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Little Book Chapter 2: Noe Simple Task

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@OdysseusUnboundReview by @OdysseusUnbound

20th May 2020

1

  • Nose
    21
  • Taste
    23
  • Finish
    22
  • Balance
    22
  • Overall
    88

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  • Brand: Little Book
  • ABV: 59.4%

This is a review of a mystery sample provided by @Nozinan The sample was bottled Feb 1, 2019

Tasting notes neat from a Highland Whisky Glass

  • Nose: shy and muted at first, ethanol, wood varnish, some orange zest, toffee, maybe a little pepper, rye spice coming through, sawdust, a bit of caraway, something a bit "farmy" (I usually call it "wet hay")
  • Palate: soft and sweet on first arrival, becoming big and bold, definitely some rye spice, toffee, black pepper, cinnamon
  • Finish: long, spicy, cloves, black tea, a bit of caramel, fresh cut oak¸ some peppermint
  • Rating: 88/100
  • First guess: Lot 40 Cask Strength 11 year or 12 Year.

With Water

  • Nose: white glue comes out first, but thankfully dissipates quickly, toffee follows, then caraway seeds, orange zest, fresh oak, and a hint of burnt sugar. The nose is still pretty shy.
  • Palate: some barrel char, oak, black pepper, black tea that's been steeped a bit too long
  • Finish: long, a bit sweeter than when taken neat, brown sugar, cloves, a hint of cardamom or something "green"
  • Rating: 87/100

My ability to accurately identify blind samples continues to suck. It turns out that this was Little Book Chapter 2: Noe Simple Task. It is bottled at 59.4 % abv, so at least I wasn't off on the high proof. According to the internet, this is a proprietary blend of three whiskies - 8 year Kentucky straight rye at 59.9% abv, 13 year Canadian rye at 55.95% abv, and 40 year Canadian 100% corn whisky at 68.9% abv.

  • Would I accept a glass if it were offered? Absolutely. The rye is present enough to make this interesting and enjoyable.
  • Would I order this in a bar or pub? Perhaps. Drinks are expensive at these types of establishments and this one is potent enough that I wouldn't guzzle it.
  • Would I purchase a bottle? Unlikely. I'm not sure what the price on this was when it was available in Ontario, but Chapter 3 is currently selling for $165. That's above my comfort zone, unless the whiskey is exceptional. To me this one is good, but not great. The nose is pleasant but a little too shy and muted to me.

5 comments

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

Great review! I've yet to sit down and really explore this. The few times I've poured it I've enjoyed it but not as excitedly as some of my colleagues. Someone I know has drained his third bottle... mine is over half full.

Full disclosure, When I picked this up in late 2018 I paid $100.90 for it at Zyn. I would not have purchased it for $165.

3 years ago 2Who liked this?

@OdysseusUnbound
OdysseusUnbound commented

@Nozinan at $100, I’d consider it but I’m not sure if I’ve ever paid $165 for any whisky.

3 years ago 1Who liked this?

@BlueNote
BlueNote commented

@OdysseusUnbound @paddockjudge sent me a very generous sampling of Canadian whiskies a while ago, and this was one of them. It was one of the favourites at a tasting with four friends. I see there is just a wee bit left in the sample bottle and I’m going to knock that off right now.

3 years ago 3Who liked this?

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@paddockjudge
paddockjudge commented

@BlueNote, a tasting of Little Book Chapter 02 is not complete without experiencing the component parts alongside; Aberta Premium 13 YO Cask Strength Rye (Shelter Point 13 YO barrel selection for KWM or a single barrel WhistlePig), Knob Creek CS Rye, and CC 40 YO. Recreating the LB 02 blend from these whiskies, or creating something new is a lot of fun. @Cricklewood and I have done this a couple of times and @fidich1980 has sampled a recreation. Deconstructions are a whisky nerds delight. I was able to track down a few of these for $91 each....and a couple which were more expensive.

3 years ago 3Who liked this?

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