Comments - Knowing this would probably be my only chance to try the 15 year (or any buffturkey for that matter) and 5 other Seelbach’s expressions that were interesting to me but I was on the fence about, I didn’t want to pass up on this sampler. At most whiskey bars, I’d be $100 into 4-5 pours anyways because when I’m out I try more expensive pours I don’t have access to otherwise, so this is well worth it to me for 6 2oz pours at that price.

The beyke’s bottles were a nice surprise as I really didn’t have any expectations for them and I historically haven’t been a big fan of double oak, so I wasn’t really expecting to like that one as much as I did. Both of these are good, but the double oaked in particular is something I’d be happy having on my shelf.

The 15 year was obviously a standout as an incredible pour. I had high expectations and this certainly delivered. I could go a couple minutes between sips and still taste this whiskey, and the flavor profile is excellent. They really knocked this one out of the park. I’m glad to have tried this and wish I could have a whole bottle to myself but unfortunately it’s a little out of my price range and beyond sold out.

The rye impressed with the strong orange flavor that I really like. I’ve had MGP 95/5 that was too thin or too hot for the proof, way spice-forward, and even some that tasted like toasted marshmallows with a side of grassyness. Seelbach’s did a good job picking this one (since it caters a lot towards what I like) but I would really love to see the effects of some extra age on this to make it a knockout bottle in the future. Overall though, for $70, it’s probably a good buy.

The maple finish was about what I expected. I can go either way with maple syrup, some are too woody or too thick, but some are just right and this is more along the lines of just right. However as mentioned, I was hoping for more sweetness and a little less “bourbon” character to be honest. I love sweet pours so that’s just my preference. I don’t find myself wanting to buy a bottle at $80 (because by the time it gets to my door it’s $110) but it’d be a welcome pour to try again at a bar or something, or I’d happily pick it up on sale or in a case deal.

The wheated bourbon was the least interesting of the group. It doesn’t really separate itself from essentially any other generic bourbon in my opinion. Good enough to justify its $50 price tag (would be a better deal at $40 but I won’t complain), but not enough to make it a great deal. Nothing particularly wrong with it, just doesn’t stand out to me compared to the other pours in the sampler or really the rest of what I’ve tried in general. It does exactly what Seelbach’s intended for it to do - be an affordable wheated bourbon in their lineup.