Kentucky Archives - Whisky a Day

Whisky #460: Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon

February 22, 2017 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon. Louisville, Kentucky, United States. ABV: 45.7%. Tasted at home, $27 (100mL bottle split).

One of my passions / hobbies apart from whisk(e)y is powerlifting. Today I received a new powerlifting belt in the mail, so I thought I’d have an American whiskey a go. What’s the connection? Whiskey and Deadlifts. The guy behind it, Chris Duffin, is a top powerlifting athlete and strength coach who deadlifts over 900lb/400kg! I’ve got a looooong way to go to get to that level.

He’s dedicated a heap of his training to exploring a theory that immediate effects of low-dose alcohol consumption can improve performance for the athlete. As I’ve got a powerlifting comp coming up in 12 weeks’ time, I figured I’d better get on board and give it a crack. Though given I train at 5:30am most mornings before work I might have to do my research on weekends only…

Colour: Runny caramel.

Nose: Pine needles, fresh sawdust, and sour raspberry sweets – those long, chewy sticks coated in sugar.

Palate: Liquorice, aniseed and fresh fennel. Dryish mouthfeel.

Finish: Fresh toast, caramelised brown sugar and oak. Front palate action mainly.

Comments: Do you even lift bro?? This one was interesting – a fresh nose, dryish palate, followed by a sweeter finish. Definitely not your stereotypical saccharine sweet bourbon. Something different, and it’s delicious.

Whisky #360 – Wild Turkey Bourbon Whiskey

December 29, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Wild Turkey Bourbon Whiskey. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 43.40%. Tasted at The Point (Sydney), $8.50.

Colour: Pale amber.

Nose: Freshly sanded pine timber floorboards.

Palate: Liquorice. Quite thin on the palate, drying sensation with soft peppery notes.

Finish: Minimal heat, medium length with soft aniseed flavours to fade.

Comments: Not as harsh as I was expecting. The old Wild Turkey cops a bit of a flak but to be honest it was ok – I’ve certainly tasted much worse throughout the Whisky a Day year!

Whisky #353 – Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection New Cask Rye Whiskey

December 26, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection New Cask Rye Whiskey. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 46.2%. Tasted at Old Soul (Maroochydore), $30.

Colour: Dark toffee.

Nose: Caramel and fresh pine needles.

Palate: Smooth, yet strong aniseed rye flavours dominant as to be expected. Woody notes. Some very subtle toffee undertones eventually reveal themselves.

Finish: A drying, medicinal sensation in the fade. Medium length.

Comments: It’s quite a decent rye, but unfortunately at this price point I had slightly higher expectations.

Whisky #340 – Noah’s Mill Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey

December 19, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Noah’s Mill Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey. Kentucky, United States. Tasted at Pleased to Meet You, $22.

Colour: Dark golden toffee.

Nose: Caramelised sweet corn, hints of oak and vanilla. Prickles the nostrils.

Palate: Intense fennel and cloves, aniseed flavours. Mouth warming, yet quite a dry mouthfeel.

Finish: Quite long. Warmth builds at the roof of the mouth.

Comments: Dryer than my Tinder date’s personality.

Whisky #283 – Bulleit 10 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey

November 7, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Bulleit 10 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 45.60%. Tasted at The Flour Factory.

Colour: Light toffee.

Nose: Lots of rye, hessian and really dry hay. Basically the smell of the back of a Holden ute after a B&S ball (minus the empty rum cans).

Palate: Peppery, hay-like, dry. Almost as dry as my drinking companion Frank the Flourbag, resident boozehound at the Flour Factory. You’ll find him always sat in a corner, propping himself up and sneering out of the side of his sack as he enviously looks at the Hoff strutting around the bar holding court.

Finish: Very dry, medium length, medium heat on the front of the tongue in particular.

Comments: Not a massive bourbon fan (there are notable exceptions, like the Hudson Baby Bourbon), and this one again is ok but a little one dimensional for me.

Whisky #266 – Makers Mark Bourbon Whiskey

October 21, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Makers Mark Bourbon Whiskey. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 40.0%. Tasted at Pullman Bunker Bay Resort, $10.

Colour: Dark cane.

Nose: Aniseed notes; I’m not a huge fan. Dad got scents of damp hessian bags that have been sitting in a shed for too long. The old man is more of a wine drinker usually, but you don’t have to be a whisky fan to describe the nose of a dram – the olfactory sense is one of the most powerful in terms of triggering a (sometimes obscure) memory.

Palate: Spice and pepper.

Finish: Sawdust, very dry pepper and corn flavours. Medium length.

Comments: Meh, very underwhelming. After having tried some rather nice Limeburners, this one certainly misses the…ahem…mark.

Whisky #258 – Elijah Craig 12 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey

October 5, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Elijah Craig 12 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 47.00%. Tasted at The Royal Hotel, $12.

Colour: Like looking at a 40 year old stripper called Amber through rose-coloured glasses.

Nose: Lots of rye initially, in fact that’s all I could smell. Softens after a few minutes in the glass, a few faint lemon & woody notes begin to poke their heads above the parapet.

Palate: Boom – there’s your traditional bourbon flavours.

Finish: Liquorice, aniseed; a quick drying sensation which leaves a tingle on the front half of the mouth (not just the tongue). Some pepper and spice in the medium to long fade.

Comments: The nose seemed to suggest something a little unique, but when I took a sip it was a relatively standard bourbon. Certainly not bad, but equally it’s nothing to write home about.

Whisky #255 – Old Rip Van Winkle 107 Proof 10 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey

September 30, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Old Rip Van Winkle 107 Proof 10 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 53.50%. Tasted at The Royal Hotel, $18.

Colour: Deep orangey amber, like sap oozing from an old tree trunk.

Nose: Slight prickle with the first sniff. Pine needles. A freshly struck match.

Palate: Lots of rye and spice, predominantly pepper. Warmth builds with intensity.

Finish: Alcohol vapours seem to want to float to the highest point at the roof of the mouth. Long finish – the tongue is just buzzing for ages.

Comments: Damn, a sip of this would’ve quickly woken old Rip from his slumber, it certainly packs a punch. A brutally intense rye, but not enough flavour complexity for my liking – it’s just not subtle enough.

Whisky #207 – Elmer T Lee Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

August 25, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Elmer T Lee Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 45.00%. Tasted at Bobeche, $15.50.

Colour: Translucent dark caramel.

Nose: I need to get my nose away from the bowl of popcorn on the bar. Ok, some toasted nutty aromas.

Palate: Typical oaky vanilla and aniseed flavours.

Finish: Heat quickly builds, lasting longer than I expected too. Long flavour fade too, predominantly aniseed flavours.

Comments: This one was ok, though I have to admit I’m struggling a little to get to know and adequately describe some of the American whiskies, or at least break them down with as much imagination as many of the Scottish, Japanese or Australian whiskies I’ve tasted so far this year. I guess there’s only one solution – try some more and continue the research!

Whisky #202 – Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Classic Malt Whiskey

August 21, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Classic Malt Whiskey. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 45.20%. Tasted at Print Hall, $0 courtesy of my mate Wags.

Colour: Like a pale lager.

Nose: Like sticking your nose in a bag of fresh corn chips. Freshly hewn sawdust. My mate Nathan had a sip and got fresh baked bread.

Palate: Sweet hay-like flavours. Oily mouthfeel, smooth entry but then the flavour complexity seems to develop as the warmth builds.

Finish: Aniseed. Tingle on the front of the palate and lips.

Comments: Prior to Whisky a Day, I never really dabbled much in American whiskies, but I’ve been impressed and surprised when tasting my fair share so far this year. This one was much lighter than others I’ve tried before, but it’s always good to continue to expand and experience more. May the research continue!

Whisky #177 – Baker’s Bourbon Whiskey

July 24, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Baker’s Bourbon Whiskey. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 53.50%. Tasted at Mustang Bar, $10.50.

Colour: Reluctant bronze.

Nose: Dry rye.

Palate: A little harsh on the palate, lots of spice. Peppery oak, but nothing too smooth or pleasant.

Finish: Rye & pepper aftertaste, heat builds.

Comments: Much like a Thursday night Northbridge where you end up at the Mustang Bar in lieu of better choices, the Baker’s Bourbon is the kind of whisky you might have when there aren’t too many other options. Pass.

Whisky #173 – Booker’s Bourbon Whiskey

July 23, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Booker’s Bourbon Whiskey (Batch C04-J-19). Kentucky, United States. ABV: 64.60%.

Colour: Deep varnished timber.

Nose: Burnt orange, toffee and vanilla. Not the big alcohol kick up the nostrils I was expecting for a drop at 64.6%.

Palate: Creamy, buttery; rich fruity flavours with lots of mixed spices and pepper. Velvety smooth, yet a little sour (in a good way).

Finish: Chewy, quite long, very subtle aniseed in the fade.

Comments: Probably the smoothest bourbon whiskey I’ve had this year. Really enjoyed this one, I’d be keen to try more cask strength bourbons if this one is anything to go by.

Whisky #160 – Jim Beam Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey

July 18, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Jim Beam Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 40.00%. Tasted at Varnish, $10.50.

Colour: A striking deep cognac or port colour. Amazing.

Nose: Corn, some subtle sweet smokey notes too. Again, not a strong nose; you can really get the snozz right into the glass.

Palate: Very smooth for a bourbon, though the flavours are not too original.

Finish: Quite a long, smooth & also a subtle sweet finish. My mate Joel got the lingering port influences, have to agree with with him.

Comments: Interesting to learn that it was extra matured in ex-port barrels, I don’t recall having come across too many bourbons that have played around with extra maturation like this.

Whisky #159 – Rowan’s Creek Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey

July 18, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Rowan’s Creek Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 50.05%. Tasted at Varnish, $17.

Colour: Standard bourbon colour. Amber.

Nose: Not too strong, although it is a little hard to detect as there is the strong smell of bacon in the bar from Varnish’s bacon flights that accompany a selection of matched whiskies…*drool*.

Palate: Rye & subtle aniseed.

Finish: Medium length, bit of heat at the front half of the mouth, quite a bit of tingle on the lips. Could be because with the advent of winter my lips are starting to become a little dry, but like kissing a cute girl you’ve just met on a night out after a few drinks – you can’t tear yourself away.

Comments: Remarkably similar to the Eagle Rare 10 year old if my recollection serves me correctly.

Whisky #153 – Old Overholt 4 Year Old Rye Whiskey

July 12, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Old Overholt 4 Year Old Rye Whiskey. Frankfort, Kentucky, United States. ABV: 40.00%. Tasted at Varnish on King, $21.

Colour: Bright gold.

Nose: Quite soft, definitely not an olfactory assault by any means. Smells like a run of the mill rye.

Palate: Bam – huge rye flavours here that bely the subtle nose.

Finish: Oily mouthfeel, not much heat, medium finish. Sweet aniseed & almonds in the fade.

Comments: If you were looking for a smooth, drinkable contender to start exploring rye whiskey, you could definitely do worse than grabbing some of this. Nothing out of the box, but very solid. At this price point though I don’t think it’s tremendous value though, so maybe buy a bottle of it for around $70 and try it at home.

Whisky #142 – Makers Mark 46 Bourbon Whisky

July 7, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Makers Mark 46 Bourbon Whisky. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 47.00%. Tasted at the Elephant & Wheelbarrow, $11.

Colour: Deep dark copper.

Nose: Leathery vanilla notes; aniseed too.

Palate: Sweet aniseed flavours abound, balanced nicely with some heat & spice at the front of the mouth.

Finish: Dry, medium length; salted liquorice & pepper.

Comments: smooth entry, but some heat & spice to finish. It was ok, a fairly typical bourbon – nothing that makes it particularly stand out from the crowd.