As The Spirit Moves Me

This dram was a mystery included in my 2018 Secret Santa swap. It was tasted and reviewed blind. Nose: Stewed plums, cocoa, toasted nuts, clove, Virginia pipe tobacco, honey, vanilla, raspberries. Palate: Sweet red berries, vanilla, oak, rich cocoa, figs, dark cherries, caramel, black pepper, honey. Finish: Finish is long. Dry and tannic, but with a little caramel and clove at the tail. Verdict: Definitely some heat. Like 100-110 proof, maybe? It's very rich. I think it's port finished, based on what I'm tasting. Would I buy this: Depending on price, I would. Given it's from Astor, maybe not. But it's awfully good. Would I order this in a bar: I would, definitely. Delicious dram. Would I drink this if someone gave me a glass: Oh, yes please! Rating: ★★★★

And we're back to the present day. It's Christmas time, I'm on vacation, and I'm about to make sourdough bread. I think I'll start the day with a dram (and after taking notes for this review, that Millionaire Shortbread I made.) Nose : Apple, pear, honey, light toasted grains, poached plums, nutmeg, almonds. Palate : Nutmeg, red wine, toffee, caramel, toasted oats. Finish : Short. Orchard fruits, vanilla, light caramel, and something just slightly bitter. Verdict : I'll always have a love for Black Bush. It reminds me of my dad. He drank Bushmills when he could afford it when I was growing up. We drank it at his wake and his funeral. It's a pleasant whiskey, a fair step up from the base blended 80% grain/20% malt white label Bushmills, as Black Bush is 80% malt/20% grain. That said, it's a simple Irish whiskey, even with the sherry aging the malt in this goes through. It's bottled at too low proof, and the triple distilling makes it in...