One-Line Whiskey

Hibiki Japanese Harmony

Could I have dragged my feet any longer on this? I will admit I am still mourning the loss of the Hibiki 12-year. And that’s partially why I waited. I didn’t think I could be impartial, bitter as I was about the disappearance of my much-beloved, plum-wine-cask-aged, Japanese whisky.

And I was probably right to.

Spirit Works Distillery Straight Rye Whiskey

Clyde May’s Alabama Style Whiskey

Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey

Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Port Cask Finished, 21-year

Ohishi Whisky

Koval White Whiskey - Rye

I tried this the first time at Whiskies of the World last year and enjoyed it then. I was excited when I walked into my neighborhood dive and discovered it was the current monthly whiskey special. 

It’s. Like. Candy. 

Clontarf 1014 Trinity Pack

Clontarf 1014 Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Weak nose, almost watery. Tastes coppery without much else to redeem it to my palate. With the addition of water you get a strong burst of earthy, washed-rind cheese (or gym sock, depending on how your taste buds interpret that particular note for you.)

Clontarf 1014 Reserve Irish Whiskey

This has a nose like someone distilled the pennies out of a shopping mall wishing well. Really unpleasant copper and chlorine. BUT. If you can get past that, it tastes really lovely. Sweet and creamy with a tiny, tart bite, like a citrus custard.

Clontarf 1014 Classic Irish Whiskey

Highland Park Dark Origins Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Forty Creek Barrel Select Whisky

Tasty. It’s a very bourbony whisky, which endears it to me. I like it better than most of the other Canadian whiskies I’ve tried. 

Forty Creek Copper Pot Whisky

Similar to the Barrel Select but tips over a little into decadent. It’s richer, rounder, fuller. I enjoyed this the most of the four Forty Creek offerings.

Forty Creek Double Barrel Reserve Whisky

Take a bourbony whisky and finish it in american bourbon casks and you get this lovely creature. 

Forty Creek Confederation Reserve Whisky

GlenGrant Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 10-year

Stone-fruity, creamy, and a little nutty, all three of these are matured in ex-bourbon casks but it’s the most obvious in this expression.. I find it quite, quite pleasant. 

GlenGrant Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 16-year

It’s little brighter, more astringent, stronger fruitiness with fewer creamy elements. I’d almost think it was mixed up with the 10 if I hadn’t seen them poured right in front of me.

GlenGrant Single Malt Scotch Whisky, The Major’s Reserve

SIA Blended Scotch Whisky

Compass Box Hedonism Blended Scotch Whisky

J. Seeds Apple Cider Whiskey

8 Seconds Blended Canadian Whisky

More bourbon, leaning than I was expecting. Some nutty notes, some toffee, and vanilla. A little bite to it that goes on a full spicy assault with the addition of water.

8 Seconds Black Blanded Canadian Whisky, 8-year

Catocin Creek Roundstone Rye, 92 Proof

I’d had this one before and was really impressed. That hasn’t changed. It’s bready and yeasty and spicy and really, really drinkable. Normally I plonk my rye tastings down into one or the other but this is just the perfect balance between the two.

Catocin Creek Roundstone Rye, Cask Strength

This is the 92 Proof turned up to 11. It’s also nicely balanced between warm, soothing bread and a spicy kick. It’s incredibly smooth for something cask strength and I would sip this just as long as I could. 

Catocin Creek Roundstone Rye

Whistle Pig Straight Rye Whiskey, 10-year

I haven’t had this one since early in my tasting effort. I didn’t like it then but figured since it had been a while, it was due a revisit. It’s still not for me. It has a note (to me it reads gym sock; to others it reads earthy or washed-rind cheese) that renders it undrinkable for me.

Whistle Pig Old World Straight Rye Whiskey, 12-year