The Whiskey Journals
You gotta love Buffalo Trace. A fine Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. Smooth on the pallet and a wonderful finish. The following text was taken from Wikipedia. "Buffalo Trace Distillery is a distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, that is owned by the Sazerac Company.[2] It has historically been known by several names, including the George T. Stagg Distillery and the Old Fashioned Copper (O.F.C.) Distillery.[3] Its namesake bourbon brand, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey, was introduced in August 1999. The company claims the distillery is the oldest continuously-operating distillery in the United States. The company says the name "Buffalo Trace" refers to an ancient buffalo crossing on the banks of the Kentucky River in Franklin County, Kentucky. The Sazerac Company purchased the distillery in 1992. Under its old name, George T. Stagg Distillery, the property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 2, 2001, and designated a National Historic Landmark on March 11, 2013." This information was from Wikipedia. https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/ About $30 and you can't get much better for that price.
Uncle Nearest 1856 ~ 100 proof ~ 4 / 5
Sweet initial taste and smooth. Warm to almost hot going down leaving a nice tingle on the tongue. Definitely a full mouth experience. The finish leaves you wanting one more taste. The following text is borrowed from Wikipedia. "Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is a brand of Tennessee whiskey produced by Uncle Nearest, Inc., headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The whiskey is named after the formerly enslaved man, Nathaniel "Nearest" Green, who taught a young Jack Daniel the craft of distilling.[1] The brand's producer is Uncle Nearest, Inc., headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The company currently markets product from other distillers under the Uncle Nearest brand name but has announced a plan to open its own distillery.[2] As of 2019, four brand variants have been produced: Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey, Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Silver Whiskey, Uncle Nearest 1820 Premium Aged Whiskey (Nearest Green Single Barrel Edition), and Nathan Green 1870 Single Barrel (UK)." About $50
Willett Pot Still Reserve ~ 94 proof ~ 5 / 5
Small Batch bourbon made in Kentucky. Batch No. 20045 Notes: This is possibly the smoothest bourbon I've ever tasted. From the first sip as it glides smoothly over the tongue and all the way through its journey including the finish, this is delicious. I felt like I should be dressed up and sitting in nice surroundings listening to some great jazz. The following was borrowed from Wikipedia. "Willett Distillery, also known as Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD), Ltd., is a private family-owned and -operated company that produces bourbon and rye whiskey.[4][5][6][7] Over the years the company has bottled whiskeys that range from 2 years of aging maturity up to 28 years." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willett_Distillery Around $65
Nashville Barrel ~ Small Batch Rye Whiskey 4.5 / 5
This very tasty 100 proof Rye is close to as good as it gets. Sweet, Smooth, very slight tingle on the tongue and warm going down. Exceptional and you'll want more. https://nashvillebarrelco.com/home About $60
The Bellevoye ~ A French Triple Malt ~ 80 proof ~ 5 / 5
Wow, how to describe this luxurious, wonderfully smooth, even pretty taste. Smooth and mild on the tongue with little to no tingle. Easy going down and a perfect finish. Too nice for a daily drink and probably only want to share with discriminating friends. https://bellevoye.fr/en/ Around $50
Suntory Whisky ~ Toki ~ Blended Japanese Whisky 86 proof 4.5/5
I really enjoy sipping this fine, almost scotch like whisky. It's smooth, thin on the tongue, with a decent flavor left behind. It's easy to drink this tasty malt. The following is borrowed from the Suntory website. "It's a concept rich in meaning the world over, but particularly in Japan where respect for tradition and reinvention sparks a powerful creative energy. Inspired by that interplay, Suntory Whisky Toki® brings together old and new -the House of Suntory's proud heritage and its innovative spirit- to create blended Japanese whisky that is both groundbreaking and timeless." https://whisky.suntory.com/en/na/products/toki
Kentucky Straight Rye Whisky. 100 Proof RYE. Old Forester Distilling at Louisville Kentucky. "Nothing better in the market" as it says on the label comes very close to being true if you like Kentucky straight rye whisky (no E). I love this Rye and can't imagine not having a bottle of it round for a daily sip. Not as smooth as the Willett for example but it's a Rye, and it's tasty. The following text was borrowed from Wikipedia. "In 1870, our founder George Garvin Brown revolutionized the industry by sealing Bourbon in a glass bottle for the first time. Five generations and nearly 150 years later, we are proud to introduce the first Kentucky Straight Rye Whisky from The First Bottled Bourbon™. A historic recipe, acquired in 1940 by Owsley Brown I, Old Forester Rye features a mash bill of 65% Rye, 20% Malted Barley, and 15% Corn. Such a high proportion of barley allows for a fully natural fermentation process, forgoing the need for artificial enzymes commonly found in high rye mash bills. Additionally, a generous percentage of malt yields a unique floral character, balancing the sharp, brisk spice of the rye grain. Continuing our legacy of quality and consistency, Old Forester uses its own proprietary yeast strain, produces every barrel, and distills every drop. At 100 proof, Old Forester Rye plays beautifully in a cocktail but also stands up boldly on its own. 2020 International Wine & Spirits Competition ~ GOLD" https://www.oldforester.com/products/old-forester-100-proof-rye-whisky/ About $45
HIBIKI Suntory Whisky ~ Japanese Harmony ~ 86 proof 5/5
With just the first sip of this fine blended Japanese whisky, you know you're tasting something special. This exceptionally smooth malted blend is rich and full on the tongue, lovely in the nose and smooth going down leaving a very nice finish. And likely you'll want one more taste, at least. The following text is from the Suntory website. "Kanzen" or complete, Hibiki® Whisky is a harmonious blend of innumerous malt and grain whiskies which are meticulously blended to create a full orchestra of flavors and aromas. Seductive, blossoming and enigmatic, Hibiki® Whisky celebrates an unrivaled art of blending, fine craftsmanship and a sense of luxury from the House of Suntory. Hibiki® was launched in 1989 to commemorate Suntory’s 90th anniversary, and has ever since been embraced as the paragon of The Art of Japanese Whisky, the very product of Japanese nature and her people. Hibiki® Whisky is not only Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky, but among the most prestigious and honoured whiskies in the world." https://whisky.suntory.com/en/na/products/hibiki About $100
Wheated Bourbon - Antique 107 - 107 proof. Kentucky Straight Bourbon 107 proof Weller, The original wheated bourbon. A bit on the warm to hot side for me with a distinct nose and finish. Not my favorite. Good but not one I'm likely to reach for. The following was borrowed from Wikipedia. "W. L. Weller is a brand of "wheated" bourbon whiskey. The brand was created by the Stitzel-Weller Distilling Company, and was sold several times after 1972. Since 1999, the brand has been owned by the Sazerac Company. It is produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky.[1] Like all bourbons, Weller is distilled from a mash composed of at least 51% corn (maize). The secondary grain used for the Weller brand is wheat, whereas most bourbons use rye." https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/our-brands/w-l-weller.html About $135
Old Forester 1897 ~ Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky ~ 100 proof 4/5
This big and bold flavor is just right. Sweet with tastes of vanilla, and roasted coffee, It's a full mouth experience and finishes with a big and bold taste. It's good. The following text is taken from the Old Forester website. "Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond is crafted to honor a watershed moment in bourbon history – the U.S. Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. This expression follows the Bottled in Bond standards that whisky must be aged in a federally bonded warehouse for at least four years, the product of one distillation season, one distiller and from one distillery and bottled at 100 Proof. The concept behind these regulations – the idea of ‘sealed in quality’ – was something Old Forester introduced in 1870, as America’s First Bottled Bourbon." https://www.oldforester.com/products/old-forester-1897-bottled-in-bond-whisky/ About $55