Other Whisk(e)ys

Basil Hayden’s Two by Two Rye

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Basil Hayden’s Two by Two Rye
40% ABV
$45
Website / Press Release

What the Distiller Says
Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon, one of the fastest growing super-premium bourbons on the market, proudly announces the limited time release of Basil Hayden’s® Two by Two Rye. An unprecedented blend of two Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskies and two Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskies, Basil Hayden’s Two by Two Rye breaks category norms to offer whiskey fans the best of both worlds: the full spiciness of rye, complemented by the sweet characteristics and finish of bourbon.

Two by Two Rye offers a premium blend of two ryes and two bourbons, which have been artfully combined to find the perfect complement in one another. With a balance of 5-year-old Kentucky Straight Rye, a 7-year-old “high-rye” Kentucky Straight Rye, a 13-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, and a 6-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, the result is a wholly unique whiskey that makes a name for itself in the category and remains approachable to discover at 80 proof.

Best enjoyed sipped neat or on the rocks, Basil Hayden’s Two by Two Rye features the following characteristics:

Color: Golden Honey
Aroma: Rich caramel and brown sugar with a sumptuous, woody rye flavor profile
Body: Smooth, medium-bodied
Taste: A balanced blend of sumptuous rye and brown sweets with an ample woody accent
Finish: A pleasant, long lingering warmth

What Gary Says
Nose:  Musty oak, sweet with bright citrus spice notes, subtle vanilla, honey, a hint of anise and ginger.
Palate:  Fruit forward – oranges, pears, bits of cherry, maybe some peaches; subtle vanilla notes and a hint of cinnamon.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length with drying spice.
Comments:  Reading the press release on this, I was intrigued for a number of reasons. First, I really appreciate the transparency of disclosing the component ages, as well as differentiating the rye components (not the mashbill specifics, but like that they call it out). Second, I’m a fan of bourbon/rye blends. Sometimes. There aren’t a ton out there, but I enjoy High West Bourye, while not being especially fond of Wild Turkey Forgiven. This didn’t remind me of either of those (so check the “unique” box!) I found this incredibly fruity, and more sweet than I expected – like a fruit salad in whiskey form. While there wasn’t anything specifically objectionable about this whiskey, I was hoping it would be better balanced. The fruit notes all but hide the bourbon – and with older bourbon in the mix I was disappointed about that. The nose is a bit better balanced, but the palate was . . . have I mentioned fruity? Maybe at a higher ABV some of the other notes would stand out more, and while I’d LOVE to try this at a higher ABV, I get that the Basil Hayden lineup is keeping it consistent. If you’re a fan of Basil Hayden and looking for something different, this could be right up your alley.
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank Beam-Suntory and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.

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Hewn Spirits Reclamation American Single Malt Whiskey

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Hewn Spirits Reclamation American Single Malt Whiskey
Finished in Chestnut
46% ABV
$43 (375 mL)
Website

What the Distiller Says
AGED WITH 300-YEAR-OLD RECLAIMED WOOD, FOR A TRULY TIMELESS CHARACTER
In the age of recycling, we’ve discovered a brilliant use for old wood in the making of Reclamation American Single Malt Whiskey. Made from premium malted barley, Reclamation from Hewn Spirits is aged with hickory, chestnut, or oak that’s been reclaimed from timbers up to 300 years old. The result is a whiskey that is uncommonly soft, full, rich and complex to the taste. The true spirit of wood™.

What Gary Says
Nose: Sweet malt with some nutty vegetal notes and a hint of honey.
Palate: Sour oak, apricots and a hint of hops.
Finish: Fleeting.
Comments: A unique pour for sure. I’m not a big fan of “craft whiskey” that tries to compete straight up on bourbon or rye, because I don’t find that they’re able to (for the money – they typically don’t compete with Evan Williams Black Label, but are multiples of the price). I think this is exactly the type of niche where craft whiskey can contribute – different and innovative treatments of the spirit. I applaud Hewn Spirits for taking that approach. This particular one – finished in Chestnut – doesn’t hit me in my wheelhouse. It is clearly young malt, but it is different. I bought the bottle really to reward desired behavior – namely offering free samples of their products in the store. While I wouldn’t buy it again, I don’t regret the purchase – and for a whiskey geek – finding that different/unique experience is worth taking a flyer.
Rating: Average

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Heaven Hill Select Stock: 14 Yr Corn Whiskey

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Heaven Hill Select Stock: 14 Yr Corn Whiskey
(available at Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center gift shop)
48.5% ABV
$100

What the Bottle Says
Kentucky Straight Corn Whiskey aged for 14 years, then re-barreled into a used wheat whiskey barrel for an additional two years.
Barrel Serial No: 9900010 / Lot ID: 00J13C
Rickhouse/Floor: I-6 / Rack/Tier: Floor

What Gary Says
Nose:  Burnt cornbread, hint of smoke, oak & leather.
Palate:  A bit creamy on the mouthfeel initially, roasted corn flakes that gives way to a burnt, oak note with a hint of clove as it quickly dries.
Finish:  Short and drying.
Comments:  When I think “corn whiskey”, my mind immediately imagines Mellow Corn Bottled-In-Bond. Honestly, I prefer that over this. On a positive note, this has helped me better appreciate the term “flavoring grain” when describing the wheat or rye in a bourbon mashbill. I once thought “Wow – isn’t that throwing some shade at corn?”, but no – it isn’t. I bought this bottle out of curiosity. I’d never had corn whiskey with significant age – and now I know why it isn’t widely available. To me, this starts off similar to the 4 yr BIB version – corn sweetness (with a bit more smoke), but then it dries out fairly quickly. The sweetness isn’t replaced with anything – it just sorta disappears. While not hugely disappointed that I bought it – if I had a chance to try it first, I honestly wouldn’t have.
Rating: Probably Pass

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Ninety 20 Year Old

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Ninety 20 Year Old Canadian Rye Whisky
45% ABV
$35
Website

What the Distillery Says
After 20 years in charred oak barrels, we have drawn and blended from our cherished reserves to present the most discerning of whiskies. Expect a smooth, luxurious depth of flavour rich in oak, spices, and a light fruit sweetness.

What Gary Says
Nose: Sweet, corn, banana nut bread with maple syrup drizzled on top, hint of malted barley and brown sugar.
Palate: Molasses, subtle raisins and baking spices (clove, allspice), a soft/round mouthfeel.
Finish: Fairly short and uninspiring.
Comments: I picked this up while in Ontario based on the label. Some of my favorite rye whisky has been from Canada (such as the earlier batches of Jefferson’s 10 yr Rye), so seeing a 20 year rye for under $40 – it felt like I was stealing! My old man used to tell me “If it looks too good to be true, it probably is” – although in my defense – he was with me and didn’t stop me from pulling the trigger. Having said all that – it is interesting. It is NOT a rye whiskey by the American definition (my understanding is that this is a corn-whiskey mashbill done in the “rye style” – whatever that means). But it has gentle nuance, and isn’t off-putting. It also isn’t something I’d go out of my way to acquire either.
Rating: Average

What Richard Says
Nose: Big creamy vanilla nose with notes of caramel and bananas. Vanilla ice cream topped Bananas Foster anyone?
Palate: Very sweet and creamy. It reminds me of vanilla cream (like in Boston Cream Pie) sandwiched between two oatmeal raisin cookies.
Finish: Surprisingly alcohol forward on the finish.
Comments: Rye? No. Not like we think about it here in the states. This has more in common with an aged grain scotch. No bad but not inspiring either.
Rating: Average

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Corsair Old Punk

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Corsair Distillery’s Old Punk Pumpkin and Spice Flavored Whiskey
46% ABV
$40
Website

What the Distillery Says
Yeah….basically nothing.

What Gary Says
Nose: Sweet malted barley, bright spice – anise, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, a “pumpkin spice” vibe without much “pumpkin”.
Palate: Sweet and bright, although thin on the mouthfeel, fall spices (cinnamon, allspice) but less intense than the nose; a malty note.
Finish: Short and a bit dry.
Comments: Interesting. I’m not a big fan of flavored whiskey, but tried this in 2012 and thought it was interesting (although it was one in a lineup of 20+ samples – so, there’s that!) Now – I find it less interesting. I do like to use this in my aged egg nog recipe (ok – not “mine” but Alton Brown’s). Nothing off putting about it – the nose is interesting but the palate isn’t as flavorful. It reminds me more of a scotch than a bourbon – more gentle and not heavy handed.
Rating: Average

What Richard Says
Nose: When you see “whiskey” by an American distiller I wouldn’t assume bourbon/rye anymore. This one is more in tune with a mixture of highland scotch, Swedish Glogg (look it up because it is delicious), and a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte.
Palate: Sweet…too sweet…with lots of cinnamon, ground ginger, allspice, Malt-o-meal.
Finish: Dry and alcohol forward.
Comments: I appreciate experimentation. Even though I’m a bit of a stodgy whiskey drinker I appreciate experimentation there too. However, I am very much over selling the crappy experiments to unsuspecting whiskey buyers. Try out all the funky crap you want but don’t try to pawn it off on me for $40 or $50 or $100 a bottle. There is a reason that Corsair stopped making this.
Rating: Probably Pass

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