Rebel Yell Kentucky Bourbon

Hey hey friends. It's Wednesday. Let's drink some Whiskey. This time around I've got something that is quite the stark contrast to what I am usually sipping - that is, a bottle that costs over $50 typically - and instead picked up something from the very "bottom of the shelf" as they say, purely off of name alone.

Rebel Yell
Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Lux Row Distillery
80 proof, 40%
~$18.99

Would you just LOOK at that price? Would you just look at it?!?! Wowza, this throws me back to the days spent with my good friends in living in Salt Lake City; Riding our bikes down to the ever-busy state liquor store and picking up a pint of Black Velvet or Cuervo with the $10 bill in the wallet; all one would have to his name at the time. Those quick pint downs were some of the most fun filled nights of my life, and while I miss them dearly, you're probably not giving a hot damn about my memories, and are thinking to yourself, "Get to the whiskey review, damn it!" And so we shall.

Nose - The nose here is extremely sweet, it starts out spikey with a hint of spice and that classic bourbon corn, but is quickly overtaken by heavy, nearly processed sugar, almost like a piece of oldschool Big League Chew was left to sit in the barrels for a bit.

Palette - Suprisingly (and thankfully) the bubblegum doesn't show up in the flavor, instead getting a very classic - albeit underwhelming - bourbon flavor. It's smooth, spicy, and really does bring me back to those younger days mentioned above, however much more tolerable than the ol' Velvet; review decision pending.

Finish - Quite a bit of spice picks up as the liquid runs away, that dies down quickly and leaves no particularly dominant aftertaste.

Thoughts: This is a classic; A pourly rounded bourbon with a cool name that won't break the bank. It's nothing outstanding, but when a pircetag under $20 - something becoming increasingly difficult to find these days - it's absolutely worth consideration, for those just getting into the culture of whiskey, or someone looking for a tolerable 750ml bottle to drink the night away with. I would give the overall whiskey a 2/5, but with that price, I'm setting it at a solid 3, as something affordable to everyone.

Side note: it's quite similar to Black Feather whiskey with the sweetness factor, albeit BF seems a bit more drinkable (and sugary) but twice the price. I think that it'd be more worth your money to pick this up, and if you like it, try out Black Feather, which if I may plug, I review some time last year. Go check it out on my blog / website, https://zeichnen.ink .

Ardbeg Uigeadail

Woah guys... I didn't do a Whiskey Wednesday at last last month. Why did it take so long? Well, I was waiting on a copy of a certain Billy Idol album to coincide with a particular whiskey, which I ultimately didn't end up reviewing... yet.

May I introduce, the Ultimate...
Ardbeg Uigeadail
Single Malt
Ardbeg - Islay, Scotland
109 Proof, 54.5%
$79.99

Ardbeg is, as a few of my loyal readers may know, my current (and thus all-time) favorite Scotch distillery, putting out the magnificent Ardbeg 10 that stole my heart on my first sip. Here we've got a sister expression from the distillery, Ardbeg Uigeadail, which means there are a few variations to the "recipe" that goes into making it that separates the flavor profile from their standard product.

Nose - Charred oak and salted pork with an bit of dried fruits hiding behind the incredible main course. It's almost like eating a hearty meal of potatoes and steak, while still being able to smell the pie cooling on the window sill.

Palette - A blast of sweetness immediately upfront that abruptly gets taken over by peat and smoke. And I'm not talking about the subtle Johnny Black Label smoke that many are used to; This is SMOKE turned up to TWELVE.

Finish - A stinging heat that fades into a very warm fireball that dwells in the chest and makes a few extra hairs grow.

Thoughts - The Uigeadail comes in as what seems to be a more refined version of what the A10 presents; all the flavors seem to be either more pronounced or further rounded. In a side to side comparison, the Uigie does come off a bit more astringent and spiced, the flavor seeming to spike more in specific areas than compared to the 10, which feels slightly more floral and briney. In layman's terms, if the 10 were to provide a punch in the face to a new scotch drinker, the Uigeadail comes up with a handshake and a knife in it's other hand. Is the Uigeadail worth it? Hell yeah, if you're an Islay fan, which I most certainly fall into. But if you don't know what you're doing or not really experienced with Scotch, I'd tell you to stay away from this one until you have a bit more of a diverse palette.

Nikka Coffey Grain

Happy Whiskey Wednesday everyone. It's been almost a month since last I made one of these, time has flown like wild lately. I'm a very busy boy nowadays, and having a particularly nasty cold last week certainly prevented me from getting a proper tasting in, and I wouldn't want anything less for what I've got this time.

Hailing all the way from Japan, the Nikka Coffey Grain is produced by the Nikka Whisky house, which is notably, Suntory's main competitor in the local industry there. Oddly, the companies were both founded by the same man. Well, sort of. Masataka Taketsuru was quite the cookie, travelling to Scotland back in the early 1900's to learn a bit more about Scotch, earning a degree in Organic Chemistry and picking up an apprenticeship at Longmorn Distillery. He was able to take what he learned back home with him to Japan, helping the start up Suntory distillery as head distiller, before leaving to pursue his own ambitions. That's an EXTREMELY simplified and abridged version of the story and I definitely encourage some homework on this guy, he's a hell of a muse to learn about and a legend in the Whisky community, especially in Japan.

Now, I'm sure the name may be bringing up some suspicious or even arousal: "A whiskey that tastes like coffee?!" Oh no my friends. The Coffey Grain has a bit more involved namesake than simply being blended with bean juice. A Coffey Still is what is used to distill the whisky, and a big part of what gives the whisky it's incredibly unique, sweet profile.

- Corn Grain whisky

- Nikka Whisky Distilling Co.

- 90 proof, 45%

- Bottled & Distilled in Tokyo, Japan

- $74.99

Nose - Extremely sweet with notes of citrus, sweet spices, and subtle cinnamon. Quite flowery, and a pleasure to smell, nearly perfumed.

Palette - Gentle sting with intense variety of sweet, full bodied richness. Citrus and caramel toffee with melted sugar - this one takes you on a trip, almost like listening to "Dark Side of the Moon" for your first time. It's an experience that seems to be consistent with the higher end Japanese whiskies, and I'm really digging it.

Finish - very clean, refreshing finish that cools with a eucalyptus vibe. Oak and a flowery, earthy finale that doesn't overstay it's welcome.

Thoughts - I found the Nikka Coffey in my local liquor store and was quite ecstatic to do so, this bottle doesn't pop up often and I've been looking to get my hands on it ever since I had my last Japanese whisky, the Suntory Hibiki Harmony. These are really fantastic veshches, popping all sorts of fun, flowery, happy tastes that are sweet, full, and incredible. I wanted to try and capture this unique, loving nature in the photo, trying to get some of the reflections, neon lights, and popping colors of downtown Tokyo's night scene. I'm sure I don't even come close, but I think it turned out well, regardless. The denim in the photo, making it's second cameo in my whiskey lineups, is actually straight from Japanese denim mills; Naked & Famous's 'Japan Heritage Returns'. If you have some money in your pocket and you see this bottle staring back at you in the liquor store, pick it up. Any of the high end Japanese whiskies are sure to put a smile on your face faster than a bottle of Sake.

Alpine Spur

Time again friends for another Whiskey Wednesday. I must confess, my palette seems inexperienced once again as I come to the end of this 90 day fitness challenge, all the while avoiding many tasting experiences, hopefully not in vein!

Here we have a local distillery I've featured before, Park City's 'Alpine' Distillery, the bottle: Spur Whiskey.

Apparently the folks up at Alpine were out dining with friends and operators of the Spur Bar & Grill when they came to an experimental thought; "What if we combined both our stand alone bottles into one?" That is, the every impressive Alpine 'Traveler's Rest' American single malt, and their second offering, the 'Lafeyette' Bourbon. A combination that, upon consideration, should be almost obvious to most other distilleries that offer the two spirits, with Alpine being one of the first to do *only* those two styles. Let's get into the details.

- Blended from Bourbon & American Single Malt
- Alpine Distillery
- 88 proof, 44% 
- Bourbon sourced from KY, Single Malt distilled and bottled in Park City, UT
- $39.99

Nose - Oak and vanilla, with bits of banana and corn, grain, and brown sugar.

Palette - very light at the beginning with the classic youthful bourbon tastes of oak, vanilla spice, and caramel that quickly gives way to that seemingly spectral lovely banana flavor, that all gets tossed out the window rather abruptly by heavy heat and rye effect.

finish - the spice fades considerably and leaves the mouth with a strange earthy note, almost nutty in nature, very reminiscent of a 'game-y' mushroom, with bits of herb and an astringent quality, nothing like a wine but definitely noticeable. Remarkably, my palette feels almost synthetically clean, almost like the scent of a fountain in a vegas hotel. Sorta strange, but I dig it.

Overall Thoughts - The Spur has some really interesting things going for it, most notably that awesome banana note, which as I read more, seems to come from their 'Lafeyette' bourbon, which I will have to get my hands on as soon as possible. The Spur is a cool bottle that I'd recommend to anyone who is really into local spirits, especially someone who is specifically looking to avoid some of the price points offered by another (incredible) Park City distillery. The only problem I have with the Alpine Spur is that it seems too juvenile, too sharp; I'd love to see them leave the blend in an oak barrel for 6-8 years more and see what comes out, because really the only thing this could really benefit from is more time in a cask. With that said, a proper cowboy spur must always be sharp enough to get a horse moving with haste, so many the edge should stay for names' sake.

Ardbeg 10

Happy Whiskey Wednesday friends, hope you're all enjoying the hump day. Today I'm drinking the scotch that stole my heart, and oddly enough, the first scotch I ever tasted; The classic, Arbeg 10 Single Malt. The 10's incredible smoke was something that took my breath away immediately after popping the cork on my first bottle, and the flavor profile did not disappoint whatsoever. The smokey, briny, meaty notes I pick up in it really takes me on a roller coaster, and I love every second of it. Since then, I've picked up Lapphroaig 10 and the Highland Park 12 Honour, and while I definitely do enjoy both, the Ardbeg still stands as the best night-topper I have in my cabinet, excluding the High West Bourye which in my opinion is fantastic.

As for the photo setup, I just got my old arrows stripped and re-fletched last week and they were ready for pick up today. Along with swapping out an old arrow rest for a more traditional off-the-shelf hair rest, I've been having a lot of fun today and have fired more arrows than I care to admit. For those who are interested, I'm shooting a PSE Blackhawk 45# at 20yds. Unlike my aim, the Ardbeg 10 hits the bullseye every damn time.

A note for readers at paydnaugustine.com
Hello viewers, thanks for checking out this part of the site. I just wanted to give a little insight here, basically I’ve made all these reviews specifically for friends in my social media circles, but ultimately thought it’s worthwhile to put my opinion out here in the wild, so if it seems like anything before this post is out of order, it’s likely because they are. My apologies, but everything that is posted after this will all be chronologically correct.

P.S.
There may be some images on the gallery page of this site that aren’t properly reviewed here; That’s because as I have to work pretty hard to get the photos done, I may have taken them long before I started making proper reviews or I may have just not had enough time to write a full statement on the bottle.

Laphroaig 10

Happy Whiskey Wednesday, wankers.

Today I've got a real classy veshch, an Islay Scotch that many use as a gateway sip to coax their bourbon based buds or otherwise un-ascendant allies into the wild wild south-west (for Scotland) of peaty, briney badassery that is the Islay touch; this prestigious firegold is none other than the Laphroaig 10 Year Single Malt.

The Laphroaig 10 has a lot of interesting things going for it. For a starter, it's not quite as bold and up front as something like an Ardbeg, but at the same time it brings to the table something different; an almost mouth numbing sensation (and taste) of iodine, salt, and smoke... But stay with it for a bit, let it get to know you, and you it, and you'll be able to pull some fresh fruits and citrus from the depths of Davey Jones' locker.

Now, that's all quite a grim description for the Laphroaig, especially for those who are used to a 70/30 mix of Hawaiian Punch and Vodka, but hear me out. This beautiful bottle has a starry bit of class and wisdom to it, an arcane voice that whispers from the elder casks and darkest corners of the distillery, in the wind you can hear it faintly with each sniff, sip, and finish... "...Come to the peaty side... Embrace the brine..."

The Lapphroaig 10 is probably not for everyone. But it should be a whiskey that any admirer of the drink ought to try.

Talisker Storm

Happy Whiskey Wednesday.

Today I was graced by a storm, and boy did I have the right whiskey to put on display for this one.

Talisker Storm is a Scotch hailing from the Isle of Skye in the Hebrides, and the storm carries with it the legacy of what feels would come from the Drowned God himself. You'll pick up a lot of the Iron Islands with distinctly Islay sensations, but seemingly more serious and dark than something like an Ardbeg or Port Charlotte.

On the nose is an immediate smokiness, oak and brine persist, but as those scents seem to come to a head, they fall together in a symphony of sweet citrus. The palette of the tongue begins with a brine that sort of runs back and forth between a creamy roundness, almost reminscent of pearls, and a full, earthy, briny sour note. This all finished on a peppery, warm goodbye, like drinking a warm cider in the cold, rainy night by the sea.

This photo was actually a bitch to catch. I probably had 4-5 shots that were even possible to catch, and even then the angles would have had to have been completely different. It was a lot of fun trying to get this and I was ecstatic when I saw this particular bolt go off, because I knew it was "the one". Also shown is what I would have liked the bottle to look like, and the aftermath / fog rolling in after the storm.

Angel's Envy

Happy Whiskey Wednesday.

Today I've got a real special treat with me, and as the photo tells, I've had a bit more than a drink of it over the past few months. Angel's Envy is a very special bourbon, more particularly a Kentucky Straight (think the likes of Jack, Turkey, and Beam - classics), most notably that it isn't "technically" a Bourbon. This gorgeous whiskey is taken from the barrels of Lincoln Henderson, a legend in the whiskey world for having his hand in many classics, notably Woodford Reserve among others. The man had a dream that marketing and financing wouldn't allow - exploring just how far whiskey can be tinkered and experimented with. His ideas were put of by the higher ups for fear of flops, so He and his son went off to start their own brand, sourcing from one of the many great Kentucky distilleries. However, after the whiskey is aged in new oak barrels for a typical 3-4 years, they are then siphoned and poured back into barrels, this time it's not just new oak barrels, it's used Port wine barrels.

This gives the whiskey an incredibly unique and satisfying journey; the nose is an opulent medley of dark cherry, star anise, licorice, and brown sugar; the palette, an even more drool-worthy vesche, brings on that same cherry, but it brings a stringent bite with it. Don't let that fool you though, despite the claws this still gives a very velvet, leathery taste, with brown sugar and honey. The finish brings up the heat with cinnamon and grapes, warms and rounds out, leaving you with an apple aftertaste; All in all very reminiscent of the barrel it's aged in, with tart sugars and sweet roundness.

For a bourbon that has only been around since 2010, Angels Envy already has it's name inscribed in stone, a lovely opus of fruits and warm burn, something you could slooshy days on end, and - if I had it my way - a daily drinker for sure. Coming in at around $50 retail, it's not cheap, but it's not expensive; That is, unless you live in Utah.

Unfortunately, our benevolent benefactors in their big fancy white castle in the heart of Downtown SLC have designated that the Angel's Envy is only suited for those of sinners faith, and have refused to allow the DABC to stock big brother's liquor store with the juice. Consequently, you'll have to go out of state for this one, and not just "other side of Wyoming lotto gas station" out-of-state, oh no. This will only be found in Liquor Marts deep in the North, South, or East. Your best bet would likely be heading out to Wendover and praying that the Angels didn't take their share from Lee's Discount.

I would absolutely recommend you pick up a bottle if you ever find one, as Angel's Envy is in my opinion, a Patron Saint of Whisk(e)y.

Suntory Hibiki Harmony & Suntory Toki

Happy Whiskey Wednesday, EARLY DOUBLE FEATURE EDITION!

I'll be out in the woods chasing Skinwalkers tomorrow night, so I'm busting out some fancy shit for ya'll today. Hailing all the way from the other side of the Earth, I've got some of the more coveted whiskey blends in the US, the Suntory Distillery's 'Hibiki Harmony" and "Toki", or "Time". They may not be the most expensive bottles I own, and admittedly the Harmony comes close, but they certainly are some of the most beautiful glasses in my possession.

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HIBIKI HARMONY
-------------------------

Since I was too excited and poured myself the Hibiki first, we'll start there. The nose is fresh, VERY fresh, I get ginger, mint, julep, just all around heavy floral tones and a chocolatey, almost peppered smoke on the very tail end of it all.

- The nose -, even with those descriptions, is still hard to convey over text just how god damn fresh this blend is; it's truly as if you are standing in a Japanese garden, with extremely talented botanist plucking and snipping away at tiny herbs, seemingly endlessly, until you're met with a steaming warm, freshly brewed cup of fine tea.

- The palette - is sweet, smooth, buttery, and lightly peated, and interestingly has an almost cooling aloe sensation to it, that is almost too quickly fleeting, but offers a touch of toasted caramel as a parting gift.

- The finish - lasts longer than expected with warming, sugary sweetness that tickles your teeth and gums, leaving you wanting another sip, and more urgently, another sniff of the sweet floral aromas. This is without a doubt, one of the most delicate, pristine, and beautiful whiskys I have ever tried.

The Harmony is a blend of Japanese whiskeys from Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita, all of which are owned by Suntory Group, which are aging their whisky's in American White Oak barrels, Japanese Oak barrels, Sherry barrels, and even introduce a touch of peat, giving it a taste that would give the untrained connoisseur points of Scotch; but the Harmony is a far cry away from any Highland, Islay or Speyside.

-----------------------
SUNTORY TOKI
-----------------------

The Toki, or "Time" whisky from Suntory is suprisingly, the same blend of distilleries from the Harmony above, but with an entirely different character. Meant to be "groundbreaking but timeless", I'd put this high up on a GO BUY THIS NOW list, because the price is more than right here.

The nose is even more delicate and 'pretty' than the Harmony, with sweet fruits, particularly apples and grapes flood into your nasal cavity, as if walking into a vineyard or all-natural candy shop, with a round, almost bubble-gum note on the end.

- The Palette, or taste, is coming in with a similar sweetness like eating green grapes, but quickly gives way to a more rustic, spicy note (likely from the Shita single malt) that introduces cinnamon, and becomes lightly astringent, bringing to mind Hibiscus tea; Don't let that give too much influence here, this whisky is still incredibly light.

- the finish leaves swiftly, no lasting impressions come with the Suntory Toki, and maybe that is for the better. You are left with a slightly buttery, "fruity" note - I put that in quotes due to the nature of the fruit; You're not tasting the body of a fruit on the finish, but more so the roundness and soft, earthy tone of the skin. The spice stays for a bit, but not nearly as present as on the tongue.

All in all, I think these are both fantastic selections and a GREAT way to start your foray into Japanese Whisky. These are both, unfortunately, limited distributions here in UT, but we DO have them. Go to your closest State Liquor AND Wine store (there is a HUGE difference) and check the glass Whisk(e)y cabinets, or refer to the DABC guide online. The Hibiki Harmony goes fast, so I'd definitely recommend picking that up first. I am looking (hoping) to get a second bottle here soon, as you're only allowed to buy one bottle per period of time... Not easy when the clerks know you!

On a final note... What photo do you think is better, the "side" view, or straight on?

Monkey Shoulder

Happy Whiskey Wednesday, fellow primate descendants. 

Tonight I'm bringing to you something I've been prayin on for a long time to arrive in Utah stores, and just a month ago it did; since, I've gone through two bottles and still looking to get more. 

Monkey Shoulder is the Blended Malt Scotch of topic tonight, sporting a lovely three-monkey medallion - a tip to the three Speyside distilleries it's sourced from - towards the top of the glass and a creamy label that compliments the look of the whisky itself quite well. Oddly, this color choice almost matches exactly what Monkey Shoulder tastes like, so let's talk about that.

Nose - Monkey Shoulder harbors and interesting blend of rich toffee, buttery banana cream, and an unexpectedly sharp point of brine. It's very rich, creamy, and smooth all around.

Taste - Incredibly well rounded, the blended malt comes at you with soft, friendly tones of caramel and honey, with a buttery, flakey, almost fine-pastry-esque sensation that reminds you of freshly baked strudel; the nice kind.

Finish - maybe what you could call the "weakest end" of the Monkey is it's own end, with a finish that fades quickly, leaving a buttery oak sensation and not too much anything else; a very forgiving, friendly vesche that would be welcoming even to the most novice of drinkers.

All in all, this is a Scotch that could be a great door-opener for those more accustomed to the simple sweetness of American bred bourbons that are looking to procure their palette to a more challenging and complex taste arrangement. A bit of trivia on the name, "monkey shoulder" was an ailment that was a common occurrence in Scottish distilleries before the advent of labor laws and mechanized processes. You see, back in the day the ol' workers had to shovel the malting barely all day to keep it from clumping in the vats during the fermentation process, leading to a disfiguring muscle structure where one shoulder would be humped over more than the other, like a member of our more primitive cousins. 

Monkey Shoulder is a great budget pick, and in a "Trial Distribution" right now in Utah, coming in at only ~$35 a bottle, you're looking at a damn fine scotch for a great price.

2Bar Bourbon

Happy Whiskey of the Wednesday friends, and before I start the review, I want to call for a toast to my little bunny Zayda, who is recovering from a GI Stasis she went into the other night. She's not loving the critical care and the pain meds knock her on her ass, but she's a trooper and seems quite content with letting us pick her up. Love ya cutie. 

Anyway, let's get back to it. This week I'm hitting up the dustiest bottle I've ever picked up from the liquor store, and that's saying something, considering my typical subjects of patronage are behind glass cases. The "Bourbon Whiskey" - now called "Straight Bourbon Whiskey" - is from the small batch distillery based in Seattle, '2bar Spirits'. Their website states a run of as few as 200 thirty gallon barrels, which is around 100 of the traditional barrels we're used to from larger distilleries. That's quite a bit of whiskey, especially for a craft manufacturer, but the quality certainly isn't something on the chopping block. 

*Bare with me as I'd like to give something new a try. I might remember to include all the specs of the particular whiskey I'm writing about, but I want to ensure I present all the bottle info I can up front so ya'll don't have to dive too deeply into my own late era middle-aged ramblings. The new format is as follows:

- Bourbon Whiskey 
- 2bar Spirits
- 100 Proof, 50%
- Seattle, WA, USA
- $48.99

Nose - Butterscotch, corn, with vanilla and honey. I want to say there's cinnamon in there, but it's hard to give it that when it's likely just the "high" proof's breath tickling my nose hairs.

Palette - Woah, APPLE is what I pick up as soon as the whiskey hits. Leather, almond and chesnuts follow up quick giving it a very earthy texture that heats up quickly with a bit of honey and dried fruit to the end.

Finish - A surge of heat that quickly gives way as it sinks down, one of the fastest come-and-go's in whiskey heat I've had in a while. The finish maintains that dried fruit and earthy texture with a playful numbness that comes along with some of the 100+ proofs.

Overall Thoughts - 2bar is putting out a cool whiskey that adds a bit of flair and culture to any cabinet. It's something that you can pull out on a fancy occasion and offer to those who've tried quite a few of the other bourbons around town and are looking for something small batch. It's good - Is it an instant sell? Probably not, and that's why there was dust on the bottle, and likely why I have an "old label" of their whiskey; people can be afraid of trying new things, especially when they've got a ~$50 price tag.

Alpine Traveler's Rest

Hey hey everyone, it's time for the weekly dram. Gonna have to try and bring it all in off a single glass today as I am unable to handle *too* much whiskey, lest my gainz(bro) be for not.

The Apline Distillery flagship, a 100% Single Malt is aged 2 years in used White Oak barrels (a similar process to Scotch) then finished in a toasted French Oak barrel for roundness. It's a hell of a drinker that really jumps the fuck out of the glass with very boisterous flavors that I certainly was not expecting from a distillery I have pretty much no experience with, or have ever heard of for that matter.

Nose - Oak, toffee and dates fills the nasal passages and works it's way around your head like dancing clouds of smoke in a still air, recently subject to the wave of a distant hand. Caramel and barley comes not long after in very pronounced waves, that give way to a spicy burn that isn't all-too common with single malts.

Palette - HUGE flavors of vanilla, toffee and maple explode onto the taste buds, in almost a syrupy, warm, delightful way. Like eating pancakes on a Saturday morning, the sugary notes give head to a sort of tannin astringency, likely from the French Oak, that nearly tips to a wine, but stays distinctly malty.

Finish - A rush of spice and heat comes as I finish each sip, which lingers like a great wine, standing, defiantly, not wanting to part from the glass. The fight gives way to embrace as the heat slowly dissipates, but lasts for several minutes, leaving a creamy warmth all around.

Overall - I really liked this whiskey. I am a fan of American single malts (most Single Malts tbh) and this one was definitely a surprise. To be quite honest, I wasn't expecting much, as I'd never heard of the distillery until recently, and even then I'd never heard or read a review of their product. It really comes into it's own as a unique, sweet and spicy malt that I think could turn a lot of people on to trying more advanced flavors... Also, since Ylish and I have been getting really into D&D lately, with a name like "Traveler's Rest" I simply couldn't pass up the excuse to grab the bottle and do a themed shoot. There's two angles I really ended up liking a lot, so tell me which you prefer in the comments.

Thanks for reading, and drive safely out there. Love you all, cheers.

Gold Bar Whiskey

Happy Bi-weekly Whiskey Wednesday everyone! In an effort to advance myself in my 90 Fitness challenge at work (and save a bit of cash) I will be cutting back a bit on reviews, I hope that doesn't lead to a decline in quality photos. 

This week I've got something that we bought purely out of aesthetic curiosity, as it was certainly the most flamboyant bottle design I have seen since the likes of Skull Head, Kraken, or bottles of Tequila seemingly sold exclusively at ol' Lee's Discount. Gold Bar boasts several awards that are seemingly surreptitious in nature with no real other winners, along with a tag line of "Blended Whiskey finished in California Casks" - a note that - to anyone who has any semblance of knowledge in either whiskey or wine would know - implies a verbose translation of "cheaply acquired product". But, coming in at 80 proof and one of the most tacky yet glorious bottles you'll find, is it worth the cost, and what's the flavor like? 

Nose - A bit heavy on the alcohol vapors and very heavy in honey and vanilla, with no particularly lovely notes to stand out, but nothing too terrible either. It's just really... Basic.

Palette - very prominent honey and corn notes that are quite reminiscent to the notes you pick up in a 'Light Whiskey'; that is, even though it's quite heavy handed in it's flavor, it is at the end, quite gentle, with a very small hint of spice at the end, likely due to a low-rye content mash bill.

Finish - gone before it came, the flavor and any texture falls off with the taste, albeit there is a bit of a flat note that lingers a moment or two.

The experience - The bottle is just as it seems: A centerpiece for a shelf that wants to be unique. It's a very interesting bottle shape, and yes, that's no box, it's the actual bottle! The lid comes off a bit too easily after you break the seals up top, but fortunately the manufacturer had the insight to put a metal cap inside to seal the hole. Other than that, the entire gold bar experience is quite stale and meaningless, with no deep characteristics or flavors, it just falls really flat and feels quite uneventful. Where most higher end whiskeys will take you on an adventure of sorts, gold bar's journey ends wherever you set the bottle down. 

Is it worth the $45? Probably not unless you really like the bottle, then go for it, but if you want something that's more about what's actually inside the bottle, for the same price I'd recommend picking up a bottle of Talisker Storm for five bucks more.

Sugar House American Single Malt

Heyo and happy ****'in whiskey wednesday! I feel like it's been forever since I did a review, in reality it's just been a full work week after the holidays. Our foray into Scotch and Scotland has been cut short as we move back to America for some new Oak barrels and local Salt Lake flare. This is likely my favorite "budget friendly" whiskey option when it comes to local stuff, and one of the most interesting flavor profiles I've ever tasted. Absolute sweetness and joy awaits as we delve into the creamy roundness that is Sugar House Distillery's 'American Single Malt Whisky'.

Nose - Fastidious toffee and caramel jumps forth with deep breaths of oak and char, with a light bit of brine and smoke that comes and goes.

Palette - The reason I can't put the bottle down. Sweet toffee flavor abound with dates and other dark driend fruits, a touch of citrus, and something I like to call "fresh grain" - a flavor that seems to be Sugar House Distillery's calling card - that fills the palette and comes on full and well rounded. 

Finish - easy going, the fresh grain flavor I detailed earlier drains into your body and warms the soul in a very friendly, soft, and overall mellow fashion. Very easy to down and very easy to pour another dram.

As I said before, this is my go-to when it comes to unique local flavors on a "bang-for-buck" basis. You're getting 750ml for just abour $45 locally from ANY liquor store here in the state, making this an obvious choice for anyone wanting to try something exciting and new. A true 5/5 in my book; and yes, I really DO have a BOOK of whiskey reviews, five hollow stars included.

Glenfiddich Fire & Cane

Happy Whiskey of the Wednesday friends.

I think I've been focusing a bit too much on American blends and straights the past few weeks so we're going to dip into a juice from across the pond again, gettin' nice and toasty with the Speyside Single Malt Scotch, Glenfiddich's 'Fire & Cane' experimental series. The premise here is they take their (no age statement) Single Malt and finish that smokey beast in used Rum casks for a few months, then toss her in a bottle and call it good. We're looking for the advertised "campfire smokiness and toffee sweetness", and here's a bit of a breakdown in what I find. 

Nose - Honey and candied lemons, very familiar to a Ricola lozenge, then a tinge of smoke introduces itself and takes over the deeper you go. Toffee and caramel on the back end on deep breaths.

Palette - Instantly enjoyable. Easily one of the friendliest scotches I've ever drank - albeit I have a bit too much experience in Islays - and absolutely beginner friendly. I get a huge up front blast of sweet fruits and lemon citrus that lead to a floral, fragrant cleanliness that guides you into an earthy, peaty sensation.

Finish - As the peat of the palette takes over, the finish falls down into smoke and anise, with one of the most mellow "burns" of experienced in a Scotch.

My verdict comes to this; Fire & Cane is an impressive bottle that is great for newbies and experienced tasters the same. Those with a less refined palette will still be able to pick up a lot of the nice bits, and unlike some other Scotches, it won't throw you down a well if you're not acclimated to the taste. Glenfiddich is one of my favorite distilleries in Scotland, for the soul purpose of usually putting out very obtainable, enjoyable, friendly whiskeys that can be used to impress your friends or enjoy on your own. The bottle comes to $50 without tax, and I consider that a very modest price point for the quality you're getting here. I would put Fire & Cane into a similar class as Monkey Shoulder, in that it's great for everyone and overall affordable. Toss this one in your collection if you want something nice to offer good company without breaking the bank.

--- Afterword

This Whiskey Wednesday falls between two very important dates, both concerning the same man. I and many others consider David Bowie as one of their greatest inspirations, hero, icon, etc. Yesterday was the day of his birth, and tomorrow marks the third anniversary of his departure to the stars. I will be forever grateful to have been introduced to his music and able to enjoy all that Bowie had to offer the world, and I know his legacy will continue on long after I have gone to join him. 

I miss you Starman, may you shine eternal among the cosmos.

High West Midwinter Nights Dram

Merry Whiskey Wednesday everyone! As I have been teasing for a bit, this next batch has had me on the edge of my seat oozing with excitement since I bought her back in November, after the first tiny taste I had, I Christmas couldn't come soon enough, and now that I've got my photos, I'm free to enjoy on any special occassion of my choosing.

This is High West's 'A Midwinter Nights Dram', a play on the play of William Shakespeare, and the nectar certainly holds up to it's poetic naming. The whiskey is a blended Rye coming from MGP, Barton Distillery, and High West themselves, then finished in Port wine and French Oak barrels. This is a hell of a blend and a blessing in a bottle, The Midwinter Nights' is coming in at very close to the top of my list in favorites this year. I'm already a sucker for High West and all they put out, and this is without a doubt their best offering from what I've tasted thus far.

Nose - Cinnamon, apricots, candied fruits and pine notes with a very subtle hint of lavender and an overall plum profile. This thing bottles up everything you love about the holidays and offers it as the sweetest of gifts.

Palette - Vanilla and caramel right up front that quickly takes to cinnamon and ginger, with even sweetness and dried fruit flavors that flow in with the rye spice.

Finish - Everlasting, this is one of the best parts of the whiskey. The taste of spice and sweet fruits lasts with you and the warmth - not burn - of the alcohol makes it's way right to the center of your being, deep in your chest, and fills the body with a nice, cozy feeling of serenity and holiday spirit.

Drinking this outside next to a crackling fire was truly one of the great highlights of my holiday weekend. The Midwinter is an absolutely gorgeous treat that gives me everything I love about bourbon, but puts it in a rye, delivering some of the most unique and festive profiles I've had. At $100 per bottle it's a hard investment to make, but if you are a lover of fine whiskey with a moderately experienced palette, I would highly recommend it.

High West Campfire

Alrighty gang, it's Whiskey Wednesday again. I had high hopes to go outdoors to get some shots of this, but unfortunately I've been a bit bed ridden with an intense migraine all day today. That said, I decided to bring the outdoors inside, and here it is: My cozy little Campfire.

The High West Campfire is a true craftsman's blended whiskey, composed of American Bourbon from MGP, two Ryes - one MGP and the other from High West themselves -, along with (and here's the kicker) a decadent splash of a mystery-distillery Malted Scotch. The goal of the whiskey is to fill you with warmth, just like standing next to a campfire on a cold evening, and god damn does it do that and so much more.

Nose - For me, I pick up a distinct first millisecond of grain and rye, that quickly sends to a slightly peaty, briney, but heavily smokey white ash - just like the traits of a traditional Islay -, and charred oak or even burning maple logs. The nose is a bit heavy handed at first, but if you let this breathe for a few minutes it comes out being incredibly complex. The complexity comes with the question of, "how the f**k did they bottle the smell of an actual campfire?"

Palette - The first taste I get is sweet; maple sugar, brown sugar, and aged fruits, that bursts into spice and cinnamon as the rye comes rampaging in. My first sip I was actually caught a bit off guard by how smooth it begins but really takes off fast, just like lighting a well built log-cabin style fire. And in just the same way one of those well constructed pyres, the flavor maintains a spicy-sweet smokiness.

Finish - As mentioned, the spice and smokiness from the Rye and Scotch last with you and truly do warm the soul, or at least the gut. The warm burning sensation lasts longer than some other ryes and most other scotches I've tried, and yes, that even includes the Islay variety.

Coming out as High West's top-shelf full-distribution whiskey, I really believe the price point is well earned. This is a whiskey that fantastic memories are made with, from the taste and profile all the way to the rugged appeal of a whiskey named "Campfire", it's really a hard one to beat and has earned permanent residence in my cabinet. I would warn the average consumer or party-goer to stay away from the Campfire unless you have a bit of experience drinking each of the distinct blends here; for me having been indoctrinated into the Cult of Ardbeg and then sensing that same taste as a distant cousin in this blend was quite the treat, but I think for the inexperienced those sensations of excitement may be lost. With all that said, it's worth it to go out to a bar and order one neat or even on the rocks. 

As a bit of explanation on what's happening in the picture... As I said, I wasn't quite able to go out and get any good shots today, but I do have a LOT of backpacking gear, one piece of equipment I don't get to use enough is my Fancee Feest stove, and that is what's pictured here, roaring away with a few other backpacking essentials, and one not-so-essential book that I just picked up, Steve Rinella's "Meateater Fish and Game Cookbook" which is a really awesome one to have, especially if you're into nabbing your own meat.

Oh, and like I said in the week before, I've got a few bangers to review coming up. This was quite the spicy review, I think the next will be far more poetic...;)

Proper 12 Irish Whiskey

YOAW

It's Whisker Widzdee fellows and it's time to give the fresh off the press Proper No. 12 a shot. Before I get into the details, I've gotta give a shoutout to a work colleague of mine who was kind enough to give me this as a Christmas gift. Thanks man, I greatly appreciate it!

Onto where this bad boy is from. Proper No. Twelve is an Irish whiskey that's put out by none other than the king of trash talk himself, Conor McGregor. The juice is aged 3 years in used bourbon barrels with no mash bill statement that I can find on the site. A tough guy's whiskey for tough guys, and I'll get to what I mean by that here in just a moment, but first; the tasting notes - let me preface here by saying I have VERY little experience with Irish whiskeys... I've only ever had Jameson, a few of their Cask Mates expressions, and Red Breast 12.

Nose - an obviously Irish accent off the bat, buttery, biscuits with hints of apple, honey and charred oak. Once you get past initial wave of alcohol fumes, it opens up nice and bright to a crisp but smooth nose, which for me, takes me back to my early drinking days.

Palette - Again, quite classic in presentation, there's the honey and vanilla sweetness that turns a little red in feeling, but not as spicy as say, a bourbon with a high rye. Those flavors are buried for me by an abrupt takeover of pure alcohol and tannin, with a bare grain taste.

Finish - The finish trickles away and putters out, despite the label's king of the jungle prowess, this is where McGregor's No.12 is at it's weakest, almost like a dog moping away... A tragic end to what could be an intriguing profile. 

With the bummer of a finish for an amateur palette like mine, you may be taking that note as a warning, but I'd say the opposite. I would absolutely recommend the Proper Twelve as a whiskey for shooting with friends on the weekend. It goes down smooth, has an enjoyable taste that comes up and slaps you, but doesn't overstay it's welcome. Like a sassy late night hookup, the Proper 12 is fun, impressive, and doesn't last long....

Working at a Boxing franchise, I would not be complete without rephrasing my last statement: "Like Conor himself, the Proper 12 is fun, vulgar, and won't last long... In the ring." Ooof. The man is a rockstar in the Octagon though, and I'd love to see him fight again.

Lagavulin 16

Hey hey hey, it's that time of the week again. Happy Whiskey Wednesday!

Here we are with likely one of the most popular (and most expensive) Islay whiskies in my cabinet at the moment. The poster-malt of the legendary he-man Ron Swanson, the Lagavulin 16 is an extremely complex, full bodied Scotch that will take the experienced pallet on one hell of a ride, or unfortunately, send the ill-prepared out to the bathroom to (perhaps) rinse their mouth. While not nearly as "extreme" in one sense as it's counterparts and oft more heavily debated Islay cousins - Ardbeg 10 and Lapphroaig 10 - the Lagavulin is absolutely the more cultured of the three. Let's get right in to tasting notes and go over some more thoughts afterwards.

Nose - Up front, you're blasted with brine, smoke, and a kippery, fishy note that is absolutely reminiscent of a sea side peer. This strangely gives way to a slight pineapple, and winds off with citrus and some other, fruity scent, with a buried-but-present vanilla or caramel; I can't nail down which it is because it's just so far down in there.

Palette - starts with brine then moves quickly to smoke, then more smoke, then oh, it's not smoke, it's an ember, oh wait, that ember is starting to catch fire aaaaaannd.... It melts, cools down right before the "fire" starts on your tongue, and instead subsides into more citrus taste and then, as it's still lifting further and further off the palette entirely, it gives you this little kiss of a rye-like minty coolness.

Finish - the finish here, just like the entire adventure of Lagavulin 16, is remarkable in it's simple complexity. Taking right off from the ending note of the palette, the finish is cool in your mouth, but warm everywhere else. It almost feels like waking up on a cold winter morning, brewing some coffee or tea, and drinking it outside while wrapped in a blanket your your favorite jacket. The best part, is that it stays this way, for quite a long while, and while the briney smoke consistent of all the Islay flavors stay with you, occasionally you get that fruity, light, happy side, as if the Lagavulin is sending you a postcard while on holiday.

This has been a pretty long description of a relatively simple process for most whiskies, but I really have to give it to the Lagavulin 16 for being a truly incredible and complex whiskey. Definitely not something I would recommend for someone who isn't familiar with smokey Scotch though, as on the first sip you'd likely be taken aback by the up front smoke and brine - just like the cousins mentioned above. But if you're familiar with the intricacies of smokey whiskeys, this should be a bottle you look out for, if you can afford it, of course. Here in Utah, our featured bottle carries a hefty price of nearly $100 per bottle, so only move on if you're sure this is somewhere you want to go.

A little side note about Lagavulin and Nick Offerman (Ron Swanson), I sorta planned this review out to pair up with one of the most Ron Swanson-esque things I've ever done, or rather than anniversary of it. Exactly one year ago today, I finished construct and staining of my now main-stay and unfortunately warped full-size "ranch" table. Built from hand using a few 8x12's and 4x4's, she's held of for a year now and despite the slight warping, is still holding up strong. I built the table in hopes of serving a Thanksgiving dinner (of my personal hunt) to my family and friends, and while I have yet to make that dream come true, I'm quite happy with my achievements since last year and am looking forward to pushing myself harder in the next. I'm not sure what it is about this time of the year, but it always turns my country woody to the solid ON position, so here's a link to what I've really been digging lately. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBEAyFHlSAo

I hope you all have a lovely Thanksgiving Day with your loved ones, and may you all drink a dram at dinner!

Beckenridge Port Cask Finish

Happy Whiskey Wednesday, friends!

After getting some exquisitely bad news from my dentist about the virulent gum infection I've had for years, I think it's high time to purge my mouth with the nectar of the gods. Coming up is a new taster to me and something I've been eyeing in the store for a bit, and finally decided to give a shot; Beckenridge Distillery's Bourbon / Port Cask finish.

Now, if you know me or have been reading these reviews, you'll know that I absolutely fucking LOVE Angel's Envy Port Cask, and I was eager to try a different distillery's attempt at one. Let me preface this by saying, yes, I have tried High West's Mid Winter's Night Dram (not the Yipee-Kai-Yay though) and we'll definitely get to that once it's more seasonally appropriate. The major difference between the Beckenridge Port finish and other port cask-finished whiskeys is the higher rye content bourbon mash bill. Coming in at 3 years minimum age, the bourbon just barely skirts the legal definition for a bourbon, but hey, that's fine by me, ol' Beckenridge has a lot to show for it.

Nose - Immediately picking up the high rye that jump straight out of the glass, I get heavy pepper and oak scents, that fade really interestingly into a cascading sweetness of caramel and vanilla, the classic bourbon compatriots. 

Palette - As your bring the glass closer to your mouth, you can almost sense the peppery, spicy elements of the rye flowing in via vapors, tickling the tongue with curiosity and mild anticipation, but this vanishes as surprisingly, the elements of the nose come through in reverse; A smooth, creamy, sweet caramel / vanilla bourbon classic slips in, with hints of dried dark fruit and sherry, all these flavors stay while the heat of the rye warms but doesn't burn, slowly numbing the tongue.

Finish - after the slight numbing from the rye spice, you are left with a sensation almost medicinally herbal, like that of a cherry throat lozenge that you left only on your tongue, with sweetness and spice lingering for a surprisingly long time.

this is quite a tame, unique experience of a bourbon that has a lot of layers and can be surmised to that of listening to a cool, unique concept album; Complete with a clear beginning, middle and end, with chorus, similar and often contrasting notes and chords, hell even the crescendo. This is a great sipper that, I fear, will be gone all to quickly at the rate things are going.