Richard

Founding Apostle

Rhetoric 21 Year

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Rhetoric Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 21 Years
45.1% ABV
$110
Website
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What the Bottler Says:
An experiment in maturation, Rhetoric is re-released annually to explore the flavor characteristics imparted by each additional year the bourbon spends in wood, allowing for side-by-side comparisons. Aged in charred American oak barrels for one year longer than last year’s 20-Year-Old release, this rich, complex bourbon represents an exciting evolution in the progressively aged Rhetoric series. Throughout the process, the base Rhetoric liquid remains unchanged, with progressive aging expected to continue through the release of Rhetoric 25-Year-Old in 2019.

The Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company was created in 2014 to find and share forgotten barrels of whiskey with discerning adult fans, who are encouraged to sip responsibly. Rhetoric 21-Year-Old follows five previous Orphan Barrel bourbons: Barterhouse (20-Year-Old), Old Blowhard (26-Year-Old), Rhetoric (20-Year-Old), Lost Prophet (22-Year-Old) and Forged Oak (15-Year-Old).

Rhetoric stocks were found at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, Ky. The bourbon was distilled in 1993 at the Bernheim Distillery historically located at 17th and Breckenridge in Louisville, Ky., while owned and operated by United Distillers. Rhetoric 21-Year-Old is hand bottled in Tullahoma, Tenn.

“The progressive aging experiment we’re employing with the Rhetoric series is incredibly unique,” said Ewan Morgan, Master of Whiskey for DIAGEO. “We’re going to be able to compare a line of bourbons side-by-side to see how aspects of the liquid – color, aroma, flavors and mouthfeel – are impacted by extra time spent in the barrel. Like many others, I’m looking forward to tasting what one extra year in the barrel does to these bourbons over the coming years.”

Compared to last year’s release, Rhetoric 21-Year-Old is richer and more complex, with a fuller mouthfeel and slightly higher proof of 90.2 (45.1% ABV). Aromas of cherry, sweet tobacco, honey and leather build upon the oak, fruit, vanilla and caramel of Rhetoric 20-Year-Old. New tasting notes of sweet tobacco, dark chocolate, baking spices and honey complement the charred wood, caramel, vanilla and black pepper spice of Rhetoric 20-Year-Old.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Big oak; the charred bottom of freshly baked spice cookies.
Palate: Less wood than the nose telegraphed, rich sweetness; burnt caramel, ginger snaps, molasses.
Finish: Long, but fairly dry.
Comments: After trying a few times, I did a comparison with the previous year’s release of Rhetoric 20 yr, and found them quite similar. This has a nice, rich mouthfeel at the front of the palate, and then dries out through the finish. 21 yrs is a long time in a barrel, and while there is heavy oak influence, it isn’t what I would call over-oaked. The Rhetoric 20yr was the first Orphan Barrel release I purchased, as I was intrigued by the opportunity to sample whiskey that was distilled at or about the same time over a series of releases. I wouldn’t say there was zero difference between the 20 and 21 yr, but it is very subtle – which isn’t a big surprise (many believe most of the wood influence takes place early on).
Rating: Stands Out

What Richard Says:
Nose: Rich, deep tones of caramel, cinnamon, cherry, and polished leather.
Palate: The palate comes on more slow and muted than the nose. Cherry candies, vanilla extract,
Finish: Medium length going from a chewy sweetness into deep, slightly spicy oak.
Comments: Old and woody with more on the nose than the palate delivers. You’ve probably heard this story before about 20 plus year bourbons and it’s kind of the same here. This should’ve gone to bottle a few years earlier. It’s kind of scary to think they are continuing to age it for later releases.
Rating: Stands Out

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Singleton of Glendullan

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

The Singleton Single Malt Scotch Whisky of Glendullan
Matured for Twelve Years
40% ABV
$40 to $50
Website
Singleton of GD
What the Distiller Says:
The youngest of The Singleton distilleries by a year, Glendullan brings a light, delicate, greenwood flavour to the family of three. This is the gift of the American oak casks, the insides of which the liquid caresses to yield a whisky with the subtle softness of fresh orchard fruits.

Built in 1897, the last of seven distilleries founded in Dufftown, Glendullan was the brainchild of blenders from Aberdeen by the name of William Williams and sons. With solid business acumen and a private railway siding, the Williams gave Glendullan a healthy start in life. So solid in fact that it took the barley shortages of the Second World War to halt production – though the momentous world event caused only a seven year blip in the history of this exceptional malt.

American Oak brings subtle, honeyed hints to The Singleton of Glendlullan range, with a touch of European Oak offering a balancing dryness. It’s this combination that rounds off the edges and enhances the sweet vanilla and orchard fruit flavours.

Notes of apple and pear, chewy raisins and juicy red strawberry fruit, all perfectly balanced by a smooth, drying spiciness. A special selection of American and European Oak casks makes sure that those fruity, natural flavours stay in perfect balance throughout maturation.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Sherry and stewed fruits on the nose.
Palate: Sweet vanilla cream with more light fruity notes and a fair does of grainy maltiness.
Finish: Light, short, and pleasant.
Comments: Summed up in one phrase I would says a pleasant, easily drinkable daily dram. This isn’t a knock your socks of scotch but it’s not supposed to be. This is a Glenlivet or Glenfiddich 12 competitor in terms of flavor and price. It stands up admirably.
Rating: Average

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Jim Beam Soft Red Wheat

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Jim Beam Signature Craft Soft Red Wheat 11 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon
45% ABV
$50 (375ml)
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
Jim Beam® Harvest Bourbon Collection™ best exemplifies the merger of tradition with unique experimentation and exploratory craftsmanship. It’s the ultimate experience for the truest of whiskey adventurers, a product 11 years old with the passion of seven generations of whiskey making.

Color: Golden honey to amber
Aroma Slightly soft with mild oak notes
Taste Sweet and softly spicy; caramel, vanilla, slight light brown sugar sweetness
Finish Light bodied and very approachable

What Gary Says:
Nose: Vanilla with a bit of cinnamon, sweet without much wood; soft anise with subtle stewed peaches.
Palate: Soft, sweet corn, with a touch of fruit (pears and apples).
Finish: Moderate in length, and wet.
Comments: The nose has a familiar “Beam” hint to it (which I apologize for failing to describe better than that!) I would not have guessed this was 11 yrs old; as it is very soft, mellow, and smooth. I didn’t get much wood at all, which isn’t a bad thing. This is a very approachable, easy to drink whiskey – although it is priced such that it is more of a novelty than something I would stock in the bar.
Rating: Average

What Richard Says:
Nose: Richer and less hot alcohol funky than normal Beam. Honeysuckle and cinnamon candies.
Palate: Nice soft creamy mouthfeel. Toffee and corn pudding sweetness playing with a surprising spicy back that would almost make me think of of rye bourbon.
Finish: Peppery and viscous.
Comments: Beam goes wheat. A curiosity that most bourbon geeks should try. The continuity of the Beam yeast is an interesting counterpoint to the new wheated mashbill. It’s very easy to drink and enjoyable. However, at $50 for a half bottle it’s not a $100 bottle of bourbon for sure. For the casual drinker I can’t say that this should move to the top of your list.
Rating: Stands Out

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William Heavenhill Small Batch

/ / Bourbon, Review /

William Heavenhill Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Third Edition)
50% ABV
$130
Website

What the Distillery Says:
For William Heavenhill, distilling was a family tradition. By some accounts, Heavenhill corn whiskey supplied Bardstown’s historic Talbott Tavern in the early 1800s. The limestone spring William used to make his Bourbon was the same spring that inspired our company’s original name: The Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery.

Each edition of William Heavenhill is different than the previous one. A new edition is released every Fall exclusively at the Bourbon Heritage Center. This third edition of William Heavenhill is an extremely limited and unique offering. It has been aged for 132 months under the careful supervision of our Master Distillers Parker and Craig Beam. Comprised of less than 12 barrels, this small batch Bottled-In-Bond product is the perfect addition to any whiskey connoisseur’s collection.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Sweet caramel, vanilla, crème brulee with a hint of anise; subtle oak and a wisp of smoke.
Palate: Starts like candy (I’m picturing a Heath bar?) before dancing over to spicy, and finishes softly; rice pudding & peach chutney.
Finish: Medium in length, and soft.
Comments: Wow – what a great balance between the sweetness and spice! I sampled this at the gift shop just as I was coming down with a cold, so I didn’t pick one up (couldn’t really taste anything). Had no idea what I was missing out on. This is a lovely whiskey that is right in my wheelhouse. Sweet, but not cloyingly so. Spicy, but not to sharp. It takes me on a mellow rollercoaster through all of my favorite places.
Rating: Must Try

What Richard Says:
Nose: Soft and rich. Candy and sweet cherry liqueur with notes of black licorice and vanilla cream.
Palate: Sweet, rich, and delicious. Toffee and cherry candy sweetness playing with a nice rye spiciness and woody back note.
Finish: Light wood and little smokey hints.
Comments: Delicious. This is a whiskey that gets better every time I taste it. The editions change year to year but if you happen to come across this you really have to try it.
Rating: Must Try

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1792 Sweet Wheat

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

1792 Sweet Wheat Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
45.6% ABV
$30 to $35
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
Crafted with sweet and delicate wheat instead of the more traditional rye, this bourbon is quite distinctive from most. The soft wheat delivers a subtle and smooth taste with gentle layers of flavor. Each sip expresses a harmony of sweetness and dryness.

TASTING NOTES
A well balanced bourbon with delicate body. Notes of vanilla and caramel are complimented by a touch of white oak tannins. This is further mingled with dried fruit to deliver a richly smooth flavor.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Enigmatic . . . a bit of young corn sweetness, but hints of some age in the subtle wood (some sources state this is about 8 yrs old)
Palate: Very, very soft mouthfeel – pleasant sweetness comes through, but very little spice.
Finish: A hint (more of a tease) of a spice note, and then dissipates.
Comments: When I first sniffed this pour, I thought “Yep – Barton”, as there is a familiar resemblance there, but more like cousins than brothers. I like 1792, and this just left me wanting a bit more spice – which isn’t surprising for a wheated bourbon. I think if someone gave me this to sip without me thinking about 1792, I would enjoy it for what it is – although at the price point, I am likely to pass.
Rating: Average

What Richard Says:
Nose: Honey and caramel corn.
Palate: Lovely creamy vanilla and caramel sweetness. It reminds me a bit of a well spiked eggnog.
Finish: A little spicy kick at the end.
Comments: Very delicious and enjoyable. I find a bit more here than I do with a Makers, Weller, or Old Fitzgerald. It’s a nice balancing interplay of sweet and spicy. More please!
Rating: Stands Out

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