Brad's
Whisky Of The Month
This month's whisky: Oban West Highlands
Single Malt Scotch 14 years old.
This page is devoted to the search for the perfect after
dinner dram, the kind of whisky one drinks while enjoying a fine
cigar, although I don't smoke cigars, fine or otherwise.
These are not the kinds of whiskies one drinks to get drunk.
They are an aesthetic experience on their own level. The higher
alcohol can make it more difficult to appreciate the more subtle
nuances of these beverages but the best are complex and smooth.
To that end I intend to try a good many fine whiskies, not only
Single Malt Scotch, but also Small Batch Bourbons and other fine
whiskies.
Each month (or close to it, depends on my finances) I will
feature one whisky as my Whisky of the
Month. I will alternate between Single Malt Scotch and Small
Batch Bourbon. Additional tasting notes on other bourbons and
occasionally singlemalts are added several times a month.
Although Single Malt Scotch is once again very trendy, I also
urge you to try the best bourbons. They suffer from having names
that are at best pedestrian, at worst idiotic, but some of them
are extraordinary whiskys. I have made it my goal to taste all
of them which is more affordable than it might seem since so many
are available in small sized bottles. I have included an
otherwise hard to find list of all the brands I know of at the
end of this page.
As a result of my wine experiences, I have worked up a whisky
evaluation system. This one is strictly my own and the values
and opinions likewise. All whiskys are tasted neat, at room
temperature, and from a tulip glass.
- Oban. Aged 14 years. 43% Volume.
West Highland. $35.00
- The color of old amber. Warm sweet nose with lots of honey,
citrus, maple and vanilla. Very malty with citrus, honey, maple,
oak and vanilla flavors with just a bit of tang. While it was
certainly very good, it had much more the character of a very
good bourbon and I could have mistaken it for that in a blind
tasting!
| Criteria |
Max. Poss. |
Earned |
| Color |
2 |
1.5 |
| Aroma |
4 |
3 |
| Body | |
2 |
2 |
| Flavor |
4 |
3 |
| Smoothness |
3 |
3 |
| Finish |
3 |
2 |
| General Quality |
2 |
2 |
| Total |
20 |
16.5 |
Previous Tasting Notes
Bourbon
Single Malt Scotch
Bourbon
- Ancient Age. No age statement. 80 proof. $10.00
- A light colored, somewhat lighter bodied bourbon, perhaps to
the presence of wheat as the small grain. Nose has strong
alcohol notes but also a pleasant mix of citrus, cinamon, honey
and vanilla. On the palate, there are vanilla, anise, orange
peel and a touch of maple flavors. Harsh alcohol notes linger on
the moderately long finish. Try as a mixer.
- C:1.5, A:2.5, B:1.5, Fl:1.5,
S:1.5, F:1.5, GQ:1, T=10
- Basil Hayden's. 8 years old, 40 proof. $31.00
- One of Jim Beams Small-Batch Bourbon Collection, this one
uses more small grains, especially rye, than most bourbons.
Attractive light amber color. Nose of vanilla, honey, herbs,
spicy accents and hints of orange peel. Smoke, vanilla, herbal,
pine, spice and citrus notes dominate the relatively simple
palate. A little rough but with a nice finish. This one grew on
me with successive retastings but it was still a disappointment
for the price. I had planned to make this my Whisky of the Month
but it just wasn't good enough.
- C:1.5, A:2.5, B:1.5, Fl:3,
S:2.5, F:2, GQ:1.5, T=14.5
- Benchmark Premium Bourbon. No age statement. 80
proof. $11.00
- Fruity nose with alcohol and medicinal notes. Maple,
vanilla, citrus flavors dominate. Hot finish. A nice mixer.
- C:1.5, A:2.5, B:2, Fl:2,
S:1.5, F:2, GQ:1.5, T=13
- Booker's Barrel Select Bourbon, Batch No.C89-E-26. 7
years, 10 months. 125.6 Proof. $42.00
- Rich caramel nose with orange, floral, nutmeg, and maple
notes though there is no disguising the high alcohol content.
Sweet, with orange peel, caramel, brown sugar, honey-vanilla
flavors. Very smooth considering the proof. Long, long finish.
An excellent whisky that really comes alive on ice or with a
splash of water. Either will let the full flavors come out.
This is on sale in many places for $32.00.
- C:2, A:4, B:2, Fl:3, S:2,
F:2, GQ:2, T=17
- Early Times. Aged 'more than 3 years'. 80 proof.
- A nice bourbon. Not particularly complex. Pleasant nose
with vanilla and fruit notes on the finish. A nice bourbon for
mixers, ice or water but I don't recommend it neat.
- C:1, A:3, B:2, Fl:2, S:2,
F:2, GQ:2, T=14
- Heaven's Hill Old Very Rare Old. Aged 10 years. 80
proof. $9.00
- Light honey color. Fairly simple nose of vanilla, toast,
citrus, honey, and herbal notes with some alcohol apparent as
well. Hot to the taste, with mint, citrus, vanilla, maple
flavors dominating over a hint of smoke and scotch like medicinal
notes. Rough, but the finish is nice and long. Better over ice
or in mixed drinks where its sweetness comes through. Jenny
liked this more than I did, giving it 13.5 points (1 more for
flavor, and 0.5 more for color and smoothness; 0.5 less for GQ.)
- C:1, A:2, B:2, Fl:2,
S:1.5, F:2, GQ:1.5, T=12
- Jacob's Well. 84 months old, 84 proof. $17.00.
- A somewhat lighter bourbon, possibly due to the use of wheat
as the smallgrain? Slightly sweet, with honey, vanilla, and
maple flavors balanced by good oak. Nice, long finish. Try it
neat, with a splash of water or over ice. A very nice Small
Batch Bourbon.
- C:1, A:4 B:2, Fl:3, S:3,
F:3, GQ:2, T=18
- Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon. 4 years old, 80
proof. $9.00
- Sweet, toasty nose with strong honey, citrus and malty notes.
Lighter bodied. Flavors of spice, smoke, vanilla and a hint of
citrus. Somewhat rough and hot on the finish. Try it as a
mixer.
- C:1.5, A:2, B:1.5, Fl:2,
S:1.5, F:2, GQ:1, T=11.5
- Knob Creek. 9 years old, 100 proof. $24.00.
- Cinnamon, maple, caramel and butter flavors. Smooth, long
finish. A wonderful, rich nose. The finest whisky I have
ever tasted. This is a snifter whisky, don't bother with ice,
water, or mixers of any kind. Sit down by the fire, pet the dog
and reflect on how good life suddenly got.
- C:2, A:4, B:2, Fl:3.5,
S:3, F:3, GQ:2, T=19.5
- Maker's Mark. (Aged 4 years?) 90 proof. $14.00.
- Vanilla, brown sugar and maple flavors with an underlying
touch of smoke. Jenny said this tastes like a campfire and I
could see what she meant. Smooth, long finish. Lighter body
than the Knob Creek but not unexpected in a wheated bourbon.
This would be very good with a splash of water or an ice cube or
two. Not too bad as sippin' whiskey neat either.
- C:2, A:3, B:2, Fl:2, S:3,
F:3, GQ:2, T=17
- Old Crow. No age statement. 80 proof. $8.00
- Simple nose with typical vanilla, caramelized sugar, honey
scents with strong alcohol notes. Medium body with the flavors
reflecting the nose although it adds a slight touch of tobacco
and citrus. Hot, short finish and very lacking in smoothness.
Use this one for an everyday mixer. Jenny's scores generally
agreed with mine though she gave it an additional point on the
finish and took off 1/2 point on GQ.
- C:1, A:2, B:1.5, Fl:1,
S:1, F:1, GQ:1, T=9.5
- Old Forester. 4 years old. 90 proof. $3.50 (175ml.)
- Nose of vanilla and caramelized sugar with a hint of citrus.
Caramel, butter, and fruity-vanilla flavors with a hint of smoke,
spice, and herbal/medicinal notes. Not particularly smooth.
Finish is long, warm and rich with spice and oak returning. Not
very good for drinking neat but good with ice or water. An
excellent mixer.
- C:2, A:2, B:2, Fl:2, S:1,
F:2, GQ:2, T=13
- Old Taylor. 6 years old, 80 proof. $10.00
- Lovely dark amber color. Vanilla, orange peel, and spice
nose with notes of honey. Simple flavors of caramel and vanilla.
Finish is long but hot with some smoke coming at the end. OK
mixer but nothing spectacular.
- C:2, A:2.5, B:2, Fl:2,
S:2, F:2, GQ:1, T=13.5
- Rebel Yell. No age statement. 80 proof. $12.00
- Very dark color for a wheated bourbon. Nose is loaded with
honey, floral, caramel/vanilla, orange peel and spice notes with
a touch of pine? The mouth is full of honey, smoke,
maple/vanilla and touches of citrus and herbs. Nice finish. A
superior mixer and not to bad with some ice and/or water.
- C:2, A:2.5, B:2, Fl:2.5,
S:2.5, F:2, GQ:1.5, T=15
- Ten High. 4 years old. 80 proof.
- Simple but pleasant nose of vanilla, oak, and caramel. There
are floral, honey, vanilla and caramel flavors here along with a
hint of spice. Finish is a little rough and you can feel the
alcohol on the throat. Very good as a mixer but not neat.
- C:1, A:2, B:1, Fl:2, S:2,
F:2, GQ:1, T=11
- Walker's Deluxe. 80 proof. $3.39 (375 ml.)
- Simple vanilla, rose petal and caramel nose with alcohol
notes. Light bodied, no dominant flavors but some smoke,
vanilla, honey, and herbs. Long but hot finish. A nice mixer
but nothing special.
- C:2, A:2, B:1, Fl:2, S:2,
F:2, GQ:1, T=12
- Wild Turkey. 80 proof.
- Nice nose of vanilla, cinnamon and orange peel. Hot finish
with the flavors weaker than the nose. Thin bodied but with a nice
finish, the citrus comes back. A nice bourbon for mixers, but I
don't recommend it neat. Retasted and notes revised on 10/10/98.
- C:2, A:3, B:1, Fl:2, S:2,
F:2, GQ:1, T=13
Single Malt Scotch
- The Balvenie Doublewood. Aged 12 years. 43% Volume.
Highlands: Speyside. $37.00
- Vanilla and sherry are strong on the nose with some honey,
smoke, herbal, and alcohol notes. Flavors of honey, smoke,
vanilla, spice, sherry, orange peel and herbs. Nice, long warm
finish. A little rough, but just a little!
- C:2, A:3, B:2, Fl:3,
S:2.5, F:3, GQ:2, T=17.5
- Cragganmore. 12 years old, 40% vol.
Highlands:Speyside; $36.00.
- Lovely complex nose with vanilla, oak, floral, and herbal
notes. Very complex flavors with floral, herbal, vanilla, smoke,
layers complemented by a lot of oak. There is a strong medicinal
streak here that I didn't care for but Jenny loved. The finish
is very long and smooth with those smokey, floral and oak notes
returning. (Jenny gave it 18 or 19, giving it perfect scores for
everything but smoothness-2pts, and perhaps flavor 3 or 4
points.)
- C:1, A:4, B:1, Fl:3, S:2,
F:2, GQ:2, T=16
- The Glenlivet. 12 years old, 40% vol.
Highlands:Speyside; $28.00.
- Nose of caramel, vanilla and burnt butter. Nice vanilla and
sherry flavors with a hint of cinnamon. Nice warm finish. Light
body.
- C:2, A:4, B:1, Fl:2, S:2,
F:3, GQ:2, T=16
- Highland Park. Aged 12 years. 43% Volume.
Orkney Islands. $35.00
- Nice color. Very smoky on the nose with caramel, honey, peat
and oak notes. Very smooth with smoke, peat, spice, a bit of
salt, honey-maple and medicinal notes. Nice finish.
- C:2, A:3, B:2, Fl:3,
S:2.5, F:2, GQ:2, T=16.5
- Lagavulin. Aged 16 years. 43% Volume.
Orkney Islands. $49.00
- My favorite scotch yet. Salty, herbal nose, with heather,
smoke and woody notes. Smokiness dominates the palate with a
salty edge to the floral, peat, cardamon, and strong herbaceous
flavors. Long sweet and smoky finish. Delicious!
- C:2, A:3, B:2, Fl:3,
S:3, F:2.5, GQ:2, T=17.5
- Talisker. 10 years old, 45.8% Volume. Isle of Skye.
$31.00
- Nose of smoke, brine, peat and vanilla. Rough for a scotch.
The palate is smokey peat, salt, pine and an odd chemical note.
Nice long finish with hints of citrus and smoke. Disappointing
to me although Jenny liked it better than I did, giving it 15
points.
- C:1.5, A:2, B:2, Fl:1.5,
S:1.5, F:3, GQ:1.5, T=13
A list of American Bourbons
It is my hope to make this list as complete as possible.
This kind of information is much harder to come by than for the
more trendy Single Malt Scotchs. This list is partly adapted
from G. Regan's Book of Bourbon and where there is an
overall rating, it is my interpretation of his description.
Those from other sources may not have a rating but will have as
soon as I taste it! For my purposes, 4=snifter quality, 3=neat
or with ice
or a splash of water, 2=a better mixer, 1=average, everyday
quality. These ratings are obviously different than the
evaluations
I use in my tasting notes.
Price, where there is one, is what I have found locally for
750ml. bottles. I am not searching very systematically yet for
that information. Age is supplied as 4 years where it is not
indicated on the bottle. This is part of the definition of
bourbon and should be considered a minimum age.
- A.H. Hirsch
- Pot Stilled Sour Mash Straight Bourbon 20 yrs.
- 91 proof. $ OA-Rating:4
- A.H. Hirsch
- Reserve Pot Stilled Sour Mash Straight Bourbon 16 yrs.
- 91 proof. $ OA-Rating:4
- Ancient Age
- 4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:2
- Ancient Age
- Ancient 10 yrs.
- 86 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Ancient Age
- Ancient4 yrs.
- 90 proof.$ OA-Rating:2
- Ancient Age
- Bottled in Bond4 yrs.
- 100 proof.$ OA-Rating:2
- Baker's
- 7 yrs.
- 107 proof.$33.00OA-Rating:3
- Barclay's
- 4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:1
- Basil Hayden's
- 8 yrs.
- 80 proof.$30.00 OA-Rating:3
- Benchmark
- Premium4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$15.00 OA-Rating:1
- Benchmark
- XO Single Barrel4 yrs.
- 94 proof.$16.00 OA-Rating:3
- Blanton's Single Barrel
- 4 yrs.
- 93 proof.$45.00OA-Rating:4
- Booker's
- 6 yrs.
- 126 proof.$45.00 OA-Rating:4
- Colonel Lee
- Bottled in Bond4 yrs.
- 100 proof.$ OA-Rating:2
- Eagle Rare
- 10 yrs.
- 101 proof.$ OA-Rating:4
- Eagle Rare
- 15 yrs.
- 107 proof.$ OA-Rating:4
- Early Times
- 4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Early Times
- 4 yrs.
- 86 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Elijah Craig
- 12 yrs.
- 94 proof.$12.50 OA-Rating:3
- Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel
- 4 yrs.
- 90 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Evan Williams
- 4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:1
- Evan Williams
- 7 yrs.
- 90 proof.$8.70 OA-Rating:2
- Evan Williams
- Single Barrel Vintage9 yrs.
- 87 proof.$18.50 OA-Rating:3
- Ezra Brooks
- Kentucky Straight4 yrs.
- 90 proof.$8.90 OA-Rating:1
- Ezra Brooks
- Old Ezra Rare Old Sippin' Whiskey7 yrs.
- 101 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Four Roses
- 4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Four Roses
- Fine Old4 yrs.
- 86 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Four Roses
- Single Barrel Reserve4 yrs.
- 86 proof.$ OA-Rating:4
- Four Roses
- Super Premium4 yrs.
- 86 proof.$ OA-Rating:4
- Hancock's Reserve Single Barrel
- 4 yrs.
- 88 proof.$ OA-Rating:4
- Heaven Hill
- 4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:1
- Heaven Hill
- 10 yrs.
- 86 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Heaven Hill
- 6 yrs.
- 90 proof.$ OA-Rating:2
- Henry McKenna
- 4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:1
- I.W. Harper
- 4 yrs.
- 86 proof.$ OA-Rating:2
- I.W. Harper
- 12 yrs.
- 86 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- I.W. Harper
- 4 yrs.
- 101 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- I.W. Harper
- Gold Medal 15 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- I.W. Harper
- President's Reserve 15 yrs.
- 86 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- J.T.S. Brown
- 4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:1
- J.W. Dant
- 4 yrs.
- 100 proof.$ OA-Rating:1
- Jacob's Well
- 7 yrs.
- 84 proof.$17.00 OA-Rating:3
- James E. Pepper
- 4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:1
- Jim Beam
- 4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$9.30 OA-Rating:1
- Jim Beam
- 5 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:2
- Jim Beam
- 8 yrs.
- 90 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Kentucky Gentleman
- 4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:1
- Kentucky Gentleman
- 6 yrs.
- 86 proof.$ OA-Rating:1
- Kentucky Gentleman
- Bottled in Bond4 yrs.
- 100 proof.$ OA-Rating:1
- Kentucky Tavern Bourbon Whiskey
- 4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:1
- Kentucky Tavern Bourbon Whiskey
- Bottled in Bond4 yrs.
- 100 proof.$ OA-Rating:2
- Knob Creek
- 9 yrs.
- 100 proof.$ 25.00 OA-Rating:4
- Maker's Mark
- 4 yrs.
- 90 proof.$15.00 OA-Rating:3
- Maker's Mark
- Limited Edition4 yrs.
- 101 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Maker's Mark
- Select4 yrs.
- 95 proof.$ OA-Rating:4
- Mattingly & Moore
- 4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:2
- Old Charter
- 8 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Old Charter
- 10 yrs.
- 86 proof.$ OA-Rating:4
- Old Charter
- 12 yrs.
- 90 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Old Charter
- Proprietor's Reserve 90 yrs.
- 13 proof.$ OA-Rating:4
- Old Crow
- 4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$7.30 OA-Rating:3
- Old Fitsgerald
- 4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Old Fitsgerald
- 18498 yrs.
- 90 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Old Fitsgerald
- Bottled in Bond4 yrs.
- 100 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Old Fitsgerald
- Very Special 12 yrs.
- 90 proof.$ OA-Rating:4
- Old Forester
- 4 yrs.
- 86 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Old Forester
- Bottled in Bond4 yrs.
- 100 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Old Grand-Dad
- 4 yrs.
- 86 proof.$12.40 OA-Rating:2
- Old Grand-Dad
- 114 Barrel Proof4 yrs.
- 114 proof.$ OA-Rating:4
- Old Grand-Dad
- Bottled in Bond4 yrs.
- 100 proof.$ OA-Rating:1
- Old Taylor
- 6 yrs.
- 86 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Old Williamsburg
- No. 20 Kentucky Straight Bourbon 36 months old3 yrs.
- 101 proof.$ OA-Rating:1
- Rebel Yell
- 4 yrs.
- 90 proof.$11.50 OA-Rating:3
- Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel
- Bottled in Bond4 yrs.
- 100 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Ten High
- 4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:1
- Tom Moore
- 4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:2
- Tom Moore
- Bottled in Bond4 yrs.
- 100 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Van Winkle
- Old Rip Van Winkle Kentucky Straight 10 summers old 10 yrs.
- 107 proof.$ OA-Rating:4
- Van Winkle
- Special Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon 20 yrs.
- 90 proof.$ OA-Rating:4
- Very Old Barton
- 6 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:1
- Very Old Barton
- 6 yrs.
- 86 proof.$ OA-Rating:1
- Very Old Barton
- 6 yrs.
- 90 proof.$ OA-Rating:1
- Very Old Barton
- Bottled in Bond4 yrs.
- 100 proof.$ OA-Rating:1
- Virginia Gentleman]
- 4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:4
- W.L. Weller
- Old Weller Antique 7 summers old7 yrs.
- 107 proof.$ OA-Rating:4
- W.L. Weller
- Special Reserve7 yrs.
- 90 proof.$ OA-Rating:4
- Walker's DeLuxe
- Straight4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$ OA-Rating:1
- Wild Turkey
- 4 yrs.
- 80 proof.$15.90 OA-Rating:3
- Wild Turkey
- 12 yrs.
- 101 proof.$ OA-Rating:4
- Wild Turkey
- Old Number 8 Brand4 yrs.
- 101 proof.$ OA-Rating:3
- Wild Turkey
- Rare Breed, Barrel Proof4 yrs.
- 110 proof.$25.00 OA-Rating:3
- Wild Turkey
- Single Barrel Bourbon4 yrs.
- 101 proof.$ OA-Rating:4
- Yellowstone
- Kentucky Straight Bourbon4 yrs.
- 90 proof.$ OA-Rating:1
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