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.
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.
Review - Stillhouse Original Whiskey
This is not a sipping whiskey but rather a mixing whiskey. Their website clearly states that it is to be served completely chilled (the reason for the stainless steel container)…
Rating 2 Glasses
Distillery: Stillhouse Spirits Co. USA
Years Aged: N/A
Proof: 80
Local Price (USD): $22.95
Availability: Widespread
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Clear thick water
Nose: Buttered Popcorn Jelly Belly®, with just a hint of Fritos®
Taste: Smooth but corny like it's told too many knock knock jokes
Finish: The alcohol hangs around for a while fading to creamed corn
Conclusion: We reviewed this whiskey as we would any other; room temperature and in a Glencairn to capture the flavors, aromas and character but may have not enjoyed the true experience intended by the distillery as it was basically a corn dog in a can. This is not a sipping whiskey but rather a mixing whiskey. Their website clearly states that this is to be served completely chilled (the reason for the stainless steel container) and as such we may have to re-visit this one at a later date to give it fair shake. Check out Stillhouse.com for their many drink recipes including but not limited to the Stillhouse Mule, That's My Jam & Cigar Roller.
Review - High West Double Rye! Whiskey
Absolutely a great RYE and definitely a great value for such a well crafted whiskey. Pairs well with a cup-o-joe.
Rating 4 Glasses
- Distillery: High West Distillery
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 92
- Local Price (USD): $34.95
- Availability: Widespread
- Local Price (USD): $34.95
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Brass doorknob straight out of the 80's with medium to thick legs.
- Nose: Spicy rye, allspice, grassy, vanilla. Jeff described it as a smoldering campfire.
- Taste: Cinnamon, fennel, caramel corn with a little bit of oak.
- Finish: Medium length with lemongrass and the all to familiar rye spice.
- Conclusion: Batch No. 17027. Absolutely a great RYE and definitely a great value for such a well crafted whiskey. Pairs well with a cup-o-joe.
Review - Basil Hayden's Dark Rye 2017
The more you drink the more you get used to it but its not exactly what we would call enjoyable. The port addition doesn't do it any favors either.
Rating 2 Glasses
- Distillery: Kentucky Springs Distilling Co. (Owned by Beam Suntory)
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 80
- Local Price (USD): $49.95
- Availability: Widespread
- Local Price (USD): $49.95
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Fresh out of the tap rich maple syrup, thin & quick like Mo Farah.
- Nose: Cherry flavored Play-Doh and no, not the philosopher, but if so very likely had incredibly offensive BO.
- Taste: The aftertaste is worse so just swallow.
- Finish: Very organic and kind of musty. It doesn't hit you right away but when it does, all you want is for it to be over.
- Conclusion: We all had high hopes for this bottle as the port addition was intriguing but this unfortunately has a slightly offensive / funky profile from bow to stern. The more you drink the more you get used to it but its not exactly what we would call enjoyable. The port addition doesn't do it any favors either. It's a completely odd duckling and we give them credit for trying this blend (Kentucky Rye, Canadian Rye from Alberta Distillery & California Port). Unfortunately it just doesn't translate for us in the finished product.