Bourbon

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
45.2% ABV/90.4 Proof
$50
Website

What the Distillery Says:
An innovative approach to twice-barreled bourbon creates the rich and colorful flavor of Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. Uniquely matured in separate, charred oak barrels – the second barrel deeply toasted before a light charring – extracts additional amounts of soft, sweet oak character.

The overwhelming response to our master’s collection seasoned oak finish offering inspired us to create a twice-barreled bourbon that is available year-round. Uniquely matured in our handcrafted white oak barrels, the second barrel deeply toasted before a light charring, creates Woodford Reserve Double Oaked – a smooth, full-bodied expression with a long, rich finish that we are proud to share with others who are as passionate about bourbon as we are.

Maturation in a new, charred oak barrel provides Woodford Reserve with all of its natural color and a great deal of its award-winning flavor. This double oaked expression has been uniquely matured in two separate, custom crafted barrels. The second was deeply toasted before its light charring. The double barreling of mature Woodford Reserve in this unique barrel allows the spirit to extract an additional amount of soft, sweet oak character. This unique practice has created bourbon that is rich in honey, chocolate, marzipan and spiced apple character.

Color: Deep amber
Aroma: Rich notes of dark fruit, caramel, sharp honey, chocolate, marzipan and toasted oak.
Taste: A full-bodied mix of vanilla, dark caramel, hazelnut, apple, fruit and spices.
Finish: Long and creamy with lingering hints of honeyed apple.

What Richard Says:
Nose: This reminds me of snickerdoodles with vanilla ice cream: vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar. After it opens up a little the sugar turns into a fruity caramel.
Palate: Holy crap that’s good! It’s like Woodford taken to the next level. You’re hit with a blast of fruity oak infused sweetness but it’s not overpowering. Lots of vanilla and caramel. Really tasty.
Finish: Golden delicious and granny smith apples on a long oaky finish that mellow into a rich creaminess.
Comments: Brown Forman says they went for this expression after the response they got to the Seasoned Oak release a few years back. Well, they went out and did one better. This is a worthy line extension and a superior Woodford.
Rating: Must Try

I would like to thank Brittany Gilbert with Brown Forman for sending me a sample for review.

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Michter’s Small Batch Bourbon

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Michter’s Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey
Batch No 11-159
45.7%/91.4 Proof
$35 to $40
Website

What the Distillery Says:
US*1 Small Batch Bourbon
We are proud to offer you our Small Batch Bourbon. In the Michter’s tradition hailing from America’s first whiskey distilling company, this bourbon is made from a proprietary mashbill that features the highest quality American corn and is then matured to the peak of perfection. It is then mellowed by our signature filtration.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Out of the bottle I get vanilla beans, caramel, and uncooked cornmeal. With a little water it opens up to notes of cherries and a Halls cough drop kind of menthol.
Palate: On the palate this bourbon is pleasantly sweet but not as sweet as the nose. It’s a little like Breyer’s Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. Behind that it reminds me a little more of a corn whiskey than a bourbon.
Finish: Like their American Whiskey the finish is a little too hot. It’s only a 4+ year old so that might be expected. It’s a little like wetting a black peppercorn, rolling it in cayenne, and sucking on it. Obviously, a little water mellow it out but in general the finish is a little bland. Oak and spice are a little too boiler plate in a bourbon finish. Also, with water I’m left with a slightly medicinal flavor going back to the menthol that I’m not a fan of.
Comments: I find this bottle a little too average. It’s nice enough for a bourbon in its age range but better can be had for cheaper. I’d probably give it an “average +” rating if we had a more complex rating system.
Rating: Average

I would like to thank Emily with Chatham Imports for sending over a bottle for review. They were also nice enough to send over some recipes with their fine products.

Patsy’s Bourbon Balls

1 cup chopped pecans
6 tbsp. Michter’s US*1 Bourbon
½ stick butter
3¾ cups confectioners’ sugar
16 oz. dark chocolate chips

Soak pecans in Michter’s US*1 Bourbon in an airtight container for four days. Flip after the first two days to fully coat the pecans. The pecans should absorb all of the Michter’s US*1 Bourbon. Mix butter, sugar, and pecans. Roll into 1-inch balls and refrigerate overnight. Pour dark chocolate chips into microwave-safe bowl and microwave for about 2½ minutes. Remove chocolate every minute and stir. Dip refrigerated balls into the melted dark chocolate. Place the chocolate-covered bourbon balls in an airtight container and place in freezer until set (just a few minutes). Store in a cool place.

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Four Roses Limited Edition Single Barrel 2011

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Four Roses Single Barrel Limited Edition 2011 Release
Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Warehouse QN, Barrel No. 17-2E, Bottle 2779 of 3900, Recipe OBSQ
54.7% ABV/109.4 Proof
$90
Website

What the Distillery Says:
As the 2011 Single Barrel Limited Edition Release, we have once again selected an uncut and non-chill filtered Barrel Strength masterpiece. We present this exceptional, sophisticated 12-year old whiskey defined by a distinct aroma of fresh rose petals with notes of red apples, ripe pears and gentle nutmeg spiciness. Proof will range between 107.4 – 118.6.

Tasting Notes
Nose: Distinct fresh rose petal aroma with hints of red apples, ripe pears and gentle nutmeg spice.
Palate: Light cinnamon, sweet rye, pear and raspberry fruitiness.
Finish: Smooth, long and mellow with rich, creamy maple syrup flavor.

What Richard Says:
Nose: This one is a little too aggressive out of the bottle to get much off the nose. Water opens it up nicely. Big Red chewing gum comes to mind with a big blast of cinnamon. There is also a good bit of fresh baked yeast rolls and anise.
Palate: Lightly sweet, tart granny smith apples, cinnamon Eggo waffles, and a massive amount of oak.
Finish: Hershey’s cocoa powder, cinnamon, and oak.
Comments: I remember reading recently Master Distiller Jim Rutledge’s opinion against older bourbons, believing they are in their prime under 10 years of age. The more varied expressions of 10+ year Four Roses I have I think the reason may be that Mr. Rutledge’s bourbon seems to take on an inordinate amount of oak in older bottlings. This is just my personal opinion. This year’s release is nice and is a stand out dram but I think that there are better 12 year old bourbons out there. There are also a number 12 year olds available for a fraction of the price. Don’t get me wrong, this is good but compared to last year’s release it is a bit of a disappointment. I much prefer this year’s small batch limited edition release.
Rating: Stands Out

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Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2011

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Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, 2011 Edition
49% ABV/98 Proof
$45 to $50
Website
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2011

What the Distillery Says:
George Garvin Brown, founder of Old Forester bourbon and the first person to bottle bourbon, was born in Munfordville, Kentucky, on September 2, 1846. This vintage release of Old Forester has been selected to honor the birthday of this bourbon pioneer, innovator and industry leader.

This year’s vintage release of Old Forester is crafted from a 62 barrel batch of 99F11. That day’s spirit was matured in barrels crafted from Northern and Ozark terroir sourced white oak. This resulted in the development of some rich fruit notes (Ozark) and deep, dark char (Northern) characteristics. The barrels were stored in warehouses H and I, on their 1st and 6th floors respectively. These locations exposed the barrels to extremes of heat and cool which resulted in a rich, complex maturation profile.

Color Creamy toffee.
Aroma Rich in dark carmel and chocolate notes with layers of toasted hazelnut, leather, blackberry fruit and spiced with hints of clove and cedar.
Taste A complex array of red plum, blackberry and hints of citrus fruit covered with a layer of dark chocolate caramel and sharp honey underpinned with clove spice, anise, cedar and a faint hint of mint.
Finish Big and warming with a subtly sweet oak and fruit character.

What Richard Says:
Nose: This year’s release is very “smack you in the face” spicy immediately when it comes to the nose. I also get a lot of vanilla, caramel, and dark chocolate.
Palate: The palate on this one isn’t as nice as the nose. Chocolaty and spicy with notes of old leather but not quite as nice as last year’s release.
Finish: The finish is hot, oaky, and a little minty.
Comments: A nice 12 year old again worthy of purchasing but not quite as enjoyable as last year’s release. The palate is a little flat and the finish is a little hot. If there was a little more balance between these two and I would like it more. Unfortunately, the price on this bottling also keeps going up so it’s not as good of a buy as it used to be.
Rating: Stands Out

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Evan Williams Single Barrel 2001

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Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Single Barrel Vintage 2001, Barrel No. 74
43.3% ABV/86.6 Proof
$25 to $30
Website

What the Distillery Says:
This Bourbon was personally selected by our Master Distiller, only after meeting his exacting standards for this vintage. Taken from a single barrel, it is the purest achievement of the Bourbon making art. Bottled unblended with other barrels to preserve its individuality. Hand-numbered as a sign of its limited availability.

What Richard Says:
Nose: This nose is a little more robust than recent vintages and the standard release. Dark caramel, honeysuckle, and orchard fruits.
Palate: If the nose was a little bolder then the palate is much richer and bolder. There is a ton of vanilla with Heath bars and oak.
Finish: The finish is very woody and reminds me of a turn of the century (19th to 20th) old man’s study. Think old wood furniture and big leather chairs.
Comments: I look forward to this release every year. In truth I look forward to the annual release of all the bourbon’s I’m reviewing this month but the Evan Williams is a lot friendlier to my wallet. Every year this release is a little different. It surprises me how different given the same recipe going into the barrels. I actually like this year’s expression a little more than last year because it’s a little bolder. Evan Williams tends to be a mellow easy drinking bourbon but this year’s vintage release cranks it up a little. I like that.
Rating: Stands Out, Great Value

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