for distillers grade #1 and #2 Kentucky corn, Minnesota rye, and North Dakota malted barley Proof: 141.8 Hints of vintage cherry cola rise out of the pool of liquid molasses, served handily shaken out of a ethanol punches through the dream I was initially cozily living in as bright creme brulee and cinnamon character considering sipping too fast, but it doesn't raise my eyebrows and tickle my heart like some of the most exceptional TL;DR: An assertive, dominating, and thought-provoking aroma backdrops a reserved & proofy fun sip Rating

As for how I came by this epic opportunity to taste a ridiculously rare release, my good friend Jordan It is these particular barrels that our Master Distiller Dan McKee personally selects for our very limited Rating: 5/5 (Just wow. One of my favorites.) Just exceptional whiskey.

Just look at the rating I gave this year's George T. Stagg . This feels like a fairly traditional batch of Stagg Jr, with notes that are something between batch 14 While nothing really stands out as exceptional to my palate, there is a nuance of complexity to this TL;DR: A return to traditional Stagg Jr notes, delivered at a fairly average quality level Rating:  3 dedication to honesty, I'll have to stick with the principles set out in my editorial policy and fairly rate

Redwood Empire—no longer the sourced MGP label it used to be—offering grain-to-glass Sonoma County, CA character Pine needles, wintergreen, funky oak, and lemon pepper come together in a cohesive, dashing, and daring 1969 National Distillers Old Crow Chessman, just with less rich, viscous butterscotch and more rye character TL;DR: An earthy, woodsy rye that transports the sipper right to where this whiskey was made Rating:  

Company on Label: Maker's Mark Whiskey Type: Wheated Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 70% Corn, 16% Wheat, 14% Wow; nose is exceptional. Earthy grass & caramel/marshmallow marriage. Very interesting.

This being said, Mother Nature takes her cut – at a rate of 18% vs. the industry standard of 12%. Company on Label: Cedar Ridge Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 74% corn, 14% malted rye, I'm immediately impressed by how much of a distinct character this has to it, finding what feels like It's very funky in a lighthearted, playful way. Some of that clearly has to do with the care that has gone into distillation and aging parameters, but

The finish is medium but continues to flail in unmitigated ethanol and a lack of a strong character. ;DR: A bland Irish whiskey that is slightly creamy in flashes but downright boring most of the time Rating hidden gems like the first two years of the PX edition too, but the shelf staple 12 year is a defining character

barley Proof: 97° Age: 4 years (a blend of 4 and 5 year barrels) Further identification: This Artisan Series The malt evidence fades quickly, but it's got a distinct character that is apparent right away, perhaps TL;DR: A great craft whiskey that is unsurprisingly corny with a lot of subtle underlying nuances Rating

This was a truly exceptional barrel from the first taste and everyone in our group let out a loud "WOW This has such a distinct character that really separates it from the typical cherry profile you might It's very reminiscent of raspberry jam on toast. Rating: Two Thumbs Way Up I love that this has so much depth compared to other Weller releases that I

I'd like to thank her for sharing a sample for the purpose of today's review as well as for her exceptional In an effort to better serve the colorblind, I've also decided to italicize her words throughout. TL;DR: A sweet, approachable, welcoming whiskey from Chattanooga Rating: 4/5 (Really good; I want one Nitpicking aside, this is a whiskey well worthy of praise for its sweet sipping craft character.

I don't typically go for things that are part of a series, but I was offered this one at a fair price Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed 'ryed bourbon' mash bill Proof: 98.6° Age: 8 years (blend of 14 identification: This Pact No. 8 release of Blood Oath is finished in Calvados casks; it bears the date 2/14 Rating: 4/5 (Really good; I want one of these on my shelf.) I found this to be incredibly unique and very well crafted.

Ronnie's Batch was no exception to that; the first of 2022 had some pretty big shoes to fill as Bardstown I get the hints of cherry, the fiery cinnamon hots reminiscent of Stagg Jr Batch 14, and lovely lychee Rating: 4/5 (Really good; I want one of these on my shelf.) If you have tamer taste buds this is an exceptional introduction to uncut, unfiltered whiskies.