Other Whisk(e)ys

Broken Barrel Honey Smoke: Reserva

Straight American Whiskey Finished with Broken Barrel Staves

55% ABV
$80
Website

We would like to thank Broken Barrel Whiskey Co. and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Broken Barrel Whiskey is excited to announce its latest offering of Single Barrel whiskeys – a return of its immensely popular Honey Smoke [2022], with some slight updates to the offering and a sizable increase in its distribution and accessibility.
Building off the 2022 release of the Honey Smoke Rye (101 Proof, 180 Bottles), the new single barrels of Honey Smoke Reserva will feature a Kentucky-distilled American Whiskey, bottled at 110 Proof with a 6-Year age statement. The whiskey has also updated the Oak Bill to blend both Honey Barrel staves with Texas Sotol barrel staves, providing an even deeper, earthier and smokier complexity than last year’s release. The older whiskey, higher proof and longer finishing time (now over 5 months) lend to an all-around masterpiece that promises to be one of the most distinctive tasting spirits every produced. The new Oak Bill provides another industry-first for Broken Barrel, using Sotol and Honey in combination to finish a Kentucky whiskey, which has never been done before.
On the nose, the earth and terroir of the sotol hog the spotlight, while the sweetness of honey waits patiently in the glass to be discovered when sipped. With the earthy complexity of barrel aged Texas sotol, a truly extraordinary elixir offers the senses both enchanting aromas of honeycomb sweetness mixed with charcoal and woodiness.
On the palate, a remarkable flavor unfolds with familiar hints of vanilla and spice, harmonized beautifully with golden honey sweetness that balanced the grain and oak. The smoke underpins the entire experience with a constant but never overwhelming presence that separates this whiskey from traditional bourbons and ryes. It is a fascinating union, creating a compounding unique flavor profile, departing from last year’s release that had vegetal and floral notes.
The finish is a testament to the brand’s innovative genius, leaving lasting impressions of sweet, spice and warming smoky flavors. These single barrels are expected to move quickly and can be found in select states and online retailers.

Mash Bill:
99% Corn
1% Malted Barley

Oak Bill™
50% Ex-Honey Barrel
50% Ex-Sotol Barrel

What Gary Says

Nose:  Soft, subtle, charred oak, smoke, earthy with a hint of vanilla in back.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel with vanilla, honey, allspice, nutmeg and a pepper bite at the end.
Finish:  Moderate in length, wet and syrupy with honey and smoke.
Comments:  The heavy corn mashbill is a good choice for the honey and Sotol barrel staves (a bourbon or rye might have dominated the finishing with barely a hint). This is a nice, unique whiskey. A bit of water brings out cornflakes by a campfire on the nose, and on the palate it brings out more vanilla and a touch of caramel. While there is a bit of smoke on this, I wouldn’t call this ‘smokey’ necessarily. Someone who appreciates an Islay whisky might argue this isn’t smokey, but if you’re comparing this to a corn whiskey – there’s definitely more smoke and earthy notes.

Rating: Stands Out

Little Book Chapter 7: In Retrospect
Blended Straight Whiskey

59.05% ABV
$150
Website

What the Distillery Says

Little Book® Chapter 7, “In Retrospect,” is the seventh chapter in the Little Book Whiskey series. “In Retrospect” offers any curious whiskey drinker a chance to explore where American Whiskey can go by looking back to where it’s been.

Now, with six chapters written, the seventh chapter of Little Book pushes the story ahead, building on what’s come before in ways not yet seen. Little Book Chapter 7 is a blend of seven different liquid streams, blending one liquid from each of the previous chapters, then adding a record seventh. “In Retrospect” is a nod to the past but also sets the course for what’s next, not only for Little Book, but Freddie’s continued journey as Eighth Generation Master Distiller of the Fred B. Noe Distillery.

“Hopefully over the course of this journey, we’ve intrigued somebody enough to try something different”.
Freddie Noe, 8th Generation Master Distiller, Fred B. Noe Distillery

LITTLE BOOK “IN RETROSPECT” IS COMPOSED OF THE FOLLOWING LIQUID STREAMS
18 yrs Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
17 yrs Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
10 yrs Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
9 yrs Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
5 yrs Straight Malt Whiskey finished in Applewood Smoked barrels
4 yrs Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
4 yrs Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

TASTING NOTES
COLOR: Deep russet with golden hues
AROMA: Subtle sweetness with notes of clove spice
TASTE: Slightly floral with light smoke and sweet vanilla, followed by caramel

What Gary Says

Nose:  Oak, cherry wood, spice notes, musty grain with a slightly floral note.
Palate:  Thick and chewy, caramel, citrus spice, smokey oak, raw honey and cinnamon.
Finish:  Moderate in length with caramel, oak and honey.
Comments:  The nose on this reminds me of a malt whiskey, which is one of the components although with four of the seven being bourbon was a bit of a surprise (and it wasn’t even my birthday!) The palate brought things back to bourbon and rye land, although still different. This has a thick and chewy mouthfeel that I really dig. I had just finished tasting and making my notes on Little Book Chapter 6 when I was offered a sample of this. They’re all quite different, and while not a side-by-side comparison, I enjoyed the palate and mouthfeel on this one more than Chapter 6. A bit of water brightens the nose and amps those floral notes, along with bringing the citrus forward on the palate. Just wish the nose was more aligned with what the palate delivers, although that bit of a disconnect or feint can be intriguing as well.

Rating: Stands Out

Little Book Chapter 6: To The Finish
Blended Straight Whiskey

58.7% ABV
$125
Website

What the Distillery Says

Little Book® Chapter 6, “To The Finish,” is the sixth chapter in the Little Book Whiskey series. “To The Finish” offers a chance for any curious whiskey drinker to expand their palate – both seasoned connoisseurs and newcomers alike. The name of this year’s chapter offers fans of American whiskey an opportunity to experience liquid that I personally had a hand in creating and showcases the innovation of Little Book chapters over the last six years.

Little Book Chapter 6 is a blend of five different liquid streams using different wood staves and barrel techniques that impart a unique liquid profile due to the secondary aging. This chapter continues to push the boundaries of blending and challenges what some might assume of lower aged whiskies. The way these liquid streams complement each other makes this liquid extremely approachable, even for those who haven’t given cask strength whiskey a try.

The inspiration for Chapter 6 came from combining two of my passions – cooking and whiskey. The way they complement each other and come together is what sparked my curiosity for “To The Finish”. Using the smoke and flavor of hardwoods, I am able to bring together timeless tools from the culinary trade into pioneering my work with American Whiskey. The result is a taste that’s bigger than its individual parts. A flavor made from generations of curing, grilling and distilling.

For the Noe family, the kitchen has always been a home away from the distillery and a way to share family traditions between generations. My granddaddy spent hours in the smokehouse practicing his craft and curing meats. My dad’s passion was reinvigorated once I was old enough to tag along. Dad enjoyed teaching me about this family tradition and working to perfect granddaddy’s sausage recipe – he always thought it needed a bit more sage. My personal passion is around family and cooking, looking into the details of what works and what doesn’t. These traditions around family meals, shared traditions, and my pursuits at the grill inspire my own work in the rackhouse and they’ve been poured into Little Book Chapter 6.

Freddie Noe, 8th Generation Master Distiller, Fred B. Noe Distillery

LITTLE BOOK “TO THE FINISH” IS COMPOSED OF THE FOLLOWING LIQUID STREAMS
4-year Straight Malt Whiskey Finished with Cherrywood Staves
4-year Straight Malt Whiskey in Applewood Smoked Barrels
4-year Straight Malt Whiskey Finished in Hickory Smoked Barrels
5-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon

TASTING NOTES
COLOR: Deep amber with copper undertones
AROMA: Charred oak intermingled with complex mix of savory and sweetness
TASTE: Rich toasted grain notes with hints of sweet wood smoke
FINISH: Bright finish with a robust mouthfeel and welcoming sweetness

What Gary Says

Nose:  Oak, malt, cherry wood, honey with a hint of vanilla.
Palate:  Thick mouthfeel, cereal grain notes, slightly sour fruit notes with black cherry and blackberries along with honey and a bit of pepper.
Finish:  Long and drying with honey, berries and a bit of smoke.
Comments:  This is an interesting dram (thanks Bruce for the sample!) Honestly when I first sat down with it, I didn’t care for it – but with each sitting it is growing on me a little more. I’m not sure I understand the point or goal of “the finish” (other than it is a longer than average finish). It is interesting to me as a whiskey geek, although it isn’t terribly well balanced or cohesive. Some water helps bring out the fruit, as well as thickening the mouthfeel. Marking this as ‘Stands Out’ as it is different – and interesting because it is different.

Rating: Stands Out