Tasting Notes
Early Times 354 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Proof:
- 80
- Distillery:
- Brown-Forman
- Appearance:
- Rich amber.
- Aroma:
- Spicy with sweet fruit, fresh oak and delicate corn notes underscored by a layer of caramel and vanilla.
- Taste:
- A lively entry with spice, caramel and vanilla that melt into a mixture of fresh and dried fruit notes.
- Finish:
- Rich, balanced between dry and sweet fading quickly.
Early Times Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey _ Brown Label
- Proof:
- 80
- Distillery:
- Brown-Forman
- Appearance:
- Rich Umber.
- Aroma:
- Chocolate, liqueur-like with vanilla notes.
- Taste:
- Soft fruit and ripe berries, hints of sweet coffee, tobacco and vanilla.
- Finish:
- Rich, balanced between dry and sweet fading quickly.
Early Times Old Style Kentucky Whiskey
- Proof:
- 80
- Distillery:
- Brown-Forman
- Appearance:
- Burnt orange amber.
- Aroma:
- Soft caramel with a faint sweet corn taste, oak and vanilla notes linger in its depths.
- Taste:
- Soft, mild with very light oak, subtle sweetness and herbal grass notes.
- Finish:
- Mild, slightly dry apple peel freshness lingers on.
Evan Williams 1783
- Proof:
- 86
- Distillery:
- Heaven Hill
- Appearance:
- New honey
- Aroma:
- Light, subtle floral and fruity scents and a hint of vanilla
- Taste:
- Semi-sweet. Light caramel tastes as well as vanilla bean, honey and oak flavors
- Finish:
- Medium to long, and oh so warm and soothing.
Evan Williams Black Label
- Proof:
- 86
- Distillery:
- Heaven Hill
- Appearance:
- Medium Amber
- Aroma:
- Deep vanilla nose with hints of berries and mint
- Taste:
- Nice balance of honeyed vanilla, caramel, and soft oak
- Finish:
- Medium to long
Henry McKenna Single Barrel
- Age:
- 10 years
- Proof:
- 100
- Distillery:
- Heaven Hill
- Appearance:
- Warm amber
- Aroma:
- Nice balance of vanilla, caramel, oak, and a light herbaceous note in the background.
- Taste:
- Good balance of sharp spices, honey and sweetness, and a touch of mint.
- Finish:
- Very spicy.
Jim Beam Black Label
- Age:
- 8 years
- Proof:
- 86
- Distillery:
- Jim Beam
- Appearance:
- Eight years of aging make for a complex, sophisticated taste. Mixes well in cocktails. A premium Bourbon with a more flavorful character. A must-have for every at-home bar.
- Aroma:
- Toffee and tobacco.
- Taste:
- Starts you off with a semisweet beginning, and notes of oak grow stronger as you go. Subtle toasted grains follow.
- Finish:
- Elegant, long, subtly flavored. Smooth.
Jim Beam White Label
- Age:
- 4 years
- Proof:
- 80
- Distillery:
- Jim Beam
- Appearance:
- The standard-bearer of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Aged twice as long as it has to. Great for mixing with cocktails and a great introduction to Bourbon Whiskey. The Bourbon to keep on hand for any and all occasions.
- Aroma:
- Vanilla and caramel notes.
- Taste:
- Opens sweet, with light caramel and vanilla flavors and, later, a slight woody char.
- Finish:
- Long, crisp, and clean, with a gentle snap.
Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
- Proof:
- 86
- Distillery:
- Brown-Forman
- Appearance:
- Reddish burnt orange.
- Aroma:
- Rich vanilla and chocolate caramel, complex and mature soft soft fruit medley with hints of citrus and traces of malt.
- Taste:
- Complex, sharp, dry chocolate-cocoa swings into a sweet, sappy oak, rich harvest corn and sun-dried hay. Hints of fruit linger in the background.
- Finish:
- Sweet, light then quickly drying.
Old Forester Signature Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
- Proof:
- 100
- Distillery:
- Brown-Forman
- Appearance:
- A bright, dense caramel toffee.
- Aroma:
- Sweet coffee laced with chocolate, creamy vanilla and rich warmed oak take you right into the barrelhouse.
- Taste:
- Ripe apple and other sweet fruit, complex oak.
- Finish:
- Sweet; light with hints of oak and apple that linger a bit.
Russell’s Reserve 6 Year Old Rye
- Age:
- 6 years
- Proof:
- 90
- Distillery:
- Wild Turkey
- Taste:
- Rich, Spicy and complex
- Finish:
- Uniquely smooth.
Very Special Old Fitzgerald
- Age:
- 12 years
- Proof:
- 90
- Distillery:
- Heaven Hill
- Appearance:
- Deep copper
- Aroma:
- Rich and fruity with lots of berries
- Taste:
- Full bodied with a touch of vanilla, some butterscotch, lots of deep, dark fruits, yet balanced with leather and tobacco
- Finish:
- Long, warm and soothing
Wild Turkey American Honey
- Proof:
- 71
- Distillery:
- Wild Turkey
- Appearance:
- Deep golden hue
- Aroma:
- Ripe citrus and honey
- Taste:
- Sweet honey & caramel with bourbon notes
- Finish:
- Warm feeling of sweet honey with a kick
Wild Turkey Bourbon 101
- Age:
- 6-8 years
- Proof:
- 101
- Distillery:
- Wild Turkey
- Appearance:
- Deep rich amber
- Aroma:
- Gentle yet rich, with deep vanilla and oak along with a complex mixture featuring a slight hint of oranges and toffee.
- Taste:
- Explosion of vanilla, taste of caramel, notes of honey, brown sugar and hint of tobacco
- Finish:
- Extremely long, deep and smooth with a recognizable burn
Wild Turkey Bourbon 81
- Age:
- 6-8 years
- Proof:
- 81
- Distillery:
- Wild Turkey
- Appearance:
- Rich amber
- Aroma:
- Fruity, vanilla, slightly smoky
- Taste:
- Big spicy vanilla notes. Hints of Rye toast. Light smoky taste
- Finish:
- Long, supple, and clean
Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel
- Proof:
- 101
- Distillery:
- Wild Turkey
- Appearance:
- Rich amber
- Aroma:
- Seductive, complex
- Taste:
- Full, round body layered with rich flavors of vanilla, almond and honey
- Finish:
- Long, lingering finish completely fills the mouth
Wild Turkey Rye
- Age:
- 4-5 years
- Proof:
- 81
- Distillery:
- Wild Turkey
- Appearance:
- Deep brown with golden highlights
- Aroma:
- Rich balanced aroma of vanilla and spice
- Taste:
- Big spicy vanilla notes. Hints of Rye toast. Light smoky taste
- Finish:
- Lingering overtones of caramel and vanilla
Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select
- Distillery:
- Woodford Reserve Distillery (Brown-Forman)
- Appearance:
- Soft, clear toffee
- Aroma:
- Strong, powerful vanilla overlays a rich fruit medley, sweet cocoa and a dash of black pepper spice
- Taste:
- A seesaw of subtle, sweet crème brûlée and apricot tart
- Finish:
- Clean, pleasantly sweet, cooling and refreshing
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
- Distillery:
- Woodford Reserve Distillery (Brown-Forman)
- Appearance:
- Dark orange brown
- Aroma:
- Soft, sweet oak character with rich notes of honey, spice and apple fruit
- Taste:
- Subtly sweet notes of chocolate, honey and marzipan atop a layer of cinnamon and spiced apple
- Finish:
- Warm and creamy with baked apple fruit character lingering on
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon
- Distillery:
- Brown-Forman
- Taste:
- *As a special yearly release, tasting notes and proof may vary year to year
Four Roses Single Barrel
- Distillery:
- Four Roses Distillery
- Appearance:
- N/A
- Aroma:
- Dried spice, pear, coco, maple syrup
- Taste:
- Hints of ripe plum and cherries, robust
- Finish:
- Smooth, rich finish
Four Roses Small Batch
- Distillery:
- Four Roses Distillery
- Appearance:
- N/A
- Aroma:
- Rich fruit, hints of oak and caramel
- Taste:
- Rich, creamy, ripened red berries
- Finish:
- More fruit, smooth, long finish
Four Roses Bourbon
- Distillery:
- Four Roses Distillery
- Appearance:
- N/A
- Aroma:
- Balance of subtle fruit and spices
- Taste:
- Crisp fruit, caramel, vibrant spice
- Finish:
- Mellow, long and pleasant
Russell’s Reserve Small Batch 10 Year
- Distillery:
- Wild Turkey Distillery
- Appearance:
- Deep amber
- Aroma:
- Rich in vanilla, oak, toffee and a touch of old leather
- Taste:
- Rich and creamy, toffee, vanilla
- Finish:
- N/A
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
- Distillery:
- Wild Turkey Distillery
- Appearance:
- N/A
- Aroma:
- N/A
- Taste:
- Big vanilla flavor with hints of orange and licorice, non-chill filtered leaves more natural flavor
- Finish:
- Rich, long finish
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
- Distillery:
- Wild Turkey Distillery
- Appearance:
- Deep, rich amber
- Aroma:
- Full of spring flowers with a touch of black pepper and almonds mixed with layers of honey and dates
- Taste:
- Medium to full body with remarkably smooth palate; very assertive, with hints of light oranges and mint and tones of sweet tobacco
- Finish:
- Long, warm and nutty finish lingering on the mouth with hints of peppers and well-toasted wheat bread
Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey
- Distillery:
- Diageo, Bulleit Distilling Company
- Appearance:
- Russet, medium amber, copper gold
- Aroma:
- Oak, vanilla, honey, spice
- Taste:
- Oaky, smokey and smooth with a rush of vanilla
- Finish:
- Long, dry, smooth sultry finish with a slight hint of cherry; Leather and tobacco leaf, some tannins in the finish
Bulleit Rye Small Batch American Whiskey
- Distillery:
- Diageo, Bulleit Distilling Company
- Appearance:
- Topaz, medium amber, mahogany
- Aroma:
- Biscuit, spice (allspice, sage, a hint of caraway), white raisins and a slight hint of dried apricot
- Taste:
- A smooth entry, bolstered by sweet tones of maple and oak and a light fruity sweetness
- Finish:
- Finishes long, satin smoothness, woody/resiny, light toffee with no burn on the throat; the dried fruit elements come back, adding flair; spices and cinnamon give an added zest
Basil Hayden’s
- Distillery:
- Jim Beam Distillery
- Appearance:
- Golden amber
- Aroma:
- Spice, tea, hint of peppermint
- Taste:
- Spicy, peppery, honey, light-bodied, gentle bite
- Finish:
- Dry, clean, brief
Baker’s
- Distillery:
- Jim Beam Distillery
- Appearance:
- Warm amber, tawny, nut brown
- Aroma:
- Fruit, vanilla, caramel
- Taste:
- Toasted nuts, fruit, vanilla, silky texture
- Finish:
- Sweet, smooth, medium-long
Knob Creek
- Distillery:
- Jim Beam Distillery
- Appearance:
- Copper to medium amber
- Aroma:
- Toasted nuts, grain oak
- Taste:
- Rich, sweet, woody, full-bodied, almost fruity
- Finish:
- Long, rich and glowing
Booker’s
- Distillery:
- Jim Beam Distillery
- Appearance:
- Deep, rich, smoky amber
- Aroma:
- Strong vanilla and caramel, as well as charred oak
- Taste:
- Intense, fruit, tannin, tobacco
- Finish:
- Clean, long, intense
Maker’s Mark
- Distillery:
- Maker's Mark Distillery
- Appearance:
- Rich and brilliant – see-through amber, but with a flame orange glint that tells of the warmth to come
- Aroma:
- Full, yet delicate; well-rounded; possessing a distinctive caramel aroma of the charred oak with a hint of vanilla; pleasant and inviting
- Taste:
- Rich in flavor, yet soft on the palate with the taste moved forward on the tongue where you taste "sweet" with very little sour notes on the side
- Finish:
- Refreshing and pleasant with lingering accents of caramel and vanilla flavors
Maker’s 46
- Distillery:
- Maker's Mark Distillery
- Appearance:
- Rich and brilliant – see-through amber, but with a flame orange glint that tells of the warmth to come (*Available only at the distillery)
- Aroma:
- Full, yet delicate; well-rounded; possessing a distinctive caramel aroma of the charred oak with a hint of vanilla; pleasant and inviting
- Taste:
- Rich in flavor, yet soft on the palate with the taste moved forward on the tongue where you taste "sweet" with very little sour notes on the side
- Finish:
- Refreshing and pleasant with lingering accents of caramel and vanilla flavors
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
- Distillery:
- Jim Beam Distillery
- Appearance:
- Our darkest and deepest amber and henna color
- Aroma:
- Robust vanilla and caramel notes; slightly smoky
- Taste:
- Deep and complex flavors of vanilla, nuts and oak
- Finish:
- Long and full; perfect for easygoing sipping
Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 2003
- Distillery:
- Heaven Hill Distilleries
- Appearance:
- Delicate amber gold
- Aroma:
- Spicy and dry with notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and oak
- Taste:
- Lush and spicy; oak with honey, apple and orange notes
- Finish:
- Long, hints of cinnamon, vanilla and oak
Elijah Craig 12 Year Old
- Distillery:
- Heaven Hill Distilleries
- Appearance:
- Burnished copper
- Aroma:
- The aromas have a light touch, offering honey, caramel and cocoa in a straightforward, confident balance
- Taste:
- The flavors follow on the palate, with a full, spicy finish that explodes with simple pleasure.
- Finish:
- Smooth, warm and comfortable, this is a sweet sipping whiskey that’s best in a snifter
Parker’s Heritage Collection
- Distillery:
- Heaven Hill Distilleries
- Appearance:
- Deep topaz/bronze
- Aroma:
- Dried fruits, oaky caramel, spicy char
- Taste:
- Smoky molasses, honeyed nougat and cinnamon spices
- Finish:
- Long, refined, oily licorice and buttery
Rittenhouse Rye
- Distillery:
- Heaven Hill Distilleries
Willett Pot Still Reserve
- Distillery:
- Willett Distillery
- Appearance:
- Mahogany
- Aroma:
- Floral notes--jasmine and orange blossoms, ginger, cinnamon, lots of bananas when water is added
- Taste:
- Lemon, black tea, butterscotch, citrus, nutty, honey; with water added, bananas and milk chocolate
- Finish:
- Medium; eucalyptus, herbal, rye, spicy, pepper, barber’s shop; with water added, light toffee & pecans