2022

Still Austin “The Artist” Straight Rye Whiskey

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Still Austin “The Artist”
Straight Rye Whiskey

49.8% ABV
$50
Website
Still Austin The Artist Straight Rye
We would like to thank Still Austin and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Austin, TX (November 29, 2022) – Two years ago, Still Austin Whiskey Co. launched its Straight Bourbon, affectionately known as “The Musician.” The flagship spirit took Texas by storm, becoming one of the fastest-selling spirits in the history of the Lone Star State—and winning Double Gold at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Now, the grain-to-glass distiller is proud to announce that “The Musician” has a new companion. Introducing “The Artist,” a 100% Straight Rye Whiskey made from Texas grains that’s dedicated to the dreamers, visionaries, and artists who have inspired the team.
Aged for at least two years and bottled at 99.6 proof (49.8% ABV), the new flagship rye whiskey represents the culmination of years of effort in which all the ingredients came together perfectly to create a work of art that feels, somehow, effortless. The spirit’s blushing, oaky hue foretells a complex nose, with hints of honey, cherries, fig, clove and coffee. The palate of spicy chocolate, apricot, sandalwood, ginger and caramel gives way to lingering after-impressions of cinnamon, molasses, nutmeg and orange zest.

“Our team put a lot of hard work and love into this release,” said Brandon Joldersma, Chief Operating Officer, Still Austin Whiskey Co. “We could not be prouder to bring another expression to life that represents the spirit of our city.”

The artwork on the label, created by internationally acclaimed artist and native Texan Marc Burckhardt, is the latest in the series of “archetypical” Austinites (e.g. The Musician, The Naturalist). Each provides a sense of the people who have influenced and inspired the team, while paying homage to the Texas terroir.

The Artist Straight Rye Whiskey is now available at the Still Austin distillery tasting room for the suggested retail price of $50.00 is available in Texas, online and at Reserve Bar.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Honey, vanilla sugar cookies, cherries, sweet tobacco with a hint of mint.
Palate:  Caramel, apricots, orange, oak, cinnamon, pepper and ginger.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, drying with citrus spice and mint.
Comments:  For a two-year old rye, this is pretty solid. No, it isn’t incredibly complex, but more importantly it doesn’t have any off-putting notes that you can easily get with a young whiskey. Does great in an Old Pal cocktail. With the Texas heat, this may not do well with 10+ years, although I’m curious how it matures (hoping that perhaps a Texas Bottled in Bond is in the future).

Rating: Stands Out

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Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023

113.54% ABV
$85
Website
Barrell New Year 2023
We would like to thank Barrell Craft Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Blender Says

In the whiskey industry, the past is always with you. But we’ve set ourselves apart by always keeping one eye on the future. Maybe that’s why we love celebrating the New Year so much. Each autumn, we create a very special blend of bourbons as a toast to the new beginnings and fresh energy of the year to come. Making New Year Bourbon gives us an opportunity to see the pillars of our brand through clear eyes, celebrate the inherent creativity of our blending process, and rededicate ourselves to our forward-thinking, quality-driven line of spirits. Released at the beginning of December, Barrell New Year Bourbon 2023 is a tribute to the optimism that every new year brings.

  • A selection of 5, 6, 7, 8, 10-year-old straight bourbon whiskeys
  • Distilled in TN, IN, KY, OH, WY, NY, TX & MD
  • Crafted and bottled in Kentucky
  • 113.54 proof cask strength bottling
  • Aged in American white oak barrels

FLAVOR NOTES
Classic, with caramel on the nose, vanilla and spice on the palate, and a creamy finish. A splash of water introduces a plethora of tropical fruits to the nose while the syrupy palate displays a range of rich liqueurs.
Appearance: Chestnut brown.
Nose: A classic bourbon opening of brioche and caramel. Added to that is a woodsy underpinning of sandalwood and a wisp of smoke. It evolves through a range of sweets: amaretto, coconut macaroons, and cream soda. Gooseberry, quince, and lime cordial add a bit of lift. A range of mineral notes round it out with flint, limestone, and beeswax.
Palate: Though cask strength, the heat is kept in check by syrupy oak sugars. Black cherry soda and roasted molé take center stage. Vanilla is notably strong here and joined by fellow oak spices nutmeg, cardamom, and aniseed. The oak is well balanced by herbaceous rye notes along with rose hip, wormwood, and peppercorn.
Finish: Candied chili pepper and preserved lemon flash across the Horchata takes over as a creaminess builds, adding white chocolate, and cashew. As the flavors slowly fade, a waxiness lingers on.

With a splash of spring water
Passionfruit, mango lassi, and ripe banana herald a broad range of tropical fruits. Meanwhile a leafy side expands, exhibiting cigar, tarragon, and peppermint. A rich sweetness overwhelms the palate, converting every note to its liqueur form: limoncello, maraschino, anisette and crème de menthe.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Caramel creams, cedar and oak, freshly baked sponge cake, nutmeg, mineral note, hint of dried tropical fruit.
Palate:  Thick mouthfeel with honey, caramel and vanilla, roasted marshmallow, cherry, nutmeg, orange chocolate, hint of anise.
Finish:  Long, slightly drying with a nutty pepper spice and chocolate.
Comments:  This opens up really nicely with some time in the glass. Classic bourbon notes with just a bit of that Dickel minerality; balanced really nicely. Water opens up more of the fruit notes while maintaining a thick mouthfeel.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Black Label

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

Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Black Label
Premium Whiskey

60.5% ABV (for sample provided; varies by barrel)
$79
Website
Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Black Label
We would like to thank Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and The Brand Guild for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

An expression that highlights barrels hand-picked by our four-time Master Blender of the Year, Victoria Eady Butler, who tastes every Uncle Nearest barrel and sets aside those that stand out to her as exceptional. Now, we are ready to share these barrels with you.

As with all of our non-rye whiskeys, this new label is both premium Straight Bourbon Whiskey and premium Straight Tennessee Whiskey. However, this single barrel whiskey is different from our other releases. It has the most distinct flavor profile of any of our expressions and was bottled at barrel strength to capture every nuance of this one-of-a-kind spirit. Our distillery’s triple filtration process ensures perfection in every sip. Every drop of liquid that goes into Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Black Label is distilled and bottled by Nearest Green Distillery, continuing the legacy of excellence of our namesake, Nearest Green.

The smooth character of our whiskey is what distinguishes it from all others. The legacy of our namesake is what makes it unrivaled.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Cocoa, slightly burnt caramel, anise, oak, vanilla, worn leather, nutmeg and a hint of cloves.
Palate:  Warm and thick mouthfeel, caramel with a bit of cola, vanilla, honey, cinnamon, black cherry and pepper.
Finish:  Moderately long, thick and damp with vanilla cola and pepper spice trailing.
Comments:  This is a very nice pour (I’d call it a bourbon, and from their description it would qualify as such – although I am disappointed that the label on the bottle doesn’t state “straight bourbon”).  It tastes like a really nice bourbon, and is well balanced with a lovely mouthfeel. A bit of water brings out a chocolate fudge note on the nose while amping the cola notes on the palate, and lending a creaminess to the mouthfeel.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Broken Barrel Americana

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Broken Barrel Americana

Straight American Whiskey Finished with Broken Barrel Staves

50% ABV
$35
Website
Broken Barrel Americana Whiskey
We would like to thank Broken Barrel Whiskey Co. and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

YOUR SLICE OF AMERICA IN A BOTTLE

We strive to create whiskey that reflects a certain style and profile. Each batch and each release is meticulously crafted to ensure it is unlike other whiskey on the shelves. There is little logic to creating more of ‘the same’.

That’s where the Americana comes in – as Bourbon prices soar and alternative American whiskeys styles like Light Whiskey and Single Malt gain popularity, we believe the appetite for new American whiskey styles is growing, and so we give you the Americana. A blend of light whiskey and bourbon, finished with three very American-favored oaks that combine beautifully – toasted, charred and Apple brandy barrel staves. The results of this Oak Bill is a sweet, soft and smooth sip-worthy whiskey that offers a lighter style than bourbon. A great alternative to Highland Scotch or Irish Whiskey, and a fun substitute in your next craft cocktail.

Mash Bill:
80% Corn
14% Rye
6% Malted Barley

​Oak Bill™
40% Toasted American Oak Barrel Staves
40% New Char #4 Oak Staves
20% American Apple Brandy Staves

Batch 001 | Launched November 2022

The blend features older 4+ year-old corn whiskey, coupled with younger robust bourbon. Together, the blend delivers a rich and complex mouthfeel, while maintaining a more impressionable blend that absorbs much more of the flavor from the ​Oak Bill™ staves.

Tasting Notes: A soft honeycomb sweetness melts away into more complex oak and marshmallow notes. The whiskey has a weightier mouthfeel, boasting toasted cashew and notes of butterscotch, with a leathery grip on the tongue. A distinctive and bracing whiskey to be drank neat or substituted for bourbon or rye in nearly any cocktail.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Oak, green apples, fresh donuts, light caramel and baking spices.
Palate:  Light caramel, apple, vanilla, oak, bit of cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, hint of mint and maple candies.
Finish:  Short in length, drying with sour caramel apples.
Comments:  The apple brandy stave influence stands out. While this is a high corn mashbill, it isn’t corny. Easy to drink , and if you like apple brandy, this is an interesting interplay. I would avoid throwing ice or water in as it tends to thin out easily – but at 50% it is very easy to drink neat so thankfully doesn’t require any extra water.

Rating: Stands Out

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Talisker 18 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Talisker 18 Year Old
Single Malt Scotch Whisky

45.8% ABV
$145-$190
Website
Talisker 18 Year Single Malt Scotch

What the Distillery Says

Produced at the oldest distillery on the Isle of Skye, Talisker Single Malt Scotch Whisky has been made by the sea since 1830, with its smell and taste instantly connecting you to its rugged maritime home. Every sip is a taste of the Isle of Skye itself, one of the most remote, windswept yet beautiful landscapes in Scotland. With wonderful sweetness and warmth, intertwined with just a thread of smoke, Talisker 18 Year Old is an award-winning whisky that is rich and soft but still assertive. Named the ‘Best Single Malt Whisky in the World 2007’ at the World Whiskies Awards, Talisker 18 Year Old is a single malt masterpiece. Talisker 18 Year Old makes a perfect gift for connoisseurs looking to explore new depths of flavour amongst smoky island single malt whiskies.

Serving Suggestion: Best enjoyed neat or add a splash of water or ice to reveal rich notes of plum, orange peel, and toffee.

APPEARANCE: Amber.
BODY: Full bodied, pleasant and smooth.
NOSE: Rich and fruity Victoria plums, greengages, perhaps dried orange peel with some butterscotch or rum toffee and a thread of smoke behind.
PALATE: Sweet in front, then more assertive, with a whiff of smoke. The overall effect is warming. The development is towards smoke, coal-tar, and toffee.
FINISH: Medium length and chilli ‘catch’ in the finish.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Thick, rich and smoky, dark fruits, peaches, kiwi, grassy, honey, smoked brisket, hint of balsamic and worn leather.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, sweet with honey, fruit, peat smoke, savory spice notes.
Finish:  Long, damp with fruit, pepper spice and subtle peat.
Comments:  I’m a fan of Talisker, and this only reinforces that – a delightful, wonderfully balanced dram with peat, smoke, fruit and savory notes. I could nose this for hours, if it wasn’t so delicious to sip. This is a pour where giving it time in the glass is worth the wait. “They” say to give an aged whiskey 1 minute in the glass for every year on the label. I don’t have that kind of patience, but think I made it a solid 10 minutes, and it was definitely better than when freshly poured.

Rating: Must Try

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