The nose is quite woody and has light notes of charcoal and dark chocolate. On the palate, it is smooth with subtle spice. It has a delicate woody sweetness, but not quite as potent as the nose. The finish is long and dry with a flowery twist. A hint of wood still lingers.
Elijah Craig 18 Year
Deep amber hue. Opening nosing passes detect a no-nonsense bouquet laced with an astringent oakiness - crisp, clean and direct; later sniffings pick up layered scents of corn husk, buttered popcorn, resin, lead pencil and a hint of caramel. Flavor shows fat tastes of old oak, cream, almond butter, bacon fat, vanilla extract and smoke. Aftertaste is warming and semisweet.
Old Forester 100
On the palate, Old Forester Signature offers a veritable riot of flavors. Spicy cinnamon and nutmeg notes abound, appearing after an initial wave of vanilla and caramel flavors. Dried apple appears under a warm layer of clove and allspice. If you like a spicier, rye-heavy bourbon, Old Forester is guaranteed to please. On the finish, it offers a complex and relatively long finish for a younger bourbon. English toffee, maple sugar and tobacco notes appear first before giving way to warm apple pie spice notes.
Four Roses Single Barrel
Four Roses produces ten distillate flavors each year and ages each flavor individually in new white oak charred barrels. Each flavor is distinctively different, but floral and fruity aromas and the smoothness and mellowness of their tastes characterize all flavors. The additional flavor characteristics of this Bourbon include notes of honey and maple syrup plus hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Four Roses Mariage
A combination of 10- and 19-year-old bourbons with two different recipes. Very spicy, but no excessive oak. Along with the cinnamon, cool mint, cocoa powder and nutmeg, there are caramelized sugars and bright citrus notes. This is a tight whiskey too—not heavy and lethargic. The flavors are crisp and vibrant, all the way to its polished oak, tobacco-tinged finish.
Buffalo Trace
The nose has an outstanding aroma, kicked off by a spicy prickle. Satisfyingly deep, gentle vanilla-ed and molassed with even a sprig of sweet mint. The palate offers a rip-roaring waxy sweetness checked by a big build up of vanilla-rich oak. Corn is chewy and rye offers a rich textured background. With a finish that dries at last as the oak takes command, but rye offers extra depth and a layer of bitterness as does a lingering licorice.
Rowan's Creek
Amber, with a dark golden cast. Medium-bodied. Reminiscent of pear, lemon, honey, and flowers. Smooth texture. Quite elegant and attractive on the palate. Stunning, velvety mouthfeel of delicate fruit and spice elements. Carries forth in a highly fragrant, lingering finish.
Noah's Mill
A soft and silky feel at the outset, it glides easily over the tongue and cuts a thin channel to the back of the throat. Notes of sweet caramel and toffee, but has a unique finish that imparts notes of licorice and molasses. It has a husky grain character that comforts and intrigues. The nose is sharp, dry, and perhaps a little sweet. Like the mouthfeel and flavor, the nose is clean and spicy with some hints of grain.
Evan Williams Single Barrel
Very elegant, bright and silky smooth, with honey-kissed summer fruits, subtle tropical fruit (papaya, coconut, pineapple), gentle caramel, sweet corn, and soothing vanilla, along with a dusting of cinnamon, nutmeg and crisp mint. Pleasing, gently spicy finish.
Evan Williams 1783
Very subtle and rich smell, with hints of vanilla and a tiny rye bite. Very smooth, and not the slightest bit harsh. Sweet as it hits the tongue with an herbal, almost minty twinge, without much alcohol burn as you swallow. The finish has a nice balance between the sweetness of the corn and the quick bite of the rye.
Black Maple Hill
Full-fledged Bourbon bouquet that's ribboned with sweet corn, charred oak, grainy spice and wood resin. The mid-palate is corny sweet, caramel-like and biscuity; the aftertaste is long, a bit of citrusy tar, woody and delightful; a luscious example of bourbon's drier, bittersweet side.
1792 Ridgemont Reserve
Good balance of flavors on the nose and palate, with caramel custard, bright fruit (Clementine, golden raisin, orange marmalade), a peppering of spice (fresh mint, warming cinnamon, dried vanilla), green tea, a hint of toasted marshmallow and a pleasing dried oak, tobacco-tinged finish. Lots of character.
Willet
Soft and elegant on the nose and palate, and very well balanced. An incredibly drinkable whiskey. Notes of vanilla, coconut and crème brûlée provide a base for emerging notes of cedar wood shavings, cinnamon, soft mint and a hint of fennel. A very graceful bourbon.
Bulleit
Initial nosings pick up soft, even flowery scents of violets and juniper; later whiffs identify melded aromas of dried herbs, hay, dry cereal, wild flowers, mushrooms and spice. Plenty of grip at palate entry; mid-palate is plump and sweet corn-like. Finish is moderately sweet and long. An understated whiskey that subtly displays multiple levels of complexity.
Russel's Reserve
A deep amber color gives way to a prevalence of vanilla, cinnamon toast, touch of caramel and some oak on the nose. A warming elixir with the a balance of sweet nuttiness, sugar cane, hints of cinnamon and some oak that has some thickness on the mouthfeel rounded by the sweetness. The very smooth and approachable nature becomes a good friend to the palate and will keep you pouring with luscious candy, pecan finish.
Sam Houston
Antique amber color. Notes of toffee, charred oak, marmalade, assorted candied fruit, soft leather and subtle spice. Pleasant, lingering finish with wonderful balance. It has all the richness and depth you would expect from an older bourbon, but still manages to maintain its balance and youth. And there's a soft side to the whiskey that is very charming.
Jefferson's
Flavors of vanilla, caramel and assorted fruits assure an incredibly smooth taste and finish. The nose is fresh and smooth with velvety peach and vanilla. The finish is delicate and warm with a return of vanilla, cream and toast.
William Larue Weller
The deep bronze color beautifully reflects the light - perfect purity; the initial nosing pass finds fully mature aromas of lanolin, almond oil, and creamed corn. In the middle stage sniffings, following several minutes of air contact, a toasty oaky/vanilla perfume takes the aromatic helm. The fourth and last whiff highlights the oily, grainy quality that's firm and pungent. Flavor profile is heavily wheated (like Wheat Thins crackers), oily, layered, moderately sweet and sap-like; the finish is long, sweet, oaky and intensely grainy.
Makers 46
The French Oak staves in “46” add firm, complex, dry spices led by warming cinnamon, followed by nutmeg and clove, herb (a suggestion of Green Chartreuse liqueur, perhaps?) and some polished leather “grip”, which dovetails well with Maker’s trademark layered sweetness - caramel, vanilla, a hint of honey and some dried fruit in the background. The seared oak stave influence is somewhat aggressive but never to the point of being excessive.