I'm back on the Willett train again tonight - quite fitting for the trendy #WillettWednesday movement on Instagram. I've previously tasted this one on the fresh crack but I'm here to revisit and offer some deeper thoughts than some front porch ramblings. Speaking of ramblings... I think I'll just get right into the whiskey now. Let's go! Company on Label: Willett Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 72% Corn, 13% Rye, 15% Malted Barley Proof: 119.2° Age: 8 years Further identification: This is a Dion's single barrel #8147 that I purchased in August of 2022; one of the store managers told me that this is an OG mash bill; this barrel yielded 208 bottles and I am drinking from my lucky number bottle #9 Nose: Funky, heavy caramel greets my nose first and foremost. Bright oak, paper and vanilla mingle gently on a deeper inhale. It noses light like the proof point might suggest. Mmm, a deeper dive of the nose produces candied cherry, plum and creamy, viscous grape clafoutis. Wow, a big shockwave of oak just emanated from the glass. Now I get much more dusty tones, ground black pepper, green pepper, saffron and cardamom. There are hints of chocolate throughout and always the sumptuous fruit we started with as the glass opened to an inquisitive nose. Time to go in for a sip! Returning my nose to the glass I begin to find graham cracker and quite the big wave of impassable dusty vanilla. I continue to beat my nose against this wall of dusty, bright characteristics but it keeps turning me nose-blind at every attempt. Thanksgiving cooking herbs begin to settle in alongside the black pepper notes later in the glass. Think parsley, thyme, rosemary and sage in an intricate introductory wave as if you've just stepped in the door to a home that is cooking, making you keenly aware of the presence of good food. Wow, this funky fun just keeps on producing; now I'm onto a creamy gingerbread with a butterscotch sauce. It's buttery and delectable now. I wasn't quite hooked until now... but now I certainly am. A deep inhale as the glass nears empty shows off more of the funky barrel influence that comes out of nowhere other than Bardstown, Kentucky. It's the oak, but it's also a unique blend of citrus and clove. The empty glass smells of open plains, milk chocolate, soft cornfields, and just a hint of pleasant rubber. Palate: Whew, where the nose started light, this starts with a bang! Cherry hots sizzle on the top of the tongue as a soft, juicy pear and grapefruit co-mingle in the background. Another sip builds in a touch of lemon peel, tingling bright vanilla and sweet kiwi frozen yogurt. Overall I get a similar herbal mouth feel to a sip of cooled tea. A good sip and swish produces a great cherry sweetness that is quickly laden with clove, molasses, raisin and a heavy red raspberry jam. This is truly a delight to sip on; the sweet fruit mingle perfectly as a well aged barrel should. I find a brief zing of lemon and ginger that darts across my tongue. It at times has the spice and heft of whiskeys beyond its age and proof. As I sip towards the bottom of the glass the cherry turns a touch darker now ditching the candied cherry facade for a rich, ripe black cherry. There is a slightly tannic linger up in the gums. It's as if you've had a bottle of red wine with dinner and you're just now aware that your teeth may be stained as you search nervously with your tongue. My last sip of the glass produces a big wave of plum, raisin, blackberries and caramel. The mouth feel is thicker now more than ever as the sips build upon each other. The linger is medium with a soft draw down from a slightly earthy caramel bar. Rating: 5/5 Though this one falls just short of a true 'wow' factor whiskey for me, I did completely enjoy every moment of this glass. While I wouldn't put this in my top 5: this definitely earns a 'Keep Amongst the Whiskey' rating from me, and I am very glad to have plenty more to share with guests, as well as a backup bottle that I am going to be sharing with Spirit Animal Society Patreons. I really tossed and turned between the 5 rating here, writing it and scribbling it out in digital form with the backspace key countless times. Because I couldn't quite place why it doesn't deserve a 5, I inevitably settled on that score here. This distillate, these flavors, and the pours that also have previously ranked at a 5 are all present. I was also willing to pour another 2 small sips after finishing my review to settle the score, so this is definitely an enjoyable whiskey through and through. Based on my experience I would anticipate that this whiskey will drink even better come Winter in New England. Cheers to a great pick Dion's & cheers to the great distillate and skill coming out of Willett Distillery.

Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (Low Rye < 10%

We are going to keep the Willett train rolling today! I had enough of a break for my palate to reset for this review. I mentioned in my previous OG mash bill review that high corn has not typically been my jam... I'll try my best to put that preconception away as I walk into this one so I can give it a fair shake. I will be tasting this out of a Willett taster glass (kenzie style). Anyway - this is another great pour courtesy of Matt - appreciate you sharing my friend. Let's review! Company on Label: Willett Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 79% Corn, 7% Rye, 14% Malted Barley Proof: 125° Age: 7 years Further identification: This is a Bob's Lake City Liquors single barrel #2015 that was sample swapped to me from @rarewhiskeynomad; Based on the Blake's Willett mash bill breakdown this is a high corn + high entry proof mash; this barrel yielded 213 bottles Nose: Upfront I find a lot of breadiness and a touch of caramel on the nose. Soft hints of cherry are there but barely perceptible. Longer inhales start to build floral spices in waves. It comes off very bright without any of the nose-sting that usually comes with spices. I get an old warship metal aroma that reminds me of Battleship Cove (a maritime museum and war memorial in MA). Light white chocolate and oak bark aromas are nice here but I get the feeling like there almost isn't even any alcohol in this glass with how light the nose is. The most consistent aroma I find is a dark rye bread. Time for a sip - I'm hoping for some more intensity here! The nose feels relatively unchanged from the first sip aside from perhaps a little bit of the orange sweetness now being apparent atop the bready base. I certainly like the nose, I just wish it had a volume knob I could turn up past the manufacturers recommended settings. The empty glass smells of vanilla frosting. Palate: My first sip shows off a nice burst of flavor with sweet orange peel backdropped by a minty caramel concoction. Another sip shows off Angostura bitters, grape skins and tart, tannic raisins. The mouth feel is thick and sticky with a long linger of that dark red berry characteristic with a nutty undertone. I am surprised with how fruit forward the palate is with how muted the early nose felt. Small flashes of peanut butter can be drummed up from the depths of this glass. Cherry hots and peach preserves sitting atop Thanksgiving herbs and spices give this a really unique profile that I am really digging. Sage, rosemary and black pepper are the few that come to mind from that experience. Yum. I get a lot of old fashioned cocktail vibes from this on the palate now. I love a neat pour that can do that. The linger is long yet nondescript, but overall incredibly satisfying. The fruitiness continues to stick around as the syrupy cherry sweetness fades into an array of almonds, dates and pie crust. My last sip is just the right amount of sweet balanced by very light oak and a black pepper laden molasses. When I think about where this barrel takes me I envision it is one that was stored peacefully on a low floor of one of the Willett rick houses. Rating: 4/5 This was so much less funky than the other high corn bourbon I have and it was such a welcome change! I am willing to look past a very lackluster nosing experience because of how good the palate was. I was skeptical on my first sip when the minty note came out, but I am glad to have tried this one for sure, but also I'm not kicking myself for not having the rest of a bottle to enjoy personally. Remember to share the good stuff when you can! Cheers. Oh also... I found a really interesting read about the smell of warships if you'd care to hear a much better story than my visit to a maritime museum.

Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (Low Rye < 10% know the going rate (rumor) is that these are ~8 years, but this one noses up there maybe closer to 10

for a long time again, knowing I may never get another of these cask strength versions with the new 108.3 I will definitely be reviewing the 108.3 proof Reserve release soon as well, but for now it's time to

Spot was originally produced exclusively for the Mitchell family who, commenced trading in 1805 on 10 Mitchell & Son (Distilled at Midleton Distillery) Whiskey Type: Irish Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 100% a single pot still Irish whiskey) Proof: 80° Age: NAS (though it's listed as a combination of 7 and 10

Kings County seems to be picking up steam in the whiskey world, making a big splash in the barrel proof whiskey fan circles. Their dark-as-night and proofed-to-the-moon small barrel single barrel releases are garnering some awesome feedback from discerning palates. All these bottles have been in my possession for some time, and I purchased them all fair and square, so I feel like I'm in a good position to finally draw some of my own conclusions and share my thoughts of this awesome craft distillery with you today. Whiskey enthusiasts have long been enamored with capturing the magic of a 'single barrel' and experiencing some level of ownership of that magic for themselves. This happens frequently today in the way of whiskey groups picking for an avid fanbase, or for liquor stores purveying a fine selection for their customers. At the heart of it, it's an opportunity to connect with people on a deeper, more personal level than mass releases can achieve. Single barrel reviews however, are a bit of a double edged sword... What I find in these barrels today could be completely different than any of the other single barrels in existence, so take this snapshot with a grain of salt, or regard it in a way that attempts to distill the essence of the experience as there will be parallels to other whiskeys of the same mash bill & cooperage. For the uninitiated, Kings County Distillery operates out of Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York & has been creating exclusively whiskeys in the Paymaster Building since 2012. They only ever sell whiskey they distilled themselves and won't source from anyone to achieve their final product. Some more info from the Kings County website: Kings County blends distilling practices from a variety of cultures into creative whiskeys that remain traditional while defying convention, using Scottish copper pot stills, open fermentation, and local grains to make American whiskeys that expand the category. One of the preeminent craft distilleries in the United States, the American Distilling Institute named Kings County Distillery of the Year in 2016. So let's dive right into 3 glasses of nearly hazmat whiskey - what could go wrong? Sunday Funday am I right? Let this serve as a reminder for you to drink more water, as I will be doing in between sips of these impossibly dark whiskeys. Social Wine Pick - Kings County Single Barrel Barrel Strength Bourbon Company on Label: Kings County Distillery Whiskey Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 80% NY Corn, 20% UK Malt Proof: 138.2° Age: 6 years Further identification: This single barrel comes from barrel 3206 and was picked in 2022; these sold very quickly! Plaza Package Pick - Kings County Single Barrel Barrel Strength Bourbon Company on Label: Kings County Distillery Whiskey Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 80% NY Corn, 20% UK Malt Proof: 134.2° Age: 7 years Further identification: This single barrel comes from barrel 1655 and was picked in 2022; it looks to still be available here Liquor Junction Pick - Kings County Single Barrel Barrel Strength Bourbon Company on Label: Kings County Distillery Whiskey Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 80% NY Corn, 20% UK Malt Proof: 132° Age: 5 years Further identification: This single barrel comes from barrel 2392 and was picked a few years ago (2019 or 2020 I believe, before the back labels changed slightly); it shows batch #61 on the back; Liquor Junction carries many other Kings County products still today Social Wines Single Barrel Review Nose: Delicate candied malt and chocolate greet me upfront. Funky molasses, dark walnut bread and latex fill my nostrils with an effective potency indicative of the proof. These aromas all pass quickly as the glass evolves. Digging through I find gingerbread cookies and confectioners sugar. There's a soft, warm and brooding plum aroma like a mulled wine plum cobbler fresh out of the oven. I find the most sweetness on this glass of any of the 3. Returning from a sip I find pear, apple and cinnamon. There's a creamy, tannic characteristic like a mulled wine. Herbal tones swing in as the musty barrel influence makes itself known. It's bright and tingly in the nose. Overall its perfectly balanced between funky and sweet. This is possibly the best example of an approachable, sweet and complex bourbon from Kings County that I've ever tried. The only detracting point to this nose is that recurring latex / plastic note that keeps coming up; I'm really not a fan of it, but since it is only apparent from time to time I can still enjoy a majority of this glass. Mmm. The confectioners sugar and marshmallow are just on another level late in the glass if you can spend the time with it. Aromas from the empty glass include heavy smoke, sweet maple syrup and corn husks. Palate: Mmm. My first sip is delectable here. It sits creamy on the tongue before creating an aspen explosion after sending the sip down the chest. Chocolate covered cherries sit in the linger. The mouth feel is creamier than the other two, spreading and sticking to every portion of my mouth, reminding me of a good Weller Full Proof pick in that regard. Another sip produces more of that aspen note as milk chocolate and cinnamon splash against my tongue in harmonious zigzags. As the glass gets lower I find lemon peel has slowly crept in. Overall this starts creamy, crescendos fast in a hefty rise of cinnamon tinged mulled wine and caramel and then finishes soft and easy in a beautiful bell curve. Tasting the last sip produces loads of dark plum, raisin, fig and a trove of spice that really attacks the senses & rumbles the stomach. It's a hefty beast that may not be containable in a neat glass - I might consider making a phenomenal cocktail out of this. Plaza Package Single Barrel Review Nose: Creamy sweet tart aromas show up here. There's an intense prevalence of oak out of the oldest pick of the bunch. Dark soil meets clay in defiance of the sweet start. Soft and silky in the nose, I am not aware of the proof here. Faint expressed lemon peel and herbal tea are interesting additions. Light aromas of crayons make this glass feel rather simple on the nose. Revisiting the nose after taking a sip shows off a new creamy butterscotch aroma I really enjoy. Further arts and crafts aromas create a confusing array. Vanilla begins to establish prominence. Traditional whiskey drinkers will find this approachable as I find a lot of corn-based aromas of caramel and marshmallow. The late nose is a funky rollercoaster as sweet vanilla meets tarragon and fennel. The empty glass smells of dark chocolate covered raisins, soft brandy and beach sand. Palate: My first sip on this glass is balanced at first glance. The mouthfeel is thick and pervasive and it spreads to every corner it can find before settling out softly after a short while. I find brown sugar, buttery, candied walnuts and vanilla syrup. Overall this drinks surprisingly easy. Graham cracker meets nutty toffee & malt in a laid back, friendly hang out. Woah, after a long rest the mouth feel has turned quite drying with allspice, black pepper and an interesting blandness akin to balsa wood. Overall this doesn't have much complexity and the linger is unfortunately on the short end. My last sip is filled with cherry skins, soft florals, nutmeg and turmeric. Liquor Junction Single Barrel Review Nose: This one is definitely the lightest in intensity of the three, possible due to a good bit of oxidation at this point. I find the latex note I was finding on the Social Wines pick too. Smoky, heavy charcoal fills the glass. I can envision that the almost antiseptic quality here might be divisive to more traditional whiskey drinkers. Post-sip I find the nose to have caramelized well. Hints of anise sneak into the glass. Deep inhales are approachable and the smokiness returns well. Anise, leather and savory nutty tones balance well. I am reminded of the Worcestershire sauce base marinade that I use for homemade venison jerky. Mmm. Brown sugar adds to the delicious marinade experience. Overall this glass feels like a fine evening spent out in the woods by a camp fire. The empty glass smells of hot chocolate powder, molasses and orange peel zest. Palate: Sipping on this whiskey shows off an intense, malty effervescence as cherry cola tingles through the chest. It produces a heft I'd only personally recommend to the most seasoned whiskey drinkers ready for a high proof, full volume concert. The mouth feel is thick like molasses and produces flavors of lightly steeped tea in an oak mug. In the wise words of my good friend Eric Gilbert "it tastes like... burning!". Another sip is much easier to palate and I find dark chocolate, cherry skins, plum pie, and raspberry jam. Wow. That was an onslaught of flavor! As the glass gets lower licorice builds well. Cinnamon becomes quite potent and makes me start shaking my head in wonder where all of this flavor came from. My last sip is pleasant, though a little too heavy on the licorice for my personal preference. It lingers long with allspice, cardamom and black tea. Final Ranking: Tie 1. Liquor Junction Tie 1. Social Wines 2. Plaza Package The first place tie was tough. I both liked and disliked each for different reasons. Ultimately I had to settle them and did a blind tasting and still couldn't pick a winner. Overall I'd say I'm not overly crazy for any of these whiskeys. They are all certainly unique, but I don't think any of these are necessarily exceptional whiskey I need to have on my shelf. I really like the idea of trying some of these in cocktails, but my time of spending my own dollars on these single barrels are unfortunately going to be coming to an end unless something changes in these bottles, or another release comes along to change my mind. I still think they solidly fit my 3 score which means I could go either way on them. I'll still certainly enjoy and share the rest of these! Hope this was helpful - it's been a while since I've done a head to head. Cheers!

The Jack Daniel's 10 Year release reviewed well with me... There's a silkiness that has crept into the molasses and made it lighter, softer and more easily enjoyed

Further identification: This 2023 release is a blend of 18, 17, 9 & 4 year old Kentucky straight bourbon, 10

: Louisville Spirits Group Whiskey Type: Finished Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10%

Whiskey Type: Finished Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 84% Corn, 8% Rye, and 8% Malted Barley Proof: 100 ° Age: 10 years (plus 18 months of finishing!)

Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (Low Rye < 10%