Mystery Blind Sample Comparison # 2

Mystery Blind Sample Comparison # 2

I entered a drawing to receive some samples in a great group I'm in. I happened to win and the person offering obliged to send them to me on blind format. Once I do my best to guess, I'll reach out to him and update the page with the real samples. I fully expect them to be great pours so here's how the conversation went.

So a 3-pack mystery samp is yours! A couple questions: What are you favorite distilleries? Do you prefer bourbons or ryes? Do you want these blind or labeled but you won’t know until you receive them?

Hey man. Thank you so much for the offer. Bt, 4R, michters, Wt, and mgp Bourbon preference Blind preferred

No problem! Thought it would be fun! Noted your preferences. Have plenty of things to pick from here!

 Then I waited for them to arrive.

So the samples are labeled A, B, and C with Yellow, Green, and Red labels.

That's about all I know about them so let's get started with 

A(Yellow)

N: Firstly, it smells divine. It has a Weller vibe so far but could be MGP. It's thick. Burn't caramelized sugars mix with berries and an underlying sour tone. By the nose alone, I'm leaning on an Old Weller Antique store pick. 

P: Although punchy, the proof feels low because it doesn't burn that much. I pick up pears, apples, marshmallows, and vanilla. 

F: Finish has a lingering pear note and soft oaky tannins. 

Proof: 95

Age: It does feel like it's not a young 4-5 year bourbon. Perhaps 7-9 years.

Overall: This was interesting. the nose was so delightful and the rest was also. I've had some OWA picks that were reminiscent to this, but at the end, I feel that the lower abv suggests this is something else. 

My guess is that this is Michter's Toasted Barrel Bourbon.

Update answer: Wild turkey 12yr

B(Green)

N: Ok. Full disclosure, When I first received these, I smelled them all and this one stood out. I firstly thought it was an older MGP, which I still may think that but there are some notes in here that point to a well aged high proof light whiskey. I may be wrong. It as a bunch of baked goods smells and is very round and fluffy. Sort of smells like a cherry drizzled bear claw. There is plenty of ethanol but it's uncharacteristically diminished by the volume of the other aromas. I'm still leaning to near hazmat light whiskey. 

P: This burns a little bit but is smooth going down. Very rich and coats the mouth nicely. Some notes of fruits but mostly baked goods. 

F: Finishes a little astringent but notes of pears and baked deserts go in and out of focus. 

Proof: 135

Age: 10 or 28 depending on what it is

Overall: If I'm gonna go with my presumption(even-though I asked for bourbon) and say It's light whiskey, It's really hard to pin down a label. Most likely it's MGP but it could also be a Canadian product. Like Obtanium or something like that. Lastly, If this is a bourbon, which is the most likely outcome, I would guess it's ether an Elijah Craig Private Barrel pick or an obscure 4 Roses tier 6.

Update answer: Stagg Jr. 22A at 132.2 proof

C(Red)

N: The nose on this is a little darker and fairly high proof. Not enough vanilla to be Weller and not enough funk to be Turkey. 4 Roses may be a candidate because of how diverse that product can be but this kind of feels a little darker than most 4R I've had. It's slightly floral and a tiny hint rubbery. Again, thick and sweet. Unlike the other's it is opening up in the glass as the darkness disperses to give way to acidity and sweetness. Revealing bubble gum, apples, melon, and hint's of black tea. For the life of me I don't know what this is from the nose. Then again, I probably have no idea what the others are either.

P: Slightly acidic. Citrus, apples, herbs.

F: Intensifies immensely with that charred vanilla note and slowly subsides leaving a nice burn; accompanied by oak and some herbal notes. At the end, I'm left with apple skins. 

Proof: 123

Age: 16

Overall: Wow. At first I though the nose was funky and unique. I still think that but the nice bubble gum aroma was a surprise. This one is a challenge for sure so I'll venture to guess. This one is a 4R pick.

Update answer: It was a 4R pick at 124.4 proof

OK that was so much fun. I want to thank the sender(I'll update his name after clearance) for these very unique and delicious samples. I'll update you all on what they turned out to be.