Germain-Robin Shareholders’ Reserve

Germain-Robin Shareholders’ Reserve Alambic Brandy
40% ABV
$65-$75
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
Hubert Germain-Robin was the first distiller to use wines from world-class varietal grapes. He created one of the world’s greatest spirits. When the family cognac firm Jules Robin (1782) was bought by giant Martell, Hubert looked for a way to go back to the hand methods that had made cognac great. Following a chance 1981 meeting, Hubert took an antique still from an abandoned distillery near Cognac and brought it to Ansley Coale’s Mendocino County ranch, where the two men built a modest distillery.

Hubert’s first brandies outscored famous cognacs in blind tastings. By the late 1990s, when Hubert’s cellar had matured, his brandies began to be reviewed as among the world’s finest spirits: elegant, complex,
and rich.

227 cases of a blend created for our founding investors, the first to reveal the true depth and richness of brandy hand-distilled from premium Mendocino wine grapes.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Rich and sweet with back notes of botanicals and paint (yeah…I know).
Palate: A rich riesling mixed with candied apricots.
Finish: Dry, short, and mildly woody.
Comments: I actually don’t find as much depth in this as the standard alambic brandy. It’s very tasty but I’m can’t say for you to pay the extra $20+ for a bottle of the Shareholders’ Reserve over the standard expression.
Rating: Stands Out

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Glenlivet Nadurra Triumph

The Glenlivet Nadurra Triumph Single Malt Scotch Whiskey
Distilled 1991, Bottle 08/09, Batch 0809A
48% ABV
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
Matured in a mixture of American and European oak casks, Nàdurra Triumph 1991 is a limited release bottled at 48% and is the first Nàdurra expression based on a vintage statement.

This new expression has been selected from stocks that were distilled in 1991 using Triumph, a variety of the barley that is no longer used in the production of The Glenlivet. Keeping in line with the Nàdurra range, the Nàdurra Triumph 1991 is non-chill filtered, which better retains its natural flavours with an additional richness and a creamy mouth feel.

The additional resting time and a broader selection of casks provide a layer of complexity, and results in a whisky that is more fruitful and has a mildly sweeter flavour; sure to be appreciated by whisky lovers everywhere.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Hints of licorice, fresh grain, and citrus notes.
Palate: Sweeter than regular Nadurra or regular 18 year old Glenlivet. Creme brulee, peaches, poached pears, buttery and delicious. The Triumph barley adds additional complexity and depth to the malt.
Finish Surprisingly dry and slightly tannic. Unexpected given how juicy the palate was.
Comments: I’m am so sad this was a one off. It takes classic Glenlivet and really turns it up. It’s vibrant, fresh, well balanced, and soothing. I’m even sadder that I waited so long to review it because my bottle is almost empty.
Rating: Must Try

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Redemption High-Rye Bourbon (2013)

Redemption High-Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey

(From 2013; note mash bill & packaging has since changed)
Batch 047, Bottle 2051
46% ABV
$22-$26
Website
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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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Caribou Crossing

Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky
40% ABV
$45 to $50
Caribou
What the Distillery Says:
Like the long seasonal journeys taken each year by the majestic Caribou hers of North America, this bottle of Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky has been on a journey of it’s own.

Caribou Crossing Single Barrel has been painstakingly handcrafted by our expert whisky making team which has selected the finest whisky available from our inventory of over 200,000 barrels. The whisky has been patiently aged in oak for many years to give it a rich and complex yet smooth flavor. Each barrel is then bottle individually with expert care and skill under rigorous quality standards.

A new Canadian Whisky as bold and adventurous as the great Caribou who roam the wild. Caribou Crossing is a Canadian Whisky unequaled by any other.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Heavy maple syrup. Cliche given it’s Canadian I know but it’s oozing with the stuff. Stewed cherries and creamy vanilla sweetness.
Palate: Lots of creamy vanilla here too. Less maple syrup and more butterscotch. Lightly woody.
Finish: Pepper, oak, and dry rye spice.
Comments: This is almost enough to change my religion on Canadian whiskey. 😉 Seriously though, this is a great dram. The nose and palate are fantastic. The finish is a little bitter and tannic but that just makes me want to keep more on my palate.
Rating: Must Try

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High West Rendezvous Rye

High West Whiskey Rendezvous Rye
Batch 1349, Bottle 109
46% ABV
$45 to $55
Website
Rendezvous Rye
What the Distillery Says:
Rendezvous Rye is a blend of two exotic straight rye whiskies; one old, and one young. It marries the rich aromatic qualities of a 16-year-old rye with the bold spicy properties of 6-year-old rye to create a full flavored, very complex whiskey. The 6-year-old boasts an uncommonly high 95% rye mash bill. Almost every other straight rye whiskey you can buy today is barely legal, with 51-53% rye in the mash bill. Not Rendezvous Rye. It honors the way rye whiskey used to be made, with a high rye content and full, uncompromised flavor. With Rendezvous Rye, you get a taste of authentic rye whiskey. We hope you enjoy it.

What Richard Says:
Nose: That great rye spearmint note comes through first. Sweet stone fruits, fresh cut grass and buttery notes.
Palate: Molasses sweetness, well balanced, with the rye spice on the back end.
Finish: Rye pepper, light wood, and minty finish lingering to mid length.
Comments: This was my first introduction to High West, and while iterations have varied a bit I still find it to be a great all around rye. It is killer in cocktails and a lovely sipping rye. Kudos to Dave Perkins for his blending talents.
Rating: Must Try

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