A new blind sample is in the glass tonight. @amongstthefernsco picked me another sample from the ever growing drawer of 2oz goodness; it now contains way too many things for me to have any idea what is in there. A blind guess would be a 1 in 60 chance. Let's see if my nose knows... Bottle information will be posted after the glass reveal at the end. Scroll slow if you don't want spoilers! Nose: Citrus caramel funk... This has got to be a high rye or a rye. Leaning towards high rye as the next note is a red berry layered onto fruity oak. Light pepper & allspice. Vanilla & some light cleaning agent aroma. Turning herbal now as everything starts to seep between the cracks into the base layer of a just-old-enough oak. I am thinking around 4 years on this... Maybe MGP. Post sip nose is much more peppery. This is such a recognizable smell, I'm ashamed I don't already know what it is. But if it is MGP, that could be a lot of labels and this guessing game just got a lot harder. Some meaty chocolate notes later in the glass. Definite returning back to that funky caramel. Near the bottom a strong vanilla forms which is nice. A savory smoked meat aroma that really reminds me of Tennessee (sorry Kentucky, I haven't been yet) is present near the bottom of the glass. Empty glass is pure cocoa powder and funky herbal spice. Palate: Creamy lemon frosting & a caramel so gentle & delicate for a first sip. Along with some light shocks of spice, second sip elicits a rolling wave of younger cherry wood. Almost tastes like a 3-4 year MGP on the palate too with a lot of citrus and spice. An exuberant thin caramel that tries to cover up a faint mint. The mint is only identifiable after the caramel coating quickly passes and the light cooling feeling of air spearmint is felt on the inside of my cheek. Palate reminds me a lot of Smoke Wagon Small Batch. Good creaminess, but on the rise into the nose more of that mint can be found. It gained in intensity through here, but then I realized the pour was almost out. This drank fast and easy. Definitely feels lower in proof. Ohh, some interesting coffee bean creaminess shows up late. Kind of has a feeling similar to Nikka Coffey malt whisky. Pleasant, and certainly an easy drinker, I'm leaning towards something I actually don't think I've tried which makes this guess hard. Rating: 4/5 Guess: MGP... ~92 Proof... High West Double Rye?? Reveal: New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon - Bourbon Eye Bunker Group Pick Welp, I can't know what I don't know! I've never actually had any New Riff offerings, so I definitely would not have tried to guess that. I think the confidence got me killed here. I'm really impressed with how well it drank below it's proof though. I really had this pegged at 90 and it actually comes in at 105.5°. I did have a high(er) rye mash bill well identified, for some pity points! I will also say my tasting notes follow the ones they list on their bottle well too. I am thankful to @bruns_bourbon, who swapped samples with me for some Barrell offerings recently and provided this one for review. This was a fun tasting! Company on Label: New Riff Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 65% Corn, 30% Rye, 5% Barley Proof: 105.5° Age: 4 years Further identification: Distilled 10.28.16, Bottled 12.23.20; Barrel number 16-2716; this is a pick for Bourbon Eye Bunker

Bit of a late post on this one, I wrote notes for this head to head yesterday (Sunday, July 11th). I still like to write reviews by hand before transcribing them to digital text for some reason... Call me old fashioned, but it just has a different focus and flow to it. Anyway, I've been meaning to do this rye face-off for a little while. I love a budget bottle that can still hit the spot. Let's see if either of these fit that bill! Pikesville Company on Label: Heaven Hill Whiskey Type: Straight Rye Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 35% Corn, 51% Rye, 14% Barley Proof: 110° Age: 6 years Further identification: Unique "D" bottle shape, purchased early 2020 Sazerac Company on Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Straight Rye Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed Buffalo Trace Rye Mash Bill Proof: 90° Age: NAS (~4 years) Further identification: Purchased early 2020 Pikesville Nose: Citrus Pepper Allspice Herbal funk Vanilla Robust Oak Palate: Herbal caramel Dusty oak Spicy mouth coating Big lemon peel zest Long linger Layers, complexity & intensity Touches of sour molasses Yum! Sazerac Nose: Apricot / green apple Floral Light / airy Very light stone fruit Touches of citrus & vanilla Fresh sawn pine Palate: Syrupy, sweet Fresh, juicy apple Slight medicinal cherry Light milk chocolate Silky smooth, goes down easy with a light creamy linger Final Ranking: Situational, see below! I went into this thinking there has to be a clear winner between these two. There is extra age and proof to the Pikesville, surely that will outclass the younger buck? I came out not so sure. I think both have their time & place and I will highlight which stood out for this tasting in particular on a muggy New England Sunday in July. Overall the Pikesville is far more robust, intense and flavorful. I dream of the beginning of Fall when I taste this … but then a bead of sweat forms on my forehead as the more intense proof and spice works it's way out of my pores. I find myself gravitating towards finishing the Sazerac first. Then I find myself pouring a follow up Sazerac once both the glasses are empty... While I think on any cool day, or under a bit of air conditioning, the Pikesville would get the nod; today the lower proof and sweetness of the Sazerac is more enjoyable. Both are really solid rye offerings I will be keeping on my shelf. Cheers!

Barrell Craft Spirits has been doing wonderous and remarkable things. From my most recent experience with Barrell Seagrass, to Dovetail, to the fun batches of bourbon & rye, there hasn't been anything from them that I've been able to turn down a pour of yet. I even won a signed bottle from Joe Beatrice in a blind tasting competition! That said, I go into every pour with a challenging and inquisitive mind. I generally try to disregard label and price once the liquor hits the glass and just evaluate on my reception to the experience. Company on Label: Barrell Craft Spirits Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed Proof: 119.54° Age: 7 years Further identification: Distilled in Kentucky, USA is listed on the back of this bottle; Barrel # Z2F4, bottle # 161. This is a store pick from Kappy's in MA for the 1940 Barrel Society called "Kappy Endings". I purchased this bottle in June of 2021 Nose: Wow, lovely spicy cherry; not hot in the sense of pepper spicy... not herbal... but a zesty hot tamale candy cherry. Really nice introduction smell. Caramel funk and citrus tied marvelously to the oak. It has that hallmark Pinesol note I've come to know very well. This has the makings of something that really reminds me of Willett distillate. Lightly dusty but mainly that sweet cinnamon is shining through on the nose pre-sip. Now some herbal chocolate mixes in. A bite of pepper. This has to be fairly high in rye content with what I'm smelling so far. I love it, but it definitely does not nose like a bourbon at the start! Introducing some air on a swirl brings out some light vanilla, white pepper and more of that funky citrus. The pre-sip nose seems to have run it's course, so let's give this a taste. Post sip, some of the intensity of the spice has mellowed which is a nice reprieve for the nostrils. It's more of a cardamom spice now with a slightly burnt oak. Caramelized sugar totally decimates the spice and now there is just a silky base of sweetness. A touch of mint can be found now that the aromas have turned more delicate late in the glass. A bit of dark, bready graham cracker can be found on deep inhales. I have zero complaints about this nose. Empty glass is a bit of floral vanilla and light molasses. Palate: Woah! That cherry explosion! It instantly fades into the cinnamon hot tamale candy profile I was also getting on the nose. The delivery of this is intense on a fresh palate. The linger is ridiculous. Alcohol soaked oak carries the same funky Pinesol-esque citrus forward. Molasses and chocolate are found left on my tongue on an exhale. The citrus feel has transitioned a bit to something that resembles a cooked or poached orange. Spearmint presents late as if the glass just turned over a new page. Some light chamomile tea flavors dance along late in the pour, as some lemon juice and honey drizzle their way into the finish. Some extra dark fruit and brown sugar is incredibly subtle but there. The last sip leaves me yearning for another glass, which is pretty rare for me. The light sting of lemon zest is so enjoyable to me at this proof. Rating: 5/5 This flavor is exactly why I love Willett family estate offerings. I obviously have no way of confirming if this indeed came from Willett, but my palate is about 95% confident it is... and I'm 100% confident that I love this bourbon. Thinking through this a bit more, it is definitely capable of being from Willett, given distillation resumed in 2012 and this is a 7 year age statement; it also shares a similar cask strength proof to some other Willett 7 year offerings I found online near 120°... Now does this mean Willett thought this wasn't good enough to be bottled under their label, or was Kappy's just lucky enough to select a fantastic barrel before it could go into the un-obtain-o-sphere? Thanks to Blake over at Bourbonr for some of the information that led me to this conclusion. I claim no accuracy to the information in this post, this is just my humble opinion on what I am tasting tonight. Let me know if you have tried this and what you think of it. Am I crazy? Definitely possible. Cheers!

A very special bottle celebrating Jimmy Russell's 60th year of making whiskey with Wild Turkey, this blend was selected by his son, Eddie, who sought out barrels fitting for the occasion. The result is this Diamond Anniversary edition featuring a blend of 13 and 16 year bourbons. "It was about doing something different", says Eddie, commenting about the profile chosen for this bourbon. I've been excited to get this one open and I am immediately sharing a few samples with some folks who need to try this! Company on Label: Wild Turkey Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 91° Age: Blend of 13 year and 16 year bourbons Further identification: The Diamond Anniversary comes in a dark oak box with sliding covers, the card that comes in the box has the label of Batch No. B14-0035 Nose: Explosive cherry. Lovely citrus zest. A flash of amaretto & creamy cocoa. Noses a bit above its proof, which is a good thing here with waves of powerful flavors wafting out of the glass. The oak is well aged & exudes some light lemongrass. Smells like a bright sun-shining Spring day. Some fresh field florals. Slight dustiness but presents smooth like a silky vanilla. The strawberry goodness can be found after a sip. Woah. I would definitely recommend giving this a light swirl from time to time. The citrus zest rises like a fireball carrying all kinds of new, potent floral notes. I'm not too sharp on my flower species smells, but the aromas I'm getting give off a vibe of yellow or white flower petals and natural tan undergrowth. Fun one to nose, it develops well and evolves over time. Nearing the end of the glass I get a few flashes of anise, light, dried leather and the continued dominance of the fantastic citrus and floral base profile. Empty glass is a lovely herbal chocolate & caramel. Palate: First taste is just wonderful sweetness. A flash of strawberry vanilla smoothie, then a wave of citrus, a quick nod & a handshake from the oak, then it returns to a dry strawberry. Carries a bit of sour plum in the aftertaste as well. After things open up the citrus side of things takes over, coating under my tongue with little nibbles of lemon frosting. So silky & smooth to start with some rising sweetness & a lingering thin caramel. Eventually develops into a bit of smooth leather & the dark old oak let's you know where all the flavor came from. Some corn and dried peanuts rise up on the longer lingers. Yum! Rating: 5/5 This was a really lovely surprise. The profile was not at all what I was expecting going into a Wild Turkey offering. Eddie did a fantastic job of 'doing something different' as he intended to do. I thoroughly enjoyed nosing this one. As much as I wish the palate was closer to 100 proof than 90, I still have to give credit where credit is due, as this is a really solid pour.

Company on Label: Heaven Hill Whiskey Type: Straight Rye Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 35% Corn, 51% Rye, 14% Barley Proof: 110° Age: 6 years Further identification: Purchased early 2020 Great caramel forward nose for a rye, definitely suggests that this must be a "barely legal" rye. Dust and some kind of floral note that kind of reminds me of a retirement home (in a good/nostalgic way). Peppery citrus. The herbal notes are unique for me; I can't quite nail it down. It is kind of earthy like perhaps a spring garden that is just getting started but not in full growth phase. Sweet flavors are present but sitting in the background on the nose. Palate is also very unique. Chocolate covered raisins and medicinal... pear? Great tobacco note is now present on the nose as this opens. Okay we are settling into a more reasonable profile now. Really everything has come together well so far. Cherry is settling in with a slight cinnamon spice that is like a dark cola without the sugar. A light spice and lingering vanilla produce a more than satisfying finish. Rating: 4/5

Company on Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (Low Rye < 10%) Proof: 131.1° Age: NAS (~8 years) Further identification: Batch 15 (Winter 2020) Buttery, creamy, textured nose. Musty and chocolatey leather. Funky pepper. Fresh linens. Really creamy/sweet. Instant prevalent mouth coating kissed with a light, sweet strawberry. Caramel carries the proof through. Wow. Explosive flavors. Very sharp vanilla/marshmallow. Cloves & pepper. Pungent strawberry is laced into the leather. Spicy late in the glass. Solid. Kind of reminds me of a strawberry cereal that is sprinkled with a light cinnamon. Finish is shorter than previous batches but this is way more approachable. I have a feeling this batch is going to be a crowd pleaser, but I don't think it is my top (batch 14 is, as of right now). Rating: 4/5

Company on Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (Low Rye < 10%) Proof: 90° Age: 10 years Further identification: Standard offering, ~2020 purchase Nose: That wonderful @buffalotrace sweet candied apple I know and love leads the way. Immediately followed by the syrupy cherry & slight cinnamon spice that really noses similar to a Stagg Jr early on here. An absolute clinic of bourbon scent presentation; a well-aged oak carries a sweet, sugary caramel forward on it's latest layer. Some very faint spices appear as a foreshadowing to the continued evolution of this pour. Some evidence of a faint lemon cake is starting to present post-sip. Vanilla helps the cake feel along further. A swirl unleashes more of the cherry sweetness that overpowers the apple & caramel notes. It has also lost its rich intensity it started with, revealing that this may well fall short in a Stagg Jr head to head. Some dryness like clay under hot sun now. A hint of funky dark chocolate. Now that some of the other flavors have subsided I can really appreciate the quality of the oak note here, which is stronger than I may have let on. Some buttery silky characteristics do well to tie this whole glass together. Empty glass is peppery vanilla. Palate: Big first sip (whoops) presents a very light maraschino cherry forward profile. If you blinded me you might be able to convince me this is a light old fashioned. Unbelievably approachable; despite my large sip there is zero ethanol to uncover. At the same time a thick syrupy mouth coating doesn't actually carry much in the way of flavor. Another sip is just the perfect viscosity and approaches some molasses and a touch of earthy oak. The oak is almost muddy in a way. I envision a wet barrel sitting outside on a well-trodden path surrounded by a rainy day like today. Flashes of spice can be pulled from the depths of this dark oak. I do love the quality of the mouth coating on this that sets it apart from BT for me. The after taste has a nice lemon meringue pie feeling to it. I thoroughly enjoy this as a sipper, but not enough to give it a 5 in my book; this is a very solid 4/5. Rating: 4/5

Company on Label: Willett Whiskey Type: Straight Rye Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: Blended Willett High and Low Rye Mash Bills Proof: 110.2° Age: 4 years Further identification: Only identified by proof, this was purchased from a NHLO store in late 2019 / early 2020 Nose: Explosive citrusy Pinesol note that I absolutely adore. It smells like coming downstairs for Sunday morning cartoons as a kid, jumping from dry spot to dry spot to get to the TV as my dad washed the floors. Nose also features a milk chocolate and some baking spice. Cloves. Bread. Unique dark fruit that doesn't want to reveal its secrets. Palate: Very unique dark fruit, graham cracker, chocolate, char, and caramel are an intense experience. If you aren't ready for a proofy rye, steer clear, but if this is your mood it's hard to find a replacement that can do what this glass does. Thick caramel and citrus wood hang around long. Yum! Rating: 5/5

I tasted this in close succession with a Michter's Toasted Barrel Rye, so there are a few comparisons throughout, but not enough to be considered a true head-to-head. Company on Label: Michter's Whiskey Type: Straight Rye Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed Proof: 111° Age: NAS Further identification: Barrel No 21B376 Nose: Traditional rye baking spices and a creamy cherry. Oak note is recognizable. Similar leather to the Michter's Toasted Barrel Rye. A touch of extra ethanol that the toasted did not have, but the vanilla balancing act is more prevalent from the start. Definitely feels like it starts sweeter. Smells like fresh sheets next to an open summer window; some florals just barely wafting in. Caramel is always there to reset you. This has a touch of smoke deep in the back. This nose is perfectly inoffensive. Tiny bit of anise. Bold but well done. Palate: Plenty of cinnamon for this showing. Citrus very light on the forefront allowing the more complex leather and tobacco to show up. More of an inner leaf robustness than the smell of a cigar wrap. Brown sugar piles onto a peppered bread. Explosive, but not a 'hot' experience. Powdered candy cherry. Like a pixie stick level sugar rush comes along with this one; a favorite grandma memory of mine no doubt. Ooooh, a great light mint is effervescent now. Rising its way through me I get a ton of thick molasses stuck to the edges of my tongue. I could see this being a regular Sunday pour for me this summer. It just has a sit, relax, and take me on a journey feel to it. It makes me want to turn off my analytical brain, which I think I am about due for at this point! Rating: 4/5

The hilarious label for this pick was created by the private group Boston Barrel Society. It is a play on the Old Rip Van Winkle Lot "B" label in the hazy background of this image. I chose to let this barrel shine on it's own and not try a head to head at this time! @northsidedistillingco said on this post it was one of their "most enjoyable projects to date". This pick also came with a small jar of the honey that was used, which is delicious! Company on Label: Northside Distilling Co Whiskey Type: Finished Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Barley Proof: 99.8° (proofed down by the honey barrel from 108°) Age: 6 years Further identification: Boston Barrel Society pick 2020 Buttery barbecue savory sweetness immediately on nose. Super robust; proof is apparent, but welcome to me. The rye notes (36% of mash bill) are spectacular. The rye spice is kept in line by the sweet, creamy mouth coating likely from the honey barrel finish, but also could be a slight marshmallow note from the char. Without that balance I think this might drink pretty hot. Through the whole glass the most apparent note is a syrupy cherry. Some extra oak is level and fresh, not tannic or charred. The finish shows the spice that couldn't be subdued. When the glass gets empty the honey barrel really takes over in the glass coating. Overall a very nice experience. Rating: 4/5 I have shared this one with quite a few people at this point. I wish I had another bottle to enjoy myself on hot summer days, but I'd be content sampling out the rest of this bottle for others to get to experience this really unique presentation!

This was the review I started my Instagram page with! I recently took stock of the short list of folks who helped me get started back near that first post. It's a fun moment of nostalgia and I'd like to thank everyone who helped me grow over these last ~13 weeks from a guy with a spreadsheet to a guy with an Instagram, to a guy with a website! Cheers to you all. Company on Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (Low Rye < 10%) Proof: 90° Age: 8 years Further identification: NHLO store pick - Barrel 123 Definitely feels different to the standard flagship flavor profile. Cherry wine nose beats out the usual candy apple I was expecting. Rich peppery caramel. Palate is very light still but a syrupy cherry note melts into a brown sugar and leather base. Touch of marshmallow comes through. Late in the glass some vanilla cream, cloves and BBQ notes are present (maple, slight char/smoke). If you ramped this up from 90 proof to 130... It would be divine. Rating: 4/5 Brief shoutout to some folks from Instagram who were great supporters early on: @saxybourbon @_lostnemo_ @8ourbon @bourbon_fiend_and_finder @bourbondipity_ @thewhiskeynoobs @barrelproofnerd @chasingbourbon @egilbert09

Weller Full Proof hitting a Glencairn glass is like music to my ears. This pick is among one of the better picks coming out of MA from 2020. Prior to this bottle, I had finished a bottle of Weller Full Proof from Total Wine which was not a good offering at all. Let's see how this pick tastes! Company on Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Wheated Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed Buffalo Trace "Wheated Mash Bill" Proof: 114° Age: NAS Further identification: 2020 release from Kappy's - Barrel 294 Appearance is a robust caramel; a tilt or swirl reveals thick, long legs on the glass. Nose: Sweet pepper. Creamy leather. Smooth cinnamon without the typical bite on your nostrils. Cherry and butterscotch. Brown sugar comes in like a dusting sitting atop a strip of oiled leather. Some orange citrus zest is what feels like is keeping the ethanol of the proof at bay and doing it very well. Palate: Super rich caramel & brown sugar. Mouth coating feels akin to experience of real thick maple syrup. Chewy cinnamon balanced perfectly by the cherry note. On heftier sips smooth flames can be felt exiting your nostrils. They are not painful but creamy and flavorful. Finish is an impossibly long mouth coating, but the rising creamy/zesty finish cuts off a little too short, forcing more delicious sips. As the glass opens up longer, so does the finish. Let this one rest. Rating: 5/5