4th July American Whiskey @TweetTastings

What better way to celebrate the 4th July than with a set of American Whiskies and that's exactly what I received through the post from @TheWhiskyWire for his latest @TweetTastings!

This is a @DrinksByTheDram box from @MaverickDrinks including @BalconesWhisky @BoutiqueyWhisky @fewspirits and @nydistilling

On the night all the bottles were poured - the room smelt like an American distillery - loads of vanilla and toffee notes - but let's see what each individual dram was like!

First up was Balcones Distilling Baby Blue Corn Spirit (46%)

My thought: Dark tarnished gold in glass, swirls give a tiny line developing into small slow legs. Initial nose: Real Vanilla Ice cream

Nose: Loads of vanilla and maple syrup, cold porridge, some citrus and tropical fruit notes.

Palate: Thick buttery arrival, popcorn covered in maple syrup, lemon and charred pineapple notes before a lovely spicy ginger takes over. Slightly drying - yummy!

Finish: A balanced sweet and sour finish with the spices from the palate lingering.

Other tweeters thoughts:

 

 

Next was FEW Spirits Bourbon (46.5%)

My thought: Dark tarnished gold in glass, swirls give a tiny line developing into small slow legs.
Initial nose: Baked Apple Pie

Nose: Spicy apples, vanilla ice cream, a little smoke, a little rye like too - aniseed and cinnamon spice.

Palate: Big peppermint notes dominate an oily arrival. Sharp citrus notes and again that hint of rye notes - spicey.

Finish: Very warming - spice dominates with some apple notes.

Other tweeters thoughts:

Third was TBWC James E. Pepper 3yo Batch 1 Oloroso Finish (50%)

My thought: Dark tarnished gold in glass, swirls give a tiny line developing into slow thick legs.
Initial nose: Weird... hints of strawberry and bbq steak with a spicy edge.

Nose: This one is quiet complex and take a while to get your nose around! Strawberries jam jumps out - from the sherry cask finish but there's also some bbq meat notes or smokey bacon crisps? Peppery spice hits are there too - is this a Rye?

Palate: Chocolate caramel first followed by a sour note, really drying, and just a little bit strange. The strawberry jam is there again but so is a peppery spice note and some oak - this must be a rye. Strange finishing in Oloroso - just doesn't work for me....

Finish: Sweet and spicy with a drying smoky note.

Other tweeters thoughts:

Next was New York Distilling Company Ragtime Rye (45.2%)

My thought: Dark tarnished gold in glass, swirls fall as slow thick legs.
Initial nose: Spiced honey

Nose: Dark sweet juicy cherries, honey, maple syrup, lots of peppery spice covering everything.

Palate: Thick and oily, more of the cherries, some brown sugar, very drying, a little orange peel, oaky and spicy!

Finish: Long and spicy - pepper and ginger, very drying and loads more of those cherries!

Other tweeters thoughts:

Final dram of the evening was TBWC Bourbon Whiskey No.1 Batch 1 : 24yo (48%)

My thought: Dark tarnished gold in glass, swirls fall as slow thick legs.
Initial nose: freshly turned soil.

Nose: Earthy, forest notes. Old oak casks, cold coffee and stewed pear notes. This is another strange one, 24 years in a cask is an awful long time for a bourbon.

Palate: Thin but flavoursome buttery arrival, toffee and chocolate notes mingle with orchard fruit. It's all rounded off with a lovely fresh citrus spice note. But this is soon wrapped in a blanket of peppery oak spice. Was 24 years too long in the cask?

Finish: Spicy  with pear and butter notes.

Other tweeters thoughts:

And finally - thanks to all involved!