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Introducing Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Blend of Bourbon Whiskey, hand-selected straight bourbons of varying mash bills and ages.
9 Likes
2 weeks ago
Review: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof c923, 66.5%, 13y7mo
15m rest, neat, glencairn
**Nose:** deep sweet oak, blanched almonds, marzipan, vanilla eclair, whipped cream
**Palate:** pistachio ice cream, bourbon caramels, toffee, cold brew coffee, hazelnut custard, and layers of oak that stretch out. Impossibly smooth for proof. Viscosity is approaching perfect for my palate; Thick and syrupy and opens up with a Kentucky chew
**Finish:** moderately long but shorter than I’d like. Macerated Cherries, Nutella, and espresso macarons… lingers and the only heat I get is in the first moments after deglutition
**Overall: 9/10**
This is my favorite ECBP to date (started grabbing them with A122 for reference). It’s damned near perfect for my palate suffering only from a shorter-than-hoped-for finish. There are some interesting bitter notes in the mouth but I love them. I think it’s all char and oak but I taste cafe americano in there and love it. Huge pastry cream notes and delicate almond/hazelnut tones. Honestly I’m still processing after a long session with a single pour.
I’d love to hear others’ opinions of this one. I’m floored even for an avid ECBP fan. I’ll savor this bottle out and seek a backup if I can find one.
t8ke Scoring Scale:
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.
15m rest, neat, glencairn
**Nose:** deep sweet oak, blanched almonds, marzipan, vanilla eclair, whipped cream
**Palate:** pistachio ice cream, bourbon caramels, toffee, cold brew coffee, hazelnut custard, and layers of oak that stretch out. Impossibly smooth for proof. Viscosity is approaching perfect for my palate; Thick and syrupy and opens up with a Kentucky chew
**Finish:** moderately long but shorter than I’d like. Macerated Cherries, Nutella, and espresso macarons… lingers and the only heat I get is in the first moments after deglutition
**Overall: 9/10**
This is my favorite ECBP to date (started grabbing them with A122 for reference). It’s damned near perfect for my palate suffering only from a shorter-than-hoped-for finish. There are some interesting bitter notes in the mouth but I love them. I think it’s all char and oak but I taste cafe americano in there and love it. Huge pastry cream notes and delicate almond/hazelnut tones. Honestly I’m still processing after a long session with a single pour.
I’d love to hear others’ opinions of this one. I’m floored even for an avid ECBP fan. I’ll savor this bottle out and seek a backup if I can find one.
t8ke Scoring Scale:
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.
5 hrs ago
Barrell Bourbon Private Release Blend# C06i
These Barrell Private Release blends are "microblends." My understanding is that the homies at Barrell blend a few different distillates into an ex-bourbon barrel, and then sell each blend to an individual store (or group of stores in a region). There are a ton of different blends - Barrell lists the components for all of them on their website. This is Blend #C06i - made up of 30% 5-year, 30% 7-year, 30% 10 year, and 10% 17 year bourbons from Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. If I had to guess - and I would be blind guessing like a dumb idiot turd boy - I would guess that the 5- and 7-year bourbons are MGP, the 10-year is Barton, and the 17-year is Dickel. I'm guessing the 10-year is Barton, because I taste quite a bit of that naughty old Barton leather. Speaking of tastes, I tasted this neat in a glencairn after about 10 minutes of sleepy rest.
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117.3 proof | blend of straight bourbons from TN, IN, & KY , aged 5 to 17 years | $80 was paid for this bottle - MSRP ~$110
--
Nose: cherry cola | caramel | honey, maple, & molasses | pecan pie | anise | hint of clove & cocoa
Palate: luxurious leather | toffee | dark rich vanilla extract & molasses | cocoa | clove | ginger | cinnamon. There's a great gingerbread thing happening here.
Finish: thick mint | gingerbread cookie | dark chocolate | silky catwoman leather
Body: very slick, medium-thick, great prickly tannins as the finish sets in. Great stuff.
Score: 8 | Excellent
These Barrell Private Release blends are "microblends." My understanding is that the homies at Barrell blend a few different distillates into an ex-bourbon barrel, and then sell each blend to an individual store (or group of stores in a region). There are a ton of different blends - Barrell lists the components for all of them on their website. This is Blend #C06i - made up of 30% 5-year, 30% 7-year, 30% 10 year, and 10% 17 year bourbons from Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. If I had to guess - and I would be blind guessing like a dumb idiot turd boy - I would guess that the 5- and 7-year bourbons are MGP, the 10-year is Barton, and the 17-year is Dickel. I'm guessing the 10-year is Barton, because I taste quite a bit of that naughty old Barton leather. Speaking of tastes, I tasted this neat in a glencairn after about 10 minutes of sleepy rest.
--
117.3 proof | blend of straight bourbons from TN, IN, & KY , aged 5 to 17 years | $80 was paid for this bottle - MSRP ~$110
--
Nose: cherry cola | caramel | honey, maple, & molasses | pecan pie | anise | hint of clove & cocoa
Palate: luxurious leather | toffee | dark rich vanilla extract & molasses | cocoa | clove | ginger | cinnamon. There's a great gingerbread thing happening here.
Finish: thick mint | gingerbread cookie | dark chocolate | silky catwoman leather
Body: very slick, medium-thick, great prickly tannins as the finish sets in. Great stuff.
Score: 8 | Excellent
1 Like
7 hrs ago
Barrell Bourbon Batch 028
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108.86 proof | aged minimum 10 years | blend of straight bourbons from IN, KY, & TN | MSRP ~$90
--<br /> Nose: oak | peanut shells | gingersnap cookie | vanilla extract | cardamom & nutmeg
Palate: quick pop of vanilla | oak | dusty caramel & peanuts | leather | light brown sugar & butterscotch
Finish: cinnamon | anise | orange peel | clove | gingerbread | leather & tobacco. Finish is long, but not big.
Body: very slick & viscous - medium thickness
Score: 7 | Great
Thoughts: For me, this one was a real shifty bourbon. For being so fucking oaky, it's crazy that the profile isn't darker. If it was a pair of pants, it would be a really nice pair of khaki pants. Sure, they're really nice - but who gives a fuck? It has a lot going on, but I really have to focus to pull things out.
It's objectively pretty great - complex high-quality juice - but it's just not that fun for me. This and 022 were probably my least favorite batches of Barrell Bourbon between batches 022-030. I am definitely biased toward darker whiskey profiles, though - so your mileage may vary here.
--
108.86 proof | aged minimum 10 years | blend of straight bourbons from IN, KY, & TN | MSRP ~$90
--<br /> Nose: oak | peanut shells | gingersnap cookie | vanilla extract | cardamom & nutmeg
Palate: quick pop of vanilla | oak | dusty caramel & peanuts | leather | light brown sugar & butterscotch
Finish: cinnamon | anise | orange peel | clove | gingerbread | leather & tobacco. Finish is long, but not big.
Body: very slick & viscous - medium thickness
Score: 7 | Great
Thoughts: For me, this one was a real shifty bourbon. For being so fucking oaky, it's crazy that the profile isn't darker. If it was a pair of pants, it would be a really nice pair of khaki pants. Sure, they're really nice - but who gives a fuck? It has a lot going on, but I really have to focus to pull things out.
It's objectively pretty great - complex high-quality juice - but it's just not that fun for me. This and 022 were probably my least favorite batches of Barrell Bourbon between batches 022-030. I am definitely biased toward darker whiskey profiles, though - so your mileage may vary here.
2 Likes
7 hrs ago
Review: Elijah Craig Barrel Select 62.5%, The (Holy?) Hand Grenade
There’s not a lot of solid info about this bottle but most of what I know I learned from the HH gift center (“it’s an exclusive, you should get one”) My thesis is: pretty bottle. Like EC. Me try!
I got my bottle end-of-July 2022
Is it a good value? No.
Is it a cool bottle? Yes.
Did I take the bait? Yes!
Should you? Let’s taste!
**Nose:** sweet and full of cherry cola notes, lots of caramel and oak
**Palate:** sweet and with a nice tang of stone fruit and oak, smooth and syrupy with a great feel, I dig the subtle spice with upfront sweetness. There’s some acidity I don’t usually get with ECBP but it’s nice at the proof to get my mouth watering.
**Finish:** long with a coating that covers my mouth. Sweet and thick and oaky. Some amara Cherry. Some angostura bitters.
**Overall: 8/10**
I honestly love this and think it stands up to ECBP pretty well. Not as killer as the best batches I’ve had but better than the A’s from the last two years IMO. It’s a sweet fruity bourbon with great backbone and syrupy mouthfeel. What’s not to love?
Is it a gimmick? Yep.
Would I get another? Totally. The bottle adds a little value because I use small bottles for syrups and this one is just sweet. Not a purely taste-based reason but if we go that route I think I’d get another just to compare batches.
t8ke Scoring Scale:
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.
There’s not a lot of solid info about this bottle but most of what I know I learned from the HH gift center (“it’s an exclusive, you should get one”) My thesis is: pretty bottle. Like EC. Me try!
I got my bottle end-of-July 2022
Is it a good value? No.
Is it a cool bottle? Yes.
Did I take the bait? Yes!
Should you? Let’s taste!
**Nose:** sweet and full of cherry cola notes, lots of caramel and oak
**Palate:** sweet and with a nice tang of stone fruit and oak, smooth and syrupy with a great feel, I dig the subtle spice with upfront sweetness. There’s some acidity I don’t usually get with ECBP but it’s nice at the proof to get my mouth watering.
**Finish:** long with a coating that covers my mouth. Sweet and thick and oaky. Some amara Cherry. Some angostura bitters.
**Overall: 8/10**
I honestly love this and think it stands up to ECBP pretty well. Not as killer as the best batches I’ve had but better than the A’s from the last two years IMO. It’s a sweet fruity bourbon with great backbone and syrupy mouthfeel. What’s not to love?
Is it a gimmick? Yep.
Would I get another? Totally. The bottle adds a little value because I use small bottles for syrups and this one is just sweet. Not a purely taste-based reason but if we go that route I think I’d get another just to compare batches.
t8ke Scoring Scale:
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.
4 Likes
yesterday
Review: New Riff Silver Grove High Rye Barrel Proof 2023 Release
New Riff released their first ever cask strength bourbon both honoring the 1933 Silver Grove Bourbon from pre-prohibition Ohio AND as a fund raiser for the Silver Grove Community Foundation (an organization which I can find little documentation of online… please someone weigh in on what they do). Bottled at 56.*% and 4yrs without chill filtration or artificial coloring this is a beautiful pour - take a look and here are my thoughts!
**Nose:** virgin oak, herb mix, rye spice, warmed pine nuts - oil and toast, cherry pie
**Palate:** sorghum syrup, rye spice and sage, crushed herbs (sage, tarragon, cinnamon), medium cherry wood and oak, maraschino liquor without sweetness
**Finish:** pretty fast and pretty damn good, spice and cherry pie, some lemon zest on the back, doesn’t stick around forever but it’s a 4yo… caramel gets in there after you think it’s done. Very nice for a younger bourbon.
New Riff released their first ever cask strength bourbon both honoring the 1933 Silver Grove Bourbon from pre-prohibition Ohio AND as a fund raiser for the Silver Grove Community Foundation (an organization which I can find little documentation of online… please someone weigh in on what they do). Bottled at 56.*% and 4yrs without chill filtration or artificial coloring this is a beautiful pour - take a look and here are my thoughts!
**Nose:** virgin oak, herb mix, rye spice, warmed pine nuts - oil and toast, cherry pie
**Palate:** sorghum syrup, rye spice and sage, crushed herbs (sage, tarragon, cinnamon), medium cherry wood and oak, maraschino liquor without sweetness
**Finish:** pretty fast and pretty damn good, spice and cherry pie, some lemon zest on the back, doesn’t stick around forever but it’s a 4yo… caramel gets in there after you think it’s done. Very nice for a younger bourbon.
3 Likes
yesterday
Review| Larceny BP B523, 62.2%
**Nose:** black cherry fudge, raspberry truffles, charred oak, chewy grain
**Palate:** smooth thick texture, cherry cordial, Shirley temples (the drink), ethanol!, tart dried fruit, oaky sweetness, caramel. Hides it’s proof well and proclaims cherry and caramelized cooperage notes to the last.
**Finish:** dark nougat, dried cherries, rhubarb, sauna planks, tart Cherry on the after-taste for ages…
**Overall: 8/10**
Holy cherrybombs this is a 10 megaton stone-fruit assault that hits all my sweet spots for wheated bourbon. I love the HH BP series but this is the best Larceny I’ve had to date. Best bang for the buck of 2023 for me so far.
t8ke Scoring Scale:
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.
**Nose:** black cherry fudge, raspberry truffles, charred oak, chewy grain
**Palate:** smooth thick texture, cherry cordial, Shirley temples (the drink), ethanol!, tart dried fruit, oaky sweetness, caramel. Hides it’s proof well and proclaims cherry and caramelized cooperage notes to the last.
**Finish:** dark nougat, dried cherries, rhubarb, sauna planks, tart Cherry on the after-taste for ages…
**Overall: 8/10**
Holy cherrybombs this is a 10 megaton stone-fruit assault that hits all my sweet spots for wheated bourbon. I love the HH BP series but this is the best Larceny I’ve had to date. Best bang for the buck of 2023 for me so far.
t8ke Scoring Scale:
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.
3 Likes
yesterday
Traverse City Straight Rye Whiskey Barrel Proof Single Barrel r/Bourbon Selection
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118.4 proof | straight rye: 95% rye, 5% malted barley | MGP/Indiana | $89
--
Nose: thick spruce & mint | cherry, plum, & fig | burnt caramel & barrel char | hints of dark chocolate & moss
Palate: rich caramel, leather, and cocoa | dark sweet oak & barrel char
Finish: spruce | big cocoa | fruity shellac | tobacco & dried black cherries | m&m's | orange peel
Body: rich & viscous, with the perfect amount of prickliness on the finish. Beauteous.
Thoughts: I don't usually comment on a whiskey's looks - but this shit is like mahogany in a glass - it's beautiful. I want someone to pour it into my cupped hands so I can lap it up like a little puppy.
Score: 8.8 | Excellent
--
118.4 proof | straight rye: 95% rye, 5% malted barley | MGP/Indiana | $89
--
Nose: thick spruce & mint | cherry, plum, & fig | burnt caramel & barrel char | hints of dark chocolate & moss
Palate: rich caramel, leather, and cocoa | dark sweet oak & barrel char
Finish: spruce | big cocoa | fruity shellac | tobacco & dried black cherries | m&m's | orange peel
Body: rich & viscous, with the perfect amount of prickliness on the finish. Beauteous.
Thoughts: I don't usually comment on a whiskey's looks - but this shit is like mahogany in a glass - it's beautiful. I want someone to pour it into my cupped hands so I can lap it up like a little puppy.
Score: 8.8 | Excellent
4 Likes
3 days ago
Sazerac 18 Rye
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The red-headed stepchild of the BTAC collection.
--
Nose: light stone fruit | leather & clove | anise & spearmint | juicy fruit bubblegum | oak. More pungent than lefty, but more delicate at the same time.
Palate: caramel & cinnamon | stone fruit | anise | baking spices.
Finish & Body: big fat bubblegum and leather | gentle baking spices | rosemary | rich barrel char |cigar wrapper. Intensely vivid flavors here. Body is juicy and thin - almost a little watery. But the tannins are impressive on the finish. Absolutely no heat at any point.
--
Score: 8.2 | Excellent
--
The red-headed stepchild of the BTAC collection.
--
Nose: light stone fruit | leather & clove | anise & spearmint | juicy fruit bubblegum | oak. More pungent than lefty, but more delicate at the same time.
Palate: caramel & cinnamon | stone fruit | anise | baking spices.
Finish & Body: big fat bubblegum and leather | gentle baking spices | rosemary | rich barrel char |cigar wrapper. Intensely vivid flavors here. Body is juicy and thin - almost a little watery. But the tannins are impressive on the finish. Absolutely no heat at any point.
--
Score: 8.2 | Excellent
4 Likes
3 days ago
Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye 2018 Limited release
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This is a 2018 special release from Knob Creek. They did another in 2019, but they stopped after that because they are monsters who want to rob me of all joy. Tasted this neat in a glencairn after resting 10+ minutes.
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Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye Whiskey - 2018 Limited Release:
--
119.6 proof | aged 9 years | straight KY rye: mashbill undisclosed - approximately 51% rye | $65
--
Nose: Tart dried cherries & apricots | oak | musty peanut shells & light tobacco | mild allspice & sage
Palate: lush stone fruit | rich caramel & vanilla | oak | rosemary
Finish: clove & cinnamon red hots | cotton candy | leather couch | orange zest | oak with a lil' peanut action
Body: Rich & juicy, with a nice numbing tongue tingle as the finish fades
Thoughts: When I first opened this bottle, it was an absolute oak bomb - but it developed into a complex rye that has rich fruit notes, big oak, Beam peanut, and subtle herbs. I've watched that pattern repeat itself over at least three different bottles (which was fun). I've had the 2019 release, and it's great, too - it's more of a fiery oak monster, whereas this stuff has a lot of finesse. It seems like Beam is done with this bottling though - I never heard anything about a 2020 release or later. That makes me sad, because this is an excellent well-aged rye for $65. And I want more.
--
This is a 2018 special release from Knob Creek. They did another in 2019, but they stopped after that because they are monsters who want to rob me of all joy. Tasted this neat in a glencairn after resting 10+ minutes.
--
Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye Whiskey - 2018 Limited Release:
--
119.6 proof | aged 9 years | straight KY rye: mashbill undisclosed - approximately 51% rye | $65
--
Nose: Tart dried cherries & apricots | oak | musty peanut shells & light tobacco | mild allspice & sage
Palate: lush stone fruit | rich caramel & vanilla | oak | rosemary
Finish: clove & cinnamon red hots | cotton candy | leather couch | orange zest | oak with a lil' peanut action
Body: Rich & juicy, with a nice numbing tongue tingle as the finish fades
Thoughts: When I first opened this bottle, it was an absolute oak bomb - but it developed into a complex rye that has rich fruit notes, big oak, Beam peanut, and subtle herbs. I've watched that pattern repeat itself over at least three different bottles (which was fun). I've had the 2019 release, and it's great, too - it's more of a fiery oak monster, whereas this stuff has a lot of finesse. It seems like Beam is done with this bottling though - I never heard anything about a 2020 release or later. That makes me sad, because this is an excellent well-aged rye for $65. And I want more.
6 Likes
3 days ago
