Other Whisk(e)ys

George Dickel Bottled in Bond

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

George Dickel Bottled in Bond

50% ABV
$36 – 40
Website
George Dickel Bottled in Bond

What the Distillery Says

George Dickel is excited to announce the brand’s newest limited release – George Dickel Bottled in Bond. Bold and balanced, this 13-year-old whisky is rooted in authenticity – reflective of Cascade Hollow Distilling Co.’s commitment to honestly producing quality whisky.At 100 proof, George Dickel Bottled in Bond can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks in addition to being well-suited for many of your favorite cocktails. Whisky drinkers can purchase this high quality, 13-year-old whisky at local fine wine and liquor stores in specific markets.

The Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 was initially passed to guarantee a spirit’s authenticity and quality. Like other spirits with the Bottled in Bond distinction, George Dickel Bottled in Bond has been aged and bottled according to a special set of regulations from the U.S. government. To be labeled Bottled in Bond, the whisky must be produced:
During One Distillation Season: Fall 2005 (13 Years Old)
By One Distiller: George Dickel brand
At One Location (Produced and Aged At): Tullahoma, TN
Bottled at 100 Proof

What Gary Says

Nose:  Oak with brown sugar, caramel, toffee, minerals/vitamins, slightly burnt brownies, charcoal ash, a hint of rubber bands.
Palate:  Sweet caramel toffee with dark honey and molasses, turtle brownies with walnuts and burnt corners, a bit of a sharp pepper spice with oak.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with fudge, pepper, oak, and that mineral note.
Comments:  Kudos to George Dickel for releasing a 13 yr bottled-in-bond for under $40. Seriously, even if you’re not a Dickel fan (I get why the mineral/vitamin note can put some off), whisk(e)y fans from all walks of life should take a moment to appreciate that and applaud. This one seems to get better every time I pour it. My first taste I thought was too oaky (at least for my preference), and I almost didn’t buy a bottle based on that one tasting. Glad I gave it another chance, as it is delicious, and a terrific value. While there is oak as you’d expect in a 13 yr Tennessee whisky – it isn’t overly so. If you know you’re a fan of Dickel already, I’d consider this a ‘Must Buy’. If you can take it or leave it, I’d certainly seek out the opportunity to try it!

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy; Great Value

George Dickel Bottled in Bond Read More »

Armorik Double Maturation Breton Single Malt

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

Armorik Double Maturation
Whisky Breton Single Malt

46% ABV
$60
Website
Armorik Double Maturation French Single Malt

What the Distillery Says

Whisky Breton Single Malt

Genuine symbol of the Distillery’s values, this Armorik highlights both the quality of its know-how and its attachment to the Breton land. In partnership with a local cooper, the Distillery designed unique Brittany oak casks. Armorik Double Maturation remains in them for many long years before being transferred into Oloroso sherry casks for a second maturation. Reduced to 46% and non-chill filtered, it pleases through its richness and elegance.

Nose: Fruity and elegant, it has wonderful citrus and apple notes, highlighted by salted butter caramel fragrance.
Palate: Fine woody notes rapidly changed on to cereal ones, all with an unsuspected fullness.
Finish: Touches of heather honey perfume, the finish in the mouth is sustained by the cereals and pleasant marine notes.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Soft malt, fresh cut hay, apricots, over-ripe pears, subtle vanilla, apple pie (without cinnamon), hints of oak and leather with floral perfume.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, rich fruity sweetness up front with apples, pears, peaches and honey; sharpens in the mid-palate with vanilla, pepper and citrus spice.
Finish:  Moderate to long in length, wet with honey and citrus notes lingering with some freshly ground pepper.
Comments:  I think this is the first French single malt I’ve tried, and it is quite lovely – and priced fairly. Sweet but balanced, rich and well executed. No age statement, but this doesn’t strike me as being young. If you’re a serious whiskey geek and hadn’t ever tried any whisk(e)y from France, I’d put this in the ‘Must Try’ category. If you don’t really care about provenance, and are looking purely at the enjoyment for the buck – this is a solid single malt.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

Armorik Double Maturation Breton Single Malt Read More »

Balcones Texas Single Malt Whisky

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Balcones Texas Single Malt Whisky

53% ABV
$75
Website

What the Distillery Says

A TIMELESS WHISKY
A timeless style of malt whisky, Balcones “1” Texas Single Malt breathes new life into centuries of distilling tradition with classic techniques and ingredients adapted for New World tastes. Opening aromas bear hints of toffee and overripe fruits. On the palate, layers of toasted malt and honey give way to mellow notes of baked pears and apples. A long finish is accompanied by cinnamon and cloves. Texas made, Texas proud, we hope you enjoy the whisky we owe our success to as much as we enjoy making it.

NOSE: ripe, buttered stone fruit, banana and pears; honey and rose water with delicate citrus accents
TASTE: silky and full on the palate; lightly toasted bread with fresh butter and marmalade
FINISH: long finish with lingering toast and burnt sugar notes morphing into rich malt and wood flavors with counterbalancing acidity

What Gary Says

Nose:  Chocolate, caramel, rice pudding, sherry cask, oak with spent matches.
Palate:  Bitter chocolates with hazelnut, cracked pepper on smashed and baked green plantains.
Finish:  Moderate in length, drying with a bit of pepper notes.
Comments:  When I first nosed this, it reminded me a bit of a highland single malt. My brain keeps pulling towards a sherry-cask influence without any fruit, which is different. On the palate; completely different. Aged “at least 22 months”, so quite young and immature – which shows. More interesting than the Baby Blue, but not something I’d seek out – especially at this price point. I will give them props for having 50 mL bottles (which is how I came to try it).

Rating: Average

Balcones Texas Single Malt Whisky Read More »

Balcones Baby Blue Corn Whisky

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Balcones Baby Blue Corn Whisky

46% ABV
$40
Website

What the Distillery Says

A TRUE ORIGINAL
The first Texas whisky on the market since Prohibition, Baby Blue is crafted from roasted heirloom blue corn. This rich and oily maize adds new sophistication to the corn whisky tradition while keeping the freshness and verve of classic American distilling. Intentionally youthful, Baby Blue captures the essence of this prized corn with a round nuttiness, roasted overtones and refined complexity. The mouthfeel is viscous with a soft finish. A true Texas original that we are delighted to share with the world.

NOSE: melted butter, kettle corn, vanilla, toffee, cinnamon and nutmeg, fresh bread and honey, fresh ground coffee, baking chocolate
TASTE: tropical fruit, slight apricot, brown sugar, cotton candy, sweet tea with lemon, smoked chilis
FINISH: medium long warming, late cinnamon/leather spice, mint and green peppercorns

What Gary Says

Nose:  Warm, fresh corn tortillas, corn bread with loads of butter, buttered popcorn with some oak and smoke throughout; a bit on the sharp side.
Palate:  Thin mouthfeel, creamed corn with sugar and a subtle honey note.
Finish:  Short with notes of buttered popcorn.
Comments: The nose is interesting, not super ‘sweet’ like some other corn whiskies, but a more savory corn nuance. The palate is pretty unremarkable for me; my initial thought is that it is fairly ‘doggy’ (if you’re familiar with white dog). This is aged “at least 6 months”, and while the nose is intriguing, its youth is very apparent on the palate. I get that the heat in Texas might make this way too oaky given the age we typically see in a more northern climate. But then maybe the warehouses need to have some level of climate control to prevent that? Or ‘Texas’ whiskey will have that heavy oak influence as a characteristic? I’ll admit – I’m not a huge corn whiskey fan. But when you can get a bottled-in-bond corn whiskey for $15 or so, I can’t imagine where I’d spend $40 on a 6 month old bottle.

Rating: Probably Pass

Balcones Baby Blue Corn Whisky Read More »

Crown Royal Noble Collection 13 year old Blenders’ Mash

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

Crown Royal Noble Collection 13 year old Blenders’ Mash

45% ABV
$50 – $60
Website

What the Distillery Says

Crown Royal 13-Year-Old Blenders’ Mash, the third expression in the Noble Collection, is a rare stock of our Canadian Whisky made with a mash bill of 60% corn, 36% rye and 4% barley malt. It is one of the five unique whiskies that comprise our signature blends. Carefully aged in new, charred American white oak barrels for no less than 13 years. The complexity of the liquid intensifies with the aging process, bringing out richer and deeper notes of caramel and fruit. This remarkably smooth and layered whisky is hand selected from our reserve stock, revealing its noble roots with every sip.

The Crown Royal Noble Collection is a series of limited annual releases that celebrates the skilled craftsmanship of our distillers and blenders – and their dedication to the art of creating extraordinary whiskies.

APPEARANCE: Amber
NOSE: Crown Royal 13-Year-Old Blenders’ Mash begins with a nose of orchid fruits, butterscotch with a hint of toasted oak.
TASTE: Crown Royal 13-Year-Old Blenders’ Mash encompasses the taste of rich caramel, vanilla and toffee notes.

Note: The above content was provided after requesting information directly from Crown Royal; not sure why they aren’t bragging about this on their own web-site but do appreciate them providing these details!

What Gary Says

Nose:  Soft oak with rich vanilla, cocoa powder, bits of nutmeg amongst other baking spices, hints of dark fruit in maple syrup.
Palate:  Sweet caramel cremes with vanilla ice cream; a dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg with maple candies.
Finish:  Moderately long, with notes of maple as it fades.
Comments:  If nosing/tasting blind, I absolutely would peg this as a bourbon. It has all of the hallmarks (vanilla, caramel sweetness with some oak) but is unique to be sure. The northern climate this was aged in makes a big difference – as there isn’t nearly as much oak as you’d get in a bourbon aged for 13 years. There also isn’t much of a spice edge. If you like a sweeter bourbon, this is probably right up your alley. If you’re more into an edgy, spicier dram – this wouldn’t be that. For what it is, I think it is delicious, and probably my favorite pour from north of the border in a while.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

Crown Royal Noble Collection 13 year old Blenders’ Mash Read More »