Bourbon

Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series: Tale of Two Islands

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Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series: Tale of Two Islands

59.11% ABV
$90
Website
Barrell Cask Finish Series Tale of Two Islands
We would like to thank Barrell Craft Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Blender Says

In 2018, Barrell Craft Spirits produced a very limited release of our Tale of Two Islands Rum: a Jamaican Rum matured in peated Islay single malt barrels. To create it, the blending team filled previously used Islay Single Malt Whisky casks with a small amount of Barrell Rum Batch 001. We let it mature and the result was a deeply intense Jamaican rum with just a touch of misty peat smoke. With separate distillation, aging, and finishing influences from Jamaica, Kentucky and Islay, this was a truly unique spirit.

For the Cask Finish: Tale of Two Islands blend, the team took the empty casks that held the Tale of Two Islands Rum, and used them to finish a blend of straight bourbon whiskeys. The sweetness of the rum and the smokiness of the Islay casks mingle together with the underlying bourbon that continues the Tale of Two Islands.

BLEND COMPONENTS:
Indiana: 5, 6, & 9 years old
Maryland: 5 & 6 years old

  • A blend of straight bourbon Whiskeys
  • Further matured in Tale of Two Islands barrels
  • Bottled in Kentucky
  • 118.22 proof cask strength bottling

DERIVED MASH BILL:
Corn: 73%
Rye: 23%
Malted Barley: 4%

FLAVOR NOTES
This is a classic bourbon with notes of old-fashioned donut and coconut macaron. Over time, that bourbon slowly leeched the brooding peatiness left behind in the barrel staves by smokey Islay whisky. A splash of water unlocks wild, tropical volatiles that are the calling card of Jamaica’s ester-packed rums.

​Neat
Appearance: Rich mahogany.
Nose: All the hallmarks of high-re bourbon are tinted with the smoke of Islay malt. It singes the sage, torches the marshmallow, flambés the banana, and grills the peach. Apricot and candied cherry round out the stone fruit character while coconut macaron complements the banana.
Palate: Dark chocolate, espresso, and malty porter set the stage. They usher in a different side of Islay, this time its tarry, inky side. The texture is waxy with some gritty tannin that highlights its chalky mineral character. Underneath, it’s still a fruity bourbon, exhibiting notes of candied lemon peel, nectarine, and plum sauce, all enhanced by the rum that previously sat in the barrel.​
Finish: The waxy texture turns greasy with clarified butter, brisket, and lemon oil. They leave behind burnt caramel, blackberry, and peppercorn.
With a splash of spring water
The fruits are tinged with pink, becoming grapefruit, watermelon, and lychee. A conga line of pineapple, papaya, and creamsicle issue forth from the rum barrel. Honeycomb and almond croissant anchor everything firmly in bourbon territory. Black licorice, rootbeer, and lavender reflect back the palate’s herbal side.

What Gary Says

Nose: Fruity with subtle Islay smoke and herbal notes, apricots, pears, peaches and cherries with a bit of coconut and sage.
Palate: Dark chocolate, fruity with orange, coffee, grapefruit, lemon, caramel with subtle peat and pepper.
Finish: Moderately long and a bit sharp with fruit, caramel and pepper.
Comments: I was really looking forward to this one, as I’m a big fan of Islay whisky. That part is subtle, which to be honest is what I look for in a finish (as many tend to be heavy handed so that dominates the spirit). Barrell Craft Spirits has always done an amazing job with finishing to keep it dialed back, although I was sorta hoping this one they might let go a bit longer – or that the rum aging in the Islay cask already took much of that smokiness with it. This is still a really interesting whiskey, with just a hint of that Islay swagger remaining. A bit of water brings out more grapefruit and grilled peaches on the nose, and some honey and anise on the palate.

Rating: Stands Out

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Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series: Amburana

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Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series: Amburana

58.21% ABV
$90
Website
Barrell Cask Finish Series Amburana
We would like to thank Barrell Craft Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Blender Says

Amburana casks are challenging to work with, as they impart strong cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and vanilla spice notes. True blending expertise is required to enhance the bourbon with Amburana and maintain balance. The Barrell Craft Spirits blending team created a bourbon blend of two mash bills with different char levels finished in Amburana casks. A vatting of individual casks without finishing was layered in to add depth, richness and complexity, ensuring the bourbon shines through first and foremost.​

Rather than working with cubes, spirals, staves, or other oak alternatives like many producers, Barrell Craft Spirits’ Chief Whiskey Scientist Tripp Stimson sourced true 53-gallon barrels made from sustainably harvested amburana wood to finish bourbon. It took a full year of R&D to hone in on the right timing and conditions that would create just the right balance of flavor concentration, layering in those heady tropical spice notes without losing the delicious flavor of the bourbon itself.

The wood’s strong impact within a short time frame demands a level of expertise that goes far beyond just filling it with bourbon, waiting a few months, and then bottling. Barrell Craft Spirits’ approach involves the delicate art of blending and small adjustments to proof, temperature, and other conditions that allow the amburana contribution to shine while complementing the natural attributes of the bourbon, rather than overpowering it.

BLEND COMPONENTS:
Indiana: 5, 6, 7, & 10 years old
Kentucky: 5 years old

  • A blend of straight Bourbon Whiskeys
  • Further matured in Amburana barrels
  • Bottled in Kentucky
  • 116.42 proof cask strength bottling

DERIVED MASH BILL:
Corn: 75%
Rye: 21%
Malted Barley: 4%

FLAVOR NOTES
An intense baking spice character centered around cinnamon fills every nook and cranny of the tasting experience. It’s a veil through which one experiences the aromas of chocolate, walnut, and toasted sourdough. The palate also has a narrative driven by cinnamon and spicy ginger beer with cameos from marmalade, tarragon, and hefeweizen. A healthy splash of water foregrounds passionfruit, goldenrod, and honeycomb.

​Neat
Appearance: Russet.
Nose: Cinnamon, and a lot of it. Along with other baking spices, it suffuses nearly every other aroma. Heavily spiced horchata, café de olla, and banana bread all feature it. Apple fritters and cracker jacks toe the line between sweet and savory.
Palate: The texture is rich and buttery. Here, too, those oak-derived spices predominate, with licorice root joining the assemblage. Pumpkin pie is reinforced by masala chai and ginger beer. More traditional bourbon flavors of tarragon, verjus, and lemon meringue pie keep the oak in check.
Finish: An array of citrus peels welcomes in cider apple and dirty martini. Sweeter than the palate, notes of hefeweizen and dark cuban rum persist on the tongue thanks to some grippy tannin.
With a splash of spring water
The sweet and savory balance begins to teeter. As sweetness gains the upper hand, one finds white chocolate, honeycomb and graham cracker. Then it seesaws the other way revealing sugar-snap pea and skillet cornbread. A bit of the underlying whisky surfaces here to show off honeydew melon, passionfruit, and jasmine. The palate paints a botanical portrait with strokes of lilac and chive blossom. It’s anchored in loamy soil with a salty streak along the finish.

What Gary Says

Nose: Lovely baking spices, vanilla undertones, bit of caramel, loads of cinnamon, baked goods (banana nut bread and oatmeal cookies), nutmeg, clove, honey and a hint of floral notes.
Palate: Caramel, cinnamon, dark chocolate, anise, nutmeg, ginger with a citrus zip and oak.
Finish: Moderately long, drying with orange bitters, cinnamon hot candy and espresso.
Comments: Loads of baking spices! Very interesting, spicy and with an edge (might have thought this was rye if tasting blind). A bit of water brings out some graham cracker on the nose and more fruity notes on the palate. Another really solid blend with a unique finish (one I’d certainly never tried before).

Rating: Stands Out

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Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII Straight Bourbon Whiskey

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Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII
Straight Bourbon Whiskey

50% ABV
$100
Website
Remus Repeal Reserve VII 2023 Straight Bourbon Whiskey
We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us samples to review.

What the Distillery Says

Ross & Squibb Distillery Master Distiller Ian Stirsman announced the upcoming release of Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII Straight Bourbon Whiskey in September 2023. The limited-edition bourbon is the seventh-annual offering of the distillery’s award-winning Remus Repeal Reserve Bourbon collection. Bottled at 100 proof/50% ABV, Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII retails for a suggested $99.99 per 750-ml bottle and will be available in limited quantities starting in September 2023 in honor of National Bourbon Heritage Month.

Created by Stirsman and the distillery’s team of master distillers and master blenders, Series VII is comprised of barrels aged between 9-16 years from its 175-year-old Lawrenceburg, Indiana, distillery. Made in Ross & Squibb’s signature high-rye style, Remus Repeal Reserve features a new medley of bourbons each year, allowing Stirsman and his team to experiment with their various mash bills and aged reserves.

Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII is comprised of:

  • 6% 2007 Bourbon (21% Rye)
  • 26% 2013 Bourbon (21% Rye)
  • 26% 2013 Bourbon (36% Rye)
  • 21% 2014 Bourbon (21% Rye)
  • 21% 2014 Bourbon (36% Rye)

Series VII leads with aromas of caramelized pecans, candied cherry and maple syrup. The taste begins with rich caramel, maple and candied raisin, leading to a candied cherry, barrel char and rich cinnamon body. The finish delivers intense cinnamon and peppermint spice, with lingering notes of vanilla, caramel and oak.

“We believe we have some of the best whiskey in the world aging here at the Ross & Squibb Distillery. The Remus Repeal Reserve series allows our team the opportunity to showcase these great spirits, as well as showcase our expertise at blending our best barrels to create a special medley each year,” said Stirsman. “As the latest in this award-winning collection, Series VII is certain to be a highly sought-after and much-enjoyed member of the Remus Repeal Reserve family.”

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel, maple syrup, raw walnuts, vanilla with subtle oak.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel, caramel, chocolate, raw honey, cinnamon, maple candies, cherries, pears and pepper.
Finish: Moderately long with vanilla, mint, pepper and cinnamon.
Comments: The Remus Repeat Reserve Series continues to impress me. This is a rock solid, complex, well balanced and spicy bourbon. In an age when other ‘limited edition’ offerings are going for twice the suggested retail price, I think this is on the same level making it a no-brainer for me. I enjoyed last year’s Remus Repeal Reserve Series VI just a tad less than the Series V, and while I don’t have any of the Series V left to compare it to – I like this more than last years.

Rating: Must Try

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Baker’s 13 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

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Baker’s 13 Year Old
Unfiltered Single Barrel
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

53.5% ABV
$130
Website
Bakers 13 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon
We would like to thank Beam Suntory and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Baker’s® Bourbon is excited to announce the return of Baker’s® 13 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon, a limited-time offering highlighting the influence that extra-aging, warehouse and barrel storage location, and environment has on each and every unique bourbon barrel.

Originally released in 2019 when the brand reemerged as a single barrel product, Baker’s 13 Year Old is aged at least six additional years than the brand’s classic offering. While the single barrel bourbon showcases distinct nuances between each individual barrel, fans can expect to experience more robust vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak flavors in this special, extra aged expression.

“Baker’s Bourbon celebrates the individual characteristics in each and every barrel, and this 13 Year Old expression takes that experience even further as the distinct flavors from the barrel develop over time,” said Fred Noe, Seventh Generation Master Distiller. “We received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback the first time we released this 13-year-old edition, and I’m proud to bring it back for whiskey fans who appreciate something special from Baker’s as a true gem within our Small Batch portfolio.”

While the notes of every barrel of Baker’s 13 Year Old offer a unique tasting journey, you can expect a few defining characteristics:

● Proof: 107
● Age: Minimum of 13 Years
● Nose: Fruit, vanilla and caramel
● Palate: Medium-bodied with flavors of oak and toasted nuts, with vanilla and fruity notes
● Finish: Robust, medium long, warmly rounded
● Sipping Suggestion: A neat pour or on the rocks to taste the distinct nuances from each barrel’s individual aging experience

Fans can also learn more about what shapes the distinct tasting notes of their bottle by heading to the Single Barrel Journey page on the Baker’s website. After entering the serial number found on the bottle’s neck tag, Baker’s fans can follow along to see how weather, length of aging and warehouse location affected the barrel and liquid of their personal bottle.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Warm, vanilla, toasted crème brûlée, caramel drizzle, oak, hint of peanut brittle with some subtle fruit notes.
Palate:  Cream mouthfeel with caramel, vanilla, mixed nuts (some lightly salted, some cinnamon glazed), oak, bit of apple and raisins along with brown sugar.
Finish:  Moderately long and thick with caramel, oak and spice notes.
Comments: I’ve always been a Baker’s fan, and thought it was one of the most under-rated of the Beam small batch collection. I think part of that is the proof point of 107, which for my money – if you’re not going cask strength – this is a damn fine place to be. This is a really nice bourbon, and fans of Baker’s won’t be disappointed. As a single barrel, there is apt to be some variation but I can’t see the fine folks at Beam selecting barrels for this that would stray too far. The house style of Beam (that peanut/nutty note) comes through, and is balanced really nicely with oak and spice, while not approaching anywhere close to over-oaked. Another really nice addition to the Baker’s saga!

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Four Roses 135th Anniversary Small Batch Limited Edition 2023

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Four Roses 135th Anniversary Small Batch Limited Edition 2023
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

54% ABV
$200
Website
Four Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch 2023
We would like to thank Four Roses and The Brand Guild for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Four Roses Bourbon, the award-winning Kentucky-based bourbon brand, announced it will launch its 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch on September 15, 2023. The release will be the 16th in its series of annual limited-quantity special bottlings, showcasing the brand’s unyielding commitment to craftsmanship and quality bourbon.

Bottled at 108 proof, the 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch features four hand-selected bourbon recipes: A 12-year-old and a 16-year-old OESV recipe, which features notes of delicate fruit and caramel; a 14- year-old OESK recipe, with notes of baking spice; and a 25-year-old OBSV recipe that boasts delicate fruit and rye flavors. A key differentiator for the distillery, Four Roses combines two mash bills with five proprietary yeast strains to create 10 distinct bourbon recipes, allowing for Master Distiller Brent Elliott to not only create consistency across the brand’s core product line, but to innovate and achieve an endless range of flavor profiles.

“This release celebrates 135 years of meticulously crafted, high quality bourbon, and I’m excited to hear what our devoted consumers have to say about it,” said Brent Elliott. “In crafting this blend, I wanted to create an elegant bourbon worthy of the brand’s heritage. Each of the 12-, 14-, and 16-year-old batches possess individual characteristics that complement each other perfectly. Once the ideal balance of these three batches was achieved, I looked at several other batches of various ages and recipes to add an extra layer of nuance to the blend. Ultimately I selected the 25-year-old OBSV, which melds perfectly with the other batches and adds additional complexity and depth.”

The 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch bourbon offers delicate aromas of allspice, vanilla and elegant oak, mingled with a hint of cinnamon and clove. The palate boasts rich layers of honey and rye spice, balanced out by the taste of ripe berries and pear that lead to a long mellow finish. The result is an exceptionally smooth bourbon made for sipping, and sharing with friends and family.

The release comes on the heels of the Four Roses’ recent brand refresh. Fans will see the new packaging details on the limited edition bottle, including the brand’s updated logo and an engraved rose cluster on the cork of the bottle.

Four Roses will distribute approximately 15,060 hand-numbered bottles of 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch at a suggested retail price of $199.99.

Recipes:
12-year-old OESV
14-year-old OESK
16-year-old OESV
25-year-old OBSV

What Gary Says

Nose: Oak, salted caramel, cherries, allspice, vanilla, mint, cinnamon, clove with a hint of worn leather.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel with caramel, oak, honey, berries, bit of pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg and a touch of dark chocolate.
Finish: Moderately long, slightly syrupy with oak, honey, berries and pepper.
Comments: Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition has always had a special place in my heart, as it was one of the first limited edition bourbons I purchased retail. The 125th anniversary was actually one of the last ones I was able to buy (and I still have that empty bottle, with Jim Rutledge’s signature, on a shelf). I have never tasted a Four Roses Small Batch LE that I didn’t think was pretty damned tasty, and this doesn’t break that streak. A very nice older bourbon, balanced well given its age between the oak and spice. A bit of water brings out some more fruit on the nose (grapes, pears and a subtle citrus vibe) while cutting the pepper back on the palate. While my sweet spot for bourbon is a bit younger than this, the single-story rickhouses that Four Roses uses allows for some older barrels that don’t get over-oaked. Every year what is selected for the Small Batch Limited Edition varies, but they have been consistently high quality, well balanced, nuanced, and delicious.

Rating: Must Try

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