Review #13 - Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon 10 Year

Eagle Rare is distilled at Buffalo Trace and is age stated at 10 years old. Originally Eagle Rare was distilled by Seagram Company at 101 proof but the label was acquired by Sazerac in 1989 and turned over to be distilled at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort Kentucky. The 101 proof bourbon was reduced to 90 proof in 1995 and recently Buffalo Trace transitioned Eagle Rare from a Single Barrel to a Small Batch to improve consistency among bottles. This review will be of the Eagle Rare 90 proof single barrel aged for 10 years.

PRODUCT SPECS

Whiskey Type - Bourbon

Age - 10 years

Mashbill - Buffalo Trace Mashbill #1 (Low Rye)

Alcohol By Volume (ABV) - 45.0% (90 proof)

NOSE
Orange
Pineapple
Vanilla
Caramel
Cedar wood

PALATE
Cinnamon
Clove
Raspberry 
Herbal Tea
Toasted Oak

Addition of water brings out sugar sweetness.

FINISH
Eagle Rare has a nice oily mouthfeel with a high amount of spice and light wood. The finish is dominated by a nice long cinnamon and herbal tea flavor with oak presence.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS
I enjoy Eagle Rare and I think it's a perfect daily sipper that is typically found at most stores at a good price. That being said it seems to be lacking a unique standout component. It's balance is good but comes across somewhat flat. Eagle Rare is one of those bourbons that are a bit of a mystery to me. It's distilled using Buffalo Trace's Low Rye mashbill and I tend to favor the High Rye mashbill expressed in bourbons such as Blantons or Elmer T Lee. I would be interested to compare this 10 year versus the 17 year old version released in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.

PRODUCT RATING 
3.0 out of 5

RATING SYSTEM
0 - hot dog water - nothing redeeming
1 - one dimensional - not complex and can be flat in areas
2 - entry level whiskey -  a few highlights for a good value
3 - daily sipper - solid, well made product that is always enjoyed.
4 - big whiskey - complex layered flavors - amazing balance
5 - huge, exceptional, unique, one of a kind

Review #12 - Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select

It's been quite a few years since I've tackled some Jack Daniels but I saw a bottle of the Single Barrel at the store not too long ago and decided to give it a go. Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 was my go to whiskey throughout the college years and it typically was consumed blended with Coca-Cola or consumed as a shot. I figured that it was time to give Tennessee Whiskey some respect and see what it had to offer.

According to their website approximately 1 out of every 100 barrels is set aside to age in the highest and hottest sections of their barrelhouses. The whiskey will get the maximum amount of maturation with the time spent in the upper sections also known at Jack Daniel's as the Angel's Roost. In turn the Single Barrel will gain a deep rich color and flavor. In total the barrel will lose 30% volume over the life of it's maturation period or more than twice the amount lost  by the Old No. 7. The distillery debuted their 94 proof Single Barrel in February of 1997.

PRODUCT SPECS

Whiskey Type - Tennessee Whiskey

Age - Approx. 6 years

Mashbill - 80% corn, 8% rye, and 12% malted barley

Alcohol By Volume (ABV) - 47.0% (94 proof)

Bottling Date - 06-24-2013

Rick Number - L-19

Barrel Number - 13-3603

NOSE
Vanilla
Orange
Maple Syrup
Caramel

PALATE
Tea
Black Pepper
Smoked Oak
Light red fruit
Powdered sugar 

FINISH
The finish is medium in length with a thin to medium mouthfeel. Not much burn however the finish leaves quickly and is fairly one dimensional in complexity. The higher alcohol content probably allows the finish to hang around a little while longer but there isn't a whole lot going on past the palate.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS
To say I am surprised with the quality of this whiskey is a huge understatement. There were little to no expectations other than I figured that there wouldn't probably be all that much going on in a bottle of Jack Daniels. I was very wrong in my assumptions. After sitting with this bottle for a couple of weeks I can say that the Jack Daniel's Single Barrel is just a great sipper. Maybe I'll chalk it up to nostalgia but I'd like to think that there is something a little more than that going on in this bottle. The nose has a great balance of sweet and smokey notes which really differentiates Jack Daniels from the bourbon world. Sometimes it's nice to get a whiff of burnt maple sugar wood in the nose or a little char on the tastebuds. I love the fact that it is also bottled at 47% ABV because it really gives the whiskey a much deeper flavor as compared to the Old No. 7. Definitely recommended for those people who want to take a step out of the bourbon world for a moment but don't want to compromise on either price or quality.

PRODUCT RATING 
3.5 out of 5

RATING SYSTEM
0 - hot dog water - nothing redeeming
1 - one dimensional - not complex and can be flat in areas
2 - entry level whiskey -  a few highlights for a good value
3 - daily sipper - solid, well made product that is always enjoyed.
4 - big whiskey - complex layered flavors - amazing balance
5 - huge, exceptional, unique, one of a kind

Review #11 - Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select

In 2013 I visited Woodford Reserve during a trip on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Located in Versailles, the distillery campus is situated on a very peaceful and beautiful landscape. The visitor center has a great long porch with rocking chairs on it where guests can relax and just a short hike down the hill allows for an interesting view of barrels rolling down tracks to their final rickhouse destination. There is a long history of various distilleries where Woodford Reserve is now located however the current distillery was only purchased and refurbished by Brown-Forman in 1993 and the Woodford Reserve brand entered the market in 1996. 

One of the unique things about Woodford is that the bourbon is triple distilled in copper pot stills unlike most bourbon which is only double distilled in a column still. Both triple distillation and the use of copper pot stills is very common in Irish Whiskey and this same technique used by Woodford separates it from the rest of the major bourbon brands.

PRODUCT SPECS

Whiskey Type - Bourbon

Age - Approx. 7 years

Mashbill - 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Barley

Alcohol By Volume (ABV) - 45.2% (90.4 proof)

Batch Number - 873

Bottle Number - 2479

NOSE
Brown sugar
Vanilla
Cola
Peach
Light butterscotch

PALATE
Cinnamon
Cereal
Burnt walnut
Light oak

With the addition of water
Dark rye bread
Bitter chocolate
Light mint

FINISH
The finish is short with a thin mouthfeel. Rye drives the short dry finish and a pleasant very light oak remains.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS
The nose on Woodford Reserve is very sweet and nice with a heavy dominating dose of brown sugar followed by classic vanilla and cola notes. With the addition of water both the nose and palate open up with a noticeable presence of rye aromas and flavor. Woodford Reserve finds a nice balance in the oak profile and I really enjoy the absence of overpowering oak tannins that can be found in many other bourbons. The finish is relatively thin and short and disappears quickly. This is probably due to the triple distillation process. Woodford Reserve could benefit from a slightly higher proof and it would be interesting to taste what a cask strength would offer. Overall I really enjoy Woodford Reserve. It is not as complex as the ultra premium brands but I consider it to be a nice sipper and a bourbon I recommend to people that are interested in getting into bourbon. Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select can be typically purchased in the mid $30 range.

PRODUCT RATING 
2.5 out of 5

RATING SYSTEM
0 - hot dog water - nothing redeeming
1 - one dimensional - not complex and can be flat in areas
2 - entry level whiskey -  a few highlights for a good value
3 - daily sipper - solid, well made product that is always enjoyed.
4 - big whiskey - complex layered flavors - amazing balance
5 - huge, exceptional, unique, one of a kind

Review #10 - Four Roses 125th L.E. Small Batch Bourbon

Quick Blog Note - I've decided to add half points to my rating scale so that I have a bit more flexibility in where exactly to place bottles relative to each other. It made sense to go down that path as many whiskies fall somewhere in between.

In 2013 Four Roses celebrated their 125th anniversary by releasing this limited edition small batch bourbon. As with most of the limited releases by Four Roses, the 2013 release immediately became an impossible find and the bottles that did manage to reach the shelves were snatched up by bourbon enthusiasts... by the case. I had to wait for the European market allotment in early 2014 to get my hands on a bottle.

On the back of the bottle is a paragraph explaining the 2013 release:

"We're celebrating our 125th Anniversary with what our Master Distiller describes as 'what could be the best Bourbon we've ever put in a bottle.' This year's Barrel Strength Limited Edition Small Batch, created from 3 of our 10 distinct Bourbon recipes, welcomes you to the party with generous creamy vanilla, light oak and cherry cordial aromas. Bright splashes of raspberry and apricot greet the palate, giving way to subtle tones of nutmeg and cocoa. Then mellow flavors of cherry and vanilla bean define the long luxurious finish in such a way to make you wish you could toast our 125th every year for the next 125 or more. Cheers."

The recipes:
OBSV 18 years (featuring delicate fruit, spicy and creamy characteristics)
OBSK 13 years (rich in spiciness, full body)
OESK 13 years (spicy, full body)


PRODUCT SPECS

Whiskey Type - Bourbon

Alcohol By Volume (ABV) - 51.6% (103.2 proof)

Bottle Number - 10104 / 12468


NOSE
Big cherry notes
Vanilla
Rose petal
Light citrus (lemon & orange)
Red cedar wood

PALATE
Dark Chocolate 
Cinnamon
Light Mint 
Light Oak
Leather

FINISH
The finish is long with an medium mouthfeel. The transition from palate to finish happens rather quickly and a nice oak flavor asserts itself throughout the long finish.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS
I must admit with all the buildup of this bourbon that at my first tasting I wasn't all completely blown away with the flavor profile. I guess it is one of those things where you set expectations really high based on all the raving reviews. That being said, the first thing I noticed about this bourbon right out of the gate was its amazing nose. I could sit and smell it all night. It has such a rich and beautiful aroma. Over time (many months) the bottle really began to open up and I started to truly appreciate the greatness of this bourbon. The addition of a single ice cube or a few drops of water is where Four Roses 125th really opens and flexes its muscles. I suspect that the high alcohol percentage was suppressing this bourbon. There is no doubt that the addition of water releases the flavor. The complexity in the palate along with the length of the finish and a truly amazing nose ranks this in the top tier of the bourbon world.

PRODUCT RATING 
5 out of 5


RATING SYSTEM
0 - hot dog water - nothing redeeming
1 - one dimensional - not complex and can be flat in areas
2 - entry level whiskey -  a few highlights for a good value
3 - daily sipper - solid, well made product that is always enjoyed.
4 - big whiskey - complex layered flavors - amazing balance
5 - huge, exceptional, unique, one of a kind

Review #9 - Blanton's Straight From The Barrel Bourbon

I love anything whiskey that is cask strength or barrel proof. There is something magical in getting uncut and unfiltered whiskey right out of the barrel and into the glass. The aggressiveness of a barrel proof whiskey challenges you to engage in an intricate battle or to tuck tail and accept defeat. Blanton's Straight From The Barrel (SFTB) is no different in that regard. It is edgy and often times harsh on each level of the flavor profile all the way into and through the finish. But don't get me wrong, the flavors that it provides are extremely complex and layered. This is not by any means a one dimensional bourbon.

SFTB is the stronger and more aggressive brother to the standard single barrel Blanton's and the Gold Edition which I previously reviewed in Review #5. Like the Gold Edition the SFTB is not released in the United States. I have been lucky enough to purchase a bottle because I happen to live in Germany.

PRODUCT SPECS

Whiskey Type - Bourbon

Alcohol By Volume (ABV) - 65.85% (131.7 proof)

Bottling Date - 09-06-2012

Mashbill - Buffalo Trace's Mashbill #2 which is the higher Rye recipe.

Barrel Number - 68

Bottle Number - 173

Age - No age statement. Most likely around 8 years.

NOSE
Cherry Cola (Dr. Pepper)
Lemon sour candy
Cinnamon red hots

PALATE
Dark Peppermint chocolate 
Rich Espresso 
Heavy oak
Charcoal
Black licorice 

FINISH
Bitter coffee
Charred Oak
Wood varnish

The finish is medium to long with an oily mouthfeel. The alcohol is very overwhelming with this bourbon so my advice is to liberally use water to proof it down. 

FINAL IMPRESSIONS
There is no compromise with this barrel proof. A pure beast. There is something to be said of being challenged by a whisky and another to be said for finding the balance between a good challenge and enjoyment. SFTB really leaves no margin at all. I love the fact that it is non-chill filtered and left uncut. I wish more distilleries would provide whiskey at this level. It takes quite a bit of water to calm this down and even then it doesn't resemble the Blanton's Gold at all which shocks me. It makes me think that this version of Blantons may be slightly younger than the Gold. SFTB is really the first bourbon that I've encountered that doesn't have that overtly bourbon sweetness to it. It is a strong whiskey that has been left unpolished and is not for the feint of heart.

PRODUCT RATING 
3.5 out of 5. I'm giving SFTB a rating of 3.5 because of its non chill filtered and barrel proof nature. I also believe that there is a lot of dark and complex savory flavors that make this unique for a bourbon. SFTB is far from a beginners whiskey and it lacks the overall balance and roundness qualities for which most high end bourbons are known. It is a challenge to get past the nose, palate and finish and it will confront you at every opportunity. If given the chance I always encourage people to try whiskey at barrel proof just to experience the potential that a whiskey has when uncut but this bourbon must be consumed at your own risk. 

RATING SYSTEM
0 - hot dog water - nothing redeeming
1 - one dimensional - not complex and can be flat in areas
2 - entry level whiskey -  a few highlights for a good value
3 - daily sipper - solid, well made product that is always enjoyed.
4 - big whiskey - complex layered flavors - amazing balance
5 - huge, exceptional, unique, one of a kind

Review #8 - Jefferson's 10 Year Straight Rye Whiskey

Today there are a few distilleries that are making rye whiskey although that number is increasing every year. To qualify as rye in the United States the recipe (mashbill) has to be at least 51% rye. Conversely, bourbon has to be at least 51% corn. There are even fewer distilleries that are delivering a 100% rye based whiskey.

Jeffersons is a rye that has 100% rye in its mashbill however the "distillery" does not actually distill the spirit in the bottle. They are known as an Independent Bottler or another term often used is Non Producer Distiller (NPD). The fact that they simply bottle the whiskey makes it somewhat difficult to identify who distilled the liquor as many NPDs are not forthcoming to the public as to where they have purchased the whiskey. It also makes it hard to guarantee that Jeffersons won't switch the supplier of the whiskey and thus change the flavor profile.

Because the rye whiskey is 100% rye and aged at 10 years all guesses point to Alberta distillery in Canada. Nonetheless this rye is one of a handful that are aged 10 years or more and at 100% rye mashbill meeting the American requirements and therefore makes the spirit somewhat unique compared to the other rye whiskies hitting the market today.  

PRODUCT SPECS

Whiskey Type - Rye

Alcohol By Volume (ABV) - 47%

Mashbill - 100% rye

Batch Number - 15

Bottle Number - 0171

Age - 10 Years.

NOSE
Tropical fruit
Ginger
Golden raisin

PALATE
Clove
Black pepper
Fennel anise 
Honey

FINISH
Toasted oak
Mint
Dark fudge

The finish is medium to long in length with medium legs that provide a creamy texture.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS
Jefferson's 10 Year Rye Whiskey is a great whiskey. It has a nice complexity and balance that makes it just a joy to sip and share with friends. I think it represents rye whiskey very well by not having many sweet notes that try to masquerade the spirit as a bourbon. The fact that it has a nice herbal and spicy palate makes it a great for whiskey based cocktails such as Manhattans. 

PRODUCT RATING 
3.5 out of 5. You can typically find this rye in the $40 range. I've heard some rumors that it may be losing its age statement in the future. Pick some up and try it neat or in a cocktail before it is too late. A really great rye whiskey.

RATING SYSTEM
0 - hot dog water - nothing redeeming
1 - one dimensional - not complex and can be flat in areas
2 - entry level whiskey -  a few highlights for a good value
3 - daily sipper - solid, well made product that is always enjoyed.
4 - big whiskey - complex layered flavors - amazing balance
5 - huge, exceptional, unique, one of a kind

Review #7 - Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon

Four Roses releases three regular bourbons in the U.S.: yellow label, small batch and single barrel. The blended whiskey of the Seagrams years is ancient history. Four Roses also does a yearly limited edition release of their small batch and the single barrel bourbons. Both versions are highly coveted by collectors for their exceptional quality and rarity. This review will cover the regular Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon that can be found pretty easily throughout the United States.

In 2012 and 2013 Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch won the prestigious Whiskey Advocate's American Whiskey of the Year award. What they are doing at Four Roses is nothing short of a miracle and under Master Distiller Jim Rutledge's watchful eyes the brand will keep getting better and better. The sky is truly the limit in Lawrenceburg Kentucky.

PRODUCT SPECS

Whiskey Type - Bourbon

Alcohol By Volume (ABV) - 45%

Mashbill - 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley

Age - approximately 8 Years.

NOSE
Lemon Peel
Red Grapes
Sweet cake frosting
Candy Corn

PALATE
Vanilla
Honey
Confectioners sugar
Cedar Wood

FINISH
The finish is medium in length and ends with mint, cinnamon and light cherry cola notes. 

FINAL IMPRESSIONS
Four Roses Small Batch is a terrifically sweet and drinkable bourbon. Although it lacks the aggressiveness and complexity of other bourbons it makes for a great weekend sipper and it is really enjoyable. If you are feeling like satisfying your sweet tooth with an excellent crafted spirit than I highly recommend Four Roses Small Batch.

PRODUCT RATING 
3 out of 5. This is a very well rounded sweet bourbon. You can generally find it on sale in the upper $20 to mid $30 range making this an exceptional value purchase. 

RATING SYSTEM
0 - hot dog water - nothing redeeming
1 - one dimensional - not complex and can be flat in areas
2 - entry level whiskey -  a few highlights for a good value
3 - daily sipper - solid, well made product that is always enjoyed.
4 - big whiskey - complex layered flavors - amazing balance
5 - huge, exceptional, unique, one of a kind

Review #6 - Elijah Craig 12 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon

The Elijah Craig 12 Year is simply the best price for a quality bourbon whiskey that you'll find in the market, bar none. It is an absolute hidden gem. Distilled at Heaven Hill in Bardstown Kentucky yields us a great all around Bourbon. I visited Heaven Hill in October 2013 and I was floored by the enormous stock of aging Bourbon in their vast rickhouses. What I took away from that trip, aside from the amazing smell of the angel's share, was that we'll have this whiskey on the market for a very long time. And that makes me extremely happy.

The question that I keep asking myself when it comes to EC12 is how in the world does it stay on the market at such an inexpensive price point? It makes no sense in the context of the global whiskey boom where prices are being driven higher and higher. I've been able to purchase this whiskey for as low as $24 when it has been on sale. A 94 proof whiskey at under thirty dollars is a killer deal.

Heaven Hill also releases various age statements of Elijah Craig in their ultra premium category such as an 18, 20 and 21 as well as a barrel proof version of the 12. However it is the standard 12 Year old that is so easily accessible and also so easily drinkable.

PRODUCT SPECS

Whiskey Type - Bourbon

Alcohol By Volume (ABV) - 47%

Mashbill - 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley

Age - 12 Years.

NOSE
Lemon
Green apple
Light vanilla
Graham Cracker
Floral notes
Caramel

PALATE
Dark chocolate
Light mint
Dark roast coffee
Tobacco leaf
Toasted oak

FINISH
The finish is a nice long slow burn. At 47% it has medium legs and is relatively viscous. The most surprising thing on the palate and finish for EC12 has an exceptional earthy flavor. It has a wonderful blend of oak and tannins that is very rich but not overly sweet like other Bourbons.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS
I really like Elijah Craig 12. It is one that I purchase regularly and the value that you get for the money is outrageous. This Bourbon is big and bold and will challenge you with its nose and palate so it is not for the feint of heart. That being said it is an overall great Bourbon.

PRODUCT RATING 
3 out of 5. You'll be able to find this Bourbon in most cases for under $30 for a 750ml bottle. If it is on sale then pick it up. You will not be disappointed.

RATING SYSTEM
0 - hot dog water - nothing redeeming
1 - one dimensional - not complex and can be flat in areas
2 - entry level whiskey -  a few highlights for a good value
3 - daily sipper - solid, well made product that is always enjoyed.
4 - big whiskey - complex layered flavors - amazing balance
5 - huge, exceptional, unique, one of a kind

Review #5 - Blanton's Gold Edition Straight Kentucky Single Barrel Bourbon

Moving to Germany has afforded me the opportunity to get my hands on a version of Blanton's that most fans of American whiskey living in the United States will never get to drink called Blanton's Gold Edition.

The Gold Edition is made specifically for the European market, bottled at a higher alcohol by volume (ABV) than standard Blantons, and is considered by the Master Distiller as coming from the best barrels at the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Colonel Blanton, for which the Bourbon is named after, considered the middle ricks in Warehouse H to be the finest Bourbon at the distillery. The bottle states: "We believe this is the finest bottle of whiskey ever produced, affording you extra flavor, bouquet and character".

Another very important note about Blanton's Bourbon is that it is one of the first Bourbons ever to bottled from a single barrel. The history dates to 1984 when legendary Master Distiller Elmer T. Lee decided to start bottling from barrels located exclusively in Colonel Blanton's favorite Warehouse H. 

PRODUCT SPECS

Whiskey Type - Bourbon

Alcohol By Volume (ABV) - 51.5%

Bottling Date - 08-20-2013

Barrel Number - 306

Rick Number - 19

WareHouse - H

Mashbill - Buffalo Trace's Mashbill #2 which is the higher Rye recipe.

Age - No age statement. Most likely 8 years.

NOSE
Vanilla cola
Caramel
Freshly peeled citrus - orange and tangerine
Candied corn
Red cedar wood

With water:
Vanilla icing
Cherries and red berry fruit
Fresh floral bouquet 

PALATE
Powdered sugar
Fresh fruit
Honeysuckle 
Dark chocolate
Light mint
Coffee
Light oak

FINISH
Medium to long that is very smooth. The flavors change as the whiskey lingers from sugar to red fruits to cocoa. Nice light oakiness complements the sweetness and the finish is perfectly balanced.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS
Blanton's Gold Edition Straight Kentucky Single Barrel Bourbon is a fantastic whiskey. This Bourbon has one of the best noses I have encountered for an American Bourbon. After adding some water to proof the whiskey down and allowing Blanton's Gold to sit for awhile and open up you are left with a breathtaking dram. It is hard to imagine Bourbon getting any better than Blanton's Gold.

PRODUCT RATING 
5 out of 5. Blanton's Gold truly is one of the legendary whiskies on the market. I purchased this bottle from a small whiskey shop in Stuttgart for 56 Euro ($77). This is the first whiskey I have rated at 5 out of 5 and it is truly an amazing Bourbon.

RATING SYSTEM
0 - hot dog water - nothing redeeming
1 - one dimensional - not complex and can be flat in areas
2 - entry level whiskey -  a few highlights for a good value
3 - daily sipper - solid, well made product that is always enjoyed.
4 - big whiskey - complex layered flavors - amazing balance
5 - huge, exceptional, unique, one of a kind

Review #4 - Abraham Bowman Gingerbread Finished Bourbon

If you are ever in the Washington D.C. area make it a point to drive the short distance to Fredericksburg in Virginia and take the one hour A. Smith Bowman distillery tour. It is absolutely amazing, informative, fun and free set on beautiful tucked away landscape in Northern Virginia. The tour guides are very friendly and unlike the Kentucky distillery tours, you can get a very personal tour of a distillery that is making amazing whiskey without all the commercialism and marketing hype behind the Bourbon industry. It has a real down home atmosphere and I think it provides an insight as where the industry will be in the next 15 to 20 years with the explosion of small run micro-distilleries. The future in Bourbon looks bright. 

The Bowman distillery makes three lines of Bourbon. All their Bourbons use the same mashbill. The first is called Bowman Brothers and is a 7 year small batch whiskey. The second is called John J Bowman and is a 10 year single barrel. I'll be discussing the third.

The Abraham Bowman Gingerbread Finished Bourbon was released in 2013 and the concept behind this Bourbon was to age the whiskey for 8 years and then send it to a beer brewery. The brewery would then take the whiskey and age the whiskey in Gingerbread Stout beer barrels for 12 weeks and then in turn send the whiskey back to the Bowman distillery. Got all that?

The creativity that distillers such as Bowman exhibits is what is going to make the Bourbon whiskey industry even better and truly amazing down the road. I really love what they are doing in Fredericksburg.


PRODUCT SPECS

Whiskey Type - Bourbon

Alcohol By Volume (ABV) - 45%

Mashbill - 65% Corn, 20% Rye, 15% Malt

Age - 8 years.

NOSE
Vanilla
Banana Cream
Candied Fruits
Pineapple Rum Cake
Honeydew Melon
Fresh orange marmalade

PALATE
Dark chocolate
Espresso coffee
Tobacco
Light oak

FINISH
Medium that disappears rather quickly however is very smooth with relatively little burn.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS
The Last Millennium Bourbon that was the previous release really set the bar high for the Bowman Distillery. Although this is an extremely good Bourbon, I must say it doesn't quite reach what the Last Millennium accomplished. 

That all being said I think the nose on the whiskey is really amazing and the palate of dark chocolate and earthy tobacco and coffee is delightful. I just wish there was a little more complexity. The deliciousness goes away too quickly and I think that may have something to do with the age of the spirit being 8 years old. 

Another issue is the price. For the Last Millennium I thought that the $70 price tag was more than justified. I really struggle with whiskies in this price range that I feel just lack that overall roundness and complexity. If you can get your hands on a bottle of any of the Abraham Bowman releases then I'd recommend doing so to give it a try. I think this release is worth a purchase of a single bottle. More than one bottle is hard for me to recommend. Just keep in mind that this whiskey doesn't last on the shelves very long.

PRODUCT RATING 
3 out of 5. This is a really strong 3 out of 5. A truly enjoyable whiskey that offers up a wonderful dark chocolate flavor and amazing bouquet on the nose. I think it makes a great fall whiskey as the weather is starting to cool down and football season is in full effect. Enjoy.

RATING SYSTEM
0 - hot dog water - nothing redeeming
1 - one dimensional - not complex and can be flat in areas
2 - entry level whiskey -  a few highlights for a good value
3 - daily sipper - solid, well made product that is always enjoyed.
4 - big whiskey - complex layered flavors - amazing balance
5 - huge, exceptional, unique, one of a kind

Review #3 - Colonel E.H. Taylor Single Barrel Bourbon

I love the old-timey look of the bottles coming out of the Colonel E.H. Taylor line. Currently distilled at Buffalo Trace there are 6 different types in the Taylor Collection ranging from rye to small batch to the single barrel bourbon and a few others. Today I'll be reviewing the Single Barrel Bourbon.

Most of the products within the Taylor Collection are done under something called Bottled In Bond(BIB). There are many American whiskeys that are BIB because of the perseverance of Colonel E.H. Taylor. It could be said that the American whiskey establishment owes a huge debt of gratitude to Taylor. 

Long story short, Taylor uses his power and reputation in the industry to help back the Bottle in Bond Act of 1897 which essentially makes a partnership between a given distillery and the US Government to ensure that the US Government certifies the whiskey being released has undergone government supervision and has met all agreed upon standards. The term Bottled In Bond would then be printed on the bottle to give the customer comfort in knowing that the whiskey was authentic and not likely to harm them. This practice is still performed today.

The requirements are essentially that the product is distilled by one distillery for one distillation season (calendar year) and then stored in a federal warehouse under government supervision for a minimum of 4 years. Once the whiskey is identified to be ready for bottling, it is then bottled at 50% alcohol by volume. On each bottle the label must indicate where the whiskey was made and the location in which it was bottled. If you look at the photo above you'll read the words "Bottled In Bond" at the bottom of the label.

PRODUCT SPECS

Whiskey Type - Bourbon - Single Barrel

Alcohol By Volume (ABV) - 50%

Mashbill - Unknown

Age - No age statement on bottle. Most likely 11-12 years.

NOSE
Tropical fruit - coconut and oranges
Vanilla
Fudge
White Chocolate
Honey
Brown Sugar
Cedar wood

PALATE
Black pepper
Toasted Oak
Tobacco
Walnut

With water
Spearmint
Dark Roast Coffee
Tiny hint of red berries

FINISH
Medium with heavy oak, black tea and leather.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS
This is a very drinkable daily sipper of a Bourbon. The nose is incredible and very complex with sugar sweetness however the palate and finish left something to be desired. I personally don't like a huge amount of oak wood in my palate and I felt like this bourbon isn't quite balanced in its flavor profile. There is a bitter and harshness that is sustained from the delivery through the finish. I added water to settle down the heat coming off the glass. 

Colonel E.H. Taylor has been well received by friends and I enjoy sitting down and enjoying a bottle with them for something different. One of the biggest turnoffs is the price which typically falls in the $65 to $75 range. Quite frankly there are Bourbons that are just as good and if not better at half that price range.

PRODUCT RATING 
3.5 out of 5. Again, its tough to justify the cost for this Bourbon however if you get the chance to purchase a bottle on sale and you want to experience a more bolder oaky Bourbon then I would recommend giving it a shot.

RATING SYSTEM
0 - hot dog water - nothing redeeming
1 - one dimensional - not complex and can be flat in areas
2 - entry level whiskey -  a few highlights for a good value
3 - daily sipper - solid, well made product that is always enjoyed.
4 - big whiskey - complex layered flavors - amazing balance
5 - huge, exceptional, unique, one of a kind

Review #2 - Old Weller Antique Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Quick Blog Note

I went ahead an adjusted my rating scale from a 1-5 to a 0-5 in order to give a little more flexibility in rating. After thinking about the ratings I felt that if a whiskey really is terrible then it shouldn't get any points at all. This system may change yet again over time but I'll always go back and adjust the prior ratings to reflect within a new system.

Most people that are not familiar with anything outside Jack Daniels and Jim Beam have probably never heard of Weller. I first caught wind of it when researching the greater Bourbon universe and I had read many reviews regarding the products with the Weller name on them. I'm not going to go into the history of the name or anything like that but to say that it is another product owned by Sazerac and produced at Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, Kentucky. Over time you will see a common theme here with regards to American whiskey products in that many are distilled at only a handful of distilleries that are mainly in Kentucky.

It took me quite awhile to come across any Weller products at all in North Carolina or Virginia but at last I stumbled upon the Old Weller Antique (OWA 107) at an ABC store in Virginia. I've since noticed that OWA 107 can now be found pretty readily so it is possible that it is becoming more available in those areas. 

PRODUCT SPECS

Whiskey Type - Bourbon

Alcohol By Volume (ABV) - 53.5%

Mashbill - I was unable to find any source. This is a Wheated Bourbon meaning that at least 51% of the mashbill must be corn and a high amount of the remaining ingredients will be made up of wheat as opposed to rye or barley.

Age - No age statement on bottle. Most likely 7 years.

NOSE
Tropical with hints of cedar wood.
Cherry syrup
Citrus lemon
Red hot cinnamon candy
Raspberry bubblegum
Light Spearmint in background

With water
Vanilla powder
Light banana pudding

PALATE
Dried tropical fruit
Cinnamon + Clove
Cereal oats
Black Pepper
Walnut

FINISH
Short very quick burst of sugar followed by a medium and heavy woody oak bitter and black tea finish.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS
I am not a huge wheated Bourbon fan and so my review may be somewhat biased. I prefer the spiciness and punch-in-the-face of rye over the buttery rounded subtle smoothness of wheat in the mashbill. With this spirit I added about 4 or 5 drops of distilled water to settle down the alcohol heat coming off the glass and I also let the Bourbon settle down in the glass for a good half an hour. It has a lot of heat on it and overall I was not a huge fan of this particular Bourbon. 

I thought the nose was very pleasant but it lacked a layer dimension and you could almost smell the harshness of the high proof in the alcohol. With the addition of water the nose settled down and some of the more classic vanilla, cola and honey notes could be detected.

The delivery is in your face and bitter. Black pepper and oak dominate both the palate and the finish. Again it was a medium length finish that did not disappear nor hang around for awhile but it fell somewhere in the middle.

Overall its not a particularly bad whiskey but it is not something I would drink every day. I think I had picked it up for somewhere in the $23 range give or take a buck.

PRODUCT RATING 
2.5 out of 5. This is an entry level wheated Bourbon at a good price point. It is certainly not my cup of tea however I am not a real big wheated Bourbon fan.


RATING SYSTEM
0 - hot dog water - nothing redeeming
1 - one dimensional - not complex and can be flat in areas
2 - entry level whiskey -  a few highlights for a good value
3 - daily sipper - solid, well made product that is always enjoyed.
4 - big whiskey - complex layered flavors - amazing balance
5 - huge, exceptional, unique, one of a kind

Review #1 - Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

For my first review I decided to go with Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. I have to say I absolutely love the products coming out of the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort Kentucky. I'm not sure what it is about their products but they match what my taste buds are looking for when it comes to Bourbon. It's also a huge bonus when you go from one product to the next and you get that consistent flavor profile that lays the foundation in the whiskey.This product was one of the first whiskies that I sat down with for awhile to sip and enjoy.

Not so long ago when I made the move towards drinking Bourbon I watched a review of this product by Ralfy Mitchell. I went searching around for it and found it fairly easily for about $25 at my local Virginia ABC Store. Coming from somewhat of a Scotch perspective I didn't think $25 was going to get me much in terms of a decent anything however Ralfy has never steered me wrong.

PRODUCT SPECS

Whiskey Type - Bourbon

ABV - 45%

Mashbill - (Mashbill #1) which is considered the "wheat mashbill" - also used in George T. Stagg and Eagle Rare

Age - No age statement on bottle. Speculation is between 7 and 9 years.

NOSE
Brown sugar
Caramel
Creamy vanilla
Citrus (fresh lemon peel and light orange)
Light notes of cinnamon spice
Hints of honey and cola

PALATE
Toasted oak - slightly bitter
Black tea
Black pepper
Mint notes
Tobacco

FINAL IMPRESSIONS
Coming in at 45% Alcohol By Volume is respectable as there is a general rule of thumb which says that the higher the ABV the fuller the flavor that can be expected. I let the whiskey sit in the glass for a good 20 minutes to let it settle down a bit.

The nose is a perfect balance between being undetectable and hugely overwhelming and it has the undeniable characteristic of Buffalo Trace products. Once you've nosed a few you can pick up that foundation and it's beautiful.

The palate falls flat to me. For such a great nose I was expecting much more complexity in the flavor but it seems thin and the finish disappears rather quickly. I get a lot of wood and deeper spice characteristics but that's about it.

PRODUCT RATING 
2 out of 5. This is a great entry level Bourbon for the money. It doesn't have much in terms of complexity but its still a good Bourbon to enjoy around the campfire.

RATING SYSTEM
0 - hot dog water - nothing redeeming
1 - one dimensional - not complex and can be flat in areas
2 - entry level whiskey -  a few highlights for a good value
3 - daily sipper - solid, well made product that is always enjoyed.
4 - big whiskey - complex layered flavors - amazing balance
5 - huge, exceptional, unique, one of a kind