Demi Tastes Things

Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky. As indicated on the bottle, it's bottled at 115 proof as an ode to the barrel entry proof for prohibition-era medicinal whiskey, though note that this wouldn't have been the barrel proof at the conclusion of aging, nor the bottling proof, which would have most likely been 50% for bonded medicinal whiskey. So, that's a bit silly, but thanks, Old Forester, for the relatively affordable and fairly high-proof bourbon to enjoy! This was my first bourbon that comes in at or over this price, and I'd say it lives up to the price pretty well due to the high proof and enjoyability. I daresay it's even pretty different flavor-wise in the realm of bourbons compared to the general sameness of the flavor landscape of caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, cherry, and oak flavors you get in most common bottles at lower prices -- not that there's anything wrong with that! -- and the more distinct notes are part of why

Nikka uses this malt in many of its blends, including Taketsuru, which I have previously reviewed, and Nikka From the Barrel. This quite lovely and lively dram definitely stands up on its own. The label emphasizes ex-sherry cask maturation and the influence is certainly there but not heavy handed. The floral and peppery aspects make me think Mizunara oak is probably involved as well, but I'm not sure on details of the casks and maturation breakdown. Name: Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt (newer bottling, purchased 2020) Brand / Distillery: Nikka / Miyagikyo Age: NAS Strength: 90 proof / 45% ABV Color: 0.5 yellow gold TL;DR: wonderful. Apple orchard, plums, incense smoke, delicate tea, tropical fruits, veggies and mushrooms. Strong and distinct flavors and a lot of them. Complex and well-integrated. Handshake: lovely, earthy peat and fruity malt. Powerful and distinct. I'm excited to taste. Nose: apple orchard: earthy, wood, trees, loamy soil. Fresh perfumy apples. Background of

A Canadian blended whisky from Costco. I loved the first bottle of it I got a few years ago, before I started developing my palate, but sadly was disappointed by my second bottle. Age: 6 years Color: 1.0 deep copper Strength: 40% ABV / 80 proof Handshake (drops drying on the hand): nearly non-existent. Nose: isopropyl alcohol and caramel Palate: very light in flavors. Almost 0 ethanol burn on the tongue but a bit of burn going down. A bit thicker than water, almost oily viscosity. The mouthfeel is nice. Taste: caramel leaning towards butterscotch, raw sugar syrup, cinnamon bark Finish: cinnamon, and a bit of that isopropyl comes back After-nose: light brown sugar and old books Overall: This doesn't nearly nauseate me the way JD honey did. I recall the first bottle being great actually, but I was very disappointed with rebuying it after I started sipping neat for taste. I probably didn't ever drink it neat before. Off notes and missing Strength of flavor. The burn going d

Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This is one of my oldest bottles, predating the proper beginning of my collection. I noticed the bottle getting low and felt it was time for a review. Woodinville Whiskey is owned by Moët Hennessy (LVMH), which maybe explains why they seem to have relatively good distribution for a small craft distillery. (Between that and Remy Cointreau owning Westland, it has been said that all the best WA craft distilleries are now owned by big brands, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.) Name: Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey Distiller: Woodinville Whiskey Co., Woodinville, Washington Brand Owner: Moët Hennessy (LVMH) Mashbill: 72% Corn, 22% Rye, 6% Malted Barley Strength: 90 proof / 45% ABV Age: Straight bourbon NAS, meaning at least 4 years but apparently the company has stated that it's 5 years old. Take that for what it is: not on the label. Color: 1.2 chestnut TL;DR: Sweet caramel confections with just a bit of fruit adding some complexity

This bourbon was my first attempt to find a respectable, workhorse, value whiskey, and boy did I hit the nail on the head. I made this the bottle of my first road trip post-lockdown and could not have been happier with that choice. Bonded American whiskey in general may or may not be a well-kept secret (looking at you Mellow Corn), and other things close to 100 proof (like Wild Turkey 101) get a lot of love For the value. So far Evan Williams is the only brand I've tried from Heaven Hill, but I'd say they've earned a fan based on this expression alone. For a couple bucks extra it's a lot nicer than Evan Williams Black Label. Can't wait to get my hands on an Elijah Craig Barrel Proof... Name: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond Distiller / Brand Owner: Heaven Hill Served: Neat in a glencairn, rested 15 minutes Strength: 100 proof / 50% ABV Color: 0.8 Deep Gold Handshake (a few drops drying on the hands): Light wood varnish Nose: Dusty corn, Cavendish banana. A bit of bread