GearNoir
“The TSC’s Napping Beefcake”
Going back through my 12 Whiskeys of Christmas sampler in reverse order. First time through was neat, this time I’m adding a a few drops of water. Not changing my rankings though.
Tonight 1/3 of #3: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Thankfully, still smells amazing, just bumped up a notch and brighter! Rich, caramel/toffee, buttery, smooth, with an edge of vanilla. The burnt note is gone from the nose.
Taste? Fiery orange. Still tastes like an Old Fashioned. The char note seems to be almost completely eradicated from the taste as well! The oak plays briefly and lightly. Not quite as warming and hearty as before. Super smooth still once that brief fire fades. Tough call...this is actually good either way - neat or with water! I’d have to say, this comes in a very close second to the Buffalo Trace distillery offerings. Very close. If they shaved about $10 off the price, it might come in first.
Tacking in my final rankings list from the initial tastings to add notes about whether I preferred them neat, with water, or over ice.
Blended Malt Scotch Rankings:
1) Naked Grouse
2) Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 year (neat)
3) Monkey Shoulder (neat)
Single Malt Scotch Rankings:
1) Craigellachie 13 year (neat)
2) Grangestone 12 year
3) Balvenie 14 year (neat)
4) Glenlivet Founder’s (neat)
5) Glenmorangie 10 year (neat)
6) Oban 14 year (neat)
7) Bruichladdich (water)
8) Laphroaig 10 year (water)
9) Ardbeg 10 year (water)
Bourbon Rankings:
1) Eagle Rare (neat)
2) Buffalo Trace (neat)
3) Woodford Double Oaked Straight (either)
4) Jim Beam Black
5) Larceny
Rye Whiskey Rankings:
1) Sazerac Straight Rye (neat)
Tonight 1/3 of #3: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Thankfully, still smells amazing, just bumped up a notch and brighter! Rich, caramel/toffee, buttery, smooth, with an edge of vanilla. The burnt note is gone from the nose.
Taste? Fiery orange. Still tastes like an Old Fashioned. The char note seems to be almost completely eradicated from the taste as well! The oak plays briefly and lightly. Not quite as warming and hearty as before. Super smooth still once that brief fire fades. Tough call...this is actually good either way - neat or with water! I’d have to say, this comes in a very close second to the Buffalo Trace distillery offerings. Very close. If they shaved about $10 off the price, it might come in first.
Tacking in my final rankings list from the initial tastings to add notes about whether I preferred them neat, with water, or over ice.
Blended Malt Scotch Rankings:
1) Naked Grouse
2) Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 year (neat)
3) Monkey Shoulder (neat)
Single Malt Scotch Rankings:
1) Craigellachie 13 year (neat)
2) Grangestone 12 year
3) Balvenie 14 year (neat)
4) Glenlivet Founder’s (neat)
5) Glenmorangie 10 year (neat)
6) Oban 14 year (neat)
7) Bruichladdich (water)
8) Laphroaig 10 year (water)
9) Ardbeg 10 year (water)
Bourbon Rankings:
1) Eagle Rare (neat)
2) Buffalo Trace (neat)
3) Woodford Double Oaked Straight (either)
4) Jim Beam Black
5) Larceny
Rye Whiskey Rankings:
1) Sazerac Straight Rye (neat)
