Review

Fighting Cock 6 Yr Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

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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Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse Select Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

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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Tomatin 18 Year

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky / , ,

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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Tomatin 15 Year

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Tomatin 15 Year
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

43% ABV
$50 – $60*
Website
Tomatin 15 Year Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

What the Distillery Says

Soft and delicate but with a significant influence from the North American oak.

Aroma: Light and fresh. Citrus fruits, vanilla, fruit cake. Oak prominent throughout.
Taste: Good balance. Smooth, medium body, delicate honey and mild orange.
Finish: Quite long; lingers on the palate.

Cask: Matured in refill American Oak casks.
* NOTE: This expression was discontinued in 2014; price reflects retail.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Light and fruity with peaches, candied orange, vanilla, toasted oak, a hint of heather.
Palate:  Sweet and creamy with honey, vanilla, mandarin oranges, peaches, mangoes, very gentle pepper spice.
Finish:  Moderate in length with honey and oak.
Comments:  This is lighter in color than the Tomatin 12 yr, which isn’t surprising given the cask maturation. This has a nice mouthfeel, and is a pleasant enough whisky – but a bit light for my liking. I preferred the Tomatin 12 yr. This is discontinued, and replaced with a 14 yr port finished version. My sample of this was part of a three-pack, 50 mL set I bought back in 2014 prior to the product change. Having never tried the new offering, but based on the 12 yr, I’m optimistic the new version is better.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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Tomatin 12 Year

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Tomatin 12 Year
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

43% ABV
$37 – $40
Website
Tomatin 12 Year Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

What the Distillery Says

The Tomatin 12 Year Old is smooth and silky, having been matured in traditional Scotch Whisky, ex-Bourbon and ex-Spanish Sherry casks.

Aroma: A complex bouquet contains rich malt and fruity aromas.
Palate: The palate is rewarded with a unique combination of attractive flavours – a balance of stewed apples, pears, malt, with a gentle hint of some nuttiness.
Finish: Smooth, sweet and very satisfying

What Gary Says

Nose:  Fruitcake with warm caramel sauce, raisins, baking spices, sugar cookies, raw almonds, pecans.
Palate:  Creamy and fruity with raisins, pears, spongecake with a caramel drizzle, almonds, gentle pepper spice with notes of pecan pie.
Finish:  Moderate in length, damp with malty fruit.
Comments:  A quite pleasant single malt – nicely balanced. Note that this is not sherry ‘matured’ – just ‘finished’ which allows the malt to really shine on its own (not that I don’t enjoy sherry matured single malts!) For the money, I think this is a great value..

Rating: Stands Out/Great Value

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