Tallbird Whiskey of the Golden Age

Tallbird Whiskey of the Golden Age
A Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskies

46.5% ABV
$25
Website
Tallbird Whiskey of the Golden Age
We would like to thank Wanderfolk Distillery and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Wanderfolk Distillery, Oklahoma’s first legal distillery and an original producer of unique craft spirits that spark curiosity and make a meaningful impact, has announced the launch of Tallbird American Whiskey.
Crafted to be as affordable and approachable as Whiskey of the Golden Age, Tallbird American Whiskey is a blend of fine, straight, seven-year-old bourbons distilled in Kentucky (Bardstown Bourbon Company) and Tennessee (TN Distilling), then aged in Guthrie, Oklahoma, in 53-gallon, New American White Oak barrels with a Level 3-4 char. Bottled at 93 proof (46.5% ABV), Tallbird delivers a shot of Americana and rich and approachable whiskey that was tailor-made for classic cocktails, like Old Fashioneds, Manhattans and Sours.
“We’re committed to creating spirits as unique and distinctive as those who enjoy them,” said Jeffrey Cole, Head Distiller, Wanderfolk Distillery. “Tallbird is a Whiskey of the Golden Age – a time when a well-aged bourbon wasn’t something you paid a premium for and when quality was something could expect without a sky-high price tag. Good doesn’t have to be expensive.”
Cole is the heart and soul of Wanderfolk Distillery, a pioneer in the Oklahoma craft beverage industry, serving as the founding president of both the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG), OKC and the Oklahoma Distillers’ Guild. Jeffrey has opened over a dozen bars across the Midwest, dedicated to pushing the boundaries of spirits and hospitality. He leads a collective of passionate creatives, blending mastered skills from various backgrounds, that is focused on re-inventing and pushing the boundaries of craft spirits in Oklahoma.

On the nose, Tallbird exhibits notes of sweet marzipan and cardamom with a splash of citrus and tropical mango. The palate reveals rich butterscotch, crunchy graham crackers and a hint of leather. The finish is luscious and sweet with the creaminess of a tres leches dessert.
The Tallbird name references nicknames given to aircraft during the sonic boom tests in the 1950’s and ’60s. The bottle’s label features an American cowboy riding one of these aircraft as if it were a mechanical bull, showcasing the brand’s Oklahoma roots and playful side.
Tallbird American Whiskey is now available for purchase online through the brand’s website and at fine craft spirits retailers in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma, for a suggested retail price of $25 per 750ml bottle.
Visitors will be able to visit the company’s Tasting Room, located at 124 E. Oklahoma Avenue, in Guthrie, Oklahoma, later this fall. For more information, visit www.wanderfolkspirits.com and follow the brand on Instagram.

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel, toasted oak, vanilla and a hint of orange zest.
Palate: Rich and creamy mouthfeel with butterscotch, caramel, honey, citrus, brown sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon.
Finish: Medium length and drying with caramel creme candy, cinnamon and pepper.
Comments: I’ll admit – when I read the description and saw the price point, I was skeptical. Whiskey prices have been on a one-way street in the other direction. I’m thrilled to report that this was a pleasant surprise! A pretty solid, straight down the middle bourbon, which a better mouthfeel than average. I tried their ‘Gold Fashioned’ cocktail, and thought it was OK, but this did really well in my own Old Fashioned recipe (pretty simple – 2 oz of this plus ½ oz of simple syrup, 1 dash of orange bitters and 2 dashes of Angostura aromatic – stir together with a cube and call it a day).

Rating: Must Try

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Penelope Cigar Sessions Chapter 02 American Whiskey

Penelope Cigar Sessions Chapter 02
American Whiskey

58.7% ABV
$80
Website
Penelope Cigar Sessions Chapter 02 American Whiskey
We would like to thank Luxco and The Brand Guild for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says:

Penelope Whiskey has partnered with Alec Bradley, the master cigar blenders behind some of the most celebrated sticks in the premium cigar world, to craft something neither could create alone: a whiskey purpose-built for the ritual of the smoke.
Meticulously blended to pair with the nuanced complexity of a medium to full bodied cigar, Cigar Sessions: Chapter 2 is the result of two obsessive crafts meeting in the middle, with every decision made around a single question: does it make the session better?
The answer is in the glass.
Bourbon Facts:
• Type: 36% Rye Bourbon, Barley Malt, and American Light Whiskey
• Proof: 117.4
• Age/Barrel Char: 6 Years
• Mash Bill: 69% Corn, 19% Rye, 12% Malted Barley

Tasting Notes:
• Aroma: Toasted oak, dark caramel, leather, baking spice
• Body: Charred brown sugar, sweet corn, cocoa, creamy malt
• Finish: Dark chocolate, seasoned oak, warm spice, lingering sweetness

What Gary Says

Nose: Toasted oak, caramel, cigar paper, chocolate fudge, worn leather, and subtle baking spice notes
Palate: Rich mouthfeel, caramel, butterscotch, honey, oak, milk chocolate, brown sugar, cinnamon and pepper.
Finish: Medium to long, drying with oak tannins, chocolate, pepper spice and smoke.
Comments: The non-chill filtration shows up in the mouthfeel. While I am not a cigar smoker, I can imagine this would pair nicely (and had a friend test-drive this with a cigar, and thought it worked well). It definitely has some similar qualities and leaves me thinking about cigars. I enjoyed this with a bit of water, bringing more honey and caramel corn to the nose, and tamping the pepper on the palate while amping up the butterscotch.

Rating: Stands Out

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Wenzel Distillery Double Oak Barrel Proof (Batch #01)

Wenzel Distillery Double Oak Barrel Proof (Batch #01)
Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskies

55.05% ABV
$99
Website
Wenzel Distillery Double Oak Barrel Proof (Batch #01)
We would like to thank Wenzel Distillery and The Whisky Bard for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

A blend of straight bourbon whiskeys aged at least 8 years (mash bill: 69% Corn, 21% Rye, 10% Barley), including 6-8 months of secondary aging in new American oak barrels, Double Oak entices you with a delightful nose of cinnamon, toffee, and butterscotch, complemented by a taste of vanilla and honey all wrapping up in a soft, yet lingering buttery finish that’s as smooth as it is satisfying.

What Gary Says

Nose: Oak, butterscotch, toffee, raw honey, hint of figs with brown sugar.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel with vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, oak, honey, nutmeg, allspice and a hint of clove.
Finish: Moderate in length, damp with oak, cocoa, cinnamon and clove.
Comments: Of the three Wenzel Distillery samples I reviewed this fall, this was my favorite. All of them had a nice mouthfeel, but this one was a bit thicker, and also held up to water quite well bringing more fudge and caramel to the nose, and the mouthfeel remained thick with more chocolate joining the party on the palate. Love those fudge and butterscotch notes!

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Wenzel Distillery Toasted Barrel Proof (Batch #01)

Wenzel Distillery Toasted Barrel Proof (Batch #01)
Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskies

55.9% ABV
$99
Website
Wenzel Distillery Toasted Barrel Proof (Batch #01)
We would like to thank Wenzel Distillery and The Whisky Bard for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

This blend of straight bourbon whiskeys, aged at least 8 years (mash bill: 69% Corn, 21% Rye, 10% Barley), is finished for 6-8 months of that time in brand new Kelvin Cooperage toasted barrels. A refined experience that’s perfectly balanced and lingering, it boasts a nose of hay and honey, delivering a honey-sweet taste that fades into a soft, subtle sweetness.

What Gary Says

Nose: Salted caramel, toasted oak, brown sugar, nutmeg, hint of clove, honey and cocoa.
Palate: Bitter dark chocolate, honey, caramel, cinnamon, cocoa, pepper spice with cloves.
Finish: Moderate in length, drying with oak, baking spices and honey.
Comments: Compared to the Wenezl Wheated, the rye stands out although I did find this a bit hot on the palate for the proof (although the toasted finish may also contribute to this). A bit of water opens this one up nicely bringing a musty rick house note on the nose (with a touch of fall leaves), and adding a creamy mouth feel dimension on the palate, with notes of dark fruit (figs) and chocolate, as well as tamping the spiciness just a bit.

Rating: Stands Out

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Wenzel Distillery Wheated Barrel Proof (Batch #05)

Wenzel Distillery Wheated Barrel Proof (Batch #05)
Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskies

55.35% ABV
$99
Website
Wenzel Distillery Wheated Barrel Proof (Batch #05)
We would like to thank Wenzel Distillery and The Whisky Bard for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Aged at least 8 years, this a rich and full-bodied blend of straight bourbon whiskeys that is a high wheat lover’s delight (mash bill: 65% Corn, 12.5% Wheat, 12.5% Oats, 10% Barley). It has heavy notes of caramel, cocoa, and vanilla that don’t subside quickly. The mouthfeel and flavor are long-lasting, leaving the palette with a rich and full dessert-like finish.

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel, soft oak, vanilla sponge cake, honey and fresh-baked shortbread cookies.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel with caramel apple, cinnamon, vanilla, pepper spice, toffee and almond cookies.
Finish: Moderate in length, drying with oak, vanilla and baking spices including cloves.
Comments: This is a nice, and gentle bourbon (although not your traditional “wheater” with a mashbill of 65% corn, 12.5% wheat, 12.5% oats and 10% barley). The nose is quite gentle, which for me made the palate a bit of a surprise with a spice edge I didn’t anticipate. It isn’t hot – just more spicy than I would have expected. It takes water well, bringing notes of chocolate on the nose, and tamping the cinnamon/spice edge a bit on the palate, while bringing more caramel to the party and taking the toffee notes into more of a fudge.

Rating: Stands Out

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