Bourbon

Oak & Eden Whiskey Customizer
Whiskey Apostle Selection:
Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey (114 Proof) Finished With A Port Wine Soaked American Oak Spiral

45-57% ABV
$65-80
Website

We would like to thank Oak & Eden and Champlin PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

DALLAS, February 16, 2023 – Today, indie whiskey brand and spirits innovator, Oak & Eden, unveils a project it’s kept under wraps for nearly three years – Whiskey Customizer. Living within the brand’s Anthro Series line of whiskey collaborations with artists, musicians, actors and creators, Whiskey Customizer enables the customer to be the creator, crafting their own whiskey bottle from the comfort of their home using one of the Oak & Eden’s four finished whiskey bases and over eleven infusion options. Whiskey Customizer is exclusively offered online at OakandEden.com.

Oak & Eden’s proprietary In-Bottle Finishing technique was just the start of the founders’ vision. Rooted by the innovative spire, the brand developed Whiskey Customizer, becoming the first national spirit brand to offer single bottle customization for the masses. Whether you’re an avid whiskey fan wanting to experiment or looking for that perfect gift for a loved one, Whiskey Customizer has a little something for everyone.

“Five years ago, we embarked on a journey to revolutionize the spirits industry and bring something unique to the market. The wooden spire and patented finishing process were simply the tools that led us to Whiskey Customizer – the true innovation,” comments Oak & Eden Co-founder and CEO Joe Giildenzopf. “Today, as we celebrate its long awaited debut and our anniversary, we are paving the way for a new era of personalization and experimentation within the spirits industry.”

To kick off the experience, customers are invited to build their custom bottle by selecting a desired whiskey base out of Bourbon, Four Grain Bourbon, Wheated Bourbon or Rye. Each base has been aged a minimum of three years. All four whiskey bases are available in 90 proof ($64.00 / 750ml bottle) and 114 proof ($79.00/ 750ml bottle).

After selecting the base and proof, builders may then choose the preferred wooden spire to be infused or inserted into the base with no infusion. Wood options include an American Oak spire, lending a sweet and toasty finish, or a French Oak spire, lending a floral and peppery finish.

Builders can also select their spire to be infused with Coffee, Vanilla, Grapefruit Liqueur, Orange Liqueur, Pineapple Liqueur, Blackberry Liqueur, Cabernet, Port Wine, Rum, Honey, or Maple Syrup which is then inserted into the bottle. Oak & Eden plans to add to its infusion options, introducing seasonal and limited l-batch options quarterly, making the possibilities with Whiskey Customizer truly limitless.

As a final step, customers can make the bottle theirs by personalizing the label.

Each customized bottle is available for shipping nationwide and ready to drink following the recommended six-week In-Bottle Finishing process.

As a part of its education efforts, Oak & Eden shares popular bottle creations, describes the characteristics and notes associated with each selection and provides cocktail recipes that best accompany each bottle.

“The launch of Whiskey Customizer allows our customers to unleash their creative spirit, one bottle at a time, in a way that has never existed before,” says Oak & Eden Co-founder & CMO Brad Neathery. “As important as making the new experience seamless on our site was providing visual and educational tools on building a whiskey, an often misunderstood and intimidating spirit. We are a whiskey for the people, inviting and empowering anyone to be a creator.”

Check out oakandeden.com for more information on Whiskey Customizer as well as the brand’s full lineup of whiskies.

What Gary Says

Nose: Vanilla, salted caramel, oak, chocolate, raisins, blackcurrant, graham cracker and slightly nutty.
Palate: Rich mouthfeel, sweet with cherry, vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins and figs.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length with cinnamon, pepper, honey and fruit notes.
Comments:  I want to start off by stating that if you read my review of my first experience with the Whiskey Customizer (a Rye Whiskey at 114 proof finished with a Port Wine soaked American Oak spiral), I mentioned some items that I hope they had fixed. I’m happy to share that they had! For this order, I received an informing me that my custom bottle was being built, to expect an email when it was shipped, and to WAIT three weeks after I receive the bottle before enjoying. The packaging was also improved, with the bottle being safe and secure, but not so tight that it removed the stopper when unboxing it.
Bourbon and port is one of my happy places (ok – I haven’t met a whiskey I didn’t like with a little port maturation or finishing to be honest!). A bit of water brings out a bit of citrus on the nose. This is non-age-stated, which always tends to leave me skeptical that it must be young (or why not brag on the age). I don’t get some of the corny notes I’d associate with a younger bourbon. The nose is a tad hot for the proof. I did follow the instructions this time and waited actually a bit over three weeks before opening and trying, which I think did help. It was even better a month after that (I was concerned that perhaps too much time might have a negative impact, but I suspect it hits a plateau).

Rating: Stands Out

Blood Oath Pact No. 9 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Finished in Oloroso Sherry casks

49.3% ABV
$130
Website

We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us samples to review.

What the Blender Says

Lux Row master distiller and master blender John Rempe renews his annual pact with bourbon drinkers with the release of Blood Oath Pact 9 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in Oloroso Sherry casks. A limited supply of 17,000 (3-pack) cases will arrive at retail this April at a suggested price of $129.99 per 750 ml bottle. As with all of Rempe’s pacts, Blood Oath Pact 9 is offered at 98.6 proof (49.3% ABV).

Blood Oath Pact 9 combines some of the finest extra-aged bourbons Rempe could find, including a 16-year ryed bourbon and a 12-year ryed bourbon, as well as a 7-year ryed bourbon finished in Oloroso Sherry casks from the Sherry Triangle region in southwest Spain. These casks impart unique woody and ripe-fruit aromas and flavors to make Blood Oath Pact 9 a memorable pour.

“Blood Oath Pact 9 contains three great bourbons, and the Oloroso Sherry cask finish has resulted in a deep, dark amber liquid with long legs,” said Rempe. “The Oloroso Sherry casks also bring out tasting notes of sweet sherry with hints of ripe fruit on the nose, as well as flavor notes highlighted by ripe fruits including figs, plums and raisins, with notes of molasses, chocolate and tobacco. This bourbon also provides a long-lasting finish characterized by fruit notes and complemented by hints of spicy oak. I’m proud to share Blood Oath Pact 9 with bourbon lovers.”

Each Blood Oath pact has featured a different colored label. This year, Blood Oath Pact 9 features a label that is deep crimson in color. And like its predecessors, each bottle of Blood Oath Pact 9 comes in a commemorative fire-branded wooden display box.

The official launch of Blood Oath Pact 9 will include a total allocation of 51,00 bottles, 1,400 of which will be held for a future Trilogy Pack release. The first Trilogy Pack, featuring Pacts 1, 2 and 3, was released in 2018, and the second Trilogy Pack, featuring Pacts 4, 5 and 6, was released in September 2021 in conjunction with National Bourbon Heritage Month. The next Blood Oath Trilogy Pack, featuring Pacts 7, 8 and 9, will be offered in 2024.

TASTING NOTES
AROMA: Sweet sherry with hints of ripe fruit.
PALATE: A melody of ripe fruits including figs, plums, and raisins, with notes of molasses and chocolate.
FINISH: Long lasting fruit notes complemented by hints of spicy oak.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Caramel, fruitcake with apricots, baked apples, brown sugar, oak, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Palate:  Sweet with caramel, fruity with apples and raisins, chocolate and a hit of cinnamon.
Finish:  Moderate in length, slightly drying with caramel, mixed fruit and wood spice.
Comments: This is another solid addition to the Blood Oath lineup. Continue to appreciate the subtly of their finishing, and maintaining the bourbon as the star of the show. This one does get better with time in the glass, and a bit of water (but not too much) brings out more cinnamon baked apples on the nose along with a hint of clove, and a note of cherry cola on the palate. Very nice, and fruity for sure although less in the ‘dark fruit’ spectrum that I associate with an oloroso sherry matured scotch. Not sure how much of that is finishing vs maturation, or the nature of the spirit itself – but I like it!

Rating: Stands Out

Booker’s “Charlie’s Batch” 2023-01
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

7 Years, 1 Month, 8 Days
63.3% ABV
$90
Website

We would like to thank Beam Suntory and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says:

This batch is named in honor of Charlie Hutchens, the craftsman behind the signature wooden boxes that each bottle of Booker’s Bourbon comes in. He is also a longtime family friend and former employee of Booker Noe.

Charlie started his career working at the Booker Noe Distillery. During his time there, he was quite the storyteller and would entertain others throughout the workday. He would also pay close attention to the details and would do something over and over again until it was perfect – just like Booker did with his whiskey.

After several years, Charlie left the business to open his own cabinet shop with his brother. Charlie handcrafted the very first Booker’s Bourbon wooden boxes in his garage and has created the boxes for the brand since. He and his brother have expanded their business to create other fine wood products for different brands and projects in the Beam family, such as supplying custom furniture to the new Fred B. Noe Distillery – where Booker’s Bourbon is now distilled.

Charlie still lives near the Booker Noe Distillery and spends his free time fishing and vacationing with his family in South Carolina. Charlie was one of the first people to help make Booker’s Bourbon a recognizable brand, and Booker would be so excited to honor him with his very own batch.

TASTING NOTES
Like all batches of Booker’s Bourbon, Booker’s “Charlie’s Batch” was selected by Seventh Generation Master Distiller Fred Noe to ensure it upholds the qualities and standards that his dad set for Booker’s Bourbon more than 30 years ago. Uncut and unfiltered1, this batch has the following characteristics:
PROOF: 126.6
AGE: 7 years, 1 month and 8 days
BATCH NOTES: Booker’s “Charlie’s Batch” has a well-aged amber color and a balanced aroma of oak, toasted nuts and vanilla notes without too much wood. It has a slightly warm taste with a pleasant finish.
SIPPING SUGGESTIONS: Booker’s “Charlie’s Batch” is best enjoyed neat.

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel, vanilla, dark chocolate, heavy dose of charred oak, peanut brittle, nutmeg and baked brownies.
Palate: Fudge brownies with caramel, peanuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, cracked pepper and a hint of anise.
Finish:  Moderately long with oak, caramel and trailing pepper spice.
Comments:  Great start to 2023; this batch reflects a solid, classic Booker’s experience.  Without having many previous batches for direct comparison, this seems to have a touch more oak – and more so on the nose than on the palate. Even with that, not what I’d call over-oaked by any means.  Just a rich, intense bourbon with all of those hallmark flavors you (or at least I) look forward to. I appreciate the story behind each batch (I’ve often wondered about the wooden boxes, thanks Charlie!)

Rating: Stands Out

Traverse City Whiskey Co. Sherry Barrel Finish
Straight Bourbon Whiskey

47.5% ABV
$60
Website

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