US Whiskies November 19-30, 2010

[Ganga]

Come one, come all. Join us in our exploration of bourbons, ryes and other whiskies produced in the US. Call it Whisky Thanskgiving.

[Ganga]

I'll kick off the US whisky thread. Start with a cheap, readily available bourbon. Rebel Yell. This is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey @ 40%.

Medium Gold

Nose: Crushed peanut shells, straw, vanilla, some greens (mint?)
Palate: Creamy vanilla, rough cracked grains, green grass
Finish: kind of longish, vanilla and peanuts

When I first had this it was not very good at all. It's been open for 6 mos or so now and it has at least developed a little bit of character.

[pkt77242]

Ganga, thank you for setting this up. If I still feel ok after eating (I have had the stomach flu most of this week), I will be back later tonight (say 30 minutes to 1 hour) to post some notes.

[Ganga]

Next up Hirsch 13 Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Lot 97-1, 47.8%

Reddish Gold

Nose: minty vanilla, maple wood, wheat
Palate: minty, green grass, raw rye grain, maple syrup
Finish: continuation of the palate, kind of short

While it doesn't linger like the Rebel Yell it is far more complex and much more enjoyable.

[pkt77242]

Mccarthy's Single Malt Batch W08-02 Bottled July 15 2008

N: Smoke, peat, pears, some green wood and a touch of citrus.
P: Smoke and peat. Young wood smoke, a little green but with some nice pears and citrus. I swear there is some salt in there as well.
F: medium short on campfire smoke from young wood. A touch of citrus and a nice punch of peat.

A little young but tastes much older than the 3 years old that it is.

Sean

[Ganga]

Man, I want some of that Sean!

[AdamMY]

Eagle Rare Single Barrel 10 Year old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

I happened to have bought a half bottle of this in the past at least I believe it was the same age and found it phenomenal hopefully this one is the same.

Color is a nice medium amber color. And it is aromas like this that make me realize why I love whiskey in the first place. There is something about the aroma in a higher quality bourbon, Loads of vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger, perhaps even the slightest hint of a smoke like character.

Well yes the taste does let me know its 90 proof, but somehow it was strangely invigorating, and cleansing. I dare say the whole wave of vanilla is incredible, with a nice cooling almost mint like effect.

It is not as good as I remember the half bottle being, but then again my taste buds have not yet become accustom to the high alcohol content of Whiskey again.

[Ganga]

Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whiskey 100 proof

Amber

Nose: squash-pumpkin and summer, vanilla extract, swathed grain field
Palate: creamy grains, cracked white pepper, plantains
Finish: long, grainy

This is really good tonight although not a subtle as the Hirsch.

[Ganga]

Eagle Rare Single Barrel 10 Year old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

I happened to have bought a half bottle of this in the past at least I believe it was the same age and found it phenomenal hopefully this one is the same.

Color is a nice medium amber color. And it is aromas like this that make me realize why I love whiskey in the first place. There is something about the aroma in a higher quality bourbon, Loads of vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger, perhaps even the slightest hint of a smoke like character.

Well yes the taste does let me know its 90 proof, but somehow it was strangely invigorating, and cleansing. I dare say the whole wave of vanilla is incredible, with a nice cooling almost mint like effect.

It is not as good as I remember the half bottle being, but then again my taste buds have not yet become accustom to the high alcohol content of Whiskey again.

ER 10s are usually pretty good but they are single barrels so there always exists the possibility of variation. Sounds like you got a good one though.

[pkt77242]

Eagle Rare Single Barrel 10 Year old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

I happened to have bought a half bottle of this in the past at least I believe it was the same age and found it phenomenal hopefully this one is the same.

Color is a nice medium amber color. And it is aromas like this that make me realize why I love whiskey in the first place. There is something about the aroma in a higher quality bourbon, Loads of vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger, perhaps even the slightest hint of a smoke like character.

Well yes the taste does let me know its 90 proof, but somehow it was strangely invigorating, and cleansing. I dare say the whole wave of vanilla is incredible, with a nice cooling almost mint like effect.

It is not as good as I remember the half bottle being, but then again my taste buds have not yet become accustom to the high alcohol content of Whiskey again.

Nice notes Adam

[Ganga]

Jim Beam Straight Rye Whisky

Amber gold

Nose: mild. some straw, grains (oats?), crushed mint
Palate: reminds me of those restraunts with the sawdust on the floor and you dump the peanut shells on the floor. some maple syrup notes, citrus-oranges.
Finish: mild, orange marmalade.

This is tasty.

[pkt77242]

Elmer T Lee Single barrel for Hi Time Wine barrel #120

N: Lots of corn, vanilla, some caramel and a little oak char. A little butterscotch and toffee.
P: rather sweet with corn and caramel. Some of the oak, butterscotch and saw dust. Vanilla creme brulee.
F: Shortish on vanilla custard, corn and caramel. A little drying oak at the very end.

Rather simple but sweet. This bottle seems to be getting sweeter the longer it is open.

[Ganga]

Elmer T Lee Single barrel for Hi Time Wine barrel #120

N: Lots of corn, vanilla, some caramel and a little oak char. A little butterscotch and toffee.
P: rather sweet with corn and caramel. Some of the oak, butterscotch and saw dust. Vanilla creme brulee.
F: Shortish on vanilla custard, corn and caramel. A little drying oak at the very end.

Rather simple but sweet. This bottle seems to be getting sweeter the longer it is open.

I wonder if they still have some of this. It sounds charming.

[pkt77242]

Makers Mark 46 (thanks for the sample Jeff)

N: Butterscotch, pecan pie, and praline clusters. Some peanut butter as well. (hmm I have never done tasting notes on this before but this is really weird).
P: Butterscotch, some oak, well really lots of oak. Slightly bitter. A slight note of pecan and vanilla.
F: Medium, on vanilla and some bitter oak. Just a hint of pecans.

Not really my thing.

[Ganga]

Old Fitzgerald's 1849 Kentucky Straigh Bourbon Whiskey, 45%

Reddish amber

Nose: grainy, vanilla, generic citrus notes, dried mint leaves
Palate: rough, grainy, butterscotch brittle, butter
Finish: kind of rough and lingering

Just doesn't match up with the previous whiskies.

[AdamMY]

Old Fitzgerald's 1849 Kentucky Straigh Bourbon Whiskey, 45%

Reddish amber

Nose: grainy, vanilla, generic citrus notes, dried mint leaves
Palate: rough, grainy, butterscotch brittle, butter
Finish: kind of rough and lingering

Just doesn't match up with the previous whiskies.

I have found Bourbon in general seems to be hit or miss, which I am honestly sad to say, because when you get a good one, which at least being in the United States can happen at a quite reasonable price point it can be quite good (almost preferable to many mid level Scotches in my opinion). But at times it can be so incredibly rough and harsh that it really can call into question your previous experiences.

[Ganga]

Ancient Ancient Age 10 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 45%

Dark gold

Nose: butterscotch drizzled over a bed of grains, little bit of woodshop in there, pecan shells, vanilla custard (no cinnamon)
Palate: nutty brittle, waffles and syrup, vanilla
Finish: relaxing, butterscotch toffee

This is wonderful.

[Ganga]

Good oberservation Adam. Although I've not had any Stagg's that were disappointing.

[pkt77242]

Ridgemont Reserve 1792 Batch DSP-KY-12

N: Rye, sawdust, and cherries. A little corn, orange and oak. A little fresh cut wheat/rye/barley.
P: Sawdust, rye, cherries and vanilla. Similar to the nose. some polished oak and wood polish.
F: Shortish on vanilla, rye, and sawdust. Some polished oak and a hint of bitter cherries.

Really nice for the price $20 or so. Just nice if you throw out price.

Sean

[Ganga]

Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 8, 43%

Gold

Nose: Crushed nuts and shells, creamy peanut butter, straw mixed with cracked grain
Palate: cream, vanilla, nutmeg and other dry spices, butterscotch topping on vanilla ice cream
Finish: satisfying, sweet.

This is one that is most surprising. It's very sweet yet you don't feel like it's too much.

[Ganga]

Hill and Hill Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 43%, Quart bottle

Red Amber

Nose: Sawdust and glue, maple syrup, vanilla, fried eggs with buttered toast
Palate: green wheat, Mrs Buttersworth maple syrup, sawdust
Finish: short, moderately sweet

Interesting but not as good as some of the others.

[pkt77242]

Four Roses Single Barrel Warehouse KE barrel 8-5J

N: Rather floral, carantions and roses. Cinnamon and oak. A little caramel.
P: Floral, spicy, nutmeg and cinnamon. Some oak along with vanilla.
F: Medium short finish on spice (cinnamon and nutmeg). Vanilla and some floralness. A little wood polish.

A little to floral for me but still enjoyable.

[Ganga]

Old Taylor Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 50%, 4/5 Qt

medium dark gold

Nose: cream of wheat, straw, rye grains, some dried spices
Palate: pancakes soaked in syrup, vanilla extract, buttery
Finish: drying (surprising) yet syrupy, diminishing

Very nice.

[pkt77242]

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon Distilled 1997 Bottled 2009.

N: Heavy oak char, toffee, and caramel. A little cherry and orange.
P: Rather dry, heavy oak char, toffee, and vanilla. A little cherry and orange. Some spices and wood polish.
F: Medium on oak char, toffee and wood polish. Just a hint of vanilla to try and balance it out. Really dry towards the end. Kind of sucks all of the spit out of your mouth, yet is still enjoyable.

Very dry, but if you like dry whiskies this is very good.

[pkt77242]

Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 8, 43%

Gold

Nose: Crushed nuts and shells, creamy peanut butter, straw mixed with cracked grain
Palate: cream, vanilla, nutmeg and other dry spices, butterscotch topping on vanilla ice cream
Finish: satisfying, sweet.

This is one that is most surprising. It's very sweet yet you don't feel like it's too much.

Ganga, this whisky sounds damn nice.

[Ganga]

Black Maple Hill Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 11 yo
47.5%, Cask 307

dark amber, reddish tinge

Nose: milkweed and thistles, dusty old house, mint, basil
Palate: mixed salad, fresh mown June grass, sour, charcoal?
Finish: more of the same

This is really well put together even if it isn't quite the things I enjoy.

[Ganga]

I think you would enjoy it Sean.

Black Maple is strange, intriguing.....

[pkt77242]

Black Maple Hill Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 11 yo
47.5%, Cask 307

dark amber, reddish tinge

Nose: milkweed and thistles, dusty old house, mint, basil
Palate: mixed salad, fresh mown June grass, sour, charcoal?
Finish: more of the same

This is really well put together even if it isn't quite the things I enjoy.

Sounds very interesting but I am not sure if it would be good or not.

[Ganga]

Sunny Brook Kentucky Blended Whiskey, 40%

Dark Straw

Nose: blend of corn and hard grains, dry spice
Palate: corn syrup
Finish: sweet

This is rather simplistic and boring after everything else.

[Ganga]

Ancient Age Straight Kentucky Bourbon 40%

Reddish gold

Nose: creamy, straw and grains, dried grasses
Palate: Astringent green grass, peanuts and shells
Finish: mild yet satisfying

This is good but nowhere near the AAA version.

[pkt77242]

Jefferson's Presidential Select 17yo batch 2 (I believe it is from 2009).

N: Toffee, caramel, oak and vanilla. A hint of orange and dark chocolate. A hint of corn and nutmeg.
P: Spices (cinnamon and nutmeg), toffee, vanilla and polished oak. Just a little orange and dark chocolate. Rather similar to the nose, just a little more spicyness.
F: Medium on cinnamon and nutmeg. Also a touch of vanilla custard and oak. A little dry but not as much as you would expect from a 17yo.

Very enjoyable. Not my fav bourbon but a top 10 for me.

[Ganga]

Wild Turkey 8 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 50.5%

Amber

Nose: minty butterscotch, grainy
Palate: mixed nuts, greens, grains
Finish: lively, green and cracked grains

It's a little rough but has enough going on to keep you focused on it.

[Ganga]

Sean, that sounds like one I would really enjoy. Is there a roughness too it or is it more of a sweet bourbon?

[pkt77242]

Buffalo Trace White Dog Mash #1 125 proof (thanks Jeff for the sample).

N: Black Licorice and lots of it. Bubblegum, cotton candy and pure corn syrup.
P: Crazy sweet and has a slight feintyness to it. Cotton candy, pure corn syrup and black licorice. Has anyone ever drank high fructose corn syrup? Just add some cotton candy and black licorice. Rather thick and chewy. A touch of juniper berry.
F: Short and sweet. Corn syrup and black licorice. Also slightly bitter at the very end.

Fun to drink once in a while but new make is to sickly sweet for me.

[pkt77242]

Sean, that sounds like one I would really enjoy. Is there a roughness too it or is it more of a sweet bourbon?

Not much roughness. Very smooth and with some nice sweetnes. For a 17yo bourbon the oak never comes close to dominating like it does with most older bourbons.