Bourbon

Oaklore Old Fashioned Finished Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey

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Oaklore Story Series: Old Fashioned Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey

49% ABV
$90
Website
Oaklore Old Fashioned Finish Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey
We would like to thank Oaklore Distilling Co. for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Our Story Series continues with a four-grain bourbon of wheat, rye, corn, and barley, aged at least 6+ years from our North Carolina and Kentucky sister distilleries. The bourbon is then finished for 12 to 18 months in Oaklore’s Old Fashioned barrels — barrels previously used to age our Old Fashioned Cocktail Mixer — picking up layers of orange bitters, spice, and baked sweetness. Bottled once it reaches its fullness of character.

NOSE: Orange Bitters, Salted Pecans
PALATE: Snickerdoodle, Vanilla, Spiced Honeysuckle
FINISH: Cinnamon Butter, Spice Cake

What Gary Says

Nose: Wow – old fashioned! Orange bitters with pecans, honey and vanilla.
Palate: Caramel with orange bitters, pepper, cinnamon roll and honey.
Finish: Moderate in length, drying with orange bitters and cracked pepper.
Comments: Pretty sure this is the first old fashioned bourbon (or any) whiskey I’ve tried. Impossible to mistake this for anything other than old fashioned – which I love (probably my favorite cocktail). That said – this is still heavy handed as far as finishing goes; the old fashioned aspect is really strong. But on the plus side, having this over a couple of rocks is nearly a cocktail by itself (although the proof will sneak up on you if you’re not careful).

Rating: Stands Out

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Oaklore Port Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey

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Oaklore Story Series: Port Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey

46% ABV
$80
Website
Oaklore Port Cask Finish Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey
We would like to thank Oaklore Distilling Co. for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

This unique four-grain bourbon brings together wheat, rye, corn, and barley, all aged to perfection for 6+ years. Then, after aging in a new charred white oak barrel, the whiskey is transferred to a newly dumped port wine barrel, where it continues to age for 12-18 months. It then incorporates the rich depth of port wine that lives long into the finish. Once it reaches its fullness of character, it’s then bottled for your enjoyment.
National shipping available late March 2026.

NOSE: Candy Grape, Dark Fruit
PALATE: Warm, Cherry, Whiskey
FINISH: Sweet Oak, Raspberry Sorbet

What Gary Says

Nose: Dark fruit with plums, cherries, raisins, and vanilla.
Palate: Cherry cordial, honey, bit of caramel and cinnamon.
Finish: Moderate in length, drying with red berries and cinnamon.
Comments: This is the second Oaklore product I’ve tried (the Oloroso Sherry finish was the first last year), and is heavy on the port cask finish. If you REALLY like port this may not be a negative – and while it isn’t off putting – it covers up the base four grain bourbon for me. A couple drops of water opens it up more and brings out the caramel more. I am a fan of port, but with the finishing was a little less so that the bourbon might shine through more.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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Knob Creek Blender’s Edition 01 Bourbon Whiskey

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Knob Creek Blender’s Edition 01
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

53% ABV
$42
Website
Knob Creek Blender’s Edition 01 Bourbon Whiskey
We would like to thank Beam Suntory and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Blender’s Edition 01 marks the first release in a new limited series dedicated to the craft behind every bottle of Knob Creek. Created by our Master Distiller and expert Blenders, this special release is hand-selected and meticulously blended to showcase their unique vision of bold, full-flavored bourbon.

Designed to unlock the sweeter side of the Knob Creek profile, Blender’s Edition 01 reveals rich layers of vanilla and indulgent confectionary notes, balanced by the signature depth and character you expect. It’s a rare opportunity to experience Knob Creek exactly as our Blenders intended – precise, expressive, and unapologetically bold.

TASTING NOTES
TASTE: Sweet confectionary notes and a full mouthfeel complimented by notes of vanilla bean
AROMA: Bold vanilla, slightly fruity with subtle caramel notes
COLOR: Amber Brown
FINISH: Velvety with soft vanilla and seasoned oak

What Gary Says

Nose: Vanilla, peanut brittle, caramel, rickhouse mustiness, leather and a hint of chocolate.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel with bold vanilla, caramel, cherry, unroasted peanuts, oak, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Finish: Moderately long and damp with vanilla, honey and oak.
Comments: This is just a delightful dram! The vanilla notes are prominent, and this is definitely sweeter than your standard Knob Creek – but not cloyingly so. A really well balanced dram that showcases how variable individual barrels are (with this being a batch that represent one profile). This drinks nicely neat, but a few drops of water thickens the mouthfeel nicely, and amps the cinnamon with a bit of cocoa. This is absolutely a ‘Must Try’, and with every pass I lean more towards ‘Must Buy’ (although I do prefer my bourbon more on the sweeter side).

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

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Blue Note Wheated Blend 101

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Blue Note Wheated Blend 101
Straight Bourbon Whiskey Unfiltered Small Batch

50.5% ABV
$45
Website
Blue Note Wheated Bourbon 101
We would like to thank B.R. Distilling Co and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Soft winter wheat takes the lead as Memphis heat pulls hidden nuance to the surface. Ripe peach, dark caramel, apricot, and cinnamon rise on the nose. The palate brings sticky toffee, pastry sweetness with a little grit, and hazelnut rolling into a honey-soaked finish. Smooth, but never timid—Blue Note Wheated carries true Southern swagger.

Nose: Caramel, apricot, peach, cinnamon
Body: Velvety, smooth
Taste: Toffee, pastries, hazelnut, sweet oak, graham cracker
Finish: Floral, honeysuckle, honey

TECHNICAL DETAILS
Product Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Mash Bill: 70% Corn, 21% Wheat 9% Malted Barley
Proof & Filtration: 101 proof, unfiltered
Availability: Select Markets, Crafted in Memphis

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel, peach filled pastry w/ cinnamon and vanilla cream frosting, bit of oak.
Palate: Rich mouthfeel, pastries w/ caramel drizzle, pecan praline, honey and cinnamon.
Finish: Moderate length w/ honey and floral notes.
Comments: Very nice! I appreciate the ABV as well as the unfiltered treatment. As a straight bourbon with no age statement, guaranteed to be 4 years old (sources say 5 years, which wouldn’t surprise me). Strong honey notes on this, which I enjoy. Their limited edition Honey Cask is one I keep an eye out for (definitely worth picking up!). A bit of water brings out honey glazed brioche on the nose, and thickens the mouthfeel further bringing out some subtle fruit notes.

Rating: Stands Out

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Old Forester 1924 10 Year Old

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Old Forester 1924 10 Year Old
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky

50% ABV
$115
Website
Old Forester 1924 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky

What the Distillery Says

The Whiskey Row Series’ 1924 10 – Year – Old is a limited annual release celebrating another milestone in Old Forester’s storied history.

During Prohibition, more than 200 distilleries were forced to close. Old Forester, however, continued operations because the federal government issued us one of six medicinal licenses, P-3. In 1924, Old Forester acquired barrels from closed distillers, with different mash bills, and bottled that liquid as Old Forester. This release commemorates that moment in time.

Aroma: Soft notes of fudge, cocoa, marzipan, and cured tobacco layered over hints of rich oak and warm cinnamon.
Taste: Chocolate covered graham cracker dusted with cinnamon.
Finish: Hints of spice and graham cracker crumbles.

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel, fudge, vanilla, walnuts, pipe tobacco, charred oak and a hint of leather.
Palate: Chocolate, vanilla, caramel, walnuts, cinnamon with a hint of cherries and oak.
Finish: Moderately long, drying with toffee and oak spices.
Comments: This drinks well neat but try a couple of drops of water – brings out a bit of citrus on the nose and palate, and also thickens the mouthfeel nicely (borderline creamy). 10 years is a solid age for bourbon in my humble opinion – definitely getting some oak notes but not approaching too much. My only objection on this one is the price. It isn’t insane by today’s standards, but at almost twice the price of Old Forester 1920 – definitely didn’t love it that much.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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