March 6th, 2010
As you are probably aware, we here at Whisk(e)y Apostle are great fans of Buffalo Trace Distillery. Recently, I received a package from them asking me to make you aware of their new venture: The Buffalo Trace Saloon. Like Balvenie’s Warehouse 24, the Saloon is a gathering place for whiskey lovers (sort of). Why the caveat? Well, where the Balvenie has built a social site that is all about whisky, the Saloon is more about being a dude. Whiskey plays a tertiary role in the experience. The Saloon allows you to keep up with your favorite sports teams, find new music, rate women (the, ahem, Bourbunnies), play games, make friends, and, oh yeah, check out what Harlen is doing in the still house.
If this sounds like something you would be interested in, hit up www.buffalotracesaloon.com. They are running a contest for new registrants. In the interest of disclosure, they are also running a contest to see which blog can get the most people to sign up. So do us a solid would ya? 
Honestly, I think the saloon is a little ambitious. Buffalo Trace is riding a huge wage of prosperity and recognition. The Antique Collection is always a hit and the Experimental Collection never fails to produce buzz (for a tease of the newest check here). I understand the desire to create a more complete experience for customers, I just wonder if this is what customers want and if they will use it the way it is intended. Kudos though. They keep pushing the envelope and that’s why we love them.
Matt
Posted in Matt's Blog | 1 Comment »
March 2nd, 2010
The new release calendar is starting to pick up a little steam this month. There are some interesting things coming down the pipe.
Garrison Brothers Texas Bourbon
Timeframe: Spring 2010
ABV: 50%
Price: less than $50
This is the first release from this little distillery in Hye, Texas. These guys are doing new bourbon from the ground up. This is a pre-release bourbon that was distilled in 2008. Only 1,000 bottles will be distributed to local liquor stores in Blanco and Gillespie Counties in Texas ahead of the full release at a later date. It should also be noted that these are 375ml half bottles.
Old Crow Reserve
Timeframe: Spring 2010
ABV: 43%
Price: $10-$12
This new version of Old Crow from Beam Global is aged an extra year over the standard Old Crow to the ripe old age of 4 years.
Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky
Timeframe: March 2010
ABV: 40%
Price: $50
The folks over at Buffalo Trace got their hands on some Canadian whisky and thought it good enough to bottle. I’m not the biggest fan of Canadian (especially after the defeat in Olympic hockey) but if it’s coming from Buffalo Trace then I’m intrigued.
Jura Prophecy
Timeframe: April/May 2010
ABV: 46%
Price: $70
This new release from the Isle of Jura is another smoky whisky along the lines of their Superstition release.
Dalmore 18 Year Old
Timeframe: April/May 2010
ABV: 43%
Price: $150
This is the newest addition to the recently relaunched Dalmore line. I can’t wait to give it a try!
The Glenlivet Cellar Collection 1973
Timeframe: TBD
ABV: 49%
Price: $1,250
This bottling is the newest release of The Glenlivet’s ongoing vintage release program. Only 240 bottles of this are coming stateside so if you want it and see it, you better grab it.
Ardbeg Rollercoaster
Timeframe: TBD
ABV: 57.3%
Price: TBD
This new release from Ardbeg is celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Ardbeg Committee. A must try for the peat freaks out there I’m sure.
That’s it for February. Please let me know if I missed anything.
Drink wisely my friends,
Richard
Tags: Ardbeg, Buffalo Trace, Caribou Crossing, Dalmore, Garrison Brothers, Jura, Old Crow, The Glenlivet
Posted in Bourbon, Other Whisk(e)ys, Richard's Blog, Scottish Whisky | No Comments »
March 1st, 2010
William Larue Weller 2008 Release
62.65% ABV/125.3 Proof
$65
Limited availability of annual releases
What the Distillery Says:
The combination of exceptional aging and the use of wheat in the mash bill produce a whiskey with a very mature, rich and exotic aroma. Its flavor has been described as full, evolving and sophisticated, with notes of vanilla, teaberry, and cinnamon.
What Richard Says:
Nose: Without water the nose is difficult to discern due the exceptionally high alcohol content. With water the nose opens up but it is crazy busy. There are so many different things flying through the nose that it’s still hard to nail them down. The nose on this is very pleasant but is very challenging for me. The only things I can isolate are oranges and honey.
Palate: Without water it’s oily and peppery, most likely coming from the alcohol. Vanilla and cinnamon are the first things that come through with a good measure of water added. It’s also kind of grainy. Cinnamon topped oatmeal maybe.
Finish: The finish is dry and woody without water. Much smoother than I would expect from the bottling proof. With water this goes down like butter. Who says bourbon has to burn? It does leave a very oaky aftertaste.
Comments: I really like this bourbon. I think it’s a good example of what wheated bourbon can be. It’s not as smooth at bottling proof as George T. Stagg but with the right water ratio I think it really shines.
Rating: Must Try
What Matt Says:
Nose: Without water, I get palm sugar and orange shellac. With water, it’s like a carnival (without the carny b.o.); cotton candy, candied green apples and fried dough. Really lovely.
Palate: You certainly know it’s high proof. Warming and dry with dark fruits and palm sugar. It’s not as sweet or complex as the nose suggests. There are a lot of cereal notes, like a hot multigrain breakfast cereal.
Finish: Fire and fresh cut oak.
Comments: Perennially the weak spot in the antique collection, this is still a fine whiskey. Be judicious with the water. While this will never be as smooth as George T. Stagg, trying to make it so will kill the flavor long before yo get it down to regular bottle proof (40-45% ABV). This one will always burn you. Just like that carny with the ring toss game.
Rating: Must Try
Overall Rating: Must Try
Tags: Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, Wheated Bourbon, William Larue Weller
Posted in Bourbon, Matt's Blog, Richard's Blog, Taste of the... | No Comments »
February 26th, 2010
Okay, it’s rant time again. I’m trying not to be a curmudgeonly whiskey blogger but I just can’t help it sometimes.
Awards. In and of themselves I have no problem with whiskey awards. I find it amusing how you see some whiskey advertisements where they wear a gold medal from the 1st Annual Columbus Georgia Pig Chase & Whiskey Awards (no that doesn’t really exist…at least I don’t think so) like it’s a an Olympic Gold. I’m not going to argue the merits of one award over another. There are some I respect more than others and John Hansell already spoke in the past about the mulititude of awards that you buy into to even be considered so I won’t go there either. What’s bugging me today is the World Whiskies Awards 2010 from Whiskey Magazine. If you haven’t seen it already, here’s what they liked:
World’s Best Single Malt Whisky: Ardbeg Corryvreckan
World’s Best Blended Whisky: Hibiki 21 Years Old
World’s Best Blended Malt Whisky: Taketsuru 21 Years Old
World’s Best American Whiskey: Rittenhouse Straight Rye 100 proof
World’s Best Whisky Liqueur: Wild Turkey American Honey
World’s Best Grain Whisky: Greenore 15 Years Old
World’s Best New Release: Parker’s Heritage Collection Golden Anniversary
Do you see a problem here? No, I’m not asking why whisky liqueur is even a category. I gave up on liqueurs a long time ago and I’m sure they’ve improved quite a bit recently. Matt and I are conversing on a liqueur review series in the not too distant future. If any producers want to change my mind please contact me about what you’d like me to try. 
I take issue with the “World’s Best American Whiskey”. Oh I really like Rittenhouse BIB. I think it’s a great value rye and punches well above it’s price range. Is it the World’s Best American Whiskey? No. If there is anyone in the whiskey world or blogosphere that wants to make an arguement why it is then please due. I’d be happy to post your response. However, I think it’s actually the “best whiskey that was submitted to us for judging under certain criteria for the given category” but that doesn’t really fit on a medal or trophy.
So why am I harping on this? I don’t question the integrity of the awards or the judges. I really just have a hard time with the wording. It’s not actually the World’s Best American Whiskey by anyone’s standards. If you’re new to the world of whiskey and you pick up a copy of the next issue of Whiskey Magazine and see this then you might run out and buy a bottle based solely on this. Is that a bad thing? No, but if you don’t take to the Rittenhouse then you might write off all American whiskey. After all, according to a prestigious award given by a well known magazine this is the World’s Best American Whiskey so everything else must be sub par in comparison.
Am I crazy here?
Richard
Tags: whiskey awards
Posted in Richard's Blog | 6 Comments »
February 24th, 2010
Morton’s Steakhouse is kicking off a series of tastings of the The Glenlivet at their restaurants across the country throughout March and April. Here’s a quick list of the locations and details:
The Price: $49 per person (inclusive of tax and gratuity)
The Pour:
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
The Glenlivet 15 Year Old French Oak
The Glenlivet 16 Year Old Nadurra
The Glenlivet 18 Year Old
The Food: a selection of Morton’s hors d’oeuvres
The Locations:
Anaheim, March 4
Arlington, April 6
Atlanta (Downtown), March 22
Baltimore, March 25
Beverly Hills, March 1
Boston (Seaport), March 31
Burbank, April 2
Coral Gables, March 19
Dallas, March 19
Great Neck, March 24
Hackensack, March 8
Houston (Downtown), March 25
Las Vegas, March 8
Los Angeles (Downtown), March 5
New York (Manhattan), April 13
Philadelphia, April 12
Santa Ana, March 16
Seattle, March 13
Tysons Corner, March 17
Washington D.C. (Georgetown), March 16
Woodland Hills, April 8
Hop over to Morton’s website to get more details here.
Tags: Atlanta whisky tasting, Morton's, New York whisky tasting, scotch tasting
Posted in Event Notice, Scottish Whisky | No Comments »
