u/Hopeful_Barracuda458

Review #06: Jack Daniels Single Barrel Heritage Barrel

I saw this bottle circulating around reviews and thought, that sounds like a bottle I wish I could try. Well, I was checking out one day with my wife, grabbing some rum and bourbon of course. As I was checking out, I looked behind the cashier and saw it sitting on the shelf. But I was already buying a bottle so I didn’t grab it. On the way to the car, I kept thinking I won’t see it again. I sat in the car but didn’t start it and my wife asked what’s wrong. Looked at her and said sorry. Went back in and bought it. To this day I haven’t seen it since. Now to make it last.

Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass, rested for about 8 minutes.

Distilled in: Tennessee.

Bottled by: Jack Daniels.

Proof: 100, non-chill filtered.

Barrel Number: 25-07128.

Age: 8 Years 3months.

Mash bill: 80% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, Rye 8%.

Price: $64.99.

Appearance: Honey.

Nose: The nose on this is hands down sweet along with beautiful rich toffee. Of course you have the traditional caramel and vanilla, but then that toasted oak comes in and punches your senses. With the oak being toasted though, it’s softer, sweeter than the normal oak notes you would have. On the tail end comes the scent of marshmallow. All the aromas make me think of sitting at a campfire toasting some marshmallows, making this glass relaxing in the best way.

Palate: Caramel is the first note to hit the tongue. That caramel begins fighting for first place as the toasted oak comes in full swing making its presence known. Following that oak is spicy peppercorn and more notes of brown sugar, making this dram sweet and oaky in all the right ways. Of course vanilla begins coming forth along with fading notes of marshmallow.

Finish: The finish on this was long in length. Into the finish, those notes of brown sugar carried through, keeping it sweet. Marshmallow came back with a vengeance, as though it was asking, did you forget me. Along with marshmallow being throughout the nose and palate, those toasted notes were always there, but that is surely to be expected from a toasted barrel.

Conclusion: This bottle certainly leaves you wanting more. The toasted and marshmallow notes make it comforting and honestly relaxing. It’s a dram that when you want to sit, close your eyes and enjoy what you have, pour it. It’s a bottle you won’t regret. A straight up s’mores in a glass. I give this bottle an 8.3/10.

Rating: 8.3/10 - t8ke scale

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average.

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all-time favorite.

10 | Perfect | Perfect.

Review #05: Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Bottled In Bond

The first time I saw this bottle was months ago while walking through the liquor store. As I was walking with a bottle already in hand, I glanced at another shelf and saw it sitting there. I thought to myself that looks interesting and kept walking. Later that night I researched it a little and found that there are A LOT of mixed reviews. Many wanted it and many did not. So the next time I would see it, I would buy it. Well like I said months went by and then I asked the cashier about it and they had one left behind the counter, which surprised me since it previously was out on the shelf.

Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass, rested for about 7 minutes.

Distilled in:Kentucky.

Bottled by: Heaven Hill.

Proof: 100, non-chill filtered.

Distillation Date: Fall 2018.

Age: 7 Years.

Mash bill: 68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley.

Price: $59.99.

Appearance: copper.

Nose: On the first inhale it had all the classic caramel notes, and an overwhelming aroma of sweet vanilla. As I went back for another inhale I started to get bittersweet notes, sorta like orange zest. Especially at the moment you take a zester across an orange and the citrus permeates the air. Then I noticed something different… almost strange. Something I haven’t encountered in bourbon before. It unmistakably reminded me of genuine leather. Like a brand new leather wallet.

Palate: Oak was the first note on my tongue, mixed with vanilla undertones. This quickly faded into rich, sweet notes of brown sugar and honey, which was rather pleasant. Interestingly, all of these notes had further underlying tones of leather. I then noticed a kind of toasted grain taste that you would find from a graham cracker.

Finish: The finish on this was medium in length. Throughout the finish it remained intensely sugary, more dessert like than I expected from a Bottled in Bond bourbon. At the very end of the finish it developed a slight bitter note. It reminded me of candied orange peels my mom used to make. That deep sweetness followed by a slight bitterness.

Conclusion: From the reviews I’ve read I was a little worried I made a mistake, but it turned out to be rather delicious. Which does go to show, everyone’s palate is different. Is this a very special bottle, no. Is it good, absolutely! Now I certainly wouldn’t wait in line for it, but if you happen to see it, grab it. It may surprise you. I’d give this a 7/10, mostly because the flavor profile was unique and pleasant.

Rating: 7/10 - t8ke scale

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average.

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all-time favorite.

10 | Perfect | Perfect.

Review #04: Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bottled in Bond Bourbon

I’ve had this bottle for almost a year now. The first time I heard about it was while watching a bourbon hunt video done by Brewzle. He talked about how good this distillery is and even called it the king of Missouri bourbon. I figured I’d never see it here in Pennsylvania. We don’t always get the fun stuff. Then one day, there it was on the shelf, and I snagged it immediately.

Is it the King of Missouri bourbon? I can’t say for sure; it’s the only bourbon from Missouri I’ve had. What I can say is that it’s a pretty delicious pour.

Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass, rested for about 6 minutes.

Distilled in**:** Missouri

Bottled by**:** Holliday Distillery

Proof: 100, non-chill filtered.

Rickhouse: B, 4th & 5th floor

Age: 6 Years

Mash bill: 73% Corn, 15% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley

Price: $59.99.

Appearance: Amber.

Nose: The nose of this pour kept me guessing. The start was fruity and herbal. It came across like a fresh bag of dried apricots and spicy, sorta like oregano. I can’t say how many times I inhaled its aromas, and it baffled me that that’s what I was getting. As I kept going I got the traditional oak with the underlying hints of vanilla and light caramel. Then I inhaled deeply, and this is where it really confused me. On a deep inhale, the aromas blended together and reminded me of Coca Cola. Yes I may be insane, but I kid you not, I felt like it smelled like an off brand Coke.

Palate: What stood out right away was the sweet taste and creamy mouthfeel. That changed then to notes of toffee, developing into caramel and vanilla. The kind of vanilla taste from Nilla Wafers I would get as a snack when I was a kid. Following right behind was a light taste of oak.

Finish: The finish on this was medium in length, and this is where it got really interesting. At the very end is where the taste of Coca Cola came out along with hints of red fruit almost like cherry similar to a Cherry Coke. It only lasted a second before it left my mouth feeling oily and spicy in a way. The sensation that it reminded me of was oregano oil if you don’t dilute it (I do not recommend that).

Conclusion: I’m glad to be seeing unique bottles, especially ones I never thought I would see. And this one is quite unique to say the least. It leaves me wanting another dram, which isn’t a bad sign. Personally I would rate this a 6.7. Yes it was enjoyable, and yes I’ve had better and more unique bottles, but I would make sure this is always on my shelf. It’s one of those surprising pours that make you smile.

Rating: 6.7/10 - t8ke scale

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average.

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all-time favorite.

10 | Perfect | Perfect.