Knob Creek makes a solid bourbon but I haven’t had any in a while. Recently my son-in-law darkened my door with a bottle of Knob’s 12 year Bourbon at 100 proof.

This is Knob but turned up a notch in quality. Smooth and not sweet like a lot of other bourbon. Has a dry satisfying flavor with mild burn on the finish. The nose is slight citrus with raw potato. This is good stuff. I rate it at 88. Treat yourself to some. Bob

Got a a bottle of the Russell’s Reserve – Private Barrel Selection – Single Barrel Non-Chill Filtered Barrel Whiskey from my daughter for my birthday.

It is astoundingly good. Don’t know what others think of it but wow it is good and one of my favorites now. It has a nose of dried fruit. It is sweet like honey when it hits the tongue and developes dried date and plum flavors midway. Quite smooth for 110 proof. It finishes with some spicy heat that lingers. I rate this real high at 93. Get some for sure. Bob

George Dickel Bottled in Bond 11 year whiskey was on my radar. Rated as the number 1 whiskey by Whisky Advocate in 2019, I had to have it.

Gotta be honest, the first sip was disappointing. It was smooth – no off flavors, but nothing great in terms of flavor. The second sip got better. The third sip was great. It just needed time to take in some oxygen for the flavors to develop. Nose is like overripe banana with good burn. Instant sweet banana bread when it hits the tongue. Midway through it develops caramel and burnt marshmallow flavors. It ends with slight burn and lingering spice with slight sweetness. Delicious dram. Get some. I rate it high too at a 90. Bob

Over Labor Day weekend I had the opportunity to enjoy a pour of Bull Run Bourbon courtesy of my son-in-law.

Bull Run is produced at the Bull Run Distillery in Portland Oregon. This bourbon has a deep flavor profile. Rich with carmel and toasted marshmallow notes with light heat. It finishes with a fresh oak/woody flavor that is subtle and not overwhelming or bad. Very enjoyable. Give Bull Run a run – you won’t be disappointed. Bob

This whiskey screams Japanese distilling. To me it epitomizes the Japanese whiskey flavor. Its light but still presents the flavors of a potent scotch.

Its like a melding of a light whiskey with scotch. Light and almost watery up front, sweet in the middle with a light agave syrup, then finishes with an oaky peaty flavor.

Doesn’t live up to the Japanese whiskey hype; its okay, but not great. Give it a shot. Bob

Had Aberfeldy 12 year single malt scotch a couple of weekends ago at a rehearsal dinner and then had to have it again the following day at the wedding reception just to confirm what I had tasted. Thank goodness I doubled up on it and confirmed that this scotch is good stuff.

This scotch is simply delicious. A broad flavor profile makes for a smooth satisfying drink. Full of flavors from banana to earthy tones to cotton candy; just a great scotch. I rate it at a high 88. Get some! Bob

I had Rogue Dead Guy Whiskey a few years ago and wasn’t a fan. I recently tried it again and was pleasantly surprised.

This whiskey is made from the same ingredients Rogue uses for its popular Dead Guy Ale. The result is a smooth drinkable dram. The nose has notes of cherry and oak. It has a slightly sweet beginning and mid and finishes with the taste of chocolate. If you are looking to try a unique whiskey, give Dead Guy a try and bring those tastebuds to life.

Okay these are decent whiskeys but young. They have all of the good elements but they have that characteristic young flavor.

The Straight Bourbon has some nice qualities. Nice flavor profile up front and good mouth feel but ends with oaky new taste. The Deceptivus had a better finish due to aging in Port barrels. The Port adds a mellow finish that masks its young character. These are worthy of a try but aren’t going to hit your fantastic list. Bob

High West out of Park City Utah is on to something tasty here. They have blended bourbon, rye, and peaty scotch and it is fantastic.

A pour provides the nice floral aspects of rye, the caramel undertones of bourbon, and the peaty smokiness of scotch. The blend works well. This drinks like fine scotch. Grab yourself a bottle for the campfire. Bob

This dram is worth experiencing. Its Kentucky Rye blended with Canadian whiskey and Port wine. You can taste all 3 of its components and its pretty tasty. Real smooth and drinkable.

But if you’re looking for a robust rye, its not gonna hit the spot. It does, however, mix into a fantastic Old Fashioned. Make one. It is awesome! Its worth getting a bottle of this for sure. Bob