Review

Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 11 yr Spring 2018

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Series
Spring 2018 Release: 11 years old
50% ABV
$110
Website

What the Distiller Says
As the leader of the Bottled-in-Bond category, Heaven Hill is proud to offer a premium, allocated product within this special class that showcases the authenticity and quality of the American Whiskey portfolio. Acquired in 1999 by Heaven Hill, the legendary Old Fitzgerald line is well-known for its distilling pedigree and intriguing story behind its namesake, John E. Fitzgerald. Comprised of barrels produced from February through May of 2006, and bottled in April of 2018, the first release ushers in the latest hallmark series to the Bottled-in-Bond legacy.

Each Spring and Fall, a new edition of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond series is released. Bottled in an ornate decanter inspired by an original 1950’s Old Fitzgerald diamond decanter, the series reflects the traditions of both the Old Fitzgerald history tied to John E. Fitzgerald and the historic Bottled-in-Bond designation. The Old Fitzgerald line is well-known for its distilling pedigree as the brand was first registered in the 1884 by S.C. Herbst, and was eventually sold to Julian P. “Pappy” Van Winkle during Prohibition. Pappy moved production of Old Fitz to his distillery where it became the first great Wheated Bourbon. In 1999, Heaven Hill bought the Old Fitzgerald brand and began distilling it at the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville.

Tasting Notes
Color: Deep amber
Nose: Vanilla and dried fruit
Taste: Sweet smooth toffee and caramel
Finish: Cherry and spice on the center of the tongue

What Gary Says
Nose: Soft and sweet, cinnamon toast and vanilla wafers, a hint of nutmeg and oak.
Palate:  Crisply sweet, coffee cake w/ a caramel icing and cinnamon dusted, a hint of cocoa and some oak.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, drying with pepper spice as it trails off.
Comments: This is a perfectly nice wheated bourbon. For me, this hits different from the standard Old Fitz line where Heaven Hill’s house style shines through (again – for me that is a eucalyptus/minty crispness). The crispness is there, but I don’t get that mint note. If tasting blind, I wouldn’t have guessed this was from Heaven Hill. Quite tasty – and a lovely bottle – but just not all that impressive to me; especially for the price. Keep in mind – I’m not a big fan of aged wheaters (yes, I’m one of the outliers who doesn’t really care for Pappy; different strokes). So if you are, maybe this hits you in some amazing way. Again – a very nice pour that isn’t flawed; other than not standing out for me as being particularly special..
Rating: Stands Out

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

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Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye 2018

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye (2018)
59.8% ABV
$60 – $70
Website

What the Distiller DOESN’T Say . . .
Anything. Seriously – I couldn’t find any mention of this new, exciting product on their website (Beam-Suntory or Knob Creek), their facebook page, etc. I’m baffled as to why – other than they expect this will sell out without the need to publish so much as a press release on it. So, sorry to report dear reader that I can’t share what they’d say about it.

What Gary Says
Nose: Sweet caramel drizzled tiramisu with toasted orange zest and subtle chocolate notes over fall leaves; a tad hot.
Palate:  Rich, warm sweetness with caramel and chocolate that skips a few gears and explodes into an orange spice zip with drying pepper spice.
Finish:  Long and drying w/ burnt pepper notes trailing off.
Comments:  The nose advertises a nice, semi-tame rye – which the palate starts to deliver before quickly erupting with a strong rye spice explosion. This isn’t age stated (the bottle says it was barreled in 2009, so assuming it was dumped late last year or early this year – it is in the 8-9 year range), and the label also doesn’t mention it is a “straight” rye whiskey – but sources indicate that it is despite not being labeled as such. Regardless of the precise age – this is a damn tasty whiskey. Rye with much age and proof is harder to come by today, and this makes me yearn for the days when I could walk in and pick up a 7 or 8 yr cask strength rye whiskey for $50 or $60. I was fortunate to pick this up for under $60, but even at $70, I would be pretty happy with it. I’m hoping this becomes an annual (or more frequent) release – and at the same price point!
Rating: Must Try

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Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year

53.5% ABV
$60
Website

What the Distiller Says

This wonderful bourbon is bottled as close to barrel proof as possible. We add just a splash of our Kentucky limestone well-water when we empty the barrels for bottling. Thus, this whiskey is as smooth as any you will find.

Tasting notes
See a rich, copper color. Smell enticingly sweet, spicy, caramel-nut-fudge aromas. Enjoy a fruity, medium-to full-bodied palate with intense dried fruit and toasted nuts notes. Each sip finishes with a very long, bold wave of peppery brown spices, floral honey and charred barrel flavors that balance the weight of the alcohol. It’s a big, bold, aged bourbon that has great balance for its high proof and flavor.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Dark chocolate, caramel, brown sugar, oak, allspice with a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, slight musty smoke note; bit of water tamps down the sweet a bit, bringing more of the oak out.
Palate:  Warm, sweet with vanilla, caramel, cocoa before turning sharp with allspice and oak; some water tamps down the edge and brings out the caramel with a hint of raisins.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying with a bit of pepper bite kicking in.
Comments:  For a wheated bourbon, this has more edge to it than I remembered. While I do like a couple of drops of water in almost anything, this drinks better for me closer to 90 proof than the 107 from the bottle. This used to be one of my favorite bottles out of Buffalo Trace – when I could pick it up for less than $40. At the MSRP of $60, I’m less of a fan (and unfortunately it is often sold much higher than that – both at retail and elsewhere). Price aside, there aren’t many wheaters at this age and proof, so if you’re a fan of wheaters, I’d definitely make sure you try this (although I’d seek it out at a bar first). Even if you prefer rye-recipe bourbons, this has more spice/edge than most wheaters and is probably something you’d enjoy.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit
(Bottled 5/19/2017, barrel 902, whs H, rick 4; Sherlock’s Selection)
50.5% ABV
$60
Website

What the Distiller Says
Kentucky Spirit is a 101 proof (50.5% alcohol), single-barrel bourbon, with each barrel personally chosen by Master Distiller Jimmy Russell. Known for being fuller bodied, with rich vanilla flavors and a hint of sweetness, it’s the perfect bourbon to enjoy neat. A complex layering of almonds, honey, blackberries, and leather gives way to a long, dark and lingering finish.

What Gary Says
Nose:  Caramel and vanilla mix with rickhouse-oak; subtle cinnamon and allspice; a tad astringent.
Palate:  Burnt salted caramel w/ spiced apple over oak.
Finish:  Moderate in length, with drying pepper spice.
Comments:  Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit is a single barrel Wild Turkey product, and as such there is some variability. The glass bottle itself is lovely – honestly the main reason I bought this particular bottle as I’d heard they might be changing the vessel. As a single barrel product – some are amazing, while others are simply alright (and there’s always a chance one is lousy – although in my experience this is rare). This one is pretty decent, but not amazing (for my taste buddies). It has a fair amount of oak but not too much – and is a bit sharp around the edges; although it takes some water like a champ and really rounds out nicely without losing its rye spice.
Rating: Stands Out

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Knappogue Castle 12 yr – Sherlock’s Private Selection

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review / ,

Knappogue Castle 12 yr (Sherlock’s Private Selection)
46% ABV
$40
Website

What the Bottler Says
BOURBON CASK MATURED
Knappogue Castle 12 year old, our signature expression, is an exceptional single malt made exclusively from malted barley. Triple distilled one batch at a time in traditional, onion-shaped copper pot stills, the whiskey is then aged in bourbon oak casks for twelve years. The delicate distillation process, along with the moist and temperate climate, yields the distinctive flavor of this remarkable Irish single malt.

AROMA: Rich and biscuity with notes of peppery spice.
TASTE: Mellow and well-balanced with a bright, elegant fruitiness and mild spice flavors.
FINISH: Medium, clean, and smooth.

What Gary Says
Nose:  Light, sweet malty cereal notes, sour dough bread with subtle oak.
Palate:  Rich mouthfeel, a bit thicker than avg, sea air, sweet dried peach and pear, orange marmalade, sour oak and spicy.
Finish:  Moderately long and wet, with pepper notes.
Comments:  I’ll admit it – Irish isn’t my favorite category of whisky. Most nights, I find it too crisp and clean for my liking. This private barrel pick isn’t, which for me is a big plus (as well as a fine example of where a private selection can stand a cut above the standard label; I’ll share more thoughts on that later this week). I find it has much more character than the retail Knappogue Castle 12 yr. This selection was aged in Four Roses bourbon casks, and is bottled at 46% versus 40% – another positive in my book. It doesn’t state on the label or hang-tag that it is non-chill filtered, but it’s my opinion that this is likely the case based on the mouthfeel. This is a delightful dram, and while one private selection isn’t a guarantee how others will fare, if the others are bottled at this same proof and NCF – I would anticipate them to be similarly delicious.
Rating: Must Try; Great Value

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