Review

The GlenDronach Original 12 yr

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

The GlenDronach Original 12 yr
43% ABV
$60
Website

What the Distiller Says
This superb richly sherried single malt is matured for at least 12 years in a combination of the finest Spanish Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks. Non-chill filtered, of natural colour and bottled at 43%, the GlenDronach 12 year old Original is a sweet, creamy dram.

TASTING NOTES
APPEARANCE: Deep amber-red gold.
NOSE: Sweet, creamy vanilla, with hints of ginger. Spiced mulled wine and pear.
PALATE: Rich, creamy, silky-smooth. Warm, rich oak and sherry sweetness, full mouth feel, raisins and soft fruits. Spicy with medium length and a dry finish.
CONCLUSION: Long, full and firm, slightly nutty.

What Gary Says
Nose:  Thick, rich and sweet; sherry with plums and pears over cocoa and oak.
Palate:  Sweet and fruity, peach & pear cobbler with honey and a sprinkling of nutmeg.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length with a soft landing.
Comments:  I think fans of sherried single malts would enjoy this.  It has a lovely nose, although I found the palate was a bit thinner in comparison.  Less smokey than a Highland Park, but well crafted and balanced.  Locally a bit more expensive than some other 12 yr single malts, but not outrageously so.
Rating: Stands Out

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Hewn Spirits Reclamation American Single Malt Whiskey

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

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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1792 Bottled-in-Bond

/ / Bourbon, Review /

1792 Bottled-in-Bond
50% ABV
$37 – $45
Website

What the Distiller Says
In 1897, the Bottled-in-Bond Act revolutionized the quality of American whiskey. Carrying on that tradition, this well-aged bourbon from barrels all filled during the same season was bottled at exactly 100 proof for a bold taste and a lingering finish – a testament to the Bottled-in-Bond Act established over a century ago.

TASTING NOTES
True to its heritage, the unmistakenable spice of 1792 Bourbon is met with notes of charred oak and fresh mint. Subtle caramel apple tones are delicately balanced with the lingering essence of coffee and black pepper.

What Gary Says
Nose: Vanilla, salted caramel with a touch of cinnamon, charred oak and a hint of dark chocolate.
Palate: Caramel cream candies with vanilla, cinnamon building to a nutty pepper spice.
Finish: Moderate in length with peppery notes.
Comments: A very solid bourbon, and spicy like you would expect a 1792 to be. The nose brings a bit more wood than the typical 4 yr old bottled-in-bond (not sure if this is perhaps older, or from being aged at the top of the rickhouse). While solid, not special – but priced well above other bottled-in-bond offerings.
Rating: Stands Out

I would like to thank my dad for sending me home with a sample to review.

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Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye

45% ABV
$25
Website
Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye

What the Producer Says

PRODUCED AND SOLD IN LIMITED QUANTITIES, SMALL BATCH RYE OFFERS SMOOTH, SPICY RYE FLAVOR WITH ENOUGH BACKBONE TO STAND UP TO CLASSIC COCKTAILS.
NOSE
Spicy with Hints of Chocolate and Vanilla
TASTING NOTES
Mildly Woody with a Sweet and Surprising Spice

What Gary Says

Nose: Bright and sweet pine notes with a bit of mint and dill.
Palate: Full mouthfeel, corn sweet with a subtle lemon-spice pick-up; a bit of allspice on the back.
Finish: Short and wet.
Comments: This is a 2 yr old straight rye from Indiana, and the nose represents that well. On the palate, it comes across more like a young bourbon to me. Reminds me a bit of Ezra Brooks Straight Rye (also bottled by Luxco with Indiana distilled rye). Smoother than most ryes of this age that I’ve tasted. If I was looking for a rye in this price range, I’d select a couple others over this – although there isn’t anything off-putting with it.

Rating: Average

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Heaven Hill Select Stock: 14 Yr Corn Whiskey

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

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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