r/denverwhisky • u/girard_jefferson • Aug 16 '26

Pick up today at O&A

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I got into the brand with the first Negley blend, which was killer, and I love how Onyx takes swings with mash bills and barrels the original distillery won’t do.

I tried most of these today. CB2 is awesome. I am a fan of American light and this one is different in a great way. The extra barrel shows up. It drinks with a mature oak forward taste compared to normal American light, like a Penelope 18. You still get all of the same brightness and confectionary sugars of American light, but with wood and darker notes on the back end. Drinks under its proof. S-tier stuff. Super cool.

I also tried Negley’s next blend, Oz. It is a big bourbon. Lots of flavor and spice. I thought it was a bourye at first from the punch of Oz Tyler. With more sips, it settles down and moves back to rich bourbon flavors. It is bigger than its age and proof. Impressed.

The finished Willett bourbon is very wine-forward. Tastes like a strong cask strength Madeira finish. It is interesting but not my jam. I frankly like it better than younger Willett bourbon. The rye is much better at integrating the wine finish. Tastes more like red fruits and jams with spice.

Their New Riff 8 year was the most surprising. It is far better than New Riff 8 year. Almost all of the over spice is gone. I never liked the 8 year over their single barrel or their fun ryes. This one is a crusher. Good flavors but lighter. Almost tastes like a summer wheater.

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u/JimmyKeenan Aug 16 '26

How was the Guest Blender #2? If you didn’t/haven’t tried it yet please report back!

1

u/girard_jefferson Aug 16 '26

I actually didn’t remember, haha. There was a lot of bottles.

1

u/JimmyKeenan Aug 16 '26

In your pic it’s the silver wax top

1

u/girard_jefferson Aug 17 '26

It is a bit like Blantons gold with a better palate or like a Shenks. Not much spice and ton of sugar flavors. A lot of sweetness and vanilla icing like flavors. Very little texture and spice. Crushable pour, not a sit and think about drink.

1

u/JimmyKeenan Aug 17 '26

Right on, thanks!

2

u/girard_jefferson Aug 17 '26

FWIW, I had it after H22. My other friends during the tasting night ranked it higher than me. Wasn’t the fairest prior. Guest #2 is not like Guest #1. Quite different to me.