March 2019

Old Forester Rye

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey / , ,

Old Forester Rye

50% ABV
$23 – $26
Website

What the Distillery Says

In 1870, our founder George Garvin Brown revolutionized the industry by sealing Bourbon in a glass bottle for the first time. Five generations and nearly 150 years later, we are proud to introduce the first Kentucky Straight Rye Whisky from The First Bottled Bourbon™.

A historic recipe, acquired in 1940 by Owsley Brown I, Old Forester Rye features a mash bill of 65% Rye, 20% Malted Barley, and 15% Corn. Such a high proportion of barley allows for a fully natural fermentation process, forgoing the need for artificial enzymes commonly found in high rye mash bills. Additionally, a generous percentage of malt yields a unique floral character, balancing the sharp, brisk spice of the rye grain. Continuing our legacy of quality and consistency, Old Forester uses its own proprietary yeast strain, produces every barrel, and distills every drop.

At 100 proof, Old Forester Rye plays beautifully in a cocktail but also stands up boldly on its own.

TASTING NOTES
AROMA: Rich brown sugar and magnolia blossom, with hints of soft sassafras and candied lemon.
TASTE: Spice awakens immediately leading with sharp black pepper and cinnamon stick, rounding out with notes of dried dill and baked apple.
FINISH: Allspice and peppercorn introduce a loyal and dry finish which ignites with pine, anise, and bright lemon zest.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich, thick nose, chock full of rye spice; mint, dill, and evergreen forest.
Palate:  Soft and round at the start, then sharpens as the journey continues with some herbal dill and mint notes, cinnamon and pepper kicking up over rye toast later.
Finish:  Not very long, with a drying herbal note.
Comments:  I really like this; just a straight up, unapologetically rye whiskey. With the growth in popularity the last few yeas, there has been more rye introduced – some of it solid, and some pretty disappointing.
I don’t get much/any citrus fruit like with some ryes – this plays in the herbal corner of the garden for sure, but it does so beautifully. My benchmark for any rye under $30 (frankly, under $40 even) is how it compares to Rittenhouse Bottled in Bond – and this held its own (in fact, the day of – I preferred this!) And can we take a moment to celebrate a screw-top?
Don’t get me wrong – this isn’t as complex as an 8 year cask strength rye (no age statement, so assuming this is in the ballpark of 4 yrs old).  But if you are a fan of rye whiskey, at this price point – I can’t imagine you being disappointed in a blind purchase.  If you’re not a solid rye fan (like some, not others), I’d urge you to try .

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy; Great Value

Old Forester Rye Read More »

Old Overholt Bonded Straight Rye Whiskey

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Old Overholt Bonded Rye Whiskey

100 ABV
$25
Website

What the Distillery Says

Old Overholt® Rye is one of the oldest, most famous straight Rye Whiskeys on the market today. Old Overholt® Bonded Rye extends this historic brand into the Bonded segment. In accordance with the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, Old Overholt® Bonded Straight Rye Whiskey must be aged for four years, bottled at 100 proof, and contain liquid that is the product of a single distillation season.
Abraham Overholt (1784 – 1870) was one of the fathers of American Distilling, and he took uncompromising pride in his product. When it came to making his whiskey, Abraham Overholt lived by three hard and fast standards – work hard, stand fast, and don’t waver. These three standards were the basis upon which he built Old Overholt® Rye, and the same standards upon which Old Overholt® Bonded Rye is created today

Tasting Notes
Color: Dark honey
Aroma: Robust mix of oak and caramel with soft hints of vanilla
Taste: Harmonious blend of char, spice, and fresh oak
Finish: Long lingering char and light fruit

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rye toast with an herbal (celery, thyme) spicy oak note, wafting mint with just a hint of orange zest.
Palate:  Rye spice with a tangy tangerine note, sour oak.
Finish:  Short and drying with a bit of pepper spice.
Comments:  In full disclosure, I wasn’t a fan of Old Overholt at 80 proof and 4 yrs old (and hadn’t even bothered to try the new 3 yr old version). But I was hopeful here, and decided to taste this up against what I consider the benchmark for a bonded rye: Rittenhouse Bottled in Bond. This was lighter in color than the Rittenhouse, and softer on the nose. On the palate, it was closer – a little less vanilla sweetness but had that rye spice you’d want. While a definite step up, I personally prefer Rittenhouse BIB for the same money – but wouldn’t rule this out if you’re a rye fan and haven’t tried it.

Rating: Stands Out

Old Overholt Bonded Straight Rye Whiskey Read More »

Compass Box The Double Single 2017

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Compass Box The Double Single – 2017 Release

46% ABV
$160 – $180
Website

What the Blender Says

‘Less is More’– Anon
How many components are required to create true
complexity in a Blended Scotch Whisky?

For Double Single, instead of using many tens of component whiskies we have used just two – one single grain whisky and one single malt whisky (hence the name). Both are beautiful liquids in their own right, but we believe they are elevated above the sum of their parts when combined in the correct proportions.

Such thinking runs strongly counter to the blending strategies evident in the larger, commercial Blended Scotch releases that dominate the whisky market worldwide, where many dozens of components can often be found within a single blend. So why do things differently?

We believe that when using components of the highest quality, less is often more. That the interaction between a single grain and a single malt can be every bit as good – better even – than either a more complex blend or the component tasted on its own. Above all, share & enjoy.

FLAVOUR DESCRIPTORS
In The Double Single we have combined single malt whisky from the Glen Elgin distillery and single grain whisky from the Girvan distillery. The elegantly complex, ethereal malt whisky character is balanced on a decadent cushion of rich, sweet, vanilla-tinged grain whisky character.

AVAILABILITY
Limited Edition release of 5,838 bottles worldwide. Bottled March 2017.

BOTTLING DETAILS
Bottled at 46%. Not chill-filtered. Natural colour.

RECOMMENDATIONS
The combination is a deeply satisfying yet versatile whisky, perfect served as a rich aperitif before a winter’s dinner, or as a rewarding post-prandial any time of year.

LEAD BLENDER
John Glaser

72% malt whisky from Glen Elgin, aged in re-charred ex-bourbon hogshead
28% grain whisky from Girvan, aged in re-charred ex-bourbon barrels

What Gary Says

Nose:  Thick honeysuckle, vanilla spongecake with baked apples, apricot marmalade, slightly nutty with notes of worn leather.
Palate:  Thick and viscous mouthfeel as the nose suggests, honey custard with exotic orange, fresh apples and cooked pears with a dusting of cinnamon.
Finish:  Fairly long with a bit of spice and vanilla as it trails off.
Comments:  This is a lovely, although nuanced dram. For me, this is one I like to spend some time with, coaxing the different elements out with a couple drops of water periodically.
While the majority of this is malt rather than grain, it has that gentle subtlety that you find with older single grain whiskies (and some older single malts as well). I’ve been a fan of almost everything John Glaser has done, although I generally prefer the more robust offerings. But if you’re in the mood for an elegant, pondering pour – this is pretty delicious.

Rating: Stands Out

Compass Box The Double Single 2017 Read More »

Crown Royal Noble Collection 13 year old Blenders’ Mash

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review / ,

Crown Royal Noble Collection 13 year old Blenders’ Mash

45% ABV
$50 – $60
Website

What the Distillery Says

Crown Royal 13-Year-Old Blenders’ Mash, the third expression in the Noble Collection, is a rare stock of our Canadian Whisky made with a mash bill of 60% corn, 36% rye and 4% barley malt. It is one of the five unique whiskies that comprise our signature blends. Carefully aged in new, charred American white oak barrels for no less than 13 years. The complexity of the liquid intensifies with the aging process, bringing out richer and deeper notes of caramel and fruit. This remarkably smooth and layered whisky is hand selected from our reserve stock, revealing its noble roots with every sip.

The Crown Royal Noble Collection is a series of limited annual releases that celebrates the skilled craftsmanship of our distillers and blenders – and their dedication to the art of creating extraordinary whiskies.

APPEARANCE: Amber
NOSE: Crown Royal 13-Year-Old Blenders’ Mash begins with a nose of orchid fruits, butterscotch with a hint of toasted oak.
TASTE: Crown Royal 13-Year-Old Blenders’ Mash encompasses the taste of rich caramel, vanilla and toffee notes.

Note: The above content was provided after requesting information directly from Crown Royal; not sure why they aren’t bragging about this on their own web-site but do appreciate them providing these details!

What Gary Says

Nose:  Soft oak with rich vanilla, cocoa powder, bits of nutmeg amongst other baking spices, hints of dark fruit in maple syrup.
Palate:  Sweet caramel cremes with vanilla ice cream; a dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg with maple candies.
Finish:  Moderately long, with notes of maple as it fades.
Comments:  If nosing/tasting blind, I absolutely would peg this as a bourbon. It has all of the hallmarks (vanilla, caramel sweetness with some oak) but is unique to be sure. The northern climate this was aged in makes a big difference – as there isn’t nearly as much oak as you’d get in a bourbon aged for 13 years. There also isn’t much of a spice edge. If you like a sweeter bourbon, this is probably right up your alley. If you’re more into an edgy, spicier dram – this wouldn’t be that. For what it is, I think it is delicious, and probably my favorite pour from north of the border in a while.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

Crown Royal Noble Collection 13 year old Blenders’ Mash Read More »

Powers Three Swallow Release

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Powers Three Swallow Release

40% ABV
$45 – $50
Website

What the Distillery Says

Three Swallow Release is a modern expression of what the original POWERS Whiskey tasted like back in the days of our John’s Lane distillery. This quintessential style of whiskey, Single Pot Still is exclusive to Ireland, and is made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley, then triple distilled in traditional copper pot stills.

TASTING NOTES
Nose: Pot Still spice combines with crisp barley character. Delicate herbs give way to green banana and grapefruit while a nutty note of marzipan reflects the wood contribution of specially selected casks.
Taste: In true Pot Still style, an initial taste delivers smooth mouth-coating barley followed by an eruption of green apple and citrus notes. Herbs and spicy avour are complemented by a touch of cedar wood for extra complexity.
Finish: Spicy sweetness gives way to Pot Still barley character balanced with a hint of sherry and leading to a crisp cereal finish with toasted oak notes.

What Gary Says:

Nose: Rich, sweet malt, mixed fruit (peaches, pears), spongecake, honey, a hint of fresh/green hay.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, sweet and fruity, biscuits with honey and pear jam, hint of peaches and cherries, a slight spice note at the back.
Finish: Short, on the damp side with just a hint of spice.
Comments: A sweet, pleasant pour that is a solid representation of Irish whiskey. Beyond the mouthfeel, which I did enjoy, nothing much stood out for me. As is almost a guarantee with an 80 proof dram – I wish it were higher proof.

Rating: Stands Out

Powers Three Swallow Release Read More »