American Matt American Matt

Review - Old Weller Antique 107

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.

 
 

Rating 3.5 Glasses

WSRating

Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Years Aged: NAS (Multiple sources put it around 7 years)
Proof: 107
Local Price (USD): $26.95
Availability: Uncommon

Tasting Notes

Color & Consistency: Canadian Maple specifically from Northern Quebec with thin and quick legs.
Nose: Spice, Rubbing Alcohol, Berries, Vanilla & Oak. "Smells like burning" Moved Jeff to shed a tear.
Taste: Taste is good, picante, good burn but not too hot. Hits ya quick and then smooths out to sweet.
Finish: Lingering spice, vanilla and wheaty sweetnes.
Conclusion: 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. Definitely would go great in an old fashioned or serve with ginger ale and slice of lime. Side note: Pacifico is a bad chaser.

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Japanese Matt Japanese Matt

Review - IWAI Tradition Japanese Whisky

Mash bill consists of 75% malt & 25% corn which is a flip from the standard release and a blending of sherry, bourbon & wine casks probably wasn’t the best move. Definitely not worth the $60 as it doesn’t hold up to many other Japanese whiskys on the shelf hanging out in the same price range. Unless you are a Japanese whisky enthusiast we would steer you clear for sure.

 
 

Rating 2 Glasses

WSRating

Distillery: Mars Shinshu Distillery
Years Aged: NAS
Proof: 80
Local Price (USD): $59.99
Availability: Widespread

Tasting Notes

Color & Consistency: A copper penny that went through wash a few too many times. Slow and thin legs.
Nose: Musky and oakey nose, odd sweetness, hint of citrus.
Taste: Oak, tannins, sherry & moldy mushrooms.
Finish: Fades pretty quickly but the tannins stick to your tounge causing a funkiness that hangs on and just won’t let go.
Conclusion: Mash bill consists of 75% malt & 25% corn which is a flip from the standard release and a blending of sherry, bourbon & wine casks probably wasn’t the best move. Definitely not worth the $60 as it doesn’t hold up to many other Japanese whiskys on the shelf hanging out in the same price range. Unless you are a Japanese whisky enthusiast we would steer you clear for sure. Interesting that it is the highest elevation distillery in Japan in the mountain ranges of Nagano. For the many reasons stated previously we would most likely not buy it again and could only give it a two on the glass rating.

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Scotch Matt Scotch Matt

Review - Ardbeg Grooves Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

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.

 
 

Rating 4 Glasses

WSRating

  • Distillery: Ardbeg Distillery
    • Years Aged: NAS
    • Proof: 92
      • Local Price (USD): $99.99
        • Availability: Rare

 

Tasting Notes

  • Color & Consistency: Rich lusciously dark caramel and although the color may portray a beautifully aged specimen they haven't fooled us a bit. Slower thin legs.
  • Nose: Rich pipe tobacco, like smoking a pipe during a cool misty morning sitting on a bench overlooking the sea with the subtle sound of bagpipes playing in the distance.
  • Taste: Tastes like an an Ardbeg should and that's not a bad thing. Smoke, lighter on the peat than other Ardbegs, definitely meaty and not as briny but she's still sea worthy. Slight caramel & toffee notes.
  • Finish: Shorter than its brothers. Mild oiliness with smoke and a little bit of peatiness.
  • Conclusion: 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. Jeff said that he would buy anything Ardbeg after enjoying this dram. Even thought we ranked it highly it feels slightly overpriced leaving us to knock it a little bit on glass rating.
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American Matt American Matt

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

WSRating

 

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®.
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American Matt American Matt

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

WSRating

 

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.
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