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Writer's pictureNick Anderson

Random Sampling Flight Night - Head to Head Whiskey Reviews



It's been a little while since I've done a review; I had a brief stint with a little cold and wasn't up to it. I am just getting over it and wanted to do this tasting flight as a sort of 'recalibration' of my nose and palate. Let's see if I'm ready to get back after it!


 

Heaven Hill 7 Year Bottled in Bond

Company on Label: Heaven Hill

Whiskey Type: Bourbon

Mash Bill Percentages: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley

Proof: 100°

Age: 7 years

Further identification: Purchased early 2021, this was the last pour of this bottle


Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel

Company on Label: Wild Turkey

Whiskey Type: Bourbon

Mash Bill Percentages: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley

Proof: 101°

Age: NAS (~8-9 years)

Further identification: Bottled 07/06/20 from barrel no 1516, stored in Warehouse A on Rick no 40


Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Settlers Select Rye

Company on Label: Wilderness Trail

Whiskey Type: Straight Rye Whiskey

Mash Bill Percentages: 33% Corn, 56% Rye, 11% Malted Barley

Proof: 106°

Age: 4 years

Further identification: Barrel No. 16B21U, Bottle 179 of 250; NCF stated


Eagle Rare Single Barrel Store Pick

Company on Label: Buffalo Trace

Whiskey Type: Bourbon

Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (Low Rye < 10%)

Proof: 90°

Age: 10 years

Further identification: This is a store pick from Muckey's Liquors in Lakeville


 

Heaven Hill 7 Year Bottled in Bond


Nose:

  • Salted caramel

  • Malt and vanilla

  • Floral perfume

  • Sesame seed

  • Toasted grains

  • Weathered oak


Palate:

  • Malty and earthy forward

  • Right off the bat this feels a little over oxidized

  • Copper metallics

  • Just really funky/off and nothing like what I remember about this bottle; I'm going to disqualify this pour from this tasting


 

Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit


Nose:

  • Nutty

  • Black pepper, high spice

  • Vegetal, seasoned wood

  • Funky, dry

  • Dried earth; dirt

  • Homemade peanut butter cookies (with fork-crossed texture on top)


Palate:

  • Peanut butter cookies on the palate transfers well

  • Most improved over time in this glass

  • Hints of licorice

  • Allspice is not overpowering but definitely there

  • Tannic red fruit trying to poke through but are stuck in the background


 

Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Rye


Nose:

  • Light, dusty allspice & cloves

  • Refreshing, earthy tones

  • Field of clover and grass

  • Nutty funk

  • Dried bark

  • Mediterranean spices

  • Dry, dark chocolate


Palate:

  • Woah, fresh fir boughs forward

  • Mint and very lively, earthy, green plant forward

  • Citrus zest is not overly punchy but more of a sizzle on the tongue

  • Mouth coating is biased more rearwards and carries some intense rye spice

  • Mint and lemon tea

  • Very botanical tonight; would possibly pair up well with a gin


 

Eagle Rare Single Barrel Store Pick


Nose:

  • Super cherry forward

  • Syrupy, medicinal

  • Smooth vanilla

  • Plums, toffee and leather splashing over each other

  • Dry pottery clay

  • Dusty oak

  • Candied plum; like a sweet pie filling

  • Reminds me of just getting into bourbon; a classic profile

  • Raisins late in the glass


Palate:

  • Thick, viscous, syrupy cherry forward much like the nose

  • Long linger of sweetness that fades towards plum and a bit of tannic red wine

  • Thin in intensity; shows to be a lower proof

  • Citrus zest mouth coating on subsequent sips

  • Great mouth coating and incredibly long linger of light & airy stewed fruits

  • Slight medicinal quality

  • Most consistently enjoyable profile

  • Just the right amount of sweetness for me


 

Final Ranking: Eagle Rare > Wilderness Trail > Kentucky Spirit


Heaven Hill BiB was removed from this tasting as I really let that bottle over-oxidize unfortunately. Friendly reminder to kill your low bottles!



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