Compass Box Flaming Heart 2022

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Compass Box Flaming Heart 2022
Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

48.9% ABV
$160-200
Website
Compass Box Flaming Heart 2022 Blended Scotch Whisky

What the Blender Says

The whisky inspired by a rock song – remixed​
This is our seventh edition of Flaming Heart, the whisky that revels in the harmonies between heavy peat and toasted French oak. Imagine Metallica with a backing orchestra, and you’re getting close.
With the best bands, each album is an opportunity to explore and experiment; every record is an evolution from the one before. For fans of Flaming Heart, we always seek to evolve the ‘sound’ and have introduced a deep fruitiness to the arrangement for the 2022 version.
The smoke machine is powered by a combination of malts from the Laphroaig, Caol Ila and Talisker distilleries, while our Highland Malt Blend has spent more than five years in richly toasted virgin French oak custom casks to deliver round, booming spicy richness.
FLAVOUR PROFILE: A high-energy nose with smouldering peat embers, cigar wrapper and candied ginger. The palate is oily, smoky, rich and savoury.
SERVING RECOMMENDATIONS: A whisky for friends, great music, and not taking life too seriously.
TECHNICAL DETAILS: Bottled at 48.9%. Natural colour. Not chill filtered. Blended Malt Scotch Whisky. A limited edition of 9,606 bottles. August 2022.
LEAD WHISKYMAKER: James Saxon.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Smoke and peat with wisps of salty sea air, bit of tar, smoked pork lightly brushed with barbecue sauce, grilled peaches, pears, raisins, mineral notes and leather.
Palate:  Thick and creamy mouthfeel, sweet with smoky caramel, peat, berries, apples, raisins, cherries, and nutmeg.
Finish:  Long and syrupy with apricot jam and peat smoke.
Comments:  I’ve been a fan of Flaming Heart ever since I first tried one (which was the 2012 edition). The 2015 edition I was such a fan of, I stocked up and over a couple of years bought 6 or 7 bottles (hard to tell as some were drank over that period of time!) The SRP back then was around $130 so this wasn’t an inexpensive endeavor – but worth it to me. Fast forward to 2024 when I sat down with a sample of the 2022 Flaming Heart (which I didn’t buy as the SRP was closer to $200 when I saw it on the shelf). Knowing how much I have loved past releases, I wanted to do a blind side-by-side tasting with the 2015. I have to admit – kinda wishing I had picked up a bottle now! This is a marvelous whisky! By comparison, I found this to be thicker on the nose, with more darker fruit notes, and with a bit of water got notes of tropical fruits. The 2015 was a bit lighter in color, with less red and gold – and with a bit of water tended towards more citrusy notes. Also found the nose on the 2015 brighter but a bit thinner. I found the 2015 pretty similar to the 2012 when I did a similar blind side-by-side back in the day. Just another magnificent offering from the folks at Compass Box, who I’ve been fans of for many years while not loving everything they’ve put out.

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

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Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary
8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

50.5% ABV
$50
Website
Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell's 70th Anniversary 8 Year Old Bourbon
We would like to thank Campari Group and Allison Worldwide PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Commemorative bourbon release honoring Master Distiller Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary with Wild Turkey making him the longest-tenured spirits Master Distiller in the world.

To honor Jimmy’s incredible impact on the bourbon world, Wild Turkey is proud to present the limited-edition Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon.

This collector-worthy release is an 8-Year-Old, 101-proof bourbon, with an additional blend of 8- to 9-year-old whiskeys, hand-selected from a few of Jimmy’s favorite Rickhouses. Best enjoyed neat or over ice, this bourbon is a true tribute to Jimmy’s legacy.

A LIFETIME OF PASSION

From his earliest days at the distillery sweeping the floors at age 18 to rising through the ranks to become Master Distiller, Jimmy has remained committed to crafting bourbon one way, the right way, even when it wasn’t popular. In the 1970’s and 80’s when the bourbon industry was close to collapse, Jimmy stayed the course.

When many began favoring lighter spirits, Jimmy refused to dilute his bourbon or change the distilling process at all. Embracing the pre-prohibition style that he learned from his mentor and predecessor Bill Hughes, Jimmy “didn’t change a damn thing.” This approach helped propel the popularity of many of the distillery’s classic bourbons, including Jimmy’s favorite, Wild Turkey 101. He knew bold Kentucky bourbon would always have a place on the bar, a legacy that endures today.

“In my eyes, I’ve never worked a day in my life. The day I do, I’ll retire,” jokes Master Distiller Jimmy Russell. “Until then, I’m going to continue making the bourbon I love.”

TASTING NOTES
AROMA: Vanilla, oak, and honey with notes of cinnamon, brown sugar, tobacco, and orange peel.
TASTE: Sweet cream, vanilla, butterscotch, stone fruit (dates), pecans, and black tea.
FINISH: Warming with notes of caramel, dark cherry with a long lingering finish of oak, burnt sugar, and bitter chocolate.

PROCESS: 101 proof, 8-Year-Old bourbon with additional blend of 8-9YO whiskeys from Jimmy’s favorite rickhouses.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Turtle brownies (caramel, chocolate, slightly nutty), vanilla, a bit of cinnamon, honey, slightly sour oak note, and orange zest.
Palate:  Round mouthfeel with caramel, toffee, hazelnut, cinnamon, nutmeg, oak, pepper spice with black cherries and a hint of orange marmalade.
Finish:  Long and wet with vanilla, cocoa, honey, leather, and oak.
Comments:  Damn, this is just delicious. I can see why this is how Jimmy Russell likes his Wild Turkey! Comparing this to Wild Turkey 101, this is more refined, nuanced, and complex. It is (dare I say) a bit softer than Wild Turkey 101 – but that is NOT “smooth”. Don’t go thinking that they tamed the Turkey, because Jimmy wouldn’t be having that – but this trades that biting edge for a more viscous mouthfeel and depth of taste that is just scrumptious. A bit of water doesn’t hurt it, but it absolutely doesn’t need it either – this sips beautifully neat. The whiskey is just lovely, and I appreciate Wild Turkey putting this out at an accessible price point and enough volume to allow their fans the chance to get one.

Rating: Must Try

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Blue Note Crossroads

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Blue Note Crossroads
Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Toasted French Oak

50% ABV
$45
Website
Blue Note Crossroads Straight Bourbon Whiskey
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

Finished with two types of toasted French oak staves, Crossroads sips like a lower proof bourbon but sits at a respectable 100 proof. Try it for yourself to see what’s so special about this offering.

Technical Details
Product Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Finish: Toasted French Oak
Proof & Filtration: 100 proof, unfiltered
Availability: Nationwide, Crafted in Memphis

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich, light caramel, wood spices, French oak, raw honey, vanilla and dark fruits.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, vanilla, caramel, honey, toasted marshmallow, dark fruit notes of raisins and a bit of cinnamon.
Finish:  Moderate in length, drying with oak, spice and honey.
Comments:  This is a really interesting pour! The dark fruit notes give it almost a sherried finish flavor. The mouthfeel from the lack of filtration is nice, and the higher proof also helps this one stand out. Have tried French oak finished bourbons before, but the toasting of the staves adds something different.

Rating: Stands Out

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Blue Note Rye Whiskey

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Blue Note Rye Whiskey
Straight Rye Whiskey

46.5% ABV
$35
Website
Blue Note Rye Whiskey
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

We age our barrels along the winding bluffs of the Mississippi River in Memphis, Tennessee. The Delta heat and humidity provided by the long, hot summers cook our barrels low and slow like proper Memphis BBQ. This forces the whiskey deep into the oak, creating an unmistakably rich flavor.

Technical Details
Aged: A minimum of three years
Product Type: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Mash Bill: 95% rye and 5% malted barley
Proof & Filtration: 93 proof, unfiltered

Sensory Notes
Nose: Vanilla and Spice
Body: Crisp
Taste: Crisp Apple, Cinnamon, Vanilla, and Oak
Finish: Inherently smooth with lingering hints of vanilla,
apple, and spice

What Gary Says

Nose:  Vanilla, dried mint and a hint of lemon zest.
Palate:  Vanilla, cinnamon, slightly sour apple and a touch of mint.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length with mint and vanilla.
Comments:  Rye is the one class of whiskey that I do find to be drinkable at three years old. This definitely tastes young, and I was surprised at the mashbill based on how soft this is. The apple note isn’t something I get on a lot of rye, which usually tends to have a more citrus bend. With a 95% rye mashbill, I expect more of that rye-spice bite which I didn’t get. Similar to Blue Note Juke Joint, nothing objectionable but also not special for the price point.

Rating: Average

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Blue Note Juke Joint

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Blue Note Juke Joint
Straight Bourbon Whiskey

46.5% ABV
$35
Website
Blue Note Juke Joint Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
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

Crafted in Memphis, Juke Joint is Blue Note’s flagship Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Bottled at 93 proof, Juke Joint drinks just as smooth neat as it does in your favorite cocktail.

Nose: Sweet corn, allspice, and oak
Body: Viscous
Taste: Vanilla, allspice, apricot, and pear
Finish: Allspice fades into lingering notes of oak, pear, and vanilla

Technical Details
Aged: Minimum of three years
Product Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Mash Bill: 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley
Proof & Filtration: 93 proof, unfiltered
Availability: Nationwide, Crafted in Memphis

What Gary Says

Nose:  Corn, soft oak, allspice and a bit of honey.
Palate:  Round mouthfeel, sweet with vanilla, hint of caramel, pears, cinnamon and pepper spice.
Finish:  Short with oak, wood spices and vanilla.
Comments:  This tastes like what you would expect a young, three year old bourbon to taste like. Corn forward on the nose and smooth. The lack of filtration is a plus, and comes across in the mouthfeel. Nothing objectionable, but also nothing inspiring or special – and while $35 isn’t a “premium” price point, there’s a long list of bourbons I’d prefer for the same or less money.

Rating: Average

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