Review: Balcones True Blue 100 Proof Corn Whisky vs Jameson Special Reserve 12yr Irish Whiskey

Last catch up review. I will have a story about my trip to Ireland up next, but until then you will have to make do with an Irish Whiskey I sampled while there!

Whisky - Balcones True Blue 100 Proof Corn Whisky











Overview: Having recently moved to Texas, I am always on the lookout for a good Texas Whisky. I had heard from a few friends that Balcones was out there making some rather different whiskys and picked this one up to try. The Balcones Distillery is based out of Waco, Texas and is only five years old at this poing. They have made quite a name for themselves, and I was really looking forward to the tasting.
Tasting: This whisky hits you with the corn base from beginning to end. It's claim to fame is that it is made with roasted blue corn. Very sweet on the nose, with an almost caramelized sugar smell. It had a smooth, oily mouth feel with stronger sense of sweetness and a more pronounced corn flavor. My struggle was that it had quite a burn, probably due to its higher than normal alcohol strength for whiskys. Even on the nose it burned a bit. The burn made me think more of using it to keep warm on cold winter nights in Illinois more than enjoying it in the Texas summer.
How to Drink: Sipping or Shots - I think the particular flavor of this whisky could come through in mixed drinks.
Price: $$
Chance of Buying Again: ** (Unlikely - it just wasn't my cup of tea)
Overall: While this particular whisky was not my favorite, the sheer inventiveness of it makes me look forward to trying another one of their expressions. Additional kudo's are given for making a Texas Whisky as opposed to a Texas Whiskey!


Whiskey - Jameson Special Reserve 12yr Irish Whiskey











Overview: I recently got the chance to visit the Jameson Distillery in Dublin and I have to say I had a great time! I highly recommend the tour in downtown Dublin, and will blog about it in more details in my next posting. Jameson has been made the same way since 1780, and is one of my favorite Irish whiskeys. While it is very mainstream, you really can't go wrong with several of the expressions.
Tasting: The Jameson Special Reserve12yr is one of my all time favorite Irish whiskey's, and is a go-to whenever I need a great taste at a great price. The years spent in a sherry wood are very apparent and the richness of this Irish whiskey needs to be tasted to be believed! It starts with an almost fresh fruit and oak smell, like oranges in a wooden barrel. As you taste it you get a warm, mild spiced flavor in your mouth, like your are drinking something mixed with a bit of honey and cinnamon. It finishes smooth, with the sherry notes lingering in your mouth. Its just a great dram of Irish Whiskey that I can't think of a time I wouldn't enjoy it.
How to Drink: Sipping, Shots, or Mixing - Just a great whiskey!
Price: $-$$
Chance of Buying Again: ***** (For the cost, a GREAT whiskey that I will always have on hand!)
Overall: If you visit me in Austin, I guarantee I will have the Jameson 12yr available for you to taste. It is a great whiskey at a great price, and if you haven't sampled it yet I can't encourage you more to do so. It doesn't have the uniqueness that some of the Scotches have, but makes up for it in its consistently good taste and versatility for any possible use.

VERDICT: Whiskey wins in a landslide this week. While I enjoyed the native Texas whisky, I will go back to the Jameson Special Reserve 12yr Irish whiskey anytime. It is just a great whiskey, and very accessible to anyone. Try it today!

Review: Oban Distiller's Edition (1997) Scotch Whiskey vs Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey

Still more catching up on reviews to do! Here is the next one...

Whisky - Oban Distillers Edition (1997) Scotch Whisky

Overview: The Oban Distillery is one of the oldest in Scotland, founding in 1794. It is a Highland malt, although the distillery is on the western side of Scotland close to the sea and so renown for its briny flavors. This particular whisky came to me as a Christmas present from my beautiful wife. The Distiller's edition is a particular bottling they do annually, usually with some variance in the length of maturity or wood used. This particular bottling was aged an additional two years over the normal Oban 14yr Scotch in Montilla Fino barrels.
Tasting: When smelling this, the first thing that came to mind is a lush growing field by the sea. There is a strong smell of heather (a flowering shrub found in Scotland) with just a hint of smoke by the ocean. It doesn't have the strong briny, boggy smell like the Islay malts (see my Bowmore review) but more of a subtle, green flavor. The taste is reminiscent of an ocean breeze, and then brings in fruit flavors to finish.
How to Drink: Sipping - Like many single malts, the flavors would be overpowered in mixed drinks and missed in a shot.
Price: $$-$$$
Chance of Buying Again: **** (Absolutely!)
Overall: I liked this Oban, and it was an interesting expression compared to the Oban 14 yr. I am glad my wife picked it up!



Whiskey - Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey











Overview: Bulleit is a Kentucky Bourbon distilled from a 150 year old recipe, in a distillery less than 30 years old. It is made in small batches, like whiskey used to be made, and over the last 10 years has won a stack of awards. I have wanted to try it for months, and finally took the plunge with a very inexpensive small bottle.
Tasting: I enjoyed this whiskey, but flavor wise it was very understated. I know that this is due to it's heavy rye component (as opposed to corn), but the end result was a tasty whiskey that didn't quite deliver at the end. The nose is very subtle, with hints of grain - like smelling an old grainery from far away. It is very smooth to drink, with no flavor really jumping out at you but an easy sweetness in the finish.
How to Drink: Sipping, Shots, or Mixing - Because of its mild flavor, it is easy to use however you wish!
Price: $ (VERY inexpensive)
Chance of Buying Again: **  (Unlikely - I favor whiskey's with a stronger taste)
Overall: This was a very mild whiskey - it was hard to complain about but also hard to get excited about at the same time. It probably would be a good introduction to whiskey for folks that normally don't drink whiskey, but I think you would be missing out on variety of flavors available in a good whiskey. A whiskey that lends itself mixing and very inexpensive for the quality, but nothing to get excited about.

VERDICT: While I enjoyed the Bulleit, it just wasn't exciting enough to overcome the flavor of the Oban. While the Bulleit is a very inexpensive entry into whiskey drinkg, I think you will enjoy the unique flavors of the Oban more. Whisky wins this week!

Review: Springbank 15yr Scotch Whisky vs Willet Special Reserve Pot Still Boubon Whiskey

Ok, time to catch up on a few reviews. Here is one that has been sitting in my draft folder for a few weeks...

 

Whisky - Springbank 15yr Scotch

Overview: Springbank is a Campbeltown distillery, which is one of the "peaty" Scotch regions. Campbeltown is on a long peninsula that juts out into the ocean, just south of the isle of Islay. This particular distillery is know for its mildly smokey concoctions, and I have to say this one really delivered. This was the first Campbeltown Scotch I have ever had, and it was nothing short of amazing!

Tasting: I was blown away by how much I enjoyed this whisky. The nose starts with a strong peaty aroma, containing just an edge of sharpness. However the taste smooths out into a rich dried fruity flavor that mellows into a delicious oakey roundness with just the right hint of peat smoke. No strong burn at the end but just the delightful warmness that comes with a strong drink. Someone recommended this Scotch would pair well with a cigar, and it was a perfect conterpoint to a pipe on the porch on a cool spring day. It really was that amazing.  

How To Drink: Sipping - Like many single malts, the flavors would be overpowered in many mixed drinks and missed in a shot.

Price: $$$ (about $150)

Chance of buying again: ***** (Any chance I can get! It was that good!)

Overall: A pricey, but unbelievable drink that everyone should try once. I absolutely loved it!

 

 

Whiskey - Willett Special Reserve Pot Still Bourbon

 

Overview: The Willett Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky is a small scale operation started in 1935 as a family operation. It has had its ups and downs, but right now they bottle two whiskey's, one of which I feel privileged to have tried.

Tasting: This was one of the better bourbons I have had to date. It has a very mild aroma, that really expands on the palate. The taste was reminiscent of a (mildly) yeasty loaf of bread, all warm and freshly baked. I wasn't attacked with the corn flavor, like many bourbons, but just pleasantly warmed through and through. It was a great drink at the end of the evening, and its milder flavor allowed me to relax as the day came to a close. 

How To Drink: Sipping, Mixing, Shots - This was a very versatile whisky, and you certainly could use it any way you like. I have to say I really enjoyed sipping it, and would encourage others to do the same 

Price: $$ (about $60)

Chance of buying again: **** (Absolutely!)

Overall: A relaxing bourbon that could be enjoyed any time - a good recommendation for novice or new bourbon drinkers.

 

VERDICT: This week was very tough. While I was very impressed by the Springbank 15yr, I can't say enough how much I enjoyed the Willett Special Reserve Pot Still. At almost a 1/3 of the price, it's an incredible drink packaged in a stunning bottle. You can't go wrong with either of these choices, but I have to go with the Springbank 15yr Whisky for the overall winner this week... if you are willing to pay for it!

After a long break, I'm finally back!

The last couple of months have been too busy, and I left my blog by the wayside. Here are just a few pictures of what's been happening...

Outside the Kilbeggan Distillery in Ireland

Outside the old Tullamore Dew Distillery in Ireland

Sizing up the Ardbeg Rocket here in Austin

As you can see, I have lots more stories and reviews to share! Coming up soon I'll have stories around my trip to Ireland's distilleries, as well as a stack of more tasting notes. Here are just some of the whiskey's on their way:

Ardbeg Galileo Scotch Whisky
Balcones True Blue 100 Whisky
Balvenie Portwood 21yr Scotch Whisky
Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14yr Scotch Whisky
Bushmill's 10yr Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Connemara Turf Mor Peated Irish Whiskey
Crown Royal Blended Canadian Whisky
Greenspot Irish Whiskey
Jameson 12yr Irish Whiskey
Johnnie Walker Black Label 12yr Scotch Whisky
Macallan Fine Oak 15yr Scotch Whisky
Maker's Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
Maker's 46 Bourbon Whisky
Oban Distiller's Edition (1997) Scotch Whisky
Ranger Creek .36 Texas Bourbon Whiskey
Redbreast 15yr Irish Whiskey
Springbank 15yr Scotch Whisky
Tullamore Dew 12yr Reserve Irish Whiskey
Willett Special Reserve Pot Still Bourbon Whiskey
AND MORE!

As always your comments, whiskey suggestions, and stories are very welcome!