The Whisky Gift Guide
Around this time of year I get a lot of emails from people asking for gift suggestions. So, I’ve worked up a handy little chart for anyone who wants to gift something “slightly better” than last year’s gift.
Tag: United States
Bourbon Still Confuses Me
Bourbon, although on the face of it a simple drink made only of corn, grains, water, yeast, oak, and time, it still has more capacity confuse than the ancient and (to some) arcane system of nomenclature used in Scotch distribution.
Booker’s Small Batch Bourbon
With or without water, this is a big drink. Something about the craggy mountain of flavor that is Booker’s was a big challenge for my nose and palate. The alcohol, although mature, is aggressive and untamed from the assault on my nose, through the river of fire on my tongue, until the tail end of the desiccating dryness of the finish.
McCarthy’s Oregon Single-Malt
Amazing that a three year-old whisky distilled on a tiny brandy still in Oregon can smell and taste like an 8 or 10 year-old Islay single malt scotch. Sure, the imported barley has a lot to do with that, but Steve McCarthy’s attention to detail, careful (and economical) use of oak, and small slowly-running stills all come through in the product, which somehow tastes handcrafted.
Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon
A respectable bourbon with some big, bold flavors. The only downside is the relatively one-note palate, which is all corn syrup and barrel char. For that reason, I’d order this at a bar, but I wouldn’t make it my staple home bourbon. Still, for under $40, this stands up well to the competition.
Black Maple Hill Small Batch Bourbon
No low points, although it verges on woody in places. Round and bold in the nose, soft and sweet on the tongue, and lingering on the finish. This stuff is hard to find, and very much delivers. To my bourbon-novice palate, it’s dang good for under $40.
Four Roses Yellow Label Bourbon
I also learned that Yellow Label actually – surprise! – tastes good. In a blind tasting, I would have associate this with some $30 bourbons I’ve had – not the top of the heap, by any stretch, but certainly drinkable straight. That’s not bad for bottom shelf.
Gentleman Jack Tennessee Whiskey
I will admit freely that this tastes smoother and better than Jack Daniels’ regular offering. If you’re a Jack fan, give this a try, but there are plenty of better American whiskies available on the market at similar prices.
Sazerac Rye
Not bad. A lot more corn than I usually like in my ryes, but flavorsome and smooth. No doubt the large majority of this rye’s production is used for making cocktails, as there are much better sipping ryes available.
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye 2011
A cinnamon bomb that never lets up. The nose is suggestive and deep, but it’s the palate that explodes with fruit and spice. Truly eyebrow-raising, this shows what quality can do to elevate the standard flavors of straight rye.