Bourbon

Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 11 yr Spring 2018

/ / Bourbon, 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.

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Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year

53.5% ABV
$60
Website

What the Distiller Says

This wonderful bourbon is bottled as close to barrel proof as possible. We add just a splash of our Kentucky limestone well-water when we empty the barrels for bottling. Thus, this whiskey is as smooth as any you will find.

Tasting notes
See a rich, copper color. Smell enticingly sweet, spicy, caramel-nut-fudge aromas. Enjoy a fruity, medium-to full-bodied palate with intense dried fruit and toasted nuts notes. Each sip finishes with a very long, bold wave of peppery brown spices, floral honey and charred barrel flavors that balance the weight of the alcohol. It’s a big, bold, aged bourbon that has great balance for its high proof and flavor.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Dark chocolate, caramel, brown sugar, oak, allspice with a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, slight musty smoke note; bit of water tamps down the sweet a bit, bringing more of the oak out.
Palate:  Warm, sweet with vanilla, caramel, cocoa before turning sharp with allspice and oak; some water tamps down the edge and brings out the caramel with a hint of raisins.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying with a bit of pepper bite kicking in.
Comments:  For a wheated bourbon, this has more edge to it than I remembered. While I do like a couple of drops of water in almost anything, this drinks better for me closer to 90 proof than the 107 from the bottle. This used to be one of my favorite bottles out of Buffalo Trace – when I could pick it up for less than $40. At the MSRP of $60, I’m less of a fan (and unfortunately it is often sold much higher than that – both at retail and elsewhere). Price aside, there aren’t many wheaters at this age and proof, so if you’re a fan of wheaters, I’d definitely make sure you try this (although I’d seek it out at a bar first). Even if you prefer rye-recipe bourbons, this has more spice/edge than most wheaters and is probably something you’d enjoy.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit
(Bottled 5/19/2017, barrel 902, whs H, rick 4; Sherlock’s Selection)
50.5% ABV
$60
Website

What the Distiller Says
Kentucky Spirit is a 101 proof (50.5% alcohol), single-barrel bourbon, with each barrel personally chosen by Master Distiller Jimmy Russell. Known for being fuller bodied, with rich vanilla flavors and a hint of sweetness, it’s the perfect bourbon to enjoy neat. A complex layering of almonds, honey, blackberries, and leather gives way to a long, dark and lingering finish.

What Gary Says
Nose:  Caramel and vanilla mix with rickhouse-oak; subtle cinnamon and allspice; a tad astringent.
Palate:  Burnt salted caramel w/ spiced apple over oak.
Finish:  Moderate in length, with drying pepper spice.
Comments:  Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit is a single barrel Wild Turkey product, and as such there is some variability. The glass bottle itself is lovely – honestly the main reason I bought this particular bottle as I’d heard they might be changing the vessel. As a single barrel product – some are amazing, while others are simply alright (and there’s always a chance one is lousy – although in my experience this is rare). This one is pretty decent, but not amazing (for my taste buddies). It has a fair amount of oak but not too much – and is a bit sharp around the edges; although it takes some water like a champ and really rounds out nicely without losing its rye spice.
Rating: Stands Out

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Old Forester (Dusty; DSP-KY-414 circa 1985)

/ / Bourbon, Review, The Collector's Cabinet

Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky (DSP KY 414; 1985)
43% ABV
$40 (1.75 L)

What Gary Says
Nose:  Caramel, rice/tapioca pudding, toffee, pralines, vanilla, musty sandalwood and soft oak
Palate:  Sweet caramel crème brulee with a hint of nutmeg, touch of oak, and a subtle pepper spice (but little bite)
Finish:  Moderately short and wet
Comments:  I really like DSP-414 Old Forester – and the stuff from the mid-late 80s is really nice. While the label says this is 4 years old, I’m fairly sure this includes some older whiskey. As a dusty, acquiring a bottle like this can be crazy expensive at this time – and while I really enjoy it; I’d never pay the secondary market pricing for it. To be fair – this wasn’t bottled as a super-premium bourbon, and it isn’t. But if you are fortunate enough to spot one of these laying around a forgotten corner of some liquor store and pick one up retail, this punches well above its weight. This isn’t a complicated pour – but I love that about it. Just sweet, pretty well balanced with a touch of oak (and a bit less bite/spice than the current Old Forester). And it has that “thing” that a lot of older dusty bourbon has (and I apologize I can’t find the right words that really nail that). Just a more rich texture and a bit of a twang. If you’ve never had it – I would pay a premium for a pour at a bar just for the experience.
Rating: Stands Out

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Jim Beam Distiller’s Cut

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Jim Beam Distiller’s Cut
50% ABV
$23
Website

What the Distiller Says
Jim Beam Distiller’s Cut is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey aged five to six years that features a medium body and combines caramel sweetness with charred oak, enriched with light fruit notes. The premium expression offers a smooth and complex mouthfeel with a warm, lightly charred oak finish – the perfect gift for a bourbon lover looking to try something different this holiday season. It has a dark amber color with aromas of soft charred oak, sweet caramel, vanilla and hints of dried fruit.
After aging, bourbon typically goes through a chill filtration process, which involves forcing the liquid through a dense filter to remove fatty acids formed during distillation. Jim Beam Distiller’s Cut skips this step, which results in a fuller taste and palate feel. This can also cause the liquid to look cloudier compared to filtered bourbons, especially on the rocks.

What Gary Says
Nose:  Rich, rickhouse oak with dark cocoa and that signature Beam peanut note; vanilla with a hint of cinnamon and anise.
Palate:  Nice mouthfeel – creamy and viscous; sweet vanilla caramel with cinnamon spice that creeps up but maintains a solid balance. Peppery as it fades.
Finish:  Moderately long and dry.
Comments:  This reminds me of a younger Knob Creek. I really love that this is non-chill filtered; the mouthfeel shines. This is a limited edition, although I hope they plan to release this same type of bourbon every year. It’s just flat out delicious, and a great value (which is hard to come by these days). I know some folks don’t care for the signature Beam-peanut twang, and I’m honestly not a huge fan of that. But it plays well here. I just can’t imagine anyone buying this and for the money feeling like they made a mistake.
Rating: Must Buy

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