Obtainium Light Whiskey

Rating: 13/23 I'd been wondering when to open this, then I finished a long weekend during which something I'd thought to be pretty much unobtainable became decently obtainable and the occasion just clicked. N: Light (duh?). The alcohol shows through in a youthful way. It bites from the proof as well. That said, this isn't the rough, meaty, industrial youthfulness that is so common in American whiskey: this is more of the feeling of youth that single grain scotch often imparts, even when it's fairly old. As for particular notes, there's a tartness like orange rind, with an oiliness that leads into coconut. A hint of vanilla along with faint worn out wood. Not a very complex nose and note one that really impresses, but it seems like good competition for Compass Box Hedonism. P: Hot, but who would expect otherwise at this proof? It's sweet, with spicy burn showcasing mild cinnamon and white pepper. There's a fairly big coconut flavor that is nice and mixes nicely with some vanilla to form the core of the profile. The coconut melds into wood a bit, but the wood is very mellow. There are tart, light, dry moments as well, adding a kind of dry citric bitterness that highlights the alcohol. The palate is pretty full and rich, but not really when the proof is considered. This is actually fairly thin in that context. This is all about that decadent coconut-vanilla-wood. There's definitely some real alcohol burn here, though it isn't exactly harsh. The high proof makes that more acceptable. This carries greater burn than Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof does. It also has less barrel and mature flavor. The burn here isn't totally excessive though. F: This tends toward the bitter side, with more kind of light oak bitterness showing, replacing a lot of the coconut and vanilla. There are some more tannins here as well. This isn't bad, but it isn't as good. - Conclusion - This tastes like a great ingredient to blend, but it isn't that great on its own. It reminds me a lot of Compass Box Hedonism (12/23) with all of its coconut and vanilla, its surprising youthfulness, and direct profile. This actually has more of the coconut and vanilla, whereas there's more nuance to the Hedonism, though its gran whisky presence shows through as well in an undesirable way. This tastes more youthful, but it's also more decadent. It certainly burns more, but at 69.6% ABV I feel like it has the right to. This is surprisingly easy to sip given its proof. Signatory's Caledonian 29 Cask Strength (1987) (12/23) is richer, more mature, and less burny. I like the pure, natural coconut here, but the Caledonian just tastes better. It's substantially lower ABV at 54.7%, but it's usually pretty strong and burns in comparison to most other drams. This is mysterious and surprisingly obtainable before becoming a bit banal and disappointing. Not great, but arguably perfect for this occasion. Overall, I find this to be on the high side of 12 and I'm thinking a 13. A 14 seems too high. Bull Run American Whiskey 13 Pinot Noir Finish (14/23) is mellower and a little more nuanced with less youthfulness and alcohol burn. It's quite close to this though. I thought that the gap would be larger, honestly. Monkey Shoulder (14/23) is sweeter with competitive decadence and increased nuance. It's definitely better than this is. This is either a 12 or 13. I'm leaning toward a 13 because of that nice coconut and vanilla decadence.

Blue Max store pick. 67% ABV. 13 years in used charred oak. Distilled 10/2/2007 Barrel: SC-00137. Bottled 4/12/2021 Bottle 15 of 162. Neck pour, neat, little air time. Nose is very ethanol forward, cotton candy, caramel and oak. Taste has an initial vanilla pop that turns over quickly to black pepper and oak, no bitterness. Long finish brings in burnt marshmallow. Not a burner despite being 134 proof. Adding a drop of water brings the caramel forward on the nose. The pop of sweetness and the pepper turn are much more rounded. The finish is more like a typical rye spice. Adding an ice cube presents it like a straightforward rye and a solid candidate for a mix, which I confirmed with my go-to splash of Diet Dr. Pepper. With the value and the versatility, this can be a daily.

What's not to like here ? 13 years in used charred oak, and full proof. Nose: Strawberry pop tarts, sugary cereal like frosted corn flakes, ethanol, carmel apple Palate: cotton candy, candy corn, vanilla, caramel, butterscotch and oak Finish: Oak, lingering heat which is not over the top, vanilla, maple and light smoke Simple yet enjoyable

Nose: Candy Apple, caramel, oak, ethanol Taste: Butter, butterscotch, alcohol, caramel, peanut brittle, and more alcohol. Overall, very interesting and unique flavor profile. Although very present, the alcohol is manageable and pleasant.

16yr, 70.8% ABV Noting but ethanol and acetone. Some corn pops and faint caramel. Burns all the way down and is a completely muted yet brash, unenjoyable experience.

Sweet and surprisingly smooth for such a high proof (137), but gives a nice warm Kentucky hug on the way down.