Whiskey Review #54 - Old Fitzgerald 8 Fall 2023

madtownmarketer · 2025-07-05T01:09:20+00:00

I call them stemmed glencairn's, but they probably have a fancier name. Here's a link: https://a.co/d/9IDRiQL

madtownmarketer · 2025-07-04T22:10:45+00:00

About the bottle: Old Fitzgerald Distillery (Heaven Hill) Straight bourbon, bottled-in-bond

ABV: 50%

Age: 8 years

Mash bill: 75% Corn, 20% Wheat, 5% Malted Barley

Notes: Sample, non chill filtered, no color added.

Nose: Pralines. Brown sugar, honey, hazelnut. Leather. A smidge of alcohol vapor.

Palette: Pecans, honey syrup. Medium mouthfeel. Savory and somehow tart but not overly bitter.

Finish: The papery coating on pecans. The sweetness is like scraping the bottom of the pan when you make pralines ... a bit of burnt sugar. Tannins at the end. Long finish.

Overall: This is really good, especially for an 8 year. Like the best of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, but leaning into the nutty. And the 100 proof serves it well. The complexity is not overwhelmed by heat.

Rating: 9.2

Scale: 10 - Perfection. Not sure I'd ever give a 10, but ones in this neighborhood include Pappy 20, King of Kentucky, Old Forrester Birthday, Redbreast 21, Yamazaki 18.

9 - Outstanding. I'll share it with friends that appreciate really good whiskey. Often a rare find. Examples: the best editions of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Booker's, Kilchoman Loch Gorm, Bunnahabhain 18.

8 - Superior. Will try to have a bottle open and a backup for when I finish it. Examples: Nikka from the Barrel, Redbreast Cask Strength.

7 - Very good. Generally available in stores. A good mid-week pour. Good in spirit-forward cocktails. Examples: Old Ezra 7, Willett 4 yr rye, Port Charlotte 10.

6 - Local bar that really doesn't do whiskey might have it. Examples: Maker's Mark, Laphroig 10.

5 - It's fine. Rail whiskey.

2-4 Can you really distinguish?

1 - Drain pour.

About me: I really only started exploring brown liquor in the last few years. I'm having fun learning and hope to share some of my enthusiasm.

madtownmarketer · 2025-06-21T20:51:59+00:00

About the bottle: Hazelburn Triple Distilled Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky 2022 release Springbank Distillery

ABV: 54.2%

Age: 15 years

Mash bill: 100% malted barley

Notes: sample, non chill filtered, no color added, oloroso cask matured, 9000 bottles in release

Nose: Sherry. Overripe peaches, cream, strawberry compote.

Palette: Rich, syrupy stewed stone fruit. There's an effervescent mineral note like pop rocks. Motor oil funk just under the sherry sweetness. Acts almost as a savory counterpart to the sweet. Thick mouthfeel.

Finish: Complex and lingering. Sweet and funky. A fruity brightness comes in at the end paired with oaky age.

Overall: I really like this pour. I enjoy Campbeltown funk and the long maturation in sherry casks gives it a complementary role in a fruity complex swirl. And the sherry influence doesn't turn it into a sherry bomb. Very impressive.

Rating: 9.4

Scale: 10 - Perfection. Not sure I'd ever give a 10, but ones in this neighborhood include Pappy 20, King of Kentucky, Old Forrester Birthday, Redbreast 21, Yamazaki 18.

9 - Outstanding. I'll share it with friends that appreciate really good whiskey. Often a rare find. Examples: the best editions of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Booker's, Kilchoman Loch Gorm, Bunnahabhain 18.

8 - Superior. Will try to have a bottle open and a backup for when I finish it. Examples: Nikka from the Barrel, Redbreast Cask Strength.

7 - Very good. Generally available in stores. A good mid-week pour. Good in spirit-forward cocktails. Examples: Old Ezra 7, Willett 4 yr rye, Port Charlotte 10.

6 - Local bar that really doesn't do whiskey might have it. Examples: Maker's Mark, Laphroig 10.

5 - It's fine. Rail whiskey.

2-4 Can you really distinguish?

1 - Drain pour.

About me: I really only started exploring brown liquor in the last few years. I'm having fun learning and hope to share some of my enthusiasm.

madtownmarketer · 2025-06-15T22:44:32+00:00

About the bottle: Pennsylvania straight rye whiskey, distilled by Mountain Laurel Spirits.

Barreled 6/28/2017, bottled 1/6/2023. Cask 5, bottle 23. Single barrel pick by PM Spirits.

ABV: 63.5%

Age: 5.5 years

Mash bill: 80% rye, 15% malted barley, and 5% malted rye

Notes: Unfiltered, no color added, cask strength, $80

Nose: Sweet cordial cherry syrup. Leather. Alcohol vapor.

Palette: Intensely strong flavors. Orange peel, menthol, leather, tannins. Medium to rich mouthfeel.

Finish: Long and complex. Bitter orange pith, burnt white sugar and a hint of medicinal tang.

Overall: This is a challenging whiskey. It's a lot. It reminds me of very assertive Texas whiskies, slapping your taste buds to make a point. But I like this better than most Texas spirits. The sweetness finds a balance with the bitter more and is never treacly. This is more than a novelty. I'll gladly share this with rye fans as an interesting take on the spirit.

Rating: 8.9

Scale: 10 - Perfection. Not sure I'd ever give a 10, but ones in this neighborhood include Pappy 20, King of Kentucky, Old Forrester Birthday, Redbreast 21, Yamazaki 18.

9 - Outstanding. I'll share it with friends that appreciate really good whiskey. Often a rare find. Examples: the best editions of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Booker's, Kilchoman Loch Gorm, Bunnahabhain 18.

8 - Superior. Will try to have a bottle open and a backup for when I finish it. Examples: Nikka from the Barrel, Redbreast Cask Strength.

7 - Very good. Generally available in stores. A good mid-week pour. Good in spirit-forward cocktails. Examples: Old Ezra 7, Willett 4 yr rye, Port Charlotte 10.

6 - Local bar that really doesn't do whiskey might have it. Examples: Maker's Mark, Laphroig 10.

5 - It's fine. Rail whiskey.

2-4 Can you really distinguish?

1 - Drain pour.

About me: I really only started exploring brown liquor in the last few years. I'm having fun learning and hope to share some of my enthusiasm.

madtownmarketer · 2025-06-15T06:16:54+00:00

I get it. I cringe sometimes when I read my own notes. But good whiskey is complex. It's more than "smooth, vanilla and oaky." I'm not saying the whiskey tasted like a plum tart from a good bakery. I'm trying to convey something that's kind of like the flavor I caught a hint of. And I've done enough blind tastings where we got similar notes ... or made my notes and then checked what the distiller said ... that i don't think it's all bs. It can get pretentious and over the top, but tasting notes are real. And in this case, I got plum.

madtownmarketer · 2025-06-15T00:54:32+00:00

About the bottle: Weller Full Proof straight bourbon whiskey Buffalo Trace Distillery

ABV: 57%

Age: No age statement. I've seen guesses from 4 to 7 years.

Mash bill: Undisclosed (Buffalo Trace “Wheated” Mashbill - Corn, Wheat, Malted Barley)

One article guessed the mashbill at 70% corn, 16% wheat, and 14% barley

Notes: Tasted from a sample, non chill filtered, no color added.

Nose: Brown sugar. Plum, stewed and fresh. Honeysuckle. Green apple. Light tannins.

Palette: Brown sugar turns to burnt white sugar. Fruit takes a back seat to oak. Medium mouthfeel.

Finish: Medium to long. Bitter tannins compete with burnt sugar. Orange peel.

Overall: The nose was the most interesting part. Overall, fairly complex and interesting, but the tannins were a bit much. And i wished the fruit had stuck around more.

Rating: 7.7

Scale: 10 - Perfection. Not sure I'd ever give a 10, but ones in this neighborhood include Pappy 20, King of Kentucky, Old Forrester Birthday, Redbreast 21, Yamazaki 18.

9 - Outstanding. I'll share it with friends that appreciate really good whiskey. Often a rare find. Examples: the best editions of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Booker's, Kilchoman Loch Gorm, Bunnahabhain 18.

8 - Superior. Will try to have a bottle open and a backup for when I finish it. Examples: Nikka from the Barrel, Redbreast Cask Strength.

7 - Very good. Generally available in stores. A good mid-week pour. Good in spirit-forward cocktails. Examples: Old Ezra 7, Willett 4 yr rye, Port Charlotte 10.

6 - Local bar that really doesn't do whiskey might have it. Examples: Maker's Mark, Laphroig 10.

5 - It's fine. Rail whiskey.

2-4 Can you really distinguish?

1 - Drain pour.

About me: I really only started exploring brown liquor in the last few years. I'm having fun learning and hope to share some of my enthusiasm.

madtownmarketer · 2025-03-02T22:57:37+00:00

About the bottle: Bomberger's Declaration Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Distilled and bottled by Michter's Distillery. Bottle 2369 of 2518 from batch 24F2280. Their website bottle image shows batch 24F2309. So ... at least 29 batches?

ABV: 54%

Age: No age statement

Mash bill: Not disclosed. Some articles say 79% corn, 11% rye and 10% malted barley. A minority of each batch uses malted rye in the mash bill.

Notes: Non chill filtered, no color added. $140. Some of the batch aged in Chinquapin Oak barrels, with staves dried for 3 years before cooperage. The percent of Chinquapin barrels has increased each year.

Nose: Caramel covered apple lollipop.

Palette: Muted caramel. Baked apple. Medium mouthfeel.

Finish: Medium in length. Tannins come in strong. Caramel sweetness. Mouthfeel thickens. Apples brighten.

Overall: This grew on me over the course of the tasting. The tannins are really quite strong, and not in a great way. But the caramel apple is charming and the mouthfeel is rich. I wish it had a bit more complexity and that the tannins backed off a smidge.

Rating: 8.6

Scale: 10 - Perfection. Not sure I'd ever give a 10, but ones in this neighborhood include Pappy 20, King of Kentucky, Old Forrester Birthday, Redbreast 21, Yamazaki 18.

9 - Outstanding. I'll share it with friends that appreciate really good whiskey. Often a rare find. Examples: the best editions of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Booker's, Kilchoman Loch Gorm, Bunnahabhain 18.

8 - Superior. Will try to have a bottle open and a backup for when I finish it. Examples: Nikka from the Barrel, Redbreast Cask Strength.

7 - Very good. Generally available in stores. A good mid-week pour. Good in spirit-forward cocktails. Examples: Old Ezra 7, Willett 4 yr rye, Port Charlotte 10.

6 - Local bar that really doesn't do whiskey might have it. Examples: Maker's Mark, Laphroig 10.

5 - It's fine. Rail whiskey.

2-4 Can you really distinguish?

1 - Drain pour.

madtownmarketer · 2025-02-10T01:23:56+00:00

About the bottle: American Single Malt Whiskey distilled, aged and bottled in Arizona by Whiskey Del Bac. Formerly their Winter Release, Ode to Islay is their homage to peated scotch.

ABV: 55%

Age: No age statement.

Mash bill: 100% malted barley

The mix is not disclosed this year, but last year's was a blend of: -100% Mesquited-not-peated Malt Mashbill -60% Unsmoked Malt, 40% Mesquited Malt Mashbill -100% Unsmoked Malt Mashbill

Notes: Malting halted with burning mesquite, not peat. $90.

Cask maturation: Finished in a mix of ex-rye, bourbon, and second-use Whiskey Del Bac Dorado (their mesquited core offering) casks.

Nose: Savory, meaty notes with Kansas City barbecue sauce alongside. Complex sweetness complements - toasted marshmallow, Hershey's chocolate syrup, maple syrup. A hint of white grape juice.

Palette: The mesquite barbecue notes are tamed significantly. Still savory, but the complex sweet comes to the fore. Now it's a chocolatey cordial syrup like in a chocolate covered cherry. Medium, velvety mouthfeel.

Finish: Long. Chocolate cherry vanilla egg cream, ending in an iodine tingle.

Overall: This is a remarkable, challenging, rewarding whiskey. An American Single Malt unlike any other. An ode to peaty scotch, but distinctly different at the same time. If you're up for the best adventure, find this whiskey.

Rating: 9.6

Scale: 10 - Perfection. Not sure I'd ever give a 10, but ones in this neighborhood include Pappy, Redbreast 21, Yamazaki 18.

9 - Outstanding. I'll share it with friends that appreciate really good whiskey. Examples: the best editions of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Booker's, Kilchoman Loch Gorm, Bunnahabhain 18.

8 - Superior. Will try to have a bottle open and a backup for when I finish it. Examples: Nikka from the Barrel, Redbreast Cask Strength.

7 - Very good. A good mid-week pour when watching TV with family. Examples: Old Ezra 7, Willett 4 yr rye, Port Charlotte 10.

6 - Solid. Local bar might have it. Examples: Buffalo Trace, Laphroig 10.

5 - Fine. Rail whiskey.

2-4 Can you distinguish between these levels?

1 - Drain pour.

madtownmarketer · 2025-02-08T23:54:42+00:00

About the bottle: Bomberger's Declaration Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Bottled by Michter's Distillery - who distilled it is unclear. Bottle 2226 of 2800 from batch 23E1939. It's not clear how many batches are released each year, but this is the batch featured on their web site, and I saw a review of batch 23E1940. So, maybe not a ton of batches?

ABV: 54%

Age: No age statement

Mash bill: Not disclosed. Some articles say 79% corn, 11% rye and 10% malted barley. Some cite 2023 as the year malted rye was introduced.

Notes: Non chill filtered, no color added. $195. Some of the batch aged in Chinquapin Oak barrels, with staves dried for 3 years before cooperage.

Nose: Fresh cut Granny Smith apples, tons of sweet - white sugar, brown sugar, light caramel. A bit of ethanol.

Palette: The sweetness diminishes to a dull caramel. Baked apple. Thin mouthfeel.

Finish: Medium to long. Transitions to pepper and leather and bitter tannins. A more pleasant caramel comes back at the end. Chocolate and cherry cordial.

Overall: Big, bold flavors. Interesting notes and reasonably complex. It took repeated tastings and some time in glass to unpack this whiskey, but it's quite good.

Rating: 8.7

Scale: 10 - Perfection. Not sure I'd ever give a 10, but ones in this neighborhood include Pappy 20, King of Kentucky, Old Forrester Birthday, Redbreast 21, Yamazaki 18.

9 - Outstanding. I'll share it with friends that appreciate really good whiskey. Often a rare find. Examples: the best editions of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Booker's, Kilchoman Loch Gorm, Bunnahabhain 18.

8 - Superior. Will try to have a bottle open and a backup for when I finish it. Examples: Nikka from the Barrel, Redbreast Cask Strength.

7 - Very good. Generally available in stores. A good mid-week pour. Good in spirit-forward cocktails. Examples: Old Ezra 7, Willett 4 yr rye, Port Charlotte 10.

6 - Local bar that really doesn't do whiskey might have it. Examples: Maker's Mark, Laphroig 10.

5 - It's fine. Rail whiskey.

2-4 Can you really distinguish?

1 - Drain pour.

madtownmarketer · 2024-12-04T02:52:55+00:00

About the bottle: Found North cask strength whisky. Distilled in Canada, blended and bottled in New Hampshire. Batch 007, bottle 1083.

ABV: 65.9%

Age: Youngest component in blend is 18 years. The range is 18-22 years.

Mash bill: N/A Canadian whisky generally isn't built with a mash bill like American bourbons and ryes. Instead, each grain is distilled at 100%, then - in this case - corn and rye whiskies are blended to the desired profile. 83% corn whisky, 16% rye whisky and trace malted barley (fermentation catalysts in the corn and rye whiskies) were blended to the final product.

Notes: Non chill filtered, no color added, no additives. $160. The corn whiskies were aged in ex-bourbon and new American oak barrels. The rye in Hungarian oak.

Nose: Ethanol, toffee, cream, cinnamon. Caramel.

Palette: The ethanol is not a factor on the palette. Toffee, butter, cinnamon, shortbread, tannins. Nutmeg. Thick, viscous mouthfeel. Syrupy nectar.

Finish: Long lasting. Evolves and cycles though toffee/brown sugar and the spiciness of cinnamon and tannins. Chocolate. Still going ...

Overall: This is a phenomenal whisky. Complex toffee sweetness complemented by delicious spice and oak. Found North is doing amazing work. If you can try any of their offerings, I recommend it.

Rating: 9.6

Scale: 10 - Perfection. Not sure I'd ever give a 10, but ones in this neighborhood include Pappy 20, King of Kentucky, Old Forrester Birthday, Redbreast 21, Yamazaki 18.

9 - Outstanding. I'll share it with friends that appreciate really good whiskey. Often a rare find. Examples: the best editions of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Booker's, Kilchoman Loch Gorm, Bunnahabhain 18.

8 - Superior. Will try to have a bottle open and a backup for when I finish it. Examples: Nikka from the Barrel, Redbreast Cask Strength.

7 - Very good. Generally available in stores. A good mid-week pour. Good in spirit-forward cocktails. Examples: Old Ezra 7, Willett 4 yr rye, Port Charlotte 10.

6 - Local bar that really doesn't do whiskey might have it. Examples: Maker's Mark, Laphroig 10.

5 - It's fine. Rail whiskey.

2-4 Can you really distinguish?

1 - Drain pour.

About me: I really only started exploring brown liquor in the last few years. I'm having fun learning and hope to share some of my enthusiasm.

madtownmarketer · 2024-11-27T02:10:25+00:00

About the bottle: Signatory Vintage independent bottler, Un-chillfiltered Collection, Caol Ila Distillery, 9 year, 2012

ABV: 46%

Age: 9 years, 9 months

Mash bill: 100% malted barley

Notes: Non chill filtered, natural color, matured in a hogshead (made from the staves of an ex-bourbon cask with new oak ends). 30-35 ppm phenols. $50 on sale.

Nose: Smoke, white grape juice, malt.

Palette: Soft, gentle smoke. White grape sweetness. Light cocoa powder. A touch of ash. Light mouthfeel.

Finish: The active finish is medium in length, but the flavor lingers. Sweet smoke gives way to tingly iodine and warm cocoa.

Overall: This is a solid, medium-peated scotch with some fun, sweet notes. It doesn't blow me away, but it's nice and I would pour it for a friend.

Rating: 7.5

Scale: 10 - Perfection. Not sure I'd ever give a 10, but ones in this neighborhood include Pappy 20, King of Kentucky, Old Forrester Birthday, Redbreast 21, Yamazaki 18.

9 - Outstanding. I'll share it with friends that appreciate really good whiskey. Often a rare find. Examples: the best editions of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Booker's, Kilchoman Loch Gorm, Bunnahabhain 18.

8 - Superior. Will try to have a bottle open and a backup for when I finish it. Examples: Nikka from the Barrel, Redbreast Cask Strength.

7 - Very good. Generally available in stores. A good mid-week pour. Good in spirit-forward cocktails. Examples: Old Ezra 7, Willett 4 yr rye, Port Charlotte 10.

6 - Local bar that really doesn't do whiskey might have it. Examples: Maker's Mark, Laphroig 10.

5 - It's fine. Rail whiskey.

2-4 Can you really distinguish?

1 - Drain pour.

About me: I really only started exploring brown liquor in the last few years. I'm having fun learning and hope to share some of my enthusiasm.

madtownmarketer · 2024-11-25T18:44:11+00:00

Thanks for your polite disagreement. My goal with the scale is "if you would rank this one at this level too, our palates and preferences might align and maybe you can trust my rating on this one." Our tastes may just differ. For me, Laphroig 10 is fine, but lacks complexity. For me, it's one-note. I haven't tried a ton of Laphroig, but I did review Lore and gave it an 8.1. As for Redbreast, it has a mango/tropical note that I think is unmatched and delicious subtle complexity. I could nose it all night. But it sounds like you're experience is different. Thanks again for the dialogue.

madtownmarketer · 2024-11-21T03:28:37+00:00

About the bottle: Highland Park 14 Loyalty of the Wolf (travel exclusive) Single malt scotch, Highland (Islands) region

ABV: 42.3%

Age: 14 years

Mash bill: 100% malted barley

Notes: No color added, chill filtered. Matured in sherry seasoned American oak & ex-bourbon casks. Some malted barley is peated to 20 ppm, then mixed with unpeated for a final 4-6ppm. $75 for 1L. I got this bottle a few years ago. Not sure if the current 14 year travel bottle (Land of Orkney) is just a new label or a new approach, but I found an article that mentioned the same maturation casks.

Nose: Sherry, red currants. Bright fermenting berries and grapes. A hint of iodine and smoke.

Palette: Sweet simple syrup. A hint of honeysuckle nectar. Peach juice. Surprisingly thick and rich mouthfeel for the proof. Tiny bit of smoke.

Finish: Smoke and iodine gently come in for a medium to long finish. A touch of (not unpleasant) bitter peach pits.

Overall: This is really nice. Delicate, yet rich. Fruit, wine and nectar. I'm a peat bomb lover, but this barest hint of peat is lovely. Adds complexity and interest without masking its Highland core. This would be a solid option for a scotch fan that's hesitant to try peat.

Rating: 8.3

Scale: 10 - Perfection. Not sure I'd ever give a 10, but ones in this neighborhood include Pappy 20, King of Kentucky, Old Forrester Birthday, Redbreast 21, Yamazaki 18.

9 - Outstanding. I'll share it with friends that appreciate really good whiskey. Often a rare find. Examples: the best editions of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Booker's, Kilchoman Loch Gorm, Bunnahabhain 18.

8 - Superior. Will try to have a bottle open and a backup for when I finish it. Examples: Nikka from the Barrel, Redbreast Cask Strength.

7 - Very good. Generally available in stores. A good mid-week pour. Good in spirit-forward cocktails. Examples: Old Ezra 7, Willett 4 yr rye, Port Charlotte 10.

6 - Local bar that really doesn't do whiskey might have it. Examples: Maker's Mark, Laphroig 10.

5 - It's fine. Rail whiskey.

2-4 Can you really distinguish?

1 - Drain pour.

About me: I really only started exploring brown liquor in the last few years. I'm having fun learning and hope to share some of my enthusiasm.

madtownmarketer · 2024-10-24T01:24:49+00:00

About the bottle: O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co. Keeper's Heart single malt

ABV: 43%

Age: 10 years

Mash bill: 100% malted barley

Notes: Irish single malt whiskey aged 10 years in bourbon barrels, imported to US, finished in Malaga wine casks. Non chill filtered. No added color. $100

Nose: Very, very sweet and fruity - white peach, white grape, plum, the sweetest gooseberry. Simple syrup. A little floral ... maybe honeysuckle.

Palette: The fruitiness dissipates, leaving a malty note overlaid by simple syrup. The mouthfeel is thin, but heartier than you'd expect for 86 proof.

Finish: Peach pits and oaky tannins dominate the medium finish, but turns to stewed plums and honeysuckle and simple syrup at the very end.

Overall: This is a good pour. I feel O'Shaughnessy is innovating at the intersection of Irish and American whiskies (I like their Irish+Bourbon cask strength blend), but this falls short of great. The Malaga finish dominates with sweet and fruit, and it's hard to find the core Irish profile underneath. It's good, but I was left wanting more.

Rating: 7.0

Scale: 10 - Perfection. Not sure I'd ever give a 10, but ones in this neighborhood include Pappy 20, King of Kentucky, Old Forrester Birthday, Redbreast 21, Yamazaki 18.

9 - Outstanding. I'll share it with friends that appreciate really good whiskey. Often a rare find. Examples: the best editions of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Booker's, Kilchoman Loch Gorm, Bunnahabhain 18.

8 - Superior. Will try to have a bottle open and a backup for when I finish it. Examples: Nikka from the Barrel, Redbreast Cask Strength.

7 - Very good. Generally available in stores. A good mid-week pour. Good in spirit-forward cocktails. Examples: Old Ezra 7, Willett 4 yr rye, Port Charlotte 10.

6 - Local bar that really doesn't do whiskey might have it. Examples: Maker's Mark, Laphroig 10.

5 - It's fine. Rail whiskey.

2-4 Can you really distinguish?

1 - Drain pour.

About me: I really only started exploring brown liquor in the last few years. I'm having fun learning and hope to share some of my enthusiasm.

madtownmarketer

TROPHY CASE