Woodford Reserve

I have to again disclose up front that I am not a great enjoyer of wheat-influenced bourbons like this one. So keep that in mind.

To me, this would be a great whiskey for those who are Maker's Mark drinkers but want to be a little different. A little. Because to me, the two are eerily similar. But then again, maybe I just tend to lump together the old-school traditional bourbons.

Just read my Maker's Mark review and it will pretty much cover my impressions of Woodford Reserve. Although Maker's might have a tad more mojo.

It's what I picture old-line Kentucky power brokers sipping as they relax by the fire at night. Very traditional, austere and comforting in a way.

But to my palate, kind of boring and unremarkable.

As I've said before, color me contrarian, but that's the way I taste it.

Rob's Rating: 6 out of 10

Maker's Mark

This is the stuff that the seersucker-wearing prep-dogs drank (and still drink) in Lexington, KY, where I grew up.

Not that there's anything wrong with that---some of my oldest friends are seersucker-wearin' prep dogs, but I choose different attire. And different whiskeys.

Maybe it is just the contrarian in me, but I just have never been crazy about Maker's.

But as a whiskey appreciater, I do recognize it's redeeming qualities. Namely, it's strong and smooth finish, casky character and classy overall mojo.

But overall, Maker's is a little too traditional for me. Give me Jim Beam or Wild Turkey anyday.

Rob's Rating: 6.5 out of town

Maker's Mark

A few years back, my company had "off-site" business meetings.  While some business was conducted, they were mostly boondoggles designed to relax and imbibe.  On one of these excursions, we took a side trip to the Maker's Mark distillery.  It gave this bourbon a special place in my heart, and I still have my own hand dipped bottle from the trip.

Pouring a dram of this bourbon into a glass and inhaling the wonderful scent brings back memories of standing in the cask room at the distillery.  There is nothing to compare.  Maker's Mark brings forth scents of sherry or port and fully maximizes the cask.

It continues that cask flavor as it rolls across the tongue.  The burn is immediate and continues long after the whiskey has gone down.  There is a little bubbling, but overall this is extremely smooth.  A slight metallic taste sneaks in for a few seconds but is quickly a memory.  This bourbon has a long finish, and you won't forget that you're drinking a classic bourbon.

If you're looking for something to warm you up, this is a  great one to have in the liquor cabinet.  In my opinion, you can never go wrong with Maker's.

LB's Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Leinenkugel's 1888 Bock

While not normally a lover of darker, Bock-style concoctions, my wife decided to try this and when I was offered a free bottle of it thought "what the heck".

Most Bocks that I have experienced have been a little heavier and sweeter and "gamier" than I like. Keep in mind my idea of the ideal beer is a cold Bud Lite, although I do also love Yuengling but that's about as amber as I like to go.

This beer at first sip imparts that slightly nutty and malty (?) taste that you would expect.

The nice thing (to me) is that this taste doesn't become overwhelming that way most boutique and craft beers of this genre do. The requisite character and boldness is there, but in just the right measure.  I'm becoming more convinced that Leinenkugel's is aiming for the beer drinker who wants a little hutzpah in their brew but wants it tailored to the American palate which I believe likes it with more smoothness and less bitterness.

Not being a Bock lover, I still give this one a thumbs-up.

Rob's Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Leinenkugel's 1888 Bock

Walking through the beer aisle at the local supermarket, this one caught my eye.  We have a friend who is a Bock lover,  and we join him for the annual bockfest in town, so I'm always anxious to try a new one.

The first thing you notice is the head.  This bock has a heavy head, that lingers and make you want to sip a little foam off the top.  It is a good indicator of the beverage that will follow.

The 1888 Bock has a deep amber color, but is much lighter than a stout or porter.  It has distinct chocolate and coffee overtones, especially on the sides of the tongue.  There are a lot of other subtle tastes that my palate isn't sensitive enough to distinguish, but I know when I like something.

If you're looking for an introduction to the bock family, this may be a good one for you to try.  I'm not sure what the alcohol content is, but it seems to be higher than your average fizzy yellow beer.  This is a limited release brew,  so you'll need to check it out soon.

LB's Rating: 6.5 out of 10

Jim Beam White Label

We're going retro with a little classic Jim Beam White Label.  I have to admit until I met my husband, I had no idea that Beam made anything other than this bourbon.  Having previously tried the green label, I was looking forward to trying the original.

As always, the smell is the first thing I check out in any beverage.  For this Jim Beam, it has a great scent that says that you don't have to ask what you're drinking; you know it's a bourbon.

This shows you from the first sip that it's a "real" bourbon.  By that I mean that it has a kick that reminds you of why this is a classic, especially for warming you up.  It is sweet on the front and quickly opens into a strong rye overtone.  That "just right" burn slides across the tongue and right down the throat. The finish is strong and doesn't diminish with the drinking, but it does mellow nicely.

It has a great character all it's own, and it's easy to see why it holds up well in mixers.  I would recommend revisiting this again or trying it for the first time.

LB's Rating: 7 out of 10

Jim Beam White Label

This is the quintessential Jim Beam in all its glory.

In my country music days (as a country music DJ) I heard Hank Williams Jr. sing over and over again about this legendary whiskey. In those days I thought of it as something you drank to get drunk, period (which was true of most of my drinking in the 80s).

But after reading good reviews of it in Jim Murray's Whiskey Bible, I decided to revisit ol' Jim Beam.

It has a nice balance. Nice and light and easy, but also possessing plenty of mojo and character.

At the outset there is a  trace of vanilla and corn on the palate, followed by a nice rye explosion as it heads into the finish.

As I finished off the dram I detected just a slight oil presence.

To my taste this is a real winner. Can't wait to try Jim Beam Black!

Rob's Rating 7.5 out of 10