I am a huge 1792 fan. Haven’t had the Full Proof version of it for a while, but I do recall experiencing a flavor I could not identify midway though the taste last time I had it.

So, I picked up a bottle recently to taste it again. And, I have identified the mystery flavor. The nose on this is spicy and hot. It’s intense and will burn your nose hairs off. The Full Proof is bottled at 125 Proof. On the taste, it has rye spice up front that developes into a Bananas Foster flavor (the mystery flavor). It’s finish is long with slight heat. This stuff is great if you’re looking for full strength and flavor. I rate it at a high 80. Bob

The Bruichladdich (I am told it’s pronounced “brick laddie”) distillery’s Classic Laddie – unpeated Islay single malt scotch – is fantastic. For bourbon drinkers who find it hard to embrace scotch due to the often intense peat flavors, this Classic Laddie is the perfect gateway toward moving into the heavier scotches.

Visually this scotch is light. It looks like a white wine. The nose is malty and sweet. The taste initially starts out like bourbon, sweet and caramelly with notes of cinnamon. Then it develops more into a classic scotch taste minus the peaty punch. A bunch of my bourbon drinking pals (non-scotch drinkers) gave this a spin and found it very enjoyable. Get some of this – it’s fantastic. This gets a real high rating of 88 from me. Bob

This is a solid bourbon. Has a good nose – nail polish and brown sugar. Deep auburn color. Comes in with cinnamon flavor.

But, where it is unique is in its finish. It tastes very strongly of cabernet sauvignon. It’s finished in cs barrels and that shows. The flavor really rings through in the end. I got this as a Father’s Day gift and have really enjoyed it. I rate it at a high 80. Bob

So I am heading to Whidbey Island Washington next week and it reminded me that I have an unopened bottle of Cadee Deceptivus that was gifted to me. The distillery is located on Whidbey.

This stuff is pretty smooth. I had some Cadee bourbon when the distillery was new and the bourbon tasted new (young). This is much better. It has a distinct sweetness although there is still plenty of young oak present. What smooths that out, however, is the port barrel finish. Generally, I am not a fan of wine barrel finishes on bourbon, but this one works. It provides for an nice “porty” finish to round out the oak. I like this and rate it at 80. Bob

Went for dinner at a local place. Their boubon selection is usually pretty limited. I noticed, however, that today they had a bottle of Single Barrel Knob Creek 120 Proof.

What a welcome addition to my meal. This has big boubon flavor. Plenty of caramel and brown sugar notes with slight oak. At 120 I expected some heat but the heat was very slight. Great stuff. Worth a try for sure. I rate it at 86. Bob

This is a unique dram.

The nose is stiff – smells like isopropyl alcohol. The flavor hits dry with just slight – almost nonexistent sweetness. Has a deep oak taste and dry mineral finish. Not everyone’s cup of tea, I would imagine. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it and recommend it if you’re looking for a change of pace and a dry bourbon.

Terry Bradshaw took the Steelers to 4 Superbowl Championships (1974, 1975, 1978 and 1979) back when football was tough on QBs. Brady has been playing in the new era of football designed to protect the QB and free up receivers. Bradshaw had his own country music album and now his own BOURBON too. Brady can’t say the same.

Bradshaw bourbon has a deep amber color. It comes in at 103.8 proof which is 51.9% alcohol. 51.9% is Bradshaw’s career completion percentage. It feature a big nose. Like smelling candy corn. It has an initially sweet flavor that changes quickly to strong heat (has some kick) and kettle corn / popcorn flavor. It finishes with a pleasant caramel essence. Bradshaw has thrown another Hail Mary TD! This is a good dram. Bradshaw (with the addition of his bourbon) is clearly the GOAT. I rate it at a high 80 – get some.

Bob

What’s worse than ants on your pants? Uncles. I know a really bad joke, but Uncle Nearest is not a bad Uncle but a good one. Recently got a bottle of the 1884 Small Batch Whiskey.

This whiskey presents as really light in color.  The nose is mild, almost weak, with hints of lemon or citrus.  After looking at it and smelling it I was prepared to taste something on the mild or weak side.  I was mistaken, the flavor is actually quite pronounced and good.

The front end of the flavor starts mild with slight sweetness like honey sweetened water but then it develops into leathery dried date flavors finishing with pronounced oak.  Really quite a pleasant drink.  I rate this at a high 80.  Bob

Picked up some Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye. Saw that it took the number 5 spot in Whisky Advocates top 20 Whiskeys for 2020.

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye #5

This stuff is rye-t on the money. It has sweet deep nose – can really smell the rye.  Light and dry initial taste – developing into a sweeter spicier finish.  The middle flavors display sweet caramel undertones of a good bourbon and then you get hit with a wave of the rye flavor (the rye flavors come in dry and strong).  The rye flavor lasts through the finish where am oak flavor enters.  It’s like two drinks morphed into one.  Very nice.  I see why Whisky Advocate identified this as the #5 Whisky of Year for 2020.  Get some.  It’s a nice sipper and will last quite a while due to its high proof 112.2.  I rate this at 86. Bob

Bob

Recently had some Wild Turkey Rare Breed barrel proof bourbon and some Chicken Cock Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

The Wild Turkey Rare Breed is awesome. It has a citrusy sweet toasted caramel nose. The mouthfeel is thick and dense with flavor. Sweet caramel and vanilla at the front gives way to spicy cinnamon notes and it finishes with a nice mild burn. The flavor is intense throughout.. This stuff is excellent. I rate it at a soaring 88.

The Chicken Cock was purchased more based upon its hilarious name than based on any flavor recommendations. It has a light golden hue and a nose of alcohol and roasted corn. The flavor hits the tongue as slightly sweet and corny. Midway the corn becomes more pronounced. Finally the finish is flat dry and oaky. This dram is okay, but not great. The bottle, however, is a conversation piece and s point of humor, so its a good addition to the cabinet for that purpose. This Chicken gets the “bird” for its flavor with a mediocre rating at 70. Bob