This time it’s Koval Four Grain‘s (seemingly younger) sister, Koval Bourbon.
The mash bill is corn and millet. Organic grains, of course.
On the nose (Date # 1) – Upfront spirity yet spicy sweetness that is reminiscent of Big Red gum.
Touches of dill weed and surprisingly enough, lithium grease.
Quite interesting for a bourbon with the industrial component.
On the mouth (Date # 2, a bit unsure about how this relationship is going however, I am hopeful) – That spice component is first and foremost. She’s getting fresh with me. I can dig that.
Woody, for sure (the flavor, not my reaction to the spiciness) but the spirit is there as well.
Hmmm, bubble gummy and a nice little mouth feel to it.
Finish (Date # 3: The deciding factor) – Oatcakes and a touch more cinnamon. Medium in length.
In sum (The decision) – This whiskey would hold up well in a tasting as it tells it’s own story. And if you enjoy younger whiskeys this is right up your alley.
For me, it’s a little too young. Some extra time in the barrel would marry well with what I can tell is a fine spirit. Is that always the way?! Someone in a relationship is always acting a little immature – usually it’s me!
While I don’t think we’ll become malt-friend and boy-friend, we *will* remain friends.
Picture shown is for the Koval Single Barrel Four Grain Whiskey
Those regular to my blog (and those that are friends via my Facebook group) know that it’s been a LONG time since I *really* blogged about whisk(e)y. Heck, lately, I’ve had some good reasons. In particular, a certain thing has been taking up my time, you know? Well, this has kept me busy too!
We live in a modern age where I can tell fewer fart and di¢k jokes leading up to my whisky review. I know this makes you sad and it makes me a little sad too.
Soon I will get back on the longer-review wagon but, until then, I’m launching a new semi-regular series called “Speed dating with Whisk(e)y!”
The idea is that each step in approaching a whisky is like a little mini-date. I will give you my notes as I move from nose to mouth and then to finish and also give you an idea of how I am feeling about the girl, I mean whisk(e)y, as I am experiencing the hooch.
Moving forward in this series there will likely be less pictures involved…
Let’s go!
On the nose (Date # 1) – She’s really showing me her quality! Melons, big old melons!
I mean, I can smell melons as well as a bit of papaya. Turning now pineapple and cinnamon spice.
This one is quite fruity and most inviting (note: this is very much unlike many American whiskeys I’ve experienced)
On the mouth (Date # 2, I’m hopeful here! She’s not like all those other girls) – Mouth filling and sticky sweet. Like french kissing a lollypop.
Banana forward here (hey, size doesn’t matter here, put that thing away!).
Tropically-and-fruitily sweet with star-bursting spice.
Finish (Date # 3: The deciding factor)– Short in length but there is an interesting note of hot mint chocolate cocoa.
In sum (The decision)– I think I might have a glug-buddy in this one. Sure, I’m not going to marry her but we’ll have a lot of fun together.
If you enjoy adventure in your whiskey, this one is well worth your time!
Special thanks to the folks at Koval for the sample!
More reviews and risky/whisky opinions to come in the new year – 5774 that is!
I hope my Jewish readers have a sweet new year. I wish (for all my readers) that you have a wonderful chilly fall season filled with lots of friends, family and drams. Rock on!
On the nose — A bit prickly on the nose and smells about 13 years younger than the age statement states.
It is, however, quite bourbon-y smelling and most assuredly spicy with two scents that hit me from nowhere: water chestnuts and unsweetened, uncinnimoned apple sauce. In other words, aside from the spice, it’s a bit light in scent to start.
Leather shoes (new), pineapple and mango (unripe). The tropical fruits are nice here and play well with the spice element.
On the mouth — Massive spice and this one is screaming “Hey!! I’m a Dailuaine just without the sherry maturation you’re used to, Yossi!” I’m sure there are plenty of other ex-bourbon Dailuaine bottlings out there but this is my first. Nice to see that the spirit character remains.
Oily yet effervescent mouthfeel. Silly putty and vinyl capes from my Jawa action figures from my old Star Wars action figure collection. No lie. It’s that specific a note. If only I kept that figure in the original packaging…
Peppery with orange and pineapple syrup from fruit cups. Leather (again) and fresh, unburnt pipe tobacco.
Finish — Lasting and lovely. Peppery and polished.
In sum — A decent offering for a Dailuaine. Not my favorite as I prefer the sherried Dailuaines but this one tells a story from beginning to end and could surely hold it’s own from a flavor and balance standpoint.
This is an early spring dram. It has a hopeful feel to me.
Auchroisk 17yo – Speyside region – 55.6% ABV – $???
On the nose — Boy-oh-boy, why the sour puss, Sourpuss?
Quite sour in scent but with hints of chocolate covered orange rinds sitting ‘neath said sourness.
Winter ski gloves after a full day of skiing. Hey, my notes are getting quite specific today!
Rubber dish gloves and a touch of soap (in a good way. Remember, I dig mild soap notes and this is *mild*). These notes are offset by fresh and dried papaya and some persimmon. Wow, yum!
An unusual nose but inviting, methinks.
On the mouth — ¡Holy frijoles! It gets all sorts of wacky here. Very rye-whiskey-like with dill and seeded rye toast (dry, as it were). Very woody but woody good, like rye or bourbon, not woody bad like whisky gone old and dried out/astringent. This is far from astringent.
I have to put it out there that the nose is off balance from the mouth but the flavor profile is insanely unique and delicious so it sort of makes up for being off balance.
New charred oak (the smell of the inside of a freshly drained ex-bourbon cask), vanilla and banana chips. Orange Tang drink (having nothing to do with Taang!, mind you).
Finish — Finishes with banana chips and a distinct note of what some college students described to me as a “hash pipe.”
Oh, those students!!
In sum — Well, I’m pretty much in love with the flavor profile on this whisky. It noses OK, too. This is a conversation piece. You and some friends can have a lot of fun with this one!
Probably best when part of a tasting. Be warned, it will likely dominate the conversation…
Special thanks to the especially nice people from ImpEx for the samples!
Chicago, IL – 47% ABV – $53
On the nose (Date # 1) – Upfront spirity yet spicy sweetness that is reminiscent of Big Red gum.
Woody, for sure (the flavor, not my reaction to the spiciness) but the spirit is there as well.
