It has been one thousand, eight hundred and six days since I last reviewed I.W. Harper. It was right after the brand was brought back to the US. I’d just found a sealed 1960s/70s dusty in an antique store and had fallen in love with it. I was cautiously optimistic that, though different, it would be as good as the old one. Oh, the naivety I showed. Here are my thoughts from the 2015 review:
Thoughts: Very disappointing. The nose was light, fruity and delicate. The mouth was flat and full of wood. When I first nosed it I thought I was getting one whiskey. I ended up getting another that I didn't like as much. As far as quality, this is a solid meh. It's not terrible, but for almost $30 you expect something more than a mixer. I'd give this one a pass.
Earlier this year, I was finally making a list of the things I had reviewed, I realized that I hadn’t purchased this one since that initial review. I had no idea if it had gotten better, worse, stayed the same. And so I bought it again. Let’s see how things have progressed.
I. W. Harper: Revisited
Purchase Info: I lost the receipt as I bought this back before the Pandemic hit, but I bought it at Total Wine in Burnsville, MN and it currently sells there for $28.49 for a 750 mL bottle.
Price per Drink (50 mL): $1.90
Details: 41% ABV
Nose: Mint, sweet cherry, and oak.
Mouth: Cinnamon, almond, nutmeg, mint, oak
Finish: Medium length and dry. Lingering notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, mint, and oak.
Thoughts: I had to do a double-take when I looked at the proof just now. This does not taste like a proof in the low 80s. It has too much flavor, especially spice for that. I was impressed before, but I’m even more impressed now.
So, I’m not sure if I changed or if I.W. Harper changed in the last five-ish years. Either way, I like this so much more than I did when it first came out. The mouthfeel isn’t thin, the spice is very prominent and there is just enough oak to keep me happy without being overwhelming. And to top it off, it is still under $30. Good enough to enjoy neat, but cheap enough to use in a cocktail. I’ve upgraded this one to a like.
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