Bourbon

Blood Oath Pact No. 6

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Blood Oath Pact No. 6 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Finished in Cognac Barrels

49.3% ABV
$100
Website
Blood Oath Pact 6
We would like to thank Luxco and Common Ground PR for sending us samples to review.

What the Blender Says

In its sixth year, the Blood Oath ultra-premium bourbon series continues to see unique expressions – Blood Oath Pact No. 6 launches this spring. The series – a creation of Lux Row Distillers’ Head Distiller and Master Blender John Rempe – combines three selected bourbons, expertly blended for a distinctive whiskey.

For Pact No. 6, Rempe chose a 14-year ryed bourbon with notes of oak and leather, melded with an 8-year warm toasty ryed bourbon and complemented them with a 7-year ryed bourbon rested in cognac casks. The memorable combination brings caramel notes and hints of spice, along extra flavor from the cognac barrels.

“This particular pact is special in that the cognac barrels added some sweetness and a slight fruity, brandy flavor to the bourbon, creating an amazing taste profile,” says Rempe. “When selecting these bourbons, I wanted to see how these flavors meshed together and I have to say the result was spectacular.”

As with all the other expressions, Pact No. 6 is a limited edition, never to be made again, with only 17,000 cases being produced and sold globally. This expression continues with the tradition of a 98.6 proof and packaged in an intricate wooden display box, with the 750ml bottle being topped with a natural cork and emblazoned with John Rempe’s signature. The suggested retail price is $99.99.

“The Blood Oath series launched in 2015 and it’s hard to believe we have already created more than half a decade of Pacts,” adds Rempe. “I’m honored to see consumers searching for the new release every year and get as excited as I am when a new Pact hits the shelves,” adds Rempe.

TASTING NOTES
APPEARANCE: Deep dark amber with long legs.
AROMA: Caramel, butterscotch, brandy and vanilla.
PALATE: Caramel, butterscotch, brandy and vanilla.
FINISH: Lingering spice and nutty.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich coffee cake with vanilla butter-cream frosting, plums, dates, burnt caramel, charred oak, nutmeg with a hint of cinnamon.
Palate:  Rich mouthfeel, caramel, butterscotch, toffee, fruity with berries and oranges, cinnamon, nutmeg, a hint of clove with dark chocolate.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying with pecans, cocoa, and baking spices.
Comments:  This is another really lovely, rich and luscious whiskey. The cognac finishing is well done – giving it a layered influence and not overbearing. A bit of water brings out more notes of chocolate .

Rating: Stands Out

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Barrell Bourbon Batch 023

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Barrell Bourbon Batch 023

53.89% ABV
$90
Website
Barrell Bourbon batch 023
We would like to thank Barrell Craft Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Blender Says

Barrell Bourbon Batch 023 is a blend of 10, 12 and 15-year-old barrels. We focused on a balance of richness and depth from the older barrels. The blend mingled for a couple of months to heighten the lushness and complexity. Finally, we methodically layered in 15-year-old barrels to bring out notes of tropical fruit and angelica spice. The result is an evolving bourbon with layers of flavor.

  • A blend of straight Bourbon Whiskeys
  • Distilled and aged in Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana
  • Selection of 10, 12, and 15-year-old barrels
  • Aged in American white oak barrels
  • Crafted and bottled in Kentucky
  • 107.78 proof cask strength bottling
  • Mash bill: corn, rye and malted barley

FLAVOR NOTES
Cinnamon donuts lead into earthy notes of walnut, leather, and fallen leaves. Subtly fruity, with hints of white currant and honeydew melon peeking out over the classic rye spice of angelica, catnip and black licorice.

Neat
Appearance: A core of zincite ore fades to pale yellow.
Nose: Opens sweetly, on buttered pancakes with maple syrup and cinnamon donuts. Gradually the aroma shifts to exotic, earthy notes of forest floor, cracked walnut, leather, red miso, and incense. Fruits feel ancillary, but kiwi, white currant, mulled cider and raspberry pastille all make an appearance. The rye spice is pronounced, lending bay leaf, angelica and chocolate mint.
Palate: Gently sweet with chewy tannin, the evolution on the palate mirrors the nose. Honey, coffee cake and a touch of brownie taking the lead. Dry rose follows, on walnut shell, fallen leaves and portobello mushroom; reminiscent of an old Oloroso sherry. There’s a juicy brightness that makes notes of honeydew melon, grenadine and orange zest come alive.
Finish: Cinnamon donut accompanied by nocino, black licorice and tar. As it fades, it softens to leather, orange peel and apple blossom.

With a few drops of spring water
Fresh, with a bright sea salt note rounded out by oregano and catnip. The palate grows creamier, tasting of cereal milk.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Salted caramel, vanilla, oaky brown sugar, maple candies, burnt brownie corners, bit of barbecue sauce, cinnamon, walnuts, hints of dark fruits with worn leather.
Palate:  Rich mouthfeel, chocolate covered cherries dipped in caramel, vanilla, honey with nutty notes of dark fruits and oak.
Finish:  Moderately long, slightly drying with cocoa and oak.
Comments:  This is a damn nice bourbon. Really rich and chewy with intense flavor; sweet but with just enough of a savory slant to keep it well balanced. Takes water quite well. I try not to read the provided tasting notes until after I’ve made my assessment to avoid bias, and not afraid to admit when their notes are better than mine (although we all get different things from a dram). Their notes of coffee cake, sherry and donut are right on.
The word ‘blend’ can mean different things in the world of whiskey. Here in the US, a ‘blended whiskey’ allows for the inclusion of ‘grain neutral spirits’ (or GNS). To be clear, that isn’t what these folks do. This is a blend of straight bourbon whiskies. Blending is an art, and when done well, creates a unique product that can be more interesting (and delicious) than any of the individual components. While I haven’t tried the individual components used here, I can attest that this is done really well.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Medusa American Whiskey

/ / Bourbon, Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Medusa American Whiskey

40% ABV
$100-$125
Website
Cadee Distillery Medusa American Whiskey
We would like to thank Cadée Distillery for sending us a sample to review (and for making the time for a call to answer questions!)

What the Producer Says

Enjoy the Timeless Pleasure of our Best American Whiskey
Handmade in small batches, Medusa is a beautifully finished American Whiskey for the discerning palate.
Sweet on the nose with an array of spices and the smell of the sea. This five year old “Straight Bourbon Whiskey” is finished for at least 18 months in 10-year-old imported Madeira wine barrels. Very smooth notes of toffee and mild spice give way to a lingering caramel Madeira blush. A truly exceptional whiskey that calls out to new and seasoned tasters.

Looking for the finest Straight bourbon whiskey for an unmatched tasting experience? Cadée Distillery brings you Medusa— a beautifully finished American Whiskey for discerning palates. Our five year old bourbon is finished for an additional 18 months aging in imported Madeira barrels. Possibly the best whiskey made in America!

Our unique finishing process creates a rich combination of unforgettable flavors ranging from toffee and mild spice to a lingering caramel Madeira blush. Bold enough for seasoned whiskey lovers, yet friendly to the novice. Very few American whiskeys will provide you the truly great and unique experience of Medusa. Try it for yourself and see. Order Medusa Select Reserve American Whiskey online above through our Medusa product page. You owe it to yourself and your friends.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich fruit notes of apricots, plums, dates, honey, thyme, wisps of sea air and heather, toasted oak with hints of salted caramel.
Palate:  Soft sweetness with caramel, plums, raisins, tangerines and a subtle spice notes of nutmeg and pepper, soft oak, and a hint of clove.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length with a nutty fruit salad quality.
Comments:  This has been my favorite of the three whiskies I tried from Cadée Distillery. A very pleasant pour, where the Madeira finishing is evident but again not overdone.  I’ll be honest – when I read ‘American Whiskey’, I was skeptical and asked the fine folks at Cadée Distillery why they chose this label.  I explained that folks well-read on labeling requirements and restrictions may be skeptical of avoiding ‘bourbon’ or ‘straight’ on the label.  Cadée Distillery’s founder Colin Campbell explained that their intention with choosing ‘American Whiskey’ over ‘bourbon’ was to cut through the clutter of bourbons on the shelf, and hopefully stand out.  He acknowledged that in retrospect, labeling it as a straight bourbon whiskey finished in Madeira maybe would have been better.  Thankfully I’ve found the label doesn’t alter the taste (if you’re doing it right).  This is a delicious whiskey, and the only bourbon I’ve had finished in Madeira casks – making it a unique experience.  I was also excited to pick up notes of sea air on the nose.  As the oldest of the three products I tried, I hope this means future products with more age will bring more of that quality, as I do rather enjoy that where I find it in Scotch whiskey.

Rating: Stands Out

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Deceptivus Bourbon Whiskey

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Deceptivus Bourbon Whiskey

42.5% ABV
$45 – $57
Website
Cadée Distillery Deceptivus Bourbon Whiskey
We would like to thank Cadée Distillery for sending us a sample to review (and for making the time for a call to answer questions!)

What the Producer Says

Handmade in small batches. Deceptivus Straight Bourbon is finished in imported Portuguese Port wine casks for an award-winning spirit. We guide each batch’s conditioning, blending our handcrafted bourbon in a single barrel at a time. It’s typically aged for at least four years in American Oak Barrels, then finished for an average of 12-18 months in imported, French Oak ruby port wine casks from Portugal. While we lose about 20% of the spirit to absorption and evaporation, or “the Angel’s Share,” this adds subtly distinct flavor nuances that enhance the whiskey without challenging it. This creates a whiskey of unprecedented smoothness, sweetness and balance.

Bourbon’s origin is varied and often disputed, a wealth of legend and myth. But beyond these tall tales lies a process which makes this among the most loved alcoholic beverages by spirit connoisseurs.

A bourbon made for US consumption must be produced in the United States. Made from a grain mixture at least 51% corn, aged in new, charred oak containers, distilled to no more than 160 U.S proof, and bottled at 80 proof or more.

Bourbon whiskey is made in the USA having a ‘fatter’ and sweeter flavor profile, relying on the new charred oak barrels for much of its character, mixability and versatility, making it America’s native spirit.

Cadée’s Deceptivus bourbon is an exceptional maritime whiskey. Created by experienced whiskey producers, with centuries of distilling and blending experience, our bourbon is aged for at least four years in American Oak Barrels, and then double-barrel finished for an average of 12-18 months in imported Portuguese Port wine casks. This award-winning spirit provides an unforgettable tasting experience.

Taste and savor this great whiskey. You will love the whiskey for its unprecedented smoothness, sweetness, and balance. Cadée’s Deceptivus Bourbon is rich, smooth and its easily approachable taste is to be enjoyed by experienced and casual drinkers alike.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Sweetened corn flakes with cherries, port wine, pears and roasted peaches, hints of vanilla and subtle oak.
Palate:  Fruity with cherries and pears in a port wine reduction, soft pepper with a touch of cinnamon in the back.
Finish:  Short with a slightly drying fruit note and a hint of cinnamon.
Comments:  On the nose this whiskey shows its age with more notes of corn coming through than one might expect.  The port cask finishing is well executed – with the influence clearly present but not heavy handed which I appreciate it. It is pleasant, soft, and quite smooth – very easy to drink with no off-putting characteristics. I thought that the characteristics I associate with younger whiskey might be driven by the more temperate climate of the Pacific Northwest, where the temperature variation is closer to Scotland than it is to Kentucky.  In speaking with Cadée Distillery’s founder Colin Campbell, he explained that the location of Whidbey Island, which is in Puget Sound just north of Seattle, sits between the Olympic and Cascade Mountains.  This leads to the barometric pressure changing frequently – which has an impact on the maturation of the spirits.  He shared that the 20% evaporation loss is after the first three years (where for example – Heaven Hill’s website shares that they lose 6% in year 1 and 3% each year after – for 12% loss after 3 years).  He also mentioned that barrel heads become convex and concave after just a few years – again something that you see less frequently in similarly aged barrels in Kentucky.  All of this and more leads to a bourbon that isn’t going to taste like your typical bourbon.  They’re looking to continue aging some stock for older products, although another impact of the climate is that the proof in the barrel is dropping – again similar to Scotland (although some bourbon barrels will also decrease in proof based on where they are aged).  I hope that with more age, the sea air will work its magic.  I also hope that they consider bottling at a higher proof, but that’s just my preference.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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Old Bardstown Estate Bottled

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Old Bardstown Estate Bottled
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

50.5% ABV
$30 – $35
Website
Old Bardstown Estate Bottled

What the Producer Says

Small Batch – Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
tasting notes
Nose is sweet, herbal, citrus. The palate is herbaceous, sweet fruit, vanilla, on a layer of oak and earthiness that goes on like a champion marathon runner.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Musty oak with vanilla, cinnamon, hint of anise and fall leaves.
Palate:  Starts sweet with caramel sauce, vanilla cream frosting and walnuts; sharpens with a cinnamon bite, white pepper, nutmeg, allspice, and a bit of clove with oak throughout.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length with a lingering vanilla frosting and baking spices.
Comments:  This isn’t ‘Willett’ distillate (at this time), and is a decent enough 101 proof bourbon. Non-age stated, but that musty oakiness is typical of some older whiskey – along with the sharper palate. Not overoaked, but a health dose of wood if you like that sorta thing.

Rating: Stands Out

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