskey. It has been put in the class of a fine after dinner cognac.

What Richard Says:
Nose: On the 20 year old I get a lot of nutty and leathery notes. It also shows some of the dark fruit I found on the ORVW 10/90 but missed in the 15 year old. The nose finishes out with something at reminds me of a mix of cloves and Aunt Jemima syrup.
Palate: Creamy and viscous in the mouth with lots of cinnamon and dark chocolate. Then there is a smack of vanilla so big it’s like taking a little hit of vanilla extract.
Finish: The finish is surprisingly less oak than the finish of the 10 and 15 year olds. This one is a very refined older southern gentleman.
Comments: I miss being able to find this for $85 a bottle. Now you regularly see it for $125 to $130. Despite my previous rantings on the Van Winkle hype machine this is still a great bourbon and I’d happily pay $130 for it. Buy it if you can find it.
Rating: Must Buy

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Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 15 Years Old
Fall 2011 Release
53.5% ABV/107 Proof
$80
Website

What the Distillery Says:
They really don’t say much. Like most Buffalo Trace whiskeys they refer to review PR.

A younger version of our famous 20-year-old Pappy Van Winkle’ Family Reserve, this bourbon was crafted according to our exclusive family wheated recipe. The smooth, oak flavor blends well with the barrel proof. Selected from barrels in the heart of our Kentucky warehouse, it has remained untouched for 15 years and unhurried by time. “A whiskey connoisseur’s bonanza,…remarkable find…ranks with the best whiskeys,” Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal.

What Richard Says:
Nose: For such a lovely bourbon the nose on this is surprisingly coy. It’s got a mellow cleanness to it out of the bottle. Bring in the water and out rolls the toffee, nutmeg, and vanilla custard.
Palate: Dear God that’s rich! Caramel drizzled vanilla custard with lots of cinnamon and a little dark chocolate.
Finish: The finish is like a warm bourbon blanket wrapping you up. The oak and spice are there but they play a supporting role to everything that came before.
Comments: The contrarian in me wants to hate this because of all the bullshit hype Van Winkle bourbons have surrounded themselves with the last few years. There are no more over hyped bourbon products on the market by a wide margin. If you don’t “know somebody” or don’t camp out like groupies looking for tickets to see Bon Jovi on the Slippery When Wet Tour then you ain’t getting any of this. And the incessant bourbon geek flame wars over which distillery is which bottling from are enough to make me want to hate this stuff without all the hype. (BTW, many thanks to Chuck Cowdery and John Hansell for finally putting THAT to rest) There just one problem with my personal vendetta against this stuff…it’s so freaking GOOD! Despite all the ridiculous fervor and all the pseudo bourbon intellectual poser assholes talking it up on the stool next to you this stuff is really good. I don’t know why the Weller recipe ages so well but it does. The 15, 20, and 23 are all great. This is the only one you can still get for under $100 although I still wish it was $50 a bottle like it was when I started drinking it. If you have the means and opportunity don’t pass this one up.
Rating: Must Buy

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Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Old Rip Van Winkle Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Aged 10 Years
Spring 2011 Release
45% ABV/90 Proof
$45
Website

What the Distillery Says:
They really don’t say much. Like most Buffalo Trace whiskeys they refer to review PR.

This fine whiskey has as pleasant a taste as any around. The 10 full years of aging combine nicely with its 90 proof. A hint of caramel flavor is enjoyed when one tastes this fine hand-crafted bourbon. This bourbon has a “rich, plush texture” (Tastings.com).

What Richard Says:
Nose: This nose takes a little time to open up. When it does it reminds me of dark fruit drizzled with sweet rum moving towards vanilla. As the glass begins to clear it kicks out huge notes of cinnamon.
Palate: Rich and mouth encompassing. There is a lovely caramel and vanilla sweetness.
Finish: Toasted oak and a nice spiciness.
Comments: Let me caveat what I’m about say by starting with the fact that I like this bourbon. I really do. That said, the Van Winkle hype machine has unfortunately infected every product in their line. This 10 year old bottled at 90 proof (often referred to as the “ORVW 10/90”) is a nice bourbon but not worth fighting or scrounging over. For those of you out there that don’t know, Buffalo Trace uses the same recipe for ORVW 10/90 that they do for their Weller line. In the 5-7 year range there’s Weller Special Reserve at 90 Proof that can be had for as little as $9.99. Weller 12 Year is in the $25 range. But for some reason this is almost twice as much at two years younger just because the Van Winkle name is on it. Is it a nice bourbon? Yes. At $25 or even $30 it would be hard to beat as an everyday pour. However, at this price I’d say try it if you can but don’t think this is any kind of must have bourbon. Kudos to Julian and Preston Van Winkle for their PR machine but you can get just as good of bourbon for a lot less coin.
Rating: Stands Out

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Old Weller Antique

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Old Weller Antique Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
53.5% ABV/107 Proof
$22 to $25
Website

What the Distillery Says:
[Quoted from Wine Enthusiast Magazine on their website]
A medium amber bourbon, bearing a sweetish note with some unusual floral notes and a string dash of vanilla. The body is big and the palate is very well balanced, flirting between sweet honeyed fruit notes, a strong vanilla undertone and some sharp spicy tones; the finish is long and spicy.

A very well crafted whiskey. Sip it at room temperature with a little spring water or over ice.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Vanilla, honey, maple syrup, and an astringent alcohol note. Yes it can be watered down but then you’d just have Weller Special Reserve!
Palate: Chewy, fruity sweet, lots of vanilla, and it trails out with a spicy smack more from the alcohol than the mashbill.
Finish: Caramel covered oak bars sprinkled with black peppercorns.
Comments: I don’t want to start bitching about the loss of age statements. If you want that then jump over to StraightBourbon.com. However, I do find it a vexing state of affairs where the products we love are becoming more popular, leading to thinner stocks, leading to the removal of more and more age statements. Like Weller Special Reserve (WSR) this used to be a 7 year old. It’s tastes about the same as it did before the age statement dropped off but that’s just me. It’s more important that the bourbon tastes good right? Well this one does. This is the same as WSR just at higher proof. I like this one better. The extra alcohol is good for this particular bourbon. The price has been creeping up a little lately but it’s still a great buy and kicks the shit out of Maker’s for an inexpensive wheated bourbon. After all, with more age on it this stuff ultimately ends up as Pappy Van Winkle after all. 😉
Rating: Stands Out, Great Value

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