Jameson Rarest Vintage 2009

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve Irish Whiskey
46% ABV
$250 to $300
Website

What the Distillery Says:
A triumph of the collaboration between the Jameson Masters, our hand crafted Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve is a true masterpiece. The advanced aged whiskeys in this magnificent reserve are brought together with pot still whiskey that has been matured in hand-picked second fill bourbon casks to create a mellow sweetness in specially commissioned port pipes. The result? Gloriously rich fruit character with an unmistakable barley finish. But don’t take our word for it: this rare blend was voted the world’s best Irish Blended Whiskey at the 2009 World Whiskies Awards.

Tasting Characteristics

Nose: A real full-bodied aroma. Initially sweet with ripe fruit notes of melon, bananas and dark fleshy plums. The unmistakable pot still spicy character combines to give hints of treacle, cinnamon and liquorice.

Taste: A mouthful of flavours. Mellow sweetness and toasted wood are complemented by fruit richness characteristic of the port casks. A touch of creamy dairy fudge and dark chocolate add to the complexity.

Finish: A tantalizingly long finish which covers the spectrum from the sweetness of fruit, through the spices to the unmistakable note of barley, where it all began.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Prunes, fried bananas, pepper, and cinnamon.
Taste: Rich, oily, woody sweetness, dark chocolate, and vanilla.
Finish: The port really shows on the finish. Long, subtle, and cereal notes.
Comments: I sat down with this and the 2009 Midleton’s (yes I’m that kind of whiskey geek) and comparatively this is much more rich and luscious. Easily the best Irish blend I’ve every tasted. This is well balanced with layers of flavor opening one after the other. If this is within your budget for any occasion I would suggest it without the slightest reservation. It’s pricing but you can taste damn near every dollar.
Rating: Must Buy

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Concannon Irish Whiskey

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Concannon Irish Whiskey
40% ABV
$24.99
Website

What the Distillery Says:
Launched in U.S. in early 2012, Concannon Irish Whiskey is the independent spirit of Ireland. Developed as a joint collaboration between Livermore Valley-based Concannon Vineyard and Ireland’s renowned Cooley distillery.
Brand Ambassador and 4th Generation Vintner, John Concannon, is continuing his family’s legacy of blending rich tradition with pioneering innovation with the development of Concannon Irish Whiskey. “Our Irish roots run deep, and entering the Irish Whiskey market symbolizes building an eternal bond with the past by creating a bold, new chapter in our Concannon Family History.” Concannon Irish Whiskey, a special tribute to his Great-Grandfather, James Concannon, in admiration for his adventurous spirit, vision and ambitious endeavors. James Concannon also celebrates his birthday on St. Patrick’s Day.

Concannon Irish Whiskey is a refined blend of malted barley and corn, craft distilled for proper balance of character and purity. It is matured in bourbon barrels for a minimum of four years, then mellowed in Concannon Petite Sirah wine barrels for four months before blending. This is known as the “Concannon Effect”, which gives Concannon Irish Whiskey a uniquely fruity character with a full, clean and balanced taste.

Visual: Light golden wheat color
Nose: Toasted malt, red fruit and vanilla
Palate: Balance of honey sweet, spice, and citrus flavors
Finish: Medium-length. Warming and round, with hint fresh oak.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Malty, buttery and clean with a hint of fresh raked pine needles moist from a recent rain.
Palate: Grassy, and herbaceous, dry with a slightly sharp tannic bite followed by a light honeysuckle sweetness.
Finish: Clean, crisp, and slightly dry. It’s a little easy to forget what you drank.
Comments: This is easily my favorite recent release from Cooley. Those Concannon petite syrah barrels work wonders a 4 year old Cooley spirit.
Rating: Stands Out

I would like to thank the Baddish Group for providing me with a generous review sample.

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Black Maple Hill Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Black Maple Hill Kentucky Straight Bourbon
47.5% ABV
$35-$40



What the distillery Says:
(No website but here’s a to Chuck Cowdery’s research into BMH)

What Richard Says:
Nose: Cherries, lavender, oranges, vanilla, fresh cut wood, and strong notes of acetone.
Palate: This is very chewy with an interesting interplay of tart and sweet. The late palate turns savory after rolling it around a bit.
Finish: A little hot and very woody. Seriously woody…like chewing a box of toothpicks plus morning after cigar mouth.
Comments: “The next Pappy Van Winkle” has been said recently. Not even close. Anything you get on the nose is tapered off on the palate and killed on the finish. This bottle of bourbon perplexed me a bit. I remember this being much better than the bottle I bought in 2012.
Rating: Average

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Bowman Brothers Pioneer Spirit

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Bowman Brothers Pioneer Spirit Small Batch Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey
45% ABV
$35
Website

What the Distillery Says:
John, Abraham, Joseph and Isaac Bowman were Virginia militia officers in the American Revolutionary War. In 1779, they led thirty pioneer families to Madison County, Kentucky and established Bowman’s Station. Later, the brothers helped establish and settle Fayette County. They were legends, admired and respected by fellow settlers for their courage and bravery. This hand-crafted bourbon whiskey is a tribute to these four heroic Bowman brothers from Virginia.

What Richard Says:
Nose: A little medicinal, dark and rich with notes of tart berries, honeysuckle, dried apricots, and chocolate truffles.
Palate: Smooth and slow to evolve. You have to roll this one around a bit. Your reward is a little caramel sweetness, rich butteriness and a dangerous drinkability.
Finish: Warm, comforting, dried popsicle sticks, and black pepper.
Comments: Sadly, I had rare occasion to try any Bowman whiskeys until Truman Cox’s passing. This fact makes a sad occasion even sadder. A fine bourbon to show the bar stool geniuses that no, bourbon is not only made in Kentucky.
Rating: Stands Out

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Famous Grouse 12 Year Old Blended Malt

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

The Famouse Grouse Malt Whisky Aged 12 Years
40% ABV/80 Proof
$35 to $40
Website

What the Distillery Says:
Try something a little different, with this rare balance of soft oak and citrus. The Famous Grouse 12 year old malt whisky is created from the finest single malt scotch whiskies including the world renowned The Macallan and Highland Park. These whiskies are left undisturbed to mature for a minimum of 12 years. The result is an invigorating spirit with a long, rewarding finish.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Floral integrates with treacle and brined meat. Malt-o-meal, there is a little orange citrus not too. Interesting characteristics, I just don’t care for how they mesh together.
Palate: Rich, nutty, and surprisingly sweet. Not bad. Much improved over the nose.
Finish: More of that citrus and oak. It’s clean and clears out quickly. Very short finish.
Comments: I wanted to like this. I really did. I love Highland Park and Macallan and they are both in here. However, this one just doesn’t do it for me. Some folks love it. It’s a “Wine Enthusiast 95/100 Best Buy” if that means anything to you. I find it very unappealing. There are many better dreams for the same price. Admittedly, I bought this because it was on sale for $20 but even at that price I wouldn’t buy it again.
Rating: Average

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