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 - Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength Irish Whiskey
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.
Rating 4 Glasses
Distillery: Midleton Distillery
Years Aged: 12
Proof: 114.4
Local Price (USD): ~$99.00
Availability: Uncommon
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Dark amber syrup. Great on pancakes.
Nose: Even though high ABV not a heavy burn. Turkish delight. Candy, mild citrus, very sweet.
Taste: Vanilla and smooth as a babies bottom. Toasted oak and cherries
Finish: Decently long. Good oily lingering and caramel corn.
Conclusion: 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.
Review - Slane Irish Whiskey
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.
Rating 4 Glasses
- Distillery: Sourced
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 80
- Local Price (USD): $34.95
- Availability: Widespread
- Local Price (USD): $34.95
Background
In 2015 Brown-Forman purchased all shares of Slane Castle Irish Whiskey Limited. Brown-Forman also owns a multitude of other brands such as Jack Daniels, Woodford Reserve & Old Forester to name just a few.
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Bright brass. Fat and chunky slow legs.
- Nose: Tangerine, alcohol, medicinal & toasted oak
- Taste: Sherry, alcohol & caramel
- Finish: Long and good. Sherry comes through at the end and creamy. Slight bit of oakiness.
- Conclusion: 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 were surprised to experience a good spicy burn even though the ABV is no higher than most other standard Irish whiskeys. We are of the opinion that Slane could potentially best Jameson or Jameson Black in a head to head competition. For the complexity and the depth of flavor the value is off the charts for us and it just goes down easy. Slane will most definitely be a staple in our liquor cabinets.
Review - Tullamore DEW Limited Edition Phoenix Irish Whiskey
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.
Rating 4 Glasses
- Distillery: Tullamore Distillery
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 110
- Local Price (USD): $54.95
- Availability: Uncommon
- Local Price (USD): $54.95
Background
- You really can't make this stuff up. Here's an excerpt from their website -
- "In 1785, Tullamore witnessed a devastating hot-air balloon accident. The resulting blaze nearly destroyed the town but immeasurably strengthened her people. Since that day, they placed a phoenix in the town’s coat of arms. Driven by their positive spirit, the town’s renaissance in the ensuing decades saw the establishment of the Tullamore distillery in 1829."
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Pale yellow with crossing legs.
- Nose: Astringent, sherry & vanilla.
- Taste: Healthy amount of alcohol gives a good burn with a little bit of spiciness & caramel.
- Finish: Decently long lasting heat with a sweet sherry rounding the finish line.
- Conclusion: 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. We feel that Phoenix could stand toe to toe with a number of great Scotch Whiskys in this price point and is a definite standout in the Irish realm. Love the higher ABV as we are all fans of high/overproof bottlings and would definitely buy it again if we had the chance.