1792 Small Batch Kentucky Bourbon

1792 small batch Kentucky Bourbon is on my MIDDLE Shelf. Great value for money but obviously not the best. In today's blog, I intend to cover the following-

-Brief history behind this bourbon & distillery

-Tasting notes

-SJ's Rating & review

-SJ's Pro tip

-Occasions

Barton 1792 Distillery was established in 1879 and is the oldest operating distillery in Bardstown, KY. It is named in honor of the year 1792 when Kentucky joined the United States. Seems like a very neat and interesting legacy behind this bourbon. 

Now about 1792 Small Batch Bourbon. The product story says "1792 Smal Batch is made from a marriage of few select barrels carefully chosen by our Master Distiller. This refined bourbon elevates Kentucky Distilling to exceptional new heights " Well it is time to find out how elevated my experience will be with the world-famous SJ's tasting :-).  Enjoy my tasting notes! 

Vital Stats-1792 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Price- $24.99 for 750ml

Age- NAS(No Age Statement)

ABV- 46.85%

Region- Kentucky, USA

Distilled & bottled by -Barton 1792 Distillery, Bardstown, KY

Awards won- 2020 World Whisky Of the year(Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2020) among a host of others.

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Glencairn glass

Serving style- Neat & then whisky sour cocktail

Appearance- Dark Amber

Aroma- Vanilla, oak, chocolate, spices

Flavor- Wow! oaky, spicy, cinnamon

Body- Medium

Finish- Short, bold, warm.

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf

The finish is a bit disappointing otherwise for this price it is a great bourbon. Also, has a high ABV of 46.85% which is a bonus for people like me who prefer bolder whiskies. Not exceptional as compared to other Kentucky Bourbons like Makers Mark or Woodford Reserve which happen to be my favorites.

Occasions- Bbq with friends & family

Cocktail- Whiskey sour

SJ's Pro tip- Great value for the money

It was an amazing experience tasting and sharing my notes with you. Hope this will help in deciding to get a bottle or not. Cheers! Enjoy your bourbon responsibly!

Not in the mood to read?Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast instead. 

Highland Park 12 Viking Honor Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Hello, Single Malters all over the world! Today I am reviewing Highland Park 12 Viking Honor Single Malt Scotchwhich is on my MIDDLE SHELF. In today's blog, I will cover the following 

-Brief history behind this whisky/distillery

-Tasting notes

-SJ's Rating & Review

-SJ's Pro tip

Highland Park Distillery was established in 1798 by founder Mgnus Eunson, a direct descendent of the early Viking settlers. Says its website "For over 220 years our distillery has sat stoically through long winters, raging storms, and 100mph winds. It makes for more harmonious whiskey." This itself speaks for the legacy of the distillery and the bottles of whiskey it churns out. 

Now about Viking Honor, it seems to be their signature product dedicated to their ancestors-the Vikings. Age for 12 years, it is for those who like peaty smoky whisky.

Check out my tasting notes, enjoy! 

Vital Stats- Highland Park 12 Viking Honor Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Price- $39.99 for 750ml 

Age- 12 years

ABV- 43%

Country/Region- Scotland

Company/Distillery- Highland Park Distillery, Orkney Islands, Scotland

Awards won- None found

Tasting info-

Serving glass- The Glencairn Glass

Serving style- Neat

Appearance- Medium gold

Aroma- Just like Glenfiddich, vanilla, honey, fruity notes, chocolate, cinnamon, spices

Flavor- Peaty, honey, spices

Body- Medium

Finish- Medium lingering but not too smooth, got a bite to it. 

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf 

Appearance looks pleasing, aroma is not bad. Finish and body lack the punch to be on my top spot. It is quite enjoyable though & the bottle also comes with amazing artwork with a Viking theme. 

Occasions- Casual Drinking

Food Pairing- Buff sukuti khaja set. The robust meat went well with the peaty whisky. Match made in heaven 😃

SJ's Pro tip 1- Would go for a Glenfiddich 12 anytime over this

SJ's Pro tip 2- Great for gift since it has an attractive bottle

I enjoyed exploring this whisky and enjoyed it. Hope this will help in choosing weather to buy it or not. Cheers! Enjoy Responsibly. 

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast instead.

Decoded 2018 Pinot Noir(wine)

Hello, single malters, today I am venturing into the world of wine with Decoded 2018 Pinot Noir- On my TOP Shelf. I intend to cover the following in today's blog. 

- Brief history behind this wine

- Tasting notes

- SJ's Rating & review

-What is Pinot Noir? 

- SJ's Pro tip

There is no clear information about the winery, whatever information I gathered is from the packaging. Reads the product label "The decoded name comes from the complexity and detail that goes into wine production. This wine exhibits flavors of rich dark cherries, licorice, and hints of sweet vanilla"

It suggests Whitefish, white sauce pasta& Roasted chicken for food pairing.

FAQ

What is Pinot Noir? 

It is a grape variety just like Cabernet Sauvignon. I found it semi-sweet and not too sweet, just how I prefer. You will have to taste both the find out which one you will like. 

I have my own tasting notes and pairings. Now let me decode things for you, enjoy! 😄

Vital Stats- Decoded 2018 Pinot Noir 

Price- $19.99 for 750ml bottle

Vintage- 2018

ABV- 14.5%

Country- USA

Region- Napa,CA

Cellered & bottled- Decoded wines, Napa,CA

Awards won- None

Tasting notes-

Appearance- Dark red

Aroma- Just red grapes nothing really stands out, a hint of blackberries

Flavor- Berries, sweet but not too sweet, dry 

Body- Full

Finish- Semi-sweet long & lingering

SJ's Rating- Top Shelf 

Quite a mouthful, robust flavor, good appearance. I enjoyed it hence goes in my top spot. 

Occasions-  Family dinner

SJ's Pro tip- It is a bit overpriced, check out my blog for other recommendations.

Food Pairing- Turkey burger, this wine perfectly washed down the delicious burger

I really enjoyed savoring this wine and presenting the facts in my blog. I am sure this information is useful to you. Cheers! Enjoy Responsibly!

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast

Bulleit Bourbon 10 Small Batch

Hello, single malters, today I am reviewing Bulleit Bourbon 10, Small Batch-on my TOP Shelf because of its smoothness and taste. I enjoyed every sip.  In my previous blogs, I have already covered this distillery Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey so will only cover the following-

-Tasting notes

-SJ's Pro tip

-Occasions

Its website says "Bullet Bourbon 10 is aged in charred American white oak. Select Bulliet bourbon barrels were set aside to age for 10 years. The result is a special expression of Bulleit that provides a rich, deep, incredibly smooth sipping experience." It is 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley. 

Tasting notes say- Deep russet in color, rich oaky aromas. Consistently smooth taste with vanilla, dried fruit, and a long smoky finish. The only thing I didn't find is smokiness in the finish. 

Now enjoy my tasting notes compared to theirs! Enjoy!😊

Vital Stats- Bulleit Bourbon 10 Small Batch 

Price- $36.99 for 750ml bottle

Age- 10 years

ABV- 45.6%

Country/Region- Kentucky,USA

Distillery- Bulleit Distilling, Kentucky, USA

Awards won- Gold Medal(2013,2014,2015), San Francisco World Spirits Competition among others

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Whisky tumbler

Serving style- Neat & On the rocks

Appearance- Dark amber

Aroma- Toffee, caramel, oak, cinnamon, citrus

Flavor- Dark chocolate, oak, cinnamon, spices

Body- Full

Finish- Incredibly creamy, smooth & long 

SJ's Rating- Top Shelf

I had a bad impression about Bullet Frontier but this 10-year-old small batch is very enjoyable. Has an amazing aroma, yummy flavor, and a very long smooth finish. Everything needed to be on my top spot!

Occasions- Friends get together

SJ's Pro tip- Comparable to Buffalo Trace 

This was an amazing find and I happened to sip this at a friend's place. Everyone who tried it enjoyed it a lot. Cheers! Give it a shot. Enjoy Responsibly. 

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast instead. 

Dewar's 12 Blended Scotch Whisky

Dewar's 12 Blended Scotch Whisky is on my TOP SHELF.  Very smooth and delicious which makes it really enjoyable. In today's blog, I intend to cover the following-

-Brief history behind this distillery

-Tasting notes

-SJ's Rating & Review

-SJ's Pro tip

It was founded in 1886 by the sons of John Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery and is the only Scotch whisky distillery built by the Dewar family. The presence of a superb natural water source in the Pitilie Burn(or small river) which runs past the distillery into the River Tay was a big factor in the decision. 

Now about Dewar's 12 years double-aged whisky. It rests in secondary oak barrels once the blend is created. This is where the magic is and the costly process is what gives an extra smoothness to the final whisky. Enough talk, it is now time for some sampling. Enjoy!

Vital Stats- Dewar's 12 Blended Scotch Whisky

Price- $23.49 for 750ml(pictured)

Age- 12 years

ABV- 40%

Country/Region- Scotland

Company/Distillery- John Dewar & Sons Ltd

Awards Won- Gold Prize 500 medals(from product packaging)

Tasting info-

Serving glass(s)- Glencairn glass and whisky tumbler

Serving style(s)- First neat then on the rocks

Appearance- Dark gold

Aroma- Cinnamon, oak, vanilla

Flavor- Sweetness from oak, Cinnamon, vanilla, spices, dark chocolate

Body- Full

Finish- Smooth, creamy. Warm & lingering. 

SJ's Rating- Top Shelf 

Hits the spot-on taste, aroma and finish, could not have chosen a more suitable whisky for the occasion. 

Occasions- Toast with old friends 

Food Pairing- Chicken BBQ(Dewars 12 was perfect to wash down smokey juicy chicken )

SJ's Pro tip- Try it on the rocks to cool down on this summer heat while getting your buzz. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this expression of Dewar's , had it every way so it is quite a versatile whisky. Check it out for yourselves and find out. Cheers! Enjoy Responsibly. 

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast instead.