Great Value

Kirkland’s Signature Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Kirkland Signature Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
51.5% ABV/103 Proof
$20 per liter
Costco Exclusive

What the Distillery Says:
This Kirkland Signature “small batch: bourbon has been aged 7 years in charred American white oak barrels. Complex aromas of caramel, molasses, citrus, and spice with a faint smoky background and a long rich finish.

What Richard Says:
Nose: A little musty with hints of cherries.
Palate: Very sweet and peppery with a lot of oak. It gets a little tannic with water.
Finish: Very dry on the finish with a good bit of linger.
Comments: This little jewel from Costco is a Beam product although they try pretty hard to hide it. It’s listed as distilled and bottle by The Clear Springs Distilling Co. in Clermont and Frankfort, Kentucky. Clears Springs was a name owned by Beam until it was sold to Buffalo Trace right before this bottling was released. We had to dig up the federal filing for the label to ascertain that this was actually made by Beam. Looking at just the label and raw specs it looks like it would be Baker’s with just a bit more water. However, it actually tastes more like Knob Creek. I don’t actually know how they make this because bulk whiskey sales are kind of like the elephant in the room that nobody wants to talk about in bourbon circles. But to me this tastes like Knob and Baker’s love child. It’s as good as either but for less than half the price.
Rating: Stands Out, Great Value

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Jim Beam 7 Year

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Premium Aged Seven Years Old
40% ABV/80 Proof
$15 to $20
Widely Available

What the Distillery Says:
Jim Beam 7 Year Old has been aged and extra 3 years in new charred white oak barrels. Extra time in the barrel gives the bourbon a unique and mellow taste worth the wait. For over 200 years, the Beam family has continued to use the highest quality ingredients in making the world’s finest bourbon.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Cherries, caramel, vanilla.
Palate: Sweeter and smoother than standard JB. All that cherry and vanilla continue on the palate. It’s almost like Red Stag light, but not in a bad way.
Finish: The finish is very short and muted.
Comments: This is a sneaky little booger. It looks almost exactly like it’s 4 year old white label younger brother except for a red cap. Personally, I like this better than both the White and Black Label Jim Beam. You could make an argument that this is watered down Bakers given the same age and formula but they aren’t really the same. I think this is a great value buy.
Rating: Stands Out, Great Value

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Highland Park 12 Year

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years
43% ABV/86 Proof
$35 to $40
Available Worldwide

What the Distillery Says:
The first proprietary bottling of Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky was as a 12 year old in 1979. It remains the core expression of the Highland Park range and is a smooth, balanced single malt, with a rich full flavour and a gentle smokey finish.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Glowing amber
Nose: Heather-honey sweetness; peaty smokiness
Palate: Rounded smoky sweetness; full malt delivery
Finish: Teasing, heathery, subtle smoke. Delicious

Take your time to appreciate the nose of Highland Park 12 and you’ll discover the characteristic honey sweetness followed by fruit – maybe pineapple, apple or pear. On the palate it is drying and leaves a gentle smokey feeling and a flavour that just keeps on going.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Heather, dew covered wild grass, little hints of smoke, and wisps of sea air.
Palate: The smoke and sweetness dance around each other in the whirlwind.
Finish: Smoky and dry. The finish seems to linger forever.
Comments: I won’t be the first person to tell you that Highland Park is an underrated dram. It’s getting much more recognition lately but it still plays second fiddle to their parent Edrington’s Macallan. I’ve rarely had anything from this distillery that I wouldn’t recommend. This is one of the best 12 year old single malts out there and when you can find it at $35 it’s almost a steal. Stock up and enjoy.
Rating: Stands Out, Great Value

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Balvenie Doublewood

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside / ,

The Balvenie Doublewood Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years
43% ABV
$37 to $42
Widely available around the world
Website

What the Distillery Says:
“characterised by rich honey sweetness and a delicate layer of sherry”

The Balvenie DoubleWood is a 12 year old single malt which gains its distinctive character from being matured in two woods. Over its period of maturation it is transferred from a traditional oak whisky cask to a first fill European oak sherry cask. Each stage lends different qualities to the resulting single malt ~ the traditional casks soften and add character, whilst the sherry wood brings depth and fullness of flavour.

NOSE: Sweet fruit and Oloroso sherry notes, layered with honey and vanilla.
TASTE: Smooth and mellow with beautifully combined flavours ~ nutty sweetness, cinnamon spiciness and a delicately proportioned layer of sherry.
FINISH: Long and warming.

What Richard Says:
Nose: I get a lot of honey and fruity notes but somehow I’m missing the vanilla and sherry.
Palate: Very smooth. Sweet at the start and then it settles into notes of oak, oranges, and hazelnuts.
Finish: The finish is as smooth at the palate and very warm. It’s a little more tart and bitter on the finish though.
Comments: I really like this particular dram, especially under the $40 price point. I think it’s a great value dram and shows great craftsmanship coming out of William Grant & Sons.
Rating: Stands Out, Great Value

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Evan Williams Single Barrel 2000

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Single Barrel Vintage 2000, Barrel No. 438
43.3% ABV/86.6 Proof
$25 to $30
Available nationwide

What the Distillery Says:
This Bourbon was personally selected by our Master Distiller, only after meeting his exacting standards for this vintage. Taken from a single barrel, it is the purest achievement of the Bourbon making art. Bottled unblended with other barrels to preserve its individuality. Hand-numbered as a sign of its limited availability.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Fresh grass, wildflowers, and butter on the nose.
Palate: The palate is very clean and subdued. Vanilla notes stand out and it is overall creamy, oaky, and infinitely drinkable.
Finish: A little sweetness clings to the oak on the finish and plays around with a slight bit of spice too. Mild and very enjoyable.
Comments: Evan Williams has released vintages every year beginning in 1986 through 2000 at around the 10 year old mark. The quality has varied over the years as can be expected but this year’s vintage is something really nice. Generally speaking, the vintage bottling tends to be some of the best stuff coming out of Heaven Hill in the 10 year age range for each given vintage. I really enjoyed this dram. It’s not particularly bold or unique but it is sinfully drinkable and at this price why not buy two.
Rating: Stands Out, Great Value

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