Review by: TOModera

So it’s mystery review time yet again, and this time it comes from Devoz. Thank you sir.

After the last one, anything will taste better.

However this review is different than others. I’ve been informed that I must guess without checking his list. Or at least I must guess the finish without checking his list.

And since I’m about as good at guessing Mystery Drams as I am at Battletoads (pretty bad), I took this challenge on, because why not handicap myself?

Alright, so I know this is finished. That’s a nice clue.

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Distillery: Big Bottom Distilling.

Bottler: Distillery Bottling.

Region: Oregon.

ABV: 45.5%.

Age: 6 years.

Cask type: Virgin Casks, then finished in Cabernet (Red Wine) Casks.

Price: N/A.

Color: Brown-Orange.

Alright, it’s not red, or purple, or some odd other colour. It is somewhat orange as I stare at it some more. Maybe it’s Amontillado?

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Nose: Brown sugar, canned pears, cornbread, Cola, edamame, grape, rosemary

Again, I get a light amount of brown sugar, though no orange or sherry influence, so I’m thinking it’s not Amontillado.

The dram itself has a sweeter side to it, with some umami and earth involved. The nose is a little light though.

Taste: Brown sugar, corn, peanut, raw sugar cane, dragon fruit, nutmeg

Again, no sherry influence, but I’m wondering if the Brown sugar isn’t a Brandy finish maybe. Would make sense. There’s no real strong fruit flavours either. More dry.

As I said before, at first I wasn’t blown away by this, however it tastes better as time goes on.

Finish: Rosemary, vanilla, conch, caramel, dust, dry, raspberry

More earth, some meatiness, and eventually a really dry, dusty finish. Nice stuff. Could be a little stronger.

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Conclusion: It’s a dry, nice sipping whiskey. Good earth elements, and given a lot of time to open up, I really appreciated this more and more. It tastes that little different than other Bourbons, so I’d recommend ordering a dram of it at a bar.

Final Score: 79.

Guess on Finish: Brandy finish?

Actually: Cabernet Sauvignon

Guess: Jim Beam Signature Brandy Finish

Actually: Big Bottom Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Cabernet Cask Finish

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.