Bulleit Rye is an award-winning, straight rye whiskey with a character of unparalleled spice and complexity. Released in 2011, it continues to enjoy recognition as one of the highest quality ryes available. BULLEIT RYE WHISKEY TASTING NOTES Russet in color, with rich oaky aromas. The taste is exceptionally smooth, with hints of vanilla, honey, and spice. Finish is crisp and clean, with long, lingering flavors.
What Gary Says
Nose: Fresh mint, dill, eucalyptus, menthol, lime zest, subtle vanilla and rye toast. Palate: Crisp citrus spice with tangerines and lime, mint, thyme, caramel, honey and pepper spice. Finish: Short to moderate in length with fading rye spices. Comments: Wait . . . we hadn’t reviewed this before? This is a solid high-rye (not to be confused with a ‘barely-legal’) rye whiskey. I’ll admit that I wasn’t a fan in the early days, mostly due to the lack of transparency with the brand (which is still a fair critique). Setting that aside, the whiskey itself is solid for what it is. There are folks who don’t care for the ‘dill pickle’ but I find the strong lean into the spicy rye grain delivers nicely.
Blood Oath Pact No. 10 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Cabernet Franc & Merlot casks
49.3% ABV $130 Website We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us samples to review.
What the Blender Says
Lux Row Master Distiller and Master Blender John Rempe marks a decade of distinction – and secrecy – as he renews his annual pact with bourbon drinkers by releasing Blood Oath Pact 10 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey double finished in Cabernet Franc and Merlot casks. A limited supply of 17,000 (3-in) cases will arrive at retail this month at a suggested price of $129.99 per 750 ml bottle. As with all of Rempe’s pacts, Blood Oath Pact 10 is offered at 98.6 proof (49.3% ABV).
Blood Oath Pact 10 combines some of the finest rare bourbons Rempe could find, including two well-bred ryed bourbons and one finished bourbon each complementing the others. In honor of Blood Oath’s double-digit age milestone, Rempe achieved a double finish for this year’s special, secret blend. The first finish was perfected in Cabernet Franc barrels, imbuing rich flavors of tart raspberries and black pepper. The second finish was refined in Merlot barrels, instilling the tastes of red stone fruits with undertones of vanilla, cocoa and anise. The result is a delicious and distinctive pour.
For a decade Rempe has sought out famous and forgotten rare bourbons and bottled them in combinations for his limited-release Blood Oath Pacts. Not to cater to anyone’s loyalties, he has sworn to never reveal where he finds his bourbon, but only promises to choose and make the best he knows.
“We wanted to create something truly distinctive and unique to mark our 10th edition of Blood Oath and we did just that,” said Rempe. “For this offering I sourced three extraordinary bourbons that could be elevated even further through a double finish in Cabernet Franc and Merlot casks, and would ultimately deliver the kind of rich, fruit-forward notes and smooth drinking experience I wanted to achieve. It’s a superb blend and I’m excited to share it.”
Lux Row only releases one new Blood Oath Pact annually, and each limited edition features a distinct and thoughtfully designed label. This year, a black label with striking silver highlights adorns the Blood Oath Pact 10 bottle. And like its predecessors, each bottle of Blood Oath Pact 10 comes in a commemorative fire-branded wooden display box.
The official launch of Blood Oath Pact 10 will include a total allocation of 51,000 bottles, 1,400 of which will be held for a future Trilogy release. The first Trilogy featuring Pacts 1, 2 and 3, was released in 2018, and the second Trilogy featuring Pacts 4, 5 and 6, was released in September 2021 in conjunction with National Bourbon Heritage Month. The next Blood Oath Trilogy, featuring Pacts 7, 8 and 9, will be offered later this year.
TASTING NOTES AROMA: Sweet fruit with hints of oak. PALATE: Rich caramel with flavors of tart raspberries and black pepper. FINISH: Distinct notes of red stone fruits with undertones of vanilla and cocoa.
What Gary Says
Nose: Fruity with berries, nectarines, caramel, nutty note, cigar paper, oak and dark chocolate. Palate: Thick mouthfeel, load of fruit including raspberries, plums, apricots and black cherry, honey, vanilla, dark chocolate, nutmeg, anise and a hint of root beer. Finish: Long and syrupy with raspberry, honey and oak. Comments: This is my favorite Blood Oath to date; complex, layered, nuanced, balanced, and all-around delicious! The finishes bring a ton of fruit to the party, but don’t overpower the bourbon spirit. This drinks lovely neat, but adding a few drops of water brightens the fruit notes on the nose, leaning more into a citrus vibe. I love the versatility of this bourbon – it is one that I could sit and ponder, nosing for hours over a long quiet evening. Or just sip while enjoying good company, and great whiskey!
49.5% ABV $35 Website We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us a sample to review.
What the Distiller Says
ST. LOUIS (April 9, 2024) – Lux Row Distillers announced the latest addition to the Ezra Brooks brand family: Ezra Brooks 99 Port Wine Cask Finish. Finished in port casks from Portugal for six months, Ezra Brooks 99 Port Wine Cask Finish delivers the great spicy ryed bourbon taste and smooth finish Ezra Brooks is known for in its already bold 99 proof bourbon, with additional flavor notes. The new variant will start shipping to retailers later this month at a suggested retail price of $34.99 per 750 ml bottle.
With a mash bill of 78% corn, 10% rye and 12% malt, Ezra Brooks 99 Port Wine Cask Finish is distilled using the highest quality ingredients, aged the old-fashioned way and bottled at 99 proof (49.5% ABV). Distinctive packaging features prominent callouts and a special label color highlighting the port cask finish.
“We created Ezra Brooks 99 Port Wine Cask Finish for bourbon fans looking for an elevated taste profile and unique flavor option,” said Eric Winter, Ezra Brooks brand manager. “Lux Row Master Distiller John Rempe was intrigued by the juxtaposition of ryed bourbon’s spicy flavor profile and the sweeter, dark fruit notes often found in port wines.”
“This special finish brings notes of vanilla, tobacco and leather together on the nose, and sweet fruitiness and dark chocolate on the palate,” said Rempe. “We’re excited to share this special new variety with consumers as the first in a planned series of annual finishes for the Ezra Brooks 99 family.”
What Gary Says
Nose: Charred oak, port wine notes of berries, raisins, caramel, vanilla, pipe tobacco and leather. Palate: Round mouthfeel with caramel, dark chocolate, raspberry jam, honey, apricots and cinnamon. Finish: Moderate in length, syrupy with spicy fruit notes and chocolate. Comments: Nice edition to the Ezra Brooks family! The bourbon isn’t lost and overpowered by the finish, which I appreciate (frequent readers know a heavy-handed finish is one of my pet peeves). This is nicely balanced, highlighting the lovely fruit notes from the port cask finish while retaining the spicy sweetness of the bourbon. Drinks really well neat, as well as in a Manhattan or Old Fashioned.
Penelope Rio 2024 Release Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Honey and Amburana Barrels Double Cask Finish
49% ABV $90 Website We would like to thank Penelope Bourbon and BYRNE PR for sending us a sample to review.
What the Producer Says
Rio is our latest installment in our Cooper Series which takes our straight whiskeys on a world tour, pairing Penelope with unique casks from around the world. Inspired by the joy of Brazil, Rio delights the senses with a double cask finish of American honey and Brazilian oak. The two make perfect dance partners, rich and sweet, with surprising depth. It’s a carnival in a bottle.
TASTING NOTES Aroma: Sweet honey with a fun Cinnamon roll note Forward Notes: Sweet spice Body Notes: Gingerbread, honey nectar & sweet baking spice Finish: Long and savory finish with subtle hints of sweet honey & spice
BOURBON FACTS Type & Proof: Four Grain | Straight Bourbon Whiskey | 98 Proof | Non Chill-Filtered Process: Blend of 3 bourbon mash bills comprised of four grains finished first in honey barrels and then new Amburana barrels from Brazil. Finishing period was ~2 years in total. Age: 4-6 years Mash Bill: 74% Corn | 14% Wheat | 9% Rye | 3% Malted Barley
What Gary Says
Nose: Cinnamon rolls with honey, vanilla frosting, graham cracker crumbles with a bit of caramel and nutmeg. Palate: Creamy mouthfeel with honey, cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, nutmeg and a bit of pepper. Finish: Moderately long, syrupy with cinnamon rolls and honey. Comments: On the nose this doesn’t strike me as a “finished bourbon”. One of my pet peeves is when a finish overpowers the core whiskey, and that is the case here but . . . I really love it! As much as I want to critique the heavy handed finish, this is a delicious guilty pleasure. Sure, there’s some bourbon notes of caramel and vanilla tucked in there if you work at finding them, but the honey and cinnamon are center stage – and rocking it. If you want your bourbon to taste like bourbon, this could be disappointing. If you’re open to drinking what reminds me of honey slathered on freshly made cinnamon french toast (or a certain cinnamon roll drizzled in honey, you get the picture) – this is a really tasty treat!
Whiskey JYPSI Explorer 1st Release 6 Year Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with French and Appalachian Oak Staves
51.5% ABV $70 Website We would like to thank Outsiders Spirits and CHQ Media for sending us samples to review.
What the Producer Says
Our all-new Explorer Series is based on the harmony of unparalleled six-year aged whiskeys and unique finishing woods from around the globe. Perfectly paired to showcase the impact of the woods on the whiskey — from premium versions of common woods to the exotic — and beautifully marries our passion for whiskey with our spirit of exploration.
The inaugural Explorer release starts with a blend of two six-year-old bourbons — a low rye distilled in Kentucky and selected for its sweetness and an Indiana high rye chosen for its spice. The combined mash bill of 66% corn, 30% rye and 4% malted barley is then slowly reduced to 103 proof and finished using two oak varietals — French Oak from France’s famed Forest of Tronçais and American Oak from the Appalachian Mountains. Each of these woods was chosen for its ability to accentuate the sweetness and spice of the blend.
FINISHED IN FRENCH OAK from the Forest of Tronçais The French Oak staves used in the inaugural Explorer release come from the Forest of Tronçais and were selected because of their accentuated notes of spice and leather. The oak trees from this forest have been used to make barrels for centuries and have housed some of the finest Bordeaux wines ever made. The Forest of Tronçais was originally overseen by the Duke of Bourbon and was later planted with oak trees by Louis XIV to supply timber for the French navy. The Tronçais region was also home to early European troubadours whose musical traditions of merging melodies and poetry ultimately migrated to the Appalachian Mountains – which became the heart of America’s singer-songwriter tradition.
FINISHED IN AMERICAN OAK from the Appalachian Mountains The American Oak staves used in the first Explorer release come from the same Appalachian Mountains that were home to the roots of country music, where cooler conditions lead to slower growth and a tighter grain. This results in a specific mix of sweetness, richness, depth, and viscosity that pair perfectly with the spice of the French Oak as a key finishing component. Explorer’s Appalachian Oak was also harvested near where Whiskey JYPSI’s co-founder Eric Church grew up in North Carolina.
What Gary Says
Nose: Interesting wood spices, sandalwood, vanilla, honey and leather. Palate: Thick mouthfeel with vanilla, caramel, chocolate covered raisins, bit of cola and white pepper. Finish: Long with pepper spice, vanilla cola and honey. Comments: This is an entirely different whiskey than their first Whiskey JYPSI Legacy, but it similarly has just a really thick and chewy mouthfeel that I am all about. And on top of this, this is a really interesting whiskey! Same bottle as their other offering (which if I had my preference, would have a synthetic cork instead of the real one), filled with spicy but sweet bourbon. Really nicely balanced with the different oak casks contributing some spicy nuance.
