Let's spend Sunday with the Reverend, shall we? While I'm recently coming off one of the more modern releases of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, I thought it would be a great idea to throw it back to one of the batches that first got me hooked on the brand. Each of the 2020 batches were quite special in their own way and I remember blinding them six ways from Sunday throughout that interesting year. While I often talked about it with friends and other enthusiasts - I wasn't writing down my thoughts for you, oh well-versed ATW reader just yet. In an effort to retroactively correct that, I will be exploring some of the older batches that I still have bottles of (which is most of them from Elijah Craig). I'm expecting you know the brand well if you're looking into one of the labels with a little layer of dust on it, so let's dive right into the review. Company on Label: Elijah Craig (Heaven Hill) Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 132.8° Age: 12 years Further identification: Batch C920 was the 3rd and final release of the 2020 calendar year Nose: Caramel and molasses burst out of the glass upon raising it to my nose. Aromas of butterscotch, vanilla pudding and classic cream puffs come off in delectable waves. Prevalent but fresh oak permeates this glass, eliciting the feeling of camping in a damp, thriving forest. Confectioners sugar and crème brûlée make my eyes roll back in bliss. Everything comes together beautifully in a cohesive story here. The glass tells the tale of the first introduction of char to oak; creamy vanilla tones can be found in every corner. Before things can reach the precipice of sweet, sugary marshmallow - I find myself impatient to see how this tastes, given how delicious everything on the nose has been thus far. Let's have a taste. Returning to the nose I find signs of extended aging such as leather and vanilla pipe tobacco. Raspberry tart and sugared plum dance in the senses. It's unbelievable to me that this is 132.8 proof, as there is little evidence of that to the senses. As soft and approachable as a beignet - this embodies how exceptionally well certain barrel proof whiskeys can come across even more approachable than some of their lower proof counterparts. The empty glass smells of potent leather, Hilliards caramel filled chocolate bars, and the funny pages of the Sunday morning newspaper. Palate: Up front this glass delivers just the right heft, thoroughly flexing each of its proof points to deliver an exquisitely layered experience. As the liquid slides like silk past the taste buds, I find a treasure trove of milk chocolate, vanilla ice cream, white linen and wedding cake. The mouth feel is oily and creamy similar to the remnant coating a large sip of a well-brewed cappuccino will leave. Subsequent sips continue to be quite potent in volume without being damaging or harsh. Strawberry mixes in well to the sweet bakery flavors. I find almond and vanilla bean scone to be the dominant and delicious profile. Every sip is hefty yet balanced and never sloughs off. Plum pudding and walnut pie meet in a welcome reunion of family long missed. Nondescript comfort foods of the Thanksgiving dinner table & dessert line can be found throughout this layered, complex pour. Nilla wafers, black pepper, tiramisu and an infinite simmering effervescence of crushed almonds put this into a category of its own, completely impossible to reproduce. Hints of cherry lean towards an amaretto profile late in the glass. My last sip is like a perfect bite sized dessert treat. Yum. The finish is long and nuanced with coffee bean, plum and buttered croissant. Rating: 4/5 (Really good; I want one of these on my shelf.) While my mind's nostalgia may have been pushing me towards giving this one a 5, ultimately it pales in comparison to the greatness of C922. If you put both glasses side by side with each other it is plain to see the contrast. From some of the aforementioned blinds, I remember A120 was my favorite batch of the 2020 releases, and I forecasted B520 to be the approachable fan-favorite. I'd like to get to those some time to soon to see how that feeling has held up. For now I leave you with this! Hope this review helped. Cheers!

Somehow I've fallen off the Elijah Craig barrel proof train - I think it was when every store in the state of Massachusetts started getting single barrel picks. The excitement was there for about a month when the first few trickled in, but then they were absolutely everywhere. There was magic in the 3 release per year strategy, and honestly the blends are typically significantly better than the single barrels. There will always been exception, but the Elijah Craig barrel proof I fell in love with were the 2020 batches. Now notwithstanding all the high bars hanging around, I feel obligated to give the latest batch a fair shake today. I haven't found the time (nor made it a priority) to get ahead of these batches, but at least take the most relevant batch to a shelf near you for a spin today. Just looking at the glass is getting me a little amped up; I don't normally discuss color, but this pour has a really unique red tinge in the edges of the dark amber liquid. Let's get into it! Company on Label: Elijah Craig (Heaven Hill) Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 124.8° Age: 12 years Further identification: Batch C922 is the third and final release of the 2022 calendar year Nose: On first lifting the glass sweet bread pudding, confectioners sugar, and the rest of a proper patisserie rise to meet the nose deftly. Vanilla married in molasses coats the tight-grained oak cutting board in front of me. Visions come to mind of honey drizzles over a charcuterie board of sharp cheeses (not present in the aromas, just a mental proximity). There's just a hint of something savory lingering in the background. Soft black pepper gently contrasts a silky graham cracker cream pie. A swirl of the glass turns everything bright; white pepper vanilla bean, and funky Spring florals jump out at me. I keep running into a fairly solid wall of well-aged oak, so I'll have a sip to see if we can't find some more at play here. Returning to the nose I find the barrel influence has been cranked up to 11 and it's old, leathery & delicious in the nose. Aromas of dates and figs battle at times where sweet meets savory. It's both a delicate & robust balance of flavor and finesse. The empty glass smells of honeysuckle, orange marmalade, and pure, silky vanilla perfume. Mmm. Palate: My first sip is delectable. Buttercream frosting, eggnog and vanilla ice cream dance on the tongue before a burst of creamy cherry hots slides down the chest. I've got to admit - it's love at first sip here. There is a thick mouth coating of dark chocolate mixed with caramel and peanut M&M's that is prevalent everywhere that the liquid passed by. Another sip is heftier but still balanced and approachable. I find milk duds, maraschino cherry ice cream, caramel milk shake and buttery crescent rolls. I'm loving all the dessert flavors that are being stirred up here. A larger sip and swish does elicit some of the latent spice, but it's still all baked-in, not a dominant characteristic. Overall this is a creamy, dreamy, delicious pour. My last sip is a treat again after a sip of water. The buttery bakery tones return incredibly strong & leave me with an impossibly long linger of a Danish pastry with just a touch of raspberry. Rating: 5/5 (Just wow. One of my favorites.) Well, the blending team at Heaven Hill have really outdone themselves again. This is very reminiscent of the quality of the 2020 batches I know and love. I'd take this over countless other much rarer, allocated releases. I think this one has rekindled my love for this brand. Elijah baby, we're back. Cheers!

Another triannual edition of the long acclaimed Elijah Craig Barrel Proof lineup is here! The Heaven Hill Distillery team certainly had their work cut out for them after putting on a true blending clinic that was on full display with the previous release. So unfortunately for A123... The C922 release is going to be quite the hard act to follow. I've long enjoyed just about everything that has come under the Elijah Craig label. Often called 'The Father of Bourbon' - this brand harkens back to the 250 year old legacy of the innovative Baptist Preacher who changed the face of bourbon with the addition of charring of the oak barrels before beginning the aging process. If you are interested in further understanding the history of the brand, I'd recommend you check out the Elijah Craig website. As for my experience with the brand, I've thoroughly enjoyed the 94 proof shelf offering, the lower proof single barrel store picks, the 18 year old editions, and have even picked my own single barrel of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. I personally have found that the batched product tend to be much more consistently good than many of the single barrels I have explored, but your mileage may vary there (and there are absolutely no hard truths in whiskey). Perhaps I enjoy a couple extra years of aging that the single barrels don't get, or perhaps the blending skill of the team at Heaven Hill is really exceptional. Either way, I know when I reach for a bottle of this batched product, I'm in for a good time. Now let's not delay any longer before getting to the good part: the whiskey! Will A123 ride the coattails of the previous release, or earn a new spot amongst the highest echelons of whiskeys reviewed on this site? Let's dive in. Company on Label: Elijah Craig (Heaven Hill) Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 125.6° Age: 12 years Further identification: Batch A123 is the first of three releases for 2023 Nose: Soft pottery clay, dry vanilla bean and hints of leather begin a mysteriously light array of aromas. Peanut brittle, confectioners sugar and sugar cookie sits delicately in the airy nose-feel. Deep inhales produce slightly oily tones with level oak and well-aged leather. Black pepper and anise begin to wake from a deep slumber as the glass is agitated slightly. Cacao sits lazily in the multitude of cracks of a richly aged slab of oak. Buttercream frosted cupcake aromas provide a nice sweet complexity before I find myself entrapped in a cacophony of barrel influence. Time for a sip. Coming back after a few sips doesn't show off much evolution in the glass, but it does bring me back to my favorite aroma from before, which was the buttercream frosted cupcake. A swirl of the glass unleashes orange peel zest and plenty of stinging black pepper. The faint aroma of warm cinnamon toast can be found near the bottom of the glass. On the empty glass I smell cinnamon, red licorice and milk chocolate. Palate: Excellent new additions to the nose include flavors of fig and red berry jam upon first sipping this glass. Cherry skins and dark grape juice come across slightly tannic. The mouth feel is rather thin and ladened with bountiful oak. The linger is quite long despite the texture with a lot of the peanut brittle from the nose coming through well. Another sip does well to layer in some new surprises such as raspberry and Christmas fruit cake. This brings a multitude of messy layers of apricot, orange peel, nutmeg, cardamom, clove and brown sugar to the linger. As the glass gets lower, things get even messier. Menthol has now crept into the stonefruit in a way that doesn't quite jive. As the glass wanes, the complexity shrinks with the remaining volume of liquid. My last sip is solidly fruit forward with cherry, plum and raspberry predominantly coming through. The finish carries a soft and sweet mix of floral and fruit flavors. Rating: 3/5 (Decent. I can go either way on it.) Well, it doesn't seem like this batch could live up to the legendary batches of old in my memory - such as all 3 of the batches that released in 2020 and especially the fresh in the mind C922. While A123 doesn't push the boundaries of the brand, it certainly continues the legacy of consistency and quality. Ultimately I found this one to be a bit over-oaked on the palate personally, but I am sure there will be folks who enjoy this batch thoroughly. As an easily available sipper, it's just fine and I'm happy to have a bottle of it.

Elijah Craig 18! Ultra-aged Kentucky bourbon is no stranger to Heaven Hill. This is a fairly standard release for them at this point. Is there any difference since the label changed in flavor? This head to head aims to find out. Company on Label: Elijah Craig (Heaven Hill) Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 90° Age: 18 years Further identification: On the left of the picture is the "old label", on the right of the picture is the "new label"; the newer batch being bottled 9/14/2018 from Barrel 4502; the old label could not be identified further from the person who provided the sample Old label Flash Review: This is even dustier. Smells older. Spicier nose, herbal deep 'dank' waves of layers on the nose that just go on and on. Aggressive. Warm summer citrus. Thin with zero proof. Bright, floral. Nose is so much better than the palate here, but I fear this bottle may have suffered from a good bit of evaporation. I could have sat and smelled this one forever. New label Flash Review: Wow okay this is some musty, bright oak. Dark and creamy nose. Balanced. Both creamy & tannic citrus. Oily rising feel that carries funky herbs. Chocolate leather. Sweet late. Final Ranking: Old Label > New Label on grounds of impressive complexity and depth For some reason the palate on the "Old Label" felt very muted. The bottle had been stored pretty close to empty for probably a bit too long which may have led to excessive oxidation. The nose was evidence enough to me on this one though.

It's the first batch without the 'Jr' on the label! Much like Y2K, I'm sure this cataclysmic event will rock the quality of this biannual release from Buffalo Trace Distillery. Or will it? Well, that's why we taste these things... So you, oh wise consumer, can decide if this batch is worth chasing down. Perhaps the symbolism of it's 18th occurrence and the parallel that carries to 'coming of age' made sense, but honestly I like the Junior for clarity sake. I've always been a big Stagg Jr fan (yes I'll probably still call it this for a few more batches at least) since first trying batch 12. I've since loved some batches more than others; I'll link what I've done for reviews thus far below. Batch 14 - Summer 2020 Batch 15 - Winter 2020 Batch 16 - Summer 2021 Batch 17 - Winter 2021 And now batch 18 seems to contradict that biannual statement, it being 2023 and all with no word of a batch 19... So we'll call it the Summer 2022 release, when the first reviews started popping up on the West coast. I do intend to compare some of these batches soon, so make sure to enter your email at the bottom of this page so you can see when that happens! Now let's jump into the whiskey part. Company on Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (Low Rye < 10%) Proof: 131° Age: NAS (~8 years) Further identification: Batch 18 was first released in Summer 2022, though its distribution is kind of crazy since it still has not arrived in Massachusetts at the time of writing Nose: Buttercream frosting, Irish cream and troves of vanilla form a cohesive, obviously creamy base as I first lift the glass to my nose. Digging further I find brown sugar, cinnamon walnut coffee cake, and plenty of barrel influence. Dusty oak, rich leather and a tingling smoky sensation in the nostrils lead me to believe this might be older than my estimate above. Distinct tobacco funk dances with effervescent heft. Caramel, nougat, and more bright vanilla coat my nostrils. I haven't found any evidence there is a high proof whiskey in this glass yet. Let's jump into a sip and see what's happening there. Returning from a sip I find much more candied fruit sweetness. It's got a thick viscosity in the nose now; when I inhale deeply I get a similar smell to having cherry chapstick on your lips. The glass continues to be rich, delectable and incredibly well crafted. This may be the Buffalo Trace team's finest work to date. The tobacco smokiness behind the cherry is a delectable reminder of enjoying a puff of Captain Black cherry pipe tobacco. Tingling plum, prune and juicy apricot give this just enough depth without becoming messy. Late in the glass all the savory, syrupy desserts culminate in a warm, brooding, sweet mélange. I find myself really savoring this glass - not wanting these aromas to be gone from my senses. The (unfortunately) empty glass smells of an interesting rose & cherry combination, honeysuckle, and caramel butter bars. Palate: On first sip I find a beautiful cherry slushy profile. I'm immediately transported to the middle of a childhood Summer with that delicious flavor sitting perfectly enjoyable in the middle of my tongue. It's bright, zesty and it bursts with huge flavor volume. Cherry always hits first here with cinnamon hots, caramel drizzles and chocolate nibbles swooping in behind. First sip impressions - I'm in love. It reminds me of everything I enjoyed about Batch 14 in particular. Another sip changes things a little bit with candied apple, dark bread, and molasses sneaking in now with a confectioners sugar sweet backbone that bolsters an already delicious medley of flavors. As I work down closer towards the bottom of the glass the consistency of the cherry flavor is maintained and I am here for it. There are some slight almond, cinnamon and rose layers that sit in the linger which is just long enough for me to be satisfied, but it leaves me salivating for another sip. Honey sweetness abounds in the finish. This is delicious. My last sip is powerful with vanilla, marshmallow and bright Earl Gray tea up front before the slow falling leaf of the linger reveals hints of cardamom, caramel monkey bread and a savory brown sugar slip into functional completeness. Rating: 5/5 (Just wow. One of my favorites.) This excels in its approachability - something I think the more senior release of George T. Stagg also does well. What an incredible follow up to batch 17 - this is the first batch to officially earn my top mark. I find a lot of parallels in this glass to batch 12, 14 and 17. This took things to another level for me personally. I wasn't as crazy on my first two glasses of this bottle, but today it is absolutely hitting this spot. Where 14 definitely came across boozy and with more strawberry, this batch is approachable & complete. Where 17 had a strange addition of mint, this one maintained a solid, layered profile that told a good story. I will leave the comparison to batch 12 for another day, since I haven't published my thoughts on that just yet. This may have just set a new bar for how good these batches can be.

I have to thank @egilbert09 for this pour as he graciously gifted me the rest of his bottle! I didn't have one open right now, but have been yearning for the day of getting back to this one (I have previously drank through one already). I am currently struggling to enjoy my way through a Batch 13. I have future intentions of lining up Batch 12-15, or maybe even 16 now, in a blind head to head to find my true favorite. I love seeing that everyone has a preference on these and there is no clear winner across the board. I know many people have been digging the sweeter strawberry cereal flavors off Batch 15, but 14 has always been solid for me. Company on Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (Low Rye < 10%) Proof: 130.2° Age: NAS (~8 years) Further identification: Batch 14 (Summer 2020) Nose: Sweet, syrupy vanilla can be smelled from quite a large distance from the glass. Some immediate newspaper heat and pepper spice punch the nostrils on first approach. Cinnamon candy smells lovely and tingles the lungs. Caramel and cherry mingle well as the underside of the punchier flavors. Allspice, leather and a slight anise give this great depth. It's punchy and powerful on the nose - exactly what I want out of a barrel proof offering. Sweet campfire ash is fairly strong now, followed by a thinner molasses drizzle. Some lemon zest rolls over that and evolves into a lemon meringue pie that is mostly comprised of flaky crust. Finally things are returning to the sweeter cherry profile that tells me this glass is ready for a sip. Much more of the leather is present now after a sip; a rich undertone that gives this pour some serious class. I can smell that syrupy consistency; it's like a tea loaded down with a bunch of honey. Just gets better and better with time in the glass. A slight grassy earth note is present late in the glass, but fleeting as it returns to its base oak aroma. Vanilla & molasses return at the last sip and are a sweet farewell that actually brings a bit of a smile to my face. Palate: As a first sip of the day, this is unbelievably approachable. It's not until several seconds after a sip that the wave of cinnamon hots gives the chest a little hug. The cherry flavor is perfectly laced with a touch of anise and the rich, old oak that got this bourbon to where it is. A thorough chew results in explosions of maple syrup, black pepper, allspice, leather, and a hint of dried tobacco leaf. Crazy layers to this now and the anise is coming on stronger than ever, but still subtle. Reminds me a bit of a particular Sazerac cocktail I had last night which is still fresh on my mind; this is definitely less anise than that Absinthe explosion. Explosive in so many ways, but shifting, changing and evolving with every sip. This is a pour that you could easily do with a rich food pairing and the flavors would continue to hold up. The mouth coating is intensely rich and almost slightly numbing. Try having a bite of something bland after this and you're going to have a tough time finding anything with this much flavor. Last sip highlights the syrupy cherry and cinnamon hots that I'd say are definitely the overarching experience of this pour. The last linger is long with a highlight reel of the rest of the glass. Rating: 5/5 (Just wow. One of my favorites.) This batch is a clear step up from (currently un-reviewed, sorry) Batch 13 for me. It maintains high intensity and complexity without being overly punishing. Solid pour - grab it if you still can!

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.

I'm warming up my palate for an epic blind tasting tonight including the following whiskeys: 8 year OG Mash WFE Bourbon 4 Year WFE Rye Noah's Mill Old Bardstown 101 proof All of these will be tasted blind by members of the Spirit Animal Society patreon! After a lackluster performance by barrel 5227 which also came out of NH, I was hesitant to dive into this one. These things have pretty steep price points today, so being informed on your single barrel selections is as important as ever. Let's dive right in and see how this barrel does. Company on Label: Willett Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 72% Corn, 13% Rye, 15% Malted Barley Proof: 131.8° Age: 8 years Further identification: This is New Hampshire Liquor and Wine Outlet single barrel from barrel 6735 - an OG mash bill per the WFE pocket app; this is bottle 57/143 Nose: Cinnamon and nutmeg upfront on first dipping my nose in the glass. Oak, tea leaves and coffee filters follow. A touch of lemon peel zest tingles the nostrils. Silky vanilla weaves its way through the glass. Soft mango, lychee and papaya sweetness dances to a lofi beat in a cooling wave. A swirl of the glass builds out rich black pepper, tarragon and graham cracker. An interesting medley so far - I think I will go for a sip. Returning I find the nose has settled into a delectable fruit parfait with whipped cream on top. Funky, moist woodshop oak can be found on deep inhales. Traditional Willett citrus from the rye portion of the mash bill rings true here, though very low in intensity. Linen hangs in the balance. I really like the nose here with the tropical fruits from earlier returning. There's a slight vinegar note when I inhale deeply with just the left nostril. My right nostril finds synthetic leather and coffee bean. Overall very approachable with patience being rewarded well here. The empty glass smells of caramelized sugar and a thin, wispy air that suggests someone is cooking nearby. Palate: I'm immediately shocked by how soft this drinks for 131.8 proof. The first sip linger is where most of the flavor rises up from in a big chest wave with cherry hots, graham cracker and thick molasses. Another sip and swish shows off juniper berries and plum. Cinnamon is a big proportion of the flavor here. This one is surprisingly drinking quite muted, and I've given it plenty of time to open up. My last sip is creamy, metallic and spicy all at once. I find a touch of sandalwood and clove in the linger. The finish is medium as all the flavors of Autumn spice fall down like a rockslide on a steep slope, crashing messily below. Rating: 3/5 This is very traditional Willett, but turned way down. I don't find anything that screams this is exceptional whiskey to my palate as I navigated the messy array of flavors, but I still love the consistency this distillery brings to their whiskey. I've never had a single distillery produce so many single barrels that taste incredibly alike before. This one in particular may be a 'crowd pleaser' in that it's incredibly approachable, but I find that to be a detraction in quality on a pour of this caliber. Let me know if you've tried this one. I will be revisiting this one myself for sure. Cheers!

Ahh, the elusive purple top. While I've owned and enjoyed many supposed incognito Willett bourbons, enjoyed Rowan's Creek and Noah's Mill thoroughly, this bottle has been impossible to put on my shelf... For good reason. They don't make a ton of this stuff. It's only the whiskey that is deemed worthy of bearing the Willett family crest. The motto listed below the crest reads 'God and my work'. I was excited enough to get to try this one that I didn't bother waiting for some kind of special occasion, so you are getting the notes from two of the first two pours I've experienced on this one. Company on Label: Willett Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 79% Corn, 7% Rye, 14% Malted Barley Proof: 134° Age: 8 years Further identification: This is the High Corn single barrel from the New Hampshire Liquor Outlet, barrel # 5227 which released in April 2022 Nose: Distinct flashy tannic oak upfront on my first nosing. Great maple syrup funk that shows off some deep barrel character. Sweet vanilla gives a viscous coating to the surface of a sweet maraschino cherry. There's a lovely marshmallow characteristic that reminds me of the type of influence that sour mash or toasted barrel influences tend to add. Plum, anise, white pepper and cinnamon flash up. The nose on this is quite unique and the high corn mash bill definitely doesn't do the distinct Willett rye citrus experience I am used to enjoying and loving. The overall aroma reminds me a bit of Parker's Heritage wheat whiskey, interestingly. There's a creamy molasses note on long inhales after a soft swirl of the glass. The base aroma is again one that leans on a oily, viscous oak nose. The oily characteristic reminds me of the smell of unground coffee beans and a dust seems to cover everything including a tiny bit of lemon peel zest. Time for a sip! Coming back to the nose I find distinct toffee, sweet tart and a faint orange marmalade. Cherry skins and nut-forward chocolate grace the glass which should certainly smell hotter than it does, but I have no problem leaving my nose in this glass. The empty glass smells of clear smoke, sharp oak, creamy caramel, and rich nutmeg. Palate: My first sip is an absolute nuke on a fresh palate. Cherry hots and cinnamon zap every taste bud in my mouth at the start. It quickly settles into a similar flavor profile as the nose was putting off: incredibly oily, viscous and rich oak leans towards a toasted marshmallow flavor. Another sip is just as flavorful and explosive with deep raisin flavors. It's quite musty upfront - it's got a really unique flavor profile that has a lot of parallels but never any direct equivalents. There's smoky malt, dark walnut, leather and then suddenly the fruit show up. The incredibly delicious cranberry and raspberry blend takes me to the Carver bogs just beginning to float. There's definitely some tannic grape flavors lingering in the background too. The mouth feel is very slightly minty and the cooling effect of that is definitely felt up in my gums. My last sip is nutty and tart with a long linger of nutmeg and yummy craisins. Rating: 3/5 (Decent. I can go either way on this.) While this was a really delicious pour, my Willett bar is set pretty high. Given my love for the straight rye releases and the Wheated mash bill that I've tried previously, I have some background in tasting through their fantastic distillate. The high corn mash bill here slightly missed the mark to become an exceptional whiskey, in my book something I also found in the last high corn mash bill that I tried (barrel 2071). The company I was with when I opened the bottle thoroughly enjoyed the glass I poured for them, so that's a win in my book. Let me know if you've opened and tried this one yet in the comments!

Back in May of 2022 we had the great pleasure of visiting Starlight Distillery as part of a collaboration between the group that @bourbondipity_ and I run for our local community in Massachusetts called Mass Bourbon Alliance. We collaborated with a great local store that is expanding and thriving here in MA: Liquor Junction. We went in with low/no expectations and left amazed with 4 barrels - the first barrels to ever hit MA! I'll drop a synopsis of each here, but wouldn't feel comfortable honestly reviewing these without some level of bias being at play, so I won't be attaching a score to these. I hope you find the notes helpful! "Mass #1 - Sweet Tart" Starlight Bourbon Barrel No. 18-0247 114.4 Proof - Aged 4 Years This is one of their flagship bourbons that will certainly satisfy your sweet tooth. We picked this one for its rich candied fruit, vanilla and baking spice profile coming from a great Spirit Premium barrel by Canton cooperage. The unfinished bourbons have seriously been growing on me lately. I have a bottle from Liquor Depot in CT that I was incredibly impressed by as well. Our barrel definitely brings a bit more fruit complexity to an already delicious, viscous, oily, rich mouth coating whiskey. Nose: Goodness that's delectable - prominent vanilla, tiramisu, cherry syrup and rich chocolate present bold & complete. Continuously soft and delectable to inhale throughout the glass, it finishes with notes of crème brûlée and woodshop aromas. Palate: Big bready tones flash up first followed by that signature fruity sweet tart profile. I find cherry skins, plum and thick raspberry jam. It's oily, jammy and altogether a crushable explosion of rich flavors. Another sip produces more pot still oily tones as well as buttercream frosting and rich oak. The linger is thoroughly satisfying with flavors of strawberries and crêpes. My last sip is just as delicious as the first with a trove of fruit notes bombarding the palate. This glass is sweet beyond measure without becoming cloying. Yum. "Starry Night" Starlight Double Oaked Bourbon Batch 22-2080-1 112.6 Proof - Aged 4.5 Years This double oaked bourbon whiskey was an absolute must-have for Derek who frequently reminded the pick team that the 2nd half of this sip truly has 'something special' He's so damn right too! It comes from a Spirit Legacy by Canton cooperage featuring 5 year American staves with 4 year Hungarian heads. The barrel was air seasoned 60 months. We tasted a lot of things this day, but this one clearly stood out with the other Canton barrels, producing marvelous toasted vanilla notes. Sip this one while you relax to some Don McLean. Nose: Banana foster jumps out on the nose followed by rich toasted marshmallow. Plenty of charred oak aromas are here as well giving this the illusion of age beyond its statement. It's creamy in the nose which is definite treat. The end of the glass smells of molasses, troves of oak, and Pillsbury dinner rolls. Palate: Punchier than the straight bourbon - this release throws orange peel, plum, apricot and hefty molasses at the palate with both elegance and vigor. The linger is impossibly long and full of confectioners sugar, caramel, dark chocolate and wave after wave of sweet amaretto. My last sip is loaded with beautiful coffee bean flavors that shimmer long into a creamy delight. "Lakeside" Starlight VDN Finished Rye Barrel No. 21-2298-2 106.2 Proof - Aged 4.5 Years One sip of this and you will know what the name means! This VDN (Vino de Naranja) finished rye brings just a squeeze of that orange wine to the table, building on a lovely sweet mash rye that has no equal. This zesty citrus forward rye is what all Summer whiskeys try to be - refreshing, bright and deliciously sweet. It reminds me a lot of the kind of profile that Willett rye blends give off. Given how distinct & unique this barrel finish is - this may not be a crowd pleaser, but it is unforgettable to the whiskey curious. Get this one on hand for the best enjoyment you'll find this Summer! Nose: Fruity florals burst out of this glass. Lemon tea and orange sherbet merge wonderfully. Cardamom, pine boughs, dusty oak and clay give this great depth. Chocolate undertones complete the well layered nose. Palate: Oh. My. Goodness! If you thought the Sweet Tart bourbon was sweet - this is an orange creamsicle embodied perfectly. It's sweet like a big bite of a juicy orange plus it has the vanilla forward profile that provides a creamy blanket over everything. The undertones are fun with herbal and floral subtleties that most will miss but aficionados will rejoice in. Lindt Intense Orange chocolate bars produce rather proofy, but it's a welcome zest. Marbled rye bread sits in the medium linger. My last sip is fruity with a few late surprises of sweet skittles. "Fireside" Starlight Port Finished Rye Barrel No. 21-2126-3 This one is a dreamy sister barrel to Lakeside, but it would serve best enjoyed in the opposite season. A port finished wine has been done a few times by now, but not all are created equal. The port wine cask used and the final product are often really dependent on the quality of the wine. We're well covered here as the Hubers actually started in wine before whiskey, so they have an incredible supply of plenty of great casks. If you're bummed about not being able to find A Midwinter Night's Dram bottle, or just want to sip on a similar profile for a good bit cheaper - this bottle is for you. The beautiful port sweetness adds just enough to an already exceptional rye without going overboard into the tannic wine territory. You'll love this as your new snow shoveling whiskey for any blustery Winter month. Nose: My my, the sheer volume of chocolate and sweet port aromas is mind bending. Plum and rich, dark grape aromas fill my nose with the warmth of a warm mulled wine. Fig, amaretto and rich raspberry aromas really push this into the exceptional category. It smells just like some of the best Midwinter Night's Dram releases I've tried. The volume somehow surpasses the 11 setting that the double oaked release achieved, and I'm left dumbfounded in fruit heaven. This glass is incredibly consistent, and I find it doesn't slouch, amplify nor undulate. It's just solid straight through and has shown no signs of being affected by oxidation on my way through the bottle. The empty glass smells of chocolate covered raisins and beautiful plum pudding. Palate: Creamy tiramisu hits first with beautiful espresso soaked ladyfingers. This creamy punch is followed by beautiful coffee bean flavors mixed with subtle fruit tones. This glass is a touch bready, but in a way that reminds me of Pirouline wafers. As the snow falls outside my window, I find this to be the perfect glass for today, though I know holistically - having tried this release many times now - that it falls just behind my general personal preference towards the unfinished bourbon. My last sip is like a carnival ferris wheel - a solid experience from start to finish with grandiose views without any real inherent risk. Any sip produces about as much happiness as your first kiss when you think nobody can see you at the top of the ride... In two words: Just. Delicious. My last sip is like a milky way with pure class, delicious creaminess and a finish that keeps you wishing for more. Just fantastic. Rating: Two Thumbs Way Up In an effort to continuously bring Amongst the Whiskey readers honest reviews, I don't feel comfortable doing numerical ratings on picks I was involved with. For further clarity - I don't get anything (except for great experiences) as part of my involvement with picking barrels with this store. My normal rating scale can be found here. My Personal Ranking: Sweet Tart > Fireside = Lakeside > Starry Night (Straight Bourbon > Port Finished Rye = VDN Finished Rye > Double Oaked Bourbon) Starlight Distillery is making some of the best whiskeys out there - evidenced by their latest Ascot Awards achievement, being recognized as the 2022 craft distillery of the year. Within this lineup there are no losers, though they are very different whiskeys individually. I'd urge anyone trying all 4 of these to savor them each on their own, as attempting to compare and contrast will leave you with a really wild array of flavors stuck on your palate. The double oaked in particular can be a little overpowering for the other releases & as such tends to be most people's favorite when they do try all 4 together. I think this is more of a factor of total flavor volume rather than a difference in quality personally, but everyone drinks differently. The Fireside will surely drink better if you happen to sample in the Winter and the Lakeside is a perfect Summer sipper - so those are a bit situational. If any of these releases sound like hits to you - I'd urge you to pop into any Liquor Junction store in MA and grab as many as you can carry!

Coming in hot from the same mash bill as Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 17 year, this bottom shelf beauty is the object of much discussion when folks in the whiskey world talk about value. This isn't something I often talk about on my site, as everyone's buying power is different - so I stick to the whiskey experience mostly. I do talk about value occasionally on my Instagram, chatting with other enthusiasts about more generalities, but ultimately the experience everyone really wants to know about is how enjoyable the whiskey is. Knowing that allows you, the venerable reader, to make your own choice on worth or value. Sometimes a brand just shows so much inherent value that they begin to form a bit of a cult following (looking at you Wild Turkey 101). But don't take my word for it... Here are some of the responses I got on Instagram when I asked my followers what they thought of J.T.S. Brown bourbon: @loveofdramsanddrinks says, "It’s hard to find anything better for the price." @moonstavern glady announces, "That's my jam!" @jerryiniraq posits, "Hands down my favorite thrifty bourbon. And my go to cold/flu Hot Toddy elixir… hot tea, honey, lemon, and JTS Brown… Sweet relief!!" @egilbert09 venerates, "I had this last night and was just thinking about how great it is for the price!" And the astute @m_goldsberry describes the pour saying, "Brown sugar budget and caramel goodness" Quite a few people hadn't tried it, which is a valuable proposition for the needfulness of today's review. Without knowing this is one of the cheapest bourbons out there, would you enjoy a glass? Let's find out. Company on Label: J.T.S. Brown's Son Company (Distilled by Heaven Hill) Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley Proof: 100° Age: NAS, but a minimum of 4 years are required for the Bottled in Bond statement Further identification: This is a bottle I purchased from my last trip to Louisville, KY in late 2021; it can be found in both KY and IN as far as I am aware Nose: Brown sugar and caramel jump out of the glass first. Deep vanilla barrel char, a hallmark of Heaven Hill bourbon, is woven deeply into the fabric of the glass. The nose is bright, potent and incredibly sweet with confectioners sugar and almond extract. A tinge of barrel funk suggests the whiskey spent plenty of time pushing in and out of the barrel staves. Just a hint of nuttiness can be perceived on the back end of a deep inhale. Black pepper, elderflower and cranberry aromas give subtle complexity here. Time for a sip. Returning from a sip I continue to find lovely, classic bourbon barrel aromas. The aromas embodied above are a fine example of approachable whiskey that a beginner enthusiast could have a good time picking apart. The empty glass smells of roasted almonds, oily cashews and savory tomato paste. Palate: On first tasting this I am surprised at how low-volume the flavors are compared to the nose. Where the aromas were bursting from the glass, the liquid passes over the tongue with a wink and slight nod. Walnut and vanilla are the simplest flavors that can be gleaned from two sips. Slight hints of peanut shells and dried cherry skins can be attested if not by a figment of imagined flavors in the vacuum of space that sits before me. In an effort to build more flavor, I take a larger sip. Soft vanilla, a hint of peanut brittle and a cushioned landing in a bed of toffee is wholly unremarkable outside of a slight flash of cinnamon that swoops in briefly at the end. Again contrasting to the nose - I find no hallmarks of exceptional aging present outside of the much lighter gradient of brown sugar that the nose divulged. My last sip is enjoyably more complex with citrus tea, banana bread and plenty of caramel to go around. The linger is short and thin, but not displeasing. Rating: 3/5 (Decent. I can go either way on it.) This is just solid. I don't think it's some crazy exceptional sipper that is an absolute steal on the shelf by any means. Ultimately it leans out of the level of quality that excites me that I would find myself reaching for regularly, so ultimately this will probably be the only bottle I ever enjoy personally. Hope this review helps! Cheers!

It's Starlight Sunday once again in the Amongst household and I found myself reaching for something sweet as the last throes of Summer are upon us. Immediately the honey rye label caught my eye and I knew that is what I was going to be reviewing today. I'm looking forward to seeing if I made the right choice with this one! Let's get into it. Company on Label: Starlight Distillery Whiskey Type: Finished Rye Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: A possible blend of both their 85% rye & 15% malted barley and/or their 90% rye & 10% malted barley mash bills Proof: 106.6° Age: 4 (and a half) years Further identification: Barrel FB232 is a gift shop release selected by master distiller T. Huber that was finished in an ex-bourbon barrel that has been aged with honey for an additional 3-8 months Nose: Floral, citrus sweetness emanates from the glass. Chocolate tones present lively. The glass is bright and excitable upfront. Taking a deeper dive with the nose presents green flower stems, sweet smoke and just a hint of the honey sweetness you might expect to find. It's cheerfully perfumed & juicy sweet throughout in a way that delivers delectable piquancy. This glass is not a roulette wheel of flavors constantly evolving by any means, but a set rhythm of a head-bobbing beat of bright rye. I find bright molasses soaked oak on deep inhales that feels to me like a great level of maturity for a rye. Time for a sip! Returning I find a slew of new herbal notes: clove, lemongrass, thyme and cardamom. Deep inhales reveal cacao nibs and airy oats as the glass thins out towards the bottom. Overall the glass continues to feel green and funky. Grassy notes hang out in the corners. The empty glass smells of funky espresso-soaked ladyfingers, caramelized nuts, and Betadine. Palate: How interesting is that! The palate exhibits none of the same characteristics as the nose was putting off. My first sip is so oily, heavy and viscous with a molasses note running about the consistency of lemon pudding, Where the pre-sip nose was floral, the palate has turned things quite herbal. Another sip and swish reveals funky chocolate malts, heavy cinnamon bread, and butter. The linger is where the honey really starts to show up; it tingles softly before fading fast. I find subsequent sips to be like replays more than an evolution as the glass seems to maintain a level of sweet, delicious simplicity. My last sip is finally where the honey seems to crescendo. I find green tea subtly enhanced by the sweetness of a big spoonful of honey. The linger is the longest on a big sip with the bready, chocolate flavors sitting atop the tongue. Rating: 3/5 (Decent. I can go either way on it.) All in all this was not exactly the pour that I was looking for today, but from an honest review perspective it still delivered something interesting & quite crushable for me. I wouldn't say this has the hallmarks of a complex whiskey, but the few punches it is able to throw were all quite enjoyable. I can definitely see this being a crowd-pleasing easy sipper that could certainly get you out over your ski tips as you reach for another glass as the most logical follow up to finishing your last. It is tasty enough that I'm going in for another sip. I'd recommend you give this one a try for yourself to see what you think. I'm sure there are other honey finished ryes or bourbons from Starlight out there that taste different than this one. Bottle update - January 15, 2023: As you go beyond halfway through the fill level to this, oxidation does wonders to this bottle. The subtle notes I disliked about this review above are all gone, and my post-rating notes were prophesized to perfection. My father and I am absolutely crushing through this bottle on a beautiful snowy Starlight Sunday. I'd consider the post-oxidation review of this bottle to be more akin to a 4/5 rating, though your mileage may vary. I just wanted to update this, as this release has certainly found a new place in my heart. Cheers!