Average

Big Bottom Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Big Bottom American Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 3 Years
45.5% ABV/91 Proof
$27.99
Available in stores in Oregon and soon to be Georgia, online in additional states

What the Distillery/Bottler Says:
Aged in new white oak casks and proofed at 91°, our American Straight Bourbon Whiskey consists of 36% rye. The complexity of the whiskey contains spicy undertones of cloves and allspice entwined with honeysuckle. The pleasing balances of spice create a long smooth finish.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Vanilla, caramel, fresh cut wood, a little floral note here and there.
Palate: On the tongue it’s young but relatively smooth. Fruity sweetness followed by rye spice.
Finish: Very hot on the finish. Even with a good measure of water it’s still a hot one.
Comments: For three year old bourbon this was a lot better than I expected. Ted and company source their whiskey from an undisclosed supplier (I asked but no dice) and while it’s pretty average on the entire bourbon spectrum, I think they chose their barrels very well. This is really good for a young bourbon. With a few more years on it I think it could really stand out.
Rating: Average

We would like to thank Ted Pappas for providing us with review samples.

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Old Grand Dad

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Old Grand-Dad Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
43% ABV/86 Proof
$13 to $15
Widely Available

What the Distillery Says:
Old Grand-Dad was a distiller named Basil Hayden who made his name by distilling a bourbon whiskey made with a higher percentage of rye. Basil Hayden passed along the art of distilling to his son and then, in turn, to his grandson. It was the third generation distiller, Colonel R.B. Hayden, who honored his grandfather by naming his justly famed
whiskey “Old Grand-Dad.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Caramel, wildflowers, corn, and black tea.
Palate: Sweet and mellow at first, then you run into a distinct rye spiciness.
Finish: Heavy on the spicy rye.
Comments: Old Grand Dad isn’t your typical bottom shelf old bourbon brand. It’s quite a bit better than Old Crow, Rebel Yell, and all those other “old redneck” bourbons you might sneer at when picking up the latest “master distiller’s” whatever. If you want to know what “rye spiciness” is in a bourbon when you see it written then pick up a bottle of this and you’ll find out. In cocktail, on the rocks, or straight up…I’ll take an Old Grand Dad whenever it’s offered.
Rating: Average

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Isle of Jura 16 Year

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky /

The Isle of Jura Single Malt Whisky Aged 16 Years
43% ABV/86 Proof
$69.99
Widely Available

What the Distillery Says:
The heart of the matter.

Allow this noble spirit to drift over the palate – having lain for 16 long years in American White Oak, the warmth of the tongue will assist in raising the true depth of the spirit’s quality.

Color: Glassy golden highlights.
Nose: Full and rich. The hand of time has moulded this unique Single Malt into an array of intense notes – each aroma has been
beautifully crafted to reveal harmony at its best. Silky marzipan honey with a hint of ginger spice and sweet chutney encompass this floral bouquet.
Taste: Soft peaches and honey with tones of chunky orange peel and marzipan will slowly arise. Hints of aged Napolean cognac drift
lovingly in the background yet the backbone of its heritage continues to ebb away on the aftertaste, leaving the palate rewarded and satisfied.
Finish: A memorable finish only an island can bring.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Fruity sweet with a little bit of brine.
Palate: Orange zest, a lot of oak, and a little vanilla sweetness.
Finish: All oak with a little salty sweetness playing at the edges.
Comments: I can’t really say the age appeals to me on this one. It has some of the harsher elements of the 10 Year Old without the delicate youthful charm. I would pick the 10 Year over this without hesitation.
Rating: Average

We would like to thank Laura with The Baddish Group for providing us with samples for review.

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Canadian Club 12 Year

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Classic 12 by Canadian Club Blended Canadian Whisky
40% ABV/80 Proof
$21.99
Website

What the Distillery Says:
Canadian Club Classic 12 is a special blend of 12-year-old whiskies, aged in re-charred oak barrels. It’s an exceptionally smooth, warm and full-bodied whisky with strong overtones of oak and toffee. It is the perfect whisky to enjoy by itself or as part of a classic cocktail.

What Richard Says:
Nose: The nose has a buttery sweetness that reminds me of silver or gold Caribbean rum.
Palate: It starts off mellow and sweet and then slowly heats up to a spicy oak. The rye really shows through. There are also notes of vanilla and more of that rum character from the nose.
Finish: The finish is long and dry with a lot of oak.
Comments: I find this to be a decent dram. It’s probably still best in the cocktail mixer category but like Jack Daniels and the like, I wouldn’t shy from drinking this straight if it was offered to me. A noticeable improvement over the 10 Year Old. Much more robust flavor.
Rating: Average (slightly better than average but I still wouldn’t call it a stand out)

We want to thank Emma with SHIFT Communications for providing us with a bottle for review.

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Isle of Jura 10 Year

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Isle of Jura Single Malt Scotch Aged 10 Years
43% ABV/86 Proof
$40 to $45
Widely Available

What the Distillery Says:
The only distillery on the island, Jura is an isolated island dominated by the mighty Paps-Beinn-a-chaolais, Beinn an oir (mound of Gold) and Beinn shiantaidh (sacred). Reputed to have had an illicit distillery in 1502, Jura has four primary expressions including the beguilding 10 Year Old.

The name Jura has several meanings: two brothers Dih and Rah, an island of yew trees, and an island of red deer which is generally considered the correct name especially when nearly 6,000 of them roam the island.

Color: Deep, amber gold.
Nose: Soft warm nuances of American white oak, cinnamon, crushed pear and apple express their attractive qualities. Silky almond, pinewood and lemon grass with subtle hints of gorse and sea spray complete this outstanding bouquet.
Taste: Clean warming gentle oak flavors seduce the palate in a pleasurable manner highlights of caramel, soft licorice, flashes of roasted coffee beans and crusty wholemeal bread excite and tease your taste buds.
Finish: Intricate, attractive flavors linger long in the mouth and reflect the true nature of the island.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Pine, salt, and compost. There is also a little fruit too but I can’t identify it behind the woody vegetal notes.
Palate: Very delicate. It takes a while to open up. Very oily and woody.
Finish: Mostly malt and oak with a trace of sweetness.
Comments: I was turned off to Jura early in my single malt explorations. I honestly can’t remember why. This is really a fine easy drinking dram. I would recommend it to those who like more mellow blends like Johnnie Walker Gold. Unfortunately, it’s actually so mellow and delicate that nothing really stands out about it. On the other hand there’s nothing offensive either. Well, the nose is a little funky but that’s about it. I once heard it called an aperitif scotch. That pretty much nails it.
Rating: Average

We would like to thank Laura with The Baddish Group for providing us with review samples.

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