I got that purple top itch today thinking about my favorite Wednesday alliterations... I'll be tasting today with my 'TWC' kenzie glass for this one - shout out to the Coalition for keeping this whiskey community fun and incredibly generous. These purple foils are notoriously hard to acquire, but I'm starting to broaden my horizons little by little being able to swap samples of the 9 year OG mash bourbon that I picked at Willett in May of 2022. It's been a blast learning their distillate and beyond; I've really gravitated towards the magic that happens in their rye distillate. The 4 year is what hooked me in the first place. I'm excited to keep exploring more single barrels whenever possible. I've been turned away a bit by the high corn, though that preconception was shattered by Josh who let us taste a high corn barrel that I did enjoy. Anyway - today is a great pour courtesy of Matt - cheers to one of the best in the community. Photo cred for the bottle pics goes to him. Let's get into it! Company on Label: Willett Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 72% Corn, 13% Rye, 15% Malted Barley Proof: 127.8° Age: 6 years Further identification: This is a Bottles Beverage Superstore single barrel #6605 that was sample swapped to me from @rarewhiskeynomad; Based on Blake's WFE pocket app this is an OG mash bill; this barrel yielded 159 bottles Nose: Mmm. Immediately I find that syrupy plum and candied cherry that I've loved finding on previous releases. Skittles, starburst, and nerdz candy culminate in one of the sweetest noses without turning too cloying. It's balanced by noble oak and graham cracker. It noses well below the heat you might expect out of 127.8 proof but that may be an artifact of the kenzie glass. Soft vanilla cornbread muffins and floral-tinged molasses build a nice cushioned floor for the nose-feel. Heavier digging on the nose reveals sweet lemon drop candy, hints of leather and biscotti dipped in hot chocolate. Overall this pour is very light on the pre-sip nose with flavors coming off in whispering waves. Time to give it a taste. After returning to the glass I find the volume has certainly been turned up and the nose is more easily enjoyable. Caramel is now taking center stage with an impressive heft as some of the barrel influence begins to make itself known. Sweetly frothed cappuccino and crème brûlée aromas build well in the later stages of the glass. The empty glass smells of sweet fig, funky raspberry / vanilla compote touched with crème fraîche, and fluffy pastry bread. Palate: Right off the bat there is incredible balance. Sweet maraschino cherry and a small dash of bitters flash up first and foremost. There's an awesome cherry hots sizzle that slowly works through a beautiful Kentucky hug - this must be where all the proof was hiding. The finish is on the shorter side, but the linger itself is impossibly long with nectarines and candied plum. Another sip leads me to another wave of that awesome cherry flavor followed by a soft tingle of spice. Light pepper, coriander and allspice tingle the gums slightly. Tarragon gives off a slightly earthy vibe before being wiped out by the citrus power of coriander. Oh wow. Another sip proves why these pours are really exceptional; a big wave of red raspberry, strawberry and redcurrant jelly washed over me on this sip and lingered there forever. My last sip is delicate and delicious with creamy caramel, bright red cherry sweetness, and a long linger of stewed plums, brown sugar and just a touch of cinnamon. Rating: 4/5 This is an exceptional pour for me to sit and enjoy as it was really delectable and gave many opportunities for picking apart layers. I do think that it lacks a bit of wow factor for me to be able to give it a 5, but it's an exceptionally delicious pour that I think is very deserving of my 'Keep Amongst the Whiskey' label. I think this would be a very approachable pour for people of all whiskey knowledge levels. I thoroughly enjoyed it and really appreciate getting to try it via sample!

Jack Daniel's surprised us with a few things in 2022 and this Triple Mash release certainly caught a lot of buzz. I'm finally getting around to jumping into a fresh crack of a bottle here myself so this will be more of a first-impressions than a full review. Company on Label: Jack Daniel Whiskey Type: Blended Straight Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: A blend of rye, bourbon and American malt that works out to about 26.8% corn, 44.4% rye, and 28.8% malted barley Proof: 100° Age: At least 4 years Further identification: This unique blend first released in 2022 as a bottled in bond product Nose: Herbal forward then caramel Zesty, bright Punchy lemon peel Dusty oak, pepper - noses more like sawdust after a sip Dark earthiness Hints of mint Corn sweetness towards the back end Empty glass smells of plum and chocolate pudding Palate: Chocolate laced rye spice; really unique First sip is slightly off-putting with shiny metallic notes being very present Tangy breadiness with touches of vinegar On subsequent sips molasses opens up a light banana bread characteristic There's a malty beer characteristic in the linger that is interesting After a few sips it feels like everything is enveloped in that malt profile Banana pancakes start to show up late in the linger Cornbread with an oddly overpowering savory sweetness Lemongrass Rating: 3/5 While this pour definitely impressed me with its level of uniqueness; it unfortunately didn't do it in a way that I personally enjoy. Jack Daniel's 10 year and the special release rye from 2020 really set a high bar for me for Jack Daniel's, and this unfortunately doesn't even come close to either of those releases. I feel like if the rye proportion was even higher it could shine further but it feels like the 100% malted barley proportion is sticking out like a sore thumb on this, at least to my palate. It's not a blend that is jiving for me tonight. I look forward to giving it another go soon and updating if my sentiments change!

Here comes another single barrel collaboration! Liquor Junction was kind enough to loop @MassBourbonAlliance in on this as well as a Knob Creek, Blanton's and the Hirsch barrel pick that should be hitting this Winter. This was a truly exceptional barrel from the first taste and everyone in our group let out a loud "WOW" when we took our first sips. I'm excited to be revisiting it to form some better tasting notes for those who may be interested in seeing if this one will be worth tracking down! I've got a good bit of Weller Full Proof store pick experience at this point - we are incredibly blessed with great distribution in Massachusetts it seems. I already know this ranks amongst the top 2 or 3 picks that I have tried from the first tasting we did as a group, but I'll see if it holds up to another tasting tonight. Let's get into it! Company on Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Wheated Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed Buffalo Trace "Wheated Mash Bill" Proof: 114° Age: NAS Further identification: This is a future single barrel (Barrel #020) coming to Liquor Junction in MA hopefully by this Winter 2022 Nose: Decadent caramel is most apparent immediately on the nose. Older barrel funk hangs out softly in the background. A lovely array of baking spices present themselves in a rich yet creamy & soft way. I find nutmeg, cardamom, vanilla and hints of anise. This has such a distinct character that really separates it from the typical cherry profile you might find on Weller Antique or Special Reserve; this feels like a whole different animal. A lightly smoked cocktail aroma meets plum, molasses and dusty oak as I continue to dig. Okay, the oak really feels older here. It has that 'dusty' characteristic I know and love here; I really think this is an older-than-usual barrel on display. The cardamom aroma from earlier does well to elicit some other lemon citrus, bright green apple, and cinnamon spiced tea smells as the glass evolves. There is some marvelous effervescence in the nose feel without moving to a spicy or ethanol forward experience. There's great balance here alongside impressive heft which more typically inversely proportional rather than mutually beneficial. The nose reminds me a lot of the 2021 William Larue Weller with maybe a nod more towards the barrel influence characteristic more than the individual flavors. Time for a sip! Wow, I didn't think the nose could get any better but it sure did after coming back from a sip. There's a beautiful butterscotch aroma that has formed that I've only ever experienced like this before on a Weller Single Barrel. I could nose this forever. It undulates between butterscotch, caramel and a creamy cappuccino perpetually now about halfway through the pour which is where I find myself savoring the nose the most. The background creamy coffee note is not to be understated as it's a really impressive aroma I don't often find. The nose seems to have leveled off in its evolution by now, but I'm incredibly pleased with where it has landed. The empty glass smells of dark orange peel, dense earth, red starbursts, and toasted oak. Palate: Wow. The heft of that cherry explosion that happens on the first sip is just unreal. It's immediately followed by a wave of heavy, creamy caramel that coats the whole mouth from front to back. I find touches of strawberry, plum and apricot as the first sip smolders on a long linger. There's a nice nod to the oak prevalence from the nose without drifting into overaged territory. Another sip shows off blackberry, dark raisin and black currant. I find a distinctly jammy mouth feel that just sticks to the roof of your mouth and never lets go. It's very reminiscent of raspberry jam on toast. As the glass gets lower the cherry flavors really start to perk up - it's bright and decadent like a maraschino cherry here. Another sip builds in a touch of extra cinnamon spice in a nuanced ripple. Wow suddenly a big drop of flavor just burst forth with skittles sweetness and a cherry characteristic that is much richer and darker than before. I'm loving the depth of flavors here. My last sip is again a decadent bouquet of complex sweetness. Plum, cherry skins and a zesty tingle of nutmeg are a lovely farewell to the glass. The linger is medium long with endless caramel desserts. Rating: Two Thumbs Way Up I love that this has so much depth compared to other Weller releases that I have tried. Knowing how much I love the Weller profile in the Winter in general, the arrival time of this barrel couldn't be slated any more perfectly for peak enjoyment. Make sure to stock up on your punches - maybe with some MassBourbonAlliance picks - so you can get a shot at grabbing one of these!

Weller Full Proof is the first sample up on the #12DaysofWhiskeyExchange that @bourbondipity_ coordinated. I'm glad to be a part of this, tasting one new sample every night from now til Christmas Eve! No promises all the reviews end up here, but I'll try to keep up! This pick comes courtesy of Viren from Liquor Junction. Company on Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Wheated Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed Buffalo Trace "Wheated Mash Bill" Proof: 114° Age: NAS Further identification: 2021 release from Liquor Junction in MA Nose: Immediate cherry hots that reminds me of Antique 107! Sweet with baking spice and syrupy cinnamon pound cake. Bright pepper, slightly herbal which is surprising for Weller, and sharp vanilla are prevalent characteristics. Copper, molasses, allspice and some sweet funk. After a sip there is more bright, white spices. Letting this rest a while reveals some really nice butterscotch which smells a lot like a Weller Single Barrel I've tried. The vanilla turns softer and sweeter with time too, bordering on marshmallow now. Deeper pulls rekindle the cherry hot fire! Swirling the glass causes a big wave of rich oak to come flying out at you. Caramel saturated cloth follows. That sweet cherry returns once again with vengeance; I love that about this pour. The glass leans back heavily on a heavy charred oak vanilla now. The empty glass smells of cardamom, vanilla pipe tobacco, and faint cherry-laced oak. Palate: Whew! That sweet and spicy cherry is definitely back on the palate. It coats the top of the tongue in a nice lingering wave. Vanilla toasted oak. Black pepper spice. Letting this rest a little longer I start to get more sweet fruit like plum, apricot and a hint of pear. There is a slight cooling sensation that is reminiscent of a minty mouth coating. A larger sip and swish is intense with raisin, slight sandalwood and the ever-present cherry linger. This one is an easier sipping barrel of Full Proof for sure, but there's still a long linger that says it's here to party. My last sip is mellow with vanilla frosting, chai spice, and cinnamon. Rating: 4/5 Solid pick! Unfortunately it looks like the rest of the bottles have all been claimed from the LJ Whiskey Family hold system at this time. Enjoy!

I've had plenty of Booker's batches by now... I think I have everything back to the beginning of 2016 on my shelf at this point, but I still get excited when a new one drops. Ronnie's Batch was no exception to that; the first of 2022 had some pretty big shoes to fill as Bardstown Batch was a really killer whiskey from last year. I had a strange hankering for distinctly nutty flavors from the moment I woke up this morning. I used this opportunity to crosscheck with the website to see which new Booker's batch I hadn't reviewed yet and sure enough this one hasn't had a proper sit down yet! I did do a quick flight that included it on my Instagram where you will find a comment with my first impressions. I will wait to revisit those thoughts until I am done tasting here so they don't influence my review today. First impressions: Smells fantastic - heavy charred vanilla upfront. Nuanced floral fruit, leather, malt and smoke are layered all through. Sipping I find this release to be incredibly approachable for the proof. It's toffee and caramel forward with just hints of nuttiness floating in the background. The linger is surprisingly long and it carries heavy funky molasses. Something about it tastes fairly old. Now let's get into another Amongst the Whiskey review! Company on Label: James B. Beam Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 124.3° Age: 6 years (11 months, 22 days) Further identification: 2022-01 Ronnie's Batch comes bearing a tan label in a wooden box with a batch information card Nose: Mmm. Vanilla sugar cookies right away when I lift the glass to my nose. Just a touch of soft yet sweet spice rises to the occasion. Such big, beautiful oak tones are so well balanced here you'd think this batch was 12 plus years old. There's a background hint of confectioners sugar and incredibly light and approachable cinnamon that comes off like an apple cider doughnut - yum! Deeper inhales pull apart doughy molasses, earthy old growth forest, and sharp vanilla aromas. It gives me the feeling of being in the deep woods of Maine in the Summer with the hope of finding a hidden waterfall somewhere around the next corner to take a dip at. As the verdant forest vibe starts to fade I find an incredible volume of baking spices - nutmeg leans towards a soft apple pie and black pepper is soft and silky in the nose-feel. Time for a sip! I love where this has gone after coming back from sipping the whiskey. I get the hints of cherry, the fiery cinnamon hots reminiscent of Stagg Jr Batch 14, and lovely lychee sweetness. Damn; it just has something nostalgic of 'just getting hooked on bourbon' for me personally too, but your mileage my vary here. Surprisingly I am not finding any nuttiness here and that was what I set out to try to find. Yum! After a bit of resting time in the glass the chocolate and cinnamon aromas have built up in great intensity. I love a pour that surreptitiously delivers such potent smells when you least expect them. Late in the glass I find a nice drizzle of honey, rose petals, and the slight iron metallic tinge I mention in the early tasting notes. Oh! The empty glass finally delivers some nuttiness with almonds and pistachios coming up to the surface for me. It's also intensely chocolatey with hints of cherry skins and grapes. Palate: From the get-go I find a juicy plum that splashes into a dry cacao bed before rolling over into a tannic handful of Sun-Maid raisins. What an intriguingly delicious first sip! There's definitely a bit of heat here that will satisfy the barrel proof lovers. A subsequent sip builds upon the red stone fruit medley while adding in a touch more of the baking spice I was finding on the nose. There's just a hint of an iron metallic note somewhere in the middle of the sip that is interesting. Oh wow. Third time's the charm. Orange peel jumps out at me as a soft vanilla bean cream begins to warm itself across my taste buds. The mouth feel gives me the experience of a fleeting, melting concoction like a chocolate truffle. As the glass weathers on, so do my taste buds. I do find that I am starting to go a bit 'proof-blind' as some barrel strength offerings will do. I will take a short break to have a glass of water here. Towards the bottom of the glass I begin to find some linen characteristics that seem to be in some way tied to the Beam yeast as post-fire Heaven Hill distillate seems to consistently deliver the same flavor. To a lesser extent the older Buffalo Trace releases (i.e. George T Stagg) also do to a lesser extent so it may also have some relation to oak barreling too. In this glass I also find dark, malted caramel, touches of leather, and a soft breadiness throughout. Small flashes of angostura bitters can be picked out at times. My last sip is not quite savor worthy with a quick flash of chocolate covered cherries, molasses and vanilla biscotti followed by a short linger of low intensity bread flavors. Rating: 4/5 (Really good; I want one of these on my shelf.) Another fantastic Booker's batch I am stoked to have on my shelf. I do think this pour experienced an early crescendo and did not stand up to my long-term pick-apart. It certainly satisfies the barrel proof lover early on but may not be a two-glass kind of bourbon necessarily if that punchy profile is what you are after. If you have tamer taste buds this is an exceptional introduction to uncut, unfiltered whiskies. Let me know what you think of this batch! I definitely dig it overall.

The pinnacle of "Weller Wednesday"... This is the top of the Weller food chain and only comes but once a year as part of Buffalo Trace's "Antique Collection" aka BTAC. This is the first bottle I have owned personally but I have tried it on a few other occasions with friends. Historically I have preferred George T Stagg to this release personally, but I'm ready to give this one a fair shake on a full review tonight. I have had two glasses from this bottle prior to get to know it a little bit and make sure my tasting tonight isn't too far of an anomaly. Company on Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Wheated Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed Buffalo Trace "Wheated Mash Bill" (likely ~15% wheat; no rye) Proof: 125.3° Age: 12 years Further identification: This 2021 release came with a NFC circuit under the cap foil and is proudly stated as being uncut and unfiltered. 64% of the initial distilled whiskey was lost to barrel evaporation from this batch. More batch information can be found in the PDF below. Nose: Oh wow, the cherry that exudes from this glass is rich and inviting right up front. It reminds me a lot of the Weller Antique cherry that carries that touch of cinnamon hot spice. Immediately that folds into a nice leather base that shows off some exceptional age. Searing heat will greet your nose if you dive a little too deep, but before the flames devour your senses an intense crème brulée can be found. There's a bit of chocolate mixed well into the oak here as the nose returns to a sweet cherry forward feel. Raisin comes across almost dusty in texture as I inhale the vapours from the glass deeply. Rich red wine bubbles up and leans a touch more tannic than sweet here. Fig, graham cracker and dark grape brandy aromas do well as some extra complexity makes itself known. Hints of citrus interweave themselves with the cherry. Though the citrus fruit presents subtly, it comes across predominantly leaning like a navel orange. Black pepper nudges its way past the leather aromas at times and it shows up in bright firecracker flashes in the nostrils when it materializes. There is certainly a soft, oak base to this release suggesting some mellower low floor rickhouse aging years. Mmm, I'm back to that sweet candied cherry aroma. Time for a sip. Wow, after going for a sip the oak has gotten so much richer and darker and is now laced with a heavy molasses note. I find buttered popcorn on deep inhales. There are some herbal tones that balance out nicely with the cinnamon spiced fruitiness; it reminds me of a late Fall hike among the crunchy leaves. Mmm. The toasted vanilla and graham cracker notes have evolved marvelously. I feel like this would pair so well with hot chocolate. The bright vanilla definitely is the catalyst for an incredibly well balanced nose feel. Oh my! Blackberry cobbler just jumped onto the scene in a huge way. Incredibly syrupy and jammy in the nose-feel I find myself diving back into the glass to try to find more, but it softly fades into the crème brulée base I've come to expect out of every inhale. Yum. It borderlines on a sugary cream similar to the inside of a cow tale. The empty glass smells of rich oak, chocolate funk, and beautiful ripe cherries. Palate: I expected my first sip to be a doozy, but this actually came across incredibly well balanced with the candied cherry (think E.H. Taylor Single Barrel) and then a big drop of cinnamon hots that expands from the center of my tongue outward through my whole being. This feels a lot like Weller Antique 107 cranked up a few notches. Another sip and swish reveals cardamom behind the cherry wave this time. It continues to have a bit of proof imbalance on the linger for me tonight. Pressing on I continue to find the same profile delivering each time. There's a sweet cherry pop, a short sizzle of a vanilla bean fuse before the cinnamon hots bomb goes off. It's a lovely series of events and flavors but I would have expected something to have been a bit more nuanced or varied by now on a barrel proof pour such as this. Now we're getting somewhere about halfway through the glass the heat has settled some and I begin to find some new nuances. Raspberry pie is a nice surprise! The delivery now though is much shorter and doesn't give me that wave of excellence that barrel proof pours should deliver. The mouth coating is on the thinner side which is surprising for an unfiltered release such as this. Oooh a longer seat on the tongue delivers delicious cherry cola. I'm suddenly really digging this. I fear this release may be one that requires some significant air time to really shine, so I'd urge you to practice patience with this pour if you have one of these bottles. The flavors here continue to be quite subtle on their delivery. My last sip brings about vanilla soaked oak, orange peel, and plenty of cherry hots that linger on the longest. Rating: 4/5 (Really good; I want one of these on my shelf.) An exceptionally delectable nose here was definitely the highlight of the glass. The palate, while delicious, definitely did not deliver enough to earn my top mark. I'm certainly still very grateful to have a bottle of this and I look forward to seeing how it evolves over time. If the current trend continues, I think this bottle gets significantly better with time and more oxygen as my first pour was definitely a let down (for a unicorn caliber bottle) and tonight's tasting was an incremental improvement from there. I may make an update later on as the bottle gets lower over time! Cheers & thanks for reading! Bonus follow up: I did a few micro-sips of some other Weller products to re-ground myself. This William Larue release is certainly significantly better than the flagship Antique release, but I think I have a Full Proof pick that I'd prefer for a more complex, delicious pour (at least on the palate; no other Weller I've had can live up to this nose).

Image from the Old Forester website. I have not found a single bottle of this release nor have I tried it before! When @luckytimmy13 said he had some for me I was incredibly excited. I finally have a day where the thought struck me that I still had this 2 oz jar waiting for me so it's finally time for a review! This will be a one-time tasting, which I typically try not to do, but I wanted the thoughts to have a home. Here goes! Thank you Tim for sharing this pour! Company on Label: Old Forester Whiskey Type: Straight Rye Whiskey (though Old Forester decides to leave the 'e' off when they spell whisky) Mash Bill Percentages: 15% Corn, 65% Rye, 20% Malted Barley Proof: 126.9° Age: NAS Further identification: Warehouse G, Floor 3; this is all the info that came on the sample bottle from @luckytimmy13 Nose: Immediately I find caramelized sugars and baking spices as I dip my nose to the rim of my Glencairn. The high proof point on this is apparent from the get go as a foolishly deep inhale punishes my nostrils. Soft, tannic stone fruit are sitting there in the glass but I can't seem to pull enough volume to really chew on them. Early on in the glass I'm struggling to pull a lot of aromas. If I try to swirl the glass a bit I drum up too much proof. I'll take an earlier sip than I usually do here. Coming back I do find much more going on now. There's a dark, dusty black pepper note, hints of peach, and a lovely caramel barrel funk that has settled in now. Charcoal tones seep in near the bottom of the glass. The empty glass smells of a beautifully well crafted rye old fashioned (which this might actually do really well in), soft rubber and oak bark. Palate: Upon first sipping this... wow! It's so punchy. I find a similar profile to the 2019 Thomas H. Handy but with a bit less of the pervasive clove that the THH release demonstrates almost exclusively. Another sip brings in plum, dark stewed apricots and a cinnamon-spiced cherry preserve. This is quite fruit forward, but it comes off like a blended medley more than any one distinct flavor. The linger is definitely reminiscent of a good smoothie. As I get further along on this pour I start to find that the fruit is turning heavier and quite pungent. Strawberry, black tea and well-worn leather mix well, but fall off quickly. The finish is short with light turmeric earthiness & just a touch of lemon peel. My last sip is underwhelmingly short but I do find the cinnamon and cherry that was going on earlier. This drank much more like a bourbon than a rye for me after the first flashes at the start of the pour. Rating: 3/5 Well, that's a bit unfortunate! Overall I thought this pour was just kind of 'messy'. There never felt like a cohesive theme throughout and I was left with short bursts of enjoyment rather than a well-orchestrated symphony that good whiskey of this caliber should be. It still gets a few style points; there is certainly nothing bad about it. It's just not my favorite rye and I will be glad to know that maybe this one doesn't need to be hunted to the end of the earth. Maybe another single barrel will do better if I ever luck into trying a different warehouse or floor. Who knows. I love the whiskey community though and want to thank @luckytimmy13 again here for letting me try this one. Cheers!

Barrell Craft Spirits is a wonderful, wonderful brand. I have really come to love and respect their blending abilities. This happens to be the bottle that I won in @SaxyBourbon's blind tasting competition! I actually just remembered that I technically reviewed this already - in the form of the sample that Brett sent to me as part of his original giveaway. You can see my blind review of it here. Company on Label: Barrell Craft Spirits Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed blend of TN, KY, and IN mash bills Proof: 112.86° Age: A blend of 25% 5 year, 30% 10 year, 35% 14 year, and 10% 16 year bourbons, therefore it's a '5 year' bourbon Further identification: The B24A blend is a store pick from Amelia Island, Florida at a store called Amelia Liquors; it happens to be from the store that Brett (@saxybourbon) met Joe Beatrice and got this bottled signed for me! Nose: I am instantly aware of some significant barrel aging here as I raise the glass to my nose. I find that wonderous caramel funk on top of a sturdy bed of level oak. Soft raisin, plum and fig are tantalizing on the edges. There's a touch of that dry, bright paper note that sometimes shows up alongside some older oak. It's reminiscent of good Heaven Hill bourbon. Alongside these aromas I dig up in small flashes bits of black pepper, leather and soft herbal tones. I really like the soft fruity tones that come off this glass; they are dark in character, but light in intensity. Oh wow, sticking my nose well into the glass I'm greeted by a very distinct licorice smell. Time for a sip! After having a few sips and coming back to the nose I find that the darker tones have built well. I get rich molasses, leather and a beautiful vanilla. It's almost like the vanilla you might get off of a rich red wine. I absolutely adore that aroma. This continues to have just the perfect barrel aging on full display all throughout the nose. At the very end of the glass the aroma intensity falls off a bit, but it is overall still an awesome nosing experience from start to finish. The empty glass smells of floral funk, dark chocolate, and light berries. Palate: The moment this whiskey hit my lips I knew this one was going to be a sweet factory. I immediately got that tooth-shock that you get when your mouth knows you're about to eat something really sugary sweet! I find a lot of the fruit notes that were more subtle on the nose, but those plum, fig and raisin flavors are in the forefront with a new layer of salted caramel and maraschino cherry added on top. The mouth feel is incredibly satisfying and this is where the caramel creaminess sets this pour up on a well-founded stage. I also get a little bit of the fickle nature of blends where there are some characteristics that seem so uniquely distinct from each other that they couldn't possibly have been aged from one cohesive barrel, but that's also the beauty of this pour. I think this is a fine example of blending done right where I go on this amazing whiskey journey from the sweet candied cherry as I sip and swish to the pepper-laced molasses as the whiskey slowly hugs its way into a warm spot in my chest. The linger and finish let the subtle proof wave breath in and out of you on subsequent breaths which is a hallmark of some of the other perfectly aged products I also enjoy. Later in the glass the spice starts to build well as a touch of cinnamon, cardamom, and anise begins to stick in the molasses-thick mouth coating. As I near the bottom of the glass I begin to find a bit of tannic grape and tart prune sweetness. My last sip is starting to show a little bit of the proof now with the tannic grape notes coming off a touch sharp, but the big, ultra-aged caramel balancing it well. Rating: 4/5 This was so damn close to earning a 5 for me, but the end of the glass did taper off a bit. Honestly this release reminded me a lot of 2020 George T Stagg at the start. This is a really well crafted blend that I am sure glad I have a bottle of! The empty glass smells really almost got me to bring it back to a 5, but that category is really hard to get into for good reason for me! Whiskeys should really follow a bell curve in quality distribution, but too often I see review scales go into sub-fractions all near the top of the scale. This isn't how the world works and I'd like to keep this as honest as I can!

Tonight I am visiting another shelf staple that I am long overdue on for a review! I haven't really done much 1792 in the past outside of a few Full Proof store picks, the Sweet Wheat release, and the Twelve Year release. I just opened up the whole line to share with a Spirit Animal Society member and now I'm excited to visit all these myself. Not sure what caught my eye about the Bottled in Bond but I went for this one first as it should be more consistent bottle to bottle and therefore more useful information for a greater amount of people. If you've tried this one I'd love to hear what you think of it in the comments! From the 1792 Bourbon website: In 1897, the Bottled-in-Bond Act revolutionized the quality of American whiskey. Carrying on that tradition, this well-aged bourbon comes from only barrels filled during the same distilling season and is bottled at exactly 100 proof for a bold taste and lingering finish—a testament to the Bottled-in-Bond Act established over a century ago. TASTING NOTES True to its heritage, the unmistakable spice of 1792 Bourbon is met with notes of charred oak and fresh mint. Subtle caramel apple tones are delicately balanced with the lingering essence of coffee and black pepper. Company on Label: Barton 1792 Distillery Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed (but assumed to be 74% Corn, 18% Rye, and 8% Malted Barley) Proof: 100° Age: NAS (minimum of 4 years) Further identification: This is part of the flagship line from the 1792 series; it features the yellow neck tag and the distinct gold 'UFO' topper Nose: Cracked pepper and caramel greet me first thing in this glass. There's a nice chocolate nuttiness that serves as a great base. Floral fruit jump out at me early on until a big wave of salty molasses swings in. Dusty oak comes off quite powerfully and I can smell an earthy bark tone behind it. The dusty characteristics also carry candied apple and caramel corn. Later in the glass I find some bright, juicy pear aromas and grape skins. The overall nose feel is level and soft. Time for a sip! Afterwards the glass turns exceptionally creamier with much more caramel and lemon frosting coming off the glass. The empty glass smells of sunflower seeds, lemon ginger tea, and walnuts. Palate: My first sip is delicate at first with soft caramel and floral sweetness. Cherry skins build on subsequent sips and slight tannic tones creep in. The baking spices can be a bit smoldering at times but I'm really enjoying it tonight. I find lemon peel and earl gray tea alongside that constant floral fruit. My last sip is soft and rather simple but still quite delicious with an overall fairly caramel forward fruit medley. Rating: 4/5 I've been pleasantly surprised by this release. I wish this distillery was a little more forthcoming with information on their releases, but I love the classic look of the bottle and the old-timey vibe their whole operation puts off. This might hang in well with the Twelve Year release, which I also need to visit for a review soon. Look for that next!

The first picture is from Redbreast's website. I've been interested in trying this ever since I saw it was coming soon! I have really, really loved the Redbreast line in general with the PX edition and the 12 year release both earning my rare top rating recently. I am grateful to Alan Starr for providing me with a 2oz sample jar so that I am able to review this tonight! Looking forward to seeing if this release is worth hunting down; now let's try it. Company on Label: Pernod Ricard (Distilled at Midleton Distillery) Whiskey Type: Irish Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 100% Malted and Unmalted Barley Proof: 101° Age: NAS Further identification: This new release from Redbreast is a higher proof than normally seen on Irish whiskeys and is nuanced by its extra finishing in American bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry butts as well as a 4 month aging in hand selected, air-dried American Oak from the Taylor family farm in Kentucky Nose: Mellow baking spices appear to be hanging around the glass upon first leaning in for a smell. There's soft, creamy vanilla and caramel tones up front with black pepper, candlewax, lemon peel and robust oak that hides a little deeper beyond the surface of the glass. There's a touch of dark funk and corn kernels that feels like a good bit of the bourbon barrel influence does come up. Dusty molasses and loads of caramel continue to pour out of this glass, but there isn't much going on beyond that for me tonight. Time for a sip! After a sip there is a bright linen note I definitely only typically get on bourbon barrels, particularly most notably on Wild Turkey and Heaven Hill barrels. I find lovely floral & perfume aromas drifting off softly. It continues to have a lot of that dusty oak character thanks to all the different levels of finishing it has been through. I find a sharp copper note as I near the bottom of the glass. The empty glass smells of deep oak, asphalt, and soft dirt. Palate: My first sip is a lovely sweet presentation of Werther's caramel, plum, sugary raisin, truffle and a sweet balsamic vinaigrette vibe. There's a touch of brine on the mouthfeel and it is overall fairly viscous. This feels notably different to the traditional creamy Irish whiskey mouthfeel one might come to expect from a Redbreast release; this definitely bucks the norm a bit. The caramel and molasses flavors continue to build with subsequent sips. It drinks quite easy, but doesn't give off much wow factor for me tonight. I'm enjoying the silky coffee bean flavors I know and love from the typical triple distillation process in a copper pot still. My last sip is both delicious and unremarkable with vanilla leading the way, followed by grape skins, waffle cones, and a short linger of flan. Rating: 3/5 I am much more impressed with this release compared to the Redbreast cask strength I tried; it toes the line well between trying too hard to be closer to a bourbon and keeping some Irish tradition in mind. It's not as complex as I'd hope out of a higher price point limited release such as this, but I'd certainly like to enjoy another glass of it at the end of the day.

Ah, Woodford! The wedding-staple shelfer everyone knows and loves. This Brown-Foreman product is a special finishing series selected by Master Distiller Chris Morris. Traditionally the second oak barrel finishing, usually with some extra char involved, is intended to bring out more of those sweet oak vanilla notes. This Versailles, Kentucky release bares no indication of batch size or repeatability, but those that have come to enjoy it know that it is definitely one of their more consistent releases. They also do single barrel selections of double oaked releases. I had the pleasure of helping select one at Liquor Junction not too long ago. As I enjoy all the offerings I have available to me I want to make sure I take care of some of these staple brands. This is the best opportunity for you - a curious whiskey drinker to taste something along with me without too much worry about cost or availability. So let's do just that if you have a bottle of this! If you don't, I hope this review helps you decide if this is something you think you want to try in the future. This bottle was shared frequently at my table at one of my friend's wedding celebration not too long ago and it was one of the bigger hits of the table alongside Willett Family Estate Rye and Four Roses Small Batch. But that's enough about stories and lore - let's see what's going on in this Woodford bottle! Company on Label: Woodford Reserve Distillery Whiskey Type: Finished Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, and 10% Malted Barley Proof: 90.4° Age: NAS Further identification: This is the flagship double oaked release from Woodford Reserve; despite the fill level being as low as it is, this bottle was opened not too long ago and should not have any drastic oxidation effects changing the review here Nose: Up front there's something impressively savory tied to the oak. I find molasses and marzipan as I pull some of the soft aerosolized aromas out of my glencairn. It feels soft and inviting in the nose with just a small threat of cinnamon spice on the back end of a tart cherry note. There's a dark earthiness that builds in intensity the more you pull off the glass, never quite getting out of the way to allow other flavors to squeak by. After a bit the vanilla frosting begins to take over the glass - vanilla (or its further evolution into marshmallow) being a hallmark of double oak released. There's something candy-sweet about this without coming across as actually being 'sugary' in that sense. It's like sweet borage nectar; one step removed from becoming some delicious honey. Borage produces a similar smell and taste to a salty cucumber. I'm surprised by the level of savory notes coming off this glass to be honest; it's smelling really unique! I think it's time for a sip. Returning from sipping I find the savory characteristics have settled down and the vanilla-forward oak has made itself comfortable. There are hints of orange peel, angostura bitters and grenadine jumping up in little whack-a-mole surprises. I find charcoal & slightly chalky sweet tart aromas tucked away in the back corners of the glass as I continue to dissect this pour. The empty glass smells of juicy raw green peppers, fresh-sawn lumber, and a well-used grill. Palate: Woah, there's way more cherry on this than I recall! That sweet maraschino cherry is immediately followed by a wave of marshmallow that is quite enjoyable. The mouth feel is on the thinner side but its also slightly oily so it sticks to all the surfaces of your mouth. Again the cherry pops up first with some subtle side notes of plum and fig. There's a light herbaceous quality that sticks around in the linger but it's more like a subtle garnish than a mainstay flavor. Later in the glass molasses begins to darken the mood. After a few sips the linger begins to shorten and the lower proof doesn't quite have the backbone or gusto to continue to deliver the same nuanced flavor experiences we started with. Overall the glass falls back into a very comfortable and enjoyable creamy vanilla frosting profile with a little bit of cinnamon spice tingling the gums. My last sip and swish rekindles the sweet cherry fire I enjoyed earlier. This one is definitely an easy sipper but falls a bit short for me in the complexity department after starting out really strongly. There is a soft buttercream characteristic to the linger that is really the complete opposite of offensive. I would wholeheartedly recommend this whiskey to someone just getting started out in the space, but the veteran is definitely going to be yearning for a little more here. Rating: 3/5 (Decent. I can go either way on it.) I think of the comparable wedding pours we sampled, the Four Roses Small Batch would have bested this pour as my favorite between the two for some more perspective. This is certainly a good whiskey and I would recommend you try it at least once yourself!

Cabernet is one of my favorite styles of wine, but I haven't seen too many whiskeys finished in this style of barrel before... When founder of Taconic Distillery and jack-of-all-trades Paul Coughlin told me the cab finish was one of their gift shop best-sellers, I knew I had to try it. My previous Taconic experiences mainly come from small tastes - I've never done a real deep dive into their distillate. I've tried 3 single barrel bourbons that Kappy's Fine Wine & Spirits selected - one of each of their barrel picks now lives on forever in my infinity barrel blend. You might spot them in this incredibly fast paced (and insane) dump video. I also have given a brief review of the Madeira finished rye that also made it to Mass. In general we haven't seen a ton of their product roll through my home state. One of my favorite things that I've tried from Taconic was a Mizunara cask finish that I got to try at a tasting event. I remember it being one of the best things I tasted that day, and my good friend Frank's recent review seems to back that finding up. I'm excited to give this offering a fair shake! I'd like to thank Paul at Taconic for sending me a bottle of this whiskey for review and allowing me to taste it with no strings attached. Now let's dive in. Company on Label: Taconic Distillery Whiskey Type: Finished Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 70% Corn, 25% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley Proof: 90° Age: NAS (but assumed to be aged 4 years at time of writing) Further identification: This tasting room release should be available for visitors at their retail location in the heart of Dutchess County; it is open Saturdays from noon to 6 PM Nose: Up front I find a very corn-forward, dusty aroma first breath off the glass. There is fantastic peanut brittle, caramel and toffee tones that come across soft yet aromatic. Bit of chocolate mix well with a fun floral funk. On a deeper inhale I find slightly tropical fresh fruit aromas. There's a bit of drying oak clearly tied to them which tells me I may have just unearthed some of that cabernet influence here. Oh yeah, it's like a fruity light switch just went off now where the earthy chocolate tones carried in a basket of sweetness; there's plum and raspberry here while a distinct grape skin texture fills out a robust nose-feel. The glass feels borderline creamy, but it leans just a hair further towards the tannic oak side of things without being overbearingly so. This feels like another great example of not relying on a finish to take over a whiskey, but allowing subtle nuances to build upon an already well-crafted whiskey. Time for a sip! After coming back from a few sips I find the nose has opened up marvelously, showing off a decent bit of rye spice and a big red-wine influence that actually reminds me more of a port wine than a cabernet. The nose-feel is notably more creamy now and deep inhales show off really high quality charred oak aromas of universally appealing vanilla and pie crust. Overall this smells like a solid bourbon profile; I'm impressed with how nuanced and light the finish is on this, as I'm a big fan of letting the whiskey speak for itself in general. Oh wow, late in the glass there is a big, sweet navel orange aroma that develops. I dig that. The empty glass smells of dry top soil, soft herbal notes, and a light sprinkle of nutmeg. Palate: Oooh, this is satisfyingly light on the tongue without sacrificing flavor. Up front I get cherry skins, raisins and a faint chocolate covered peanut. The mouth feel is really interesting here as it seems to coat my mouth in a way that I typically associate with certain foods like a savory Korean beef rice bowl might. Another sip reveals creamy caramel, rich red grape and blackberry cobbler flavors that dance slowly across the taste buds. It presents much like the nose did initially - soft yet an impressive volume of flavor. Coming back after a brief rest there are soft citrus notes that have crept in now; not sharp, zesty notes, but almost like a little squeeze of orange drizzled over vanilla bean ice cream. The whole conglomeration is unironically 'smooth': devoid of any sharp notes, bright flashes or unwarranted spice zaps. It's incredibly relaxing to sit with and enjoy even with an analytical mind fully activated on a first pour of the day. Later in the glass there are some increasing undulations of malt that are a little off profile for what I am usually looking for, but the fruity tones do well to balance this out. The linger is impressively long for this proof point and it carries soft maraschino cherries alongside cacao-laden oak. My last sip is more on the tannic side but it brings forth the fruit flavors in droves and I am here for it. Yum! Rating: 4/5 (Really good; I want one of these on my shelf.) While I do tend to like my whiskey alcohol content to be high, this is one of those great examples of something that consistently delivers big flavors at incredibly approachable proofs. This cabernet finish was right up my alley. I'd love to know how long the finishing process was run for, as it feels like it may have been on the shorter end. It would be interesting to see how the results may change with a little extra time in the cabernet barrels. Great release! Cheers & thanks for reading