Category: 85-89

Reviews with a final score between 85-89. Really good stuff. B+ grade.

Willet Family Estate Rye 4-Year

On By MajorHopIn 85-89, American Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, WilletLeave a comment

Willet Family Estate Rye 4

Paid: $43 for 750ml

Distilled/Owned by:Willet / KBD

Region: Kentucky

59.5% ABV

Aged For: 4 years

Mashbill: Undisclosed

Cask Type: New charred oak

Chill Filtered: No

Color: Amber

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Rye spices , mint, pepper, oak, caramel, and floral notes

Feel: Full bodied

Taste: Caramel, leather, pepper, brown sugar, oak, slight sweetness, good spice

Finish: Good warmth and length, clove, tobacco, rye, oak tannins, drying finish

Thoughts: A more refined version than the 3 year smoothing some of those rough edges, and still a tasty rye.

Score: 87 out of 100

L’Encantada XO

On By MajorHopIn 85-89, Armagnac, Blend, BrandyLeave a comment

L'Encantada XO 1L'Encantada XO 2

Paid: $99 for 750ml

Distilled/Owned by: Blend of Louis Pibous cask #61 1989 & Cask #87 1987, 1994 Domaine Del Cassou Cask #55, and 1997 Domaine Bellair Cask #181 / L’Encantada

Region: France

46.8% ABV

Aged For: Minimum 20 Years

Chill Filtered: No

Color Added: No

Color: Burnt umber

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Plums, port wine, raisins, dried fruit, clove, pipe tobacco, oak

Mouthfeel: Full bodied

Palate/Taste: Oak, cinnamon, dark chocolate, pepper, coffee, citrus, and roses

Finish: Medium warmth and length, sherry, oak, caramel, ginger, prunes, toasted almonds, and dark fruit.

Thoughts: A delicious brandy for a good price, I love the flavors and depth.

Score: 87 out of 100

 

Dartigalongue 30-Year 1987 Celebration Collection

On By MajorHopIn 85-89, Armagnac, Brandy, DartigalongueLeave a comment

Dartigalongue 30-Year 1987 Celebration Collection

Price: Discontinued

Distilled/Owned by: Dartigalongue

Region: Bas Armagnac, France

43% ABV

Aged For: 30 Years, Distilled 1987

Color: Reddish tawny

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Oak and waxed leather, burnt citrus, green coffee, brightens and gains a balsamic note over time

Mouthfeel: Supple

Palate/Taste: Deep, old oak and pepper, slightly tart, old tawny port, rancio, and dark chocolate

Finish: Medium warmth and lasting, dried fruits, ginger, orange peel, chocolate, fireplace wood, and nuts

Thoughts: Complex and deep with a good mouthfeel, but not something mind blowing.

Score: 85 out of 100

Richland Single Estate Rum

On By MajorHopIn 85-89, Richland, U.S.A.Leave a comment

Richland Single Estate Rum Small Batch

Price: $45 for 750ml

Distilled/Owned by: Richland

Region: Georgia, USA

43% ABV

Distillate: Pure cane sugar syrup

Aged For: NAS

Cask Type: Rum and Virgin white oak barrels

Chill Filtered: Undisclosed

Additives used: No

Color: Dark chestnut

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Rich caramel, vanilla, buttery pastry, oak, butterscotch, coconut

Mouthfeel: Light

Palate/Taste: Buttery, toffee, oak, baking spice, ginger, and vanilla

Finish: Light warmth, medium length, pepper, oak, brown sugar, milk chocolate

Thoughts: While I would have liked a little more richness in the mouthfeel the flavors are strong, bourbon like, and leave a clean savory note in my mouth. Recommended!

Score: 87 out of 100

Ararat 10 Akhtamar

On By MajorHopIn 85-89, Armenian Brandy, Brandy, Yerevan Brandy CompanyLeave a comment

Ararat 10

Price: $25 for 750ml

Distilled/Owned by: Yerevan Brandy Company

Region: Armenia

40% ABV

Aged For: 10 Years

Cask Type: Caucasian oak

Chill Filtered: Undisclosed

Color Added: Undisclosed

Color: Mahogany

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Deep grape, raisin, plum, fig, oak, port, and berries

Mouthfeel: Light bodied

Palate/Taste: Sweet PX sherry, grapes, honey, oranges, and caramel

Finish: Warm, medium length, bits of spice and oak, with cinnamon, plum, raisins, and grape

Thoughts: A very fruity brandy that is a solid winner in its price bracket.

Score: 85 out of 100

Dartigalongue XO Armagnac

On By MajorHopIn 85-89, Armagnac, Brandy, DartigalongueLeave a comment

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Paid: $50 for 750ml

Distilled/Owned by: Dartigalongue

Region: Bas Armagnac, France

40% ABV

Grapes: Undisclosed

Aged For: XO statement

Cask Type: French oak

Color: Auburn

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Brown sugar, port wine, oak, tobacco, leather, dark chocolate, and figs

Mouthfeel: Medium body

Palate/Taste: PX sherry, blackberry, blueberry, caramel, oak, raisins

Finish: Light warmth and medium length, coffee, oak, and port wine notes

Thoughts: An extremely fruity brandy, that still has the sugary caramel sweetness with a nice bit of chocolate to round it out. Excellent for the price.

Score: 85 out of 100

Stagg Jr. Batch 8

On By MajorHopIn 85-89, American Whiskey, Bourbon, Buffalo TraceLeave a comment

img_20180711_204343

Paid: $45 for 750ml

Distilled/Owned by: Buffalo Trace / Sazerac

Region: Kentucky

64.75% ABV

Mashbill: Buffalo Trace Mashbill #1

Aged For: NAS

Cask Type: New charred oak

Chill Filtered: No

Color: Deep copper

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn.

Nose: Cherry cola, oak, pepper, tobacco, lychee, leather, and spices

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, dry

Palate/Taste: Tobacco, oak, chocolate, cola, cherries, and pepper

Finish: Warm and dry with a medium to long finish. Vanilla, oak, corn mash, and chocolate

Thoughts: You can’t go wrong with the new releases of Stagg Jr, however batch 9 that came after was a bit better overall.

Score: 85 out of 100