Tasting Notes From: Ryan

Rating 6/ 10
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Sotol Por Siempre 45%

Nose: Fermented pineapple juice, Taco Bell hot sauce, hops, barnyard funk and wet hay, false pepper tree, green mojo with blood orange, granny smith apple, sour oranges. Man this thing is just rocken good.

Palate: Green peppercorn, grilled green bell pepper, wheat grass and lemon juice. A bright cedar, and green apple on the long pull. The earthiness of slightly unwashed weggies.. well veggies but that works too. Touch of eucalyptus, chamomile, frankincense and myrrh. Even so far as sandalwood oil. Slightest hint of big red cinnamon gum.

Rating: 5 (Shane) 6 (Ryan) / 10 – What a spectacular nose. The palate is nuanced and incredibly vegetal. I wish it was a hint brighter.

We’re pretty darn new to Sotol, so the ratings are based upon pure enjoyment and aren’t really a fair measurement of this spirit within the genre.

Rating 5/ 10
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Darroze Pouteou 1969 / 2012 40%

Nose: Cinnabon pecans rolls. A heavy anise perfume and orange black tea. And a saccharine fruit sweetness, a la gushers fruit flavored snack packs. Except I never got those (looking at you mom), I got the “healthy” whole foods version; half the sugar and none of the delight.

Palate: Lots of anise and eucalyptus. Dry orange peel. This veers quite herbal on the finish, like a poor man’s Ricola without serious depth or nuance.

Rating: 5 / 10 – a great nose, with an herbal palate that manages to stay on the pleasant side of bitter. While I won’t go hunting for it, I don’t mind finishing this glass. Which says a lot given my taste buds. Ryan and I probably should have written more on the notes, but we were ready to hit the next pour.

Rating 4/ 10
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Glenallachie 2007 12 year 1st fill sherry hogshead cask 900172 62.3%

Nose: The sweet side of a big sherry blast. Strawberry mentos and grape jelly. Black tea & ginger root. Downy fresh laundry pod. The alcohol burns like sniffing white pepper.

Palate: My favorite salsa at Planet Fresh was a hot sweet chili Mexican style. Like a fresh tomato pico de gallo has a love child with Thai sweet chili sauce. Except while that merger was delicious, this pour kinda hurts me not so good. Nutty with a big tannin wallop.

Rating: 4 / 10 – This should be tastier than it is… I started a 5, but can’t seem to enjoy it.

Rating 9/ 10
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Caroni Edition 5 Deodat “Breeze” Manmohan 66.7% for Velier

Nose: Yup 4 pours in, and I’m rude. You need more pencil lead in this. And while the eau de pineapple is absolutely lovely, it apparently isn’t rotten enough for Ryan. He’s being real picky, and according to him I’m spoiling for a fight. Ryan says this is tame and wonders what to do with the straight jacket… he wanted a CARONI. I find it classy and suggest he trades it for a tux. Oyster mushrooms and fish on the grill. Squeeze of lime or yuzu-soy sauce. Potting soil. grilled peaches, and creme brûlée.

Palate: Banana leaf, tar, and a loooong finish. Pineapple juice on the way to piña colada town. Burnt ends and the touch of salt n funk of grilled oysters. Roasted red bell pepper. Toasted marshmallow. And an oak 2×6. Full modern stud, none of that pennyfeather 2×4 garbage. Sandalwood.

Rating: 8 (Ryan) 9 (Shane) / 10 – Wow, this is so damn good. One of the most elegant Caroni’s I’ve had. A Caroni that took a shower and put on shoes and a tuxedo t-shirt. Maybe even brushed its teeth. Then headed to a family event. And while I usually ignore price when rating, and if possible, Ryan and I happen to google how much our 10CL bottle is worth… daaaang. 360GBP on auction this week. Thank god its so good and I got it back when it retailed. I need to get through samples faster. Bless you Velier Small Great Bottles.

Rating 10/ 10
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Tobermory 1972 32 Year Black Label 49.7%

Nose: Packed bar late at night… a 1990s pintxos bar. Rich cecina (cured air dried beef), red wine splashed on the ground, flat coke, sawdust, cigarette smoke, touch of body odor from so many people laughing too loud in the night air. Chocolate mints they put on my pillow. Cedar.

Palate: Deep, dank, brooding with a shocking whit. Oily and slightly sweet. I just kissed a smoker (shane). Dried ground cinnamon. Cold Press coffee. Black tea with hints of cardamom and anise. Leather. A wonderful funk factor.

Rating: 9 (Shane) 10 (Ryan) / 10 a simply standout beast. Delicious with an extra helping of n-eroticism. This is red label’s funkier edgy sibling who doesn’t give a damn.