Bourbon

Woodford Reserve Four Grain

/ / Bourbon, Review, The Collector's Cabinet /

Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Four Grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Batch #1
46.2% ABV
$80 then, collectible now
Woodford Reserve Four Grain
What the Distillery Says:
Kentucky bourbon distillers traditionally cook, ferment and distill a three-grain mash bill or recipe. Corn is the majority grain as required by bourbon regulation, and malted barley is necessary for natural starch-to-sugar conversion. That leaves the other grain choice to the distiller’s discretion. Rye is the preferred grain for creating a spicy, fruity bourbon character. Wheat delivers a soft, nutty profile. In the Master’s Collection Four Grain bourbon we have combined corn and malted barely with both rye and wheat. This unique combination has created a flavorful bourbon rich in fruity, baking spices and soft cocoa notes. It is a bourbon to sip and savor straight up, or with a single ice cube if you prefer it chilled.

What Richard Says:
Nose: There is no nose like a Woodford nose. It’s prevalent in all their bourbons and bourbon experiments. Buttery oak with notes of citrus and a rich nutty character.
Palate: A great creamy sweetness. Heath toffee, Rolo caramels, slight acidic citrus. Layers of hazelnuts and vanilla.
Finish: Dry and clean with a linger hint of oak.
Comments: This was the first of the Master’s Collection from back in 2005. I’m not one for “dusty hunting” or bunkering whiskey away. Anyone who regularly follows Whisk(e)y Apostle knows I’m a drink it if you got it kind of guy. That said, this one has been squirreled away in my cabinet for years. I recently opened it when we had friends over to the house for dinner. Honestly, I was surprised at myself for not opening this sooner which was the driving reason I opened it then. It wasn’t a blind buy. I had a few bottles of batch 2 when it came out and loved it. I really wish this made it into production like Seasoned Oak to Double Oaked did.
Rating: Must Buy

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Black Maple Hill 16 Year Old Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Black Maple Hill Premium Small Batch Bourbon Aged Sixteen Years

47.5% ABV
$125-$150
Website
black-maple-hill

What the Distillery Says:

Nothing really. If you want some great background on Black Maple Hill check out this by Chuck Cowdery.

What Richard Says:

Nose: Fresh out of the bottle this is a raw hairy beast breaking out of the cage. Very rough. Let it sit in the glass a bit and breath and you get toffee, vanilla, broken cigarette tobacco, and old broken finished pine. Think of a old pine dresser that split in a move.
Palate: Heavy on the wood and then a big smack of black pepper and rye. This did not age like a Buffalo Trace (George T. Stagg) or Stitzel Weller (Pappy Van Winkle) bourbon. The wood clearly dominates. It’s not bad but there’s not balance here.
Finish: Very tannic and dry. It’s like the driest Cabernet Sauvignon you’ve ever tried.
Comments: I saw, I coveted, I bought. It cost me $130 plus tax. Don’t make the same mistake. It’s not awful but at or below the price point there are SO MANY better tasting bourbons out there. I know there are devoted followers at the pantheon of Black Maple Hill but the bourbons I drank ten years ago are not the ones being bottled now. Some folks like Dave Driscoll over at K&L still sing the praise. I don’t really see what they see in it but that’s one of the great things about taste. It’s personal so drink what you like. However, at $130 a bottle I would suggest you try before you buy. This is not a white whale you need to hunt.

Rating: Average

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Redemption High-Rye Bourbon (2013)

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Redemption High-Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey

(From 2013; note mash bill & packaging has since changed)
Batch 047, Bottle 2051
46% ABV
$22-$26
Website
High Rye Front better cropped
What the Bottler Says:
We think you can never have too much rye, so our High-Rye Bourbon mash-bill approaches the upper limit of allowable rye grain in a bourbon mash-bill. Bottled at 92 proof the dry spiciness of the rye balances the sweetness of the corn for a really wonderful sipping experience on its own or in classic cocktail recipes.

38.2% Premium Rye
1.8% Barley Malt
60% Corn

What Richard Says:
Nose: Creme brulee, white and black pepper, and a surprising amount of alcohol. I chalk it up to the youth of the bourbon but the nose has the alcohol notes of something bottle with another 10%-15% alcohol by volume.
Palate: Sweetened corn pudding with lots of rye pepper spice.
Finish: Heavy on the pepper and wood.
Comments: Not much of a drinker this one. I can’t say I especially enjoy it as a sipping bourbon. It’s not off putting but just not something I would gravitate toward in the home bar. However, the high rye recipe practically screams to be used in cocktails. We had round after round of sours and Ward 8’s to send off my last bottle.
Rating: Average

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Ancient Ancient Age 10 Year

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Ancient Ancient Age 10 Years Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
43% ABV
$15 to $18
Website (this is for the 10 Star, as the 10 Year has been discontinued)
AAA_10BS
What the Distillery Says:
Aged for a decade and bottled at 86 proof, this bourbon is a cult classic. Full of subtle flavors, it is perfect for sipping and easy to enjoy by new bourbon drinkers and connoisseurs alike.

Tasting Notes:
A nose of honey, maple, mixed fruits and spice. Rye takes the lead on flavor with subtle licorice and hickory notes along with vanilla and spice. A long, spicy finish that maintains its timeless flavors.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Wildflower honey, honeycrisp apples, and peaches.
Palate: Lots of vanilla and black pepper with notes of cinnamon
Finish: Black pepper and heavy wood.
Comments: In this day and age of evaporating age statements, funky finishes, and all the latest whiz bang technology it almost seems like classic bourbon is getting harder to find. It’s not really harder to find, you just have to know what to look for. AAA 10 year old is just that, classic, good, uncomplicated bourbon. If you ever ask yourself what grandpa was drinking back in the day then pick up a bottle of AAA 10 year if you can find it (hard to find outside of Kentucky) or Old Grand Dad Bottled-In-Bond, sick back, and think back to simpler time for bourbon. A time when it wasn’t all about the % rye is so and so’s mashbill or where you can find a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle. It’s not an amazing bourbon by any means but it’s good and classic.
Rating: Must Try

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Blanton’s

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Blanton’s Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
46.5% ABV
$55
Website
blantons_sb
What the Distillery Says:
In the winter of 1881, Albert Bacon Blanton was born into one of the first families of bourbon history. At the age of sixteen, he started work in the Distillery as an office boy and fast became a leading pioneer in the development of bourbon. From the time he was made company president in 1921 until his retirement in 1952, his Distillery expanded from 44 to 144 buildings to become the largest Distillery of its day. During that period Colonel Blanton created his very special and limited supply of bourbon – his private reserve – handpicked and stored in what now is known as the famous Warehouse H. Although Colonel Blanton died in the spring of 1959, his legacy lives. The Single Barrel Bourbon is the first of its kind.

Tasting Notes:
What Richard Says:
Nose: Light and powdery on the nose. Vanilla and wintergreen stand out with a little anise. Orange and citrus notes as the nose develops.
Palate: Surprisingly sweet and reminiscent of Corn Pops. Heavy vanilla, caramel, and oak.
Finish: Dry, oaky, and slightly bitter.
Comments: Elmer T. Lee’s groundbreaking single barrel bourbon is still and damn good dram. The “single barrel” field has exploded since this was first release in 1984 but Blanton’s still sets the benchmark. An excellent mid priced bourbon. Either try it for the fact it was the first single barrel bourbon commercially release or just because it’s damn good. Either way, try it.
Rating: Must Try

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