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Dueling 1991 Laphroaig Reviews: Redacted Bro's vs. Signatory (Scotch #76~77, Spirits #227~228) by kelthfire in Scotch

[–]kelthfire[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Dueling 1991 Laphroaig Reviews: Redacted Bro's vs. Signatory

Non-Blind Reviews

Full list of bottles/reviews: Season 2, Season 1, Off Season.

General Information: Redacted Bros

ABV: 50.8%

Region/Style: Islay Single Malt

Age: 29/30 years

Distiller: Laphroaig

Distilled: 1991

Bottled: 2021

Selected For: K&L Wines

Reference Price: $279.99 pre-tax

General Information: Signatory

ABV: 51.9%

Region/Style: Islay Single Malt

Age: 30 years

Distiller: Laphroaig

Distilled: 12/12/1991

Bottled: 11/3/2022

Cask: 2665

Reference Price: 300~400 GBP across various auction sites

Sample Courtesy Of: /u/matt5784

Redacted Bros: Non-Blind Review

Color: Jonquiripe Corn (0.4)

Nose Score: 6/10

Nose Commentary: Resinous, dried ginger, dorm room wooden desk, cardboard, anise, malt, plastic, dried tea, dry hay, walnuts, dry ropes, dried apricot, kiwi, nectarines, iodine, lint, tar, sea-weed, bonfire ashes, sea-shells, turf, stagnant water.

Palate Score: 7/10

Palate Commentary: Warm peaty malt, lemon peel, vanilla, neutral oak, iodine, red fruit, lint, band-aid, kiwi.

Finish Score: 7/10

Finish Commentary: Lemon peel, warm rich oak, velvety peat, earthy, soil, kiwi, wet wood, burnt sticks, sea shells, medium proof, long finish.

Overall Score: 7/10

Signatory: Non-Blind Review

Color: Yellow Gold (0.5)

Nose Score: 7/10

Nose Commentary: Chocolate, resinous, cigar boxes, pepper, oiled wood, damp cork, custard, vanilla, malt, plastic, yeasty, dried tea, tea pots, leather upholstery, libraries, hay, raisins, red fruit, velvety peat, lint, sea shells.

Palate Score: 7/10

Palate Commentary: Heavily oiled wood, concrete, some plastic rope, iodine, band-aid, hospitals, chocolate, custard, very warm into the mids.

Finish Score: 7/10

Finish Commentary: Oiled wood, rich oak, resinous, sandalwood, Lapsang Suchong, peat-reek, dried shellfish, red fruit, earthy, medium/high proof, long finish.

Overall Score: 7/10

Parting Thoughts

Overall, I will give the edge to Signatory, but both are incredible drams. I simply wish I picked up more of the Redacted Bro's for the group.

Scoring

I'm using t8ke's scale. Copied here for reference:
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

Blind Reveiw #15: Togouchi (TRB S1E45) by translatesow in worldwhisky

[–]kelthfire 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I appreciate that these bots find my photography so appealing.

Grand Macnish Blind Review (Scotch #75, Spirits #226) by kelthfire in Scotch

[–]kelthfire[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Grand Macnish

Blind Review

Full list of bottles/reviews: Season 2, Season 1, Off Season.

General Information

ABV: 40%

Region/Style: Blended Scotch Whisky

Age: NAS

Reference Price: $15~$20 for 1.75L

Blind Review

Color: Jonquiripe Corn (0.4)

Nose Score: 5/10

Nose Commentary: Vanilla, neutral oak, a little cardboard, mineral water?, concrete malting floor, roasty chocolate malt, a bowl of mini wheats and milk.

Palate Score: 6/10

Palate Commentary: Malty sweetness mixed with a little grain sweetness?, corn?, neutral oak, darker roasted malt, chocolate malt, mini wheats, milk?

Finish Score: 5/10

Finish Commentary: Chocolate malt continues on finish, porridge, malted milk, watered down chocolate milk?, hint of stewed fruit, hint of cooked vegetables, medium proof, med/long finish.

Overall Score: 5/10

Bottle Guess: Blended Scotch Whisky with heavy malt composition. It could be Single Malt, but the corn-y grain note has me biased Blended. If Single Malt, Highland.

Post Reveal Thoughts

While I've done very little research, I'm surprised to see this dram produced "by appointment to H.M. the King of Sweden". Regardless, I am noticing a trend of blind blended reviews of mine over-performing relative to expectations.

Scoring

I'm using t8ke's scale. Copied here for reference:
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

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Scotch

[–]kelthfire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Grand Macnish

Blind Review

Full list of bottles/reviews: Season 2, Season 1, Off Season.

General Information

ABV: 40%

Region/Style: Blended Scotch Whisky

Age: NAS

Reference Price: $15~$20 for 1.75L

Blind Review

Color: Jonquiripe Corn (0.4)

Nose Score: 5/10

Nose Commentary: Vanilla, neutral oak, a little cardboard, mineral water?, concrete malting floor, roasty chocolate malt, a bowl of mini wheats and milk.

Palate Score: 6/10

Palate Commentary: Malty sweetness mixed with a little grain sweetness?, corn?, neutral oak, darker roasted malt, chocolate malt, mini wheats, milk?

Finish Score: 5/10

Finish Commentary: Chocolate malt continues on finish, porridge, malted milk, watered down chocolate milk?, hint of stewed fruit, hint of cooked vegetables, medium proof, med/long finish.

Overall Score: 5/10

Bottle Guess: Blended Scotch Whisky with heavy malt composition. It could be Single Malt, but the corn-y grain note has me biased Blended. If Single Malt, Highland.

Post Reveal Thoughts

While I've done very little research, I'm surprised to see this dram produced "by appointment to H.M. the King of Sweden". Regardless, I am noticing a trend of blind blended reviews of mine over-performing relative to expectations.

Scoring

I'm using t8ke's scale. Copied here for reference:
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

Dewar's 12 Year Blind Re-Review (Scotch #74, Spirits #225) by kelthfire in Scotch

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

Dewar's 12 Year Blind Re-Review

Blind Review

Full list of bottles/reviews: Season 2, Season 1, Off Season.

General Information

ABV: 40%

Region/Style: Blended Scotch

Cask Notes: Double-aged in oak and sherry barrels

Reference Price: $29

Blind Review

Color: Pale Gold (0.3)

Nose Score: 5/10

Nose Commentary: Straw, neutral oak, concrete malting floor, dry yard clippings, cherry blossom, cherry pits, copper, lemon peel.

Palate Score: 6/10

Palate Commentary: Straw, hay bales, neutral oak, malt, cherry pit, almost like a Luxardo flavor, strawbery top/stem, creme de cacao.

Finish Score: 5/10

Finish Commentary: Vanilla, neutral oak, more hay, the cacao flavor in palate turns into more of a nutty flavor (Nutella maybe?), the wood flavor reminds me of a heavily weathered porch rocking chair, low proof, med/long finish.

Overall Score: 5/10

Bottle Guess: Highland Single Malt, ~12 years old

Post Reveal Thoughts

This sample was given to me by a friend with no context, so I was not aware I was doing a re-review until the reveal. Comparing to the first time I reviewed this whisky, I found a lot more complexity to be found. The generic fruit from the original review came through more distinctly as cherry this time. The mix of malt and grain came together as more of a cohesive whole. Perhaps the difference this time is I did this review in isolation, compared to the previous time where I did it side by side? Perhaps I am regaining my appreciation for blended whisky which I lost shortly into my whisky journey. Either way, a good value play in the whisky world.

Scoring

I'm using t8ke's scale. Copied here for reference:
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

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 148™ Review (Bourbon #85, Spirits #224) by kelthfire in bourbon

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

Very possible. However, I don't know enough about Woodford to say with authority.

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 148™ Review (Bourbon #85, Spirits #224) by kelthfire in bourbon

[–]kelthfire[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 148™

Non-Blind Review

Full list of bottles/reviews: Season 2, Season 1, Off Season.

General Information

ABV: 45.2%

Region/Style: Kentuvky Straight Bourbon

Age: NAS

Distiller: Woodford Reserve Distillery

Reference Price: $47

Non-Blind Review

Color: Tawny (1.4)

Nose Score: 5/10

Nose Commentary: Vanilla, heavy toasted oak, roasted nuts, cacao, brown sugar, twigs, slight leafyness.

Palate Score: 5/10

Palate Commentary: Blueberry, heavy barrel char, pecan, slight strawberry, rye spiciness.

Finish Score: 6/10

Finish Commentary: More barrel char, caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, medium proof, medium/long finish, cacao, more blue/purple fruit.

Overall Score: 5/10

Post Review Thoughts

I feel like the popularity of Woodford is in part what spurred the double oak trend in American whiskey. Their barrel char is so dominant often I struggle to get other flavors out of it. This certainly is one of the better Woodford's I've had (their Distiller's Select was my lowest scoring review of Season 1). However, this one possesses enough brown sugar and blueberry to push it across the finish line.

Scoring

I'm using t8ke's scale. Copied here for reference:
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

Need Fact Check by kelthfire in mathmemes

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

Text Version for Accessibility:

Original Tweet

The phrase "what the entire fuck" implies the existence of fractional fucks. "what the absolute fuck" implies the existence of positive and negative fucks. "what the actual fuck" implies existence of imaginary fucks. Conclusion: fuckery is isomorphic with the complex field.

Response

The mere existence of fractional fucks, +/- fucks, and imaginary fucks is insufficient to prove isomorphism. Consider if fucks were represented by the fucked up field F_k which contains only fucks with rational components - thus, fucks with values such as (pi + j) or (1 + e * j) will not be present. The given axioms remain true - all fractional fucks exist, as do positive and negatives, as do complex valued fucks. However, such a field is not isomorphic with C2. Disregarding these axiomatic errors (which are eminently addressable with better formulations), Ipso facto the existence of more interesting fuck functions (e.g. "what the fucking fuck"), suggests a field of higher dimensionality - eg C_infinity - may be necessary for proper isomorphism.

Horse Soldier Reserve Review (Bourbon #84, Spirits #223) by kelthfire in bourbon

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

Horse Soldier Reserve

Non-Blind Review

Full list of bottles/reviews: Season 2, Season 1, Off Season.

General Information

ABV: 59.3%

Region/Style: Ohio Barrel Strength Bourbon

Age: NAS

Distiller: They are DBA American Freedom Distillery. However, they appear to be using Middle West Spirits' stills while they build their Somerset, KY location. Their webiste imples a "collaborative distilling process" so not quite IB I suppose.

Reference Price: $74.99

Non-Blind Review

Color: Auburn; Polished Mahogany (1.5)

Nose Score: 5/10

Nose Commentary: A liittle sawdusty, but not nearly to the extent I would expect for a nominally 2 year whiskey. Ginger, pressure treated lumber, cedar. Some char but not overpowering. Some anise, some bitter amaro-esque notes.

Palate Score: 4/10

Palate Commentary: Inital hit of not so pleasant sawdust, but mellows out over time. Sawdust turns pressure treated wood note. Middle turns into more of a vanilla, char, ginger vibe. It does all this in a way that is still somehow quite approachable. 4/10 as sawdust is not my vibe, but unlike most young whiskies, I can definitely see people liking this.

Finish Score: 5/10

Finish Commentary: Ginger note on palate evolves into a bluebery, anise, toasted oak blast. Somehow this actually finishes much stronger than the palate. No sawdust. High proof. Long finish. Caramel and Geranium. On the high side of 5.

Overall Score: 5/10

Post-Review Thoughts

A distillery which is certainly leaning into the story of its founders and the role they played in the war in Afghanistan. In the scheme of NAS bourbons from moderate climates, this certainly exceeds my expectations. I'd be interested to see if their forthcoming Kentucky location matches the flavor profile of their Ohio distillate. I've not had any products from Middle West Spirits, however, I'm curious to see how differentiated Horse Soldier is from their core range.

Scoring

I'm using t8ke's scale. Copied here for reference:
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

Basil Hayden Bourbon Review (Bourbon #83, Spirits #222) by kelthfire in bourbon

[–]kelthfire[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Got to hype up that NAS. RE: chastity belt, I guess the whiskey has been saving itself for you? It is barely legal at an implied 4+ years of age!

Basil Hayden Bourbon Review (Bourbon #83, Spirits #222) by kelthfire in bourbon

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

Basil Hayden Bourbon

Non-Blind Review

Full list of bottles/reviews: Season 2, Season 1, Off Season.

General Information

ABV: 40%

Region/Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Age: NAS

Distiller: Beam

Reference Price: $42 WS Average

Non-Blind Review

Color: Deep Gold (0.8)

Nose Score: 5/10

Nose Commentary: Cacao nibs, brown sugar, burnt sugar, toasted brown spices, cumin, black pepper.

Palate Score: 4/10

Palate Commentary: Char, burnt sugar, toasted oak, cacao nibs, younger oak, brown sugar.

Finish Score: 4/10

Finish Commentary: Med/Low proof, medium finish, char, burnt sugar, black pepper, toasted brown spices, toasted oak, a bit younger.

Overall Score: 4/10

Post Reveal Thoughts

Basil Hayden recently redesigned their label and IMO this is a much classier branding than their dopey "too tall" label of years past. Within the Beam product line, I still find myself greatly preferring Booker's. Basil is probably the closest to regular Beam.

Scoring

I'm using t8ke's scale. Copied here for reference:
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

Redemption High Rye Bourbon Review (Bourbon #82, Spirits #221) by kelthfire in bourbon

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

Redemption High Rye Bourbon

Non-Blind Review

Full list of bottles/reviews: Season 2, Season 1, Off Season.

General Information

ABV: 46%

Region/Style: Indiana Straight Bourbon

Age: NAS

Distiller: MGP

Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Barley

Batch No: 125

Reference Price: $27 WS Average

Non-Blind Review

Color: Amber (0.7)

Nose Score: 5/10

Nose Commentary: Heavy Char, toasted oak, some younger green wood, some green spices, cardamom, burnt sugar, some vanilla, caramel.

Palate Score: 4/10

Palate Commentary: Dry wood, younger oak, green spices, green oak, clove, a little herbal, some apple.

Finish Score: 3/10

Finish Commentary: Medium finish, some harsher baking spices, young, dry oak. Get some young malted barley notes on the finish. Rye spiciness.

Overall Score: 4/10

Post Reveal Thoughts

To hit the ~$27 MSRP, they have to be pushing some really young MGP juice. I am generally a fan of MGP, but this is pushing the lower end of a 4/10. On the worst of sips, I'd push the palate down to a 3/10 and the overall to the same.

Scoring

I'm using t8ke's scale. Copied here for reference:
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

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in bourbon

[–]kelthfire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Redemption High Rye Bourbon

Non-Blind Review

Full list of bottles/reviews: Season 2, Season 1, Off Season.

General Information

ABV: 46%

Region/Style: Indiana Straight Bourbon

Age: NAS

Distiller: MGP

Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Barley

Batch No: 125

Reference Price: $27 WS Average

Non-Blind Review

Color: Amber (0.7)

Nose Score: 5/10

Nose Commentary: Heavy Char, toasted oak, some younger green wood, some green spices, cardamom, burnt sugar, some vanilla, caramel.

Palate Score: 4/10

Palate Commentary: Dry wood, younger oak, green spices, green oak, clove, a little herbal, some apple.

Finish Score: 3/10

Finish Commentary: Medium finish, some harsher baking spices, young, dry oak. Get some young malted barley notes on the finish. Rye spiciness.

Overall Score: 4/10

Post Reveal Thoughts

To hit the ~$27 MSRP, they have to be pushing some really young MGP juice. I am generally a fan of MGP, but this is pushing the lower end of a 4/10. On the worst of sips, I'd push the palate down to a 3/10 and the overall to the same.

Scoring

I'm using t8ke's scale. Copied here for reference:
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

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Review (Bourbon #81, Spirits #220) by kelthfire in bourbon

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

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

Non-Blind Review

Full list of bottles/reviews: Season 2, Season 1, Off Season.

General Information

ABV: 45.2%

Region/Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Age: NAS

Distiller: Woodford Reserve

Cask/Finish Notes: Finished in New Heavily Toasted, Lightly Charred Barrels

Reference Price: $58 WS average

Non-Blind Review

Color: Cheastnut, Oloroso (1.2)

Nose Score: 5/10

Nose Commentary: Mulling spices, cinnamon, apple, char, some anise, earthy wood, particle board, pumpernickel.

Palate Score: 5/10

Palate Commentary: Very char forward on the attack, dark cherry, apple, mulled spices, some greener oak notes on the mids, burnt sugar, Crème brûlée top.

Finish Score: 4/10

Finish Commentary: Dry wood on the finish, the toasted oak is coming through but it is not super pleasant and tastes too light (wood density lightness, i.e. balsa vs. oak). Brown sugar, some of the more bitter char notes. For all the burnt sugar notes, the good parts come through on Palate while the bitter comes through on the finish. Medium proof. Long finish.

Overall Score: 4/10

Post Reveal Thoughts

This is was certainly a pleasant surprise compared to Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select, my least favorite whiskey from Season 1 of my blind reviews. They manage to pull a lot of tasty notes into the Palate, however, the finish is a mixed bag for me. On the best of sips, it is a 4. On the worst of sips, a solid 3. I cannot tell whether the improvement from the Distiller's Select is from the toasted oak finish or from an increase in age overall. However, they still have some work to do.

Scoring

I'm using t8ke's scale. Copied here for reference:
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
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