January 2011

Four Roses 100th Anniversary

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Four Roses Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey, 2010 Release
Bottle 395 of 2359, Barrel No. 24-2 B
54% ABV/108 Proof
$100
Available in select US markets

What the Distillery Says:
It only seems right to witness the 100th anniversary of our unique distillery building with a perfectly aged, one-of-a-kind limited edition single barrel selected from on of our 10 Bourbon recipes. After 17 years, this uncut, non-chill filtered work of art has matured into a Bourbon of uncommon character and taste. The aromas of brisk cloves and candied fruits preview the bold, jammy flavors of peach and cherry that meld seamlessly with creamy, spiced vanilla and antique oak. And the very long, velvety finish is, of course, the perfect tribute to a remarkable building – in itself so exquisitely aged.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Rich and creamy on the nose. Creme brûlée and cloves.
Palate: The richness continues on the palate. It’s very spicy and fruity with a lot of vanilla and oak but I get very little of the sweetness from the nose.
Finish: Even at a high octane proof this is quite smooth. There’s an almost medicinal note that I don’t usually find in Four Roses bourbons. Spicy with hints of cherry.
Comments: First of all, for the whiskey geeks out there this bottling is a 17 year old from the OBSV recipe. I’m not quite sure if I like this more or less than the 2010 Small Batch Limited Edition. You really can’t go wrong with either. If you find the opportunity to get a glass of this you really should try it.
Rating: Must Try

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Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2010

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2010 Release Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
55.1% ABV/110.2 Proof
$75
Available in select US markets

What the Distillery Says:
Four Roses is the only distillery that gently ages 10 distinct Bourbon recipes. Form time to time, our Master Distiller selects a few exceptional barrels and marries them by hand to create an exquisite Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon like this one. Three recipes aged between 10 and 15 years have been artfully mingled at barrel strength, creating a rich, complex spirit defined by soft oak, caramel and honeysuckle aromas. Subtle flavors of cherries and apricot are well balanced with whispers of light spice, honey and raspberries. And the cream smooth finish is satisfyingly long and mellow, making this a Bourbon you’ll not just savor, but long remember.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Interestingly, the nose isn’t that alcoholic given the barrel proof and surprisingly delicate. Orchard fruit and some spice hide in the background.
Palate: Sweet, spicy, and oaky on palate. It also reminds me of a honey drizzled fruit cup like the one your mom put in your lunch as a kid.
Finish: The finish is very long with plenty of oak. It leaves cinnamon in the mouth long after the drink is gone.
Comments: Oddly enough the first thing that struck me about this whiskey was the name. I believe, to date 14 words is the longest official name of anything we’ve reviewed. For you whiskey geeks out there, the actual recipes used in the limited edition are a 15 year old OBSV, an 11 year old OBSK and a 10 year old OESK. They stopped calling this annual release “Mariage” so that they could use more recipes instead of just two. If this year’s release is any indication I’ve not problem with the change.
Rating: Must Try

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Is that peat smoke wafting from the Isle of Arran?

/ / Matt's Blog, Scottish Whisky

Yes it is!

We received a press release announcing the launch of Machrie Moor, the “first peated Arran Single Malt.”  Very exciting folks.  So far the Arran Malts have won high praise, we’ll see how this one does once the whiskirati gets a hold of it.  Maybe they’ll send us a sample to try?  No word yet on the US price point.

FIRST PEATED WHISKY FROM ISLE OF ARRAN ON ALLOCATION
Award-winning Scotch whisky producer Isle of Arran Distillers is launching its first peated Arran Single Malt under the brand name Machrie Moor.
Such is the expected demand, that retailers will only receive a limited allocation when the whisky, named after a peat moor on the west coast of Arran, is launched worldwide. The distiller expects to sell all available stocks quickly.
Master Distiller James MacTaggart has skillfully combined all of the elements available to create a harmonious combination of malt, peat and cask.
MacTaggart said: “With the distillery’s first peated malt, I wanted to create a whisky where the character and taste of Arran that our followers love remained but add a something different with the peat flourish.
“This first peated whisky has a hint of fudge, coconut and spice with notes of orchard fruits and cardamom spice. This is complimented by the peat -reek smoky finish which we are sure will go down well with single malts fans.”
To celebrate the first peated whisky and give it more stand-out, the distillery have given the bottle a different look than the usual Arran style. Only 9,000 bottles will be available from the first edition of what is set to become a limited annual release.
Isle of Arran Distillery Managing Director Euan Mitchell says: “We’re very proud of our first peated whisky and thought it merited a new look to separate it from the regular un-peated Arran malt.
“The barren Machrie Moor is strewn with Bronze Age stone circles. It is said that on one of these stones, the legendary warrior giant Fingal tethered his favourite dog, Bran.
“This peated expression of the Arran Single Malt perfectly captures the rugged beauty and lore of the landscape and Bran was the perfect pin-up for the bottle.”
Machrie Moor is packaged in a dark green bottle with an image of ‘Bran’ in copper and the words ‘Machrie Moor’ in bold to further add standout on shelves/back bars (change accordingly for on/off trade.)

The first release will be available to all Arran key markets worldwide including UK, France, Germany, USA, Russia and Japan.

Machrie Moor (46% abv) has an RRP of £39.99 available from www.arranwhisky.com

Machrie Moor tasting notes –
Aroma: Subtle and elusive initially. Hints of fudge, coconut & spice with a teasing touch of the glorious peat reek to follow.
Palate: Classic Arran at first with notes of citrus, orchard fruits and cardamom spice mingling in a rich melting pot. At the back of the palate peat smoke finally emerges to whip up a storm.
Finish: The peat reek takes centre stage leaving a rich, warming glow like the burning embers of a bonfire.

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Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2010

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, 2010 Edition
47.5% ABV/95 Proof
$35 to $40
Available across the U.S.

What the Distillery Says:
George Garvin Brown, founder of Old Forester bourbon and the first person to bottle bourbon, was born in Munfordville, Kentucky, on September 2, 1846. This vintage release of Old Forester has been selected to honor the birthday of this bourbon pioneer, innovator and industry leader.

This year’s vintage release of Old Forester is crafted from a 72 barrel batch of 97J24. These barrels were evenly matured together in the very middle of Warehouse K, on the 5th floor in ricks 42, 43, and 45, surrounded by open space. This environment allowed the barrels to easily breathe during maturation and develop a rich fruit and spice character.

Color-Deep caramel brown.
Aroma-Rich hints of cedar, dark chocolate and tropical fruit underscored by caramel and butterscotch notes.
Taste-Crisp cedar and nutty oak mingle with fig, berry and citrus character.
Finish-A long, crisp wood spice note ends with a touch of fruit.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Very rich on the nose. Sticky toffee and cedar wood with an almost oily resinous smell.
Palate: Raisins, Christmas spices (think mulled wine or pumpkin pie spice) with a little mint right before the finish.
Finish: The finish is long and woody. Pepper and oak seem to stay around forever.
Comments: Are you looking for good bourbon for under $40? Here you go. This annual release has swung widely from year to year. This year’s is some of the best 12 year old coming out Brown Forman. Not a must try but it really stands out.
Rating: Stands Out

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