Assorted Whiskies

[emelbe]

Old Potrero Hotaling’s Single Malt Whiskey, 12-year

Just when I thought I had my palate figured. Oh, tastebuds… what?

Wow. Another local distillery. Says whiskey. Drinks like whiskey. Is incredibly clean and smooth and soothing. Nothing too overpowering but definitely complex (and worth its price tag). But the mash is apparently 100% rye. I don’t even know how that stands with everything else I’ve learned about what I like. It was good though!

Pappy Van Winkle Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 15-year

Have you ever listened to people who were much more knowledgeable than you about [topic] talk about [holy grail within their topic]? They use this sort of weird shared experience shorthand. Sometimes there are sound effects because words are insufficient. And you sort of nod and take note of it so you can catch up on your studies on your own time? And that’s all you can do because you get the distinct impression that they believe without experiencing [thing] you won’t get [thing]? (And somehow they aren’t snooty jerks about it because you know awesome people?)

That was me with respect to Pappy not long ago. It was sort of just fascinating in a sociolinguistic sense listening to the whiskey connoisseurs I know talking to each other about it but I didn’t quite grasp it.

Now I grasp it. Every single sip was different and they were all amazing.

Wow.

If I did not “get” bourbon already, I’m pretty sure I’d appreciate it now.

I cannot wait to try the rest of them.