Always Something New

By Mitch Farr

By nature, I truly am a creature of habit - from my morning routine, to my favorite foods, and how I like preparing them.  When I find something I like, I usually stick with it.  As some of you know, Jim Beam White was my whiskey of choice for many years.  It was always mixed with ginger ale, and I really saw no need to change.  To this day, I couldn't tell you why I started branching out with whiskey, but I did. I started by adding a few popular labels, such as Makers Mark, Wild Turkey, and Basil Hayden.  These were all good choices, and Basil Hayden has become my traditional Thanksgiving Day pour.

Jumping ahead a few years and a few more additions to my shelf, I met Dan and through Dan I met Trevor.  Both Dan and Trevor also have an appreciation for whiskey, and as our friendships have grown, our whiskey collection has grown too ....A LOT.... so even though I remain a creature of habit in most areas of my life, I can't really say that whiskey falls into the category of being routine.  With so many choices, the challenges is not to have too many bottles open at any given time.

My old habit of Jim Beam White has been replaced with another habit of always being on the hunt for something new to try.  I enjoy most whiskey, but on occasion I find one that I really enjoy.  When this happens, the whiskey becomes my new favorite.

For my flight this past week, I included the George Dickel Hand Selected Single Barrel and Legent which is a blend of three Jim Beam Whiskies.  These two are my current "new favorites", I also included the E. H. Taylor small batch, which has been on my shelf for a while, but never opened.  The E. H. Taylor came up recently in conversation with Dan and Trevor, and Trevor Mentioned how he'd like to add a bottle to his collection.  It was also a good choice.

My old favorite, my new favorites, and something new.

New Favorites and Something New Flight Tasting Notes

Legent: 94 Proof, non-disclosed mash bill believed to be 77% corn, 13% rye, 10% malted barley.

Nose:  Spice, almonds, vanilla, cherry and caramel

Palate: Spicy with dark red fruit and hints of leather

Finish: Lingering spice with flavors of Dried Fruit

E. H. Taylor Small Batch:  100 Proof, 75% corn, 10% rye, 15% malted barley

Nose: Raisins, fresh pine, cinnamon, cherry and orange

Palate: Sweet corn, pumpernickel bread, orange, brown sugar and mint

Finish: Honey, citrus, and mint

George Dickel Hand Selected Single Barrel: 103 proof, 84% corn, 8% rye, 8% malted barley

Nose: Toast, creamed corn, syrup, caramel and cinnamon

Palate: Oak, allspice, barley silky and viscous

Finish: Black pepper and wintergreen.