Notes from the crew:
Nichole: I have enjoyed whiskey for many years, mainly drinking Jack Daniels (thanks dad) and Crown Royal. However, our tasting was strictly Kentucky whiskey, in which Jack and Crown were not included. The Kentucky whiskey I enjoyed the most was the Woodford Reserve. The scent and gentle taste of chocolate and almonds made the drink delectable. And with the long, sweet finish, this whiskey proved to have a distinct and flavorful recipe.
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Hosted by Brad and Kathy Irwin, owners of Oregon Spirit Distillers.
American Bourbon, tastings included the following:
Jim Beam Black
Founded 1795
Sold 1920 and rebuilt in 1933
Claremont, Kentucky
Color: Very Dark Golden Brown
Nose: Heavy, a little smoky, astringent, sweet corn, wood, toasted vanilla
Palate: Spicy, sweet, just like corn, very smooth, full bodied, silky, oat bran, wood
Finish: very long, spicy, hint of bitterness, caramel
Woodford Reserve
Founded 1838
Versailles, Kentucky
Nose: Restrained black chocolate. Cigar boxes. Hint of charcoal.
Palate: Very firm. Full of flavours, tightly combined. Whole almonds, marzipan. Root ginger. A touch of fresh oak, and some charcoal.
Finish: Very long. Flowery: violet.
Comment: Perhaps encouraged by the dark orange colour, the descriptors sound sweet, but the overall effect is one of flowery dryness, with great finesse.
Makers Mark
Founded 1840
Depot Kentucky
T.W. Samuels
Nose: Slightly smoky. Toasty. Maple syrup.
Palate: Creamy. Nutty. flapjack. Dryish. Clean. Smooth.
Finish: Slightly fruity, winey (Muscat). Some acidity.
Comment: This famously smooth whisky seems slightly less sweet than I remember, especially in the nose and finish . Better balanced, but perhaps fractionally less distinctive.
Evan Williams
Founded 1783
Bardstown, Kentucky
Evan Williams
Nose:Scenty. Dates. Turkish delight. Caramel.
Palate: Buttery fudge. Cocoa. Bitter chocolate.
Finish:Hint of citrus. Cedary, sappy. A good heavy char in the oak? Contrives to be soothing and appetising.
Comment:The big, malty, chocolately style that I associate with Evan Williams. A lovely, voluptuous, after-dinner bourbon. Gains from a splash of water.
