December 2020

Suntory World Whisky Ao

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Suntory World Whisky Ao
A Blend of Five World Whiskies

43% ABV
$71
Website
Suntory World Whisky Ao
We would like to thank Suntory and Savona Communications for sending us a sample to review.

What the Blender Says

Beam Suntory Announces Global Launch of World Blended Whisky, Suntory World Whisky ‘Ao’ Exclusive for Global Travelers
Beam Suntory has announced the launch of the world blended whisky, Suntory World Whisky ‘Ao’, in global travel retail.

The whisky, which will be available in 16 markets, is the first innovative whisky launch in global travel retail since the coronavirus pandemic began.

Blended using whisky from five of the most renowned distilleries in Japan, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the US, ‘Ao’, meaning blue, is named after the ocean that connects these five distilleries together in harmony.

The one-of-a-kind whisky is a tribute to the liquids’ long history, perfectly capturing the heathery flavor of Ardmore and Glen Garioch, the complexity of Cooley, the smoothness of Alberta, the vibrance of Jim Beam and the subtlety of Yamazaki and Hakushu. With notes of vanilla, tropical fruit and cinnamon, it is the distinctive climate, fermentation and distillation processes in each whisky-making region that give the whisky its unique taste.

Fifth generation Suntory chief blender, Shinji Fukuyo, carefully selected the liquids used based-on Suntory’s globally recognised Monozukuri craftsmanship – a relentless pursuit of perfection, meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality. Building on Suntory’s long history of craftsmanship, this innovative, multi-faceted, premium blended whisky embodies the spirit of Suntory.

Shinji Fukuyo said: “Ao is an exceptional whisky which, through the art of Suntory blending, allows you to enjoy the unique characteristics of each of the five major whisky-making regions.”

Sho Semba, Beam Suntory Inc. President, Japan & China, said: “We are very excited about the launch of this new whisky. Suntory World Whisky ‘Ao’ brings together the world’s most highly regarded whisky regions to produce this unique and premium quality blend. In recent years we’ve seen a huge increase in demand from customers across the world who want to experience Japanese whisky. We are confident that whisky enthusiasts will enjoy the unique flavor created by this unique Japanese blended whisky, which originates from around the world.”

Ed Stening, Global Head of Travel Retail Marketing at Beam Suntory International, said: “This is a truly innovative whisky that blends five very different distilleries’ greatest assets and unique crafts. We couldn’t be more excited to share ‘Ao’ with our customers and bring some exciting innovation to the global travel retail world.”

Suntory World Whisky ‘Ao’ is a unique addition to Suntory’s growing spirits portfolio. The Suntory whisky range includes Yamazaki and Hakushu, the pioneer of Japanese Single Malts, and Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky, Hibiki.

Available Markets (Global Travel Retail only): United States | Canada | France | Germany | Ireland | UK | Netherlands | Dubai | Turkey | India | Australia | China | Hong Kong | Singapore | Taiwan | South Korea

Tasting notes:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Profound vanilla, pineapple-like fruitiness on top, a creamy sweetness and depth with a lingering woody aroma
Palate: Smooth and sweet mouthfeel, gradually followed with smokiness and cinnamon-like spiciness
Finish: Sweet and smoky, spicy and woody, a many-layered complexity

What Gary Says

Nose:  Vanilla, peaches, kiwi, vegetal note (cooked bell pepper), banana, fresh oregano and malt.
Palate:  Smooth and sweet malt with cinnamon, hint of fruit, smoky vegetal notes.
Finish:  Moderately long, smoky with pepper and savory herbs.
Comments:  Unique with the vegetal notes, which for that reason merits a ‘Stands Out’.  A bit of an odd pour; interesting concept that isn’t objectionable, but muddled.  I’m a fan of the various types of whisk(e)y involved, but combined none of them stand out.

Rating: Stands Out

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Old Tub Bottled-in-Bond Unfiltered

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Old Tub Bottled-in-Bond Unfiltered
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

50% ABV
$23
Website
Old Tub BIB Unfiltered Bourbon Whiskey

What the Distillery Says

The James B. Beam Distilling Co. announced the re-release of Old Tub®, an unfiltered, 100-proof bonded bourbon inspired by the oldest brand from the Beam family. This limited-edition throwback offering celebrates bourbon’s true, rustic character, will be widely available in late June.

Old Tub is distilled without chill filtration to showcase its unique qualities reminiscent of the world’s oldest bourbons. Just like the original Old Tub recipe, the liquid skips the chill filtration process, which forces the liquid through a dense filter to remove fatty acids during distillation, resulting in a bonded bourbon with a full-bodied authentic flavor.

The limited-edition offering is a nostalgic nod to where it all began for the Beam family over 140 years ago in Bardstown, KY, which is otherwise known as the Bourbon Capital of the World. This unique bourbon has tasting notes that include oak, complemented along with grain and a warm caramel. It has a lingering color of golden citrine gemstone with shades of honey and an aroma that carries initial waves of oak followed by vanilla and grain.

“We’re taking bourbon lovers back in time and making a delicious bourbon true to the way my ancestors intended over 140 years ago, when Old Tub was first crafted,” said Fred Noe, seventh generation master distiller. “I’m excited to share this one-of-a-kind liquid with our fans and provide a bit of authenticity and nostalgia as we head towards another 225 years in the bourbon industry.”

Old Tub is best enjoyed neat or in classic cocktails like an Old Fashioned or a Brown Derby, which includes bourbon, grapefruit juice and honey syrup. It will be available for a limited time at select retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $22.99 for 750mL.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Cast iron skillet cornbread, vanilla, caramel, peanut brittle, oak, a bit of nutmeg.
Palate:  Caramel, buttered corn, vanilla, cinnamon, roasted walnuts, oak.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, nutty with corn notes.
Comments:  I’m a fan of non-chill filtered and even unfiltered whisk(e)y (bit of barrel char in the bottom of a bottle don’t bother me), so I had higher hopes for this one. Namely I had hoped for a thicker mouthfeel than I found, although with a bit of water it does improve there. The peanut brittle notes on the nose leave this squarely in the Beam family, and it isn’t a complex dram for sure. Nothing objectionable about it, but it comes across as four year old bourbon. Age isn’t everything, but I can get bourbon I just enjoy drinking neat for less – although I’m hedging as the non-chill filtering if you add a bit of water pushes it over what I would otherwise consider pretty average.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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Barrell Craft Spirits Bourbon 3rd Release

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Barrell Craft Spirits Bourbon
3rd Release, 15 Yrs

52.45% ABV
$250
Website
BCS Bourbon 2020
We would like to thank Barrell Craft Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Blender Says

  • Matured for 15 years
  • Distilled and aged in IN, KY and TN
  • Crafted and bottled in Kentucky
  • 104.9 proof cask strength bottling

An ephemeral bouquet shifts between heady minerals, tart fruits, woodsy spices, and rich nutty notes; with a delicacy that belies the explosion of oak on the palate. Water brings out a creaminess which transforms the nose into a lush and tropical experience reminiscent of a hazy IPA.

Appearance: Sugar just beginning to caramelize.
Nose: Heady and intense, with a first impression of summer rain, sea salt, and slate. This bourbon quickly opens to pineapple, cranberry, and crushed apple. Cumin, caraway and grains of paradise announce the presence of woodsy oak spice. As the senses are acclimated, a richer bouquet is revealed, with tahini, macadamia nut, leather, and roast pork.
Palate: Where the nose only hinted at oak, the palate explodes with it. There is gripping tannin, manuka honey, and the herbaceous complexity of an old world digestif. As a sip is held, it grows sweeter and mellower, tasting of French vanilla ice cream and coffee liqueur.
Finish: The fruits return as fassionola syrup, and Italian stone fruit, rounded out with roasted chestnut. It fades on hickory smoke and black pepper.

With a splash of spring water: The nose gets creamier: banana, candied lemon and jammy apricot joining the pineapple to create a tropical fruit smoothie. A touch of juiced wheatgrass lends a hoppy vibe. The palate grows spicier, with fiery cinnamon joined by juniper berry and catnip before fading on chewing tobacco.

“We’re thrilled to introduce the third release of Bourbon within the Barrell Craft Spirits Line,” said Founder Joe Beatrice. “For this annual release, we identified and blended some exceptional barrels to taste that are defined by absolute balance and deep flavor layering.”

Beginning in October 2020, Barrell Craft Spirits will make 12,000 (750ml) bottles of BCS Bourbon available at select retailers within the brand’s current 45 U.S. markets and online via the BCS website at www.barrellbourbon.com for the suggested retail price of $250.00, which includes a classic black storage case.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich with cocoa, oak, maple syrup, vitamins, fruit cake with caramel sauce, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, musky leather.
Palate:  Warm with caramel, maple, honey, cinnamon bite, orchard fruits, vanilla, allspice, hint of clove with herbaceous notes.
Finish:  Long and drying with oak, vanilla and sandalwood.
Comments:  This is a really nice dram, well balanced and rich.  The vitamin notes of Dickel are there, but not front and center.  Some water does seem to bring those forward more, along with the maple notes.  Nothing objectionable, although a bit pricey (but price is pretty subjective, and when it comes to bourbon – all bets are off).  I’m not sure I like this better than some of their other batches (like Barrell Bourbon Batch 023), but hard to say when you don’t have them side by side.  They are one of the only companies out there blending bourbon from different distilleries, which does give their products a unique angle.  And thus far, the results have been pretty tasty!

Rating: Stands Out

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