Reviews

Review: Old Ezra Barrel Strength Bourbon

When this bottle of Old Ezra came across my sample table, the idea of a 7-year-old barrel strength bourbon excited me. The fact that it’s available for less than $40 is icing on the cake.

From a value standpoint, Old Ezra Barrel Strength checks off all the boxes on paper. But most important of all – is it any good?

It is, friends. In spades.

The nose is bold and full of rich caramel, spice, and some nuttiness. Taste-wise, Old Ezra Barrel Strength is full-bodied and robust, featuring hints of salted caramel, toasted oak, and black pepper. The finish is warm, with lingering cinnamon and toffee notes.

Luxco has another hit on their hands with this one. I hope Old Ezra Barrel Strength is a whiskey we can easily find on shelves. Luxco hasn’t made any mention of this being a limited release in press materials.

I can’t say it enough – this bourbon is fantastic! It’s on my shortlist as one of my favorite bourbons released in 2018. I know the flavor profiles are different and all, but this gives Booker’s a run for its money. If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know how huge a Booker’s fan I am.

Highly recommended. 8.5/10

Luxco.com

Thanks to Luxco for the sample. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review: Highland Park 30-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Photo courtesy of Highland Park

I get to taste lots of wonderful whiskies. Sometimes, a whisky on my “must taste” list comes across my sample table. I can now scratch Highland Park 30-year-old off that list.

Aged at least three long decades in mostly first-fill Spanish and American oak sherry casks as well as refill casks, Highland Park 30 utilizes the distillery’s traditional 20% peated / 80% unpeated spirit. That peat is from Orkney and carries the distillery’s signature aromatic heather note. It’s bottled at 45.7% ABV and not colored.

The nose is dark and sweet, with hints of dark toffee, dried figs, nutmeg, cocoa, and some citrus. Taste-wise, Highland Park 30 carries some weight. This is not a light summer whisky. It’s oily, with hints of dark toffee, roasted nuts and dried fruit while being imbued with rancio and Highland Park’s heathery peat smoke. There’s a touch of baking spice and old oak heading into the long finish. There are lingering notes of dark fruit, spice, peat, and oak.

This whisky is stunning… simply stunning. For carrying such a high age statement, Highland Park 30-year-old still has a bit of vibrancy in the form of come citrus that helps cut through the darker, heavier notes. This rich and decadent whisky comes at an equally high price. A bottle will cost you $900. I’d better start saving.

9.5/10

Highlandparkwhisky.com

Thanks to Highland Park for the sample. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cigar Pairing: Romeo y Julieta Coronitas en Cedro

Continuing on with my cigar pairing series, this week we smoked a Romeo y Julieta Coronitas en cedro. During this past Thanksgiving holiday, after all the food was devoured, I grabbed this Cuban stick. I’ve had this cigar before, so I was familiar with its mild, slightly earthy character. I looked around my whiskey collection and thought Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish might be a great match.

I was right.

The bourbon’s dark caramel and spice played nicely against the cigar’s wood and sweet tobacco notes. The magic happened with the whiskey’s finish. A puff on the cigar right after a swallow of bourbon added a bit of dryness to the whisky’s rich, dark finish. The cigar itself smoked well, lasting about 45 minutes or so.

Halfway through the cigar, I poured a second glass of whiskey – this time my choice was Maker’s Mark. Though not quite as satisfying as the Michter’s Toasted Barrel, Maker’s Mark’s sweet and palatable flavor profile showcased the cigar a bit more. That’s not a bad thing, by any means.

A great smoke, a wonderful bourbon, and a crisp autumn night. I can’t ask for more.

Romeo y Julieta Coronitas en Cedro can be purchased at Montefortunacigars.com.

Thanks to Montefortuna Cigars for the cigar. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.