Mystique: 1-10 points
Score: 10 Heard of it, reviews claim all other Rye's are measured against it
Color: 1-10 points
Score: 9 Beautiful, Dark, Garnet, Jewel like
Scent: 1-10 points
Score: 9 vanilla, oak, caramel, butterscotch? Rye bread
Initial impression: 1-10 points
Score: 9 looks good, smells great
Mouthfeel: 1-10 points
Score: 7 good, coats the mouth, stays on the tongue, feels thick
Taste: 1-10 x 4 points
Score: 32 caramel, slow burn, complete, with ice opened up beautifully burn
gone just peppery, a little sweet, smooth.
Raw Score: 76 points
Bonus: Value 1-10 points
Score: 9 great price point 23.95 a fifth
Total Score: 85 points
So they tell me this is the THE STUFF! It's one of the oldest Rye whiskies bottled and most reviewers use it to measure all new Rye's they try. It's a benchmark if you will. I think most of these reviewers are bourbon and scotch drinkers and that's why this Rye seems magic in a bottle to them. You can't blame them it's very good. Rye isn't that popular and it's very hard to find in some areas. This one in particular is difficult to find even in this area where Rye never truly went away. This is actually the first bottle of it I had ever seen and I was eager to try it. So what's all the fuss about? Flavor. It's got burn, it's complex and it's peppery. 3 things you don't necessarily get in bourbon or scotch. These reviewers seem in awe of it because they are very used to having a flat tasting bourbon or scotch at this price point. I don't know if it's the marketing machine or the fact that there are so many bourbons and scotch's out there, but to get a good one you usually have to spend a decent amount of money. Maybe they're snobs and they don't think anything inexpensive can taste good. If you think that way too you'd be very wrong.
Rittenhouse Rye is the taste standard for Pennsylvania style rye whiskey. Oh wait do I sound like one of those other reviewers? No. What do I mean? Hey what's Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey supposed to taste like? Here, taste this (hands you a glass), that. That is what it's supposed to taste like. It can be better or worse, but that's generally what you are supposed to get. It's the nature of Rye that it tastes so different from bourbon and scotch. It inherently has more flavors going on and it's not always going to taste as complete or smooth. I guarantee you will not like this whiskey if you drink it neat, very soon after you pour a glass. It's burny, it's got too much muddled mish mash of flavor going on. You might equate it to a Michael Bay action sequence. POW! BANG! jump cut, EXPLOSION! Holy shit! This stuff is awful. Exciting, but awful. Let's try this again. Pour it on the rocks, or add a little water. Let it sit a minute or two, now try it. Eh? what did I tell you. The profile completely changes. It's smoother, the burn is almost gone, there's flavors you can pick out. Pepper, spices, caramel, sugary, vanilla, fruit and it got smooth. What's going on here? I was watching Transformers and you switched it to Blade Runner. That's the nature of Rye whiskey.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Sunday, July 3, 2011
(Review) Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey
Mystique: 1-10 points
Score: 8 - Totally new, totally unexpected. I hadn't seen any sort of advertising
and had read no reviews before finding this at the store. Label is
definitely Jack Daniels, but a different color and gold text sets it apart.
Color: 1-10 points
Score: 7 - Light, warm, looks like honey.
Scent: 1-10 points
Score: 6 - Sweet, possibly overmuch. Definitely smells of honey.
Initial Impression: 1-10 points
Score: 7 - Lovely label, nice color, alright smell.
Mouthfeel: 1-10 points
Score: 7 - Slightly burny, not terribly oily.
Taste: 1-10 x 4 points
Score: 36 - Even burn from start to finish, honey flavor really comes out in the
end. Minimal aftertaste. Light hint of banana and amaretto coffee.
Raw Score: 71
Bonus: Value points 1-10 points
Score: 8 - Under $25 makes it a good buy.
-----------------------
Final Score: 79
We found this liquor in the store yesterday, and I knew nothing of it - I knew it was brand new (so new, in fact, that it lacks a real website - instead, the company has set up a Facebook page), and I was intrigued. Chris told me his friend's mother regularly drinks it in her unsweetened iced tea, which intrigued me further. Had Jack Daniels finally come up with something sweet?
I wasn't sure, but I wanted to find out.
We picked up the bottle this evening, and I immediately set it in the freezer to chill. The bottle actually instructs drinkers to enjoy it chilled - the first instruction I've seen on any Jack Daniels bottle. About a half hour later it was ready, and for once I had a room full of testers to give it a go. At the end of this review, I will post some audio from the group test. My guest testers are MaryBeth and Parker, and both Chris and I make appearances on the recording.
Upon first impressions, the bottle is similar to JD Black Label, but the label is distinctly different. The background color is cream, the text and embossing is gold, and a bee graces the front of the bottle. My immediate thought is this bottle just FEELS feminine...it's certainly appealing to my female co-tester and myself. This might be JD's entry to those women who prefer sweet drinks...the same folks who generally shy away from whiskey.
When poured in a glass, the liquor is golden and thick...not quite as thick as a cordial, but it easily coats the glass. When sniffed, it's incredibly sweet and completely unlike regular black label Jack (but gives a slight hint of Single Barrel's sweetness). There are definite honey tones, as well as a light hint of the signature flavor of Jack Daniels.
The taste...well. It floored me. I've never had any sort of honey-based liquor other than mead before tonight, and I'm blown away at its flavor. At first taste, I noticed there was a light burn that hit immediately and stayed throughout, and there were hints of both banana and amaretto coffee. At the end, the honey flavor comes in very strong and sticks through the finish. There is almost no aftertaste, and I really feel this might be a good introductary whiskey for non-whiskey-drinkers. It's nicely sweet and doesn't turn the drinker off from it. Mixed in something like unsweetened iced tea, this would make an excellent summer drink.
I would highly recommend this to either a friend who has never had whiskey and wants to give them a try, or someone who already likes sweeter drinks and JD and wants to try something new. I also see this might have some use as a glaze for poultry.
Here's the audio from our tasting - apologies for the extra talking, Chris seemed to forget I was recording like 20 seconds into the tasting. ;)
Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey review by falnfenix
Score: 8 - Totally new, totally unexpected. I hadn't seen any sort of advertising
and had read no reviews before finding this at the store. Label is
definitely Jack Daniels, but a different color and gold text sets it apart.
Color: 1-10 points
Score: 7 - Light, warm, looks like honey.
Scent: 1-10 points
Score: 6 - Sweet, possibly overmuch. Definitely smells of honey.
Initial Impression: 1-10 points
Score: 7 - Lovely label, nice color, alright smell.
Mouthfeel: 1-10 points
Score: 7 - Slightly burny, not terribly oily.
Taste: 1-10 x 4 points
Score: 36 - Even burn from start to finish, honey flavor really comes out in the
end. Minimal aftertaste. Light hint of banana and amaretto coffee.
Raw Score: 71
Bonus: Value points 1-10 points
Score: 8 - Under $25 makes it a good buy.
-----------------------
Final Score: 79
We found this liquor in the store yesterday, and I knew nothing of it - I knew it was brand new (so new, in fact, that it lacks a real website - instead, the company has set up a Facebook page), and I was intrigued. Chris told me his friend's mother regularly drinks it in her unsweetened iced tea, which intrigued me further. Had Jack Daniels finally come up with something sweet?
I wasn't sure, but I wanted to find out.
We picked up the bottle this evening, and I immediately set it in the freezer to chill. The bottle actually instructs drinkers to enjoy it chilled - the first instruction I've seen on any Jack Daniels bottle. About a half hour later it was ready, and for once I had a room full of testers to give it a go. At the end of this review, I will post some audio from the group test. My guest testers are MaryBeth and Parker, and both Chris and I make appearances on the recording.
Upon first impressions, the bottle is similar to JD Black Label, but the label is distinctly different. The background color is cream, the text and embossing is gold, and a bee graces the front of the bottle. My immediate thought is this bottle just FEELS feminine...it's certainly appealing to my female co-tester and myself. This might be JD's entry to those women who prefer sweet drinks...the same folks who generally shy away from whiskey.
When poured in a glass, the liquor is golden and thick...not quite as thick as a cordial, but it easily coats the glass. When sniffed, it's incredibly sweet and completely unlike regular black label Jack (but gives a slight hint of Single Barrel's sweetness). There are definite honey tones, as well as a light hint of the signature flavor of Jack Daniels.
The taste...well. It floored me. I've never had any sort of honey-based liquor other than mead before tonight, and I'm blown away at its flavor. At first taste, I noticed there was a light burn that hit immediately and stayed throughout, and there were hints of both banana and amaretto coffee. At the end, the honey flavor comes in very strong and sticks through the finish. There is almost no aftertaste, and I really feel this might be a good introductary whiskey for non-whiskey-drinkers. It's nicely sweet and doesn't turn the drinker off from it. Mixed in something like unsweetened iced tea, this would make an excellent summer drink.
I would highly recommend this to either a friend who has never had whiskey and wants to give them a try, or someone who already likes sweeter drinks and JD and wants to try something new. I also see this might have some use as a glaze for poultry.
Here's the audio from our tasting - apologies for the extra talking, Chris seemed to forget I was recording like 20 seconds into the tasting. ;)
Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey review by falnfenix
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
(Review) Bulleit Rye Whiskey 90 proof
Mystique: 1-10 points
Score: 7 New, No ads I've seen, two extra points for their bourbon's reputation
Color: 1-10 points
Score: 8 nice, amber with a hint of orange
Scent: 1-10 points
Score: 9 vanilla, oak, deep
Initial impression: 1-10 points
Score: 8 looks great, neat bottle, smells great
Mouthfeel: 1-10 points
Score: 9 slick and oily with a tingle
Taste: 1-10 x 4 points
Score: 36 smokey, peppery on the front, flowery on the back
Raw Score: 77 points
Bonus: Value 1-10 points
Score: 8 good price point 21.95 a fifth
Total Score: 85 points
I realized as we get closer to July 4th that even though I must have 8 different bottles of Rye Whiskey in my liquor cabinet I haven't posted about a single one. It's my favorite whiskey with a long American traditon. Unfortunately unless you live on the East Coast you've probably never seen it until recently. Fortunately it's enjoying it's own rebirth and revolution. Thanks to this, there are several good American Ryes with nationwide distribution now availible.
Why does rye go with July 4th? Because until prohibition it was the America's whiskey. Enjoyed and produced in the colonies. When you ordered a whiskey while debating life liberty and the pursuit of happiness you got a glass of rye. American Rye is produced using a majority of rye grain in the mash. By law it has to be 51% rye. This makes a whiskey that's peppery yet smooth. Like bourbon it's aged in charred oak barrels. Straight Rye is aged at least 2 yrs. During and after prohibiton American Rye became confused with Canadian Rye whiskey which was referred to as just Rye Whiskey and the name became forever muddled and confusing. Canadian Rye Whiskey can be 90% corn and only 10% rye and has a completely different flavor profile than it's American counterpart. I'll touch on a true Canadian Rye in another review. American Rye Whiskey is further broken down into 2 styles. The Pennsylvanian style, which is more dry and peppery and the Maryland Style whis is just a little sweeter and less peppery. Luckily of the surviving brands there was 1 example of each, Old Overlholt (Pennsylvania) and Pikesville Rye (Maryland) so you could still see the difference.
Now getting back to Bulleit Rye, it's the first example of an American Rye whiskey that's right in the middle of the two styles that I have tried. Of the new offerings in rye, they seem to lean one way or the other, but Bulleit nailed it right down the center. It's got some peppery burn in the beginning and a sweeter finish in the end. This is why I recommend that if you're new to rye, try this one first. It's a tasty and even introduction. Straight out of glass it's got a slow burn like the idea of the American Revolution. Like the colonists it's got that charred oaky ruggedness, but somehow seems a little green at the same time. It's rough pepper and fiesty yet somehow refined and smooth by the time it hits your stomach. If you add ice or a little water it opens up a bit of sophistication. Plum and flowers are hiding in that glass. At it's 90 proof bottling it allows more hints of flavor and complexity without the distiller having to water it down to the standard 80. Bulleit is well crafted, smooth and tasty, a fine exapmle of American Rye Whiskey. Try it in a classic cocktail that originally called for rye like The Sazarec, The Manhattan, or even the Mint Julep. As rye got more scarce and the American palate craved the sweeter bourbon these cocktails had their main ingredient replaced. They're very good with bourbon, but different with rye. No other spirit gives the flavor of America like rye. It's bold and brash while complex, crafted and a little naive all at the same time. Try a glass of history while celebrating our nations birth and think of how the spirit in your glass tastes a bit like freedom.
Score: 7 New, No ads I've seen, two extra points for their bourbon's reputation
Color: 1-10 points
Score: 8 nice, amber with a hint of orange
Scent: 1-10 points
Score: 9 vanilla, oak, deep
Initial impression: 1-10 points
Score: 8 looks great, neat bottle, smells great
Mouthfeel: 1-10 points
Score: 9 slick and oily with a tingle
Taste: 1-10 x 4 points
Score: 36 smokey, peppery on the front, flowery on the back
Raw Score: 77 points
Bonus: Value 1-10 points
Score: 8 good price point 21.95 a fifth
Total Score: 85 points
I realized as we get closer to July 4th that even though I must have 8 different bottles of Rye Whiskey in my liquor cabinet I haven't posted about a single one. It's my favorite whiskey with a long American traditon. Unfortunately unless you live on the East Coast you've probably never seen it until recently. Fortunately it's enjoying it's own rebirth and revolution. Thanks to this, there are several good American Ryes with nationwide distribution now availible.
Why does rye go with July 4th? Because until prohibition it was the America's whiskey. Enjoyed and produced in the colonies. When you ordered a whiskey while debating life liberty and the pursuit of happiness you got a glass of rye. American Rye is produced using a majority of rye grain in the mash. By law it has to be 51% rye. This makes a whiskey that's peppery yet smooth. Like bourbon it's aged in charred oak barrels. Straight Rye is aged at least 2 yrs. During and after prohibiton American Rye became confused with Canadian Rye whiskey which was referred to as just Rye Whiskey and the name became forever muddled and confusing. Canadian Rye Whiskey can be 90% corn and only 10% rye and has a completely different flavor profile than it's American counterpart. I'll touch on a true Canadian Rye in another review. American Rye Whiskey is further broken down into 2 styles. The Pennsylvanian style, which is more dry and peppery and the Maryland Style whis is just a little sweeter and less peppery. Luckily of the surviving brands there was 1 example of each, Old Overlholt (Pennsylvania) and Pikesville Rye (Maryland) so you could still see the difference.
Now getting back to Bulleit Rye, it's the first example of an American Rye whiskey that's right in the middle of the two styles that I have tried. Of the new offerings in rye, they seem to lean one way or the other, but Bulleit nailed it right down the center. It's got some peppery burn in the beginning and a sweeter finish in the end. This is why I recommend that if you're new to rye, try this one first. It's a tasty and even introduction. Straight out of glass it's got a slow burn like the idea of the American Revolution. Like the colonists it's got that charred oaky ruggedness, but somehow seems a little green at the same time. It's rough pepper and fiesty yet somehow refined and smooth by the time it hits your stomach. If you add ice or a little water it opens up a bit of sophistication. Plum and flowers are hiding in that glass. At it's 90 proof bottling it allows more hints of flavor and complexity without the distiller having to water it down to the standard 80. Bulleit is well crafted, smooth and tasty, a fine exapmle of American Rye Whiskey. Try it in a classic cocktail that originally called for rye like The Sazarec, The Manhattan, or even the Mint Julep. As rye got more scarce and the American palate craved the sweeter bourbon these cocktails had their main ingredient replaced. They're very good with bourbon, but different with rye. No other spirit gives the flavor of America like rye. It's bold and brash while complex, crafted and a little naive all at the same time. Try a glass of history while celebrating our nations birth and think of how the spirit in your glass tastes a bit like freedom.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
(Review) The Kracken, Black Spiced Rum 94 proof
Mystique: 1-10 points
Score: 10 new, big ad campaign, cool, mysterious
Color: 1-10 points
Score: 10 black as night, as advertised, squid ink
Scent: 1-10 points
Score: 9 mixed spices, vanilla, pepper
Initial impression: 1-10 points
Score: 9 looks great hope its not a letdown
Mouthfeel: 1-10 points
Score: 9 slick and oily as expected
Taste: 1-10 x 4 points
Score: 36 Caramel, molasses, big pepper burn but goes away quick
Raw Score: 83 points
Bonus: Value 1-10 points
Score: 8 good price point 19.95 a fifth
Total Score: 91 points
Like the cryptozoological monster from the deep, The Kracken broke the surface with a lot of noise and a unique look. With a 2 jug-handled bottle and a pirate map like label It looks different, but is it up to snuff? A true black rum, dark with a mysterious exotic flavor? That's what the huge marketing campaign for this new product promised. Did they deliver? Absolutely. The Kracken is on par with Gosling's Black Seal and Cruzan Black Strap. It's a real Navy Rum. Black as it's namesake's ink with a flavor that's big molasses, caramel and spices. The pepper taste is strong, but disappears into the briny deep leaving an oily slick. It doesn't quite have the flavor depth of the competition, but it's bolder up front and doesn't disappear in a mixed drink. It's great as a flavor addition to other rums in a variety of cocktails, Like adding just a tiny bit of chili pepper to spice up a meal. It's future may not be in standing on it's own, but as one of those mixers you can't do without. Either they made this rum while thinking of the name or the name came first and they tried to embody it in rum, either way it's spot on, and a welcome addition to my collection of Black Rums. It gives us a little more choice in this small niche. Hunt The Kracken!
Score: 10 new, big ad campaign, cool, mysterious
Color: 1-10 points
Score: 10 black as night, as advertised, squid ink
Scent: 1-10 points
Score: 9 mixed spices, vanilla, pepper
Initial impression: 1-10 points
Score: 9 looks great hope its not a letdown
Mouthfeel: 1-10 points
Score: 9 slick and oily as expected
Taste: 1-10 x 4 points
Score: 36 Caramel, molasses, big pepper burn but goes away quick
Raw Score: 83 points
Bonus: Value 1-10 points
Score: 8 good price point 19.95 a fifth
Total Score: 91 points
Like the cryptozoological monster from the deep, The Kracken broke the surface with a lot of noise and a unique look. With a 2 jug-handled bottle and a pirate map like label It looks different, but is it up to snuff? A true black rum, dark with a mysterious exotic flavor? That's what the huge marketing campaign for this new product promised. Did they deliver? Absolutely. The Kracken is on par with Gosling's Black Seal and Cruzan Black Strap. It's a real Navy Rum. Black as it's namesake's ink with a flavor that's big molasses, caramel and spices. The pepper taste is strong, but disappears into the briny deep leaving an oily slick. It doesn't quite have the flavor depth of the competition, but it's bolder up front and doesn't disappear in a mixed drink. It's great as a flavor addition to other rums in a variety of cocktails, Like adding just a tiny bit of chili pepper to spice up a meal. It's future may not be in standing on it's own, but as one of those mixers you can't do without. Either they made this rum while thinking of the name or the name came first and they tried to embody it in rum, either way it's spot on, and a welcome addition to my collection of Black Rums. It gives us a little more choice in this small niche. Hunt The Kracken!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
(Cocktail Recipe) The Gimlet
As I was preparing my Singapore Sling yesterday I realized the number of ingredients required may be more that some of you have in your liquor cabinet. Today I give you another classic cocktail to beat the heat. One with less ingredients and more simplicity, The Gimlet. This cocktail gets it's name from: Gimlet-a hand tool used to drill small holes. That sounds appropriate to me. While the cocktail is artistically simple in taste like many other classic cocktails there is no Highlander. There can't be only one. It's recipe is debated and even the types of ingredients are argued about across the internet, by cocktail drinkers and in books. The simple recipe is:
Combine in a shaker.
2oz GIN (Dry, Plymouth or Old Tom)
2oz Rose's Lime Juice (Rose's is specified)
1 TSP powdered sugar or simple syrup
Shake thouroughly and pour into an old fashioned glass. Garnish with a lime round.
That's it. Simple, right? Not so fast. For classical cocktail argument there's debate about the lime juice. Use Rose's or Fresh. Which Gin? Dry, Plymouth or the sweeter Old Tom. Top with club soda? If you do that you have made a different drink, The Gin Rickey. For new fangled recipe tinkerers, there's substitute Vodka for the Gin, add mint, or add cucumber or other vegtable or fruit. The list goes on. Connor and Kurgan will fight indefinitely. As a spectator to the epic battle I can say that as far as I'm concerned the above recipe IS the Gimlet. If you alter the recipe to something you like better please call it something else, the (whatever you add) Gimlet. If you alter it so far that your drink doesn't capture the spirit of the Gimlet then make up a new name. This is a simple cocktail. It's flavor is balanced and refreshing. It dosen't need complication. I do encourage you to try the original Gimlet to get the jist of the drink, but please alter away to make it something you like. I like my drinks more sour, so I'll add less sugar and more lime, Laura prefers sweeter drinks so she'll add a dash of Cherry Heering or fresh cherries. Try it, then make it your own, but try and guage when and if you lose the spirit of the flavor of the the original. Whatever you come up with based on this cocktail It will be a great way to beat the heat.
Combine in a shaker.
2oz GIN (Dry, Plymouth or Old Tom)
2oz Rose's Lime Juice (Rose's is specified)
1 TSP powdered sugar or simple syrup
Shake thouroughly and pour into an old fashioned glass. Garnish with a lime round.
That's it. Simple, right? Not so fast. For classical cocktail argument there's debate about the lime juice. Use Rose's or Fresh. Which Gin? Dry, Plymouth or the sweeter Old Tom. Top with club soda? If you do that you have made a different drink, The Gin Rickey. For new fangled recipe tinkerers, there's substitute Vodka for the Gin, add mint, or add cucumber or other vegtable or fruit. The list goes on. Connor and Kurgan will fight indefinitely. As a spectator to the epic battle I can say that as far as I'm concerned the above recipe IS the Gimlet. If you alter the recipe to something you like better please call it something else, the (whatever you add) Gimlet. If you alter it so far that your drink doesn't capture the spirit of the Gimlet then make up a new name. This is a simple cocktail. It's flavor is balanced and refreshing. It dosen't need complication. I do encourage you to try the original Gimlet to get the jist of the drink, but please alter away to make it something you like. I like my drinks more sour, so I'll add less sugar and more lime, Laura prefers sweeter drinks so she'll add a dash of Cherry Heering or fresh cherries. Try it, then make it your own, but try and guage when and if you lose the spirit of the flavor of the the original. Whatever you come up with based on this cocktail It will be a great way to beat the heat.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
(Cocktail Recipe) The Singapore Sling
In honor of the current 98 degree temperature here I think we'll need a refreshing cocktail. A classic tropical drink should fit the bill nicely. How about a refreshing Singapore Sling. A slightly different tropical drink based with gin that has a complex flavor and doesn't just taste like the fruit juice they used as a mixer. This drink was invented at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon. It has some mystery about it, as it's original recipe is up for debate. The currently accepted and far superior recipe is as follows:
1.5oz Gin
.5oz Cherry Heering
.25oz Cointreau
.5oz Benedictine
.5oz Lime Juice
2.0oz Pineapple Juice
Dash of Angostura Bitters
Few Dashes Grenadine
Shake with Ice and pour straight up or over ice and top with club soda. Garnish with a flag.
Using this recipe it's really not a classic sling anymore, but it's refreshing and it's flavor is complex enough to make you think of an exotic location like Singapore.
A little history and the opportunity to watch master bartender Chris McMillian in this video that's part of a series presented by the City of New Orleans. New Orleans Best Cocktail
1.5oz Gin
.5oz Cherry Heering
.25oz Cointreau
.5oz Benedictine
.5oz Lime Juice
2.0oz Pineapple Juice
Dash of Angostura Bitters
Few Dashes Grenadine
Shake with Ice and pour straight up or over ice and top with club soda. Garnish with a flag.
Using this recipe it's really not a classic sling anymore, but it's refreshing and it's flavor is complex enough to make you think of an exotic location like Singapore.
A little history and the opportunity to watch master bartender Chris McMillian in this video that's part of a series presented by the City of New Orleans. New Orleans Best Cocktail
Friday, June 3, 2011
(Review) Ezra Brooks Straight Kentucky Bourbon 90 proof
Mystique: 1-10 points
Score: 8
been around a while
Color: 1-10 points
Score: 9
dark amber, red tinge
Scent: 1-10 points
Score: 10
oakey, smoke, vanilla, floral
Initial Impression: 1-10 points
Score: 9
hopeful
Mouthfeel: 1-10 points
Score: 8
slight oily
Taste: 1-10 x 4 points
Score: 36
little burn, pepper, vanilla, wood short aftertaste
Raw total Score: 80 points
Bonus: Value: 1-10 points
Score: 10
dollar more than Evan Williams and its better
Total Score: 90 points
Part of this endeavor was to get us trying new things and after assessing my bourbon consumption I realized I was stuck in a rut. I don't have unlimited funds and when I buy something new my money usually goes to whatever shiny bottle of Rye Whiskey I haven't tried yet. I have not tried many of the high end Bourbons and with the sort of renaissance that it's enjoying there are plenty. I decided to find a really decent one in the middle, a best bang for the buck. Could another mid price bourbon dethrone Evan Williams as my old stand by? I'd been aware of Ezra Brooks as my grandfather had a bottle of Old Ezra behind his bar that came in its own coffin. A little wooden box with a bottle in it. I remember looking looking at it when I was a kid and thinking why would you want to drink something that comes in its own coffin. I saw my grandfather drinking it one day and asked him. He said it wasn't a coffin, it was a treasure chest. He was right, but I was never able to find that particular treasure again after I became of legal drinking age. Lucky for me, I spotted regular Ezra Brooks bourbon hidden among all those black labeled square bottles on the shelf. Once again, note to bourbon makers GET SOME NEW BOTTLES AND LABEL DESIGNS. I wasn't sure what to think. It's was priced right and was new to me. That made it perfect to try. The color was very good, just a little red tinge to the amber and when I poured it in the glass I was surprised to smell all those different aromas out of such a reasonably priced bottle. Sipped neat I experienced a smooth, peppery burn with a vanilla and woody flavor that didn't stick around too long. Very pleasant for such a reasonable price. My bourbon of choice is Wild Turkey which is a little on the peppery side so this was similar in experience and suited to my taste. I tried it on the rocks, in an old fashioned and a mint julep. It was great. I think the higher proofing really brings out that extra flavor and adds a contrast between the flavors and the burn. I found out Ezra Brooks Bourbon is made for the owner by the Evan Williams people and that it might even start from the same mash ball. How the rest of it's birth differs I am not sure and was unable to find out. I am assuming it's aged a little longer to obtain the higher proofing. This was a great find for me. I like it a bit better than Evan Williams for everyday use and have made it my new house Bourbon at home. If you like Wild Turkey or Evan Williams I think you'll like this. At a very reasonable price I can safely say this is a best bang for the buck
Score: 8
been around a while
Color: 1-10 points
Score: 9
dark amber, red tinge
Scent: 1-10 points
Score: 10
oakey, smoke, vanilla, floral
Initial Impression: 1-10 points
Score: 9
hopeful
Mouthfeel: 1-10 points
Score: 8
slight oily
Taste: 1-10 x 4 points
Score: 36
little burn, pepper, vanilla, wood short aftertaste
Raw total Score: 80 points
Bonus: Value: 1-10 points
Score: 10
dollar more than Evan Williams and its better
Total Score: 90 points
Part of this endeavor was to get us trying new things and after assessing my bourbon consumption I realized I was stuck in a rut. I don't have unlimited funds and when I buy something new my money usually goes to whatever shiny bottle of Rye Whiskey I haven't tried yet. I have not tried many of the high end Bourbons and with the sort of renaissance that it's enjoying there are plenty. I decided to find a really decent one in the middle, a best bang for the buck. Could another mid price bourbon dethrone Evan Williams as my old stand by? I'd been aware of Ezra Brooks as my grandfather had a bottle of Old Ezra behind his bar that came in its own coffin. A little wooden box with a bottle in it. I remember looking looking at it when I was a kid and thinking why would you want to drink something that comes in its own coffin. I saw my grandfather drinking it one day and asked him. He said it wasn't a coffin, it was a treasure chest. He was right, but I was never able to find that particular treasure again after I became of legal drinking age. Lucky for me, I spotted regular Ezra Brooks bourbon hidden among all those black labeled square bottles on the shelf. Once again, note to bourbon makers GET SOME NEW BOTTLES AND LABEL DESIGNS. I wasn't sure what to think. It's was priced right and was new to me. That made it perfect to try. The color was very good, just a little red tinge to the amber and when I poured it in the glass I was surprised to smell all those different aromas out of such a reasonably priced bottle. Sipped neat I experienced a smooth, peppery burn with a vanilla and woody flavor that didn't stick around too long. Very pleasant for such a reasonable price. My bourbon of choice is Wild Turkey which is a little on the peppery side so this was similar in experience and suited to my taste. I tried it on the rocks, in an old fashioned and a mint julep. It was great. I think the higher proofing really brings out that extra flavor and adds a contrast between the flavors and the burn. I found out Ezra Brooks Bourbon is made for the owner by the Evan Williams people and that it might even start from the same mash ball. How the rest of it's birth differs I am not sure and was unable to find out. I am assuming it's aged a little longer to obtain the higher proofing. This was a great find for me. I like it a bit better than Evan Williams for everyday use and have made it my new house Bourbon at home. If you like Wild Turkey or Evan Williams I think you'll like this. At a very reasonable price I can safely say this is a best bang for the buck
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