Gary

Managing apostle and whiskey enthusiast

Woodinville 8 Year Straight Rye

/ / Rye Whiskey / ,

Woodinville Straight Rye Whiskey Aged 8 Years

50% ABV
$130
Website
Woodinville 8 Year Old Limited Edition Straight Rye Whiskey
We would like to thank Woodinville Whiskey for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Woodinville 100% Rye Aged 8 Years. This is truly handcrafted whiskey. Planted in the Fall, rye grain lies dormant all winter long under a blanket of snow. When growth resumes, during the scorching summer months on the Omlin family farm in Quincy, Washington, the crop is hand irrigated. Nearly a full year after planting, at harvest, Arnie and son, Joel work long hours gathering the grain, which is then trucked across the mountains to Woodinville for milling, mashing and distillation. After distillation, the whiskey is transported back to barrelhouses in Quincy, where it rests in custom-specified, long-seasoned, toasted and charred American Oak barrels.

“None of this is efficient, but it’s 100% worth it,” say Woodinville co-founder Orlin Sorensen. “We are laser-focused on quality, and if it takes an extra step or two on the journey, we’ll absolutely forge that path. We’re here to make the best craft whiskey in America, and we’re excited to share this Woodinville 100% Rye Aged 8 Years.”

Woodinville 100% Rye Aged 8 Years Tasting Notes: Dark molasses, clove and brown sugar on the nose, followed by cinnamon, vanilla, dark honey and touch of dried cranberry on the palate. It offers a long warm peppery finish with a dry oaky grip in your mouth.

What Gary Says

Nose: Rich and spicy with cloves, brown sugar, figs, red berries, oak and a hint of cola.
Palate: Red berries (raspberry and cranberry), cinnamon, cloves, honey, orange with a hint of lime.
Finish: Moderate in length with oak, citrus and pepper spice.
Comments: The color on this is insanely dark for only 8 years old and 50% ABV; this looks like it is either much older and higher proof. It definitely punches above its weight. The age shows, not just in the wood influence but in how the flavors knit together. The rye spice is present, and that cola and lime note were unexpected. While not reinventing the category, it’s a damn good representation, and a must try for rye fans out there. I’d try it neat, as it sings at that proof and doesn’t need any water.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Little Book Chapter 9: None for Granted

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Little Book Chapter 9: None for Granted
Blended Straight Whiskey

60.9% ABV
$160
Website
Little Book Chapter 09
We would like to thank Beam Suntory and SAVONA COMMUNICATIONS for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Little Book® Chapter 9, “None for Granted” pays homage to the founding flavors that made modern American Whiskey.

FREDDIE’S NOTE
“None for Granted” is my way of paying homage to the founding flavors that made modern American Whiskey.
Chapter 9 takes us back several decades, to an era when whiskey as we know it was just finding its feet. As possibilities were explored and foundations were laid, a certain profile began to emerge: one built on brown sweets, the comforting warmth of vanilla, creamy caramel and big oak.
“None for Granted” celebrates these founding flavors: the ones that are still the backbone of American Whiskey today.
After experimenting with several blends, we landed the profile. Five unique whiskeys blended into a viscous, golden liquid. Each pass of the nose and every sip brings out another layer: Ripe apple. Butterscotch. Baking spice. And plenty others you’ll discover for yourself.
I and countless others wouldn’t be making the whiskey we’re making without the flavors captured in Chapter 9 – the profile pioneered at the start of modern American Whiskey. It’s worth revisiting time and again, never to be taken for granted.

Blend Components:
11yrs Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
8yrs Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
8 yrs Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
7yrs Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
7yrs Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Tasting Notes
Color: Deep copper with golden undertones
Aroma: Ripe apple, butterscotch and baking spices
Taste: Brown sweets, warm vanilla, creamy caramel and big oak

What Gary Says

Nose:  Subtle, honey, toffee, caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg, fall leaves, butterscotch and a hint of cedar.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, caramel, vanilla, baked apples, mandarin oranges, cinnamon and chili oil.
Finish:  Moderate in length, slightly drying with citrus and pepper.
Comments:  This is a well-rounded chapter in the Little Book series—unassuming yet satisfying, with a graceful blend of autumnal sweetness and restrained spice. It delivers on those backbone flavors, offering warmth without scorching and depth without heaviness. The chili oil nuance is a clever twist, subtly shifting the profile from cozy dessert dram to something with savory character. A quiet complexity that makes it stand out. While it might not scream for attention, it earns it with composure and charm, and every additional sip.

Rating: Stands Out

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Compass Box Art & Decadence Blended Scotch Whisky

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Compass Box Art & Decadence
Blended Scotch Whisky

49% ABV
$200
Website
Compass Box Art & Decadence Blended Scotch Whisky

What the Blender Says

Limited Edition
What Does Decadence ‘Mean’ to You?
Oscar Wilde wrote that “we live in an age when unnecessary things are our only necessities”. The age in question was the late nineteenth century, when the Aesthetic Movement gave rise to the Decadent Movement, where more was always more. Art was made for the sake of art; there were no ulterior motives. Similarly, a whisky like Art & Decadence may not be strictly a necessity – and that is the whole, glorious point.

FLAVOUR PROFILE
Rich and aromatic on the nose with red apples, waxed wood and wine notes. Creamy, with a liquorice aroma. Banana, toffee and custard blended with Sauternes. On the palate, notes of dried fruit – golden raisin, apricot, apple and plenty of vanilla. Lingering flavours of dark chocolate and fragrant oak.

SERVING RECOMMENDATIONS
Dinner’s final course – when the puddings, cakes, tarts, jellies, chocolates and cheeses emerge – is typically the moment for true decadence. This whisky compliments this very important juncture in the meal.

TECHNICAL DETAILS
Natural colour
Light 10 micron filter, not chill-filtered
A limited edition of 9,496
November 2023

LEAD WHISKYMAKER: James Saxon.

What Gary Says

Nose: Vanilla, honey, fresh baked vanilla cupcakes with buttercream frosting, banana and apples.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel with peaches and cream, pears, apples, apricots, vanilla, honey and slowly building oak spices.
Finish: Long and bright with tropical fruit notes, oak and a bit of spice.
Comments: Very nice! Fruity but with some savory spice notes to balance it all out. A few drops of water brings the fruit a tad towards citrus (maybe tangerines) but this drinks delightfully neat.

Rating: Must Try

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Lagavulin Offerman Edition 11 Year-Old Caribbean Rum Cask Finish

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Lagavulin Offerman Edition 11 Year-Old Caribbean Rum Cask Finish
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

46% ABV
$90-$100
Website
Lagavulin 11 year old Offerman edition Caribbean rum cask Islay single malt scotch whisky

What the Distiller Says

Lagavulin Offerman Edition: Caribbean Rum Cask Finish is a limited-edition offering created by Lagavulin Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky in partnership with long-time partner Nick Offerman. The 11 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky was finished for a little over 8 months in casks that previously held Caribbean Rum, infusing a symphony of sweet smoke that marries the notes of the tropics with the peaty elixir of Islay.

TASTING NOTES – With notes of lemon meringue, honey, vanilla, toffee, golden cinnamon and a maritime brine, Lagavulin Offerman Edition: Caribbean Rum Cask Finish perfectly balances tropical flavor and peaty character.

“I have travelled the world and sampled many attempts at pleasing nectars, but it is solely this distillation of Islay; a tiny, charismatic Scottish island, that has claimed my palate. Yea, and my heart into the bargain.” — Nick Offerman

What Gary Says

Nose: Smoked fish, iodine, campfire, molasses, nylon rope and a hint of coconut.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, sweet with honey, vanilla, earthy, dried coconut, papaya and smoky cotton candy.
Finish: Moderate in length with honey, rum and peat smoke.
Comments: Nice – the rum influence is clear on the palate and finish. The lovely Lagavulin core is unmistakeable here. I’ve enjoyed every one of the Offerman editions I’ve tried to date, although I preferred the others more (the Guinness Cask Finish has been my favorite), but I don’t think fans of this line or Lagavulin will be disappointed.

Rating: Stands Out

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The Balvenie 18 Years Pedro Ximénez Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside / ,

The Balvenie 18 Years Pedro Ximénez Cask
Travel Exclusive Single Malt Scotch Whisky

48.7% ABV
$250
Website
The Balvenie 18 Year Old Pedro Ximenez Cask Finish Travel Retail Single Malt Scotch Whisky

What the Distiller Says

The Balvenie Pedro Ximénez Cask whisky is a lively and summery single malt finished in casks which previously held Pedro Ximénez sherry.

Sherry is a popular cask type in Scotch Whisky, and this is the second sherry finished expression in The Balvenie range of finishes.

The first and second cask

First cask: American Oak
Maturation in traditional American Oak whisky barrels mellows the maturing spirit and imparts warming layers of honey and vanilla.

Second cask: PX Butts
Finishing in Pedro Ximénez butts, creates a fusion of sweet lavender, mandarin, fig and subtle clove.

A sweet climate
Pedro Ximénez is a white Spanish wine grape variety grown in several Spanish wine regions. The heat of the sun ripening the vines leads to a wine of intense, dessert-like sweetness.

The result
Finishing in Pedro Ximénez Sherry butts creates a fusion of sweet lavender, mandarin, fig and subtle clove.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Creamy, dark fruits including raisins, currants, dates, figs and spiced, stewed plums; hint of sulfur, smoke and a vegetal note.
Palate:  Fruity with raisins, dates, blood orange, toffee and chili spice.
Finish:  Long and slightly drying with smoke, fruit and pepper spice.
Comments:  Really interesting dram. It isn’t smokey per say, but the nose has more sulfur than I expected (not a lot, but wasn’t expecting any). While not hot at 48.7%, I preferred this with a few drops of water, which thickened the mouthfeel nicely and tamps some of the spice notes a bit.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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