Old Grand-Dad 16 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon

VITALS:

- $180

- 100 Proof

- 16 Years

- Kentucky

Somehow news of this release escaped me.  I've always been a fan of Old Grand-Dad. I like the spicy, almost dusty quality that it always seems to have, and OGD 114 is one of my favorite semi-regularly available bottles on the shelf.  And yet, when news of a 16 year OGD hit, it somehow went below my radar.

So, when I saw some new, unrecognizable bottle on the shelf at Costco, and upon closer inspection realized just what it was, I pulled the trigger without questioning it.  Perhaps at its price-point I should have, but, in the end, buyer's remorse is just a part of this hobby.  It's inescapable.  Luckily, though, I managed to avoid it with this bottle, which was pretty much everything I would have wanted or expected from a well-aged OGD!

Upon popping the very fat (dare I say thicc) cork on this wide-mouthed bottle, I got the immediate and familiar note of peanuts that I associate with Jim Beam products. In fact, it was more present than usual with this one, as it really took over.  Behind that peanut note were notes of oak and caramel. It even had a little bit of anise to it, as well as a pretty strong cinnamon note to tickle my nose a bit. 

Not surprisingly, my first sip gave a significant peanut note right away. However, it was definitely on the sweeter side, almost like a peanut brittle, just not quite that sweet. But, other flavors, including fairly prominent notes of honey and caramel, provided a sweetness that I didn't expect and don't usually get out of Old Grand-Dad bottlings.  There were also notes of vanilla bean and nougat that lent to the sweetness and almost dessert-like quality.

There was also a light oakiness up front. At first I was surprised at how little oak came through. However, as the bottle had been open a bit, it certainly took on a more oaky quality, definitely noticeable in later pours.  There was also a cinnamon spice which, along with that oak note, kept this from getting overly sweet. Even a dark chocolate note kept through to try to temper the sweetness.

However, on the sweet-spice spectrum, I'd put this well on the sweet end.  While there was some spice, this was unquestionably a sweet bourbon, and it was that sweet peanut note, that note that reminded me of peanut brittle, that lingered forever on the finish. While it wasn't what I was expecting, it was absolutely delicious, leaving me wanting more and more!

Grade: A-

Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon - 1985

VITALS:

- $225

- 86 Proof

- NAS

- Kentucky

This bottle is certainly a first for me.  While I have reviewed one "dusty" previously (an amazing bottle of Baltimore Pure Rye from around 1951), that was based on a sample that my buddy was so generous to provide me.  This, however, is the first time that I've purchased a "dusty" bottle.  This one was bottled around 1985, given the embossed year on the bottom of the bottle.  Based on my very amateur research, that means it would have been bottled around 1985 or 1986.

Of course, I had to go to that dirty, filthy corner of the internet where such secondary market bottles can be procured.  And, quite frankly, it's not a place that I frequently visit. However, when I scrolled past a picture of these old bottles of Old Forester, it gave me pause.  I've had a similar pour, just a few years off, at Bardstown Bourbon Company when I visited there, and I found it to be quite enjoyable. So, despite the asking price (which, honestly, really wasn't all that bad), I pulled the trigger. It helped that the seller worked a block from my office, making the exchange incredibly easy.

Although this wasn't super aromatic, what was there on the nose was pretty delicious.  I got a great blend of sweet caramel and vanilla right away, but tucked just behind that was a light oakiness that I wasn't expecting. I don't know what the typical age of the bourbon in these bottlings is, but I couldn't imagine they're too old. So, I was surprised to get that oak note. On later pours, I got a great nougat note as well.

The flavor went in a slightly different, but delicious direction. Right up front the most prominent note was a rich dark chocolate note--slightly sweet, a touch of bitter to balance it, and an almost creamy richness to it.  There was also a sweet ribbon of caramel in there as well, adding a bit more sweetness to counter that dark chocolate.

It had even more complexity, though, as after that initial sweet caramel and dark chocolate note came a great dark cherry note, perhaps like a maraschino cherry.  All together, it really gave of this great cordial note, with dark chocolate, sweetness added from the caramel, a rich dark cherry note, and, of course, a bit of booze to go along.

The finish wasn't long, which is to be expected given the low proof. But, it was the caramel note that lingered the longest, providing a light, sweet coating on my tongue after each sip.

While this may not be the best whiskey I've ever head, it is certainly one of the best bottles I've ever purchased. It's a talking point, for sure.  But, I really loved pulling it out at the beginning of nights centered around drinks with friends, giving them something special and different, and something that isn't going to burn their tongue with alcohol.  Plus, it's an absolutely great tasting whiskey!!  For all of these reasons, this bottle gets an "A" from me.

Grade: A

Wild Turkey 70th Anniversary Release 8 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon

VITALS:

- $75

- 101 Proof

- 8 Years

- Kentucky

It wasn't that long ago that age statements on Wild Turkey products just weren't a thing.  At least not here in the United States.  You could find 8 year and 12 year (and probably some others) in various other parts of the world.  I know I've had a couple of each muled back from Japan for me a few times.  But, here in the United States, age statements on Wild Turkey bottles were saved for their special releases.

I've had the 8-year 101 brought back to me from Japan. I always found it to be quite tasty, and at about $35, I loved the price.  So, I was excited to see this 8 year get released here--much closer in proximity and I did not need to rely on the generosity of others to get it. However, what I wasn't a fan of was the more than double price for what is likely the same whiskey.  I wrote it off to this being a special release, however, and threw caution (and $75) to the wind.

The nose gave off many of those traditional notes I associate with Turkey products.  I got a bit of cherry and some light oak. There was also a great combination of peanut and caramel in the aroma that I loved. It also had a bit of a peppery spice tingling my nose and just a light amount of that Wild Turkey "funk," kind of mossy or dusty. 

The palate hit a lot of these same notes. Right up front this hit on the spicier end of the sweet vs. spice spectrum of bourbons, with an unsweetened cinnamon spice leading the way, as well as a bit of a black pepper spice. It was also very crackery up front, kind of like a wheat cracker.

Behind all that, though, the cherry notes from the nose came through, almost like a cherry cola note, with notes of dark caramel and even root beer at times.  There was a slight vegetal note as well, kind of like that mossy note I got on the nose.

On the finish, that root beer note seemed to come through a bit more heavily, especially after each swallow.  At the back of my throat lingered this root beer and wheat cracker combination that, while it sounds odd, actually really worked and I found the finish to be more enjoyable than expected, particularly given the relatively thin mouthfeel on this whiskey.

Wild Turkey 8 year is good whiskey, whether it comes from Japan or is released here in the states.  I only hope that it becomes more of a mainstay on the shelves and at a cheaper price, and not just some limited release simply because they slapped an age statement on it.

Grade: B

James E. Pepper Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon

VITALS:

- $70

- 107.8 Proof

- NAS

- Batch No. 0034

- Kentucky

I have to admit, I haven't tried a whole lot from James E. Pepper, and what I have had has consisted strictly of their ryes.  I didn't have any significant recollection of what specifically I've had before, and I had to look up previous reviews to even recall that I had had them, which included the 1776 Straight Rye and an Old Pepper Rye Binny's Selection.  I was apparently a big fan of that Binny's pick, but it was an MGP rye. 

Why I decided to give this one a go, I'm not really certain.  Probably three things: (1) I'm a sucker for barrel proof bourbon; (2) I hadn't had much from this distillery (bonus points for being a Kentucky distillery); and (3) while it shouldn't influence my decision, I am a fan of the bottle design.  So, for $70, I decided to give this a go.

The nose was full of those traditional notes of vanilla and caramel, along with some cinnamon spice. But, what stood out most was how much cherry I also got on the nose. The cinnamon was also more forward than than the sweet components, and that mix of cherry and cinnamon was great.  It also had (fittingly) a bit of a Dr. Pepper note to it. While there is no way that was intentional, it made me really appreciate the coincidence.

Not unexpectedly, the palate was very cinnamon forward. This was definitely on the spicier end of the bourbon spectrum, as opposed to the sweeter end.  The decent amount of oak I got, in addition to showing a little bit of age, made sure that this stayed away from that sweet side.

Don't get me wrong, there was some sweetness.  Some of those cherry and cola notes from the nose came through.  I even got a touch of rich toffee and some semi-sweet chocolate. But it was never enough to consider this a "sweet" bourbon, as opposed to a "spicy" bourbon. Rather, these sweet notes were there more to complement the spice.

Unfortunately, I found myself wishing there were a bit more sweetness on the finish. Instead, this finished dry and slightly bitter.  I got a lot more oak on the finish, as well as a walnut note that added even more of a bitter component. All the sweet notes seemed to die away entirely, and even those cinnamon and cherry notes faded quite a bit.  

This started out as a fantastic bourbon, particularly for someone such as myself who prefers them on the more spicy side.  That was up until the finish, at which point it then really fell flat, leaving a significant dry and bitter note for me to reflect on.

Grade: B

Benchmark Top Floor Kentucky Straight Bourbon

VITALS:

- $17

- 86 Proof

- NAS

- Kentucky

I do love a value bourbon.  And I've already sung the praises of Benchmark Full Proof and Benchmark Single Barrel, two in the Benchmark line that recently got a brand overhaul, and even more recently became available here in Illinois.  There's certainly a place for good bourbon at bottom-shelf prices, and I thought both those products filled that void very well.

So, I felt that it only made sense to go down the line and try the next one -- the "Top Floor."  This one bottled barrels that had matured on the top warehouse floors. Presumably those would be the hotter portions of the warehouse, thus giving the bourbon more interaction with the wood over time. In theory, it sounds great!  And for the price, I had very little to lose in trying it.

The nose had the traditional notes of vanilla and toffee. It also had a bit of a corny note, like that of a young whiskey. While the nose wasn't strong, what was there was "sharp." There was a bitterness on the nose that seemed to prevent nice, rounded notes of caramel and vanilla that I would hope for. There was a bit of oak tanins, which surprised me given that this is not a significantly aged bourbon.

Those sharp edges carried through in the flavors as well.  It had a young note, and while not necessarily "corn," it did have those notes of over-ripe apple that I get in young, craft bourbons. It just tasted young, and that seemed to highlight those same sharp edges I got on the nose.

The wood note was also there, but it was kind an odd oak note. It wasn't the type of note you get from a bourbon that spent too much time in the barrel. Rather, it had a sort of a damp wood note to it. There was certainly a touch of oak, but there was something green to it.

There was a sweetness that did, however, punch its way through, and this was most noticeable on the finish. There was a brown sugar note here that lingered, reminiscent of a Canadian whiskey. So much so that I even got a sweet maple syrup on the finish as well. The odd damp oak note faded away, but it left a lingering sweetness that just wasn't what I want in a good bourbon. 

Grade: C-

Bondstone Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon

VITALS:

- $42

- 125 Proof

- 4 years

- Kentucky

Whenever I go out of state and find myself in a liquor store (always seems to happen), I make it a point to seek out whiskeys that I can't get or haven't seen on shelves back home. Of course that usually involves a local craft distillery or perhaps a store pick if they have any. But sometimes I come across something that I just simply have never seen before.

That was the case with this Bondstone. They had a handful of offerings, and not necessarily the usual line you might see, which included a high rye bourbon and a double oaked bourbon. I, of course, gravitated to the cask strength version.  And with a price tag of $42, finding a cask strength, age-stated Kentucky straight bourbon for that price that I've never seen before made for an easy decision. 

The nose immediately told me that this was going to carry many of those traditional bourbon flavors, and it also told me I was going to enjoy that first sip! I immediately got notes of caramel and cinnamon, with a mild vanilla undertone. There was even a bit of an anise note as well as hints of cloves to spice it up just a bit and add another layer. 

The flavor very much matched up with what the nose was telling me. Right up front I got a great medley of cinnamon and vanilla, with a light oak note making this seem like it had more age than it did. There was a sweetness to it, but it was tempered, kind of like a burnt sugar note.

Behind those traditional notes, however, I got some rich, fruity notes, including a great candied orange note that I couldn't get enough of. The spiciness from the high rye content of this bourbon also added to a bit of a spiced cherry note, particularly on the finish.  That note seemed to linger forever in the back of my throat and had me really wanting that next sip right away.

I was very pleasantly surprised by this bottle.  I knew nothing about it (and, quite frankly, still know nothing about it), but I know now that it's very good whiskey at a very good price!  I've since learned (if YouTube is to be believed) that this was distilled by Wilderness Trail.  It certainly wouldn't surprise me, as I've found their whiskey to be very good at a young age.  In any event, I may have to try some others in this line, including the Double Oaked.

Grade: B+

Eagle Rare Binny's Single Barrel Select Barrel #044 Kentucky Straight Bourbon

VITALS:

- $35

- 90 Proof

- 10 Years

- Barrel #044

- Kentucky

Eagle Rare is the bourbon that got me into bourbon. It was the one that opened my eyes to a world beyond Scotch, and now bourbon absolutely dominates my whiskey shelf in my basement. So, it should then come as no surprise that Eagle Rare still holds a special place in my hear and always will.

And, for that reason, I grab every Eagle Rare store pick that I can find. Granted, this was a much more fruitful venture a few years ago.  It seems now that Eagle Rare picks are not only few and far between, but are also being treated as highly allocated whiskeys, only getting into the hands of select customers. I was lucky enough, though, to get my hands on this Binny's release back in 2020.  Given their relative scarcity, I waited a bit to finally open it, but eventually they all get opened at some point.

The nose on this one was great.  I got notes of vanilla and cinnamon, along with a great bready note. It definitely had a cinnamon roll thing going on. There was something else as well, though. I got candied pecan along with a definite cherry note, like a Maraschino cherry Everything seemed to blend together like a Danish and cinnamon roll hybrid.

As to flavor, the cherry note from the nose seemed to take center stage. It still had that Maraschino lean to it, along with a bit of a syrupy sweetness.  There was something tangy and boozy about it as well, kind of like amaretto liqueur.  The pecan note was there as well to offer a nutty quality, and even a touch of bitterness, but without the sweetness.

The tangy bite at times came across as an orange peel notes, and other times like tart cherry. At times it had that bitter bite that you sometimes get when eating walnuts.  As great and perfectly complementary all the notes on the nose were, I couldn't say the same thing for the flavor.  This seemed a bit all over the place, and the bitter notes didn't seem to balance out the sweetness, but rather competed with it.

On the nose the boozy note really seemed to come through, but it was more as a cherry liqueur than amaretto. The problem with this, though, is it seemed more like an artificial cherry note, and that's the flavor that seemed to linger on the finish, along with a lightly bitter oak note. The finish left a bit to be desired.

This was not my favorite barrel of Eagle Rare. That said, even lesser showings are still pretty good, and this bottle was not long for this world once it was finally opened.

Grade: B-

Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon - Batch No. 16

VITALS:
- $60

- 130.9 Proof

- NAS

- Batch No. 16

- Kentucky

Over the past few years I've managed to accumulate a pretty nice lineup of Stagg Jr. and what is now just Stagg.  Between the regular releases and store picks, I ended up with seven different bottles without even realizing it. I guess it's the burden of a bourbon collector, but certainly a good burden to have.

So, realizing this backlog of Stagg on my shelf, it was certainly time to start opening and drinking them. They are doing me no good just sitting there on the shelf. The question then became, do I try them one at a time, or open a bunch and compare? Perhaps after this one I'll go the latter route, but for now I just opened up this Batch 16 bottle and enjoyed it pour after pour. 

The nose gave off everything I've come to love about Stagg, a certain consistency with all of their releases. Right up front I got rich, dark chocolate along with a dark cherry note. But, it wasn't that artificial cherry that I get in some other bourbons. It was just rich and spicy dark cherry, like the kind baked into a pie. I also got sweet notes of toffee as well as a cloves spice that really had my mouth watering.

I did find this release to be more cherry-forward in flavor than other releases.  I guess that should have come as no surprise given how prominent that note was on the nose. There was a dark chocolate note that accompanied it, along with a vanilla note. All together it gave of a cherry cordial note that was sweet and rich and decadent.

To further that cherry cordial note, there as a bit of an amaretto note as well, to add just a touch of booziness as well as a light tanginess to it.  Unfortunately, though, I didn't get that great cloves note I was getting on the nose. Stagg has always had a certain spiciness to it that has always put it right in my wheelhouse, and from the nose I thought this going to give me that. But, that is the only area where this one fell flat.

Even on the nose there wasn't that lingering cinnamon or cloves spice I was hoping for. Rather, as the cherry notes faded, I was left with a chocolate and amaretto flavor coating my mouth. Don't get me wrong, it was absolutely delicious, but I really did want that spice, particularly on the back end.

Now that this bottle is done, I can only wonder what the hell I was waiting for on these. I think tonight I've got myself an easy choice for my first pour.

Grade: B+

Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Kentucky Straight Rye

VITALS:

- $60

- 96 Proof

- 6 years

- Batch 1 - Distilled Spring 2017

- Kentucky

When Bardstown first released its initial Origin Series bottlings, a high rye bourbon and a wheated bourbon, I jumped at getting them. I opened the high rye bourbon and really enjoyed it! Though I haven't opened the wheated bourbon yet, I've heard good things about that one as well. So, I was certainly eager to try the rye when that was subsequently announced as the next offering in their Origin Series. 

This rye is finished in toasted cherry wood and oak barrels. I didn't know that going in, and I was intrigued upon reading it on the label. What I found more intriguing, though, was the mashbill (which, by the way, I love Bardstown for including on every product of theirs).  This is a 95/5 mashbill, meaning its made of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, much like MGP, whose rye whiskey I've grown to love. So I was really excited to try this to see how it stacks against that other 95/5 rye. 

On the nose I immediately got many of those same notes I'm accustomed to getting from MGP. I got notes of mint as well as a light dill note. Luckily, that dill note did not dominate as I've gotten in some bottles. This did not lean "green" in any way. It also had a very healthy amount of vanilla, giving it a bit of a bourbon quality. It smelled like a rye, certainly, but one that leaned sweeter. I did not get a whole lot of spice on the nose. 

As to flavor, right up front I got that same mint and vanilla. The mint was bright and sweet, and in many ways reminded me of mint ice cream, or perhaps a Shamrock Shake.  I happen to love Shamrock Shakes and look forward to that wonderful time of year when I can actually get them, so while it may sound like a weird whiskey tasting note, I was nonetheless a big fan!

The vanilla was accompanied by some spice as well, kind of like pepper and ginger, perhaps a bit of cinnamon. It all seemed to combine to create a cream soda flavor which, on later pours, seemed to lean more towards a root beer note. This was about the only time that the flavor combinations got a touch weird, but it was still good.

On the finish a cinnamon spice, which had been oddly missing up to this point, finally made a very welcome appearance. The mint notes subsided, but the vanilla notes lingered, providing for a sweet and spicy finish that left a very nice taste in my mouth.

All in all, for their first rye under this line and for the fairly accessible price, this was a very good rye that I would certainly recommend any rye-lovers give a go!

Grade: B+

Elijah Craig Small Batch Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon - Batch A120

VITALS:

- $60

- 136.6 Proof

- 12 Years

- Batch No. A120

- Kentucky

I've said it before, and, quite frankly, it doesn't need to be said, but Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is consistently some of the best whiskey out there. And, given that it's a tri-annual release, while it is an allocated product, it is far from impossible to find. Plus, the price hasn't jumped (yet) like we've seen with so many other products.

In fact, I've managed to collect a bit of a backlog of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof bottles between the normal releases and store picks. And the other day, I questioned why I wouldn't have at least one of them open at any given moment. So, rather than ponder the question, I decided to just go ahead and open one, starting with the oldest one on my shelf, this Batch A120 from January 2020.

As soon as I popped that cork I was hit with aromas of oak and cinnamon, along with a rich, dark sweetness that was like a molasses note. In addition to the cinnamon spice, there was also a black pepper spice to add some kick, along with some sweet vanilla notes. This was a great combination!

When I took my first sip, right away I was hit with a healthy dose of sweet, dark caramel, calling back to that molasses note from the nose. It also had a bit of that black pepper bite immediately on the tip of my tongue. There was a layer of richness as well, kind of like a dark chocolate note, keeping it somewhat sweet but nowhere near a dessert whiskey.

There was also something earthy or nutty, kind of like a mix between peanut and walnut.  There was also a bit of a tea leaf note that was interesting and added a bit of tanginess to the profile. These flavors all worked great with the caramel, black pepper and dark chocolate that persisted throughout.

The finish reminded me very much of tiramisu.  The tea note kind of took on more of a coffee liqueur note, and was accompanied by notes of vanilla and dark chocolate. That black pepper spice also found its way into the finish, adding some spice and giving me a reason to quickly go back for that next sip!

This certainly reminded me of just how well these releases are done, and, quite frankly, I think as soon as I'm done writing this I'll go pop open the next one!

Grade: A

Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Kentucky Straight Bourbon

VITALS:

- $45

- 96 Proof

- 6 years

- Batch 1 - Distilled Fall 2016

- Kentucky

I've grown quite the affinity for most things that Bardstown Bourbon Company is doing. With only a few exceptions, I've loved just about every release that they've put out, including both their bourbon blends and their collaborations.  I've even been surprised by some of those collaborations that I didn't figure would be for me and I ended up loving, such as the Goose Island collaboration.

Given the pricing on their newest release, this Origin Series as well as a bottled in bond Origin Series release, I was pretty confident that I'd be picking up a bottle to try. After all, I knew where the floor was, and that I'd only go up from there.  Plus, given its a high rye mashbill (36% rye), this should be my kind of bourbon!

On the nose I noticed that rye influence right away. I was immediately hit with a strong cinnamon note. It also had some rich, dark cherry notes, as well as a bit of a tangy amaretto aroma. There was almost a coffee bean note as well, which I found interesting. At 96 proof, this doesn't necessarily classify as a "big" whiskey, but it certainly had a big nose.

The flavor somewhat matched, but it was a bit more cherry-forward than the nose. In fact, in my notes this apparently came across as some sort of cherry two-ways dish. I got rich, spiced cherry on one hand, and on the other I got those sweet maraschino cherry notes, the kind you top a sundae with. Either way, this was unquestionably cherry-forward.

There was a bit of cinnamon spice, but not nearly as much as on the nose. It also had some Old Fashioned qualities to it, as I got some orange peel and even a bit of brown sugar sweetness.  There was a certain level of malt or cracker-like flavor, kind of like graham crackers but less sweet.

On the finish that cherry note remained, but of the two it was the spiced cherry note that seemed to hang around the most. The finish had a bit of clove and black pepper to it, as well as the last remnants of that cracker note. 

At $45 for a 6 year, high rye bourbon, this is not only accessible but very good! I can't wait to dive into the bottled-in-bond version!

Grade: B+

Weller Special Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon

VITALS:

- $28

- 90 Proof

- NAS

- Kentucky

I actually finished this bottle a couple weeks ago, but I held onto the empty while I debated whether or not to write this review. It just seems weird to me to just now review a whiskey that I've had hundreds of times before. This is not rare or hard to find. While it is loved by many, there's nothing overly special about it. And, as I mentioned, it's one that I've had more times than I can count.

I tend to use this blog as my own personal whiskey journal, allowing me to go back and recall which whiskies I've tried and what I thought about them. It seems unnecessary in this case. But, at the same time, I finished the bottle and I've never reviewed it before, so for the sake of having it officially logged in my journal, here I go with my review. 

The nose comes across as immediately sweet, kind of a brown sugar note as opposed to the typical caramel sweetness.  It also had a bit of an artificial cherry note, which is interesting as I don't typically get that off of Weller products. It also had a woody, almost cardboard note to it that wasn't necessarily off-putting, but was just familiar.

One reason that I don't often reach for Weller is that I tend to like a spicier bourbon. Being a wheated bourbon, Weller products tend to lean sweet, and Special Reserve is no different. It leads with that same brown sugar that I got on the nose, along with a sweet cinnamon note, almost like a cinnamon candy but without the spice.

Immediately behind that the sweet notes continued, as I got a light note of milk chocolate, as well as a bit of that cherry candy that I was getting on the nose. Neither of these notes hung around very long, though, which I'm sure is due in part to the low proof of this whiskey. There's certainly nothing bold here. 

The finish is very reflective of that, as the flavor is gone almost immediately after each swallow. What does linger are the brown sugar notes I got on the front end, as well as a light but sweet oak note.

This is an easy drinker for sure. It's on the sweeter end and it's low proof, which is why I often give it as a gift to my whiskey novice friends. For my taste, though, I want more spice and more heat, which is why I so often leave these on the shelf when I see them, knowing that there are others out there who enjoy finding a bottle much more than I do.

Grade: B-

Blue Run Single Barrel Cask Strength 13.5 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon - Spring 2021

VITALS:

- $250

- 126.52 Proof

- 13.5 Years

- Barrel BB1-6

- Kentucky

Blue Run Spirits has certainly got a lot of attention since it started. Of course, having Jim Rutledge's name attached to any product is going to garner at least some positive hype, even before a single bottle has been opened.  However, at least from what I've seen, not only are people chasing down Blue Run bottles on the secondary market, but those that have opened there bottles have generally given positive reviews.

I had the chance to try their high rye bourbon that a friend so graciously shared, and I really enjoyed it. In fact, he opened it on our guys ski trip and the bottle didn't last the night. This particular bottle, though, hits a bit harder, a single barrel bourbon coming in at cask strength and aged for a solid 13.5 years! You can't really go wrong with that, save for the price. But, full disclosure, I didn't pay anywhere near full price for this bottle, which may or may not have impacted my review.

The nose on this one was absolutely delicious, like a rich dessert you'd get from a chocolatier.  I got a great combination of cherry, chocolate and cinnamon right away, followed by a rich amaretto liqueur note. It was very much like a cherry cordial, except more cherry forward. 

As to flavor, this certainly was on the sweeter side, but with a nice, spicy cinnamon backbone.  Up front there was a healthy amount of vanilla along with a sweet, creamy caramel note. It had a sort of dulce de leche flavor going on, which I absolutely loved.

There were also dark chocolate notes, along with some brown sugar sweetness, which reminded me at times of chocolate chip cookies. Of course, that cherry note from the note was there, but this was more of a brighter, freshly-picked cherry note, which went great with the dark chocolate.

This was certainly a more viscous bourbon, and it had an almost sticky mouthfeel to it. This was particularly so on the finish. Not only did I find myself smacking my lips after every sip, but those notes of cherry and vanilla seemed to just stick to the inside of my mouth, seemingly never wanting to leave.

This was an absolute banger of a bottle. Of course, the retail price is steep, and you're not likely to find it on the shelves any more in any event. But, the bourbon itself is absolutely fantastic, and it's worth trying a pour if you get a chance.

Grade: A

Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Binny's Private Select Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon

VITALS:

- $60

- 101 Proof

- NAS

- Barrel #19-0118

- Kentucky

It's been a while since I've had a Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel store pick. It seems that typically these hit the shelves at the same time Russell's Reserve picks are hitting the shelves, and I always go for the latter. After all, those come with a higher proof, not to mention they usually carry an age statement. 

That said, I've always been a Turkey fan, and I've really enjoyed the Kentucky Spirit picks I've had in the past. Those picks came in the old-style bottle with the shape of the fanned out turkey feathers. I always dug that bottle, and I really wish they hadn't changed it. I'm sure it was costly, but comparatively, this new bottle and label design is fairly drab and boring. Luckily, though, that will have absolutely zero effect on how it tastes!

The nose was exactly what I'd expect from a Wild Turkey product. I got a healthy amount of unsweetened cinnamon layered over a light oak note. There was a sweetness to it, but it came from a sort of burnt sugar note. There was also a nice hazelnut note that I really enjoyed, and I found myself keeping my nose to my glass just to keep getting whiffs of that hazelnut.

The flavor was rich and spicy, and seemed to have the kind of depth I'd expect from a much higher proof whiskey. It had a nice heat right up front, not from alcohol, but rather from black pepper and cinnamon spice. There was a nice, rich dark chocolate note that really helped balance that heat, along with a pecan-type nuttiness to add some additional flavor and depth.

As the heat died away, a sweet cola note seemed to take over, along with a nice dark caramel note. While the initial heat seemed to die away, some lingering spice remained throughout, working well with the sweetness. There was also a slight char note that seemed to come in from time to time, just to make things a bit more interesting.

On the finish the spice really came back, leaving a lingering black pepper spice to tickle my tongue and the back of my throat. Here is where the burnt sugar and hazelnut from the nose really came through, leaving a long-lasting sweet hazelnut note coating my mouth.

I don't know why I automatically reach for the Russell's Reserve aside from the reasons noted above. Every time I've had a Kentucky Spirit store pick, I've thoroughly enjoyed it, and this one was no different.  I'm going to have to change my mindset, I think.

Grade: B+

Old Soul 15 Year Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey

VITALS:

- $125

- 102 Proof

- 15 Years

- Kentucky

On my last trip to Louisville, I of course made it a point to hit up the closest Liquor Barn to find whatever store picks I could find, or just any bottle that I couldn't get by me. After immediately grabbing a Russell's Reserve pick off the shelf, I eventually found my way to the "rare spirits" cabinet. In perusing the selection, there were mostly high-priced bourbons of questionable origin, and I wasn't really blown away.  But, I wanted to come back with something.

I saw this Old Soul there, and I know I had seen Old Soul 14 in Illinois, but not the 15 year.  I did some quick Googling on my phone, and the rumors were that the 15 year was sourced from Jim Beam (from what I understood, the 14 year that was available in Illinois was Barton, but don't quote me on that).  So, while this bottle carried a hefty price tag, the idea of 15 year Beam bourbon at cask strength for $125 really isn't that out of whack.

The nose was excellent on this. I got sweet, creamy caramel and dark chocolate. That was topped with a sort of caramelized banana. The Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chao does a baked banana that is incredible, and this reminded me of that. There was also a woody nutty note that likened to walnut.

On the flavor, I was immediately hit with those traditional notes of caramel and brown sugar. There was also a layer of unsweetened vanilla, kind of like vanilla extract. There was also a rich, almost tangy note that was kind of like an amaretto liqueur.

I also got this sort of sour candied cherry note. It was sweet but tart all at once. It also had that liqueur quality to it, like the cherry found in the middle of a cherry cordial. The dark chocolate from the nose also came through, and this seemed to fit perfectly with that cherry note. 

The finish was almost all cinnamon and brown sugar. But, I also got the dark chocolate and the type of nutty note that I associate with Jim Beam bourbons. It wasn't totally peanuts like some bottles I've had. It leaned more towards a walnut note. But, if I were tasting this blind, I'd like to think that I'd have pegged this as a Beam product.

All in all, this was a very good bourbon. I'm not mad at the price, as it's probably in line with the age and proof, if not on the low end.  It held up with solid, traditional flavors, and gave a nice sweet, but not too sweet, profile.

Grade: B

Benchmark Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon

VITALS:

- $22

- 95 Proof

- NAS

- Kentucky

When Buffalo Trace announced their new, expanded lineup of Benchmark products, I wasn't really sure how to feel about it. I loved that they added some new products to the brand, including a bottled-in-bond, a single barrel and a full proof offering, among others.  But, on the other hand, it's still Benchmark, that bottom shelf bourbon that I've stayed away from for so long.

What got me, though, was the limited availability. Rather than simply release these new products distribution-wide, they released them only in select states, and that didn't include Illinois. So now, conflicted or not, I found myself wanting it simply because it was something I couldn't have.  Makes sense, right?  Luckily, one of the states that it did get released in was Indiana. So, all it took was my daughter's hockey tournament in South Bend for me to find my way into an Indian liquor store, where I picked up the Single Barrel as well as a Full Proof Benchmark.

The nose was interesting, mostly in that it wasn't quite what I expected. The first note I got was a light woodiness, usually reserved for older bottlings. I also got some sweet cinnamon as well as an oatmeal cookie aroma. It certainly leaned toward the sweeter side, and I noticed a lot of cereal notes, like frosted flakes or even cinnamon toast crunch.

The flavor certainly followed the nose, as I got the distinct flavor of cinnamon cookie.  It had that baked goods quality, but also that cinnamon note like ground cinnamon, as opposed to cinnamon flavored candy like I get sometimes. It stayed on the sweet end still, not only with that cookie note, but also with a sugar cone flavor as well.

That baked sweets note, particularly that sugar cone note, paired exceptionally well with the vanilla bean ice cream that seemed to follow. Perhaps one led me to noticing the other, like a trick of the mind, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.  I was also getting that same cinnamon toast crunch note that I got on the nose.

The finish was a bit thin and disappointing, however. It's not an exceptionally high proof whiskey, so I managed my expectations coming in. However, it came across as exceptionally watery and lacing in flavor. I got hints of cherry pie, with notes of both the cherry pie filling and the pie crust coming through. But, I had to strain just to pick those out, and even those were fleeting. 

All that said, for the price, this is absolutely a great value. I got far more flavor, and really enjoyable flavor, off this bourbon than I expected going in. If you were to slap any other Buffalo Trace label on this whiskey it would be flying off the shelves.  I'm glad I got the full proof to try as well, and now I'm kind of wishing I had grabbed the Top Floor release as well.

Grade: B

Buck 8 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

VITALS:

- $30

- 90 Proof

- 8 years

- Kentucky

This is one of those bottles that I'm sure I've looked at on the shelf and didn't give a second thought at least a dozen times. Let's be honest here, the name of the brand itself doesn't exactly scream "Buy me!" Simply "Buck" lacks any sort of draw to the label. And the label design doesn't help either. The relatively monotone label with a monochromatic picture of a horse "bucking" made it really easy to pass on this whiskey over and over again.

But, one day my trusted local liquor store manager recommended this whiskey to me, completely unsolicited. Now, under certain circumstances, that may just be a ploy to sell some slow-moving product. But, that wasn't the case here. He gave me tasting notes that tole me he genuinely backed his recommendation. On top of that, this is still an 8 year old whiskey, out of Kentucky and bottled by independent bottler Frank-Lin Distillers. I'm not sure where it's sourced from, but I figured it could only be so bad, and it only cost me $30 to find out.

The nose had those traditional notes of caramel and cinnamon. What set it apart, however, was a nice peach note, almost like a peach tea. It also had a wheat note that reminded me of the smell of wheat bread, even with that yeast note to it.

The cinnamon certainly crossed over to the palate. But, it wasn't that spicy cinnamon that I'm used to in my bourbon. Rather, it was sweet and backed by a distinct cereal note. In fact, in my notes I wrote down that it reminded me a bit of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. There was just a touch of spice up front, but it wasn't a cinnamon spice. Rather, it was more along the lines of a black pepper spice that I noticed right on the tip of my tongue.

I still got that peach note that I got on the nose, which was nice. The cereal note persisted as well, but in later pours it was more crackery, kind of like wheat thins. It also had some nice vanilla notes that seemed to become more prominent with each pour.

The finish was interesting in that it seemed to go a whole different direction. There I got a light citrus note--not quite lemon or orange, but somewhere in between. I also got some notes of banana as well as cherry pie filling. That sweetness was tempered a bit by the black pepper spice that finished it all off.  The finish sort of threw me a curveball, as the flavors there seemed to almost come out of nowhere.

For $30, it was well worth it to take a flyer on this bourbon. It was tasty, fun and interesting, even if the flavors didn't quite seem to complement each other, and even if it was a bit grain forward. I'd certainly recommend that you give it a go, particularly for the price, and ignore the unappealing (to me) label.

Grade: B

Thomas S. Moore Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Casks

VITALS:

- $70

- 98.9 Proof

- NAS

- Kentucky

It seems like forever ago that Barton 1792 announced its new line of finished bourbons -- the Thomas S. Moore line. That line-up includes a Chardonnay finished bourbon, a Cabernet finished bourbon, and, of course, this Port cask finished bourbon. Admittedly, I wasn't all that jazzed or hyped about the Chardonnay or Cabernet finished bourbons. Perhaps the Cabernet is fine, and I'd still give it a go. The idea of the Chardonnay finish, though, does not appeal to me. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I'm not going to go out of my way to find out.

However, the Port finish had me intrigued. After all, the last time that Barton did a port finish, it was their 1792 Port Finish, and it was amazing!! In fact, it's one of my all-time favorite whiskeys, and it makes me sad whenever I see a bottle going for crazy amounts on the secondary market, because it just reminds me of how unlikely I am to get my hands on a bottle again. But then this Thomas S. Moore offering came along, and it gave me hope that I might find at lease a Costco version to scratch that itch.

Not unexpectedly, on the nose I got a lot of soft, rich fruit notes. It had a jammy aroma, full of raspberry and plum. There was a sort of milk chocolate layer underneath everything as well, adding to the richness of it all. It smelled sweet, but not cloyingly so, perhaps offset a bit by the light tannic note that I got.

On my first sip I knew immediately I had something delicious here. Perhaps not as good as the 1792 Port finish, but then again, perhaps it was given how much time has passed since I last had it. The flavors were soft and velvety, with currants and black raspberry leading the charge. Rather than chocolate, those rich fruit notes were layered over a delicious vanilla bean flavor. It was almost like a decadent dessert whiskey, yet it never got to be overly sweet.

The finish was where the chocolate from the nose really came through. This bourbon had a nice, oily texture that provided for a nice long finish that coated my mouth in milk chocolate, as well as notes of raspberry and even a bit of almond. It had just a touch of that amaretto liqueur note to it. 

I even found myself comparing this to an Angel's Envy single barrel pick, and this stood out well above that bottle. This bourbon just had a softer, and yet more robust and flavorful palate, one which indicated that it was finished in those Port barrels for a fairly long time. Even as I write this I'm reminiscing on the rich, jammy flavor, almost still tasting it.

Admittedly, I did not take extensive notes on this one. That tends to happen when I find a bottle that I thoroughly enjoy. Those are the bottles I usually make it a point to bring out to share with friends, and in those circumstances, I find that I'm more simply enjoying the whiskey and the company than worrying about taking down notes. This was certainly that type of bottle, and it certainly scratched the aforementioned itch!

Grade: A

Buffalo Trace Warehouse Liquors Single Barrel Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon

VITALS:

- $31

- 90 Proof

- NAS

- Barrel No. 088

- Kentucky

I seriously just can't help myself when I find Buffalo Trace store picks. They're priced right and always delicious. And it's an even easier decision to grab one to bring home with me when I find it at Warehouse Liquors. I know I've said it multiple times in the past, but I have loved nearly every single barrel that their owner, Gene, has picked out. He's got a great palate, one that apparently closely aligns with mine.

I've also found that I'm having nights where I plan on having multiple pours, but yet I don't want to get banged up from drinking high proof, cask strength stuff, and Buffalo Trace certainly fills that need. Low proof nights are certainly not a bad thing, and it's nice to have something so flavorful to go to for such a night.

The nose gave off that traditional caramel note that I get from nearly every bottle of Buffalo Trace. It also had that light cinnamon note that I also tend to associate with Buffalo Trace products. However, this one also had an interesting earthy note, sort of leather-like, that made it a bit unique. It also had this sort of orange bitters aroma to it, kind of like sniffing an old fashioned, but without the cherry.

That orange note really carried through to the palate. I was actually taken back a bit by the prominent candied orange note that I got up front. I wasn't put off by it so much as I was surprised by it. It provided a bright, citrusy sweetness that was delicious. There was also an underlying richer sweetness, kind of like brown sugar, that seemed to temper the citrus notes a bit.

The bitter note was there as well, but it seemed to balance it out. This bourbon was sweet and bitter all at once, and each kept the other from taking it too far to one end of the spectrum. It also had the cinnamon spice that I got off the nose. It wasn't a biting spice or anything, but rather a rich cinnamon note that stuck at the back of the mouth.

On the finish that rich cinnamon note really stuck around, and it was accompanied by an equally rich dark chocolate note. It also left behind a more earthy note, but not leather like I got on the nose Rather it was more like a pecan note. 

As I'm typing this post out, I'm realizing that the flavors seemed to be all over the flavor wheel, from citrusy to sweet to bitter to rich to earthy. But, it was all very good together, and certainly made for an interesting and unique pour.  This was certainly one of the more flavorful bottles of Buffalo Trace I've had.

Grade: B+

Ezra Brooks Distiller's Collection Liquor 'n' Wine Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon

VITALS:

- $30

- 107 Proof

- 4 1/2 years

- Barrel No. 7415603

- Kentucky

Much like Buffalo Trace and Knob Creek, these Ezra Brooks store picks are quickly becoming must-buys when I find them. The price is great, and certainly free of any concerns over potential buyer's remorse. For $30, what's the worst that can happen?? Plus the proof adds to that value at 107 proof. Add to that the age statement (even it it is a bit young), and the result is a value whiskey.

Plus, what I've had of these has been really good!  Young age aside, Lux Row has been putting out some solid products with their Ezra Brooks line, as well as their Rebel line. And the fact that these are part of their barrel pick program just makes them that much better!! I've had a number of whiskeys picked by the folks at Liquor 'n' Wine, and while I won't necessarily go so far as to say their palate lines up with mine completely, I will go so far as to say I've never been let down by one of their picks. Again . . . value!!

The nose on this one was great! I immediately got notes of graham cracker and chocolate, very dessert like in this respect. I also got a peanut note, with a little bit of salt to go with. On top of that, though, there was something bright to the aroma, like a fresh peach or melon. While melon, peanuts, chocolate and graham cracker don't sound on paper like a great combo, here I couldn't get enough of it. 

The flavor mostly followed suit, as again the first thing I noticed was that graham cracker note. However, the chocolate note was nowhere to be found. Instead I got the salty peanut note as well as a black pepper note that hit the tip of my tongue immediately with each sip.

From there, it seemed to develop into a bit of a Luxardo cherry note, rich and deep, teetering on sweet but not quite getting there. Unfortunately, I enjoyed this note much more on the earlier pours. As I made my way through this bottle, that great Luxardo cherry note seemed to develop into a fake, cough syrup-like cherry note, and that flavor is consistently a turn off for me. It reminded me of Woodford Reserve in that respect, and unfortunately, once I hone in on that note, I just can't seem to get past it.

The finish was interesting, as it reminded me of a cinnamon liqueur, hearkening back to my high school days of shooting Goldschlager and wondering if it'd make me pee gold.  Those are somewhat bittersweet memories for me. I also got a sort of pencil shaving note. I know it seems like a weird tasting note, but I feel that anybody that had classrooms with those hand-crank sharpeners mounted to the wall knows exactly what I'm talking about. 

If only this bourbon drank the way it smelled, I would have absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case, and the fake cherry note just really didn't work for me. Plus the finish was simply weird. Not horrible, just weird. That said, I'm not walking away from this thinking I overpaid, and the next time I see an Ezra Brooks store pick on the shelf, I'll most certainly be bringing it home.

Grade: C+