Tastings

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Welcome to the AmericanWhiskey Magazine tasting pages. We guide you through a plethora of whiskeys so you are equipped to make your next purchase, whether something new or an old favorite. Whiskeys are tasted blind, with only proof and style information given to the experts. In this edition, Peggy Noe Stevens and Susan Reigler give their palates a workout.

Peggy Noe Stevens

Peggy Noe Stevens became the world's first female master Bourbon taster and can trace her lineage back to some of the great Bourbon making families in Kentucky. In 2011, she created the Bourbon Women Association.

Susan Reigler

Susan Reigler is the author of several Bourbon books, including Kentucky Bourbon Country: The Essential Travel Guide, and is a former restaurant critic and beverage columnist for the Louisville Courier-Journal. She is the immediate past president of the Bourbon Women Association.

THE PROCESS

• All samples are blind tasted, with proof and style the only information disclosed.
• Samples are tasted individually over a two week period.
• Tasters are provided tasting and scoring guidelines for consistency.
• The top scorer is awarded Editor’s Choice.
• Scores of 17+ receive a Recommended award.

291 Colorado Whiskey

HR Colorado Bourbon Whiskey

DISTILLERY 291

Peggy

Nose: Warmth of dark brown sugar with maple nuttiness. Some herbal oregano and oriental spices. Gingerbread with vanilla glaze and figgy accents. A floral blast rounds it out.

Palate: Floral edge returns with a spike of cinnamon and black pepper. The leathery earth notes create the tannins for a spicy ride.

Finish: A big, bold flavor of spice keeps powering through to the end, where the caramel sneaks in.

Comments: It's exotic on the spice, so put your seat belt on.

8.3

Proof: 100

ABV: 50%

Style: Bourbon

State: CO

Price: $$

Susan

Nose: Sweet resin, like walking through an aspen grove. Met by floral notes which are followed by vanilla and light citrus. It's unique.

Palate: The woodlands and wildflowers appear. This is warm, but not overpowering, which is impressive at this proof. Water tames the resin.

Finish: Very long, tingling from the high proof. The resin flashes by at the very end.

Comments: Very different flavor profile for a bourbon and well worth trying.

8.1

Balcones

Texas Single Malt

BALCONES DISTILLING

Peggy

Nose: Golden hay