bourbon

Cleveland Whiskey 100 Proof

July 29, 2015

Another failed experiment to speed up maturation. It does not really taste bad upfront, but it leaves an unpleasant blandness on your palate. – Rating: 58/100

Wild Turkey 8 yo

March 9, 2015
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It is not easy to find but this inexpensive aged bourbon can easily compete with more expensive ones. The wood influence is quite strong but it still is a well-rounded dram. – Rating: 86/100

Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 yo

December 12, 2014
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Big and bold wood flavours dominate this chewy bourbon. The finish is a bit on the tannic side but the overall quality is impressive. – Rating: 86/100

Heaven Hill 15 yo Whisky Jewbilee 2013 Festival Bottling

November 23, 2014
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An excellent bourbon on the peak of maturity with both rich flavours and a gentle character. Despite the high ABV the thought of adding water never crosses the mind. – Rating: 87/100

Bourbon Dusty Shootout: Early Times vs. Old Grand Dad

March 21, 2014

I got hold of a miniature of Early Times, probably from the late 1960s, and a full bottle of Old Grand Dad from the early 1970s. A perfect setup for a head to head tasting, if you ask me.

Willett Pot Still Single Barrel

January 13, 2014
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A powerful and complex bourbon, it is quite dry but the strong flavours support it. – Rating: 87/100

George Dickel No. 12

December 29, 2013
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A rather light Tennessee whisky that is on the dry side of the spectrum. It has some nice flavours but the finish could be a bit more pronounced. – Rating: 81/100

Buffalo Trace White Dog Mash 1

December 28, 2013
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This is not more than a novelty and it cannot match a decent single malt newmake. – Rating: 55/100

Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 yo

September 12, 2012
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This is a big bold bourbon that does not hide its age. The other flavours are potent enough to keep the strong wood notes in check.
– Rating: 87/100

Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel

August 14, 2012
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The nose is massive, the palate a bit more subtle but far from bland and boring. Overall a surprisingly delicate but delicious bourbon. – Rating: 85/100

Jim Beam Devil’s Cut

May 15, 2012
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Rather strong flavours in this special bourbon, but there is a bitterness that puts me off somewhat. The finish is a bit weak as well. – Rating: 73/100

W. L. Weller 7 yo

September 4, 2011

For a wheated bourbon, this packs qute a punch. A decent dram and a good value. – Rating: 81/100

John B. Stetson

July 3, 2011
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A mild and obviously rather young bourbon. Driness and color hint on lightly charred barrrels. It is not very complex but nicely sippable. – Rating: 78/100

Eagle Rare 10 yo

April 22, 2011
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A massive bourbon nose is supported by a strong and dry palate. This whiskey proudly shows its age. It is quite dry and mildy spicy but not overly woody. – Rating: 85/100

George T. Stagg 2009 Release

December 20, 2010
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A top class bourbon that can be enjoyed neat but deveolps its full complexity only after the addition of water. Many flavours are blending into a continuum that you don’t do justice by dissecting it. – Rating: 92/100

Blanton’s Gold

November 3, 2010
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It has about the ugliest bottle you can imagine, but this is a really fine bourbon. Very complex with a great balance of fruit, sugar and spice. – Rating: 85/100

Elijah Craig 12 yo

July 17, 2010
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A bourbon with a rich and creamy mouthfeel and very complex flavours. Quite some wood influence but it is not overpwering the other aromas. – Rating: 85/100

Bulleit Bourbon

April 30, 2010
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For my taste, the aromas on the palate are not strong enough to balance out the rather distinct spiciness. But it’s still a fairly good value for the money. – Score: 79/100

Woodford Reserve

April 26, 2010
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A richly flavoured bourbon with a fruity nose and a spicy palate. A very good value whiskey. – Score: 84/100

Jim Beam Distillers Series No.1

April 5, 2010

The nose is a bit “chemical”, but the palate is quite nice, albeit a bit spirity. Much better than the standard bottling but still no true winner. – Score: 75/100

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