W.L. Weller 12 Year Bourbon

Early bourbon pioneer William Larue Weller is credited as the first distiller to use wheat in their bourbon mash in replace of rye. Buffalo Trace uses the same wheated mashbill to create all of their wheated whiskey. When my wife and I visited the Distillery, we got to taste the wheated white dog right off the still; it was good, but let's see what effect 12 years in a barrel will give us.

 Details:

-Buffalo Trace wheated mash bill

-12 years old

-90 proof 

-Price: $28

Nose: Pleasant with a lot of rich vanilla, sweet tobacco, candied caramel, and oak. 

Taste: A soft, silky mouth feel that starts with a sweet and creamy vanilla. This is followed fiercely by cinnamon candies and tobacco spice. The mid palate is absorbed with wheat and ample amounts of barrel char. The notes all seem to have a sweet tinge to them. 

Finish: Fairly quick with a sweet, dry tobacco.

Conclusion: This bourbon shares many characteristics with Van Winkle Lot B, which makes sense as they use the same mash bill, same proof, and same age. One can say this is Lot B that didn’t make the cut; for that I'll call it Pappy Lite. In all seriousness this is very good bourbon; I just wish I lived in a world where it's not impossible to find.

My Rating:  B+ (Very Good)

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Bourbon Brothers Review:

Willett Family Estate 11 Year Bourbon

The Willett Distillery in Bardstown produces a variety of nice products. Their Willett Family Estate line is more or less a gift shop/Distillery only release of exclusively sourced whiskey. The downside of the WFE line is the price; you are you are paying for the limited release factor. That being said, these are very quality products and are usually worth seeking out. 

Details:
-Barrel 1681, bottle 99/158
-11 years old

-117.2 proof 

-Price: $110

Nose: Sweet with initials whiffs of vanilla cream and fudge. Powdered sugar,  toasted bread, and cinnamon spice balance a very bold yet elegant aroma. 

Taste: The flavors on the nose culminate into a french-toast style note on the palate. It's complex, with a strong herbal presence, baking spices, and vanilla flavored tobacco on the back end.
 
Finish: Warming with hard-candied sweetness and spiced tobacco. A friendly heat lays in your chest for a long time. 

Conclusion: This is a smooth and complex bourbon. It balances most of the flavor spectrum; sweet, spicy, and herbal notes combine for an enjoyable drink. In addition to the juice, I must say I love the labeling/packaging. If you are on the bourbon trail, make sure to stick your head in the gift shop early in the morning and you may get lucky.

My Rating:  B+ (Very Good)

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Bourbon Brothers Review:

Old Scout TEN bourbon

Smooth Ambler Spirits Company is a craft distillery located in Maxwelton, West Virginia.  While they distill a variety of spirits, they also source a significant amount of the whiskey they sell. They refer this sourcing as "scouting", thus all the whiskey they source is labeled under the sub-brand "Old Scout". The label on Old Scout TEN states it is at least 10 years old, suggesting it is certainly some type of blend.

Details:
-2013 release, batch 14  
-10 years old

-100 proof 

-Price: $50

Nose: Whip cream and salted caramel create the base of this bouquet. Peanuts, coffee bean, and leather also surface for a pleasant aroma. 

Taste: Sweet corn unfolds into a heavy nutty-vanilla note on the palate. Toasted oak combines with a significant earthy tone and a unique clay note. 

Finish: Medium in length with a sweet barrel char finish. 

Conclusion: This is a difficult bottle to find in my area so when I saw it at MSRP I picked it up immediately. Unfortunately, Old Scout TEN fell short of my expectations. It's smooth and the flavors are bold, however the overall taste doesn't  do it for me. It's not bad by any stretch, but at $50 a bottle, there are many other bourbons I would recommend. 

My Rating:  C (Decent)

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Bourbon Brothers Review:

E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch Bourbon

Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. is a legend in the bourbon industry. His legacy began at O.F.C. aka Old Fire Copper distillery (which is now Buffalo Trace). A man of many talents, he was a strong advocate of the Bottled-in-Bond Act, and along with George T Stagg, grew the  distillery that makes some of my favorite bourbons to this day. This small batch bourbon is one of many releases in the E.H. Taylor line, so keep an eye out for future reviews, including the E.H. Taylor barrel proof, rye, cured oak, and single barrel. 

Details:

-Bottled in Bond, No Age Statement

-100 proof 

-Price: $40

Nose: Caramel candy is the initial scent that floats out of my glass. Vanilla wafers and green apple follow along with a subtle herbal bouquet. 

Taste: A soft mouth-feel with burnt sugars and sweet corn. Subtle spices of black pepper and tobacco combine with a gentle juicy fruit gum note to add an unique depth of flavor. 

Finish: A short, warming finish with subtle spice and toasted oak.

Conclusion: I am a huge fan of these bottled in bond bourbons. This is a sweet, well balanced whiskey with a unique character. At $40 a bottle, I would rather spend some extra cash and grab the E.H. Taylor Single Barrel or Barrel Proof expression, but this is still a good bottle and is worth a try.

My Rating:  B (Good)

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Bourbon Brothers Review:

 

The Quiet Man Single Malt Irish Whiskey

In honor of the upcoming holiday I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and review an Irish whiskey! Bottled in Derry, Ireland and imported by Luxco, this single malt was released in February 2016, aged in oak for 8 years and finished in first fill bourbon barrels. 

Details:

-8 years old, single malt Irish whiskey

-80 proof 

-Finished in first fill bourbon barrels
-Price: $50

Nose: A sharp aroma full of floral notes and sparkling apple cider. A bouquet of liquid smoke follows to create a gentle balance. 

Taste: Applesauce, banana, and honey are easily identified on the palate. There is a nice balance of sweet and pepper spice, followed by wood chips and a thick liquid smoke. 

Finish: Mellow with a sweet, smooth finish. 

Conclusion: While light, there are a variety of flavors to enjoy. The sweet and spicy notes combine for a well balanced pour. I don't plan on reviewing other Irish whiskey in the future, but this almost makes me want to. I hope you enjoy the review, and have a happy St. Patrick’s Day!

My Rating:   (Good)

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