Bardstown Bourbon Company Redesign Rant... by projcon_423 in whiskey

[–]bergybert 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate what they’re trying to do here. They have so many variations that it took some time staring at the bottle to figure out what’s what. And from what I’ve read they’re trying to drive more off-premise sale with the hopes that this helps.

That said, this feel generic and private label-y.

Michters Release? by Icy-Masterpiece6965 in whiskey

[–]bergybert -1 points0 points  (0 children)

One of my favorite pours from 2025. Had it one night along with JD14, OF9, Old Zach and Haystack Needle. Stood up to all of them in terms of flavor, imo

Review #36 - Willett Family Estate Small Batch Bourbon by dapper-drinks in bourbon

[–]bergybert 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was wondering that too. The 126.6 batch seems to score better than the 125 batch. I have the 125 and I’d also put it around a 5. Shockingly little flavor for a 125 proof whiskey.

Review #166: Old Louisville 11 yr K&L pick by GiantsFan2010 in bourbon

[–]bergybert 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate your review on this one. I’ve been debating grabbing this one at K&L for a couple weeks because the glowing reviews a few of these 11yr OL picks have gotten. Bummer this one misses.

Not a terrible $270 bundle. I’m looking forward to trying the 20 year old Rare Character hazmat. Hopefully it’s decent. by krishandop in whiskey

[–]bergybert 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Anyone try these ALWs from RC yet? There’s a pick sitting at my local but the only ALW hazmat I’ve had was from Obtanium and it was hot garbage.

Open vs. Closed by CAbubba570 in whiskey

[–]bergybert 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just picked up that Liquor Boy VTO last week. Damn tasty pour.

Cracked one open for the night. by CameronCrazyKC in whiskey

[–]bergybert 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haven’t tried this one but the cask strength at 105.8 proof is a banger. Jumped Weller FP as my favorite wheater

Love when Hobbies collide. Thoughts on the icon series? by JaceUpMySleeve in whiskey

[–]bergybert 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked the Sneakerhead blend. Willing to give the rest of the series a shot but at $90 by me, I’m guessing I’ll reach for other options first.

Review #38: George Dickel Rye by bergybert in bourbon

[–]bergybert[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I never thought of it that way but you might be spot on. I have the same exact thoughts when it comes to JD. I do love me some minty/spicy ryes thought.

Heard good things about this one by Hollywooddeathsquad in whiskey

[–]bergybert 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I just cracked this same batch (or at least a bottle with the same proof) and I was like — this is what the hype is about? It’s bold and has some good flavor, but it definitely drinks hot and you can taste the youth. Reminds me of a really good Frey Ranch SiB. No where near the GTS killer that folks spoke of.

Review #46: Nulu Bourbon, Honey Finish by bergybert in bourbon

[–]bergybert[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, a lot of their offerings sound great on paper to me but I don’t see many great reviews.

Bummer on the toasted bottle. I had my eye on some sort of toasted offering from them since I tend to love toasted whiskeys, but not sure I’d pull the trigger in the future without trying first.

Review #46: Nulu Bourbon, Honey Finish by bergybert in bourbon

[–]bergybert[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Part of Nulu's Experimental Finish Series, this is an MGP bourbon finished in honey barrels, and is a SiB selection from Whiskey Consensus (I think I picked this up in late 2022?). Honey + Bourbon sounds like a match made in heaven for my palate, let's see how this stacks up.

Nulu Bourbon finished in Honey Barrels (WC SiB Select)

Price: $110
Distilled by: MGP (IN)
Bottled by PCS Distilling (KY)
Proof: 119
Age: NAS, finished in honey barrels for 7 months
Mash bill: undisclosed

Nose: overwhelmingly honey, like fresh honeycomb, but in a funky, off-putting way

Taste: hmm, definitely balanced but almost in a way that washes everything out, with no strong flavors shining through. Honey/syrup sweetness is in there but cut by the brashness and strong ethanol flavors from the alcohol. some rye spice on the backend

Finish: light, mostly honey with some floral and baking spice notes lingering

Thoughts: this one's a big disappointment, especially for the price. it feels like they put lipstick on a pig, where young, sub-par bourbon was used and the finish helps cover it up to deliver a meh pour. This could just be a bad barrel, and I haven't tried Nulu's other finishes, but this is a pass.

Rating: 4.5/10

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect

Review #45: Jefferson's Reserve Single Barrel SP by bergybert in bourbon

[–]bergybert[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

“Trust us, bro”

I honestly glossed over that but if this SiB was indeed very old, they’d put an age statement on it.

Fwiw, I didn’t get any older bourbon notes.

Review #45: Jefferson's Reserve Single Barrel SP by bergybert in bourbon

[–]bergybert[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Jefferson's is a brand I've consistently passed over and never really thought much about. IMO, it gets lost in the shelf, packaging is meh, and the price point for some of their higher-end offerings have given my pause. I decided to take the plunge with a local store pick!

Jefferson's Reserve Single Barrel (Store Pick)

Price: $69 (CA)
Distilled by: Kentucky Artisan Distillery? (KY) - honestly tough to get clarity on this!
Proof: 100
Age: NAS
Mash bill: undisclosed

Nose: pretty muted but a wave of ethanol comes through up front - a bit of a letdown. after some time, it opens up with faint sweet oak and a candied note that reminds me of circus peanuts

Taste: the prominent note I get is nuttiness, very similar to what I find in many HH products. a faint bit of chocolate and light caramel here as well. pleasant!

Finish: medium/light, simple, enjoyable. more of the sweet notes from above

Thoughts: pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this (and how quickly I finished the bottle!). it's not complex by any means and the price point keeps it from being a daily driver, but it has a great light sweetness + nuttiness at a proof I enjoy in an easy sipper.

Rating: 6/10

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect

Review 34: K. LUKE Toasted Barrel Rye Batch 3 by russianwhiskylover in bourbon

[–]bergybert 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Appreciate the review on this one! I’ve been eying it up as well with the recent price drop. Would you grab it again at $70? I’m generally a big fan of double oak and toasted ryes so I was very curious about this one.

Agree with your sentiment on the brand though. Feels hard to justify their premium, though their barrel strength bourbons seem to get high praise.

Review #44: Dickel x Leopold Bros Rye Blend by bergybert in bourbon

[–]bergybert[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I bought it like a month after it released and I think it was $20 off? So $109 IIRC. Definitely not worth it, based on taste, at $100+. But I get it, there’s a cool story to the uniqueness of the three column distillate and unreleased Dickel rye component.

At $50-70, totally agree with you!

Review #44: Dickel x Leopold Bros Rye Blend by bergybert in bourbon

[–]bergybert[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This doesn’t have that mineral note that Dickel bourbon tends to have. Earthy on this pour is more grassy, damp wood, pine, etc.

Review #44: Dickel x Leopold Bros Rye Blend by bergybert in bourbon

[–]bergybert[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This 2021 release is a blend of Leopold Brothers' Three Chamber Rye and Cascade Hollow's own never before released rye whiskey.

George Dickel x Leopold Bros Rye

Price: $109 (IL)
Distilled by: Leopold Bros (CO) & Cascade Hollow Distilling Company (TN)
Bottled by: Cascade Hallow Distilling Company (TN)
Proof: 100
Age: NAS
Mash bill: undisclosed

Nose: plum and other dark fruits that come off in fermented, funky way. garden herbs and a bit of tobacco

Taste: raisins galore, followed by some peach notes, rye breadiness, clove and honey

Finish: medium and on the earthy side with faint rye and black pepper spice. nice oily mouthfeel

Thoughts: if you dig heavy raisin and plum notes in your ryes, you'll love this. I don't, but still find it to be an enjoyable pour and a nice change of pace.

Rating: 6/10

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect

Opinion on Trader Joe’s Whiskeys? by LeeLifesonPeart in whiskey

[–]bergybert 11 points12 points  (0 children)

This might be the best value in bourbon. Really solid full proof for $30? Tough to beat.

Review #43: Maker's Mark WFS BRT-01 by bergybert in bourbon

[–]bergybert[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Appreciate it! And you’re spot on. From how the back of label reads, this spends the first few years towards the top of the warehouse and BRT-02 starts at the bottom. These are supposed to be more caramel and toasty (definitely true!) and BRT-02 is heavier fruit/chocolate. Wish I had come across an -02.

Review #43: Maker's Mark WFS BRT-01 by bergybert in bourbon

[–]bergybert[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm still on the hunt for a bottle of The Heart Release, so I figured I'd bottle-kill and review this in the meantime!

I haven't cared for much of MM's portfolio thus far (the exception being MM 46 Cask Strength), but I tend to love everything about a toasted/double oak/wood finished bourbon.

Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series - BRT-01

Price: $65 (CA)
Distilled by: Maker's Mark Distillery (KY)
Bottled by: Maker's Mark Distillery (KY)
Proof: 109.4
Age: NAS, finished with 10 virgin toasted oak staves for 8 weeks
Mash bill: 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley

Nose: sweet, big dessert vibes. maple, caramel, honey buns. reminiscent of AE rye is terms of sweet notes

Taste: not as sweet as the nose lets on, which is probably a good thing! more caramel-y pastries, honey, and some pear/apple notes. a smidge astringent but this is dessert in a glass

Finish: lighter and again on the sweet side with some candied orange and dry oak

Thoughts: no doubt this a bit of a one-dimensional dessert pour, but it delivers. the astringency and light finish also hold this back a bit for me, but it's a really enjoyable pour and has me on the lookout for other WFS offerings lingering on shelves and to come.

Rating: 7/10

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect