Must Try

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey
47% ABV
$45 to $50
Website
JD SB
What the Distillery Says:
Single Barrel is matured in the highest reaches of our barrelhouse, where the dramatic changes in temperature cause its color and taste to deepen further. We still hand select each barrel for its robust taste and notes of toasted oak, vanilla and caramel.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Caramel, vanilla, oak and peanut butter on burnt toast.
Palate: Richer and creamier than regular Jack by far. More vanilla, caramel, black pepper, and wood in the mouth.
Finish: The alcohol gives it a little more heat on the finish riding into pepper and oak.
Comments: Not challenging by any stretch but much better than Old No. 7. $50 better? Well, no. I do enjoy this and to me it’s what Jack Daniels should taste like but it’s not a $50 bottle. At least not if it’s my money. That said, if you haven’t tried it and see it at a bar I would recommend giving it a try.
Rating: Must Try

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Dewar’s Signature

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Dewar’s Signature Blended Scotch Whisky
Bottle Number A18955
43% ABV
$180 to $200
Website
Dewars_Signature
What the Distillery Says:
There are over 160 years of blending traditions in every bottle of Dewar’s Signature Blended Scotch Whisky. Carefully layered from the rarest whiskies from each of Scotland’s whiskies regions and double barrel aged to bring out the complex flavor, Dewar’s Signature Blended Scotch Whisky is our richest, fullest, and smoothest creation.

Our Dewar’s Signature Blended Scotch Whisky is Honeyed, rich toffee and velvet

What Richard Says:
Nose: Oranges, smoke, wet hay, floral notes, and vanilla.
Palate: Rich, creamy, and welcoming. More vanilla, caramel hard candies, more hay, and spicy oak notes at the back of the palate.
Finish: Heavy on the pepper, spice and oak. Medium length. Surprisingly robust given the delicate nature of the nose and palate.
Comments: This is possibly the most well balanced dram of scotch I’ve ever had. This is absolutely delightful. The next time you’re thinking about grabbing a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue, grab a bottle of Dewar’s Signature instead. You won’t regret it.
Rating: Must Try

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Rare Breed

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
54.1% ABV
$40
Website

What the Distillery Says:
Rare Breed is a “barrel-proof bourbon” (108.2 proof, 54.1% alcohol), meaning it has no added water to lower the proof or dilute the flavor after it’s been distilled. This bourbon is a unique marriage of Wild Turkey 6-, 8-, and 12-year-old stocks, giving it a remarkably smooth flavor considering its high alcohol content. It has hints of light oranges, mint, and tones of sweet tobacco. Jimmy Russell keeps his Rare Breed in the freezer so he doesn’t have to add ice, which would dilute the flavor.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Whoa, that starts creeping toward you as soon as it hits the glass. From afar it smells just like walking into the distillery: mash, yeast, and aging whiskey. Pull it a little closer and out rolls fresh yeast bread dough, cinnamon, orange blossoms, black pepper and mint (with water).
Palate: More pepper, roasted nuts, tobacco, and creme brulee.
Finish: Dark chocolate, cocoa powder, heavy cigar tobacco, transitioning pepper notes from black to white and a big smack of wood.
Comments: This is the ultimate “it’ll put hair on your chest” bourbon. Rare Breed doesn’t mince words. It gets in there and kicks ass. The Harry Callahan of bourbons. It’s not the newest and trendiest thing off the new release calendar but is damn good and always worth a go.
Rating: Must Try

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Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
46% ABV
$250
Website

What the Distillery Says:
This whiskey represents Barry Crockett’s personal selection of fine and elegant whiskeys which have been distilled and laid down over the past 24 years.

The appellation Midleton is only bestowed on the finest distillates originating from this wonderfully divers distillery complex. The rare and exclusive bottlings carrying the Midleton name are much sought after and have become the coveted possessions of whiskey enthusiasts the world over.

Nose: Elegant aroma of vanilla and toasted oak complimented by a touch of lime, succulent green berries, pears and green sweet pepper

Taste: Light pepper carries on to fresh citrus, limes and mandarin orange sweetness. A hint of cinnamon with vanilla and oak reveals its years spent in American oak.

Finish: The full spectrum of flavours last well into the finish, slowly fading to expose the clean American oak foundation.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Regardless of the iteration there is that distinctive Midleton/Irish Distillers pot still character on the nose. Fresh cut grass, orange blossoms, and lemon zest.
Palate: Vanilla, caramel, fine oak, with hints of the citrus from the nose. This is rich thick and creamy. Mouth coating and delicious.
Finish: Lightly peppered and woody. Not over oaked, just a long slow wooded finish.
Comments: Damn amazing! If you’re going to spend $250+ on a bottle of Irish I’d go this way over the Jameson Rarest Vintage by a hair. The dram just grabs you and encapsulates you. Truely stunning. A benchmark in aged single pot still Irish.
Rating: Must Try

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Powers John’s Lane

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Powers Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey John’s Lane Release
46% ABV
$65 to $75
Website

What the Distillery Says:
This expression celebrates the origin of the Powers whiskey tradition and provides a glimpse of the whiskey style that made Powers famous. Using a pot still distillate which is true to the original style of John’s Lane, the whiskey has been matured for not less than 12 years, mainly in first fill American bourbon casks, with a small contribution of distillate which has been matured in Oloroso sherry butts.

The result is a Single Pot Still whiskey of outstanding flavour and complexity which provides a fitting tribute to the spiritual home of one of Ireland’s most loved whiskeys.

TASTING NOTES
Nose An abundance of earthy aromas, leather, tobacco with layers of charred wood, dark chocolate and treacle toffee.
Taste Full bodied spice front followed by vanilla, honey and dried apricot.
Finish Lingering honey sweetness on toasted oak.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Warm and inviting. Brown butter sauce and nutty.
Palate: Spicier than a normal Irish dram. Oily and lightly woody. A little orchard fruit but the pepper spiciness overwhelms the other elements.
Finish: Long, dry, and spicy.
Comments: An Irish Mr. Universe? Big, brawny, and ready to kick some ass.
Rating: Must Try

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