American bourbon continues its popularity. The word “authenticity” is cropping up more and more in the spirits world. With the limited-edition Old Tub, the James B. Beam Distilling Co. pays homage to a whisky that predates Jim Beam bourbon. As with the original, this rendition is neither carbon nor chill-filtered and bottled at 50 percent ABV. Woodsy, with traces of honey, vanilla, corn mash, and caramel on the nose; dry, powerful, and spicy in the mouth, with suggestions of dried fruit and charred wood. Punchy and assertive.
Pale garnet. Medium-intensity nose of mostly plums with sour cherry and some oak. Lots of raspberry and cherry extract and an almost candy-like sweetness from the high alcohol (13.8%). But the flavours are simple and the minimal structure comes from the adequate acidity. Drink up.
Deep straw in colour; spicy, pineapple bouquet with toasty oak. Full bodied, just off-dry, richly extracted melon and pear flavours. Mouth-filling and well balanced.
Colour of a brass doorknob. Medium-intensity nose of lychee and peaches. Medium bodied, tasting of more peaches and orange. Slightly sweet, but a pinch of acidity lightens the texture. Drink now.
Medium-deep gold. Medium-intensity nose of pear, lime and pineapple. Medium bodied for a Riesling, tasting of lime, pineapple and Asian apple-pear. Drink now. Good value.
I deducted three points for the useless and irritating plastic covering poured over the cork that shatters sharp shards of black plastic all over your kitchen when you try to remove the cork. Send a message to the producers: do not buy this wine! (Now I have got that off my chest and vacuumed the plastic off my floor…) The wine is the color of dark smoked salmon and has a robust nose of strawberry, pineapple and peach. Full bodied for a rosé, it is slightly sweet, tasting of more strawberries, raspberries and mandarin orange with good acidity. Drink up.
Pale gold. Strong nose of Diesel/jet fuel over flowers, lime and orange. Light-bodied with high acidity and lots of fruit including apple, pineapple and lime. Drink now.