u/Aggressive-Job-3556

...or some Macallan 21 if you love a good sherry bomb. Make something of your next international trip!

Lucked into a bottle of Hurst Knoll rye by Rare Character after grabbing dinner at Jack Rose. Reading up on it, it's seems to be intended for cocktails so I made the wife and I a pair of Manhattans. Really different, but really good. They were less sweet, more alcoholic, and definitely spicier than your average Manhattan. I can definitely see the appeal, though it almost feels too decadent to use it for cocktails, so it may turn into a sipper.

As an aside, the basement at Jack Rose has a great selection of uncommon whiskeys and they're all very reasonably priced. Still pondering going back with a bag of cash to pick up one of their store pick Willet bottles...

This week's Thursday pick up from VABC is J.T.S. Brown. 19 for a 1.75L. Tried it for the first time at Heaven Hill last fall and it was great. Kind of a more mature, refined Fighting Cock. Strangely hard to find in Virginia?

I picked up a bottle of this 12-year Single Malt last year at the Woodford distillery during a friend's birthday trip to KY. I always try to pick up some kind of bottle that looks interesting or new to me. I gave it a try and...Not. A. Fan.

I can't tell what it's trying to be. Scotch? Not smokey. Irish Whiskey? Not particularly sweet. Bourbon? Too much of a medicinal taste.

It's only a 375ml bottle, but I can't finish it! Am I missing something?

Picked up a bottle of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof at VABC over the weekend, based on a recommendation from a friend, and wow, what an experience. It packs a punch, but was surprisingly smooth for it's proof. I picked up notes of caramel, leather, and roasted peanuts.

I'm normally a budget connoisseur, with a fondness for Old Overholt and J.W. Dant as my nightly sippers, but it's going to be hard to go back after this!