The B&W Log Round-Up #2

Well I haven't done the best job updating the B&W Log. Why? I'm busy yo. Admittedly we've done a better job here keeping track of all the whiskeys, bourbon, and rums we've been drinking compared to wines. Below is what we've sampled since we returns from the Bourbon Trail. (For a full list of previously sampled beverages, head over to the B & W Log.) All the notes below are for those beverages and are tasted neat unless otherwise indicated. Maybe in the future we will start doing single beverage reviews. Keep me in line with updating.

Angel's Envy Rye (AE)

Proof: 100

Rating:4.5/5

Notes: Smells like a rum - molasses, banana. Tastes like a spicy banana with a long finish. IT's got a habanero thing going on. It would be awesome at barrel strength.

Basil Hayden 2x2 Rye (BH)

Proof: 80

Rating: 2.5/5

Notes: Smells like a rick house and floral shop mixed together. It is layered but not in a good way. There is light candy, flowers, and old yeast bread. Very light first sip then a pop rock explosion of spice and wighted pepper. Weird experience with a hard pass.

Basil Hayden Dark Rye (BH)

Proof: 80

Rating: 4/5

Notes: This was definitely an experiment. Smells like it. It's got some prominent port wine nose . The start and finish if also very port wine-y. It has the spice of a rye whiskey with very strong black cherry, plum, and vanilla notes. ?Not a traditional rye and definitely meant for a winter time experience. Wouldn't drink it in the summer.

Bond & Lilliard Batch 1 (The Whiskey Barons)

Proof: 100

Rating: 3.75/5

Notes: Smells like corn flour and honey. It is a very bright, light, and citrus-y. Somehow this shit is also spicy. Not a very long finish at all on the first sip. Second sip is a bit longer. Ice brings out a floral, honey, and vanilla sweetness.

Col. E.H. Taylor Bottled in Bond Rye (Buffalo Trace)

Proof: 100

Rating: 5/5

Notes: Smells like a bakery. Tastes like some sweet bread. Orange, vanilla, and cinnamon with a honeysuckle sweetness. Leather is also present. It is has long finish. Ice amplifies the body to bring out the honey and keeps the initial pepper tastes.

Col. E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon (Buffalo Trace)

Proof: 100

Rating: 4.5

Notes: Smells like apple cider with hints of cardamom. It's fruity like with apples or pears. Solid mouthfeel. Definitely got a pie flavor. It is a wilder version of WT Rare Breed Barrel Proof. With ice it turns into cream corn.

Contradiction (Smooth Ambler)

Proof: 100

Rating: 2/5

Notes: Got this on a recommendation and regret it. Floral nose - maybe some fruit? Tastes like roses but with some banana bread spice. This is like eating a flower. Ice softens it. Not my thing.

Elmer T. Lee (Buffalo Trace)

Proof: 90

Rating: 5/5

Notes: YASSS! My shit right here. This man has a strong caramel smell with pepper all up in ya face. The taste is peppery but smooth. It's got leather caramel toffee with some almond action going on. A really omg finish with that light mouthfeel.

Four Roses Single Barrel OBSV Warehouse OS Barrell 11-2D 35% Rye 2017 (FR)

Proof: 100

Rating:4.25/5

Notes: Smells like caramel vanilla flowers. Tastes is very spicy upfront with some side tongue action of a medium-long finish of warm vanilla caramel. It is light in mouthfeel but without body to back up the sweetness. Like it better on ice.

Four Roses Single Barrel - Barrel Strength OESK 112g Warehouse HW Barrell (FR)

Proof: 114.6

Rating: 4.75/5

Notes: Has a strong and big floral nose with fruit, cinnamon, and cardamom. Taste is spicy. I could breath fire here like a damn dragon. Bold. Cinnamon coffee cake with dried raisins or figs. Leather is also present.

George Remus Bourbon (GR)

Proof: 94

Rating: 3/5

Notes: Smells unrefined cheap candy. It has a light-medium body with a short finish. It is a almond butterscotch flavor with oak. It is like Knob Creek. Ice makes it tastes a like a butter cake.

I.W. Harper (Bulleit)

Proof: 82

Rating: 4.75/5

Notes: Smells sweet and smooth like molasses and corn. Very light mouthfeel with a medium finish given the lightness. It is sweet, warm, and nutty. Not too sweet but just right. This may be my go to summer beverage. Man-half ain't quite sure.

I.W. Harper 15 Year (Bulleit)

Proof: 86

Rating: 4.25/5

Notes: Nose is heavy on leather, pecan and caramel. Some toffee hints in there. It is light with a leather spiciness. Floral tones with lavender. Dry aftertaste. Man-half tastes milk chocolate with dark fruit.

Jeffer's Creek (Buffalo Trace)

Proof: 80

Rating: 4/5

Notes: Smells like dark fruit with caramel. Tastes like a light version of the regular buffalo trace. Good drank for the price point...assuming you can find it. Ice makes it like popcorn.

Jefferson's Ridiculously Small Batch Experimental No. 3 (Jefferson's)

Proof: 92

Rating: 4/5

Notes: Smells sweet and florally. Jasmine maybe? Taste is surprisingly hot with some sort of smooth thing going on. Not too much of a finish. It's like a light roast coffee with bark. Ice adds more of a vanilla taste with a creamy-cola taste

Jefferson's Ridiculously Small Batch Experimental No. 12 (Jefferson's)

Proof: 92

Rating: 3.25/5

Notes: Smells like a fruit muffin - maybe blueberry. Whatever it seems like a dark fruit. Almond pepper taste with a string muffin flavor. It is a cooling and oddly long finish. Ice makes it better but not memorable.

JR Ewing (SW Distillery)

Proof: 80

Rating: 2/5

Notes: Smells like sourdough bread or beer. Taste is not sweet at all. It is malty like a scotch. Not sure about them Texas folks now. This is definitely a mixer in our book. Lemon juice will down it. Man-half suggests it is "immature" compared to others.

Long Branch (Wild Turkey)

Proof: 86

Rating: 3.25/5

Notes: Alright, alright, alright. This bitch smells like some Wild Turkey with molasses and vanilla. Peppery on the lips with a strange second sip finish. Tastes like a basic whiskey with some charcoal something. It is a summer drink. Ice makes it tastes like mesquite.

Ocean Cask Strength Voyage 10 (Jefferson's)

Proof: 112

Rating: 4.5/5

Notes: Smells like plum candy. It has a lot of bite for the proof. Very spicy. There is a raisin flavor - between a golden and regular variety. It has a really long finish with a dry mouth ending.

Rare Breed Barrel Proof (Wild Turkey)

Proof: 116.8

Rating: 5/5

Notes: Perfection. Smells like an apple pie. It has a crispness to it. Light mouthfeel that mimics the smell. Goes down warm. This is a our summer version of Stagg Jr.

Rittenhouse Rye Bottled in Bond (Heaven Hill)

Proof: 100

Rating: 4/5

Notes: Smells like cherry wood. Very spicy with floral tones. Warm finish. Ice makes it tart and lighter. It's like a cheaper Knob Creek.

Sazerac Rye (Buffalo Trace)

Proof: 90

Rating: 4/5

Notes: Smells and tastes like a rice house. It's got this weird earthy cinnamon thing going on with some spice. Definitely worth the price tag.

Southern Star

Proof: 122.2

Rating: 3.75/5

Notes: Smells like apple pie with dutch crumb topping. Not initially strong. Has a muted rye bite. Sort of has a muted liquified barrel taste. Light with a medium finish. Dry mouth. Ice makes it very sweet and unpalatable. Kind of cool to get some of the first round of this shit.

Stagg Jr. Barrel Proof (Buffalo Trace)

Proof: 129.5

Rating: 5/5

Notes: Smells like cream corn, roses, and caramel apples. It's strong but smooth. A lot of heat but no peppery. Long and deep finish. Flavor is like chocolate, toffee and floral. Definitely man-half approved.

Tin Cup American Whisky (Tin Cup)

Proof: 84

Rating: 2.5/5

Notes: No shit - Bought this for the tin cup on top even against recommendations from staff. It's got a woodsye spice nose that gives me hope of being good. BUT it disappoints. 1st taste is exactly like the smell and it's like a scotch (gross). With ice it gets lighter and sweeter. Still ain't my thing.

Wild Turkey 101 Rye (WT)

Proof: 101

Rating: 5/5

Notes: Y'all this is it. Price is on point for this consistent bastard. Smells like flowers, spice, and a caramel vanilla pastry. Has a floral flavor that is dominated by a delicious cream corn goodness. Actually take that shit back! It is a yellow cake with cream cheese frosting with some serious spice mixed in it. YASSS!

Wild Turkey Single Barrel | Warehouse K Rick 4 Barrell No 1007 (WT)

Proof: 101

Rating: 4.5/5

Notes: Smells like a vanilla coke. Tastes very fruity with some pepper, caramel or butters cots, cloves, and leather. This shit is deep. Way sweet. Ice made it sweeter. Compared to the 101 regular it has some pecan and smoky leather, too.

Willet Small Batch #17027 (Willet)

Proof: 94

Rating: 4.25/5

Notes: Light florally caramel nose with some slight fruit. 1st taste is dark chocolate cherry (or some other red fruit).Man- half also tasted almond. 2nd taste adds some peppery spice with mocha goodness. Ice gives it that buttery texture will prominent floral.

Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Cherry Wood Smoked Barley (WR)

Proof: 90.4

Rating: 4/5

Notes: Smells like chocolate almond candy. VERY almond-y. Strong cherry flavor - almost like a fake additive. Long finish. Unique for sure. Don't think I'd buy again.

Woodford Reserve "Proprietary Batch" 133 Bottle 3380 (WR)

Proof: 90.4

Rating: 3.5/5

Notes: Alright this comes packed with an orange citrus blossom nose. It is light in mouthfeel and very spicy. This comes with a long ass finish that eventually settles in to a woodsy vanilla and orange taste. Summertime rye perhaps? Definitely better on ice but not sure this is something I'd crave again.

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Kirk and Sweeney 23 Year Dark Rum Batch 003 Bottle 12083

Proof: 80

Rating: 4.75/5

Notes: Smells like coconut, banana nut, and guava. Very complex flavor. Very heavy body body. Tastes like toasted marshmallows mixed in with the toasted coconut banana flavor.

Plantation 20th Anniversary

Proof: 80

Rating: 4.5/5

Notes: Traditional rum smell with some harsh alcohol overtones. It's a spicy rum that tastes like coconut banana bread. Not as smooth as Pilar.