Category: 95-100

Reviews with a final score between 95 to 100. Rare and excellent whiskey without match. A+ grade.

L’Encantada Domaine Les Bidets 38-Year 1979 Astor Single Cask

On By MajorHopIn 95-100, Armagnac, BrandyLeave a comment

img_20180821_185335

Paid: $215 for 750ml

Distilled/Owned by: Les Bidets / L’encantadta

Region: Bas Armagnac, France

48.3% ABV

Aged For: 38 Years, Distilled 1979

Cask Type: French oak

Chill Filtered: No

Color Added: No

Color: Treacle

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Syrupy espresso, musty old oak, caramel, dark chocolate, vanilla, touches of leather and dried leaves

Mouthfeel: Full and supple

Palate/Taste: Dark port wine, plums, dates, oak tannins, fruity coffee, cacao nibs, concentrated maple syrup, and cinnamon oil

Finish: Medium warmth, with a long dry finish consisting of raisins, chocolate cake, rancio, dusty paper, pipe tobacco, and blackberry

Thoughts: Amazingly dark and deep, intense and packed with flavors, savor this one.

Score: 95 out of 100

George T. Stagg 2013

On By MajorHopIn 95-100, American Whiskey, Bourbon, Buffalo TraceLeave a comment

GTS 2013

On a whim one day I asked my local liquor store if they ever carried any George T Stagg. The Stopped and thought for a second and said, “I think we have a bottle but I have to call a customer first on our waiting list if we do.” Well one unanswered phone call later I had a huge grin on my face as I walked out of the store with this at MSRP. It has not disappointed.

Paid: $85 for 750ml

Distilled / Owned By: Buffalo Trace / Sazerac

Region: Kentucky

64.1% ABV

Aged For: 15 Years

Mashbill: Buffalo Trace Mashbill #1

Cask Type: New charred oak, Char #4

Chill Filtered: No

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

 

 

Color: Brunt Oak Brown

Nose: Sweet and spicy corn, vanilla, oak, caramel, espresso, chocolate, leather, and pipe tobacco.

Taste: Brown sugar, dark chocolate, vanilla, clove, peppercorn, and suede. Hot and dry, it almost sucks the moisture right out of your cheeks.

Finish: Not for the faint of heart. This has been open for over a year now and its still hot and powerful with punches of cinnamon and nutmeg, rounded out with dark chocolate and figs.

Overall: Powerful, complex, flavorful. So far my all-time favorite.

Score: 96/100