2024

High West The Noble Share

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey / ,

High West The Noble Share
Blend of Straight Whiskeys finished in Marques de Casa Noble Añejo Barrels

52% ABV
$175
Website
High West x Casa Noble The Noble Share Whiskey
We would like to thank High West Whiskey and lippe taylor for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Continuing the tradition of cross-category innovation, High West Distillery is partnering with Casa Noble Tequila on the release of The Noble Share, a blend of straight rye whiskeys finished in Marques de Casa Noble extra añejo barrels. High West, the Park City-based distillery, is known for its meticulously sourced and thoughtfully blended whiskeys. Casa Noble is a fine tequila built on seven generations of mastery using innovative methods that honor modern Mexican culture. This collaboration is something that will appeal to both whiskey and tequila connoisseurs. The dichotomy of the brands and their respective regions is reflected on the label, mirroring one another yet displaying their vastly different geographies. This is an exciting collaboration for the Spirits community and High West is honored to blend its’ whiskey traditions with Casa Noble’s heritage and offer this new expression to consumers.

This unique and limited edition expression leverages 4- to 10-year-old rye whiskeys and finishes them in Marques de Casa Noble añejo tequila barrels for 6 months. A portion of the blend is finished in Amburana barrels at a char of 3 or medium toast treatments for a small period to elevate the whiskey even further. This whiskey blends the heritage of High West Whiskey with the 7-generation legacy and craftsmanship of Casa Noble to create an exceptional bottle of whiskey that tastes and feels unlike any other. It is the first-ever collaboration between Casa Noble and High West.

Sensory Notes
Nose: Ripe mango, ruby grapefruit, spiced apple cider, piloncillo sugar, anise, allspice berries, mesquite wood, sunset walk through an agave field
Palate: Baked pear, charred peaches, ginger molasses cookie, freshly fried churro, orange blossom, cinnamon bark, black licorice, oak, leather
Finish: Pink peppercorns, dark agave honey on a sopapilla

Mash Bill
High West Distillery Rye (80% rye, 20% malted rye)
MGP Rye 4-10 years old (95% rye, 5% malted barley)

What Gary Says

Nose:  Tropical fruit notes of mango and candied pineapple, agave, floral undertones, tarragon, squeeze of lime, cinnamon, hint of anise and oak spices.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, fruity with pears, apples and peaches, cinnamon pastry, agave and blood orange.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying with citrus and cinnamon.
Comments:  This is a really interesting whiskey! The tequila finish shines through but isn’t overpowering and really complements the core rye base. The amburana finish is also deftly managed, bringing that cinnamon roll note to the party. This drinks deliciously neat, but adding just a few drops of water opens up that amburana cinnamon roll with vanilla icing on both the nose and palate. High West has always been innovative and not afraid to try new things (I think back to when they released Campfire, a blend of bourbon, rye and scotch, back in 2012; made it my mission to hunt one down and was glad I did!) This may not be quite as groundbreaking as Campfire was at the time, but a very nice sipping whiskey.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Booker’s 2024-04 “Jimmy’s Batch”

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Booker’s “Jimmy’s Batch” 2024-04
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

7 Years, 9 Months, 19 Days
62.9% ABV
$100
Website
Booker's "Jimmy's Batch" 2024-04 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
We would like to thank Beam Suntory and SAVONA COMMUNICATIONS for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says:

The fourth release of the Booker’s® Bourbon 2024 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2024-04 “Jimmy’s Batch.” This batch is named in honor of Master Distiller Jimmy Russell, living legend for bourbon lovers everywhere, and one of my dad’s dearest peers, competitors, and most importantly friends. Jimmy was like a second father to me after dad passed away, and I’ve learned a hell of a lot from him over the years. There are many life lessons to thank him for, but here are a few that stand out to me.

Once at a bourbon festival, Jimmy came up to Dad and me and poured out three glasses of a whiskey he wanted us to taste. It was some real nice stuff, and when Dad asked what it was, Jimmy said it was something new he was working on, something special. I thought it was pretty cool to bring a new product to a competitor and ask what they think. It showed me the importance of trust and camaraderie, and just how much those old timers respected each other.

The other big thing Jimmy taught me was to treat everybody like I wanted to be treated. When we went to events at bars or liquor stores, he always stayed late to make sure everyone got their picture taken and their bottle signed. It’s easy to take for granted that we get to do what we do because of the people that stand in line for our whiskey, but Jimmy never did.

Just like Dad, there are few things Jimmy loves more than a damn good bottle of bourbon. So, cheers to him and the mentorship he’s given me through thick and thin all these years. I hope you get to share a glass with company as good and true as Jimmy.
— FRED NOE, BEAM FAMILY 7TH GENERATION MASTER DISTILLER

MASTER DISTILLER’S NOTES
The fourth and final batch of Booker’s Bourbon for 2024 is a tribute to a cherished friend of the Noe family, Jimmy Russel. A close friend to my dad and a second father figure to me since my dad’s passing in 2004. The breakdown of this batch is as follows:
• 12% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse Z
• 20% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse 1
• 46% came from the 3rd floor of 7-story warehouse 3
• 22% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse Q

This batch was made up of 3 production dates stored in 4 different warehouses. It stands at 125.8 proof and the age is 7 years, 9 months, and 19 days. It boasts a rich amber color shaped by the charred white oak barrels it aged in until the barrels were dumped. I first tasted this batch at my kitchen table, and its aroma filled the whole room. That first sip is sweet and smooth, and the way the vanilla notes mixes with the brown spice notes is just right- inviting you in for another taste. The finish is very pleasant and relaxing in taste.

I am really proud to put this batch together for Jimmy, and I know my dad would have loved seeing a batch of his namesake bourbon dedicated to his great friend.

TASTING NOTES
Color: Deep Amber
Taste: Sweet and Smooth
Aroma: Vanilla, Brown Spices
Finish: Pleasant and Relaxing

What Gary Says

Nose: Salted caramel, vanilla, oak, brown sugar and a hint of peanut brittle.
Palate: Caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, bit of dark chocolate followed by pepper.
Finish: Moderately long with oak, cocoa and pepper spice.
Comments: This is a solid Booker’s batch, squarely in the brand profile. The cinnamon note seems to be turned up more than usual, although that certainly could be more me than the whiskey (don’t get me wrong – this isn’t “off brand” by any means). The relationship that Jimmy and Booker had (and that Jimmy and Fred have, and many of the other great master distillers in Kentucky) truly does set this industry apart from most. From many of them helping Heaven Hill following that tragic fire in 1996 to countless other stories; I’ve witnessed the comradery first hand at many a Bourbon Festival and in the stories they generously share of growing up knowing one another.

Rating: Stands Out

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Jack Daniel’s 10 Year Old Tennessee Whiskey

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Jack Daniel’s 10 Year Old
Tennessee Whiskey

48.5% ABV
$75-90
Website
Jack Daniels 10 Year Old Tennessee Whiskey

What the Distillery Says

Celebrating Modern Day Whiskey. Honoring The History.
It’s been 100 years or so since the Jack Daniel Distillery released a whiskey of 10 years of age or greater. Evolving Jack Daniel’s past aged-stated whiskey process, these Tennessee Whiskey barrels have been aging in the Buzzard’s Roost of our barrelhouse, and methodically relocated to the lower floors of different barrel houses to extend the aging process for the last 10 summers. The extreme weather variation at different locations in the barrel houses along with longevity in our handmade oak barrels creates an intense, unique character of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey.

Discover Jack Daniel’s 10 Year Old Tennessee Whiskey for yourself. We think you’ll agree, it’s well worth the wait.

Aged 10 Years
Notes of warm butterscotch and soft fruit
Incredibly long finish with sweet tobacco and spice

What Gary Says

Nose:  Salted caramel, crème brûlée, banana nut bread and cinnamon.
Palate:  Rich and thick, bread pudding, caramel, honey, chocolate and nutty.
Finish:  Moderate in length, syrupy with caramel, chocolate and fading baking spices.
Comments:  This is just a delightful dram! Rich with robust flavor. Those baking spices with bananas and nuts are just a lovely combination. My only wish would be to have this at cask strength (or I’d settle for 107 proof).

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Heaven Hill Select Stock 9 Year Malt

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Heaven Hill Select Stock 9 Year Malt
Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey

59.7% ABV
$150
Website
Heaven Hill Select Stock BottleHeaven Hill Select Stock 9 Year Old Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey

What the Bottle Says

Mashbill: 51% Malt, 49% Corn
Rickhouse: MM
Special Characteristics: Our Master Distiller selected this limited offering of 9 year-old Small Batch Malt Whiskey to have a unique mashbill with 51% Malt resulting in a smoky, sweet flavor with a long, lingering finish.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Malty, dark fruit notes of raisins and blackcurrants, smokey, hint of cedar and honeysuckle.
Palate:  Rich mouthfeel, sweet and fruity with plums, berries, peaches, anise, cloves and cinnamon.
Finish:  Moderate to long, drying, fruity with baking spices.
Comments:  Very different whiskey. If you’re a fan of scotch – this isn’t that (but some similarities). If you’re a fan of bourbon – this isn’t that (but again, some similarities). The whiskey is really dark in the glass, and with a bit of water the nose opens up with orchard fruits like peaches and pears, and the palate thickens more and also brings out some peaches and apples. My dad and I took the opportunity to partake in the Heaven Hill offering of “You Do Bourbon” during our Bardstown trip in April 2024. For $40 a person (plus taxes & service fees, all told it was about $46 and change per) you get to hear a bit about Heaven Hill’s history and mashbills – and get to taste Elijah Craig barrel proof, Larceny barrel proof, Bernheim Wheat whiskey barrel proof, and a ‘special selection’ which varies. If you like what you tried, you have the opportunity to bottle your own bottle (1 bottle per person). It isn’t a ‘single barrel’, but rather an ‘exclusive batch’ that you can only get there. And if you buy the ‘special offering’ – you can only buy one – period! Even if you were to buy another tour ticket for the next day – they restrict that mainly to deter ‘flippers’. Anyways – my dad and I both were really impressed with this 9 year malt whiskey, and he bought a bottle and was nice enough to let me bring a sample home. I wound up buying the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof as that stood out as a really nice pour – better than I recalled many of the retail batches (although I really wanted one of these too). Crossing my fingers he won’t drink it all before I get up to visit at the holidays!

Rating: Must Try

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Parker’s Heritage Collection 10 Year Bourbon Heavy Char Barrels

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Parker’s Heritage Collection Heavy Char Barrels
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 10 Years

60% ABV
$120-150
Website
Parkers Heritage Collection Heavy Char 10 Year Old Bourbon

What the Distillery Says

The 14th edition of Parker’s Heritage Collection features Heaven Hill’s traditional rye Bourbon mashbill, aged in specialty barrels that were charred for a full minute and a half, as opposed to our traditional 40 seconds. These “Level 5” barrels were aged for a full 10 years, where the heavier char allowed the Bourbon to penetrate further into the barrel, bringing forth caramel and maple sweetness. These 102 barrels were aged on the sixth floor of rickhouse Y, and developed a pleasant smokiness after 40 Kentucky seasons of maturation. It is bottled without chill filtration at 120 proof.
TASTING NOTES
Color: Deep copper
Nose: Balanced and fruit forward.
Taste: Smooth, rich marmalade. Sweet but not cloying.
Finish: Very long & warm. Cloves & cinnamon linger.

What Gary Says

Nose: Dark chocolate, graham cracker, roasted marshmallow, caramel, walnuts and oak.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, turtle brownies with chocolate, walnuts and caramel, nutmeg and brown sugar.
Finish: Long, syrupy fudge with subtle oak.
Comments: Damn this is just a lovely bourbon! The Parker’s Heritage Collection rarely (can’t say never) disappoints, and this is no exception. This is just a delicious, intense, well balanced pour. I do miss the days when I could find these behind the counter of my local liquor store, but am always thankful for having the opportunity to try someone else’s (thanks Dad!) This was the 2020 release, although my tasting notes are from the summer of 2024. If you see this laying around – I can’t imagine not grabbing it (aside from outrageous overpricing).

Rating: Must Buy

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