MrWizard's Ramblings

Time to get back into the swing of things. It’s been almost a month since my last review posted. COVID is still outside. I keep on buying and opening bourbon bottles… yet no reviews are forthcoming? What gives? Well, it’s simple: I’m LAZY!

Lets get few of the easier ones out of the way though, especially now that I got my new grading system.

Oola Waitsburg Bourbon Cask Strength Total Wine Single Barrel (what a mouth-full)
This gets the distinction of my first ever grade score. On the nose, pure vanilla extract and same on the palate. Very little wood influence and if someone told me this was a vanilla flavored whiskey, I’d not be surprised. Very sweet and high sugar content with little else to back it up even at 116 proof. Its borderline undrinkable straight and I wish I didn’t buy it. Darn you pretty bottle! This is going directly its awful bottles cabinet. You’ll love it if you love vanilla flavor. May be okay in some sort of bourbon glaze, but we’re not here to judge alcohol on their cooking ability.
Score: D-

Moylan’s Cask Strength Bourbon
No age statement but the worlds “Finished, Blended & Bottled in Petaluma, CA” (Local to me) got my attention. The label is actually confusing, as it talks about Stillwater Spirits and Moylan’s Distilling company… Also there’s a mention of toasted coconuts… and I like those. Well, maybe a hidden gem? The good news: the nose does have that toasted coconut covered in caramel and so does the palate. Bad news: unfortunately everything is ruined by somewhat dill-like soapy aftertaste. I really wanted to love this one. It’s from local Californian distiller, 112.6 proof, though drinks hotter than that, and nose and palate are good-to-great… But the aftertaste just ruins it for me and it all falls apart. Certainly an interesting one to nose and maybe worth trying, but this is going to be my mixed-drink fodder. I can keep sniffing the glass all day and I’m sure some may like drinking it, but I’m finding myself doing anything I can to avoid that aftertaste. Very good after some bitters or a touch of amaro.
Score: C

New Riff Bourbon K&L Store Pick Cask Strength #15-5848
Lets get few things out of the way: I love their bottle design! It screams ‘awesome’ at reasonable price. Specs on my bottle: 111.6 proof, aged at least 4 years. Young-ish, high rye recipe, sour mash bourbon. Nose: rye spice and toasted coconuts (again? yes I did rinse the glass after Moylan’s!). This one leans towards woody coconuts that are consistent from nose to palate to a decently long aftertaste. Ever licked a fresh bourbon barrel? I can see why it was bottled. The wood is starting to take over as an influence on the spirit, thankfully bourbon has enough of a backbone to mostly carry it. One of those bottles for wood lovers and the spirit’s age is a somewhat unfortunate trade off. Few more years while maintaining the fine balance would make these single cask bottles the stuff of legend! As mine stands, it’s a really good coconut/vanilla/wood/age profile that is reasonable but not perfect. I’d still drink this all night, no problem!
Score: B+