5 | Spirits | Whiskey | Page 5

The Age Your Own™ Whiskey Kit includes two 750 ml bottles of 110 proof White Dog un-aged whiskey, a 2 liter aging barrel, pouring funnel, two tasting glasses, and step-by-step instructions. Because of the small barrel size, the aging process is significantly accelerated with nicely aged whiskey available in 3-6 months (you be the judge!). Aging barrel can be refilled and reused 5+ times.

"Pleasant on the nose, sweet, toasty oak nose with caramel overtones... Tastes rich and creamy with seared-oak flavors; caramel and vanilla notes linger on the front of the palate, but it is still soft enough to hold on the tongue even at 94 proof, with a big mouth-watering oaky finish. Long with a little spice, staying forward on the palate without the bitter bite found in older whiskies."

"The first couple of sniffings detect attractive, dry scents of leather and black pepper; aeration encourages sweeter, woodier aromas to emerge. The palate entry is sap- and pine-like and moderately sweet; at midpalate a flash of cocoa appears, then recedes for additions of sweet oak, vanilla, palm oil and sap. Finishes lean, moderately sweet, grainy/corny and very appealing. Best Buy." 85-89 pts.

"Sweet toffee, roasted nut, and brown spice aromas are inviting. A silky entry leads to a very supple, dryish medium-to-full body of rich caramelized nut and creme brulee flavors. Finishes with a long, warming fade of dark caramel, stony minerality, and tingling peppery spice. A wonderfully delicious and dangerously drinkable whisky with instant appeal to lovers of fine bourbon."

"Sexy aromas of dark chocolate, dried cherries, and roasted nuts. A vibrant supple entry leads to a fruity-yet-dry medium-full body of rich toffee, nut, and dried cherry and golden raisin flavors with a long, hearty and sweet finish. Wonderful rich flavor and a lingering, warming finish."

"Golden amber color. Sweet peach blossom, clover honey, anise, and light peat aromas. A rich, vibrant entry leads to a very supple medium-to full-bodied palate with sweet dried stone fruit, toffee, honeyed toast, and exotic peppercorn flavors. Finishes with a long sweet fade of toffee and spice. Delicious and rich."

"Initial aroma is acutely spicy, cereal-grain sweet and a touch citrusy; following aeration the aroma takes flight as fruity/resiny scents enchant the olfactory sense. The flavor at entry is laser beam-focused, snug and concentrated; at midpalate, the flavor profile goes deeply cereal-like, almost honeyed, Sherried and intense. Concludes a tad fiery (it’s 101-proof, don’t forget), zesty, toffee sweet and nougat-like." 90-95 pts.

"A lovely, sophisticated bourbon bouquet comprising fruity, cornmeal aromas which are followed by a red fruit scent, all underpinned by an oaky vanilla quality. Entry is reserved, gently sweet and toffee-like; the midpalate features succulent tastes of light caramel, honeywheat bread, caramel corn and toasted almond. Concludes fruity and corny. The best value American whiskey in the marketplace." Best Buy. 85-89 pts.