So after a 13 week Hiatus, thanks Yellowstone binge watching and Baseball, I am back to give a brief recap of my Barrel picking trip to Kentucky in APRIL! Then I discuss one of the picks for the WWC and Malloy's, the Wilderness Trail High Rye Bourbon. So good!
Cheers
Every now and then you get a chance to sit down with some really cool people. The first time was with Charlie Rodman from Signatory and that was such a treat. Today was even more so as I got to sit down with not one but 2 people that have been working tirelessly in the industry for quite some time and this past year I have been fortunate enough to meet them and now I call them friends. Steve Malloy of @malloysfinestwine and Jeff Peterson of @stellumspirits sat down with me today to discuss all things Stellum and my delicious Vega H7 Single Barrel Pick. All I have to say is Stellum has something here ladies and gentlemen, and if you don’t have a bottle of the Rye Black label. You will regret it!
Cheers!
I was able to get my hands on a collaborative vatting done by the Whisk(e)y Soaked Souls and I have to say I had my doubts that there would be a noticeable difference from the standard Machir Bay. I really should know better. It is just enough that it makes the Machir Bay more approachable, dare I say softer? The additional Sherry just brings the right amount of fruit up into the peat that now it feels balanced. It literally made my mouth water, and I am not sure I have ever said that about an Islay Whisky before. A wonderful dram!
Cheers!
These two picks from Malloy's finest are a shining example of up and coming Starlight Distillery. They are going to be doing great things in the future I can tell. While the Straight Bourbon is good, the Port Finish knocks it out of the park. Delicious whiskies, on their own, these would also do really well in an Old Fashioned cocktail.
Cheers!
These two expressions from Kentucky Peerless distillery are truly some fine examples of what this craft distillery is capable of. The Double Oak was hard to find when it hit shelves, and for good reason. It is delicious bourbon, hitting all the right notes, especially after warming up the palate a bit. The Distillery exclusive Rye single barrel The Highlander, was also a treat when I bought it at the distillery last fall, a light, floral and highly approachable Rye, this one is an easy sipper! Cheers!
This absolutely delicious PX finished whisky is the stuff dreams are made of. From the delightful sherried nose to its impeccably balanced palate, the warm finish just wraps this one up perfectly. Kilchoman has earned its place among the greats on Islay, and they are all great. I am astonished that my single bottle of Machir Bay has 8 brothers and sisters next to it now. That didn't take too long.
I had been looking for one of these for over a Year and happily landed one late this past year and it is something. A blend of Straight Rye Whiskies finished in French Oak Port Barrels, this one definitely has an influence of Port. A delicious dram that warms you up on a midwinter nights eve.
Cheers!
Well well well. Look who came crawling back! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all of you! It has been 10 weeks or so since my last and apparently season ending episode and I am sorry for that. It has been a wild 2 and a half months of sports, Holidays, trips and illnesses, but I'm Baaaaack and excited about 2022. Excited about the whiskey end of it anyway.
So I was fortunate enough to be a part of selecting this delightful bottle of Sagamore that is anything but a typical rye whiskey. This one is special and I am excited to talk about it tonight. Just a delicious blend of traditional whiskey notes with some Coca Cola Slushy goodness mixed in!
Cheers!
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Running through two opposite ends of the spectrum, the Charleston Vesey's Bourbon and the Very Olde St. Nick Summer Rye. Two delicious craft whiskies that hold their own within their price points. The Charleston reminds me a bit of a classic Kentucky style bourbon with a hint of oak. The VOSN rye is a delectable rye full of explosive flavors that subdue into a dark cherry cobbler that is smooth and approachable.
I was fortunate enough to get my hands on one of these unique picks and I was grateful for Nirav keeping one for me. This bottle had a wonderful nose, but was an intense blend of OF BiB and 1910 I think. It had a lot going on and gave way to an oaky slightly tannic sour note way in the back that perplexed me a bit. Great long finish. These are new, and this one tasted as such. It didn't have the refined quality the previous 90 proof versions had, but I think that is part of the growing pains. This one isn't for the faint of heart and at it's core, was every bit Old Forester. A good pick to say the least. Well done.
Peat, check. Smoke, see Peat, but check. Iodine and brine, yeah. Seaweedy saltiness with a dark chocolate undertone. Sure! Ardbeg Scorch is from some heavily charred ex-bourbon barrels and delivers on an intense smoke that doesn't overpower, but lets you know its there. I enjoy Ardbeg a LOT. This is no exception, but I wonder what the committee release offers at the higher proof. Either way, this is a delicious dram that noses for days!
At Last!
With a little help from my friend a frustrating week turned out to be one of those patience pays off types. I was surprised with an EH Taylor Barrel Proof today and it has been worth the wait. My relationship with EH Taylor has always been one of patience. It started with small batch and each bottle since had that initial, well I'm not sure, to yes this is a gem, progression. I have a feeling the BP will as well. First pass was; why are people paying 500 plus for these, to, I still don't get it. LOL! Seriously, these are good. Stagg is good, if not great. Some EHBP are great but not at the 500+ price. But here we are. I am thrilled to have one, thank you Steve Malloy, at retail and I will cherish this bottle and enjoy the hell out of it. EH Taylor is a collection worth pursuing, don't get me wrong, they are all splendid whiskies. I love the "Core 4": Small Batch, Single Barrel, Barrel Proof and Straight Rye. The Rye especially is one of my favorites, but to find and try them all would be, for me, nearly impossible. But these are great at retail, worthy of the hunt and meant to be enjoyed with friends and family.
Sips not flips!
This was my first foray into Compass Box and let me tell you, being someone that loves a peated whisky, this one is legit! A delightful balance of fruits and smoke that tantalizes the senses and dances on your tastebuds. I don't drink many blends, but I am a believer in what these fine folks are doing. Bravo!
A recap of my latest trip to Bardstown and some of the iconic distillers in and around the area. Such a fun trip with great friends.
I discuss my bottle of the aged 11 years bottle of George Dickel and I have to tell you, I dig it. I don't get the common notes I hear, "flinstone vitamins and minerals" I get something that is a nice easy segue into Tennessee whiskey if you are a die hard bourbon drinker. It has it's fair share of similarities while still being uniquely Tennessee. While I do like the 13 better, this 11 year old is quite delicious. I wrap up the night talking a bit about Charleston Distilling Co., Penelope Rose Finish and finally a straight Rye from Union Horse. Woah!
Sometimes when searching for a bottle, you have to be in the right place at the right time. Now walking into Heaven Hill is always the right place, but when the gift shop happens to have some 18 left, it is the right time. Being a huge fan of Elijah Craig anything at this point, the 18 was the final piece of the puzzle for me, and it did not disappoint. Truly one of the great bourbon bottles I now possess. There is a reason it is already half empty after 3 weeks.
While I am sitting on the struggle bus trying to get back into my Podcast groove, this Old Fitzgerald 8yo BiB is arguably one of my favorite bottles. It is deceptively smooth and delicious. I have enjoyed every sip from this bottle and will be sad when she is gone. Old Fitzgerald will only come out 1 more time this year, I wonder what age that one will be?
So I try to catch up on some lost time with this one, discussing the Weller and then catching up on upcoming events. The Weller Full proof is a delicious bottle, a solid pick by Nirav and A1, as usual, and a bottle I am very grateful to have gotten my hands on. Cheers!
So tonight I discuss two distillers editions from Lux Row, the Ezra and the Rebel and then finish with the Double Barrel Distillers edition. All 3 were delicious, without question. But the surprise of the night was the rich vanilla smoothness of the Ezra Brooks! It won the night. Truly remarkable bourbon coming from this young distillery. Cheers!
