Whiskey Reviews
Perhaps my taste is connected to my mind's eye. I taste whiskey in the images that emerge from each sip, and good sip can transport and inspire. What does each glass make me or you? I'm not a taste describer. Can't be. Call my imagery for what it is: an adventure of sorts.
Whiskey is my great affair, a timeless lady shared by such men as US Grant, Winston Churhill and William Faulkner, and our fathers and their fathers. I had my wife, and a few special women, and I loved them, but whiskey is the queen of all mistresses, communed by all, living and past. Each glass is a shared glass of history, a chance at reflection, and a maker of warmth. To enjoy a fine whiskey is to follow the same road as those have travelled it before, and have not travelled it yet.
Travel smartly as you follow this shrouded mistress of spirit. Flowing, and refracting, sharp and yet graceful, this goddess leads you down the same distilled trail that our forbears once did. Whiskey is a powerful thing. I recommend you start with these favorites of mine. The rewards will not disappoint a man of proper upbringing and good character.
It is Knob Creek that makes distillers think long indeed about taking on the American south when it comes to bourbon. There is no sense to such a challenge. Aged nine years, Knobb Creek has a nice smokey flavor that brings character to the senses. How good is Knob Creek? If the Revolution were fought and won again today, Kentucky would be the American capital. |
Maker's Mark is rich, smooth and goes easy over ice, with a fine meal of any sort. A whiskey as perfect as this brings a religious responsibility. There is no doubt the Lord God will smite you if you mix this with anything more than a dash of water. |
If you are to share one drink of refinement with your father, this is surely it. Macallan is the badge of refinement and distinction. There is a sharp rebuff to the unitiated. It serves to remind that the gray among us is to sometimes be savored for the experience it is. This classic scotch has become renowned for good cause. Now you might call us scoundrels for recommending an import after making so much noise of them, but this single malt scotch is so good that I do not care. |
This bottle is not to be trifled with lightly. Laphroaig is a peaty thing, and that can put some off. Images consume you with each taste. Those who brave this Claymore of a whisky will find the adventure only makes them both more manly and refined. With every glass Laphroaig shouts: "Behold, I am King of Scotches". "Yes", I say, "You are." |
One might examine all the logos, recipes, t-shirts, sponsored bands, and blacked out hungover days of youth, and be tempted to move along. But yall come back 'round to Tennessee, and sit a spell with Old No 7. Underneath all the hype is a pretty damned good whiskey. Have a glass like a gentleman, and do as I: Hand your wife the keys and man up. This will not be your last glass, this evening. |
You might look at the price and assume this whiskey inferior. You would be missing out. Smooth, with a slightly sweet note to it, this sleeper whiskey is surprisingly good, whether you are budget constrained or not. |
You might almost call this the American response to Laphroaig. This is no mess in a glass. This is a symphony. How does Elijah Craig make me feel? Like a frontiersman in the 18th century returning to the fire. Like seeing the stars with my son. This is the quintessential patriot's whiskey, offering so many images. I cannot count them all. Butterscotch! Elijah Craig is one of the greatest whiskeys ever made. |
Hot, mischievous and smooth. Blanton goes down smooth and warms you up right away. Some old Hondo might ask: "Hey Stork, did you like that?" before adding, "I pissed in it!" I sit down my glass and ask back: "geez Hondo, what did you drink, because this is a great!" Blanton is a modern song: riding off in the back of my friend's GTO, spinning in the snow. I feel 19 again. Good stuff. |
A Premium Old Grand-Dad? "You have got to be kidding me!", I thought, when I first saw the bottle. When I first started drinking, Old Grand-Dad was right up there with mullets and Meatloaf to signify white trash. Yet, there I was in the liquor store, and the 91 rating by Wine Enthusiast was undeniable. So, I bought the bottle. Well, I'm delighted to report that Old Grand-Dad 114 is amazing. It's silky smooth and sensual, has a touch of smoke to it, just enough to make you want to light up and build a fire. White trash? Heck, I might need to grow a mullet and pick a driver, after all, because Old Grand-Dad 114 is Paradise by the Dashboard Lights - "Ain't No Doubt About It"! |
Paddleford Creek 
Packaged as a more premium whiskey, Paddleford Creek is noticibly clear - almost too clear for a whiskey. I bought a bottle of it, noting the good reviews and the awards, and drank it, as I drink them all, but I found it rather uninspiring. Paddleford Creek is too smooth, too clear, and for someone who occasionally likes Laphroig, just too filtered. Somebody gave this coal filtered whisky 89 points. It wasn't me. I need more adventure in a glass than this. |
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Woodford Reserve 
Woodford Reserve is a whiskey that has its fanatics, arguing this bottle belongs on the top shelf along with the likes of Maker's Mark. I'm not one of them. It's a good bottle of whiskey, for sure. But I had to look up the name of it, after I drank it, and that pretty much sums it up. Woodford Reserve is a solid whiskey and I was thankful for it, for sure, after the disappointing Paddleford Creek, but after I had a glass of The MacAllan, I knew I wanted something more. |
Hancock Reserve 
I might have actually passed this bottle by had it not been recommended to me by a manager at Total Wine and Spirits. I am so glad I took him up on that. Hancock Reserve is a keeper and can take its place right up there with the likes of Knob Creek. It's got a tremendous warming note and just feels good on the palette, with a bit of smokey, honey taste. I had a glass or two watching Pirates of the Carribean and the next thing you know I thought I was Jack Sparrow. Yeah, I got myself into some trouble with this one. You should too. |
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Old Heaven Hill 
Old Heaven Hill, not particularly specially aged, less than $9 a bottle in my parts. It says "Bottled in Bond" on the bottle, and on that bit of clever marketing, I just had to give it a go. What a pleasant surprise! Old Heaven Hill stacks up pretty well against more expensive whiskeys, so well that Jim Beam and Jack Daniels both should be worried. This isn't the kind of price that fools you. Everyone has a go-to beverage when times are tough and wallets are tight, and Old Heaven Hill, right now, is mine. Give it a try. It's good, over ice. |
Old Crow Reserve 
Old Crow "laugh" reserve? "laugh"... Oh, just you wait. I couldn't stop laughing thinking that I had just paid a premium price for well, Old Crow. Seriously, the basic Old Crow is the basic fuel of coping when your paycheck bounced and all you have is change. This Old Crow Reserve, on the other hand, is remarkably smooth and full of character. It's a good little whiskey, that Old Crow Reserve. Just try to keep a straight face when you buy it. Then again, maybe that's part of the fun of it. |
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Bookers 
I'd never heard of it until a chef on Facebook recommended it to me. On the more expensive side, pushing $50 a bottle in some parts, Bookers is dressed to perfection, complete with a well decorated bottle and an actual wooden box with a sliding clear front. Rest assured though that this bourbon matches its looks with taste and function. If you've got the money to blow, this bottle of bourbon is presently at the top of my list for when money is no object and the quest is American whiskey. For me, Bookers is the best. |