Utah

Whisky #462: High West American Prairie Bourbon

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High West American Prairie Bourbon. Park City, Utah, United States. ABV: 46%. Tasted at NOLA Smokehouse and Bar, $16.

Colour: Like a fiery redhead.

Nose: Grassy with burnt butter notes.

Palate: Popcorn and salted caramel. Butter and sage.

Finish: A satisfying warmth as it slides down your chest. Rosewater and soft tangy orange peel. Very smooth, not too spicy.

Comments: Sweet and savoury, not your typical bourbon. It’s actually a blend of a couple of bourbons with different mash bills. A great pre-dinner sipping whiskey.

Whiskies #27-30: All American “State of the Union” Tasting

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Righto listen up y’all…thought I’d do something a little different to mix it up a bit.  As today President Obama was giving his ‘State of the Union’ address, I thought that was the perfect segue into an all American ‘State of the Union’ whiskey tasting.  All were tasted in one evening at Varnish on King, Perth’s very own American whiskey bar.

IMG_2583Whisky #27: High West Double Rye Whiskey. Park City, Utah, United States. ABV: 46.00%. Tasted at Varnish on King, $14.50.

Colour: Deep caramel

Nose: Vanilla & soft aniseed.

Palate: Liquorice & soft spice.

Finish: Soft mellow warmth.

Comments: My first American whiskEy for the project.

Varnish’s “Rye Not” flight – $20.  Only small (~20mL) serves in this flight, so a little difficult to get a full appreciation of each drop.  Only made a few observations for each.

IMG_2585Whisky #28: Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 40.00%.

Nose: Very light, cereal scents. 

Finish: Has quite a fiery finish, not a very refined drop.

Comments: Not a huge fan, but it’s ok.

IMG_2584Whiskey #29: Wild Turkey 81 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 40.5%.

Colour: 50 shades of amber. Or as we’re tasting American whiskey, should that be 50 states of amber?

Nose: Smells like a musty pool hall.

Finish: Short and thin finish.

IMG_2582Whiskey #30: Rittenhouse 100 Proof Straight Rye Whiskey.  Kentucky, United States. ABV: 50.00%.

Colour: Deep browny bronze colour.

Palate: Aniseedy or absinthe flavours, coupled with sweet spice.

Comments: Definitely my favourite of the four American whiskies this evening.  

Overall comments: I’ve never really been into American whiskey very much.  Maybe as a result of having one too many largish nights on Jack Daniels in my younger days.  The Bulleit was just too harsh to drink straight, not that enjoyable at all.  The Turkey was a bit better, but still lacked a bit of depth and complexity for my liking.  The Rittenhouse however was great, I’d definitely like to try it again (larger serving next time!) to explore it in a bit more detail.  Could it be that it’s the most whisky-like whiskEy?  Overall though, they all displayed aniseed or absinthe-like flavours to a varying extents, which is certainly a little different to anything I’ve had so far.