logo

My Handcrafted Opinions on Whiskies, Distilleries and Other Related Stuff

Most Recent Whisky

Most Recent Whisky Review

Maker's Mark Private Select

This was picked by Mike Raymond of Houston's Reserve 101 as their 10th anniversary bottling. As the regular readers (both of them) know by now I love Maker's Mark, I love Houston, I love Reserve101 and I have very strong feelings for Mike.  But for some reason this one did not quite work for me, but give it a try as it might for you.   The nose is oaky with some fruity wine notes as well.  Sopem heat from the 55.65% ABV along with calssic vanilla, corn and cola notes.  The taste is hot and a little sharp at first with some black cherry, dark chocolate, jalepeno, burnt caramel and oak char.  The finish is pepper and even a little sour.  With water it gets creamier with some brown sugar and more vanilla. It definately needs a little water (or ice or time) to open it up.

Read More
  • Wednesday, 16 May 2012 15:42

    The Least Worst Musings So Far....

    Written by
    The Least Worst Musings So Far....

    I am leaving on a short trip to Kentucky while enjoying a short break from work (and my blog) and planning the next stage of my whisky adventures including starting to host tastings in Houston and adding a Whisky History Timeline to this webpage.  However I thought I would post some links to some of what I think are my better efforts of last year or so until I get back with lots of new whiskey and distillery reviews.

     

    Return of the Dinosaurs?

    http://www.somanywhiskies.com/blog/item/71-return-of-the-dinosaurs?

     

    What's the Color of Whisky?

    http://www.somanywhiskies.com/blog/item/116-whats-the-color-of-whisky?

     

    A Whisky Bubble May Be Out There

    http://www.somanywhiskies.com/blog/item/127-a-whisky-bubble-maybe-out-there

     

    Whisky Tasting Grades: Are You A Black Belt?

    http://www.somanywhiskies.com/blog/item/186-whisky-tasting-grades-are-you-a-black-belt?

     

    Cowboy Whiskey: Gimme a shot of rye

    http://www.somanywhiskies.com/blog/item/255-cowboy-whiskey-gimme-a-shot-of-rye

     

    Deanston and the Power of Suggestion

    http://www.somanywhiskies.com/blog/item/257-deanston-and-the-power-of-suggestion

     

    Location, Location, Location

    http://www.somanywhiskies.com/blog/item/233-just-like-real-estate-sometimes-whisky-is-about-location-location-location

     

     

     

     

     

    More in this category: « Blended Malts: The Whole Can Be Greater Than the Sum of The Parts The Kentucky Bourbon Trail... Pt 1 »

    Leave a comment

    Make sure you enter all the required information, indicated by an asterisk (*). HTML code is not allowed.

    back to top

    Whiskies Tried...

    Total to Date: 654

    Distilleries

    Visited to Date: 58

    Follow Me on Twitter!

    Random Whisky

    Hammer Head 1989 Vintage

    This is one you don't see everyday (unless you work at Aberdeen airport Duty Free shop).  A 21 year old single malt whisky from the Czech Republic.  I found the nose quiet citrus and fragrant, a little bit like a fresh baked lemon sponge.  The taste has a creamy mouthfeel, with milk chocolate and with a little time opens up to reveal a more nutty, biscuit note.  The finish is light, with some floral notes and fresh wood, like sawdust. With water the oak is more evident.  Overall pretty good, I was quite prepared to not like this one as a bit gimmicky, but it is good and at under $60 / bottle for a 21 year old single malt it is very good value too.