Average

Taketsuru 12 Year

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Taketsuru Pure Malt 12 Year Old Nikka Whisky
40% ABV
$60 to $70
Website
Nikka-Taketsuru-12-years-old
What the Distillery Says:
Malt whisky is distilled exclusively from barley malt, and is considered to be the forefather of all other types of whisky. In general, it is divided into single malt whisky (several malt whiskies from a single distillery vatted together) and pure malt whisky (malt whisky from several distilleries vatted together).

What Richard Says:
Nose: Green, as in vegetal with green apple peel, not young.
Palate: Light, and drinkable but somewhat bland.
Finish: Sharp black pepper spiciness with just a hint of the time spent in wood.
Comments: The first Nikka release to hit the U.S. a couple of years ago did not blow my socks off like the whiskies Suntory entered the market with. I find this Taketsuru to be bland and uninspiring. It’s not off putting but seem to be made more for mizuwari than straight enjoyment. For upwards of $70 for this blended malt I would recommend beating down your curiosity and spending less money on a better blended malt from Compass Box.
Rating: Average

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Very Special Old Fitzgerald

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Very Special Old Fitzgerald Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 12 Years Old
45% ABV
$40
Website
OldFitzgerald12yo
What the Distillery Says:
An historic brand, which dates back over 120 years, Old Fitzgerald Bourbon enjoys a nationally recognized reputation as an award winning whiskey with a tradition of extra-aging.

Made with a “whisper of wheat” instead of the more traditional rye grain, Old Fitzgerald offers a unique and well-loved taste profile. Today, Master Distillers Parker and Craig Beam have preserved the traditional formula and techniques, while adding the benefits of seven generations of Bourbon distilling expertise.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Anise, light cigar paper, subtle sweetness.
Palate: Light, wood smoke with some spice, but balanced nicely with a cereal honey note.
Finish: Medium, but uninspiring.
Comments: I actually like the nose on the BIB better than this, but the palate here is more complex. The age shows better there, where on the nose for me I think the wood hides some of the sweeter notes (while not being what I would call a real “oaky” nose). Overall, I think this is a small step up, but priced like it should be a giant leap forward.
Rating: Probably Pass

What Richard Says:
Nose: Licorice, crisp apples drizzled with wildflower honey, and vanilla custard.
Palate: This is a really odd palate. When you first sip it’s like the whiskey reaches out, grabs your tongue, and pulls you in. But quickly that aggressiveness passes and you are left with a light, almost bland bourbon reminiscent of Honeycomb cereal and old wet toothpicks.
Finish: Bland, dry, and woody.
Comments: The distribution for this has been scaled way back. Now you can only buy it in a handful of states, of which Georgia is not one. I grabbed my bottle at the visitor’s center in Bardstown. I was kind of geeky excited to find and buy it but I’ve been pretty disappointed with it. If there was ever a bourbon in the 12 and under age range that typified being over oaked this might just be it. Heaven Hill’s wheated bourbon doesn’t seem to take as well to long time in the wood as Buffalo Trace. If you are interested in Heaven Hill’s wheated bourbon I recommend you skip the four Old Fitz versions and go for the terribly drinkable Larceny.
Rating: Average

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Old Fitzgerald 1849

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Old Fitzgerald 1849 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
45% ABV
$17
Website
1849
What the Distillery Says:
An historic brand, which dates back over 120 years, Old Fitzgerald Bourbon enjoys a nationally recognized reputation as an award winning whiskey with a tradition of extra-aging.

Made with a “whisper of wheat” instead of the more traditional rye grain, Old Fitzgerald offers a unique and well-loved taste profile. Today, Master Distillers Parker and Craig Beam have preserved the traditional formula and techniques, while adding the benefits of seven generations of Bourbon distilling expertise.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Sweet corn, a bit more wood, some mint, anise is there, but more subdued.
Palate: Bit more bite up front, corn sweetness with a little pepper spice going on.
Finish: Medium in length.
Comments: Compared to Old Fitz Prime, I tend to prefer this as it has a little more spice and edge to it, although it is still a pretty mellow pour. Only a couple of bucks more, and about that much better I’d say.
Rating: Average

What Richard Says:
Nose: Much lighter than the other versions with a nice mellow sweetness.
Palate: Sweet toffee syrup with a nips of black pepper around the edges.
Finish: Heavier on the wood coming through the finish compared to the Prime and BIB.
Comments: Another fine serviceable version of Old Fitz. This one isn’t going to knock your socks off but it’s not off putting in the least.
Rating: Average

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Old Fitzgerald Prime

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Old Fitzgerald Prime Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
43% ABV
$14
Website
PRIME
What the Distillery Says:
An historic brand, which dates back over 120 years, Old Fitzgerald Bourbon enjoys a nationally recognized reputation as an award winning whiskey with a tradition of extra-aging.

Made with a “whisper of wheat” instead of the more traditional rye grain, Old Fitzgerald offers a unique and well-loved taste profile. Today, Master Distillers Parker and Craig Beam have preserved the traditional formula and techniques, while adding the benefits of seven generations of Bourbon distilling expertise.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Anise, candy corn in molasses, hint of mint.
Palate: Licorice, caramel corn, cherry-cola (strange, but that’s what the brain is pegging it at!), bit of wood.
Finish: Fleeting with just a touch of spice at the end.
Comments: While a pleasant dram, I would also call it forgettable and uninspiring. I tend to prefer rye-forward bourbons than wheaters, which doesn’t help its cause for me personally. Very smooth – for the money, it isn’t bad. This is the “entry level” in the Old Fitz line, so would expect better when progressing through the lineup.
Rating: Average

What Richard Says:
Nose: Initially it’s a sharp licorice nose that settles into honeysuckle and spearmint.
Palate: The mouthfeel is very thin but the flavor is nice. A light candy sweetness that quickly turns dry with a black pepper bite around the edges.
Finish: Black pepper with a dash of cayenne and wet wood pulp.
Comments: Meh. Not bad by any means but not noteworthy either. For $14 you could definitely do worse. It’s thin and doesn’t leave you wanting more but it is a fine utility bourbon.
Rating: Average

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Blade and Bow

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
45.5% ABV
$50
Website
blade-and-bow
What the Bottler Says:
A homage to the legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery, Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey uses a unique Solera System aging process to preserve some of the distillery’s oldest whiskey stocks, including some of the last bourbon produced there before it closed in 1992.

The solera liquid is mingled with other fine whiskies aged and bottled at Stitzel-Weller. Aged in new charred American white oak barrels, this bourbon has a subtle aroma of fresh fruit and a taste that includes hints of dried apricot, ripe pear and a sweet roasted grain. The finish has notes of charred oak and warm winter spices.

Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey received a GOLD MEDAL at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Collect the five distinct keys – some rarer than others – that adorn every bottle.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Subtle butterscotch and vanilla, with a hint of corn bread.
Palate: Floral, nice silky mouthfeel, well balanced with the spice kicking up near the end.
Finish: Medium length and peppery.
Comments: The words “subtle” and “muted” resonate. On the nose, it reminds me of dusty bourbon (which is a compliment; if you haven’t had dusty bourbon – my sympathies), but on the palate it is less impressive. Quite easy to drink, but unless the price fell substantially – I’d pass it at retail.
Rating: Average

What Richard Says:
Nose: A little bland with just an alcohol tinged hint of Werther’s Originals.
Palate: Surprisingly sweet but a little thin. The sweetness is fruity like poached pears with a herbal, grassy, and spiced wood back layer.
Finish: Dry and woody.
Comments: This is a fine serviceable bourbon. My main complaint besides the price (and that is a bit of a them lately) is the marketing affiliation with Stitzel-Weller. I find that disingenuous at best and deceitful at worst.
Rating: Average

We would like to thank Travis and the folks over at Taylor Strategy for sending over a review sample.

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