The Bourbon Addict

Maybe it is blasphemous, but I think I like the standard Evan Williams as much as the Single Barrell version. But I do have to say, in this addict’s eyes, the tastes are very very similar. In fact, I would have to say that, unlike Jack Daniels, the single barrel version doesn’t hold much more than a steeper price tag over the blended, standard version. Both are light on the ‘charcoal’ flavor in bourbon that I really like. I think the difference is that the single barrel version has a somewhat lighter footprint on the tongue, which, for some, makes for a smoother overall drink. I will give them both the same rating, although the single barrel should rate less as it costs more.

To each their own, those are my thoughts.
~KM

Evan Williams is a rather pleasand Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey. History has it that Evan was a Welshman who came to the states in 1780 and started making whiskey as a way to use all of his grains and easily transport it to market. I gotta say, the stuff is pretty good. It has both a rich, mouth filling flavor like Jack but also the thin, front of the tongue flavor like a scotch whiskey. In all I think it hits like  a well defined blend. And by that I mean that a blend will flow all over your tongue, well E.W. does that but it hits a few specific targets on your tongue as apposerd to slathering the whole thing. Very fullfilling whiskey.  It is actually as good as the Single Barrel, which I  stil have some of and will hafta post on the contrast between the two. Soon. Maybe after a few more drinks but most likely on another day.

Cheers all.

~KM

I thought I would venture out towards the middle of the shelf this time. My bud’s birthday is coming up so I got him some Knob Creek, more about that in a later post. Onto the George Dickel. First thing first, its a screw-top bottle, but don’t let that stop ya. Unlike a bourbon, George Dickel Original Tennessee Finest Quality Sippin’ Whisky hits your tongue lightly, or thinly, as the case may be, like a fine scotch. Note I said hits your tongue like a fine scotch not that it tastes like a fine scotch, after all there is a huge, huige difference between the two. IN fact, if served on the rocks, this stuff actually smoothes out like something off the top shelf. Honestly. In fact, this is some top notch sippin’ whisky if I do say so myself. Yum. Well, I got some drinkin’ to do, wait, coprtrectioon, I got some sippin’ to do.
~KM

This is an old standard of whiskeys. While its not technically a bourbon, many people will call it such. Nonetheless, J.D. is a true American Standard of whikeys. J.D. is characterised by a strong, robust flavor, perhaps too much for many. After taking the distillery tour a few years back, I would attribute this flavor to the barrel. And such a great flavor it is. I love the strong, strong flavor of bourbons and whiskeys. J.D. is typically 80 proof and around $20 for a fifth gallon. As I sit here and polish of this bottle, I can say that, even though, J.D. hasa strong, flavor and robust character on all areas on your whole pallet, it’s good to the last drop. I think every bar should have at least one bottle on hand. I would say its a solid 3 on the five shot scale =)
~KM

Firstly, this is a very nice bottle (ignoring the cheesy pewter cap). It is 93 proof. And damn this stuff is smooth. Just melts in your mouth. This one settles about midway on the roof of your mouth. You can hardly tell its not 80 proof. So very smooth. My buddy bought it for me, and all he would say is that it is a few bucks less than Bookers, which is almost $50, so its safe to say Blanton’s is about $40 a bottle. Great value in this, you really can’t go wrong. A nice addition to my collection. Better than a solid 4, this one gets a 4.5 on the five shot scale.
~KM

Russel’s Reserve is a good bourbon. Its made by the same guys who distill Wild Turkey. And you can tell. Wild Turkey will be reviewed at a later date. It is a small batch bourbon and aged ten years. They even left it at 90 proof for us. It is really mellow. With justa bit on your tongue, like licking a bitm you woudl think that it IS Wild Turkey, but it is not. WT has a very very “barrel” taste. While RR has a nice barrel flavor very reminiscent of WT, its like a Wild Turkey Light. In fact, that is exacltly what it is, WT Light. If you like Basil Haydens or Woodfords, you will like this. Imagine if Wild Tukey took a page off of Basil Haydens, the page that has it staying light on your tongue. Yea. Smooth. One of the few bourbons that could be had for breakfast. IN all, I have to give it a 4 Shot rating (out of 5)
~KM