Review - Buffalo Trace Single Barrel - BCLS

Distillery: Buffalo Trace

Owner: Sazerac

Type: Straight Bourbon

Age: NAS

Proof/ ABV: 90 / 45%

Nose: Very light notes of caramel and vanilla. A hint of lemon is present but very faint. This whisky smells a little thin.

Nose Score: 2 pts

Palate: This has very little heat. It feels like water. Very light bodied and flat. You can get a hint of lemon but that's it. 

Palate Score: 2 pts

Finish: Very short, thin and disgusting. It has a slight hint of caramel mid palate and that's it.

Finish Score: 2 pts

Overall: This bourbon is flat. The nose has the most to offer in terms of tasting notes. The palate is thin and one dimensional with little to no layers. The finish is short with nothing interesting to offer. 

Overall Score: 2 pts

Total Score: 8 pts

Rating: Drain Pour. This whisky is bad. It has very little flavor and anytime you get a hint of something it falls off really quick. The palate is also very thin which made its flatness even more pronounced. 

To understand how my Review/ Rating works please read this post: Review Explainer

Whisky Buying Guide for Beginners

With the popularity of whisky today one can easily be overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices available in the whisky section of the liquor store. A person new to whisky can easily be swayed to buy one bottle over another solely based on its label. This often leads to people getting disappointed with whisky in general because a lot of things written on bottle labels are just marketing terms that say nothing about the quality of the product. This post seeks to help you make an informed decision by identifying popular whisky terms that matter and those to avoid. Hopefully at the end of the post, you are able to make informed purchase decisions based on the bottle facts.

Whisky

Source: crownroyal.com

Let us start with the basics - what is Whisky? When a bottle carries the word Whisky that means it is a spirit distilled from a fermented mash of grain at less than 95% alcohol by volume (190 proof) having the taste, aroma and characteristics generally attributed to whisky and bottled at not less than 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof) (source). From this very basic definition of Whisky comes different types that are determined by either the grain used and/or the country of origin. To give you an example; If a whisky is distilled from malted barley and produced in Scotland it is allowed to carry the label Scotch Whisky. If the exact same whisky is produced in a different country it cannot be called Scotch. Let me give you another one; if a whisky is distilled in the USA using at least 51% corn and aged in charred new oak containers, it is called Bourbon. If that same whisky is produced in Canada, it cannot even carry the word Bourbon on its label. This is exactly what happened to Crown Royal’s release called “Bourbon Mash”. Crown Royal received a big backlash from US whisky consumers and the regulators had to step in and forced Crown Royal to change the label for their next batch of the same product. Today it is sold as Crown Royal "Blender's Batch". If you see a bottle with the term Whisky, you can be assured that it is from grains, it is a minimum of 40 proof and if it carries a geographically protected designation (Scotch, Irish, Bourbon) it meets the legal requirements for that designation. 

Small Batch

You will see this term mostly in American whiskies and it is very misleading. When you see the word small batch, you immediately get a picture of a small amount of barrels being used to produce the whisky. The idea behind small batch is that using a small amount of barrels to produce the finished product will result in a more consistent and unique flavor. This may be true but when you ask distillers what they mean by small batch you may get different answers. The problem with this label is that there is no legal definition for Small Batch. How many barrels need to be in a batch to be called small batch? Nobody knows and for that I consider this term as fluff. Consider two of the most popular small batch bourbons out there: Maker's Mark and Elijah Craig Small batch. These two distilleries have two completely different definitions of Small Batch. Maker's Mark claims the bourbon in their standard bottle is comprised of around 20 barrels, while Heaven Hill claims that the whisky in their Elijah Craig Small batch bourbon is comprised of not more than 200 barrels. That is a huge difference in definition of small batch which is why I do not trust this term. Does this mean you have to avoid every bottle that says Small Batch? Not at all, but you must not let this term be the sole basis for purchasing a bottle. Try it at a bar first and then decide if you want to buy a bottle.

Straight

Another word you see a lot in American whisky bottles is Straight. What is Straight Whisky? This is a federally regulated term for an American whisky that has met all of the following requirements: 

Whisky produced from a

fermented mash of less than

51 percent of any one type of

grain and stored in charred

new oak containers for 2

years or more and 

produced only in one state. 

For a whisky to be called straight, it actually has to pass these requirements so there is some sort of guarantee on what you are buying. When you see the word "Straight" in a bottle, I suggest you buy it. The whisky tends to be good and has had enough contact with the wood to have developed those caramel and vanilla flavors. 

Bottled in Bond

Some bottles will also carry a very peculiar term "Bottled in Bond". When I first saw this on a bottle I really thought it was just another marketing fluff. Why would a whisky need to be bonded? Then I started reading up on what this term means and my gosh does it matter a lot. To me, this is the term you want to always look for in a whisky. So what does it mean? For a whisky to carry the term "Bottled in Bond" or "Bonded" it has to meet this legal definition as defined by the Bottled in Bond act of 1897:

"In order to be labeled as "Bottled-in-Bond" or "Bonded," the spirit must be the product of one distillation season and one distiller at one distillery. It must be bottled and stored in federally bonded warehouses under the U.S. government supervision for no less than 4 years. The bottled product's label must identify the distillery by DSP number where it was distilled and, if different, where it was bottled." 

As you can see, the requirement is very restrictive for a whisky to call itself bonded. When a bottle carries the term "Bottled in Bond" you can be guaranteed that the product inside is going to be great. When you see a "Bonded" whisky, grab it. The other great part about bonded whiskies is that a lot of them are relatively cheap too! 

Review - Weller Special Reserve

Distillery: Buffalo Trace

Owner: Sazerac

Type: Straight Bourbon

Age: NAS

Proof/ ABV: 90 / 45%

Nose: A very pleasant sweet orange note hits you up front. This is followed by the standard Bourbon vanilla and caramel notes. Lots of sweetness in the nose here. Very inviting. 

Nose Score: 3.5 pts

Palate: A short punch of citrus note greets you up front. This transitions into sweet notes of vanilla and caramel. The sweetness is followed by baking spices ending with a slight nutty note. This has very little body in the palate. 

Palate Score: 3 pts

Finish: Short but pleasant. The sweetness from the nose and palate continues through the finish. The end of the finish leaves your mouth with a buttery texture.

Finish Score: 3 pts

Overall: I love this whisky. The sweet notes of caramel and vanilla is the backbone of this whisky. It keeps the entire experience together without making the whisky one dimensional. The balance between the sweet and spicy notes worked really well. 

Overall Score: 3.5 pts

Total Score: 13 pts

Rating: Buy and share. I buy this whisky regularly. It is a staple in my home bar because it has a decent amount of sweetness that makes it very approachable for even non-whisky drinkers. It has some depth to it that make it good as a sipping whisky and it is readily available here in my hometown of Vancouver BC, Canada at a very reasonable price. 

To understand how my Review/ Rating works please read this post: Review Explainer

Review - Russell's Reserve 10 yr

Distillery: Wild Turkey

Owner: Campari

Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky

Age: 10 yrs

Proof/ABV: 90 / 45%

Nose: A pleasant explosion of summer fruits that quickly fades into notes of orange peel, lemon zest and hints of spice. The caramel and vanilla profile sit in the background. 

Nose Score: 4 pts

Palate: Medium bodied. Your palate is greeted by an explosion of caramel candied orange and baking spices. This sweetness is balanced by hints of oak with a slight bitterness in the background. The alcohol is noticeable but not overbearing. 

Palate Score: 4 pts

Finish: Medium length and feels disconnected. This is where the Bourbon falls apart for me. The oak and and spices fight for attention in the finish. The caramel, vanilla and orange notes disappear completely. It felt like a completely different whisky in the finish. 

Finish Score: 2 pts

Overall: The nose and the palate were fantastic. The standard Bourbon profile was present all through out both phases of the experience. The summer fruits and orange notes tied the nose and palate together making for a very pleasant experience. Unfortunately, the finish fell apart. The finish was just a completely different experience compared to the nose and palate and in a bad way. It was just oak and spices fighting for attention. 

Overall Score: 2.5 pts

Total Score: 12.5 pts

Rating: Buy and share. I really love the nose and palate from this bottle. The Bourbon profile is solid in both phases and was what tied the two together. The nose and palate complimented each other really well making the experience even more pleasant. The finish was a huge bummer. I would still buy and share this whisky with friends because of the nose and the palate. It is a great example of what harmony and complexity is in a whisky - if only I could say the same thing with the finish. 

P.S. This was a 2018 bottling. I will revisit this whisky with their newest bottling soon and update my post. 

To understand how my Review/ Rating works please read this post: Review Explainer

Review - Old Forester 86 proof

Distillery: Old Forester

Owner: Brown Forman

Proof/ABV: 86°/43%

Variety: Bourbon

Country: USA

Region: Kentucky

Nose: Sweet and spicy with hints of corn and honey lemon creating an interesting layer. It has enough spice to awaken your senses telling your palate to be ready for something nice. 

Nose Score: 3.5 pts

Palate: Medium bodied. Flavors of light spices up front followed by notes of caramel and lime. A slight nutty note makes itself present at the back palate. 

Palate Score: 3 pts

Finish: Short but layered with baking spices,  candied orange and vanilla. The heat stays at the end with a short sourness and bitterness.

Finish Score: 3 pts

Overall: This is a great entry Bourbon at a great price. It is under $40 (CAD) and there is plenty of it in stock. It can be taken neat easily. The nose was my favorite part about this bourbon while the finish was it's weakest. The finish was too short with very little complexity. The palate could also use some more body as well. 

With some ice, the flavor dissipates a little leaving your palate feeling thin. It is also a great bourbon for an Old Fashioned cocktail with it's candied orange notes. 

Overall Score: 3 pts

Total Score: 12.5 pts

Rating: Buy and share. This is a good Bourbon to have at home and offer to friends who would like to get into drinking Bourbon. It has a very approachable nose and palate that expresses the standard Bourbon profile with pride. 


To understand how my Review/ Rating works please read this post: Review Explainer

Review - Maker's Mark

Distillery: Maker's Mark Distillery

Owner: Beam Suntory

Type: Straight Bourbon Whisky

Age: Non Age Stated

Proof: 90 / ABV: 45%

I first bought a bottle of Maker’s Mark as a “treat” for myself. It looked classy at a fairly decent price so I purchased it as a way to expand my palate to more “high-end” bourbons. I know many people who purchased their first bottle of Maker’s for the same reason. It seemed like a sensible upgrade from the bottom shelves. This image that the brand carefully cultivated makes this bourbon important to bourbon’s popularity today. But is it really that good or is it all hype? Read my tasting notes below to find out. 

Nose: A very layered cascade of sweet, brown sugar, candy, vanilla flavors. You can feel the proof from the nose as I feel a little tingle in my nose when I smell it. (
Nose Score: 3.5 pts

Palate: The sweetness carries through the palate but not as intense as it was in the nose. The mouthfeel is creamy with notes of ginger and lemon with some light spices rounded out by vanilla and caramel notes. The background has a very subtle whisper of oak. 
Palate Score: 3 pts

Finish: Medium but not abrupt. Faint hints of oak and candied apples come up in the cascading finish. The ginger note from the palate carries through the finish and ends with a slight bitterness. The creamy texture closes out the finish muting the astringency of the alcohol. 
Finish Score: 3 pts

Overall: This is a unique taste profile compared to the standard bourbons. It is not as upfront with the caramel and vanilla. It offers a sweetness that is unique and more intense than the standard bourbon profile. The body is decent but it has some bite that can throw off some of the more subtle notes. This whisky feels thin in the finish with the creaminess trying to come back towards the end of the medium finish. It has some degree of sophistication that will make this bottle a great addition to your home bar. 
Overall Score: 3 pts

At CAD $43 + tax, it is an ok bourbon to have on your shelf. The bottle looks great, the content is decent and it is a great way to get some of your friends started on bourbon. It is smooth and easy to drink and the sweetness usually appeals to a lot of people. 

Total Score: 12.5 pts 

Rating: Buy and share with friends. This bottle is beautiful and iconic - this is enough reason to buy it. The whisky inside has enough sophistication to be a neat drink and will hold up with some water or ice. 

To understand how my Review/ Rating works please read this post: Review Explainer

Review - Jack Daniels Old No. 7

Distillery: Jack Daniels Distillery

Owner: Brown-Forman

Type: Tennessee Whiskey

Age: Non Age Stated

Proof: 80 / ABV: 40%

According to the bottle Jack Daniels has been made with quality & craftsmanship since 1866. Jack Daniels distillery was first established during that year by a guy named Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel who learned the art of distilling from a preacher and a slave. That slave, Nathan “Nearest” Green, also became Jack Daniel’s head distiller. The brand and the distillery survived the Prohibition and two World Wars which is proof of the brand’s resiliency, quality and the savvy marketing behind it. Today, Jack Daniels is a behemoth in the whiskey industry selling 13 million 9 liter cases in 2018 alone. What makes it so popular? Is it the quality of the product or just marketing? Read my tasting notes below to find out. 

Nose: Light fruit notes of peach dominates the front of the nose followed by very slight hints of vanilla and honey. 
Nose Score: 3 pts

Palate: The light fruit notes of peach carries to the palate but now mixed with hints of banana and almonds. Very little heat in the palate with very slight hints of black pepper. 
Palate Score: 3 pts

Finish: Short with very little heat lingering and sadly very little flavour lingering too. 
Finish Score: 2.5 pts

Overall: Very easy to drink. Very smooth and light but also very little complexity. It is good to sip on when you are in a party and talking to a lot of people. This whiskey does not ask for too much attention but has enough character to keep you conscious that it is there in your hands. It does not have the typical vanilla and caramel character expected from most bourbons but then again it never said it was. 
Overall Score: 2.5 pts

A bottle costs CAD$ 32.99 + tax for a 750 ml.  The price is decent and should qualify it as a bottom shelf whiskey but you will seldom see Jack Daniels in the bottom shelves. It is usually on the top shelf and sometimes mid-shelf which makes me think they pay the liquor stores to be where they are displayed. The shelf location, the marketing and great label of the bottle makes it attractive to anyone new to whiskey. 

Total score: 11 pts 

Rating: Buy and share with friends. This bottle is great to have in your home bar because everyone will recognize it and will not refuse to drink it. It has enough quality to be a decent pour when you are busy interacting with other people during a party. 

To understand how my Review/ Rating works please read this post: Review Explainer

Review Methodology

I will be rating the whiskies in 4 categories: Nose, Palate, Finish and Overall. 

Nose is how the whisky smells. I look for complexity and balance in the nose. The nose has to be inviting. The flavors should be assertive without giving away everything.

Palate is how the whisky tastes and feels in the mouth. I look for complexity and balance in flavor. The flavors have to be layered without causing chaos or confusion. The whisky must also have a body that carries the flavor throughout the palate. 

Finish is the experience after swallowing or spitting the whisky. I look for a medium to long finish with the complexity and balance in flavor holding all the way to the end. A little warmth at the end does not hurt. 

Overall is how all the phases work together. The flavor and aroma must compliment each other. There should be continuity from nose to palate to finish. The whisky must make sense in all categories. There should be harmony from the first sniff to the last drop.  

Each category will have a maximum score of 5 pts. The highest score a whisky can get is 20 pts. 

To put the overall score in perspective, I have set-up my personal rating. 

0-5 pts - Drain Pour. Needs no explaining.

6-10 pts - Bar Pour. Something you might want to try in a bar first.

11-15 pts - Buy and share. Something to buy and share with friends. You will not be disappointed and your friends will be impressed.

16-20 - Buy and keep. Something to stock-up on. When the Zombie apocalypse comes, this is a whisky you want to be drinking.