Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Washington’s Woodinville Whiskey Co. has received a fair share of positive buzz in the last year, particularly their barrel-proof selections. I’m sure I’ll get to one of those down the road, but for now it’s their 90-proof straight bourbon. I hope it’s as hefty as the bottle.

Pour: Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Proof: 90
Age: at least 4 years
Color: amber/honey
Nose: box cornbread, bright maple syrup, sourdough
Taste: sharp vanilla, no. 2 pencil, Mrs. Dash spice blend
Finish: moderate length – mild oak, caramel candy, polished leather

Overall: I really wanted to love this whiskey, but I don’t. While I appreciate Woodinville’s dedication and grain-to-glass attention to detail, the 90-proof expression isn’t there yet. It’s distinctly youthful, but in all fairness they’re just getting started.

Rating: Crafty.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C920

They say it’s one of the best values on the market today. They’re not wrong. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is a full-barrel-strength, 12-year Kentucky bourbon behemoth typically found for $70 (often less). Impressive? Damn right. But how does it taste? Funny you should ask …

Pour: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C920
Proof: 132.8
Age: 12 years
Color: dense rosy copper
Nose: rich molasses, vanilla bean, heavily steeped black tea
Taste: burnt brown sugar, sweet charred oak, peppery toffee
Finish: chocolate caramel corn, thick honey-maple, tobacco, sassafras

Overall: Wow. While I’m not as well-versed with ECBP as others, I’ve had my share. Batch C920 is no slouch. No ma’am, no sir. Notable maturity, intense complexity (doesn’t hurt to add water), and balanced in spite of it all. Y’all still chasing Geo. T. Stagg?

Rating: Excellent.

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 20-01

As popular as Maker’s Mark may be with the general public, it often flies under the radar for whiskey enthusiasts. Its lean portfolio is possibly one reason, though it shares an expression count equivalent to Van Winkle. At least Maker’s Mark is available and affordable, right?

Pour: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 20-01
Proof: 110.1
Age: at least 4 years
Color: rose gold
Nose: sweet vanilla, toasted oak, hazelnut coffee
Taste: bright woody spice, caramel drizzle, semisweet chocolate
Finish: moderately long – Cinnamon Red Hots, classic syrup, peppery tea

Overall: What Maker’s Mark Cask Strength lacks in maturity and complexity, it more than makes up for in character. It’s Maker’s DNA in near-pure form. Considering it’s likely 5-year KSBW (or thereabouts), there’s a lot more to love here than loathe.

Rating: It’s good.

Old Tub

A not-so-attractive name with important historical significance. Some folks call Jim Beam’s Old Tub “Booker’s Junior.” An oxymoron of sorts, but they’re not entirely wrong. Regardless, a bottled-in-bond NCF KSBW for $20. What can go wrong?

Pour: Old Tub
Proof: 100
Age: at least 4 years
Color: amber
Nose: peanut brittle, buttered corn, light baking spice
Taste: peppery vanilla, nutty caramel toffee, toasted sugar
Finish: moderate length – sharp vanilla, brisk oak, diminishing black pepper

Overall: It’s $20, better than Beam Black, and it makes a solid Old Fashioned. Knob Creek it is not, but then it’s not supposed to be. Old Tub is decent whiskey at a budget price. It also looks good sitting on a shelf next to bottles triple its price.

Rating: No complaints.