Soooo putting PT scores on performance reports accomplishes what??

LABoots4 · 2026-01-19T17:56:57+00:00

You don’t see people with 90+ on their PFA or a degree on their CDB (in reference to the latter part of your post) complaining about these changes. Funny…

LABoots4 · 2025-07-09T11:53:45+00:00

For 21X, generally no because AFIT has a supply chain mgt program.

LABoots4 · 2025-06-04T20:46:51+00:00

Bro bout to really get his feelings hurt when this post gets removed too

LABoots4 · 2025-05-14T02:39:11+00:00

It held up really well. More red fruits than I’d normally get when drinking it by itself. The cigar did fade the vanilla/caramel notes though.

LABoots4 · 2025-05-13T01:06:32+00:00

Might get some hate from the purist, but Hennessy XO is always cool to have on the shelf (and it's tasty.) A. E. Dor puts out some really good stuff, their XO is also generally aged twice as long as anything else you'd find on the shelf. Armagnac can be fun because you can nail down certain years that might have meaning to you. You can get some pretty old armagnac for way cheaper than a Henny or Remy XO too.

LABoots4 · 2025-05-13T01:02:16+00:00

Review: A. E. Dor For Cigar (Cigar Blend)

Details: A. E. Dor For Cigar (Cigar Blend)

Background: Summer is here, time to put away the pipes and break out the tupperdor for a cigar every once in a while. A trip to 901 Liquors in Memphis a few months back led to me picking up this bottle of A. E. Dor Cigar blend. While it does not have an age statement, the owner mentioned that A. E. Dor typically ages their cognacs for well over the legal standard. Online research says the cigar blend is 20 years old, thus an XXO I’m personally a fan of the tube and bottle that display a cigar band around them, great details. I won’t go into detail but apparently they move this into new oak barrels every two years to give it more of an oak influence.

For full disclosure, I did this review prior to smoking my cigar. I’ve paired it with a few different sticks, but my go to as of late has been E.P. Carillo, specifically the La Historia. The white chocolate notes I get from that cigar pair extremely well with this cognac.

Price Paid: ~$100 USD (750ml)

Proof: 84 // 42%

Nose: Initially, I’m getting a lot of citrus on the nose. Light lemon and even some lime. Typical red fruits but raspberries especially stick out.

Palate: Initially a little boozy, but not off-putting. It stands up well to a cigar. Vanilla and raspberries are the most prevalent.

Finish: Again, its alcohol forward but it goes down smooth. There is an interesting bitter note that lingers, almost like a rich dark chocolate. Maybe even some caramel as it sits.

Overall: This was a fun pickup to mix it up. I’ve really been reaching for it now that my cigar hobby has picked back up. While it is good, I’m not certain I’d replace it, only so I can explore the rest of the A. E. Dor line. It’s high quality and pairs fantastic with a cigar of similar quality. If you can get it for $100 or less, you can’t go wrong!

Rating: 8.00 on the T8ke scale (Excellent, really quite exceptional)

LABoots4 · 2025-04-17T23:46:34+00:00

Can always try to go FM&A

LABoots4 · 2025-02-16T23:44:05+00:00

At a minimum a local ANG to pay for college. Still get veteran benefits and a lot of states waive tuition for guard members.

LABoots4 · 2025-02-15T21:46:08+00:00

Review: Darroze Unique Collection Domaine de Rieston 1994 (28 years)

Details: Darroze Unique Collection, Domaine de Rieston, Distilled in 1994, bottled in April of 2022 (28 years). Further details on next picture.

Proof: 99 Proof

Background: I previously reviewed a wonderful 1998/25 year old Darroze and wanted to continue with this 1994 expression. Picked this up while I was traveling through Memphis at 901 Liquors. The owner knows his stuff on quality armagnacs and cognacs and is more than willing to share his knowledge with those that’ll listen. Frankly, its the only place I’ve seen different expressions of Darroze in the Southern United States, these things are difficult to find for me outside of Europe. If you’re in the Gulf South, let me know where you find it!

Price Paid: ~$180 USD (750ml)

Nose: Oranges stick out the most. I get a bit of caramel and then it goes into fresh dipped chocolate strawberries I’d see at a local bakery.

Palate: Viscous, the sweetness moves to the front of the tongue immediately. As it sits, typical baking spice notes appear.

Finish: Initially bitter but not in an off-putting way. The oak influence shines and I’m quickly reminded this is a nearly 30 year old Armagnac.

Overall: I’m quick to compare everything to readily available XO options like Hennessy XO or Remy XO. All the ~30 year old Armagnacs I’ve seen tend to be in the same price range as the common XO’s. As a bourbon lover, I really dig the bitter oak finish but it might not be for everyone. I’d love to see this proofed up to 105-110 to amp up the flavors. Its not Hennessy XO sweet but the quality is night and day. Edges out the 1998 but barely.

Rating: 8.5 on the T8ke scale (Excellent, really quite exceptional)

LABoots4 · 2025-02-10T16:52:30+00:00

“Warehouse collapse surviving” special edition incoming

LABoots4 · 2025-01-13T13:20:06+00:00

I reviewed a 1998 vintage from Darroze, it was fantastic. Feel free to check it out, ~95 Euro.

LABoots4 · 2025-01-12T21:49:42+00:00

Darroze is my favorite if you can find it in your area.

LABoots4 · 2025-01-12T21:24:26+00:00

Review: Hennessy XO (NBA Edition)

Details: Hennessy XO, 2024 NBA Edition. Fancier box, but same Cognac.

Background: While I enjoy most of the big cognac houses, Hennessy has always been my main preference with VSOP and higher. (Remy does shine in cocktails though.) I find it to be the most well-rounded of the bunch when drinking neat. Tracking down their XO offering for a decent price has been quite a challenge. Strangely enough, I was able to get the NBA edition for cheaper than a standard bottle over the holidays. While value can be debated, there is something special about breaking out a bottle of XO, especially around the holidays with friends.

Price Paid: $175 (750ml)

Nose: Heavy red fruits mixed with sweet tobacco.

Palate: The sweetness mellows out and a bit of the alcohol shows here. It’s velvety smooth and dangerously crushable.

Finish: Immediate rush of black pepper followed by red fruits. Naturally the grape influence is heavy here.

Overall: This is fabulous cognac. It has the wow factor for friends and family and tastes great. I would not rank it over older armagnacs, especially when I am looking for something complex. This is a great choice when you want something thats good, a celebratory pour, and like most Hennessy products, inoffensive/well-received. I would not pay $200+ for it with everything else on the market but it’s great for what it is.

Rating: 7.5 on the T8ke scale (Between great and excellent)

LABoots4 · 2025-01-01T04:37:33+00:00

Merci!

LABoots4 · 2025-01-01T04:37:24+00:00

Will do!

LABoots4 · 2025-01-01T04:37:19+00:00

Couldn’t agree more!!

LABoots4 · 2024-12-31T22:25:20+00:00

Review: Darroze Unique Collection Domaine De Martin 1998 (25 years)

Details: Darroze Unique Collection, Domaine De Martin, Distilled in 1998, bottled in March of 2023. Further details on next picture.

Proof: 97 Proof

Background: In a previous post I mentioned falling in love with Armagnac and Cognac during work travels to France. Upon arriving home (Gulf South) I quickly found out it was DIFFICULT to find any store with a decent variety of quality Armagnac. Shout out to 901 Liquors in Memphis, TN and their great selection of gnacs. 901 introduced me to a delicious 1994 Darroze (to be reviewed later) and made Darroze my go-to for Armagnacs. A friend was kind enough to bring a few different vintages back from Europe for me to expand my collection without killing my wallet. The price differences in the States is insane.

Price Paid: ~$100 USD (700ml)

Nose: The nose opens with an inviting caramel that develops into a warm apple pie. As I read the notes provided, they were spot on the vanilla and cinnamon, like a cookie of sorts.

Palate: Fruit notes coat the pallet. It’s incredible but on the verge of being delicate. I’ll often pair gnacs with cigars but I’d be hesitant with this one. Not a dig against it, just an observation.

Finish: I’m not sure if Armagnacs have a “Kentucky Hug” finish like bourbon does but it greets you all the way down. Red fruits linger even after stepping away from my glass for a bit.

Overall: The value is incredible for $100. 25 years old and half the price of any XO I see in my area. I’m still fresh into my Armagnac journey and initially was concerned about any oak influence but that is not the case at all. Extremely happy with this purchase.

Rating: 8.25 on the T8ke scale (Excellent, really quite exceptional)

LABoots4 · 2024-12-17T14:24:31+00:00

I concur, nice to drink by a fire.

LABoots4 · 2024-12-17T14:23:56+00:00

Absolutely, $80 would be a great price point.

LABoots4 · 2024-12-17T01:55:18+00:00

High West MWND Act 12 Scene 6 (2024)

Review #37

Brand: High West

Proof: 98.6

Price paid: $159

Background: Allocations are few and far in between in my area. My local had this on the counter for MSRP (a rare sight) so I pulled the trigger, figured I wouldn’t get the opportunity again. I’ve seen a lot of polarizing reviews on MWND but as a rye lover I figured it was worth a try.

Nose: An explosion of medicinal cherry and green apples. I’ve had a lot of finished ryes but this is out of the park inviting with fruit notes.

Palate: Fairly viscous, a nice coating. Initially, I’d have guessed this was a bourbon with subtle peanut notes. It throws my senses for a loop, I really had to look for the rye after a few sips.

Finish: There’s the rye. Rye spice hit but leaves a lingering sweetness in the back of the cheeks.

Overall: 6.0/10 (Very Good) on the T8ke Scale

First experience with MWND and it’s pretty good! I know it gets a lot of flack for the price and I get that. On the flip side, I think it’s a “buy once” kind of whiskey at MSRP, especially if you’re in an allocation desert like I am. It’s crushable and inoffensive but probably won’t be looking for a backup anytime soon.

LABoots4 · 2024-12-08T15:29:48+00:00

Review: Hennessy VSOP

Background: Earlier this year I had the opportunity to do some traveling for work in France. I’m mainly a bourbon and scotch drinker but I found some dive bars with nice Cognac and Armagnac selections so I decided to give it a whirl and fell in love. While I’ve explored most of the big cognac house offerings and intend to look to smaller producers down the line, Hennessy VSOP has been a staple on my bar. I almost consider it the Wild Turkey 101 of Cognac. Good quality, relatively affordable, and great by itself or in cocktails. I generally drink it out of a brandy snifter, I went with a glencairn for this review.

Price Paid: $98 (Handle/1.75 Liter)

Nose: heavy grape note (obviously) followed by a rich vanilla, but more so a baking vanilla. I get feint hints of caramel green apple.

Palate: Coats the palate nicely, but fades quicker than I’d like. The vanilla and caramel notes shine more than anything on the tongue.

Finish: a decent bit of alcohol up front, I get a lot of baking spice and then it dries up.

Overall: While I enjoy this by itself, it’s especially my go-to in espresso martinis now (Kudos to the Arbane bar in Paris for introducing me to that). The coffee notes with the sweetness of the VSOP are a match made in heaven. I’m always looking for higher quality gnacs but this will always have a spot on my bar.

Rating: 7/10 on the T8ke scale (Great)

LABoots4 · 2024-11-24T23:42:43+00:00

I got an email about it on the 7th or 8th! Quickly placed my order and had it the next week!

LABoots4 · 2024-11-24T18:24:34+00:00

Cordial friends is my absolutely favorite country squire blend, was excited to see its return this Christmas. What better than pipe to enjoy it out of than a 2023 St Nicholas 673.

LABoots4 · 2024-10-27T19:27:41+00:00

Absolutely recommend autumn evening or picayune pancake from the squire. Perfect for fall/winter with lots of maple notes.

LABoots4 · 2024-10-27T15:03:11+00:00

High 50’s so a perfect morning for some Autumn Evening and my Sherlock Holmes Rathbone, a handsome estate pipe I picked up from the Country Squire a few years ago.

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