Spirits Blind Tasting - A Spirits People Podcast

In this episode of the Spirits Blind Tasting podcast I'm doing a blind tasting of the J.P. Wiser's Dissertation Canadian Whisky and Old Forester 1920 Bourbon. Feel free to follow along with a dram of any of these or any other spirit you enjoy as I try to uncover the aromas and flavors of these 2 spirits.

If you'd like to support this podcast and get access to the behind the scenes video recordings from this episode, please join me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/spiritspeople

My tasting notes from this episode can also be found below:

Spirit A - J.P. Wiser's Dissertation (46.1% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Deep
• Color: Gold
• Suggested texture: Medium > high

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Ginger bread, vanilla, toffee/stroopwafels, chocolate orange, fresh apricots, lemongrass, rye grain, toasted oak
• Other notes: A very fresh aroma character, feels like summer in a glass. Not getting much on the aging side, just some of that toasted oak
• ABV: 45%-50%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Light, delicate, medium viscosity
• Intensity: Medium
• Flavor characteristics: Rye grain, fresh ginger, vanilla, lemon grass, slightly burnt toast, oak, black pepper corn
• Other notes: All the notes are very harmonized which could suggest some age, but on the other hand the rye grain is quite pronounced so could be a young rye too. The color would suggest younger OR that it’s aged at the bottom of the rickhouse if in the US, or it could mean it’s from a colder climate like Canada.
• Finish: Medium and very complex (Rye grain, grassy note, oak, black pepper)
• ABV: 40%~45% 

Conclusion

• Quality level: Outstanding
• Blind guess: Rye Whiskey

Spirit B - Old Forester 1920 (57.5% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Medium
• Color: Amber
• Suggested texture: High

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Butterscotch, werthers original, brown sugar, vanilla ice cream, cinnamon, cloves, lightly charred oak, leather, raisins, black cherries 
• Other notes: Dark and wintery nose compared to the very summery nose on spirit A
• ABV: 50%-55%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Silky, mouth filling, medium viscosity
• Intensity: Medium > pronounced
• Flavor characteristics: Caramel, brown sugar, black cherries, cinnamon, cloves, burnt toast, raisins, leather 
• Other notes: Feels like this has much more age than spirit A. More oak and char characteristics are coming through. Also, the ethanol is showing up and give a little bit of tongue burn, so the ABV should be higher than spirit A.
• Finish: Long and very complex (Caramel, cloves, oak, cherries)
• ABV: 50%-55%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Outstanding
• Blind guess: Bourbon

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me at any time on Instagram @spiritspeople

In this episode of the Spirits Blind Tasting podcast I'm doing a blind tasting of the Kentucky Peerless Rye Whiskey & Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye Whisky. Feel free to follow along with a dram of any of these or any other spirit you enjoy as I try to uncover the aromas and flavors of these 2 spirits.

If you're interested in behind the scenes video recordings from this episode, please join me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/spiritspeople

My tasting notes from this episode can also be found below:

Spirit A - Kentucky Peerless Rye Whiskey (54% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Medium
• Color: Amber
• Suggested texture: High viscosity

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Sweetcorn, toffee, vanilla, honey, fresh orange peel, hints of malt, cinnamon, cloves, hints of gingerbread, dry toasted oak, floral notes
• Other notes: A lot of aromas present. Not a lot of ethanol on the nose, feels quite soft but yet very clear aromas. Has a dryness to it. Classic bourbon characteristics.
• ABV: 45%-50%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Mouth filling, warming, high viscosity
• Intensity: Pronounced
• Flavor characteristics: Caramel, peppercorn, cinnamon, cloves, gingerbread, coffee beans, dried orange peel, burnt toast, charred oak, floral/fragrant.
• Other notes: Has a little bit of burn going down
• Finish: Long and complex (cloves, coffee beans, orange peel, floral/fragrant)
• ABV: ~55%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Outstanding
• Blind guess: High rye bourbon, 8-10 years, maybe Four Roses

Spirit B - Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye Whisky (45% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Deep
• Color: Gold
• Suggested texture: Medium viscosity

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Fresh lemon peel, over-ripe bananas, vanilla, butterscotch, gummybears, gingerbread, hints of fresh grass 
• Other notes: Completely different nose than Spirit A. Much sweeter in profile and more delicate aromas (subdued). Could be a wheated whiskey, but has a few Rye characteristics as well.
• ABV: ~45%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Silky, sweet, Light > medium viscosity
• Intensity: Medium
• Flavor characteristics: Fresh ginger, ripe bananas (gummybears), vanilla, fresh grass, honey, fresh lemon peel, hints of fresh pear, floral/fragrant, hints or oak/char.
• Other notes: Much sweeter and lighter ABV profile than Spirit A. A little bitterness coming through at the end, but it remains quite sweet/simple in a sense that most flavors are very similar and could benefit from some more range.
• Finish: Medium with some complexity (banana, oak)
• ABV: ~45%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Very good
• Blind guess: Rye whiskey, 3-4 years

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me at any time on Instagram @spiritspeople

In this episode of the Spirits Blind Tasting podcast I'm doing a blind tasting of the Berry Bros. & Rudd 19 year Caroni Rum & SpringBank Society 15 year Port Barrel. Feel free to follow along with a dram of any of these or any other spirit you enjoy as I try to uncover the aromas and flavors of these 2 spirits.

If you're interested in behind the scenes video recordings from this episode, please join me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/spiritspeople

My tasting notes from this episode can also be found below:

Spirit A - Berry Bros. & Rudd 19 year Caroni Rum (55% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Medium
• Color: Amber
• Suggested texture: Medium viscosity 

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Molasses, over-ripe banana, burnt pineapple, sulphur, blood orange/bitter orange, pine cones, cinnamon, vanilla beans, charred oak
• Other notes: There’s a strong Rum sensation, but also has some bourbon characteristics, but I’m not getting the sense of corn, rye, or wheat of the nose.
• ABV: >50%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Mouth filling, warming, medium viscosity
• Intensity: Pronounced
• Flavor characteristics: molasses, over-ripe banana, burnt pineapple, sherry, liquorice, nail varnish, charred oak
• Other notes: Nose opened up with more nail varnish notes
• Finish: Long with some complexity (molasses, over-ripe bananas, char)
• ABV: >60%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Very good > outstanding
• Blind guess: Barrel proof, pot still or pot and column blend, molasses rum

Spirit B - SpringBank Society 15 year Port Barrel (56.2% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Medium
• Color: Amber
• Suggested texture: Light > medium

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Soft peat, fresh sweet apples, sultanas, melted butter on toast, burnt brown sugar, hints of sea salt, stone fruits, dried lemon peel, fresh honey melon 
• Other notes: ABV is quite sharp on the nose when you get into the glass, but quite soft from a distance. 
• ABV: ~50%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Mouth filling, a bit watery, light viscosity
• Intensity: Pronounced
• Flavor characteristics: Peat, fresh sweet apples, burnt toast, sea salt, cracked black pepper, cloves, lemon peel, oats and malt grains
• Other notes: Picked up the grain note which I wasn’t able to on the nose
• Finish: Long and very complex (light peat, apples, burnt toast)
• ABV: ~55%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Outstanding
• Blind guess: Island or coastal single malt scotch, older than 12 years

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me at any time on Instagram @spiritspeople

In this episode of the Spirits Blind Tasting podcast I'm doing a blind tasting of the Prizefight Irish Whiskey & Glendalough 10 Year Black Pitts Porter Irish Whiskey. Feel free to follow along with a dram of any of these or any other spirit you enjoy as I try to uncover the aromas and flavors of these 2 spirits.

If you're interested in behind the scenes video recordings from this episode, please join me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/spiritspeople

My tasting notes from this episode can also be found below:

Spirit A - Prizefight Irish Whiskey (43% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Deep
• Color: Lemon
• Suggested texture: High viscosity

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Baked pear, fresh apples, vanilla, porridge, fresh lemon peel and fresh apricots. Light floral notes.
• Other notes: Very light and soft nose, has a hint of a harsh note underneath the soft and fruity notes, almost a hint of nail varnish.
• ABV: 40%-45%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Watery, silky, light viscosity
• Intensity: Light > medium
• Flavor characteristics: Baked pear, Porridge, licorice, pepper corns, burnt toast, light toasted oak notes
• Other notes: Much simpler than the nose, but starting to show some maturation flavors. The nail varnish on the nose has softened and is a bit more like a sensation of oak.
• Finish: Short to medium finish with some complexity (licorice, oak)
• ABV: 40%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Very good
• Blind guess: Irish blended whiskey

Spirit B - Glendalough 10 Year Black Pitts Porter Irish Whiskey (46% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Medium 
• Color: Gold
• Suggested texture: Light > medium

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Baked apples, sultanas, dried lemon peel, dried apricots, dry grass
• Other notes: Light nose, but has more pronounced notes than Spirit A. Feels dry and almost dusty compared to the freshness of spirit A.
• ABV: 45%-50%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Watery, silky, light viscosity
• Intensity: Medium > pronounced
• Flavor characteristics: Baked apples, maltesers, sultanas, oak, burnt toast, peppercorn 
• Other notes: Has a slight undefined nuttyness, and starting to nose some leather after a while. So much more powerful than Spirit A but still has the softness of an Irish whiskey. Potentially a single malt, or single pot still. Likely older than spirit A. 
• Finish: Medium > long very complex (Apples, char, peppercorn)
• ABV: 45%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Very good > outstanding
• Blind guess: Irish single pot still

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me at any time on Instagram @spiritspeople

In this episode of the Spirits Blind Tasting podcast I'm doing a blind tasting of the FEW Cask Strength Bourbon picked by the British Bourbon Society and Jack Daniels Barrel Strength. Feel free to follow along with a dram of any of these or any other spirit you enjoy as I try to uncover the aromas and flavors of these 2 spirits.

If you're interested in behind the scenes video recordings from this episode, please join me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/spiritspeople

My tasting notes from this episode can also be found below:

Spirit A - FEW Cask Strength Bourbon (BBS Pick) (64.38% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Medium
• Color: Amber
• Suggested texture: Medium oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Caramel, cinnamon, all spice, vanilla, rye bread, floral notes, dried orange peel, ripe banana, some oak, and nail varnish. Minty/menthol undertones.
• Other notes: ABV comes out of the glass quite sharp. There’s oak but not a lot of char would suggest a younger maturation. Smells like a classic bourbon.
• ABV: ~50%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Warming, silky, medium viscosity
• Intensity: Medium > pronounced
• Flavor characteristics: Caramel, oak, burnt toast, ripe bananas, dried orange peel, black peppercorn
• Other notes: Quite bitter on the palate at first, some caramel sweetness follows
• Finish: Long with some complexity (caramel, burnt toast)
• ABV: 50-55%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Very good
• Blind guess: Larger producer Bourbon 6-8 years, not cask finished

Spirit B - Jack Daniel's Barrel Strength (64.5% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Medium
• Color: Amber
• Suggested texture: Light > medium oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Quiet nose, dry leather, all spice, peppercorn, nutmeg, dried hazelnuts, burnt sugar, dried orange peel
• Other notes: Subdued aromas are all wrapped in an earthy sensation. Bourbon nose, but something else. Perhaps a vintage bottle.
• ABV: <50%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Dry, mouth filling, light viscosity
• Intensity: Pronounced
• Flavor characteristics: burnt toast, burnt sugar, black peppercorn, leather, cigar box, dried orange peel
• Other notes: Very mouth filling and yet feels much lighter in texture
• Finish: Long with some complexity (char, black peppercorn, leather)
• ABV: ~50%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Very good
• Blind guess: Large producer (perhaps vintage) Bourbon 6-8 years, not cask finished

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me at any time on Instagram @spiritspeople

In this episode of the Spirits Blind Tasting podcast I'm doing a side-by-side vertical blind tasting of the Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey from 2015 and 2017. Feel free to follow along with a dram of any of these or any other spirit you enjoy as I try to uncover the aromas and flavors of these 2 spirits.

If you're interested in behind the scenes video recordings from this episode, please join me on my new Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/spiritspeople

My tasting notes from this episode can also be found below:

Spirit A - Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey 2015 (63.45% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Medium
• Color: Amber
• Suggested texture: Medium oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium > pronounced
• Aroma characteristics: Rye grain, gingerbread, burnt sugar, vanilla, peanut brittle, marshmellows, fresh cut grass, dried apricots, dried orange peel, oak, cloves
• Other notes: ABV hits your nostrils pretty heavily along with very strong Rye grain and ginger notes
• ABV: >60%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Mouth filling, very oily
• Intensity: Pronounced
• Flavor characteristics: Rye grain, ginger spice, peanut brittle, grassy, dried apricots, cracked black pepper, burnt toast, char, oak, cloves, leather
• Other notes: Even with 10 drops of water in 25ml pour the ABV kicks up an alcohol storm
• Finish: Long and very complex (grain, pepper and char)
• ABV: >60%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Outstanding
• Blind guess: 2015

Spirit B - Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey 2017 (63.60% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Medium
• Color: Amber
• Suggested texture: Medium oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Rye grain, caramel, gingerbread, vanilla, cinnamon, dried orange peel, fresh cut grass, oak, tannins
• Other notes: This has a darker and more earthy aroma than spirit A
• ABV: >60%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Mouth filling, medium oily
• Intensity: Pronounced
• Flavor characteristics: Rye grain, caramel, ginger bread, grassy, cinnamon, toasted oak, leather
• Other notes: Also 10 drops of water, and also kicks up an alcohol storm on the palate
• Finish: Long and very complex (grain, ginger and char)
• ABV: >60%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Outstanding
• Blind guess: 2017

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me at any time on Instagram @spiritspeople

In this episode of the Spirits Blind Tasting podcast I'm doing a shoot-out blind tasting of the Weller 12 Bourbon and the Old Weller Antique 107 Bourbon. Feel free to follow along with a dram of any of these or any other spirit you enjoy as I try to uncover the aromas and flavors of these 2 spirits.

If you're interested in behind the scenes video recordings from this episode, please join me on my new Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/spiritspeople

My tasting notes from this episode can also be found below:

Spirit A - Weller 12 Bourbon (45% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Medium
• Color: Amber
• Suggested texture: Medium oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, baked apples, cherry compote, soft white bread, cinnamon, hints of oak
• Other notes: Larger nosings will give off some ethanol hits, suggesting a higher proof, however it’s a very soft nose overall where all the aromas tend to blend in together.
• ABV: 53.5%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Soft and silky
  Intensity: Medium
• Flavor characteristics: A lot more oak and some char coming on the palate than on the nose. Dark chocolate, black pepper, cinnamon, baked apples still coming through.
• Other notes: Feels lighter on the palate than on the nose. This is more likely the Weller 12.
• Finish: Medium > long, with some complexity. Oak and black pepper, hints of char and leather
• ABV: <50%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Very Good > outstanding
• Blind guess: Weller 12

Spirit B - Old Weller Antique 107 Bourbon (53.5% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Medium
• Color: Amber
• Suggested texture: Medium oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, oak, dried orange peel, apple pie pie crust 
• Other notes: Softer and more delicate nose than spirit A, but can still give off some ethanol with a big breath in. Also a very soft nose.
• ABV: 45%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Soft and mouth filling
• Intensity: Medium > pronounced
• Flavor characteristics: Oak, peppercorn, char/burnt toast, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, leather, cherries
• Other notes: Much sharper on the palate and more bitterness than on the nose. Feels younger than Spirit A.
• Finish: Medium with some complexity. Oak, leather  
• ABV: >50%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Very Good
• Blind guess: Weller Antique 107

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me at any time on Instagram @spiritspeople

In this episode of the Spirits Blind Tasting podcast, I'm doing a blind tasting of the Ardbeg 10 Scotch Single Malt Whisky & Mezcal Verde Momento. Feel free to follow along with a dram of any of these or any other spirit you enjoy as I try to uncover the aromas and flavors of these 2 spirits. My tasting notes from this episode can also be found below:

Spirit A - Ardbeg 10 Scotch Single Malt Whisky (% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Pale
• Color: Lemon
• Suggested texture: Thick oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Pronounced > medium
• Aroma characteristics: Peat, dried lemon peel, sea salt, seaweed 
• Other notes: Classic Islay scotch nose
• ABV: ~45%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Silky, mouthfilling, a little watery/thin
• Intensity: Pronounced
• Flavor characteristics: Peat, malt bread, flour, cloves, peppercorns, lemon peel, sultanas, ripe red apples, seaweed, sea salt 
• Other notes: Peaty and briney palate at lower ABV
• Finish: Long with some complexity (peat and cloves)
• ABV: ~45%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Outstanding
• Blind guess: Ardbeg 10

Spirit B - Mezcal Verde Momento (% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Water-white
• Color: Colorless
• Suggested texture: Light-medium oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Agave, campfire, green olives, charred green bell peppers
• Other notes: Classic Mezcal nose
• ABV: ~50%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Silky, mouthfilling, a little watery/thin
• Intensity: Pronounced
• Flavor characteristics: Agave, charred wood, charred green bell peppers, lime zest, hints of apricots?
• Other notes: Starts quite smoky then becomes light and sweet, and finally a bit ashey
• Finish: Long with some complexity (Agave and ash) 
• ABV: ~50%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Outstanding
• Blind guess: Artisanal Mezcal 100% Agave

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me at any time on Instagram @spiritspeople

In this episode of the Spirits Blind Tasting podcast, I'm doing a blind tasting of the SangSom Special Rum & St. George Botanivore Gin. Feel free to follow along with a dram of any of these or any other spirit you enjoy as I try to uncover the aromas and flavors of these 2 spirits. My tasting notes from this episode can also be found below:

Spirit A - SangSom Special Rum (40% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Deep
• Color: Gold
• Suggested texture: Thick oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Brown sugar, bananas, fresh orange peel
• Other notes: Light spirit, and very simple nose, likely a Rum
• ABV: ~40% 

Palate

• Sweetness: Off-dry > medium
• Texture: Watery, light
• Intensity: Medium
• Flavor characteristics: Brown sugar, peppercorn, orange peel
• Other notes: One-dimensional, and lack of oak/char on the nose and the palate would suggest added color too.
• Finish: Short > Medium simple finish with peppercorn bitterness
• ABV: ~40%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Good
• Blind guess: Affordable mixing rum

Spirit B - St. George's Botanivore Gin (45%)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Water-white
• Color: Colorless
• Suggested texture: Medium oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium > light
• Aroma characteristics: Juniper berries, black currant, fresh lemon peel, elderflower
• Other notes: Very refreshing and silky nose
• ABV: ~40%

Palate

• Sweetness: Off-dry
• Texture: Silky, watery
• Intensity: Medium
• Flavor characteristics: Juniper berries, black currant, lemon peel, peppercorn, all spice, floral notes.
• Other notes: Very silky and soft in the mouth, and became a bit floral after a little while.
• Finish: Medium with some complexity of juniper and peppercorn
• ABV: ~40%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Very good
• Blind guess: Gin

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me at any time on Instagram @spiritspeople

In this episode of the Spirits Blind Tasting podcast, I'm doing a blind tasting of the Angel's Envy Rum Cask Finished Rye Whiskey & Michter's Toasted Barrel Finished Rye Whiskey. Feel free to follow along with a dram of any of these or any other spirit you enjoy as I try to uncover the aromas and flavors of these 2 spirits. My tasting notes from this episode can also be found below:

Spirit A - Angel's Envy Rum Cask Finished Rye (50% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Deep
• Color: Gold
• Suggested texture: Thick oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium > Pronounced
• Aroma characteristics: Brown sugar, caramelized pear, cinnamon, gingerbread, pineapple, honey, sweetcorn, vanilla, lemon drizzle, hints of aniseed, hints of oak and leather
• Other notes: A very sweet nose with a strange aniseed-like note floating in the background. Most likely an American Rye Whiskey, but there are a few elements that lean towards a rum profile as well. Smells like a desert.
• ABV: ~55%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Mouth filling, warming, medium oily
• Intensity: Medium > Pronounced
• Flavor characteristics: Rye bread, ginger, lemon peel, peppercorn/aniseed, leather
• Other notes: Rye grain seems to be coming through, so leaning towards a Rye Whiskey over the Rum.
• Finish: Long and very complex carrying rye grain, lemon and oak

Conclusion

• Quality level: Very Good > Outstanding
• Blind guess: American or Canadian Rye Whiskey

Spirit B - Michter's Toasted Barrel Finished Rye (54% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Medium
• Color: Amber
• Suggested texture: Medium oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Butterscotch, werthers original, vanilla, dried orange peel, cloves, toasted oak, violets, lavender, fragrant with hints of ginger.
• Other notes: Feels like a high ABV, quite floral all around the nose. Likely an American Whiskey, High Rye Bourbon, or Rye Whiskey.
• ABV: ~60%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Mouth filling, warming, medium oily
• Intensity: Pronounced
• Flavor characteristics: Oak, burnt toast (char), caramel, vanilla, cloves, peppercorn, all spice, dark chocolate, coffee beans, leather, lavender
• Other notes: Very complex palate, a lot of flavors in balance with each other and lots of links between the nose and the palate
• Finish: Long and very complex with oak, cloves, dark chocolate and lavender
• ABV: ~65%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Outstanding
• Blind guess: American High Rye Bourbon

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me at any time on Instagram @spiritspeople

In this episode of the Spirits Blind Tasting podcast, I'm doing a blind tasting of the Vestal Vodka Appelation Pomorze 2013 & Montelobos Mezcal Joven 100% Espadin. Feel free to follow along with a dram of any of these or any other spirit you enjoy as I try to uncover the aromas and flavors of these 2 spirits. My tasting notes from this episode can also be found below:

Spirit A - Vodka Appelation Pomorze 2013 (40% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Pale
• Color: Lemon
• Suggested texture: Medium oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Agave?, Fresh green bell peppers, toasted wood, dried lemon peel, hints of fresh pear, hints of perfume
• Other notes: Undefined category, could be a light Tequila or Mezcal, but also a craft vodka of sorts
• ABV: 45%-50% (high 40’s)

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Silky, Creamy, Watery
• Intensity: Light
• Flavor characteristics: Hints of dried oak, peppercorn, floral perfume
• Finish: Short, neutral (Ethanol finish)
• ABV: ~45%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Outstanding
• Blind guess: Oak barrelled vodka

Spirit B - Montelobos Mezcal Joven 100% Espadin

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Water-white
• Color: Colorless
• Suggested texture: Medium oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Agave?, cardamom, seaweed, ripe red apple, basil, charred wood 
• Other notes: Heavy on the alcohol sharpness at first
• ABV: 40%-45% (low 40’s)

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Smooth, Mouth filling
• Intensity: Pronounced
• Flavor characteristics: Agave, red apples, charred bell peppers, black peppercorns, cardamom, basil, wood fire, nail polish, burnt orange peel, leather
• Finish: Long, very complex (many of the flavors carry on)
• ABV: ~45%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Outstanding
• Blind guess: Montelobos Mezcal Espadin

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me at any time on Instagram @spiritspeople

In this episode of the Spirits Blind Tasting podcast, I'm doing a blind tasting of the Braunstein Danica Single Malt Whisky Batch 2014-1 and Westland American Single Malt Whisky, La Maison Du Whisky 60th Anniversary Edition. Feel free to follow along with a dram of any of these or any other spirit you enjoy as I try to uncover the aromas and flavors of these 2 spirits. My tasting notes from this episode can also be found below:

Spirit A - Braunstein Danica Single Malt Whisky Batch 2014-1 (42% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Medium
• Color: Gold
• Suggested texture: Medium oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium > light
• Aroma characteristics: Dried lemon peel, fresh red apples, wood polish, hints of burnt sugar, vanilla, dried flowers, and dried grapes, slight maltiness
• Other notes: First a very light floral nose, however very hard to pickout any clear aromas except the wood polish
• ABV: ~45%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Smooth, watery 
• Intensity: Medium
• Flavor characteristics: Peppercorn, dark chocolate, oak, burnt toast, digestive biscuits 
• Other notes: Very dark palate compared to the nose which had more fruity notes. Feels a bit immature overall, balance seems off between nose and palate.
• Finish: Medium, simple > some complexity (mostly burnt toast)
• ABV: ~45% 

Conclusion

• Quality level: Good
• Blind guess: Malt whisky, world whisky

Spirit B - Westland American Single Malt Whisky, La Maison Du Whisky 60th Anniversary Edition (54.4% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Light
• Color: Amber
• Suggested texture: Medium oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Fresh pears, dates, vanilla, hints of smoke/peat, lemon, stone fruits, sea salt
• Other notes: Nose is fresh and dark at the same time. Very pleasant and complex.
• ABV: ~50%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Mouth filing, warming
• Intensity: Pronounced
• Flavor characteristics: Fresh pears, lemon, stone fruits, maltesers, cloves, hints of oak and char
• Other notes: Quite malty on the palate, but very citrus fresh at the same time. Feels like a well balanced and complex spirit.
• Finish: Long, very complexity (citrus, oak, maltesers) 
• ABV: ~50%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Outstanding
• Blind guess: Malt whiskey, potentially a blend from large malt whisky region

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me at any time on Instagram @spiritspeople

In this episode of the Spirits Blind Tasting podcast, I'm doing a blind tasting of the Mezcal Alipus Santa Ana Del Rio and Raymond Ragnaud Vieille Reserve Cognac. Feel free to follow along with a dram of any of these or any other spirit you enjoy as I try to uncover the aromas and flavors of these 2 spirits. My tasting notes from this episode can also be found below:

Spirit A - Mezcal Alipus Santa Ana Del Rio (47.6% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Water-white
• Color: Colorless
• Suggested texture: Medium oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium > Pronounced
• Aroma characteristics: Agave, cilantro, fresh lemon peel, green olives, charred green bell peppers, smoked fish
• Other notes: A citrus fruit freshness with very savory aromas
• ABV: < 50%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Smooth, Mouth filling
• Intensity: Pronounced
• Flavor characteristics: Char, green bell peppers, smoked fish, peppercorn
• Other notes: Great balance from nose to finish, and many flavors persist through the finish
• Finish: Long finish, very complex
• ABV: < 50%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Outstanding
• Blind guess: Mezcal Verde, 100% Agave

Spirit B - Raymond Ragnaud Vielle Reserve Cognac (41% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Pale
• Color: Amber
• Suggested texture: Very oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Grapes, Raisin, over ripe red apples, grated almonds, grated orange zest (zing), a bit floral 
• Other notes: Very sweet on the nose, almost overpowering, suggests added sugar
• ABV: > 50%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry > Odd-dry
• Texture: Smooth, semi mouth filling
• Intensity: Medium
• Flavor characteristics: Grapes, ripe apples apples, almonds, hints of char, hints of leather
• Finish: Medium, some complexity
• ABV: < 50%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Very Good
• Blind guess: VSOP/Napoleon Cognac (<10 years)

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me at any time on Instagram @spiritspeople

In this very first episode of the Spirits Blind Tasting podcast, I'm doing a blind tasting of the Redbreast 12 year Irish whiskey and Wild Turkey Master's Keep Decades bourbon. Feel free to follow along with a dram of any of these or any other spirit you enjoy as I try to uncover the aromas and flavors of these 2 spirits. My tasting notes from this episode can also be found below:

Spirit A - Redbreast 12 year Irish whiskey (40% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Pale
• Color: Amber
• Suggested texture: Thin

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium > Light
• Aroma characteristics: Caramelized apple, Vanilla, Lemon, Sultanas, Buttery Toast, Cereal Notes
• ABV: < 50%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Watery, Spicy
• Intensity: Light > Medium
• Flavor characteristics: Peppercorn (side of tongue), All spice, malty, digestive biscuits, burnt toast
• Finish: Short > Medium, Some complexity (Mostly peppercorn bitterness) 
• ABV: < 50%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Very Good
• Blind guess: Irish or Japanese Whisky

Spirit B - Wild Turkey Master's Keep Decades bourbon (52% ABV)

Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Medium
• Color: Amber
• Suggested texture: Oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Burnt sugar, Oak, Leather, Vanilla, Dried Orange Peel, Ripe Apricot, Almonds/Marzipan
• ABV: > 50%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Mouth Filling, Warming
• Intensity: Pronounced
• Flavor characteristics: Oak, Char, Burnt Toast, Vanilla, Roasted Almonds 
• Finish: Long, Some complexity (Char and Leather)
• ABV: > 60%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Very Good > Outstanding
• Blind guess: Barrel Strength Bourbon

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me at any time on Instagram @spiritspeople