July - 2018 Whiskey Tastings
Maker's Mark 46
Maker's Mark 46 Bottling Note
The first line extension to the Maker's Mark range since the '50s, Maker's 46 is essentially the standard expression with added spice. This was not intended to compete with the core expression, instead it's a cousin to it, something different for those that like spicy bourbon. They add this extra dimension by inserting seared French oak staves into the barrels (with the stave profile "number 46" - thus the name). It's utterly stunning.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Toffee sweetness and the saw dust from freshly cut wood. Has a very toasty aroma, with sweet spices and deep, thick caramel.
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Palate: Creamy and very soft. Then it opens up, in fact it explodes with spiciness which concentrates on the tip of the tongue. It’s on nutmeg, mulled wine spices, allspice, cinnamon. Also a hint of hot apple juice. Kevin remarks that it’s not unlike the cinnamon flavoured gum, “Big Red” – we’ve literally no idea what Big Red is, but it sounds really manly.
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Finish: A natural progression of the palate with the sweet spices and it concentrates on the tongue – this may be one of the few times you’ll notice a concentration of sweetness like this from a bourbon. It also becomes grassy after a minute or so.
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PRICE £39.95 70cl
Club Star Rating
Awards for Maker's Mark 46
Liquid Gold Award - 2014
Jim Murray's Whisky Bible
Four Roses Single Barrel 100 Proof
Four Roses 100 Proof Bottling Note
A great single barrel bourbon from Four Roses. Plummy and fruity with lots of character and at higher strength. This won Whisky Magazine's 2008 Best Bourbon Whiskey No Age award, as well as a host of other awards from around the world.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: A balanced, rich, fruity nose. Notes of spices and chocolate. Toffee and vanilla.
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Palate: Tart stone fruits, prunes, spices, morello cherries, cocoa and vanilla.
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Finish: Oak, chocolate, butterscotch.
PRICE £39.70 70cl
Club Star Rating
Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon
Wild Turkey 56.4% Bottling Note
The Wild Turkey Rare Breed bottle has received a little bit of a redesign, it has! The shape is the same as before, but the label is new and shiny, as is the presentation tube (with focus on the 'shiny' bit). Rare Breed is Wild Turkey's barrel proof expression, and it now sits at a slightly-higher-than-previous-batches ABV of 56.4%.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Raspberry, with a hint of blueberry muffin too. Sawdust, citrus oil/marmalade and Jamaican Ginger Cake.
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Palate: Still quite cake-y, though now it's closer to a particularly spicy fruitcake than a ginger cake. Fresh grapes, clove and brown bread with a touch of olive oil.
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Finish: Medium length with caramel and pine resin.
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PRICE £51.33 70cl
Club Star Rating
Awards for Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon (56.4%)
Gold
Bourbon - Super Premium - 2017
The American Whiskey Masters (The Spirits
