Review - Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition 2014
As peculiar as this release is, its unique characteristics & oddities make it an enjoyable dram.
Rating 3.5 Glasses
- Distillery: Four Roses Distillery LLC
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 111.8
- Price (USD): $85.00
- Availability: Uncommon
Tasting Notes
- Color: Dark Caramel
- Nose: Spice, cherry & strong hit of alcohol
- Taste: Cherry cough medicine
- Finish: Long, warm & sumptuous
- Conclusion: 2014 Release. Master distiller Jim Rutledge retired in September of 2015. Read more here about his departure.
- This one will definitely put some hair on your chest. Could be sipped on indefinitely but would benefit from a couple drops of water to bring out the flavors above the alcohol. Smells like a maraschino cherry stumbled into a bar and got drunk on everclear..... Josh then proceeds to make a comment regarding broken pitted fruits and such. As peculiar as this release is, its unique characteristics & oddities make it an enjoyable dram. We would buy it again. (If you can find it)
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 - Four Roses Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon 2014
This should be a staple in anyone's liquor cabinet.
Rating 4 Glasses
- Distillery: Four Roses Distillery LLC
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 100
- Price (USD): $49.95
- Availability: Widespread
- Price (USD): $49.95
Tasting Notes
- Color: Dark Amber
- Nose: Floral, vanilla, maple & spice
- Taste: Classic bourbon flavor. Sweet, caramel &maraschino cherries
- Finish: Tang, citrus & clove with a decent amount of heat
- Conclusion: 2014 Release. Master distiller Jim Rutledge retired in September of 2015. Compliments a Connecticut wrapper perfectly. Awesomeness in a bottle and definitely worth buying. Better yet buy two just in case you loose (or drink) one. This should be a staple in anyone's liquor cabinet.
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 - Shieldaig Speyside 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
...Jeff, for reasons unknown, wanted to try and freeze it into a popsicle... don't even try to comprehend that one.
Rating 4 Glasses
- Distillery: William Maxwell & Co. Ltd (Now known as Ian Macleod Distillers)
- Years Aged: 18
- Proof: 80
- Price (USD): $57.99
- Availability: Uncommon
Tasting Notes:
- Color & Consistency: Light Amber
- Nose: Floral, perfume, pipe tobacco
- Taste: Apple, pear, initial sweet hit, light smoke, smooth
- Finish: Lingering sweet candy
- Conclusion: Overall everyone enjoyed this dram and Jeff, for reasons unknown, wanted to try and freeze it into a popsicle... don't even try to comprehend that one. Great Speyside for the $.
This is a very subtle and subdued whisky with flavors that are pleasant. It is well blended but just wish there was a little more ponch to it… we really wanted Chris Hemsworth but got Tom Hiddleston.
Grooves is groovy but definitely a lighter Ardbeg release that is more approachable for the casual Islay fan. We would compare it to a blend between AN OA and Ardbeg 10 . It’s really good overall and better than Kelpie with less in your face brininess and a little bit o' peat & little bit o' smoke. Great committee release for 2018.
There are 20 different barrels used in this blend: 17 bourbon, 1 port pipe & 2 sherry casks. It's really a great product but the complexity and effort that goes into crafting this whisky doesn't exactly translate into the experience.
Tastes like a burning fishing vessel. Smooth with a taste of the sea and all of the peatiness we have come to know and love from Ardbeg.
Good for sipping or at dinner to pair with lighter fair such as fish, chicken or pasta. As far as a 12 year goes it's better than some and just right for the price.
Sherry finished Scotches are a dime a dozen but try to find an over-proof cask strength that is as balanced as A'bunadh?... good luck.
"The finish leaves your tongue writhing in agony and pleasure, all at the same time hating itself but wanting more."
Absolutely an amazing dram and even though the grass is always greener across the pond, definitely one of if not the finest Speysides we've had to date. Enough said... Delicious.
Just sniff, sip, repeat. Sweeter than most Islay Scotch but really a delicious combination...
Review - Glenfarclas 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky
It's generally a little fruity(due to the sherry casks) and light on the palate. Tastes young for a 12 year scotch. Good overall whisky as it has a well rounded flavor profile.
Patrick Leclezio over at wordsonwhisky.com has some good insight on the Highland vs Speyside discussion. Click here to read more.
Rating 3 Glasses
- Distillery: Glenfarclas Distillery
- Years Aged: 12
- Proof: 86
- Price (USD): $44.95
- Availability: Widespread
Tasting Notes:
- Color & Consistency: Light Caramel to Amber
- Nose: Old woman's house, musty with slight hints of petrified candy and stewed fruit
- Taste: Buttery with a fruity citrus and relatively smooth
- Finish: Cinnamon, allspice & leaves a somewhat oily finish as it lingers on the tongue
- Conclusion: It's generally a little fruity(due to the sherry casks) and light on the palate. Tastes young for a 12 year scotch. Good overall whisky as it has a well rounded flavor profile.
This is a very subtle and subdued whisky with flavors that are pleasant. It is well blended but just wish there was a little more ponch to it… we really wanted Chris Hemsworth but got Tom Hiddleston.
Grooves is groovy but definitely a lighter Ardbeg release that is more approachable for the casual Islay fan. We would compare it to a blend between AN OA and Ardbeg 10 . It’s really good overall and better than Kelpie with less in your face brininess and a little bit o' peat & little bit o' smoke. Great committee release for 2018.
There are 20 different barrels used in this blend: 17 bourbon, 1 port pipe & 2 sherry casks. It's really a great product but the complexity and effort that goes into crafting this whisky doesn't exactly translate into the experience.
Tastes like a burning fishing vessel. Smooth with a taste of the sea and all of the peatiness we have come to know and love from Ardbeg.
Good for sipping or at dinner to pair with lighter fair such as fish, chicken or pasta. As far as a 12 year goes it's better than some and just right for the price.
Sherry finished Scotches are a dime a dozen but try to find an over-proof cask strength that is as balanced as A'bunadh?... good luck.
"The finish leaves your tongue writhing in agony and pleasure, all at the same time hating itself but wanting more."
Absolutely an amazing dram and even though the grass is always greener across the pond, definitely one of if not the finest Speysides we've had to date. Enough said... Delicious.
Just sniff, sip, repeat. Sweeter than most Islay Scotch but really a delicious combination...
Review - Ardbeg Perpetuum 2015
"Drinking Perpetuum makes you only want Islay Scotch for the rest of your life" - Josh
Check out our new feature... Readings From The Bottle. A rather uncomfortable yet oddly luxurious way to experience our favorite drams. Enjoy!
Now on to the review.....
Somebody needs to get a room
Rating 4 Glasses
- Distillery: Ardbeg Distillery Limited
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 94.8
- Price (USD): $99.95
- Availability: Uncommon to Rare
Tasting Notes:
- Color & Consistency: Golden goodness
- Nose: Peaty as heck, coastal air & leather
- Taste: smooth, slightly medicinal & sweet
- Finish: Lasting smoke with a hint of brine and spice.
- Conclusion: As this is one of Josh's favorites he remarked that "Drinking Perpetuum makes you only want Islay Scotch for the rest of your life".
- Ultimately we came to the conclusion that while you won't find a bad Ardbeg (and this one is definitely not), this release may not be so exceptionally limited as to be worth the extra $50 over Ardbeg 10. We look forward to reviewing the next releases to see how they stack up.
Whoops!
This is a very subtle and subdued whisky with flavors that are pleasant. It is well blended but just wish there was a little more ponch to it… we really wanted Chris Hemsworth but got Tom Hiddleston.
Grooves is groovy but definitely a lighter Ardbeg release that is more approachable for the casual Islay fan. We would compare it to a blend between AN OA and Ardbeg 10 . It’s really good overall and better than Kelpie with less in your face brininess and a little bit o' peat & little bit o' smoke. Great committee release for 2018.
There are 20 different barrels used in this blend: 17 bourbon, 1 port pipe & 2 sherry casks. It's really a great product but the complexity and effort that goes into crafting this whisky doesn't exactly translate into the experience.
Tastes like a burning fishing vessel. Smooth with a taste of the sea and all of the peatiness we have come to know and love from Ardbeg.
Good for sipping or at dinner to pair with lighter fair such as fish, chicken or pasta. As far as a 12 year goes it's better than some and just right for the price.
Sherry finished Scotches are a dime a dozen but try to find an over-proof cask strength that is as balanced as A'bunadh?... good luck.
"The finish leaves your tongue writhing in agony and pleasure, all at the same time hating itself but wanting more."
Absolutely an amazing dram and even though the grass is always greener across the pond, definitely one of if not the finest Speysides we've had to date. Enough said... Delicious.
Just sniff, sip, repeat. Sweeter than most Islay Scotch but really a delicious combination...
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.