In this video head-to-head, I match up a couple of Jim Beam bourbons: Black and Distiller’s Cut. Both share the same mash bill and age (5 to 6 years old). Proof aside, how do they compare against each other?
Review: John Walker & Sons King George V Scotch Whisky
This past November, I left my job of nearly nine years for a promotion at the competition. Scandalous! The night I accepted my new position, I celebrated by opening my bottle of John Walker & Sons King George V. Notice it’s not Johnnie Walker. I guess once it surpasses a certain price threshold, Johnnie becomes a more formal John. King George V costs around $600, though I’ve the price as high as $800.
John Walker & Sons King George V is part of John Walker & Sons Exclusive Blends, which also includes Odyssey, The John Walker, and the annual Private Collection. The whisky commemorates the Royal Warrant awarded by the late British monarch. According to the brand’s website, the blended whisky only uses whiskies from distilleries that were in operation during George’s reign (1910 – 1936) and blended to “reflect the distinctive Johnnie Walker style of the era.” That includes Port Ellen, among many others.
The nose features hints of stewed fruit, toffee, wood smoke, and a light touch of earthy peat. Bittersweet dark chocolate and peanut brittle hit the palate first. A bed of light smoke complements rich notes of honey, figs and blackberry jam. Hints of spice and leather appear on the back end and into the long, slightly smoky finish.
I like Johnnie Walker whiskies, but I love when they are bottled at more than 40% ABV. King George V is slightly higher at 43% ABV. A little alcohol can go a long way in terms of flavor and mouthfeel. King George V turned out to be a superb choice for a celebratory pour of whisky. Because of its high price, this whisky won’t be poured a lot at my house. I say that, but a third of the bottle is already gone. This luscious whisky will most certainly be replaced by another once the bottle is empty. 9/10
Review: Southern Comfort
Photo courtesy of Sazerac Co.
Back in May of 2017, Sazerac Co. released its then-recent acquisition Southern Comfort. The New Orleans-based company purchased the brand from Brown-Forman, returning the beverage to its NOLA roots.
Sazerac Co. has made distinct changes to Southern Comfort. The first was reintroducing whiskey back into the recipe, which was slowly phased out by brand’s prior owners. This is going to be very young whiskey. I can’t imagine Sazerac Co. using two, three or even four-year-old whiskey here. But, whiskey is whiskey, and it has to be better, assuming grain neutral spirit was added before. Flavoring and caramel coloring is still added. Secondly, Southern Comfort now comes in three proofs, a new “whiskey-forward” 80 proof version as well as the original 70 and 100 proof releases. The packaging was also updated, highlighting the brand’s New Orleans ties. Southern Comfort is still still similarly priced as before: 70 proof is $15.99, 80 proof is $17.99, and the 100 proof comes in at $19.99.
Unsurprisingly, it still smells like Southern Comfort. Caramel, orange peel, cherry liqueur, spice, and a splash of lime juice. Taste-wise, Southern Comfort features hints of fruit juice (especially lime and cherry), caramel and a touch of cinnamon. The whiskey-based beverage still exists in the sweeter side of the flavor spectrum. The 80 proof version is slightly richer on the palate than the Original, but features some bite on the finish. You can kind of taste the whiskey.
Fans of Southern Comfort should probably reach for the higher proof versions, especially when drinking over ice. The 100 proof seems to be made for a big glass of ice and a citrus twist. But, the new 80 proof addition plays up the whiskey flavor a bit more than the others, and that makes it my favorite of the bunch. Nicely done.
Thanks to Sazerac Co. for the samples. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Adventures In Whiskey 