MrWizard's Ramblings

Did I mention I seem to be accumulating samples at a crazy rate… Well more sample control this time around, random selection of bourbon samples in absolutely no particular order.

Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
This was one of more anticipated releases from Heaven Hill’s Elijah Craig line this year, aside from the Barrel Proof and Parker’s Heritage, just in the fact that its new and slightly different. For this release they took regular small batch Elijah Craig and finished it in some freshly toasted barrels for a few months for extra flavor.
So the first thing that really strikes me is the nose. It’s much more interesting than the regular small batch and is positively brimming with oak vanilla caramel and dry toasted wood. It reminds me somewhat of a barrel proof nose minus all the alcohol burn. The palate is nicely woodier and pleasantly sweet version of small batch and so is the aftertaste. Overall, this is much more interesting than small batch and is borderline great drinking. I already mentioned that this reminds me strongly of barrel proof line but with less proof and I’ll stick with my guns on that statement, it’s got the similar flavor concentration at lower proof which is a solid bourbon win for me as this level of flavors are not very common to see in sub-50% abv. Not too sweet of a palate, don’t get fooled by the nose… Considering this isn’t an ultra exclusive single cask pick but a limited (yet widespread) release this gets a solid recommendation from me for the fans of Heaven Hill and Elijah Craig specifically that want the flavor without having to fight with the alcohol. The only real downside, is that there’s not a whole lot of complex layers of flavor that would develop in a 10+ year old barrels but most of the negatives are masked by the extra finishing. I am a fan.
Score: B+

Yellowstone Limited Edition 2020
So this is undisclosed mash from undisclosed distillery aged for unknown amount of time, thought product page sites suggest 7 years… the only known things are that this is straight bourbon finished in armagnac casks and that its 101 proof. The nose is a little wine-y and has slight sour apple/plum note to it. The palate is sweet, woody and peanutty with some plums, but this time the plums are sugar-covered instead of sour. The aftertaste is taken over by the peanuts in a cloyingly-sweet-turning-bitter-wave that’s not my favorite. Try this at a bar if you want to scratch the ‘limited release’ itch but I would avoid a bottle.
Score: C

Jim Beam PX Sherry Distiller’s Masterpiece 100 proof
Well apparently this one is somewhat fancy! Beam nose for sure, though wood does have some prominence and dried figs from sherry are also in there somewhere. Very subdued Beam character on the palate that is almost missing its typical cinnamon brightness. The palate is sweet but not overly so and it seems most of the sweetness is coming from the sherry instead of the bourbon itself, after few sips, sherry asserts itself once again to provide gentle sugared figs that last for a while. It’s no surprise that sherry and bourbon are a good combination in many ways though to truly shine the bourbon itself needs to be well balanced to avoid sirup situations. This pour does achieve that balance in spades. It is well above average on the enjoyable scale to sip and this is very much a contemplative sipping drink that needs to be enjoyed for the subtle complexities. Whether or not it’s worth the $190 MSRP and the PX finish is deemed ‘acceptable’ by bourbon purists is a separate topic. Strong recommendation on getting it a bar or having a friend pour you some to try before committing on the cost. Dangerously drinkable either way.
Score: A-

K&L Wines Medley
No real info given so here’s the link to the store page: https://www.klwines.com/p/i?i=1455835
Strong brown sugar caramel on the nose together with wood char. Corn caramel profile and lots and lots of wood. This thing is also 68% abv so that shows too. Perhaps an exemplar of kentucky bourbon? Reminds somewhat of Old Ezra 7 on the whole sweet/wood balance but for me its over-wooded. Takes water extremely well which tames the beast somewhat, yet still for me too much wood even with it being cut by the water. After water this starts to taste a lot like woodier version Henry McKenna (from Heaven Hill). I wouldn’t be surprised if this is Heaven Hill distillate. But the reality is this. It’s got too much wood in the mix and it just overwhelms everything else that’s good. So I’m torn… On one side, its an avoid for me, but for those that like Old Ezra, or barrel proof Henry McKenna… that’s a maybe? Get a taste from a friend and make your own mind up. I traded my bottle to someone who appreciates it more than I do.
Score: C-

Endless West “Glyph” Molecular Whiskey
Dear reader, dare I try this and not die? Know this, if I don’t post another entry after this… I am dead, avenge me. On the nose, bad apple cider (fermenting apples) out of the little sample bottle, thankfully regular caramel apples and bubblegum out of a glencairn. This don’t smell like proper whiskey… I am almost not willing to try it. Okay its not… 100% vile… maybe like 97% terrible. The aftertaste is okay, I guess, more bubblegum and sugar and some apples and tiny bit of ginger spice. The palate is… thin bodied, light apple bubble gum flavored booze? Do. NOT. Want! This is terrible. While probably technically whiskey… No, just no! Though, if dear reader cares to read a little more on the subject, here’s a link that tells it better: https://www.drinkhac … h-molecular-whiskey/ I also disagree with their score, it’s way worse than they make it seem. You sir, who gave me the sample, while I greatly appreciate the gesture… You’ll be well served by pouring your bottle down the drain and never mentioning that it existed in your possession.
Score: F

Untitled 14 yr MGP 72.5% Bourbon Whiskey
One Eight distilling private barrel 13. Note, this is NOT their #13 whiskey. Some sort of a private cask this sample is. Update, this seems to be Prav Saraff’s single cask private pick out of DC area. A little self-indulgence and a first hazmat (70+ % abv) taste for me. So since it’s a bourbon, this is first fill casks and would not have entered higher than 62.5% abv, by definition. Lets… cautiously… dig in. Color is dark chestnut. The nose is all about sweet oak and caramel, with a healthy dose of alcohol burn that doesn’t detract from the experience and that nose is definitely an experience. After awhile, unsurprisingly but unfortunately, some varnish/shoe polish notes let themselves be known. I’d liked to have smelled this nose for a while longer in its original form. Very concentrated and very good. Eye-watering level of flavors on the palate. Not too sweet, the familiar MGP spices come though on the aftertaste but the middle palate is barrel and alcohol burn that’s decently balanced. Honestly, way too hot, yet delicious on it’s own. With water, this calms down a lot into some amazing MGP staple single cask profile, not too sweet, and now the spices shine. Think of it as a very dark 2020 SAOS pick, except its 14 years old with all the complexity of old bourbon in there. Few subtle notes of dill from the rye are also notable but don’t detract from the experience. After adding some water, nose is totally back to great initial notes I’ve smelled after the fresh pour, the aftertaste lasts and lasts with the palate being amazing… Yeah this is real deal. Definitely add some water into this one as it’s too much prior to that. You will not be disappointed.
Score: A (B at full proof)
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Scoring Breakdown: https://www.aerin.or … age=scores_breakdown

Over the course of my wheelings and dealings in the bourbon world… (read: meeting random folks from whiskey groups and whatnot) I try to share as many samples as possible to both spread the joy and allow others to try things they may not had an opportunity to do so in the past… Similarly, others are oftentimes willing to share samples with me. So I tend to accumulate random mini-bottles that contain whiskey. As the reader may have surmised from my more recent reviews I have enough to start grouping things into ‘themed’ articles but there are also plenty that don’t fit in with any others… So, no themed reviews today… just random samples…

Douglas Laing Scallywag Blend Special Edition 13 years old
EDIT after writing the below and doing a 10 seconds of research… This is supposed to be sherried!? I did leave it in the glass for probably solid 30 mins and somehow in that time all the sherry was gone. Trying it fresh from the bottle brings all the sherry back. I’m so confused. Okay okay… Seems I’m not crazy… after letting this breethe for solid 20+ minutes most of the sherry notes do disappear into peppery maltiness. Such a two-faced whiskey… quite interesting indeed.
Original: A blend of Speyside whiskeys with youngest being 13 years old, 46% abv and, if i recall correctly, this happens to be a special age-stated 13, edition. Malt malt malt on the nose. Reminds me of Longmorn 14. light citrus malt character. On the palate same light citrus malt from the nose but now with some noticeable notes of sweet vanilla from the oak. Not very sweet, if I had to describe this in terms of recent drinks… this is a mix of Longmorn 14 and Auchroisk 24 while being a little bit less concentrated than either due to 46% abv. Some white pepper spiciness works well and the aftertaste is quite pleasant, even if its not spectacular. Basically lemon meringue pie with vanilla custard, mostly hold the sugar? Very very pleasant malt. Water doesn’t do much other than open it up to more white pepper without the age or proof to balance it out. I’m torn on the grading… On one hand I really like both of the whiskeys I’ve mentioned… on the other… it’s not quite as good as either of them separately (though admittedly both are single cask bottles). If you want a great example of refill refill Speysider (without sherry or fancy barrel magic) this one may be easier to chase down than single barrel bottles of Old Malt Cask… because great things are rarely easy.
Score: B

Highland Park 8, McPhail’s Collection 43%abv
Prefacing this that I’m not a fan of young peat that has no sherry.
The nose got wisps of smoke and some stewed fruit though the relative youth of the malt makes itself known after a few minutes. The palate… is smoke, trending towards savory flavors with almost zero sweetness or vanilla. Aftertaste and second half of the palate unfortunately falls into unpleasant spicy bitterness that I’m really not a fan of but perhaps some may be. Unfortunately without anything outstanding about this whatsoever, this isn’t good to me. It may appear to the narrow overlap portion of Venn diagram that like both Highland Park, young malt, and refill barrels but even still I think there are better options available. Give me a nice 1st fill sherry Highland Park single cask and then we may talk.
Score: D

Compass Box Lost Blend
Blend: 70.8% Clynelish, 22% Caol Ila, 7.5% Alt-A-Bhainne… Bottled at 46% abv.
Oh Compass Box… The first and mostly only company that consistently puts out good blended whiskey. Sure, plenty of others have put out good blends, but consistently great ones? Yeah nobody, that I’m aware of. This particular bottle is a tribute to one of their first blends called “Eleuthera” for which the components are no longer available in quantities to sustain production. So seeing that they were able to get their hands on a small amount, a limited run this is! Read more details here: https://www.compassb … kies/index.php?id=14 … Also as per modus operandi this has Clynelish… Compass Box really likes their Clynelish in the blends but who can blame them, really? It’s a great multilayered whiskey that does extremely well as a middle layer of flavor to build on… Anyways!!! Smoke and light citrus fruits on the nose as well as tons of malty notes. The palate is more citrus, with some smoke and malt, but surprisingly low sweetness; all in balance, leaning towards nearly-sour notes. Perhaps smoked lemon drops, reduced sugar would be a good description? The aftertaste brings light nutty bitterness which once again works great with light Clynelish smoke and malt flavors. This reminds of summer shandy (beer+lemonade), but in a whiskey bottle. Bring it to your summer getaway and you won’t be disappointed.
Score: B (B+ if it’s summertime)

Bunnahabhain Pedro Ximenez Finish 54%
Note: No age info given on the sample. It is probably this, though it’s not a 100% guarantee: https://www.whiskyba … 30/bunnahabhain-2003
Finishing up this set of reviews in style! The nose is salt brick and stewed fruits from the sherry with peppered bits and a tiny whisper of tobacco. Perhaps lightly-smoked dried figs or dates if I had to call it out. I can keep on smelling this for quite a while. The mouth is pure indulgence of sherry, thick, syrupy, oh so delicious, definitely dried fig preserves is what I’m tasting now. Few wisps of smoke, but almost unnoticeable under all that cloying sherry, I’m probably imagining them as its supposed to be unpeated. Almost too sweet, the aftertaste lasts a long while and it feels just as if I ate a spoonful of caramelized fig preserves that were covered with burnt sugar caramel. Amazing dessert or after-dinner drink and I would take any day…. But it’s basically a high-proof syrup. I love the sample but I’m not sure I would love the entire bottle of it.
Score: B+
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Scoring Breakdown: https://www.aerin.or … age=scores_breakdown

Read more here… https://www.teelingw … en/teeling-whiskeys/. I’m the lazy reviewer I record my thoughts and let the reader do their own research on the minutiae. :)
Gotta keep that distillery themed reviews going. This time around from another zoom tasting this time with Teeling Irish whiskey. Their distillery is actual operational distillery in the middle of Dublin (though by law they cannot age or store alcohol within city limits so that’s carted off site to their warehouse. All the samples are 46% abv and I’ve tasted through their core range of products. Their master distiller/blender is well known for trying just about any kind of wood though very few of their experiments make it to the retailers in USA… But teeling is aged in anything between obscure spanish bodega casks to stout to all sorts of different wooden casks… Pretty if there’s a cask of it… they’ll age teeling in it. :)

Teeling Small Batch (Rum Casks)
This is the dark teeling bottle that’s commonly found in most bars and whiskey shops as long as they got irish whiskey. The spirit has been finished for 6 months in ex-rum casks of indeterminate origin. As is with MOST of their whiskeys… there’s some amount of single grain in the batch. The nose is fairly forward single grain smells which when combined with rum influence just smells like refined vanilla sugar and a little bit like vanilla extract. This is tasty in a conversation but falls apart under contemplative drinking due to low age, which doesn’t work with single grains as they need much longer time in the wood to truly sing. Workable in a bar or @work… but frankly… you’re not going to regret skipping it.
Score: C

Teeling Single Pot Still (10/2018)
The mash bill consists of 50% malted and 50% unmalted barley that has been triple distilled. Quite interesting, with funky notes on the nose that almost go into orange zest type of profile. Reminds of some other stuff of the ‘Distiller’s Cut’ type where the heads and tails were cut to the whims of the master distiller leaving more of the flavorful but also more volatile ethers in the spirit. As previously mentioned, orange/tangerine zest, slightly metallic notes and almost savoury character makes this an interesting experience on the palate. Not fully my sort of profile but it is certainly unique enough to pique someone’s interest. There’s some light malty notes but they are more of suggestion rather than a command on intensity. The youth and unmalted grain in the mash, are yet again is the most blatant downsides of this one. More wood and age and this has some amazing possibilities, but as it, it’s a bit of a let down.
Score: B-

Teeling Single Grain
From the site: “Mash bill consisting of 95% corn and 5% malted barley that has been triple distilled and matured exclusively in French oak Ex-Cabernet Sauvignon red wine casks from California”. This is very creme brulee on the nose and very vanilla extract-like. Almost feels like a slightly sweeter version of the small batch. Slight wine notes and yet again vanilla character on the palate. Nowhere near Starward’s red wine flavors by comparison, this feels more integrated with the individual whole. In many ways this drinks like more interesting, a ‘better’, version of small batch. Corn unfortunately provides almost no aftertaste that’s worth mentioning but I wouldn’t say no to this if I were offered.
Score: B

Teeling Single Malt
From the site: “100% malted barley, matured and finished in casks that impart the influence of five wine casks (Sherry, Port, Madeira, White Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon)”… And the kitchen sink. This malt is a little bit of everything version. I mean… read the description of the barrels in the mix. The upside is of course it’s very flavorful… the downside… its somewhat of a mess of everything on the flavor profile. Overall… I actually like it. It’s sweet, nutty and slightly reminiscent of sauternes finish with white raisins. Actually somewhat reminiscienting me of Arran’s Sauternes cask finish. Very enjoyable drink if you like sweet white wines and nuts pairing.
Score: B
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Scoring Breakdown: https://www.aerin.or … age=scores_breakdown

Its time! I feel like by now I’ve reviewed just about every major us bourbon distillery and yet somehow I’ve completely not touched on Michter’s which has a range of products from humble, but very palatable, US-1 line all the way to, silly expensive, Michter’s 25 year bourbon. Read their specs and story here: https://michters.com/whiskeys/ Perhaps I’ve been simply collecting samples for a line up…. Let’s gooooo!

Michter’s 10 year Bourbon 2018
Corn mash forward nose that’s not very sweet but not super pleasant as it has some sour notes in the play as corn does. Leaves almost a (cheap-ish) aftershave cologne smell after the corn notes drift away. The palate is an interesting mix and a juxtaposition (oooh I used a fancy word) of flavors so tightly packed that it feels like they’re gone instantly after a sip from the glass. Notably not very sweet or spicy compared to other distilleries, this seems to be Michter’s own character on display and I would expect this theme to continue through the rest of the review. This bourbon requires time and tiny sips to get it to display its beauty. Casual drinkers beware… without contemplation and making this an experience… the flavor is lost and this would taste borderline bland and uninteresting. Fairly short aftertaste where some of the more subtle flavors linger with a little bit of sweetness coming back. It’s a delicate one for sure. Water doesn’t do much to it, slightly opens up but not dramatically so. No real downsides and yet no greatness either. Good solid bourbon that should be about 100 bucks, not $150. At the price and availability… I’m having a hard time recommending a bottle. If you can find a sample or a bar pour at cost… do it for the checkbox.
Score: B-

Michter’s Toasted Barrel Bourbon 2020
Sweet corn caramel on the nose is in play here that offsets some sour whiffs and balances the notes into very pleasant nosing experience. I’ll sorta summarize it as such: take the review of the 10 from above; add more typical bourbon sweetness to it and a little bit more ‘roughness’ on the alcohol side. If i couldn’t really taste the alcohol in the 10 year, this one, while notably few points of proof lower is much more active on the palate. The alcohol-forward palate makes for a bit of a ‘mess’ which somewhat kills the experience. Paradoxically, this seems to have both nose, palate and a semblance of an aftertaste that’s tries to be of some interest but ends up being a little bit off the mark in each case. Adding water doesn’t do this any favors either. At $80 MSRP, this is making me reach for a Heaven Hill’s $17 Fighting Cock which is essentially on par with it in nearly every way (Disclaimer: to my palate preferences).
Score: C

Shenk’s 2020
Woody and slightly eucalyptus-like nose. Almost like walking through a pine forest or perhaps I’m getting some fresh dill. The nose by itself reminds me somewhat of Old Potrero Malted Rye…. And so does the palate. This feels like a mix of Old Potrero https://www.aerin.or … y:entry201115-213721 with Bomberger’s (review of that below). This is really… REALLY good to me. Slight downside is the lack of primary aftertaste that lasts. The secondary notes in that sticky rye bread flavor lasts a while but the primary flavors are gone fairly quick as per modus operandi of just about every Michter’s so far (and also just about every bourbon). Few drops of water makes the rye really sing and brings back the aftertaste. This is good, real good!
Score: A

Bomberger’s 2020
Light sweet cologne flavors with sweet vanilla caramel that are pleasant though disappear quickly. Rich, sweet and caramel-forward on the palate with some corn and wood notes. This is what a good bourbon should be like. The aftertaste is short but pleasant with lingering vanilla, wood caramel notes that cascade over each other into pleasant warmth. Arguably, a touch of too much barrel influence is felt on the palate for this one but overall this is a very good drink. Water tames the concentration somewhat but and brings interesting toasted wood notes to the fore. Little torn on water, but I’d skip adding water since the proof isn’t that high to begin with.
Score: B+

Shenk’s 2019
Typical Michter’s bourbon nose on this one with a splash of malted rye notes (fresh rye bread), but the rye influence is restrained. On the palate rye influence and bread notes are visible all over but they are well balanced by the bourbon itself. At typical, borderline-too-much-wood-tannins but that can be tamed with a few drops of water. The aftertaste lasts for a while but it’s mostly-wood influenced… then wait…. oh, hi there rye… I’ll go on a limb to say that Shenk’s has some malted rye content in the mash itself to taste the way it does (rye bread). Is it polarizing flavor? Perhaps! Do I like malted rye? Yes! Do I want more malted rye bourbons? YES! Few drops of water makes the rye really sing and brings back the aftertaste. This is good, but not quite there.
Score: A-

Michter’s Toasted Barrel Rye 2020
Sweet brown sugar and wisps of campfire smoke on the nose. Sweet and lively palate, tiny bit alcohol forward that almost feels like ginger spice, leather and tobacco notes make themselves known. Medium-length, warm, but ultimately boring aftertaste of the palate flavors. In many ways this is what I would want out of a rye whiskey, lively palate, sweet notes and lots of different flavors intermixed… Yet, this is let down by its own age and being rough around the edges. The toasted barrel, while arguably adding tobacco, and char notes, doesn’t do the wood balance any favors and would overwhelm the palate if it was any more pronounced… Just finish some older rye already. Can we have a 10 year rye toasted barrel finish pretty please? That would be swell! Seek this out at a bar if you can, it is well worth it.
Score: B

Michter’s 10 Year Rye 2020
Bits of savory rye bread on the nose combined with restrained caramel sweetness. Somewhat grassy (but no dill), eucalyptus, sweet caramel, pine needles on the mouth. Full of rolling waves of flavor even while being only 92.8 proof Wonderfully balanced. Amazing, warming and long aftertaste that lasts a while. This is quite delicious drink and borderline worth its $199 MSRP. A slightly tannic note at the end of aftertaste is the only minor detriment I can think of here. Water opens it up a little bit into sweeter notes but it is not strictly necessary.
Score: A-
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Scoring Breakdown: https://www.aerin.or … age=scores_breakdown

More samples, little time, so really short notes here.

John Paul XMas 2019
Sherry + Light Peat… Yum. Somewhat reminds me of a mezcal level of peat + sherry. The 2019 Christmas Edition describes itself as “PX casks with light peat influence” on the bottle. The peat brings notes of brine and PX brings delicious sweetness.
Score: B

John Paul XMas 2020
Almost has a cold-smoked fish nose on the nose, in a good way. The 2020 description is a mix of ex-Bourbon, PX and Oloroso casks, with light peat. This is surprisingly tasty in a smokey sweet kinda way. The smoke is somewhat light but definitely there and is well balanced vs the rest of the spirit. Compared to 2019 this is less sweet due to mix of non PX casks in this batch. More malt is felt on the palate for the same reasons as previously stated; a tiny bit of a metal aftertaste remains, but doesn’t detract as well as roasted honeycomb that seems to be characteristic to Paul John’s Malt.
Score: B-

John Paul Nirvana
Light and malty profile with a distinct honey undertone. This whiskey is aimed at bars and bartenders and is a new to distribution in US. At 40% abv, the proof is the biggest disappointment here. Definitely worth trying at a bar, otherwise stock the Classic for home bar which seems to be the same thing but full proof at 55%. Very slightly metallic aftertaste is present for my palate but it’s not a huge detriment compared to the proof.
Score: C

Glen Grant 15 have been previously covered here: https://www.aerin.or … y:entry201114-150301. I am expecting the 12 will be somewhat lesser version and 18 to have deeper flavors than the 15.

Glen Grant 12
I’ll summarize this as ‘expectations met to be a lesser version of the 15′. Lesser proof, though not lesser taste concentration. This is all malt and stone fruit and pears and apples all over itself but slightly less vibrat. Just get the 15, really.
Score: C (Because 15 exists)

Glen Grant 18
Woodier and somewhat deeper flavors than the 12 or the 15 due to higher proof, it doesn’t distinguish itself enough from to warrant a better score or value. Tasty? Yes. Special? No. Just get the 15! With 18 priced at $115 in total wine (as of this writing) this is a terrible value vs $56 for the 15 year old that’s nearly as good for half the price.
Score: B-
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Scoring Breakdown: https://www.aerin.or … age=scores_breakdown