Elijah Craig, 12 Year

Wow. It has been too long since my last published tasting review. It's not that I haven't been savoring new bourbons in the company of friends, I just haven't had the time to sit, taste, and compile my thoughts about bourbons lately---so I am forcing myself to write a review, because I know you want more tasting notes.

I've sampled the majority of bourbons in the $20-$40 range, so I'm always looking at the edges of the shelf space for my store to add new bourbons. This last trip to the store they finally had Elijah Craig 12 Year small batch bourbon (produced by Heaven Hill Distillery). Pastor Elijah Craig has a very interesting history, one which you can read briefly here or more extensively here, but what is important to realize is that preachers making liquor was the dawn of bourbon distilling in this country.

So how does it taste?

First, the mouth feel is very smooth and oaky, to be expected from 12-years of aging. It's not a sharp tasting bourbon, with a quick bite. I would describe this bourbon as rich, with a vanilla smoothness, followed by pecans, and scent notes of cherries. The finish is clean, and doesn't linger unnecessarily long, i'd say it's the perfect finish.

I would recommend a bottle of Elijah Craig 12 for dreary almost-spring days, or for any occasion where a sub $30 bourbon fits the bill, i.e. an everyday sipper.

enjoy.






Sources Used in tandem with my own taste experience:
Master of Malt
Bourbon Enthusiast
L.A. Whiskey Society

Bulleit Bourbon

A special thanks to Cameron Braun [ http://www.braun-photography.com ] for gifting me this bottle:


Bulleit Bourbon from will haas on Vimeo.

contextual and flavor research was provided with the following sources:

bulleitbourbon.com/

Paul Pacult via Bourbon Enthusiast, bourbonenthusiast.com/forum/DBvd.php?id=159&task=displaybottling

liquorsnob.com/archives/2007/06/bulleit_bourbon_review.php

uncrate.com/stuff/bulleit-bourbon/ '

and Wikipedia, of course.

10-Year Glenmorangie Original

A Scotch tasting on WillHaas[blog]?!? If you're mind hasn't exploded onto the walls around you, you'll want to keep reading. Not only is this the first Scotch (a.k.a. irish whisky) but this is also the first time that I have relinquished authorship of a post to a guest writer. 


The guest author is long-time friend (and now international linguist) Sam Ronicker. I have known Sam since 1997, and although we haven't seen each other for a few years, our conversation was revived with a quality, aged tonic. 


Please take some time to check out Sam's Blog: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness


Now...on to the Scotch

10-Year Glenmorangie Original: 

[photo credit sam ronicker]

Sam writes:
I taste-tested this single malt scotch whisky Glenmorangie Original at Taguchi beach park this evening.  While I like the taste and may add it to my regular scotch collection, it doesn't have enough bite for my preference.  I like biting scotch and this particular single malt it a bit too smooth and sweet for me.  A bit of a floral taste sweeter than other single malts I've tasted.  


It does, however, have a beautiful look, especially in the warm glow of the setting sun over the East China Sea.  It has a bit of a woody taste to it---which isn't unusual for single malts and it is quite smooth.  Glenmorangie is not the smoothest taste I've had but pretty good.  I definitely will look forward to having more.  Don't worry the bottle and glass, they survived the trip to the beach and I am actually sitting at my desk enjoying another glass as I write this. 


Whatever the case, if you're looking for a clean single malt to go with a premium cigar (which I don't have, because I haven't found a good cigar shop here on island yet) just to sit back and enjoy the original Glenmorangie.  You will not be disappointed.