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Journeyman – Bourbon

April 28, 2021 America

Name: Journeyman – Bourbon

Color: Brown

Nose: Corn/wheat mix, dark fruit, honey vanilla,

Taste: Corn, wheat, spices, white pepper, honey, vanilla

Review:

Journeyman Spirits originates from Three Oaks, Michigan and is stated to be a hand-crafted artisan spirit. The distillery notes that all the ingredients are locally sourced organic grains and a local aquifer supplies the water. The factory that distillery operates out of has some interesting history of producing various old timey items for adults. You can look it up.

The distillery, like many new distilleries produces other spirits to support the whiskey production. Journeyman Spirits also produces vodka, gin, rum, brandy, and liqueurs.

Featherbone Bourbon is a mash bill of 70% corn, 25% wheat, and 5% rye. It is bottled at 45% abv and I sampled Batch 92, Bottle 386 from the sample pack. This bourbon has potential if it is allowed to age and soften out a more. I do not think that will happen as the product needs to make its way to market. It is young, rough, little spicy on the front and sweet in the finish. It feels rushed.

Priced around $50 and would be ok for a slugging whiskey or a boiler maker combo. I am not that impressed with this stuff.

PS. Wife tried. She said, “That’s harsh. I think hair on my chest.”

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Crown Royal Black

April 22, 2021 Canada

Name: Crown Royal Black

Color: Dark Brown

Nose: Wood, spice, herbs, vanilla, chocolate, orange

Taste: Wood, spice, sweet orange, vanilla

Review:

Crown Royal Black is a non-age stated Canadian Whiskey that is bottled at 45% abv which is slightly higher than the classic Crown Royal. The Black Label was released in 2010 and along with the different flavor profile it comes in a black felt bag instead of the classic purple bag.

Crown Royal was created in 1939 by Seagram’s to honor King George’s VI visit. The “Crown” is to honor the Royal Family (aka the Windsor Family). The whiskey was only available in Canada up until the 1960’s but was later released to the USA market. It is now the top selling Canadian Whiskey in America.

The taste of the Black is richer and deeper than the Classic. It is hard to identify the mash bill, but maybe I need more tasting experience with Canadian Whiskey. I was surprised how different it tastes and the difficulty I had with the nosing. The proof is 10% higher than the classic but that was not what was throwing me off for some reason. When I added ice the whiskey opened up more and I could detect the Crown baseline and the herbs, spices and caramel flavors.

Crown Black is good stuff. I would not say it is better than regular Crown, they just taste different. It looks good on my bar at home and would probably make a better Carte Blanche due to the higher proof and deeper flavor profile. Definity a good gift for the price and not to forget, everyone likes the Crown felt bag.

Priced around $45 and worth the money.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Jim Beam Bourbon

April 15, 2021 America

Name: Jim Beam Bourbon

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Corn, vanilla, wood/pencil shavings, citrus

Taste: Sweet corn, vanilla, pepper finish

Review:

Jim Beam is produced by Beam Suntory and comes from Clermont, Kentucky. Jim Beam is one of the biggest names in bourbon and has been around for a very long time. The original creator was the Bohm family in the late 18th century who immigrated to Kentucky from Germany and eventually changed their name to Beam. Jim Beam Bourbon is a medium bodied, non-complex profile basic bourbon. It has a light fresh taste, with a peppery not sweet finish. It is easy to drink and good to have on the bar as a basic Kentucky Bourbon.

Jim Beam has other expressions such has;

Straight Bourbon: Original, Black, Devil’s Cut, Bonded, Double Oak, and Single Barrel.
Premium Whiskey: Craft, Craft Quarter Cask, Harvest Collection, Distiller’s Masterpiece, and Rye.
Small Batch: Bookers, Baker’s, Basil Hayden, and Knob Creek.
Liqueurs*: Apple, Honey, Kentucky Fire, Maple, Red Stag, Vanilla, and Peach.

*Liqueurs and not equal to liquor because they are sweetened with various flavors, oils, extracts, and other additives. I have been reviewing some of these liqueurs, and I have to tell you, they are fucking awful to drink neat. I am suffering for my reviews and your reading when I drink these things.

Jim Bean is as Kentucky as it can get when it comes to bourbon. If you have not tried Jim Beam, give it a go and check out some of their Small Batch expressions.

Priced around $30 and a good baseline bourbon from Kentucky for drinking or mixing.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Fire Ball Whiskey

April 1, 2021 America

Name: Fire Ball Whiskey

Color: Brown

Nose: Cinnamon, nutmeg, oil

Taste: Cinnamon, red hots, whiskey

Review:

Well, I have had some great whiskies since starting this blog three years ago, but, NEVER such an incredible whiskey like Fire Ball Whiskey. The smell, the tastes, and the mouth feel of this wondering cinnamon spirit takes my breathe away! Nothing can compare to this whiskey. Ok, maybe Jack Daniels Fire, which is clear copy, might compare. But you know what the say, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”.

This incredible crafted whiskey is better than Red Bull. Red Bull may gives you wings, but Fire Ball lets people know the quality of our soul as a human. When you order this whiskey in the bar or bring it to a party it says a lot. It states that you are classy, sophisticated, your beer pong in on point, and you can body slam into a folding table like Thor landing in a Marvel movie.

Fire Ball will give you that warm and fuzzy feeling that all humans get between 2:00-3:00AM. You know, when the world is spinning around you as you search best Italian food you can locate. Also, let us not forget the confidence it will give you. Your ego will take over as your body begins to shut down. Your communication with the opposite sex (or same) to say what is on your mind at the same time your reproduction system begins close for business will be amazing. Not to forget, your intestines begin the reverse consumption removal process through your mouth and nose.

Fire Ball will also help you practice yoga. Your downward dog pose on the cold tile floor in the smallest room in your house with your head rested where your head is not supposed to go would impress the most seasoned Yogi.

You too can feel all of this with this stunning whiskey and only for the price of $25-$30 per bottle!

Happy April Fools Day! I am not a big fan of this whiskey, but, opinions vary!.

If you like it, drink it!

Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Paddy’s Old Irish Whiskey

March 31, 2021 Ireland

Name: Paddy’s Old Irish Whiskey

Color: Light Yellow

Nose: Malt, cream, honey citrus, flowers

Taste: Malted blend, honey, white fruit, light pepper

Review:

Paddy’s Old Irish Whiskey is produced by the Midleton Distillery which is the largest distillery in Ireland and produces many whiskeys such as Jameson, Midleton, Powers, Redbreast, and Yellow/Green/Blue/Red Spot (aka “the Spots”).

The name “Paddy” in Irish means “Patrick” but is also a derogatory term for the Irish. In my hometown of Boston, the “Paddy Wagon” is your worst nightmare after a night out drinking or leaving a Patriots game. The name originated from the cops rounding up drunk Irishmen to clear the streets back in the day, hence the name.

Paddy’s is a malted blend, triple distilled, aged for up to 7 years in oak casks, and bottled at 40% abv. The body and cost per bottle are similar to Bushmills Original or Famous Grouse for light flavor profile and cost per bottle. There is not much, if any, of a cream finish that many Irish whiskeys tend to have. This one is just a simple slugging whiskey.

Priced around $25 and a summer slugging whiskey on the rocks or a budget bottle for a party.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Jameson – Black Barrel

March 18, 2021 Ireland

Name: Jameson – Black Barrel

Color: Copper

Nose: Jameson, white fruit, flowers, citrus (lemon)

Taste: Jameson, nuts, caramel

Review:

Jameson Black Barrel is an expression from Jameson that is the best whiskey I have tasted so far from the Jameson Distillery. I found it better than the IPA and the Stout Editions and gives Red Breast a run for its money. Black Barrel is bottled at 40% abv and has a higher amount of single pot still aged whisky in it. It is also aged in double charred first fill bourbon cask, hence the name “Black Barrel” due to the char level.

At first try the taste is same as the nose. On the second sip you get the caramel finish and a good balance of flavors. The balance is well crafted and you can sip this one neat. It is not the best Irish Whiskey I have ever had but it is good for its price point.

As I have mentioned in the past, I am not a big fan of Jameson whiskey. The flavor profile and the baseline taste are just not my thing. I do shit on them a lot, but it really drives me crazy is when people get excited for basic Jameson. It is like the low-quality whiskey produced by Jim Bean, John Walker, Dewar’s, Four Roses, etc. All major distilleries has the bottom barrel crap whiskey to “keep the lights on” as the expression goes. Black Barrel is surprisingly good stuff. I might put it on my bar to have one Irish bottle on the ready for friends and family that come over for a drink

Priced around $60 and the best of the Jameson expression line I have tried for the month of St. Patrick’s Day.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Glenmorangie 10

February 25, 2021 Scotland

Name: Glenmorangie 10

Color: Yellow

Nose: Malt, heather, lemon, green grass, red fruit, vanilla

Taste: Barley, light oak, citrus, vanilla

Review:

Glenmorangie 10 is the baseline Highland Scotch from the Glenmorangie Distillery. It is a medium bodied whisky and not too strong on the palate. The name is derived from “vale of tranquility or big meadows”, however the exact history of the name is not known for sure.

The origin of Glenmorangie dates back to 1703 when it was a farm. Then in the 1730’s it became a brewery and finally a distillery in 1843. So, like Connor MacLeod from the Highlander Movie (1986) it has been around for a few centuries. Until Endgame where his kinsman Duncan MacLeod is forced to cut his head of at his request. Spoiler alert! I only mention the movie because he drinks Glenmorangie in the movies.

Glenmorangie has other expressions which are the following;

Core Range:Original, Lasanta, Quinta Ruban, and Nectar D’Or.
Prestige Range:18, 19, 25, Signet, Pride 1981, Pride 1978, Pride 1974, and Grand Vintage Malt 1990.
Private Edition Range: Sonnalta PX; Finealta, Artein, Ealanta, Companta, Tùsail, Milsean, Bacalta, Spios, and Allta.
Legend Collection:Tarlogan, Tayne, Duthac, Dornoc, and Cadboll.
Limited Edition Range:Astar and A Midwinter Night’s Dram.
Cask Masters Selections:Taghta 2014.

Glenmorangie 10 is a good tasting, nicely balanced scotch that you should try and/or keep at home. I believe this was the first scotch I ever tasted, granted I was 10 years old when I tried it.

Priced around $60 and a good baseline for all things Glenmorangie.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Nikka Single Malt Miyagikyo

February 23, 2021 Japan

Name: Nikka Single Malt Miyagikyo

Color: Amber

Nose: Fresh light fruit, honey, malted barley with light oak

Taste: Medium body, lighter fruit, spices with soft smoke

Review:

Japanese whiskys have been on the rise over the last few years as many may have noticed. Ironically, there has not been a large media campaign in the USA with respect to product placement in film and television. I have noticed over the years when a liquor product is used in media you find people drinking the following week. Remember Mad Men in 2009? I can only think of two movies that had Japanese whisky in a scene; “Lost in Translation” and the “Wolverine” so the big interest developing in the USA must mean one thing, whisky from Japan is very good.

When I say “very good”, I mean they are excellent and do not taste like shit, however, that can come at a price for some bottles from Japan but not this one. This whiskey is delicious, light, well balanced, interesting exotic fruit and subtle wood/smoke flavor. I really enjoyed this one and I highly recommend it.

Very well priced and a great value ranging between $80-110 depending on where you find it.

Note:

Due to growing demand of Japanese whiskies, the age statement is starting to go away. Non Aged Statement (NAS) is taking over because of production needs. Do not let this stop you from trying this whiskey or any other whiskey.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Tahwahkaro Bourbon Whiskey

February 18, 2021 America

Name: Tahwahkaro Bourbon Whiskey

Color: Copper

Nose: Vanilla, oak, corn, almonds

Taste: Strong mash, vanilla, oak

Review:

Tahwahkaro Bourbon Whiskey is a first product from the Tahwahkaro Distillery located in Grapevine, Texas. The name means “bend in the river in Native American. It is bottled at 96 proof and is listed as Batch #2. The mash bill is a combo of Texas raw corn, wheat, rye and malted barley and is aged in charred American Oak for approximately 1 year. The age is not stated or released.

First sample: I thought the following, rough, hard, young, harsh mixer, not great but ok to mix.

Second sample: I thought the following, tastes a little better but, it is what is it is. The nose is very sharp with alcohol and the taste is rough and young.

I see on TAH website that they have won some awards. It is good for a mixer not a straight drinker. I think the tasting issue for me was I had tried some better whiskey before this one and it threw me off when I tasted it.

Priced around $45 in Texas and I have not seen it on the shelves in NYC.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Van Brunt Still House Bourbon

February 16, 2021 NYC

Name: Van Brunt Still House Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey

Color: Orange brown

Nose: Pepper, corn, vanilla, oak

Taste: Pepper, corn, vanilla, oak, and a little tight

Review:

Van Brunt Still House Bourbon Whiskey is a locally made whiskey from Brooklyn, NY. The distillery is located in 6 Bay Street, Brooklyn NY and was founded by husband and wife team Daric Schlesselman and Sarah Ludington. They have been producing spirits since 2012 and on their website they state that they source local products from upstate New York. The name “Van Brunt” named comes from Cornelius Van Brunt, who was a farmer in Brooklyn centuries ago when it was a Dutch colony.

Van Burnt Still House has other expressions such as; American Whiskey, Rye, Bourbon, Single Malt, Smoked Corn Whiskey, Rye Moonshine, and Due North Rum. I sampled four of the expressions at Astor Wine and Spirits. Out of the four I tried, I found the bourbon to be the best tasting. I was running low on bourbon for my Old Fashions and this made a nice Old Fashion with the taste profile.

Van Brunt Bourbon is a good whiskey for the price. It has a nice peppery taste but it is tight and young. It needs more time to age and smooth out. This tight taste makes it more of a mixer than a sipping whiskey, but I’ll let you decide what you prefer.

Price around $60 and a little expensive for the taste but remember, you are supporting local small business.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

christopher.dias.nyc@gmail.com

Journeyman – Bourbon

Crown Royal Black

Jim Beam Bourbon

Fire Ball Whiskey

Paddy’s Old Irish Whiskey

Jameson – Black Barrel

Glenmorangie 10

Nikka Single Malt Miyagikyo

Tahwahkaro Bourbon Whiskey

Van Brunt Still House Bourbon

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