Midleton Rare

Winecommune.com review: 
Winner of Gold at the 2005 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
This whiskey is aged between 12 and 25 years, and is matured exclusively in seasoned Bourbon barrels. Midleton Very Rare was launched in 1984 to celebrate the whiskeys of the Midleton distillery, and a new vintage has been released every year since then. Each bottle carries its own individual number and the signature of our Master Distiller. This annual release of a new vintage is a departure for the whiskeys of Irish Distillers where consistency from year to year is highly valued. The individual nature of the selection process for each vintage of Midleton Very Rare means that each year’s vintage provides its own character.




Bar Bandits Review:

Give me a cigar I love this whiskey!  This whiskey 

George Dickel

                                                    


Bandit Review:
This is a great deal for anyone looking for a great mixing whiskey at a reasonable price.  This is my go to whiskey, I have a bottle in my house for my guests or for an after work cocktail.  This bottle is proof that you don't always have to come out of pocket to get a great product.  This is a great representation of a Bandit approved whiskey.  Happy drinking and saving!

Spiritsreview.com Review:

"This is the younger, cheaper brother of Dickel No.12 , Special Barrel Reserve, and Barrel Select .

Appearance: Dark copper in the bottle, bronze gold in the glass.
First Impression: Heavy corn presence, leather, vanilla, oak grain influence amidst galangal, trace of mint, and char developing. Interesting lack of phenols and other "off" smells you get with some grain distillates, only good whiskey smells.

Taste: Slightly light body, slightly astringent, light sweetness and oak pepper. Lighter than the No.12 but good. Spicy, aromatic, grainy/malty medium-to-long dry finish. Quite smooth and mellow.
Drinks: Interesting variant for any bourbon or rye drink. Much cheaper, too!
Final Thoughts: Some may consider it a bit light in body or find the dryness/char not to their liking. It is a good bargain for someone seeking a better whiskey for less than $20, hell one of the few. A much older and more drinkable whisk(e)y than most in that price range. Cheaper than Jack Daniels, more refined and lighter in body (but not excessively so) a good civilized whisky"

Booker's

Bourbonenthusiast.com Review: 

"Booker'sBottled By:  James B. Beam Distilling Co. Clermont,KY

TypeKentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Alcohol content125.6 Proof 

Availability US: Available Japan: Available Duty Free: Unknown Europe: Available

History
In 1988, Booker Noe introduced his own signature bourbon, Booker's True Barrel Bourbon. Inspired by a 200-year-old tradition, Booker's is the only bourbon bottled straight-from-the-barrel, uncut and unfiltered. First created as a holiday gift for his special friends, Booker's whiskey was so well-received that he decided to make it available to bourbon lovers worldwide; much to the joy of spirit connoisseurs everywhere. Booker's is the rarest, absolute best bourbon available.

Distinctions
Booker's Bourbon is the only uncut, unfiltered, straight-from-the-barrel, connoisseur's sipping bourbon available today. It's bottled at its natural proof of between 121 and 127, and aged between six and eight years. Booker Noe, Jim Beam's grandson and master distiller emeritus, hand selects each barrel that will become Booker's Bourbon. Each barrel that will become Booker's bourbon is aged in the very center of the rackhouse where the temperature and humidity combines in the perfect proportion for the finest bourbon. This is truly the absolute best bourbon available.

Tasting Notes
Age: 6 to 8 years
Proof: 121 to 127
Color: Deep, rich, smoky amber
Aroma: Big oak, vanilla, smoky charcoal
Taste: Intense, fruit, tannin, tobacco
Finish: Clean, long, intense
Award: Gold Medal Bourbon
- Wine Enthusiast
Comments: "A tasting of Small Batch Bourbons left me in awe of Booker's." - The Chicago Tribune"

Leopold's Peach

Bandit Review:
I am not one to usually associate fruit with my whiskey; however, I can be wrong.  One might stop and ask, "How do they cram so much peach flavor into this bottle and still have room for whiskey" after drinking from this bottle.  This is a great whiskey for after dinner, to pour over Ice cream, to glaze a peach cobbler, or just to sip and enjoy.  You will still taste whiskey while you also enjoy ripe round fruit flavors of peach, apricot, a slight hint of fig, finished with a whisper of spice brought over the top from the whiskey it's self.  I have tasted the Leopold's products and I have been impressed every time. 


Tastings.com Review:

"Deep burnished copper color. Mashed baked peach, custard cream, and talc aromas. A thick syrupy entry leads to a tangy, viscous medium-full body of baked peach puree, prunes, and light peppery spice. Finishes with a tangy peach and apricot tart flavors with lime and mineral accents. Great pure, natural flavor-try with Asti Spumanti or prosecco for a killer Bellini cocktail."


"International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal
RATING: 92 points (Exceptional)
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 20.0%
CATEGORY: Liqueur Fruit, Liqueur
TASTING LOCATION: In Our Chicago Tasting Room
TASTING DATE: Dec-14-2006
SPIRITS ID: 180319"
Leopold bros

John Powers

Bandit Review:  I was extremely surprised to find that it is really hard to find a review of Powers Irish whiskey. I think that this shows how over looked this whiskey is in the states and most of the world outside of Ireland. Usually, when you type most popular whiskeys into Google you are over whelmed with information, not the case for this great Irish whiskey. This whiskey is a personal favorite of mine and I often drink Powers when I am in Ireland or a good Pub. Powers has a great light spicy aroma with light honey notes. It is easy to drink straight or over the rocks. The price point on this bottle makes it affordable for everyone. One of my favorite cocktails with this whiskey is a "Powers Sour" made by fellow Bar Bandit, Trevor Easter of de Vere's Irish Pub.

Epinions.com Review:

"THE POUR

      Powers pours a pale golden color. Powers is aged around 7 years (this is blended so there is no set age) in oak casks, so the whiskey does not inherit a lot of color from the wood like other whiskeys. This Irish whiskey undergoes triple distillation, so the whiskey is very clear and pure.

THE NOSE
     There is no smoky aroma as Irish Whiskey dries its blend of malted and unmalted barley in closed kilns. Irish whiskey is considered smoother and lighter than other types of whiskey because of this process. The barley and grainy aromas are present as there is little to cover their notes. Powers blends traditional pot still whisky with grain whiskey, so you will nose and taste a variety of grains.

THE TASTE
     When poured over rocks, the first sip or two are very pleasant and rich. The spicy flavor will overcome you first and then that will give way to a honey-like sweetness. Powers is more complex than what I consider to be its closest spirit, Jameson. Both are sweeter and smoother than most Scotch, however, Powers is does not give way to the mellow flavors initially. That is why I enjoy Powers more.

     I found that adding enough ice to just chill the whiskey slightly was the best method. A couple cubes that dissolve quickly did not lower the 40% ABV too greatly, but it did help release a little more of the fruity sweetness and aroma.

THE AFTERTASTE
     Powers will linger with you lightly and not as strongly as you are used to with Scotch. You feel the Powers working, but there is not much to note on your palate a short time after your sip"

Good Old Pappy. Bandits Whiskey of The Week!

BANDIT'S BOURBON OF THE WEEK 

  Pappy Van Winkel 15yr

    This Bourbon is amazing! It has a small forgiving burn to it, but that comes from it being 107 proof. The burn makes your lips tingle as it travels down to warm your chest from the inside out. As you breath after the first sip, the small tingle starts to cool and you taste all that this amazing Bourbon has to offer, Carmel, vanilla, toffee and nothing but oak barrel. This bourbon is made with wheat in the corn mash which helps to add to it's over all smooth drinking (not to mention it is aged 15yrs!). From a novice bourbon drinker to an expert, everyone will know why you suggested this bourbon to them. Pappy Van Winkle can turn any Scotch or Irish Whiskey drinker into a believer of Bourbon!   The price per shot isn't bad as well, you really do get a great product for the dollar amount.  We sell if for about $13 a shot.  Come down to the pub, bring a cigar, and grab one of these bad boys! This is Bandit approved for sure. See you at the bar!
de Vere's Irish Pub's Whiskey List

Your speaking Japanese I want to talk Scotch!

    This whiskey is just fun because its Japanese whiskey acting like a Scotch. If you were to close your eyes when drinking this whiskey, images of Scotland would surely work their way into your mind. There is a light air of peat in this whiskey, just a subtle smokiness that I find really enjoyable. Professionals say, whiskey is all about the water, and I think this product shows this to be true.  If you really focus when drinking this product you will find amongst all its bold flavors, whispers of this whiskey's origins.  Make a night of it and go out for sushi, have some sake, and finish with a pour of the 12 or 18-year.  I think you too will become a fan of this product.
     This Whiskey is a conversation starter and a crowd pleaser. As a bartender I find people are rather excited to buy it when you tell them where it comes from. We carry the 12 and the 18-year, and I have been very happy with this whiskey. Even though we have over 140 whiskey's this product still moves off our back bar at a steady pace.

The following review was taken from their website,

"SUNTORY YAMAZAKI 18-YEAR-OLD WHISKY
WINS DOUBLE GOLD IN SAN FRANCISCO

First Japanese Whisky Honored at International Spirits Competition

NEW YORK, May 12, 2005 – Suntory Yamazaki has won Double Gold for its 18-year-old single malt whisky at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Yamazaki was the first and only Japanese whisky to pick up an award at the competition, beating out a host of other international competitors to claim the gold.

“We are very proud of this recognition by the spirits world,” said Shin Adachi, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Suntory International. Yamazaki 18 impressed an esteemed panel of judges, including F. Paul Pacult, Dale DeGroff and Richard Carleton Hacker, Spirits Editor of the Robb Report. The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is overseen by Anthony Dias Blue.

“We introduced Yamazaki only last July,” added Adachi. “Winning Double Gold affirms our 18-year-old whisky meets the highest international standards for excellence.”

Yamazaki single malt whisky is made from the purest natural ingredients and has a smooth, honeyed taste. Suntory whiskies are handcrafted at Japan’s oldest distillery, built by Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii in 1923. The distillery is situated in the Vale of Yamazaki on the outskirts of Kyoto, an ideal environment for whisky production where the same exceptionally pure waters used in Japan’s most famous tea ceremonies are used to produce Yamazaki whiskies."

For more information go to http://www.suntory.com/yamazaki/