April 2023

Traverse City Whiskey Co. Sherry Barrel Finish

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Traverse City Whiskey Co. Sherry Barrel Finish
Straight Bourbon Whiskey

47.5% ABV
$60
Website
Traverse City Whiskey Co. Sherry Barrel Finish Straight Bourbon Whiskey
We would like to thank Traverse City Whiskey Co. and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Our high-rye bourbon was aged for more than five years in New American Oak Barrels. They are then finished for an additional nine months in Pedro Ximenez Sherry Barrels that were hand built in the Jerez Region of Sothern Spain.

  • Nose: Caramel, sassafras (root beer), cinnamon, and raisins
  • Body: Light and nutty; walnut, toasted almond, green cardamom, and a hint of vanilla bean
  • Finish: Mild, toasted rye bread and tobacco

What Gary Says

Nose:  Caramel, corn flakes, cocoa, soft oak, raisins and walnuts.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, nutty with caramel, cherries, vanilla, raisins, fruitcake, cinnamon and pepper.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, drying with raisins and orange marmalade.
Comments:  Nicely balanced, with the sherry influence clearly there but not heavy handed (compared to the Port finish).  The nose has corn notes which normally are associated with a younger whiskey, but I expect this is due to the northern climate in which this was matured – as there aren’t any other ‘young’ notes. A bit of water brings out orange zest on the nose and orange cola on the palate.

Rating: Stands Out

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Traverse City Whiskey Co. Port Barrel Finish

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Traverse City Whiskey Co. Port Barrel Finish
Straight Bourbon Whiskey

50% ABV
$60
Website
Traverse City Whiskey Co. Port Barrel Finish Straight Bourbon Whiskey
We would like to thank Traverse City Whiskey Co. and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Our five year aged straight bourbon whiskey has been carefully finished for an additional nine months in massive 300L Ruby Port wine barrels. The dryness of the casks meld perfectly with the sweetness of our bourbon for a deliciously balanced spirit.

  • Nose: Very light, stone fruit and buttercream, hint of orange
  • Body: Sweet and silky; tart cherries, vanilla, sweet fennel, hint of toasted marshmallow
  • Finish: Tannic but slightly sweet, burnt sugar and toasted orange peel

What Gary Says

Nose:  Caramel corn, plums, raisins, cinnamon, port wine and molasses.
Palate:  Sweet, heavy port influence, raisins, berries, black cherry, cinnamon and honey.
Finish:  Moderate in length with berries, touch of caramel and pepper.
Comments:  The port influence on this one is heavy given the finishing time. I’m a fan of port finished and matured whiskey. Coupled with this being the highest proof of the three Traverse City Whiskey Co. Finished products – I had expected that this would be my favorite, and it was actually my least favorite of the three. Disclosing this as it may be that I had higher expectations for this one given those facts, as there aren’t any ‘off-putting’ notes; just heavy on the port and not as balanced as I was hoping for.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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Traverse City Whiskey Co. Cab Franc Barrel Finish

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Traverse City Whiskey Co. Cab Franc Barrel Finish
Straight Rye Whiskey

48.75% ABV
$60
Website
Traverse City Whiskey Co. Cab Franc Barrel Finish Straight Rye Whiskey
We would like to thank Traverse City Whiskey Co. and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

100% Rye Whiskey is a difficult spirit to distill. It requires patience and close attention to detail. After aging it for more than five years, we then finish it an additional nine months in cabernet franc barrels from an artisan northern Michigan winery.

  • Nose: Sweet cherries, lemongrass, wintergreen, milk chocolate
  • Body: Dry and lightly buttery; caraway seed, toasted sesame, and a hint of bitter orange
  • Finish: Tannic, whole grains fading to 100% cocoa nibs

What Gary Says

Nose:  Lemongrass, mint, ginger, grapes and pink grapefruit.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, orange bitters, vanilla, honey, red grapes and cinnamon.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with grapefruit, oak tannins and pepper.
Comments:  I’m not a big cab franc fan, so I expected this to be my least favorite of the three Traverse City Whiskey Co. Finished products. Turns out this was my favorite! Really nicely done, well balanced with the cab franc influence there but not heavy handed. The rye whiskey stands up really well to the finishing, and still shines through.

Rating: Stands Out

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Rebel 100 Straight Rye Whiskey

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Rebel 100 Straight Rye Whiskey

50% ABV
$20
Website
Rebel 100 Straight Rye Whiskey
We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

ST. LOUIS (March 16, 2023) – Lux Row Distillers announced the newest variant in the Rebel brand family: Rebel 100 Straight Rye Whiskey. Rebel 100 Rye is set to reach retail shelves across the country later this month at a suggested retail price of $19.99 per 750 ml bottle.

Rebel 100 Straight Rye Whiskey delivers smooth, spicy rye flavor via its 51% rye, 45% corn and 4% malt mash bill. Offered at 100 proof, Rebel 100 Rye features a spicy nose that opens into rich rye flavor balanced by hints of vanilla.

“Based on the continued success of both Rebel 100 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, we’ve elevated the proof of its rye counterpart,” said Eric Winter, brand manager for Rebel. “Rebel 100 Rye drinkers still will enjoy the award-winning smooth, spicy rye flavor of Rebel Rye at a proof level that amplifies its taste profile and stands out even better in classic cocktails.”

What Gary Says

Nose:  Vanilla, creamed corn, subtle citrus, mint, bit of brown sugar and honey.
Palate:  Honey, orange, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper.
Finish:  Short and damp with orange bitters, pepper and mint.
Comments:  This is a younger whiskey, age stated at 24 months (which is the minimum age for a straight rye whiskey), and it comes across as such. Appreciate the higher proof, and rye is the one whiskey I find that is palatable at a young age, although I do hope that there are some more mature offerings in their future. This is a perfectly serviceable rye whiskey for cocktails, and at $20 is at the entry price for rye. Most $20 rye whiskies are lower proof, which would make this preferable if you’re value shopping.

Rating: Average

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Murray Hill Club Blended Bourbon Whiskey

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Murray Hill Club Blended Bourbon Whiskey

51.5% ABV
$90-$140
Website
Murray Hill Club Bourbon

What the Producer Says

Toasty, buttery notes of vanilla and char, with layers of spiced, dried fruits through the finish

A true bourbon blend crafted using the same techniques Joseph Magnus used to create this original pre-Prohibition spirit more than 100 years ago. Artfully marries 18 and 11-year-old bourbon with 9-year-old light whiskey to deliver notes of butterscotch, honey, toffee, autumnal baking spices, vanilla, and char, with a hint of black pepper that lingers through a softly spiced and toasted finish.

An adventure in whiskey made in the fashion of an era gone by
The drinkers of Murray Hill Club Whiskey were, in accordance with Joseph’s vision, people of discriminating taste and mature judgment. Magnus actively introduced his whiskey into the leading bars, hotels, cafes, and groceries of his day. Local newspapers were peppered with advertisements for this new whiskey, which quickly earned great acclaim. He encouraged readers to sample just a taste, for “give this whiskey a trial once, and you’ll take no other brand.”

What Gary Says

Nose:  Pecan pie with a salted caramel drizzle, rickhouse oak, cigar smoke, dark chocolate and leather.
Palate:  Viscous mouthfeel, caramel, vanilla, maple glazed donut, honey, nutmeg, bit of cinnamon, oak and chocolate.
Finish:  Moderately long with caramel, chocolate and mixed nuts.
Comments:  When I tasted this, I didn’t know anything about it (I usually do avoid reading a producer/distiller’s tasting notes first to avoid ‘confirmation bias’) so I was surprised to learn that this was a blend of bourbon and light whiskey (NOT a straight whiskey). That said, it’s pretty damned good. First thought I had was that this is a bourbon made to enjoy with a cigar (if that’s your thing). Robust, sweet, oaky but well balanced. This drinks lovely neat, although a bit of water brings out some molasses and ginger-snap cookie on the nose.

Rating: Must Try

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