November 2021

Elijah Craig Straight Rye

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey / ,

Elijah Craig Straight Rye
Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

47% ABV
$25
Website
Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey

What the Distillery Says

The first extra-aged Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey to join Elijah Craig’s award-winning family of Bourbons. A unique combination of spicy rye grains and sweet corn, coupled with a steadfast attention to detail, give Elijah Craig Straight Rye the perfect balance of flavor and smoothness.

THE RYE MASHBILL
While the distillation process for Straight Rye is similar to our Small Batch Bourbon, the difference lies in the mashbill. It’s 51% rye grain instead of corn: the legal requirement for this style of American Whiskey.

TASTING NOTES
COLOR: Medium chestnut
AROMA: Dark chocolate with spices and a hint of smoke
TASTE: Rich baking spices and honey backed up with smooth oak influence
FINISH: Long and lingering

What Gary Says

Nose:  Toasted rye bread, mint, vanilla, citrus with hints of tarragon and dill.
Palate:  Soft entry with caramel, honey, a slight pepper bite with mint, cinnamon, chocolate orange and a bit of nutmeg.
Finish:  Moderately long with lingering citrus spice.
Comments:  A tame rye, but rye none the less. I’ve been a rye fan for years, and if I had a “standard house rye”, it would be Rittenhouse Bottled in Bond. Both being Heaven Hill ryes from the same mashbill, of course I needed to do a blind side-by-side! Quite similar, with this being slightly lighter in color, and a bit softer – with a bit less oak. My guess is that this is matured on lower levels than Rittenhouse, and could be older. For my personal preference, I liked the Rittenhouse better each time, although it was close – as the flavor was more intense. The Elijah Craig Rye had a bit longer finish, but other than that – seemed like a softer version. And I’m not looking for softer rye whiskey (but your mileage may vary).

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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Booker’s 2021-03 “Bardstown Batch”

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Booker’s “Tagalong Batch” Batch 2021-03
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

6 Years, 5 Months, 0 Days
62.75% ABV
$90
Website
Bookers 2021 03 Bardstown Batch
We would like to thank Beam Suntory and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says:

The third release of the Booker’s® Bourbon 2021 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2021-03 “Bardstown Batch.” This batch honors the homeplace of 6th Generation Master Distiller Booker Noe along with several other generations of Beam family members.

Booker was born in Springfield, Kentucky, but spent a good amount of time in Bardstown visiting friends along with his grandfather, Jim Beam. After going to college, he moved to Bardstown full-time to join the family business. Booker lived in Bardstown for more than 50 years and was well known in the community for his infectious personality. He was the ultimate host, always inviting people over to the house for drinks and dinner parties. These events became well known across town, especially when Booker was serving his country ham that he would smoke right in the backyard – a practice he learned from his grandfather and one that 7th Generation Master Distiller Fred Noe continues to this day.

Today, Fred Noe lives in the same house in Bardstown that his great-grandfather Jim Beam lived in, and 8th Generation Master Distiller Freddie Noe is right next door with his own family. Though Bardstown may be called the Bourbon Capital of the World, to the Beam family this special place is simply home.

Booker’s “Bardstown Batch” has a matured amber color. The aroma contains brown sugar and caramel, balanced with bakery spice and wood sugar notes from the charred white oak barrels. The full-bodied taste will make it an ideal pour as the weather starts to turn crisp.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Salted caramel, vanilla, charred oak, cocoa, leather and a bit of clove.
Palate:  Warm caramel, cinnamon, vanilla, peanut brittle, dark chocolate, nutmeg and a hint of orange bitters.
Finish:  Moderately long with oak, cocoa and a bit of pepper.
Comments:  The unbroken streak continues – another really solid Booker’s batch. This one struck me as maybe a bit more oaky than the last few, but not having them on hand to subject to a blind side-by-side – I can’t say for sure. This takes water well, and thickens up nicely – tamping the oak notes a bit.

Rating: Stands Out

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Barr Hill Reserve Tom Cat Gin

/ / Other Spirits, Review /

Barr Hill Reserve Tom Cat Gin

43% ABV
$50
Website
Barr Hill Tom Cat Gin

What the Distillery Says

Tom Cat Gin is an expedition into uncharted territories. Once distilled, we age the gin in new American oak barrels in search of a bolder expression. The robust character of the new oak barrel mingles with the coniferous quality of the juniper, yielding an enticing aroma. A touch of raw honey leaves this revolutionary spirit remarkably approachable, whether drinking neat or in a cocktail. When the world called for whiskey, we answered resolutely with gin.

What Gary Says

DISCLAIMER: I’m a whisk(e)y enthusiast, and not familiar with Gin (so read at your own risk!)
Nose:  Honey, soft pepper, oak, lime, subtle juniper.
Palate:  Thick mouthfeel, raw honey, caramel, pine, pepper and clove.
Finish:  Moderately long with honey.
Comments:  Of the three gin samples, this was by far the sweetest, although not very complex. As a bourbon fan though, I did enjoy the sweetness and parallels.

Rating: Stands Out

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