2014

Bernheim Wheat Whiskey

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Bernheim Original Small Batch Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey 7 Years Aged
45% ABV
$30
Website
bernheim__62107.1411550900.1280.1280

What the Distillery Says:
At its launch, Bernheim Original Straight Wheat Whiskey was the first truly new variety of American straight wheat whiskey introduced since Prohibition. Heaven Hill Master Distillers saw an opportunity to give today’s whiskey connoisseurs a unique taste experience. Bernheim was the only straight whiskey to use winter wheat as the primary grain in its mashbill, giving it a soft, sweet flavor and medium finish.

Today, on the front of the bottle, Bernheim proudly displays its finest attributes: Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey, small batch, and a 7 year age statement. With an age statement of 7 years, Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey truly is well worth the wheat. It is the only straight wheat whiskey distributed nationally. As a straight whiskey, it meets the same criteria as Bourbon or rye—aged a minimum of two years in new, charred oak barrels, distilled at less than 160 proof, and contains no coloring, flavoring or blending agents. As a small batch product, it is made with a dump of 100 barrels or less.

COLOR – Brilliant copper
AROMA – Mildly sweet with hints of vanilla and honey
TASTE – Hints of toffee, berries, & spice with fresh mint
FINISH – Soft toasted oak, elegant and warm

What Gary Says:
Nose: Light, freshly baked French bread, fruit salad. Reminds me of a young single malt Scotch
Palate: A nice citrus fruitiness, peaches, subtle mint with a touch of vanilla and cinnamon. A bit thin, and here also reminds me of a young single malt, with a bit more wood (although not woody by any stretch)
Finish: Crisp and clean, bit of spice at the start and then thins out near the end; medium length.
Comments: This is not a powerful, “smack-you-in-the-mouth” dram. Far more nuanced, and makes my mind wander towards single malt Scotch rather than bourbon. More wood notes than a young single malt, but not as forward with sweetness as a bourbon. Perhaps a gateway American whiskey for the Scotch enthusiast who finds bourbon or rye to be a bit too intense?
Rating: Stands Out

What Richard Says:
Nose: There is a light grassy kind of note that I more often associate with scotch. Behind that there is a little honeysuckle sweetness and a fresh bread note, more of a white bread than a richer darker bread.
Palate: Vanilla ice cream on peach cobbler. Bits of mint leaves and another vegetal note.
Finish: It’s spicier than I would expect from a wheat whiskey. It’s also a little dry and grassy.
Comments: Memory is a funny thing. This is one of those whiskey like Elmer T Lee that I tried right after it was first released and loved it. Something seems to have been lost over time. Maybe it’s just me and I expect more from my whiskeys now. It’s a bit all over the place. The nose says scotch, the palate says wheat whiskey, and the finish says rye.
Rating: Stands Out

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Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
45.5% ABV
$125
Website
wildturkeydiamond-compressor-1
What the Distillery Says:
LAWRENCEBURG, KY (JULY 28, 2014) – Today, a living legend in the global spirits industry gets his due, as the whiskey brand he’s nurtured for an astonishing 60 years releases Wild Turkey® Diamond Anniversary, a commemorative Bourbon in his honor. Celebrating six decades of service with the famous Lawrenceburg, Kentucky distillery this year, Wild Turkey’s Jimmy Russell is now considered the longest-tenured, active Master Distiller in the world.

A man who has dedicated his life to preserving the centuries-old craft of whiskey making deserves a Bourbon befitting this unique milestone. Enter Eddie Russell, who’s been making whiskey by his father’s side for more than 30 years. With Jimmy and Eddie’s seal of approval, Wild Turkey is proud to release Diamond Anniversary, an exclusive, limited-edition mingling of 13- and 16-year-old whiskies that’s as special a Bourbon as Jimmy is a distiller.

Known among peers, Bourbon fans and aficionados as the “Buddha of Bourbon, the “Master Distiller’s Master Distiller” and the “Elder Statesman,” never before has such a product been created to honor a single individual who has so substantially contributed to the long success of a spirits brand. Jimmy has long been recognized as an innovator in the category and a steward of Bourbon history and craft, remaining staunchly committed to making Bourbon using traditional methods.

Since his first day on the job in 1954, Jimmy has seen man land on the moon, the walls of communism crumble, the invention of the Internet and more liquor fads come and go than he can count. He has raised a glass of Wild Turkey with countless thousands of people around the globe, created or co-created no less than 10 Bourbons, invented the first honey-flavored Bourbon, was inducted into the Bourbon Hall of Fame™, and received a formal acclamation in the Kentucky legislature thanking him for his life-long contributions to the Bourbon industry and Commonwealth of Kentucky. It’s been a long and exciting road for Jimmy Russell, but the journey isn’t over yet.

“After 60 years of making whiskey, I still love what I do and all the incredible people I’ve had the chance to meet,” said Jimmy. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, as soon as it feels like work I’ll retire. If it hasn’t happened after getting up and driving my Ford pickup over to the distillery about 20,000 times at this point, I don’t think it will be happening anytime soon.”

Eddie is a veteran at Wild Turkey as well, working there for 33 years. Together, the father and son duo – another rarity in the industry – have crafted several bourbons together. For Jimmy’s 60th anniversary, Eddie wanted to make something extra special for his beloved father and mentor. To create Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary, Eddie hand selected rare barrels that had been aging for 13 and 16 years (nearly twice as long as the flagship Wild Turkey 101) that yielded a spirit with tantalizing notes of caramel and vanilla, complete with a spicy oak finish. Fortuitously, these barrels were filled around the time Jimmy was celebrating his 45th anniversary, and Eddie was thinking about planning Jimmy’s retirement party.

“When I was creating Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary, my father’s voice was in my head guiding me. He taught me everything I know, so I wanted to craft something that reflected all of the invaluable knowledge he passed on to me; something that was worthy of one of the greatest Master Distillers of all time,” remarked Eddie.

Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary is exclusively offered at a suggested retail price of $124.99, and will be available nationally, but in small quantities starting in August 2014.

What Gary Says:
Nose: A cedar chest filled with old leather-bound booked, bit of orange zest, honey, wildflowers and a touch of vanilla and nutmeg. For its age, not as much wood as I would have expected.
Palate: Smooth mouthfeel that starts off sweet before slowly bringing in the rye spice you expect from Wild Turkey. Toasted caramel and honey, sour apple chips with cinnamon and nutmeg, rice pudding with some pepper near the end.
Finish: Moderately long finish, where the wood becomes more predominant but not overly so. A dry peppery note.
Comments: Like nearly every other review I’d read, I too wish this had been bottled at a higher proof personally. It isn’t the oak bomb that I anticipated based on it being a combination of 13yr and 16yr bourbon barrels. Unfortunately it comes off as less intense for me than standard Wild Turkey 101 bourbon. When I think “Wild Turkey”, I think of dense, rye spice – and unfortunately the 91 proof point leaves me wanting more from this pour (especially when considering the price point). For someone who prefers a more nuanced pour to study, this might fit the bill – but I would try to pick it up on sale if you can.
Rating: Stands Out

What Richard Says:
Nose: Vanilla, nut brittle, caramel, creme brulee, with hints of cherry blossom.
Palate: The flavor is a bit more muted than I would’ve expected with the nose. If you roll it around a bit it begins to open a little. Oranges, cinnamon, and a little mint standout.
Finish: There is a bit of hang time here. It’s a bit dry with a black peppercorn dominance. A bit of oak peaks around but not too much.
Comments: So someone clearly asked for an older more easy drinking Wild Turkey. It wasn’t me but I can appreciate what they are going for. I find it a little too tame for Turkey but it’s pleasant and very drinkable.
Rating: Stands Out

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Ballantine’s 30 Year

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Ballantine’s Very Old Blended Scotch Whisky Aged 30 Years

43% ABV
$350
Website
wBallantines30-LARGE

What the Blender Says

Rich, Oak-Influenced & Lingering. Ballantine’s 30 Year Old ranks as one of the world’s most exquisite blends.

With a deep gold colour, subtle sweet flavour on the nose and a complex palate of honey and vanilla, Ballantine’s 30 Year Old is an exceptional, rare and exclusive whisky.

Nose: Deep, soft fruity aromas and an elegant subtle sweetness with a luscious vanilla oakiness.
Taste: A full, rich complex balance of honey, floral and fruity flavours, with mellow notes of vanilla.
Body: Soft yet strong, confident and luscious.
Character: Full, balanced, rich and fruity.
Colour: Deep old gold.
Finish: Long-lasting and elegant.

What Richard Says:

Nose: Hello old scotch. There’s just a nose to old scotch that makes it stands out. Deep, a little sherry sweetness, a nice pipe tobacco/oiled leather interplay, and some old polish wood.
Palate: Smooth, balanced, creamy but not overly viscous, and rich. A little cigar smoke, nice oak notes, and deep sweetness.
Finish: Long and surprisingly fruity. There’s a little dry oak around the edges but the fruit prevails.
Comments: This is a very complex and well layered blend. When it comes to high end blends if you’re in the market for a bottle then you probably don’t need my opinion. Even still, if you see a bottle at a bar then give a go. It’s a pleasure to experience.

On a side note, I give HUGE props to Ballantine’s for the bottle closure. No f-cking cork! It’s a solid, well made, water tight screw cap. Other whisky maker please take note!

Rating: Must Try

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Springbank 12 Year Old (Green Thistle)

/ / Campbeltown, Review, Scottish Whisky, The Collector's Cabinet /

Springbank Campletown Single Malt Scotch Whiskey Aged 12 Years
46% ABV
Collectible
SB12
What Richard Says:
Nose: Big, meaty, sulfuric sherry on the nose with bits of raisins and caramel covered nuts.
Palate: Oily, rich, sherry sweetness and layers of tobacco and leather showing the older malt mixed in.
Finish: Long and polished. Wood is barely evident.
Comments: I pulled this out of a back shelf at a Kroger liquor store in Columbia, South Carolina. It’s the only one I’ve ever seen in the wild. These older Springbanks are typically referred to as “Thistle” releases because the labels of various versions of the 12 year old have different colors of thistle under the Springbank insignia. This version is the “green thistle” version. This version came in two variations: a 46% and 50% variation. What makes these unique is the extraordinary components. In the mid to late nineties when these were bottled there were a number of casks in the 30 to 36 year old range that had evaporated to below 40% ABV and thus could not be bottled by themselves. This malt was used to “water down” the existing bottles of standard Springbank. Usually this is done with distilled source water so you can begin to imagine the impact of mixing in 30 to 36 year old scotch instead. The result is a simply amazing “12 Year Old” single malt from Springbank. It tastes nothing like Springbanks on the shelf now. If you see one you almost have to buy it. At least buy it for me. 🙂
Rating: Must Buy

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Old Pulteney 35 Year

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 35 Years
42.5% ABV
$740
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
The embodiment of our Distillery’s exceptional craftsmanship, this new expression is matured in American ex-bourbon and Spanish ex-sherry casks which have been expertly hand selected by our Distillery Manager, Malcolm Waring. The eye catching detail and design of the limited edition reflects our rich maritime heritage, which includes a stunning wooden box with porthole revealing the unique Old Pulteney bottle which carries the classic herring drifter, which has become a symbol of the brand.

Colour: Light amber

Nose: The initial wave of honey sweetness, exotic spices and citrus is followed by fruit cake and bitter chocolate. Over time gentle undertones open up with hints of fresh vanilla and sticky toffee pudding. A truly indulgent whisky on the nose enriched and fabulously balanced by the long maturation.

Palate: Full bodied and bursting with attitude. This exceptional dram is sweet and spicy and quickly develops a range of signature Old Pulteney flavours from honey, rum soaked raisins and Californian oranges to the heavier notes of seasoned leather, pralines and a touch of the salty North Sea air. A slow long finish with gentle waves of dried fruit and silky tannins.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Lovely “old scotch” nose of rich oiled leather, fine pipe tobacco, cinnamon candies, and dried apricots.
Palate: Viscous but not chewy. Candied nuts, baking spices, and salted caramels. It’s a bit odd on the palate because it doesn’t stick around. It hits and then is gone. It’s a short palate even when left in the mouth for a bit.
Finish: Licorice, cigar tobacco, a light saltiness, and a little wood but less than expected. The finish is relatively short too.
Comments: This is an exceptionally delicious dram. I don’t often get the chance to drink 35 year old scotch but the taste for it is acquired with dangerous speed. The Old Pulteney DNA gets a little muddled after so many years but hints of the sea air are transformed into salted caramels on the palate and a dusting of salt on the finish. Really, my only complaint is the brevity of the palate and finish on this terrific dram. It’s too rare and expensive to keep downing drams to hold onto the flavor. I wish it lingered a bit more.
Rating: Must Try

We would like to thank The Thomas Collective and International Beverage for sending us a sample for review.

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