A Pour Man's Tasting Notes

[pkt77242]

Going by abv tonight so first up is

Elijah Craig 18 single barrel barreled on 10-27-89 barrel #2361

N:cherry, orange, nutmeg, cinnamon, brown sugar, oak, and a hint of almonds.
P: loads of cherry and cinnamon. Oak covered in brown sugar? slightly drying. Slight cherry pie taste.
F: medium-short finish that is sweet but slightly dry. Cherry and oak (pencil shavings?).

I like this bourbon, and it definitley doesn't taste over oaked for spending 18 years in the cask.

87 points. Sweet but enjoyable.

[pkt77242]

Up next

Pappy Van Winkle 20yo 45.2%

N: very closed at first nosing. Mandarin orange, slight oak. slight walnut, and corn.
P: mandarin orange coverd in sawdust, with some walnuts on the side. Just a hint of banana and strawberry but with the oak providing plenty of slivers as well.
F: Medium-short finish on mandarin orange and oak slivers.

An enjoyable whisky but bang for the buck it falls a little short.

85 points.

[Ganga]

I really have enjoyed that Pappy but the tasting was of bottles that had been open for years. Not sure of the price point on this though.

[pkt77242]

Last one up

Jefferson's Presidential Reserve 17yo batch 2 47%

N: Slightly closed. Orange, cherry, vanilla, pencil shavings and some cinnamon.
P: Orange and brown sugar. Vanilla pencil shavings. Definitely some rye spices. Nutmeg.
F: medium finish on mint, pencial shavings, and vanilla. Rye spices linger as well.

A very nice bourbon 88 points. Enjoyable but the finish doesn't hold up it's end of the bargain.

[pkt77242]

I really have enjoyed that Pappy but the tasting was of bottles that had been open for years. Not sure of the price point on this though.

Out here it runs between $90-100. (though I got it as a gift from my wife).

[pkt77242]

Tonight 3 Glenrothes while watching the NCAA Championship game.

[pkt77242]

Glenrothes Select Reserve

N: Porridgy, sour, some lemon and hints of orange. Slightly grainy. Some caramel as well. Slightly closed.
P: There is the slightly bitter caramel, porridge, and lemon. A mixture of sour and bitter. Just a hint of orange/berries in the background.
F: Short and a fair amount of caramel. Slight grainy taste again.

This reminds be of an average blend (say Dewars 12). Not very enjoyable and not something that I want to get a full bottle of no matter the price.

70 points.

[pkt77242]

Glenrothes 1991/2008 43%

N: slight red berries, vanilla and creme. A hint of brown sugar and nutmeg.
P: Slight red berries, vanilla and the brown sugar. Nice notes of malt and menthol. Just a hint of smoke (kind of like burning leaves).
F: Medium short but rather spicy, nutmeg, lots of menthol and some salt and smoke.

This has been growing on me. 83 points.

[pkt77242]

Glenrothes 1985/2005 43%

N: Vanilla, caramel, orange rind, and cinnamon. A little grapefruit, and butterscotch.
P: vanilla and butterscotch. Orange, cinnamon, and some nice malt. A little note of caramel and polished wood.
F: Medium-short finish on polished oak, vanilla, orange and cinnamon.

A very well integrated malt. Enjoyable.

85 points.

[pkt77242]

As long as everything goes smooth tonight, I will do a Talisker vertical.

[pkt77242]

Ok, the line up tonight will be Talisker 10, 18, 175th, DE 1992/2005, G+M 1986/2007, and 25yo 2004. First I am off to eat.

[pkt77242]

Talisker 10

N: lots of black pepper, chili powder, salt, and melon. Also some hints of sherry and banana.
P: starts off on salted melon, peach and cashew. Then full blown black pepper and chilis. F: medium-long finish on black pepper, chili powder and salt.
Very enjoyable tonight.

89 points.

[pkt77242]

Talisker 18

N: salted melons, pineapple, and hints of black pepper, oranges and nuts. Faint smoke. P: Lots of salted melons, cooking spices (thyme, parsley etc), and some orange and nuts. Black pepper.
F: medium-long on brine, black pepper and some melons/orange.

89 points.

[pkt77242]

Talisker 175th anniversary

N: banana bread, salted melons, peaches, and pineapples. Orange and salt. Nuts
P: salted banana bread. Melons and pineapple. Hints of black pepper and pumpkin.
F: medium on some light smoke, salt and banana bread.

Enjoyable and complex. But not your usual Talisker.
88 points.

[pkt77242]

Talisker Distillers Edition 1992/2005 Amoroso sherry casks

N: salted orange, cherries and berries. Hints of sweet tobacco and black pepper. Sweet tea
P: sweet tea with salted oranges. A little berry and black pepper.
F: medium finish on salted oranges, smoked berries and some black pepper.

Not sure you can recognize this as Talisker until the finish but it is still enjoyable.
88 points.

[pkt77242]

G+M Secret Stills 1.2 Isle of Skye (Talisker) 1986/2007 21 yo sherry butts 1361-1363

N: Salted orange, tangerine and cranberry. Some faint smoke and black pepper are mixed in.
P: The salted orange and tangerine are there along with some sulphur (struck matches). Some peat, smoke and black pepper.
F: long. On loads of salted orange, smoke, peat and black pepper.

,Ose is good, palate is great and the finish is fantastic.

91 points.

[pkt77242]

Talisker 25yo 2004 release

N: Salt, black pepper, banana bread, thyme and oregano. Smoke, tangerine, polished oak and nuts
P: Salt, smoke and slight pepper. Some almonds and cashews. Raisin, brown sugar and cinnamon. Light peat.
F: long finish on almond milk, salt, smoke and black pepper. Some polished oak and raisins.
By far the most complex. Just amazing.
92 points.

[matteo]

Glenrothes Select Reserve
....

This reminds be of an average blend (say Dewars 12). Not very enjoyable and not something that I want to get a full bottle of no matter the price.

70 points.

Me too...this is not a good dram, light and ... void?! Too sharp and dry...short short final

[pkt77242]

Corsendonk Abbey Brown Ale Dubbel style 7.5%

N: Malt, raisins and caramel. Yeast, with some fruit (cooked fruit).
P: Malt and caramel. Slight cola and raisins. A little yeast and it is not very carbonated.
F: Caramel and raisins on a short finish.

Enjoyable but simple. 83 points.

[pkt77242]

Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van de Keizer Blauw 2009 11%.

N: Plums, apricots and lots of berry jam. Notes of tea, yeast and cinnamon.
P: loads of fruit (plums, apricots, berries and peach). Let's just say uber fruity. Raisins, figs, and caramel.
F: medium finish on the same notes as the palate (figs, raisins, figs, caramel and fruits) plus some milk chocolate.

Super fruity but well constructed.
91 points. More please.

[anationonfire]

Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van de Keizer Blauw 2009 11%.

N: Plums, apricots and lots of berry jam. Notes of tea, yeast and cinnamon.
P: loads of fruit (plums, apricots, berries and peach). Let's just say uber fruity. Raisins, figs, and caramel.
F: medium finish on the same notes as the palate (figs, raisins, figs, caramel and fruits) plus some milk chocolate.

Super fruity but well constructed.
91 points. More please.

One of my personal fav's still have a few bottles of 2006/2007 to open but I'm not in any rush. I posted my notes in the "what are you drinking now" for my Maudite. Still have a way's to go but did my best.

[Drammed]

Going by abv tonight so first up is

Elijah Craig 18 single barrel barreled on 10-27-89 barrel #2361

N:cherry, orange, nutmeg, cinnamon, brown sugar, oak, and a hint of almonds.
P: loads of cherry and cinnamon. Oak covered in brown sugar? slightly drying. Slight cherry pie taste.
F: medium-short finish that is sweet but slightly dry. Cherry and oak (pencil shavings?).

I like this bourbon, and it definitley doesn't taste over oaked for spending 18 years in the cask.

87 points. Sweet but enjoyable.

Thank you for the review of this bourbon. I was considering picking up some of this on the weekend and I think I will

[pkt77242]

Two beers tonight one new to me and one familiar.

La Trappe Isid'or trappist beer 7.5%.

N: malt, slight hops, citrus (lemon peel, orange and grapefruit), and some yeast. Some floral notes as well (jasmine and carnation).
P: Floral and citrus with a little hops and a lot of carbonation.
F: shortish, on caramel, lemon peel and grapefruit.

Enjoyable but unspectacular.

82 points.

[pkt77242]

Trappistes Rochefort 10 11.3%

N: Much more fruitier. Tangerine, mango and grapefruit. Some notes of vanilla and caramel in the background.
P: Tangerine and Mango show up but now are held up by some coffee, caramel, and figs. Nice and sweet.
F: Medium short finish, on coffee, and figs. Hints of caramel and tangerine hang around.

91 points. To me this comes down to preference. If you like sweet yet complext this is for you. If you like less sweet go with the St. Bernardus abt 12. I personally really like both. Both are at the top of my list so far. just edging Orval and Chimay Blue.

Sean

The above notes are from March 14th when I last had this, so here we go

Trappistes Rochefort 10

N: Figs, malt, caramel, papaya, and grapefruit. Slight bitterness.
P: Figs and papya. Some grapefruit and caramel. Also a note of smoke. Hmm
F: medium on mango, papya and caramel.

Sweet but great. 90 points tonight.

[anationonfire]

Post Fri Apr 16, 2010 2:21 am
Two beers tonight one new to me and one familiar.

La Trappe Isid'or trappist beer 7.5%.

N: malt, slight hops, citrus (lemon peel, orange and grapefruit), and some yeast. Some floral notes as well (jasmine and carnation).
P: Floral and citrus with a little hops and a lot of carbonation.
F: shortish, on caramel, lemon peel and grapefruit.

Enjoyable but unspectacular.

82 points.

I picked up a 750ml of their Quadrupel 10% ale, I will let you know how it is.

[pkt77242]

Time to list my next couple of tastings.

2 40+yo unnamed Speysiders.
4 Laga 12's.
Laga 16 vs Laga DE
Unpeated Bunna vs Peated Bunna
A couple of small batch bourbons
A couple of Single Barrel bourbons
A couple of middle aged bourbons (10-13)

I don't know in which order or what days yet, but if anyone has any requests let me know. Also I will try to post a list of open bottles and samples in the next week or two so people can make suggestions for tasting if they would like.

[pkt77242]

After being under the weather off and on for the 7-10 days, I am back for a tasting. Tonight some Single Barrel Bourbons (Evan Williams Single Barrel vintage 2000, Elmer T Lee Single Barrel, Four Roses Single Barrel, and Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel).

First up will be the EV.

[pkt77242]

Evan Williams Single Barrel 2000/2009 Barrel 40 43.3%.

N: Cooked banana, oak, vanilla, cinnamon and some brown sugar. Maybe flambe banana with vanilla ice cream?
P: Some Charred oak, brown sugar, vanilla and nutmeg. A little orange, cinnamon and the flambe banana.
F: Medium finish on vanilla and oak. Towards the end some oak char and nutmeg.

A very nice bourbon and reasonably priced ($22).

87 points based on taste but an A+ for value.

Sean

[pkt77242]

Next up is Elmer T Lee Single Barrel for Hi Time barrel 120 45%.

N: Sweet corn, vanilla, tangerine, cinnamon and peaches. Definite oak smell, with some sap, and bark. maybe a touch of caramel.
P: Sweet corn, caramel, tangerine and cinnamon. Dry, slightly bitter oak and vanilla. A touch of the peach from the nose.
F: Medium short with lots of corn and vanilla. Some slightly bitter oak shows up as well. A little canned peach.

Hmm, not as well integrated or balanced as the EV.

83 points.

[pkt77242]

Four Roses Single Barrel Warehouse KE, barrel 8-5J 50%

N: Vanilla, banana, and lots of floral notes (rose and carnation plus others). A hint of oak and honey.
P: Floral notes (rose and carnation again, plus some lavender). Honey, vanilla and banana. A hint of milk and oak.
F: Shortish and rather floral with honey and vanilla.

I am not a huge fan of big floral notes. Not really enjoyable for me.

78 points (if you like floral notes feel free to add 5 points).

[pkt77242]

Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit single barrel Warehouse E, Rick 13, and barrel 46 50.5%

N: Tobacco, vanilla, cherry and orange. Some oak char and cinnamon.
P: Tobacco, orange and vanilla. Cinnamon, nutmeg and creme brulee. Oak and banana.
F: Medium length and heavy on the oak char and tobacco. Gets very drying at the end.

I really like the tobacco flavor as it balances out the sweet notes.

89 points and the winner for the night.

Sean

[pkt77242]

Sorry to have taken so much time off. I have a beer tasting for tonight and a whisky tasting planned for this weekend.

Sierra Nevada 30th anniversary Fritz and Ken's Ale Stout 9.2%

N: overroasted coffee, brazil nuts, slightly bitter, cooked banana and praline.
P: Dark coffee, nuts, dark chocolate (really dark say 70%+), and a little herb.
F: Medium on the coffee and dark chocolate. Slightly bitter but balanced.

If you like a rather well balanced stout this is great. If you don't like stouts then run away. I happend to enjoy stouts so
89 points.

[pkt77242]

Deschutes Brewery The Abyss 2009 release.

N: Vanilla, over roasted cofee, dark chocolate and licorice. Some raisin, figs and oak.
P: Dark chocolate coverd raisins, coffee, figs, oak, and some oatmeal raisin cookies.
F: Medium on some vanilla oak, coffee and raisins.

Slightly sweeter, and a better nose. A little more full bodied and bitter.

88 points

[pkt77242]

Back for a couple of middle-aged bourbons. Elijah Craig 12, Old Forrester Birthday Bourbon 2009 release, and William Larue Weller 2009 release.

[pkt77242]

Elijah Craig 12.

N: loads of oak char, vanilla, cinnamon and some prunes. A little orange and leather as well.
P: Did someone say oak char. Very dry on vanilla, cinnamon and leather. Maybe some tobacco as well. Did I mention super dry.
F: Medium and dry. Oak, oak char, and cinnamon. Just a hint of toffee and pecan.

Way to dry. Still rather enjoyable but keep a glass of water around to drink while sipping on this.

83 points.