2014 | Whisk(e)y Apostle: Proselytizing the way of the malt

Stagg Jr

July 12, 2014 / Richard / Bourbon, Review / Must Try

Stagg Jr Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
64.35% ABV
$50 to $55
Website

What the Distillery Says:
George T. Stagg built the most dominant American distillery of the 19th century, during a time known as the Gilded Age of Bourbon. Uncut and unfiltered, this robust bourbon whiskey ages for nearly a decade and boasts the bold character that is reminiscent of the man himself.

Rich, sweet, chocolate and brown sugar flavors mingle in perfect balance with the bold rye spiciness. The boundless finish lingers with hints of cherries, cloves and smokiness.

What Richard Says:
Nose: A bit hot on the nose. Give the alcohol time to settle and it comes through with mint, clove, and a little cinnamon.
Palate: Nice viscous mouthfeel. Vanilla, mint, brown sugar cookies, leathery, with a back dose of pepper.
Finish: Oak, mint, and leather in equal measure.
Comments: Not bad at all. However, this isn’t George T Stagg. Given that the 2013 Stagg Sr. release has a nearly identical proof I can say this one drinks hotter and younger by a good measure. Still, it stands up well on its own. I’ve had a few of these and the batches (distinguishable only by the proof) don’t vary much. It’s made in batches on purpose to give a consistent profile, not unlike Stagg Sr. It’s worth grabbing if you come across one.
Rating: Must Try

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George T Stagg (2013)

July 11, 2014 / Richard / Bourbon, Review / Must Buy

George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
2013 Release
64.1% ABV
$70 to $90
Website

What the Distillery Says:
This extremely hearty whiskey ages in new charred oak barrels for no less than 15 years. Straight out of the barrel, uncut and unfiltered, the taste is powerful, flavorful and intense. Open it up with a few drops of water, sit back and ponder the wonders of the universe.

TASTING NOTES:
Lush toffee sweetness and dark chocolate with hints of vanilla, fudge, nougat and molasses. Underlying notes of dates, tobacco, dark berries, spearmint and a hint of coffee round out the palate.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Oiled riding leather, roasted dates wrapped in smoked bacon and Boston Cream Pie.
Palate: Molasses syrup, heavy vanilla, 5th Avenue candy bars, and finished with a spicy rye/mint kick at the end.
Finish: Old leather bound books, a well tended humidor, and well balanced oak.
Comments: This is one of those really dangerous bottles of Stagg. It’s a good bit lower in proof from some of the previous releases and that makes it wicked easy to drink. Take it slow, add a little water or at least a water back, and be careful with this sleeping beast. This batch was aged for 15 years and 11 months. No details in this recent release regarding batch size or the warehouse location of the selected barrels.
Rating: Must Buy

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George T Stagg (2009)

July 4, 2014 / Richard / Bourbon, Review / Must Buy

George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
2009 Release
70.7% ABV
$65
Website

What the Distillery Says:
This extremely hearty whiskey ages in new charred oak barrels for no less than 15 years. Straight out of the barrel, uncut and unfiltered, the taste is powerful, flavorful and intense. Open it up with a few drops of water, sit back and ponder the wonders of the universe.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Molasses, toffee, dried unrolled tobacco, oiled leather, with a mint back note.
Palate: Rich, dripping toffee and vanilla, then a large right hook to the palate with cinnamon red hots, black pepper, and oak.
Finish: Slightly dry, with cinnamon, tobacco, cocoa powder, coffee grounds, and oak on mid length finish.
Comments: This is one of those bourbons like Pappy Van Winkle that has become legendary in it’s limited availability as much as it’s tremendous flavor. As Van Winkle is to wheated bourbons, Stagg is to ryed bourbons. And the flavor is tremendous. This is a dark monstrous bourbon. Alcohol content aside, if you can put 70% ABV aside, the flavor is layered, aggressive, and encompassing. You don’t drink this. It let’s you consume it. A quick word about that proof too. This is a monster in terms of alcohol. Water is required either in liquid or solid forms. Personally, I get it down to about 50% ABV for regular consumption but to each their own. If you can get your hands on a bottle I would grab it and not worry so much about “which” George T Stagg you got. You’ll also notice that this is not a single barrel bourbon. It’s done annually in small batches. As such, the flavor profile is very similar year to year. This batch was 109 barrels aged for 16 years and 7 months. For those interested in the bourbon geek minutiae, it was distilled to 135 Proof, barreled at 125 Proof in barrels with #4 55 second char and the barrels were selected from floors 1 and 3 of Warehouse K.
Rating: Must Buy

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Balvenie RumCask 17 Year

July 2, 2014 / Richard / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside, The Collector's Cabinet / Must Try

The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky RumCask Aged 17 Years
43% ABV
Discontinued
Website

What the Distiller Says:
The Balvenie RumCask 17 Year Old was matured in traditional oak casks before spending a second period of maturation in rum casks shipped from Jamaica.

TASTING NOTES

NOSE A vibrant aroma with intense floral and fruity notes. Orange peel, lavender, coconut and a hint of ground nut oil.

TASTE Beautifully sweet with characteristic Balvenie vanilla notes backed up with subtle spiciness of cinnamon and silky oak.

FINISH Exceptionally smooth and long lasting

What Richard Says:
Nose: Heavy rum influence on the nose. The combination leaves it almost brandy-like. At first you would pick the preceding casks as bourbon due to the rum influence but give it time and a nice sherry note comes floating out.
Palate: Rich, creamy, and rather sweet. The sherry with the rum finishing definitely pushes up the sweetness factor. Nice toffee and honeysuckle notes. A good dose of vanilla and mint add to the mix. Honeydews and mangoes round out the taste tour.
Finish: A like hot but quickly mellows to a slow soft wood. This is a little more understated than I would’ve expected.
Comments: A very dessert appropriate Balvenie. The rum and it’s resulting sweetness may seem a little over played for many palates but I love it.
Rating: Must Try

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Balvenie Signature

June 30, 2014 / Richard / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside, The Collector's Cabinet / Average

The Balvenie Signature Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged Twelve Years
40% ABV
Discontinued
Website

What the Distiller Says:
The Balvenie Signature Aged 12 Years is a classic marriage of The Balvenie matured in the three most traditional cask types, first fill bourbon, refill bourbon and sherry. Produced in small, numbered batches, each cask used is hand selected by Malt Master David Stewart to ensure he achieves the expression’s unique character of honey, spice and subtle oak. David Stewart crafted The Balvenie Signature to mark his 45th year in the whisky industry.

TASTING NOTES

NOSE Rich and complex with honey, citris fruits and vanilla oak notes

TASTE Rich and honeyed with a hint of sherry fruitiness. A spiciness of cinnamon and nutmeg and a subtle oakiness develop with time.

FINISH Warm and lingering.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Sherry and a slightly soured cream.
Palate: Lighter more delicate expression of Balvenie. Light honey sweetness, malty, with heavy cereal notes, and mild play between white pepper and oak.
Finish: Crisp, dry, oaky in a raw, chewed toothpick kind of way.
Comments: This isn’t going to rock your world or anything but it’s a fine introductory malt.
Rating: Average

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