Grand Traverse Distillery Double Barreled Ole George Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is assertively spicy with toasted grain and black pepper in the lead. After a small water addition this Whiskey really shows its stuff offering black fruits, rye bread, black pepper, toffee, and vanilla. The palate is full accord with the nose delivering a beautiful mix of fruit and grain with hints of black cherry with loads of spicy rye and sweet caramel. This is a very intense rye that requires a water addition in my view to best expand the flavors and tame the heat. $47 – 4.5 Stars
Grand Traverse Distillery 116 Proof Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. Intensely spiced with loads of brown baking spices and a rich, fruity core with hints of cocoa, French roast coffee, and charred oak. The palate is equal to the nose with a rich, caramel drenched fruit core flanked by spicy rye, black pepper, allspice and dense caramel with hints of sweet vanilla. Super intense with rich bold fruit, caramel, spicy rye, and oak to spare. $47 – 4 Stars
Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, crystal clear. Then nose is wonderfully fruity with baked apples in the lead supported by rich caramel, wild mint, lemon zest, vanilla, sweet red cherry, pralines, and honey. The palate echoes the nose delivering a decadent fruit and grain driven core with loads of brown baking spices, spicy rye, and generous oak notes. Bold flavors without being extreme featuring mature Bourbon while flashing a vibrant and youthful exuberance; it's perfectly balanced. $24.99 – 5 Stars
Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, crystal clear. Then nose is wonderfully fruity with baked apples in the lead supported by rich caramel, wild mint, lemon zest, vanilla, sweet red cherry, pralines, and honey. The palate echoes the nose delivering a decadent fruit and grain driven core with loads of brown baking spices, spicy rye, and generous oak notes. Bold flavors without being extreme featuring mature Bourbon while flashing a vibrant and youthful exuberance; it's perfectly balanced. $24.99 – 5 Stars
Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is big and complex with rich caramel and baked grain notes supported by a collection of brown baking spices that include clove, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg with dried black fruit, ginger biscuits, vanilla, and toasted oak. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a silky and spicy, grain driven core with sweet honey notes and drier spices like black pepper emerging on the finish. This is a hearty Whiskey with many layers that become more defined and enjoyable with the addition of water. This is one of the most ideally balanced Rye Whiskies you will encounter. $37.99 – 5 Stars
The Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose offers a very pretty marriage of apples and pears, grain, and brown baking spices with accents of oak, tropical fruits, honey, and citrus. The palate echoes the nose offering a balance of sweet malt and baked fruit supported by a generous does of spice and oak finishing with a sharp black pepper note. Rich and bold with a fresh dose of acidity and loads of spices. This is not a beginners' dram. $34.99 – 4 Stars
Greenore 8 Years Old Single Grain Irish Whiskey
Brilliant, golden color. The nose offers sweet grain and grass notes with accents of lemon peel, vanilla, and honey, and a touch of smoke. The palate echoes the nose delivering a sweet grain core with touches of baked apple and pear not immediately evident in the nose. It finishes with a sweet citrus zest note with a kick of toasted oak. This is a wonderfully rich and decadent Whiskey with fresh citrus and spice notes and a nice dose of acidity. $49.99 – 4 Stars
West Cork Original Blended Irish Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is quite refreshing and complex with scents of toasted grain mingling with honey, heather, tangerine zest, caramel, and baked apples. The palate echoes the nose offering a dense and chewy grain and malt core with loads of support with rich honey and caramel notes foiled by a generous dose of acidity and fine wood tannins. Moderately intense on entry the round and mildly viscous core elongates the palate leading to a spicy, peppery, wood laced finish. $26.99 – 4 Stars
Bushmills 10 Years Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Pale copper color. The nose showcases mineral, orange marmalade, and almonds with hints of smoke. Altogether lean. The palate is far more generous, offering flavors of biscuit, caramel, toffee, dried fruits, and marzipan. Dry and a bit austere with greatly defined note of grain and a clever, subtle use of wood. An aperitif Whiskey. $39.99 – 4 Stars
Bushmills 16 Years Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Deep copper to amber color. The nose is generous and quite herbal with lush with honey and caramel. Scents of eucalyptus, mint, and pine needles, mingle with sweet malt, caramel, candied cashews, and dark chocolate. The palate echoes the nose being lush while lively with accents of dry citrus zest and earth oak tones. Ideally balanced and full of intrigue. $79.99 – 4 Stars
