Review

Elijah Craig 12 Year Old

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Elijag Craig 12 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
47% ABV/94 Proof
$20 to $25
Widely available

What the Distillery Says:
In 1789, Rev. Elijah Craig, the “Father of Bourbon,” became the first to age his whiskey in charred oak barrels. Our Master Distillers, inspired by his innovative spirit, have been perfecting the “small batch” process before it even had a name. They select a limited number of barrels of 12-year-old Bourbon that have matured to their exact specifications, then mingle them in limited quantities as Elijah Craig 12-Year-Old Small Batch Bourbon.

What Richard Says:
Nose:Buttery sweet toffee and orange pith.
Palate: Caramel and toffee sweetness that bowls over wildflower notes on the way to rich oak, black peppercorns, and vanilla. Water sweetens the palate and tones down the oak.
Finish: The finish is hot but quickly mellows.
Comments: It seems a little elementary to say that this tastes like bourbon. Are there better noses, palates, and finishes in the bourbon world? Yes, but E.C. 12 sits right dead center. It’s fine neat, on the rocks, or mixed. Like the 18 Year Old, it is a solid value for a bourbon of it’s age.
Rating: Stands Out, Great Value

Elijah Craig 12 Year Old Read More »

Pocket Shot

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Pocket Shot Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Aged 4 Years
40% ABV/80 Proof
$
Available in select US markets

What the Company Says:
Pocket Shot is full bodied Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey produced the way Kentucky Bourbon used to be made, aged to perfection in charred Oak Barrels.
What Richard Says:
Nose: Real wood charcoal, antiseptic, and Pinaud Clubman
Palate: There’s really not a lot of flavor here. It’s like bourbon’s answer to vodka. Rather smooth but very bland.
Finish: Equally bland with with palate. I’m left with wood chips and chalk.
Comments: Yeah, so no one is really expecting great whiskey out of a plastic pouch. I’m assuming the idea is to have something that’s easy to carry, shoot back, or dump in Coke. It’s probably more about the packaging than what’s in it. When Matt brought this back from Colorado I thought he had to be kidding. It’s been sitting on my shelf languishing for quite a while. I wouldn’t buy this myself. For those interested, they also make a version with vodka (big surprise), rum, spiced rum, tequila, gin, and brandy so that you can pick your poison.
Rating: Probably Pass

Pocket Shot Read More »

Wild Turkey American Spirit

/ / Bourbon, Review, The Collector's Cabinet /

Wild Turkey American Spirit 15 Year Old Bourbon, Bottled in Bond
50% ABV/100 Proof
Originally – $100
Collectible

What the Distillery Says:
Created by legendary master distiller Jimmy Russell and his son, associate distiller Eddie Russell, American Spirit is bottled at bond proof, in a super premium package, and limited to just 24,000 bottles globally. Bourbon is a true American innovation and the US Senate passed a resolution officially declaring September 2007 National Bourbon Heritage Month. Our American Spirit was released to coincide with this momentous occasion.

What Richard Says:
Nose: The nose is very rich and smooth with lots of cinnamon and vanilla. Water opens up the oak on nose.
Palate: I get a lot of molasses cookies and mint sprigs with vanilla. A little water really makes this one sing. The palate turns very creamy.
Finish: The finish is amazingly smooth given the BIB proof.
Comments: This is sadly the last of my bottle. It was almost gone and so Matt and I had to hurry up and review it. No more to be found around me. I challenge anyone who says they don’t like Wild Turkey to try this if they can. Plus, it’s bottle in bond! You just don’t see enough of those anymore.
Rating: Must Try

Wild Turkey American Spirit Read More »

Cutty Sark Blended Malt

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Cutty Sark Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
40% ABV/ 80 Proof
$20
Available across the U.S. and select international markets

What the Distillery Says:
I’ve got nothing here and Cutty Sark’s website is damn near impossible to navigate.

What Richard Says
Nose: Apple juice, cotton fields, and old furniture.
Palate: It’s harsh and tart. Definitely not my favorite blended malt.
Finish: The finish is quick and smooth at first but then it leaves you with a very medicinal and woody taste.
Comments: I pulled the trigger on a bottle of this because it was on sale for a ridiculously low price at my local liquor store. Please don’t judge everything Cutty Sark does by this bottling. I tried it a few times and then quickly relegated it to the “whiskey sour” cabinet. I only pulled it out again so that Matt and I could review it before it was all gone.
Rating: Probably Pass

Cutty Sark Blended Malt Read More »

Johnnie Walker Green

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Johnnie Walker Green Label Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
43% ABV/86 Proof
$55
Available Worldwide

What the Distillery Says:
Johnnie Walker Green Label is a rich blend using only malts drawn from the four corners of Scotland – the naturally vibrant flavors provide unparalleled depth, substance and intensity. Each of the malts is specially selected by the Master Blender to create the perfect balance in the whisky.

Each malt whisky is matured for a minimum of 15 years to deliver rich, full layers of flavor. Coupled with the blending mastery of Johnnie Walker, it ensures the characteristic smoothness and distinctive flavor of Green Label.

Four signature malts provide the key taste influences for this 15-year-old whisky. Talisker introduces power and depth of character, Caol Ila contributes mystery and intensity and, at its heart, Cragganmore provides a sweet maltiness, while Linkwood adds a final touch of finesse.

Blending exclusively with malts produces a rich, powerful whisky, with each one giving its own intense flavor and aromas to create a perfect combination.

With its rich gold amber appearance, this medium-full malt summons up a multiplicity of complex natural aromas. It starts on the seashore and drifts inland over moist moss and through evergreen forest. Then come the exotic notes of orange peel, stewed peaches, cooked black fruits and sour cherry.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Sweet fruit wood smoked meats and fresh grass.
Palate: Very sweet initially. Mid palate is oak, vegetal matter, and smoke. Not Islay smoke, much lighter than that.
Finish: Hot and oaky on the finish. No burn but rather spicy.
Comments: This is a very tasty dram. I’m always intrigued with quality vatted/blended malts. Maybe because they are a relative rarity in the world of scotch. Taking the grain whisky out gives a more robust flavor with greater depth. It gives you just as much as Johnnie Blue for a fraction of the price!
Rating: Stands Out

What Matt Says:
Nose: Sweet oranges, sour cherries, lavender, and confectioner’s sugar
Palate: Caramel and spice, plumbs, more lavender, resinous smoke (not peaty but sticky), brine
Finish: A little hot with notes of charred oak, brine and more of that lavender
Comments: This and the Gold Label are my favorites in the Johnnie Walker line.  I’m with Richard in that I like to see these “Pure Malt” blends.  You definitely get a more robust and complex offering when these are done well.  If you are going for easy drinking, go for the Gold Label.  If you want great complexity and a more robust taste profile, go with this one.
Rating:  Stands Out

Overall Rating:  Stands Out

Johnnie Walker Green Read More »