Bourbon

Four Roses Single Barrel Private Selection
Recipe OESK, 9 years and 7 months old

58.2% ABV
$55 – $80
Website

What the Distiller Says

The Recipe:
OESK is currently only available as a private selection bottling at the distillery gift shop or possibly at a local liquor store near you. This particular bottle was a Liquor Barn selection, bottled 8/12/2013.

Unlocking the recipe codes goes like this…

“O” starts all of Four Roses’ recipes and only means that it is made by Four Roses in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

“E” mean that this is the lower rye content of the two mashbills that Four Roses uses, specifically 75% Corn, 20% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley

“S” means that it is Straight Whiskey by U.S. Regulatory definition, again all their products carry this designation

“K” distinguishes the yeast strain used. This specific one impacts more of a slightly spicy character onto the distillate

What Gary Says:

Nose: Vanilla, caramel, cinnamon dusted creme brluee, oak, cigar paper and sublte hints of fruit salad; a tad hot/harsh neat.
Palate: Warm sweetness that sharpens quickly, tart cherries  on vanilla wafers with cinnamon and honey, a spicy pepper bite at the end.
Finish: Moderately long with trailing pepper spice.
Comments: This bourbon definitely improves with water. The nose still has oak, but the cinnamon is tamped down and I get an interesting malted milkball note. This bottle is a solid representative of the K yeast. Personally I prefer the OB mashbill over the OE mashbill (more rye, less corn), but there isn’t anything objectionable about this pour. I bought this bottle as part of my quest to own one bottle of all 10 possible recipes, and I’m glad I did that. With any single barrel, there will be a some variation – although this is the only OESK I’ve ever owned. I’ve had several OBSO and OBSV picks over the years, and while the recipe does stands out – some are better than others.

Rating: Stands Out

1792 Bottled-in-Bond
50% ABV
$37 – $45
Website

What the Distiller Says
In 1897, the Bottled-in-Bond Act revolutionized the quality of American whiskey. Carrying on that tradition, this well-aged bourbon from barrels all filled during the same season was bottled at exactly 100 proof for a bold taste and a lingering finish – a testament to the Bottled-in-Bond Act established over a century ago.

TASTING NOTES
True to its heritage, the unmistakenable spice of 1792 Bourbon is met with notes of charred oak and fresh mint. Subtle caramel apple tones are delicately balanced with the lingering essence of coffee and black pepper.

What Gary Says
Nose: Vanilla, salted caramel with a touch of cinnamon, charred oak and a hint of dark chocolate.
Palate: Caramel cream candies with vanilla, cinnamon building to a nutty pepper spice.
Finish: Moderate in length with peppery notes.
Comments: A very solid bourbon, and spicy like you would expect a 1792 to be. The nose brings a bit more wood than the typical 4 yr old bottled-in-bond (not sure if this is perhaps older, or from being aged at the top of the rickhouse). While solid, not special – but priced well above other bottled-in-bond offerings.
Rating: Stands Out

I would like to thank my dad for sending me home with a sample to review.

Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Series
Spring 2018 Release: 11 years old
50% ABV
$110
Website

What the Distiller Says
As the leader of the Bottled-in-Bond category, Heaven Hill is proud to offer a premium, allocated product within this special class that showcases the authenticity and quality of the American Whiskey portfolio. Acquired in 1999 by Heaven Hill, the legendary Old Fitzgerald line is well-known for its distilling pedigree and intriguing story behind its namesake, John E. Fitzgerald. Comprised of barrels produced from February through May of 2006, and bottled in April of 2018, the first release ushers in the latest hallmark series to the Bottled-in-Bond legacy.

Each Spring and Fall, a new edition of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond series is released. Bottled in an ornate decanter inspired by an original 1950’s Old Fitzgerald diamond decanter, the series reflects the traditions of both the Old Fitzgerald history tied to John E. Fitzgerald and the historic Bottled-in-Bond designation. The Old Fitzgerald line is well-known for its distilling pedigree as the brand was first registered in the 1884 by S.C. Herbst, and was eventually sold to Julian P. “Pappy” Van Winkle during Prohibition. Pappy moved production of Old Fitz to his distillery where it became the first great Wheated Bourbon. In 1999, Heaven Hill bought the Old Fitzgerald brand and began distilling it at the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville.

Tasting Notes
Color: Deep amber
Nose: Vanilla and dried fruit
Taste: Sweet smooth toffee and caramel
Finish: Cherry and spice on the center of the tongue

What Gary Says
Nose: Soft and sweet, cinnamon toast and vanilla wafers, a hint of nutmeg and oak.
Palate:  Crisply sweet, coffee cake w/ a caramel icing and cinnamon dusted, a hint of cocoa and some oak.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, drying with pepper spice as it trails off.
Comments: This is a perfectly nice wheated bourbon. For me, this hits different from the standard Old Fitz line where Heaven Hill’s house style shines through (again – for me that is a eucalyptus/minty crispness). The crispness is there, but I don’t get that mint note. If tasting blind, I wouldn’t have guessed this was from Heaven Hill. Quite tasty – and a lovely bottle – but just not all that impressive to me; especially for the price. Keep in mind – I’m not a big fan of aged wheaters (yes, I’m one of the outliers who doesn’t really care for Pappy; different strokes). So if you are, maybe this hits you in some amazing way. Again – a very nice pour that isn’t flawed; other than not standing out for me as being particularly special..
Rating: Stands Out

I would like to thank my dad for sending me home with a sample to review.