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Writer's pictureNick Anderson

Mayor Pingree Blind Flight Head to Head

Updated: Jul 10, 2021



One of my favorite humans on earth @_lostnemo_ has sent me some fantastic @mayorpingreewhiskey samples from @valentinedistillingco for review. I've been meaning to try these releases for so long, but I don't have access to them very readily in MA. I blinded all these samples so I wouldn't know which was which during my review. I identified them all correctly and have simply listed the post-reveal bottles for clarity below.


 

Mayor Pingree 6 Year Red Label

Company on Label: Valentine Distilling

Whiskey Type: Bourbon

Mash Bill Percentages: A MGP mash bill

Proof: 124°

Age: 6 years

Further identification: Mug & Jug store pick; Cask No IND-71; Date 01.20.21; NCF


Mayor Pingree 5 Year Red Label Single Barrel

Company on Label: Valentine Distilling

Whiskey Type: Bourbon

Mash Bill Percentages: Valentine Blend (?)

Proof: 120.2°

Age: 5 years

Further identification: Rainbow Liquor store pick; NCF


Mayor Pingree 13 Year Black Label

Company on Label: Valentine Distilling

Whiskey Type: Bourbon

Mash Bill Percentages: MGP Blend

Proof: 123°

Age: 13 years

Further identification: Barrel No 5


Mayor Pingree Red Label Small Batch

Company on Label: Valentine Distilling

Whiskey Type: Bourbon

Mash Bill Percentages: Valentine Blend

Proof: 94°

Age: 4 years

Further identification: Batch 010, NCF


 

13 Year Black Label Nose:

- Mmm plum sweetness

- Caramel

- Pepper

- Leather

- Thick molasses

- Spice in dry vanilla

- Hint of very light pipe tobacco

- Almost a buttery popped corn shell or kernel

- Most complex


13 Year Black Label Palate:

- Dark spice

- Wow so rich

- Tastes oldest

- Wine soaked dark red oak

- Powerful on a chew

- Super thick plum, raisin and dark cherry

- Biggest proof exposure


 

5 Year Red Label Single Barrel Nose:

- Dusty and light

- Pine bark

- Herbal / spice

- Something oily

- Younger oak

- Copper metallic

- Lovely vanilla late


5 Year Red Label Single Barrel Palate:

- Thin citrus

- Bombs into a spicy pop

- Caramel/molasses forward

- Long mouth coating/linger

- Spicy and zesty

- Intense sweetness is dark stone fruits late


 

6 Year Red Label Nose:

- Musty vanilla

- Smooth oak

- Dusty citrus

- Chocolate

- Thin marshmallow

- Slightly tannic

- Evolved into a rich delicious marshmallow momentarily

- Devolved into young, fresh saw dust


6 Year Red Label Palate:

- Syrupy, oak forward

- Musty aspect of vanilla still present

- Herbal funk all across tongue

- Long linger of herbal spice

- Thick vanilla char

- Creamy red wine grape pool

- Late turns too tannic


 

Small Batch 010 Nose:

- Citrus

- Faint white pepper

- Light dill

- Herbal

- Almost floral

- Touch of copper

- Tough proof imbalance leaves this outclassed


Small Batch 010 Palate:

- Very thin at start, no mouth coating

- Slight cherry swings in late

- Late dry molasses mouth coating forms

- Rising lemon zest tumbles through the mouth & nose; most surprising improvement

- Finish/mouth coating is almost impossible to shake

- Low proof is actually kind of a nice break in this line


 

Final Ranking: Black 13 Year > Red 5 Year Pick > Red 6 Year Pick > Red Label Batch 010



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