J&B Scotch and a Signature Whiskey Element

There are two reasons why I wanted to buy and try and bottle of J&B Scotch with a whiskey element. Those two reasons being The Thing and The Omega Man, whose main characters both said whisky. Any whisky good enough for MacReady has to be good enough for me.

J&B is a light and smooth, smokey scotch. Not overly complex but pleasant and less metallic than Johnny Walker Red. Let’s see what the element will do!

12 hours in and the Scotch is smoother, and the smoke evens out.
24 hours later and the color is noticeably darker, lightly honey sweet.
48 hours, and we get a dried fruit sweetness, raisin, apricot, mossy and earthy.

J&B Scotch

72 hours and this modest priced Scotch is very smooth, fragrant and lightly sweet with mild smoke.

J&B is another case where 72 hours is the only way to go. I like the version at 72 hours so much; it’s going to become my easy every day drinking Scotch.

The Liquorist Blog

Review: George Dickel Rye & A Signature Whiskey Element

At first, I was more than a little disappointed that this Rye was yet another repackaging of an MGP bulk whiskey product. However, I then realized this is the perfect use of a Whiskey Element.  Why?  Because this a mass produced middle of the road modestly priced Rye.  Let's see if the Element can make it better.

12 hours in the cinnamon spice gets a boost, as well as a syrup sweetness.

24 hours and we get a sooty, charcoal smoothness, with hints of burnt caramel.

George Dickel Rye & A Signature Whiskey Element

48 hours these flavors smooth out, with a light heat on the finish.

72 hours and we end up with a sweet and spicy whiskey with a leathery cigar box finish.

This is yet another great example of the power of the Whiskey Element. What started out as a simple rather uninteresting Rye has finished much more sophisticated and much more enjoyable. Makes for a great Manhattan or Sazerac.

The Liquorist Blog

Review: Copper & Kings Citrus Absinthe Superior

Copper & Kings Citrus Absinthe Superior

My very good friends were out and about in Kentucky and stopped by Copper & Kings in Louisville, Kentucky.  Having been in the spirits business for many years their kind hearts bought and shipped me a bottle of their Citrus Absinthe Superior.  I have always had a great interest in the absinthe and Copper & Kings make 4 varieties.

Clear absinthe at 130 proof (65% abv), the base spirit for this absinthe is eaux-de-vie, otherwise known as unaged brandy.  At 130 proof the nose and flavor have aromas of grape and dried fruit sweetness, herbal anise, brightly citrus and lightly floral.  With sugar and water, this absinthe louches light and pale, bringing out flavors of sage, fennel and lemon.

The grape-based spirit lends a wonderful yet light sweetness to what can be an overpowering and harsh spirit.  The licorice flavor is sweeter and milder allowing many of the subtle fruit and citrus notes to shine.  A complex, smooth absinthe reminiscent of some of the French and Italian products I have tried in the past.
Excellent. A-The Liquorist Blog