4 | Spirits | Page 4

"Pale golden amber color. Shy caramel and saddlesoap aromas. A round entry leads to an off-dry medium-bodied palate with caramel taffy, sweet creamed corn, and black pepper flavors. Finishes with a sweet caramel and pepper fade. Confected, but appealing and a good choice of margaritas."

"Off-dry malted barley and light toffee smells greet the olfactory sense along with flowery fragrances of heather, rose petal and pine. Entry features sweet grain and candied apricot tastes; the midpalate is mellow, malty, fruity (white raisins, apricots) and sophisticated. Ends on a buttery note. Remains the Speyside benchmark." 90-95 pts.

"Clear. Moderately full-bodied. Aromas of juniper, eucalyptus and spice are powerfully present. The mouthfeel reveals a rich, plush texture. A powerful style, loaded with high-toned, engaging floral aromatics and assertive fruit elements."

"The base aroma is buttered corn-on-the-cob with aeration bringing additional scents of vanilla and cinnamon. The palate entry showcases sweet breakfast cereal grain; at midpalate the corn dominates so thoroughly that you know that this could only be one of the best straight bourbons from Kentucky. Ends spirity and heated. One of America’s benchmark spirits." 90-95 pts.

"Pale golden amber color. Shy caramel and saddlesoap aromas. A round entry leads to an off-dry medium-bodied palate with caramel taffy, sweet creamed corn, and black pepper flavors. Finishes with a sweet caramel and pepper fade. Confected, but appealing and a good choice of margaritas."

"Tropical fruit, citrusy and mango-like aromas. Light, acidic and very tart at palate entry; the midpalate is refreshing, intensely juicy and almost sour. Aftertaste leans heavily on the tartness." 85-89 pts.

Selected directly from Warehouse H at the distillery, we get to choose our own barrels of Blanton's from a selection first narrowed down by Elmer T. Like Colonel Blanton himself, this whiskey is rich in character, depth, and elegance. A true classic is what we try to pick, one barrel at a time.

"The nosing finds dry grainy notes with background scents of dried flowers and parchment, and deeper fragrances of light toffee, almond paste and yellow fruit. Entry is oily, buttery and semisweet; the whisky dazzles at midpalate with layered flavors of brown butter, cooking oil, barley malt and oatmeal cookie underpinned by the single malt foundation. Concludes smoky, satiny and ultra-sophisticated." 90-95 pts.

"Bright golden amber color. Aromas of baked bananas, praline, and polished wood follow through on a soft entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with pepper, metal ore, and lacquer notes. Finishes with a lightly spiky pepper and earth fade." Bronze Medal.

"A leafy spearmint perfume leaps from the glass in the nosing stages. The palate entry is refreshingly minty, creamy and mildly chocolaty; the midpalate features the mint/chocolate flavoring without eclipsing the cream and the spice. Finishes gracefully, silkily and smooth." 90-95 pts.