Redbreast Single Pot Still 12 Year Irish Whiskey Cask Strength Edition

One thing that I have always loved about Irish Whiskeys over other whiskeys is the nose. To me, Irish whiskeys have a distinct, sweet tobacco and cereal scent that I can never get enough of. The cask strength Redbreast 12 Year is no different. In fact, I enjoyed it so much it took me a while to actually get around to the first sip. Even at the high proof, there was absolutely no burn or alcohol smell in the nose.

That carried over to the taste as well. 116.4 proof is nothing to laugh at, and yet it's hardly even noticeable in this whiskey. It was soft, smooth, velvety and incredibly easy to drink from front to back. It's a heavier whiskey, and it coated my mouth and throat, allowing me to really savor every single sip.

Although my experience with Irish whiskeys is not extensive by any stretch, this one is certainly bolder in flavor than any other one I've had. It immediately hit me with vanilla, but not a sweet vanilla like you get in bourbon. Rather, the vanilla flavor was blended with a cereal flavor that, quite frankly, reminded me of Frosted Cheerios, one of my favorite breakfast cereals.

After a second or two, however, a slight bitterness hit my tongue, like burnt orange peel. I can't tell you now as I sit here and write this whether I enjoyed this contrast in flavor, but at the very least I found it . . . interesting.

The vanilla flavor also took a back seat to prominent sherry notes and a lingering plum flavor on the back end. The sherry was not quite as in-your-face as some sherry finished whiskeys I've had, but rather was balanced very well with the other flavors. Considering Redbreast highlights their use of sherry casks in their advertising, I was worried that the sherry might be overdone, but such was no the case.

This is one of the more dynamic whiskeys I've tasted in terms of not just the different flavors, but the contrast in the change from one flavor to the next from sip to swallow. There's a lot going on in each sip, and it makes for a really enjoyable pour!

Grade: B+

Balcones Brimstone Texas Scrub Oak Smoked Whisky 106 Proof

When I grabbed this off the shelf, I honestly had no clue what I was getting. I knew only what the label told me--that it was a corn whisky and that it was a smoked whisky. In the mood for something peaty and campfire-y, I took a gamble, despite a somewhat hefty price of $60. Balcones makes good product, and I figured I had little to lose.

Upon popping the top off this one, I was pummeled with the heavy smell of liquid smoke. This stuff smelled like a mesquite grill, and it was strong! Even before pouring it out of the bottle, I could smell this whisky from across the kitchen. Admittedly, though, my mouth watered, much like it does when I walk into a barbecue joint or when I'm hovering around my neighbor's grill in the Summer as he slow cooks a giant piece of meat.

I don't usually comment on color, but with this whisky, the color was very noticeably red, lending even further to my premonition that I was about to drink smoked brisket in a glass.

As I fully expected by this point, though, upon my first drink, the smoke was all I tasted, from beginning to end. There was whisky in there somewhere, I just couldn't find it through all the smoke. And keep in mind, this is not the peat-bomb type smoke you'd find in certain single malts like Laphroaig. It was a whole new smoke flavor that I wasn't used to.

After a bit, the mesquite smoke flavor died down, only just a touch, but at least enough to notice certain flavors that were still subtle and hidden away. It was a sweet smokiness, underscored by brown sugar and even hints of crisp apple barely noticeable underneath. Some peppery spice was able to come out behind the iron curtain of mesquite smoke as well, and for fleeting moments I thought I was really enjoying this whisky.

In the end, though, the mesquite flavor overwhelmed throughout, almost completely masking the flavor of the whisky, rather than complementing or enhancing it. I did find it easier to enjoy on later pours, perhaps due in part to my getting used to it. However, the flavor was so strong that it comes across not as a peated or smoked whisky, but rather a flavored whisky. While I liked the flavor, I would like it much more if it were toned down to allow the flavor of the whisky to actually come through.

Grade: C+

Angel's Envy Caribbean Rum Cask Finished Rye Whiskey

VITALS:
- $70
- 100 Proof
- NAS
- Kentucky

I've been trying to track down a bottle of this stuff for a couple years now. When I was first finding my way into bourbon, I really enjoyed Angel's Envy, and I was told that I had to try their rye. But now matter how often I looked, it simply wasn't anywhere. For years I've known I've wanted to try this one and, as far as I knew, it didn't even exist.

But, on my way back home from out of town one day, having some time to spare before I had to be anywhere, I made a few extra stops at whatever liquor stores I found on my way, and in the first one I visited, there they were, about ten bottles of the stuff, just sitting on the shelf like any other bottle. I had to look twice to make sure I was seeing what I saw. Perhaps it's just the area I live in or the stores I go to, but according to the clerk, it wasn't any special release, they just happened to get a batch in a few days prior. So, though the price is a bit steep at around $70, I didn't hesitate to grab a bottle.

When I opened the bottle, I was punched in the face by the cooked/caramelized sugar smell that filled the room. This is one of the most pungent whiskeys I've ever had in that respect. The nose had a little bit of spice behind it, a cinnamon sort of scent, but the burnt sugar smell was overwhelming. I knew instantly I had something on my hands that was completely different than anything I've had before.

I've had other whiskeys finished in rum casks before, like the Balvenie Caribbean Cask, but with this one, the rum casks had a far greater influence on the whiskey. While the typical vanilla and cinnamon spice came through, as would be expected from your typical rye, it was incredibly sweet, almost mouth-puckering-ly so. The caramelized sugar smell that seemed to explode out of the bottle upon opening had a flavor to match, which seemed to overwhelm every other flavor.

Behind that sugar, though, were still noticeable butterscotch notes, along with cereal or bread flavors that offered a little bit to soften the sugar rush on the back end. As I made my way through the bottle, the flavor evened out a bit, and it really took on a Butterfinger-type flavor, combining the sweet flavors of chocolate, butterscotch and brown sugar.

I was surprised at how much influence the rum casks had on this rye, as rye typically is a bold-flavored whiskey to begin with. At first I wasn't sold that I enjoyed it. However, that may have been more the shock at the sugary nature of this whiskey. I eventually found that behind that up-front sugar are some really enjoyable flavors that provide a nice complement, and this is a pretty complex finished rye with a lot to offer.

Grade: B-

Rittenhouse Bottled-In-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey

Rittenhouse Bonded Rye has many fans, at least that's my observation on the various social media sites I visit from time to time. So, at $22 a bottle, it only made sense that I try it out. Social media aside, though, a bonded-in-bond rye for that price is a worthwhile endeavor in any event. As with any other bonded whiskey, you know you're getting a certain level of quality, not to mention the higher 100 proof.

The first thing I noticed is that it has a burgundy hue to it (and I confirmed this when I poured it into the glass, thinking the label might have been playing a trick on me). When I opened the bottle, I was hit with a nose of cinnamon and red licorice, a nice combination of scents, making me salivate for that first taste.

Rittenhouse Rye drinks very easily. That was perhaps what I noticed most about this rye. Despite it being 100 proof, it has minimal burn and is a very inoffensive, easy-to-drink whiskey. That is due also in part to the very friendly palate. Most prominent was a cinnamon spice that I couldn't help but liken to Big Red chewing gum. It wasn't a strong spice, but nonetheless very noticeable.

It's also a sweeter rye, with a heavy molasses flavor, which is countered by a contrasting and tangy ginger flavor on the back end. It presented a more unique blend of flavors than what I've become accustomed to with ryes, but yet it remained relatively simple, lacking any real depth or complexity. This may be due in part to the watery texture of the rye, not leaving much flavor behind, but instead dissipating almost immediately after each swallow.

This was also one of those few instances where I actually liked it less after it was open for a bit. An artificial cherry flavor took hold, as if that red licorice flavor that I noticed on the nose when I first opened the bottle finally decided it was time to make its appearance. While I enjoyed it on the nose, it did not fit well with the other flavors, and it was one of those situations where once I noticed it there, I couldn't avoid noticing it every sip thereafter. It also didn't help that the sweetness that initially existed took a back seat, leaving only that artificial cherry flavor without the sweetness to go with.

I wouldn't categorize this as a great rye by any means. However, at this price, it's a very good value rye and well-worth what you'll pay.

Grade: B

Knob Creek Single Barrel Liquor City "Uncorked" Private Selection Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

I would imagine that many a bourbon drinker has come across the problem that I have, at least in my case with respect to store select Knob Creek Single Barrel bottlings. The first such bottling I ever had, coined "Gallenstein Selection #3" from Liquor City Uncorked in Covington, KY was one of the best bourbons that I ever had the pleasure of enjoying. Since then, my buddy who makes those frequent trips to Covington has brought back other store selections, hoping to find another such honey barrel.

Such is the case with this store selection. My buddy stated that this bottle was brought out from the back, and that it was supposedly from the same bottling. I questioned it, due in large part to the different labeling, but, in the effort to catch that unicorn (and because it is bourbon, after all), I was willing to give it a go.

This particular store selection of the Knob Creek Single Barrel was heavy with caramel on the nose, along with some fresh apple. Its aroma gave of a very autumn, apple-picking and hay-rides kind of vibe.

What's better is that it had a flavor to match. It reminded me very much of a caramel fudge sundae, with the caramel and cocoa flavors seemingly poured over the top of the underlying vanilla. However, this caramel fudge sundae came with a bunch of burn and a light peppery spice on the back end that seemed just a touch out of place.

As is frequently the case, after the bottle was open for a while the burn receded significantly. The bourbon not only turned into a much smoother pour, but it sweetened up quite a bit. Gone were the cocoa notes and forward came the caramel flavor. It was still very much like a sundae, but without the burn behind it, it was very much a dessert-type bourbon! The last couple pours were incredibly tasty!

While it wasn't my unicorn, this was still a fantastic bourbon. Those people at Liquor City Uncorked really have good taste in their selections!

Grade: A-

Elijah Craig Single Barrel 18 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2015)

VITALS:
- $125
- 90 Proof

The 18 year old version of Elijah Craig seemed to be more readily available this year than it (as well as other aged Elijah Craig expressions) has in the past. This could be due in large part, though, to the heftier price tag than it has seen in the past, clocking in at around $125. But, now that it's a few months after its release, I no longer see it on the shelves or inside the locked cabinets at all my favorite liquor stores. Perhaps this is an indication that the bourbon boom is not seeing an end any time, and well-aged bourbons still command such prices.

That being said, this bottle was nonetheless well worth the experience. The nose is absolutely incredible--a wonderful blend of caramel and vanilla, pipe tobacco and apple. It was almost an earthier apple pie scent that I could bottle up and wear as a cologne (if I wore cologne).

While I couldn't stop sniffing this one, eventually I got around to putting the bourbon to my lips, and in the words of Frank the Tank, "It's so good once it hits your lips! It's so good . . ." In older bourbons such as this, the typical bourbon flavor profile is often overwhelmed by the oak and tanins, making for a drier bourbon with a sort of bite to it (and not the spicy kind of bite). Here, although the wood tones were there, they were far from overwhelming, but rather complementary to the traditional vanilla and caramel flavors. The tanins that I expected to run into were simply nonexistent.

The sweet flavors typical of bourbons were there, but the balance of the oak made it a somewhat more savory bourbon, with the sweet caramel and brown sugar notes being a bit more subtle. This also comes across as a lighter bourbon, both in flavor and texture. The flavor was lightened up by somewhat unique pear and floral flavors, flavors which I frequently find in single malts but rarely in bourbons.

The texture was light as well, coming across as almost delicate, light on the tongue, but yet I wouldn't describe it as watery. It still coated the mouth and throat in a deliciousness that never seemed to go away, but without the oily residue texture that you frequently get from bourbons that linger on forever like this one.

I can't say enough good things about the Elijah Craig 18 Year. It's 90 proof, and when I run into lower proof bourbons where I really love their flavor, I tend to wish that it was bottled closer to cask strength to add flavor and complexity. This bourbon, however, comes across just perfect at 90 proof, and I think that if it were bottled at cask strength it might actually detract from my enjoyment.

Grade: A

Metze's Select Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey 2015 Medley

Over the last few months I've been telling my non-whiskey drinking father-in-law about this company, MGP Ingredients, how this distiller has a vastly different business model than your usual distillery, and the amount of success that the company has seen recently. As a result, he began tracking the company's stock, reading up on its history, and following it in the news. MGP became the topic of numerous discussions between the two of us.

Although he hasn't become any more interested in whiskey, he was more than excited for me to open my Christmas present this year, a bottle of Metze's Select, a small batch bourbon blended by MGP's master distiller, Greg Metze. This limited release bourbon (labeled as the "2015 Medley") is a blend of 38% - 2008 Bourbon (21% rye); 3% - 2006 Bourbon (36% Rye); and 59% - 2008 Bourbon (21% Rye), and was bottled at 93 Proof. The result is certainly a high-rye bourbon, but that puts it in my wheelhouse.

The nose is amazing. It's strong in vanilla and pipe tobacco, sweet and earthy, and easily noticed from a couple feet away. If I were to give an sub-grade to the nose itself, it'd get an A+. I could make candles out of this stuff.

On the palate, the high-rye content lends to a cinnamon-type spice that stands out from beginning to end. You notice it right away on the tip of your tongue, and that spicy bite lingers well after each swallow. It's accompanied by a well-balanced brown sugar sweetness underscored throughout by a strong vanilla flavor. I wouldn't quite call it a "vanilla bomb," but it's approaching that territory.

The bourbon is a bit on the watery side, but yet the flavor lingers seemingly forever, in the way that a more viscous bourbon usually would.

Further into the bottle, the vanilla and cinnamon flavors, though remaining present, gave way a bit to a very noticeable butterscotch flavor that would hang around the back of my throat long after each swallow in such a way that I was quickly reaching for my next sip.

All in all, this is a fantastic whiskey, and I only have two small marks against it. The first is that it's a relatively low proof. Although it is very good at this proof, I couldn't help but wonder just how good this stuff would be at barrel strength, with that added robustness and flavor. Additionally, the price is a bit prohibitive. I realize this was a limited, special release, but considering this is MGP's first retail release, the terms "limited" or "special" are relative and carry little weight. At about $70 per bottle, it's a tough sell, as there are plenty of great bourbons available at a lower cost.

This one was a gift, though, and I enjoyed every sip. I definitely encourage people to at least give it a try and enjoy what Mr. Metze has selected as his signature blend.

Grade: A-