Other Whisk(e)ys | Whisk(e)y Apostle: Proselytizing the way of the malt

High West Yippee Ki-Yay

April 11, 2016 / Richard / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review, Rye Whiskey / Stands Out

High West Yippee Ki-Yay
A Blend of Straight Rye Whiskeys
Batch 1
46% ABV
$65
Website

What the Blender Says:
Available December 5th at High West locations. One day, just for fun, we put some rye whiskey into barrels originally used to age wine. When we mixed the ‘vermouth-ed’ (Vya, Madera, CA) and the ‘syrah-ed’ (Qupé Santa Maria, CA) we discovered an all-natural, not disgustingly sweet whiskey for the rest of us.

How to Enjoy:
Yippee Ki-Yay™ is great as an aperitif on ice, neat with dessert, or on its own. Try it in a Manhattan. This stuff rocks.

The Name:
Where did “Yippee Ki-Yay” come from? Is it a real expression of joy popular with cowboys in the 19th century Western United States? Is it part of the greatest one liner in movie history? Was it influenced by the phrase ‘Yippie-yi-yo-ki-yay’ from the 1936 hit song “I’m an Old Cow Hand from the Rio Grande” about a 20th-century cowboy who has little in common with cowpunchers of old and sung by Bing Crosby in the film “Rhythm on the Range” (also sung later by Roy Rogers and Frank Sinatra) and considered one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time? We’re not sure. But we are sure we like how we feel when we say it… and recommend you use it every chance you get.

Back Label Story:
We confess…we didn’t coin the term “Yippee Ki-Yay”. Moreover, we didn’t paint the picture on the front label. It’s an historic poster (Gift of The Coe Foundation and Henry B. Balink) now at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming (centerofthewest.org, you really ought to visit). Furthermore, we didn’t distill the whiskeys in this bottle (it’s our Double Rye!® – sourced whiskey – see highwest.com for details). However, we did come up with a combination that we think will make you say…Yippee Ki-Yay drinkers of horrible tasting cheap flavored uisge beatha! One day, just for fun, we put Double Rye!® into oak barrels that had originally been used to age two different types of wine (see highwest.com for details) and discovered an all-natural, not disgustingly-sweet sipper for the rest of us.High West’s Yippee Ki-YayTM is great as an aperitif on ice, neat with dessert, on its own, or try it in a Manhattan. This stuff rocks.

Not chill filtered marriage of two straight rye whiskies
The 2-year-old: 95% rye, 5% barley malt mashbill (LDI now MGP)
The older rye has a “barely legal” rye mashbill of: 53% rye, 37% corn (Barton Distillery)

Barrel type: Oak barrel that previously held Vermouth Barrel (Vya, Madera, CA), Oak barrel that previously held Qupé Syrah (Qupé Santa maria, CA)
Color: An unusual beautiful ruby red (from the Syrah barrel finish)
Nose: Fresh cinnamon stick, crushed blackberries (cassis) with some herbs (thyme and sage) in the background.
Taste: A big, bold punch of cinnamon spice and blackberries on a foundation of vanilla and caramel, the long finish is dried orange rind and herbs.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Wow – like a funky cocktail! Heavy wine influence & vermouth, which for me overpowers the whiskey
Palate: Warm, odd fermented dark fruit with herbal notes (sage).
Finish: Moderate in length
Comments: First off, I consider myself a big High West fan. I think David Perkins is a class act, and High West has done some marvelous things – and I appreciate the transparency with which they’ve done them! This might be a great gateway whiskey for wine fans, but I didn’t love it – just too much of the wine & vermouth influence for me. Honestly, it could be fermented [fill in the blank]. The whiskey foundation for me was lost. It reminded me a bit of Perique (a tobacco liqueur), which I also like – but it isn’t whiskey. I applaud the innovation, and if you like vermouth and wine – you might absolutely love this. I’m not a big fan of either, and while a big rye fan – this wasn’t in my wheelhouse.
Rating: Stands Out

What Richard Says:
Nose: The wine really lays heavy on the nose with notes of cinnamon, stewed dark fruits, balsamic vinegar, and red wine.
Palate: Mulled wine with cinnamon sticks floating in it and a big spoonful of blackberry jam. It really kind of reminds me of Swedish Glogg a bit.
Finish: Minty and slightly woody.
Comments: Yum! I’m not the biggest vermouth fan but I really like this. It’s more in the vein of A Midwinter Night’s Dram. It reminds of a lovely evening by the fire during the holidays. Maybe it’s the association with Glogg but either way I really enjoy this. It’s like Angel’s Envy Rye in that I like it a lot but the unique flavor is something I would have to be in the mood for and wouldn’t want all the time.
Rating: Stands Out

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Collingwood 21 Year Old

February 27, 2016 / Richard / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review, Rye Whiskey / Must Buy, Must Try, Stands Out

Collingwood 21 Year Old Rye Canadian Whisky
40% ABV
$70
Website

What the Distillery Says:
Sadly, we waited so long to review this that all the distillery commentary was taken down from the Collingwood website.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Soft, oaky, minty spice with hints of leather, nutmeg and cereal; lot of subtle nuance going on.
Palate: Rounded, sweet, mellow fruitiness with toasted oak and maple-glazed pecans.
Finish: Wet, and a bit short
Comments: This was a one-time release a couple of years ago, and I passed on it as “too good to be true”. I mean, 21 yr rye whiskey for $70 (or less at some stores)?? I finally had a chance to sample it, and immediately regretted not buying it. I lucked into a bottle while traveling and immediately grabbed it. There aren’t a lot of whiskies at 80 proof that really hit me right, but this delivers a lot of flavor and nuance. I absolutely love the nose on this whiskey, and I really like the palate. This is softer – not as sharp-spicy as most US rye, but I wouldn’t let one slip by again.
Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

What Richard Says:
Nose: The “typical” rye mint note is a subtle back up. Creamy fruity notes play with more of grain saddle oil center. Yee-ha!
Palate: Rye bread topped with orange marmalade and sprinkled with cracked pepper.
Finish: Creamy and seriously mellow. You get just a bit of wood and pepper carry through.
Comments: All the way back in 1991 the 50 barrel lot that was batched together for this limited release was laid down at the Canadian Mist Distillery in Collingwood. 21 Years and some maple wood finishing later and this limited release only hit shelves in Ontario, Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming only. So being in Georgia I jumped at the chance for a 21 year old rye at $70. The packaging alone is hilarious. The weird cologne shaped bottle and the speed pour spout are a humorous diversion from the over-hyped newer ryes coming out now. The liquid itself will surprise you too. It is not maple syrupy or rye spicy or over woody. Everything you would think when you hear “21 year old maple wood finished rye” is put aside on this one. Not necessarily my style of rye but it is an accomplishment.
Rating: Stands Out

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Alberta Rye Whisky Dark Batch

February 25, 2016 / Richard / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review / Average, Must Try

Alberta Rye Whisky Dark Batch
Canadian Blended Rye Whisky
45% ABV
$30
Website

What the Distillery Says:
There is no quaint, “Old Grandpa So-and-So”, ancient family story here.

Truth be told, you have to be unusually patient, persistent, fanatical, and the right amount of crazy to make rye whisky. Alberta Distillers embraced this challenge and not only made rye whisky, they mastered it. Today, Alberta Distillers is the number one rye producer in North America with more than 450,000 barrels aging on site.

After years of perfecting their craft, the master distillers at Alberta Distillers wanted to continue to push the rye envelope and come up with not just another rye whisky, but a better rye whisky.

And so, Alberta® Rye Dark Batch™ was born. A true expression of the skilled craftsmen who have made rye whisky their passion for nearly 70 years.

91% Rye Whisky
8% Bourbon
1% Sherry

What Gary Says:
Nose: Malted rye, cereal grain, sherry, with subtle smoke
Palate: Soft, subtle-malty-cereal thing, cherries, not sharp/crisp like American rye, more Earthy; sherry is less prominent than on the nose
Finish: Moderate, with the sherry peeking through
Comments: When I first nosed this, I thought of Lot 40 (another Canadian Rye) . . . but different. When I tasted it, that comparison disappeared. This is much more of a subtle/gentle whiskey on the palate, and reminds me a bit of a bottled cocktail. I really love how unique it is (and unique in a good way – not a “well that was odd for the sake of being odd” way). I also really appreciate that it doesn’t break the bank to take it out for a spin.
Rating: Must Try

What Richard Says:
Nose: The rye kind of gets muted by a creamy sherry nose. There is a minty sweetness there but the sherry stands out. It’s kind of like a mint julep made with sherry instead of bourbon.
Palate: Dark fruits, more sherry, peppery rye spice, with a minty back.
Finish: A little touch harsh. Not hot, like young but more industrial. It’s like licking a rubber band.
Comments: I recently had a barrel aged Manhattan that a coworker had worked on for some time. His secret ingredient was a bit of tawny port. Wow did that overwhelm the drink. I applaud the inventiveness of Alberta here but the sherry, and really all fortified wines, should be reserved for finishing/aging barrels and not as an actual additive to the whiskey. It really overpowers the nose, is the 800 pound gorilla on the palate, and oddly leaves the finish unfortunately untouched. It stands out as being different to me but not in a “you should consider that in purchasing choice” kind of way. I’m not a fan of this one. This will be my first and last bottle. [Or I may just gift the rest to Gary 😉 ]
Rating: Average

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Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye

February 23, 2016 / Richard / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review, Rye Whiskey / Stands Out

Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
90% Rye Whisky
Fine Blended Canadian Whisky
45% ABV
$25 to $35
Website

What the Distillery Says:
Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye was first released in the U.S. in early 2015. The variant showcases the distinctly Canadian rye whiskey featured in the traditional Crown Royal Deluxe Blend that consumers have grown to love throughout the last 75-plus years. The latest variant to be introduced by Crown Royal, Northern Harvest Rye (90 proof, 45% ABV) is the brand’s first ever blended, 90% rye whisky and embodies a smooth and spicy flavor profile that can be mixed into traditional rye cocktails or enjoyed neat or on the rocks.

NOSE: Baking spices, cereal, light wood spices
PALATE: Gentle oak note, rich butterscotch, spiced vanilla, develops into soft peppery notes
FINISH: Smooth and creamy

What Gary Says:
Nose: Sweet & mellow spearmint with kiwi; rye bread with pickles; subtle baking spices.
Palate: Soft mouthfeel, sweet malt w/ vanilla & fruit salad that builds to some spice notes.
Finish: Short, with pepper spice notes perking up a bit.
Comments: This tastes more mellow than I expected for 90 proof. Nice character, although different from its southern rye cousins (more like a very gentle rye). I’m not a huge Crown Royal fan these days (just too sweet for my preference), but I enjoy this quite a bit more. Do I understand why it was selected by Jim Murray as World Whisky of the Year? Nope (and believe me – I really, really wanted to fall head over heels in love with this whiskey; but I thought Crown’s single barrel offering last year was far more interesting).
Rating: Stands Out

What Richard Says:
Nose: Minty, with heavy doses of tropical fruit and cloves.
Palate: Delightfully mellow and vanilla fruity sweet. This isn’t the least bit cloying but rather a nicely balanced fruity sweetness that fans of slightly overripe fruits and light fruit tarts would enjoy.
Finish: As mellow and soothing as this is you get a bit of a kick on the way out. The finish is dry, woody, and a little spicy.
Comments: This U.S. only release has apparently taken the world by storm because one guy who rewrites one book annually said in his sole opinion that this is buckets of awesome sauce. Is it? No. Hell no. I really don’t get the hullabaloo. I realize we are “proselytizing” here at Whisk(e)y Apostle but that’s more whiskey in general. Rare is the dram that I feel like running out and telling everyone that they need to get a piece of it. All that aside, this is a very nice whiskey. I really REALLY don’t like regular Crown Royal. But the last two (non flavored crap) things to come out of the brand have really impressed me. I agree with Gary that the Single Barrel Coffey still rye is much better but this is no slouch. It is a really easy to drink and easy to enjoy whiskey that will play well in multiple situations. I have no problem recommended this as a stand out Canadian whiskey. And for me and Crown that really is saying something.
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank Crown Royal’s representatives for sending over a sample for us to review.

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Parker’s Heritage Malt

November 23, 2015 / Richard / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review / Must Try, Stands Out

Parker’s Heritage Collection Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey Aged 8 Years
54% ABV
$99.99
Website

What the Distillery Says:
Not much really. We know that it has a mashbill of 65% malted barley and 35% corn and was distilled at the company’s Bernheim Distillery in Louisville. Then it matured for eight years on the 5th and 7th floors of Heaven Hill’s Rickhouse Y in Bardstown.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Malty (no surprise), oak, bit of smoke with a subtle cornbread sweetness.
Palate: Starts sweet caramel candies, then starts to dry into a more cereal, crisp light spice.
Finish: Moderate and dry (a bit astringent).
Comments: Quite pleasant, and to me not similar to some other US Single Malts (as this isn’t a single malt). The corn in the mashbill comes through, and makes for a unique experience with more sweetness. If you’re a whiskey-geek, I’d definitely look to give this a try. If you like bourbon but not scotch, or vice-versa; it might be a bit expensive to find out. While I would not want anyone to think it is “like bourbon”, I would consider it “more like bourbon” than I would “more like single malt”.
Rating: Must Try

What Richard Says:
Nose: Corn syrup poured over a malted grain covered floor.
Palate: More syrupy sweetness over a bowl of Malt-o-Meal.
Finish: Dry and a little hot more grain forward notes at the end.
Comments: If you are thinking “Parker’s Malt” is anything like scotch it would be difficult to be more wrong. This drinks more like a corn whiskey than any “malt” I’ve ever had. It’s incredibly sweet and all the grain, malt, and cereal notes come more toward the back. It’s not unpleasant at all. It’s just a bit of a one trick pony. There is nowhere near the depth of flavors here as what you would come to expect from the Parker’s line. For $100 I would probably pass on the bottle but it’s worth a try if you see it at your local watering hole.
Rating: Stands Out

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