Review - Jack Daniel's Old No. 7
Smoother on the palate but harsher on the finish than Evan Williams or Jim Beam. Jack Daniel's is the Toby Keith of whiskey. It'll put a boot in your ass and is just about as American as you can get for under $25. …The only way to get more American than Jack Daniel's is if you bottled the amount of freedom in 50 Bald Eagles, drank it while flying the Flag standing on the roof of a Walmart® on the 4th of July eating a Big Mac®.
Rating 3 Glasses
- Distillery: Jack Daniel Distillery (Lynchburg, TN)
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 80
- Local Price (USD): $22.95
- Availability: Widespread
- Local Price (USD): $22.95
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Light honey with thin, quick legs.
- Nose: Light alcohol, pretty mellow actually with a hint of confectioners sugar.
- Taste: Nutty, buttery & bitey. Salty peanut butter.
- Finish: Lingers a while, oak with some brown sugar. Like a smoldering campfire in your mouth.
- Conclusion: Smoother on the palate but harsher on the finish than Evan Williams or Jim Beam. Jack Daniel's is the Toby Keith of whiskey. It'll put a boot in your ass and is just about as American as you can get for under $25. Is rumored to have been enjoyed by George Washington as he crossed the Delaware and Thomas Jefferson as he inspired the Bill of Rights (We know that Jack Daniel's started in 1866 but it seemed to work). The only way to get more American than Jack Daniel's is if you bottled the amount of freedom in 50 Bald Eagles, drank it while flying the Flag standing on the roof of a Walmart® on the 4th of July eating a Big Mac®.
More and more coming to the conclusion that Basil Hayden’s is the Lacroix of bourbons. Basically whiskey infused with essential oils… It's pretty pricey for what it brings to the table … confused. Two By Two Rye doesn’t give us anything to hate but nothing to bring us back.
…The main component of what makes the profile of this whiskey unique is the proprietary dual-charcoal filtration process…that makes you want to fire up the Traeger® with every sip.
Longbranch is a good value for an 8 year small batch and a great whiskey for someone being introduced to Bourbon and American Whiskey.
Bottled at 108.4, this particular selection from barrel No. 18F829 is truly a wonder to behold. Familiar but with a depth of flavor and ABV punch that you won’t get from Michter’s std US-1 Rye.
…Wanderback's second release sets itself apart by first aging in new American oak barrels then finishing its last 6 months in Nicaraguan ex-rum and Heaven Hill ex-bourbon barrels. In our opinion Batch No. 2 is a notch above its older sibling and delivers a smoother, more balanced and flavorful experience overall….
The first release from Wanderback Whiskey, Batch No. 1 was made in collaboration with Westland Distillery in Seattle, WA….This solid whiskey is full of oak and smoke and perfectly at home enjoyed neat in a Glencairn.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed 116.8 is a solid barrel proof bourbon that is readily available and reasonably priced. Steadily increasing in proof over the years, this most recent release at 116.8 is the best yet… Rare Breed delivers a flavor packed punch that can hang with the other big boys in the category …
…Old Grand-Dad uses a mash bill of 62% Corn, 28% Rye & 10% Malted Barley. This unusually high Rye content and high proof makes this pour an especially potent one. Basically like pouring 10lb of sugar into a bucket of kerosene and setting it ablaze…
Light oak and vanilla that wants to stay for a while. Somewhere in between your brother-in-law jetting out before the end of the 1st quarter …and your great uncle just hanging around long after the final buzzer, watching re-runs of The Price Is Right and reciting for the 26th time the story about how he was “that close” to making it on the show…
…Tuthilltown ages their Baby in “special small American Oak Barrels” which explains how they achieve such a dark color and heavy oak influence from such a young whiskey. The other unique thing…is their use of sonic maturation by playing loud music to agitate the whiskey inside the barrels....
The oak is really the front man of the band…Definitely makes a killer (albeit expensive) whiskey & coke and would feel right at home in an old fashioned…
Review - Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon
As our palates have matured we realize that whiskeys of this caliber just don't quite make the grade as far as a sipper goes. Definitely fine as a mixer or if you want to re-live your your lost college days. If you like the Beam we suggest you check out Evan Williams as we feel it is more interesting in flavor profile and cheaper to boot!
Rating 2.5 Glasses
- Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co.
- Years Aged: 4
- Proof: 80
- Local Price (USD): $19.95
- Availability: Widespread
- Local Price (USD): $19.95
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Straw Yellow. Usain Bolt legs (quick and runny).
- Nose: Lighter on the nose than Evan Williams but still alcohol forward & sour.
- Taste: Watery, sugary, corny & alcoholy, Burns pretty good going down.
- Finish: Runs away as fast as it showed up leaving you with a bit of bitter citrus & sugar.
- Conclusion: As our palates have matured we realize that whiskeys of this caliber just don't quite make the grade as far as a sipper goes. Definitely fine as a mixer or if you want to re-live your your lost college days. If you like the Beam we suggest you check out Evan Williams as we feel it is more interesting in flavor profile and cheaper to boot! Even though we gave it a lower rating due to its in-your-faceness and low complexity, the majority do not agree with us anyway as it is still one of the top selling bourbons in the world.
10 individual custom wood finishing staves were hand selected by Troutdale Liquor in Troutdale, OR creating this kick in the pants….It isn’t for faint of heart at 109.8 proof and is definitely not in the price point for just anyone either. This is top-shelf hand-crafted Kentucky Bourbon and fits the bill.
More and more coming to the conclusion that Basil Hayden’s is the Lacroix of bourbons. Basically whiskey infused with essential oils… It's pretty pricey for what it brings to the table … confused. Two By Two Rye doesn’t give us anything to hate but nothing to bring us back.
…The main component of what makes the profile of this whiskey unique is the proprietary dual-charcoal filtration process…that makes you want to fire up the Traeger® with every sip.
Longbranch is a good value for an 8 year small batch and a great whiskey for someone being introduced to Bourbon and American Whiskey.
Bottled at 108.4, this particular selection from barrel No. 18F829 is truly a wonder to behold. Familiar but with a depth of flavor and ABV punch that you won’t get from Michter’s std US-1 Rye.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed 116.8 is a solid barrel proof bourbon that is readily available and reasonably priced. Steadily increasing in proof over the years, this most recent release at 116.8 is the best yet… Rare Breed delivers a flavor packed punch that can hang with the other big boys in the category …
…Old Grand-Dad uses a mash bill of 62% Corn, 28% Rye & 10% Malted Barley. This unusually high Rye content and high proof makes this pour an especially potent one. Basically like pouring 10lb of sugar into a bucket of kerosene and setting it ablaze…
Light oak and vanilla that wants to stay for a while. Somewhere in between your brother-in-law jetting out before the end of the 1st quarter …and your great uncle just hanging around long after the final buzzer, watching re-runs of The Price Is Right and reciting for the 26th time the story about how he was “that close” to making it on the show…
…Tuthilltown ages their Baby in “special small American Oak Barrels” which explains how they achieve such a dark color and heavy oak influence from such a young whiskey. The other unique thing…is their use of sonic maturation by playing loud music to agitate the whiskey inside the barrels....
The oak is really the front man of the band…Definitely makes a killer (albeit expensive) whiskey & coke and would feel right at home in an old fashioned…
You can’t beat Elmer T. Lee for the flavor and value… ETL is pretty darn rare so grab it when it’s available as you won’t find a better or more consistent single barrel bourbon for the price. Earned all of its 4.5 glasses and we will definitely be picking up every bottle we come across.
We plan on keeping a bottle of 107 on hand at all times and for under $30 bucks you can too. Probably would not be a good first experience for a novice whiskey drinker because it comes across pretty hot and surprisingly deep in flavor. Someone who enjoys bourbon would appreciate the detour from your standard Kentucky release.
Review - Evan Williams Bourbon
Evan Williams is the second largest selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey in the US and the world. Fits the bill for the price and good for a bonfire and one heck of a hangover. If you put the glass up to your ear you can hear banjos playing…
Rating 3 Glasses
Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery
Years Aged: 4-5
Proof: 86
Local Price (USD): $12.95
Availability: Widespread
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Honey yellow like the cheap stuff you get on the side of the road in rural Iowa. Slow legs that are tighter than a camel's ass in a sandstorm.
Nose: Sour mash to its core. Tingles the nostrils. Sugar & turpentine.
Taste: Like being 19 again. Alcohol, corn, oak.
Finish: Alcohol with a little bit of spice and caramel
Conclusion: Evan Williams is the second largest selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey in the US and the world. Fits the bill for the price and good for a bonfire and one heck of a hangover. If you put the glass up to your ear you can hear banjos playing. Kicks you in the face on the first sip then mellows out and a few rocks of ice and/or your favorite soda will make this awesome. Keep it on hand as a great mixer and for your friends that don't appreciate your higher end whiskeys.
10 individual custom wood finishing staves were hand selected by Troutdale Liquor in Troutdale, OR creating this kick in the pants….It isn’t for faint of heart at 109.8 proof and is definitely not in the price point for just anyone either. This is top-shelf hand-crafted Kentucky Bourbon and fits the bill.
More and more coming to the conclusion that Basil Hayden’s is the Lacroix of bourbons. Basically whiskey infused with essential oils… It's pretty pricey for what it brings to the table … confused. Two By Two Rye doesn’t give us anything to hate but nothing to bring us back.
…The main component of what makes the profile of this whiskey unique is the proprietary dual-charcoal filtration process…that makes you want to fire up the Traeger® with every sip.
Longbranch is a good value for an 8 year small batch and a great whiskey for someone being introduced to Bourbon and American Whiskey.
Bottled at 108.4, this particular selection from barrel No. 18F829 is truly a wonder to behold. Familiar but with a depth of flavor and ABV punch that you won’t get from Michter’s std US-1 Rye.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed 116.8 is a solid barrel proof bourbon that is readily available and reasonably priced. Steadily increasing in proof over the years, this most recent release at 116.8 is the best yet… Rare Breed delivers a flavor packed punch that can hang with the other big boys in the category …
…Old Grand-Dad uses a mash bill of 62% Corn, 28% Rye & 10% Malted Barley. This unusually high Rye content and high proof makes this pour an especially potent one. Basically like pouring 10lb of sugar into a bucket of kerosene and setting it ablaze…
Light oak and vanilla that wants to stay for a while. Somewhere in between your brother-in-law jetting out before the end of the 1st quarter …and your great uncle just hanging around long after the final buzzer, watching re-runs of The Price Is Right and reciting for the 26th time the story about how he was “that close” to making it on the show…
…Tuthilltown ages their Baby in “special small American Oak Barrels” which explains how they achieve such a dark color and heavy oak influence from such a young whiskey. The other unique thing…is their use of sonic maturation by playing loud music to agitate the whiskey inside the barrels....
The oak is really the front man of the band…Definitely makes a killer (albeit expensive) whiskey & coke and would feel right at home in an old fashioned…
You can’t beat Elmer T. Lee for the flavor and value… ETL is pretty darn rare so grab it when it’s available as you won’t find a better or more consistent single barrel bourbon for the price. Earned all of its 4.5 glasses and we will definitely be picking up every bottle we come across.
We plan on keeping a bottle of 107 on hand at all times and for under $30 bucks you can too. Probably would not be a good first experience for a novice whiskey drinker because it comes across pretty hot and surprisingly deep in flavor. Someone who enjoys bourbon would appreciate the detour from your standard Kentucky release.
Review - Barlow Trail Port Cask Finish American Whiskey
Good well rounded whiskey for beginners that lends itself to the sweeter side of life thanks to finishing off in port wine casks.
Rating 2.5 Glasses
- Distillery: Big Bottom Distillery
- Years Aged: N/A
- Proof: 91
- Local Price (USD): $39.75
- Availability: Widespread
- Local Price (USD): $39.75
- Proof: 91
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Rich mahogany & fat sticky legs
- Nose: A lumber mill wet with morning dew. The port comes through like the Kool-Aid man through concrete.
- Taste: Thick bitter woodiness and heavy oak tannins. Cherry cough syrup.
- Finish: Marred by a lingering bitterness much like an overdose of NyQuil™
- Conclusion: Batch No. 10. Good well rounded whiskey for beginners that lends itself to the sweeter side of life thanks to finishing off in port wine casks. It's price is slightly reaching in this category but would be a great stocking stuffer for Christmas.
10 individual custom wood finishing staves were hand selected by Troutdale Liquor in Troutdale, OR creating this kick in the pants….It isn’t for faint of heart at 109.8 proof and is definitely not in the price point for just anyone either. This is top-shelf hand-crafted Kentucky Bourbon and fits the bill.
More and more coming to the conclusion that Basil Hayden’s is the Lacroix of bourbons. Basically whiskey infused with essential oils… It's pretty pricey for what it brings to the table … confused. Two By Two Rye doesn’t give us anything to hate but nothing to bring us back.
…The main component of what makes the profile of this whiskey unique is the proprietary dual-charcoal filtration process…that makes you want to fire up the Traeger® with every sip.
Longbranch is a good value for an 8 year small batch and a great whiskey for someone being introduced to Bourbon and American Whiskey.
Bottled at 108.4, this particular selection from barrel No. 18F829 is truly a wonder to behold. Familiar but with a depth of flavor and ABV punch that you won’t get from Michter’s std US-1 Rye.
…Wanderback's second release sets itself apart by first aging in new American oak barrels then finishing its last 6 months in Nicaraguan ex-rum and Heaven Hill ex-bourbon barrels. In our opinion Batch No. 2 is a notch above its older sibling and delivers a smoother, more balanced and flavorful experience overall….
The first release from Wanderback Whiskey, Batch No. 1 was made in collaboration with Westland Distillery in Seattle, WA….This solid whiskey is full of oak and smoke and perfectly at home enjoyed neat in a Glencairn.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed 116.8 is a solid barrel proof bourbon that is readily available and reasonably priced. Steadily increasing in proof over the years, this most recent release at 116.8 is the best yet… Rare Breed delivers a flavor packed punch that can hang with the other big boys in the category …
…Old Grand-Dad uses a mash bill of 62% Corn, 28% Rye & 10% Malted Barley. This unusually high Rye content and high proof makes this pour an especially potent one. Basically like pouring 10lb of sugar into a bucket of kerosene and setting it ablaze…
Light oak and vanilla that wants to stay for a while. Somewhere in between your brother-in-law jetting out before the end of the 1st quarter …and your great uncle just hanging around long after the final buzzer, watching re-runs of The Price Is Right and reciting for the 26th time the story about how he was “that close” to making it on the show…
…Tuthilltown ages their Baby in “special small American Oak Barrels” which explains how they achieve such a dark color and heavy oak influence from such a young whiskey. The other unique thing…is their use of sonic maturation by playing loud music to agitate the whiskey inside the barrels....
The oak is really the front man of the band…Definitely makes a killer (albeit expensive) whiskey & coke and would feel right at home in an old fashioned…
Review - Jameson Irish Whiskey
This is the whiskey you bring to a party because the price doesn't leave you broke and it won't embarrass you in front of your friends.
Rating 4 Glasses
- Distillery: John Jameson & Son Ltd
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 80
- Local Price (USD): $29.95
- Availability: Widespread
- Local Price (USD): $29.95
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Honey with thin legs
- Nose: Apples & alcohol
- Taste: Low heat but smooth with vanilla & citrus
- Finish: I forgot already
- Conclusion: Jameson is at the top of the Irish whiskey world by capturing 80% of all sales globally. In the United States the annual figures alone are staggering with #1 being of course Jameson w/ over 2 Million cases sold, followed by #2 - Bushmills (185K Cases) & #3 - Tullamore D.E.W. (142K Cases).
- What us Americans would usually term as table/house whiskey, Jameson being so readily available makes it a great mixer but is also enjoyable to drink neat or on the rocks (a staple in Matt's cabinet). This is the whiskey you bring to a party because the price doesn't leave you broke and it won't embarrass you in front of your friends. Only real downside is it being so well blended, balanced & smooth you may not be able to pick out as many unique aromas and flavors to break down. We want to applaud Jameson for fueling the Irish whiskey revolution that has been happening over the past decade or so and look forward to experiencing more of what the region has to offer.
- Fun Facts:
- Did you know John Jameson isn't actually Irish?
- Even though Jameson Original is a NAS the distillate is usually aged between 5 & 7 years
This one is unique in that it is the only Irish Peated Single Malt Whiskey widely available today. Connemara Original is perfect for those scotch lovers that would like something just a bit lighter to enjoy on a hot day or with light dinner. Pour a big glass and call it good as this is one you could sip on all evening.
Smoothest cask strength we've ever had. It was a great introduction to the brand and now we know why everyone has such high opinions of Redbreast. It's flippin' good (did I happen to mention the pancakes?). Great Irish for an over-proof lover and if we could find it again we would buy it just the same.
Like getting an allergy shot in the middle of summer and then, because you were such a good boy, stopping at a Tastee-Freez for a creamsicle. Smooth thanks to triple distillation but complex due to the different casks (Virgin, Seasoned & Sherry) used in maturation.
We loved 12 Year and this is a welcome step in the right direction. It's sweeter with more heat but retains all of the characteristics that we have come to love in a good Tullamore.
Its a pretty good Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey from Midleton but saying that it is fairly expensive for what you get is probably an understatement.
We’re split. Some said it’s better than the Caskmates Stout Edition and some said that we are crazy but one things for sure, the blend with the flavors and the aromas are spot on.
Yes, it's clean, smooth, refined and has all of the great things you would expect from an aged selection out of Ireland maybe 5-10 years ago, but with all of the good competition recently attacking this price point it really seems hard to justify the purchase.
This whiskey is aptly named as it has all the aspects of a traditional Irish Whiskey but rougher around the edges. For the price its OK and would definitely make for a good mixer. Just because of the backstory this would be a good conversation starter if brought to the party.
This is the whiskey you bring to a party because the price doesn't leave you broke and it won't embarrass you in front of your friends.
Quite the hit of aromas in the forefront but like its younger brethren fades quickly, opening to a world of Irish delight (which is like Turkish delight but much more boozy) with sweet caramel happiness and more intense sherry notes.
10 individual custom wood finishing staves were hand selected by Troutdale Liquor in Troutdale, OR creating this kick in the pants….It isn’t for faint of heart at 109.8 proof and is definitely not in the price point for just anyone either. This is top-shelf hand-crafted Kentucky Bourbon and fits the bill.