The Collector’s Cabinet

Bourbon de Luxe (National Distillers)

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Bourbon de Luxe
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
National Distillers (dusty)

40% ABV
$8.49
Bourbon de Luxe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

What the Bottle Says

Bottled under United States Government Supervision by The Bourbon de Luxe Distillery Co. Frankfort, KY. Aged 4 Years

NOTE: The bottle has a tax stamp from the State of Georgia, as well as a ‘faux tax seal’ over the enclosure. The stamp on the bottle indicates it was made in 1987. There is no government warning on the label (which was mandated beginning in November 1989). The first part of the UPC is 86259, which identifies it as a product of National Distillers.

What Gary Says

Nose: Butterscotch over vanilla ice cream with a bit of caramel and nutmeg.
Palate: Creamy, caramel, vanilla cream, hint of butterscotch with a bit of toffee and cinnamon.
Finish: Short to moderate in length with caramel and faint spice.
Comments:  As far as dusty, glut-era National Distiller’s bourbon goes, this isn’t close to the top end. Wouldn’t go so far as to call it ‘bottom shelf’ since it is straight bourbon with a four year age statement, but more middle of the road. Given the late 80s, this bottle very likely has some whiskey that is older than four years old. If you’ve never had dusty ND bourbon, this is a treat! It holds a special place for me as being one of the first dusty whiskey finds I made in the wild in April 2013 (along with a tax stamped Old Charter that I had to pour out; was just horrible). This has that butterscotchy note that ND is well known for, and has a nicer mouthfeel than most 4 yr, 80 proof bourbon would. While not very old, it does benefit from some time in the glass, and I find myself appreciating the nose more than the palate. This isn’t a complex pour by any means. The whiskey itself I’d rate as ‘Stands Out’, but throwing a ‘Must Try’ in there if you’ve never had it (and if you can come across it for reasonable money).

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Old Forester Bonded (Dusty; DSP-KY-414 circa 1980s)

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Old Forester Bonded
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Dusty; DSP-KY-414 circa 1980s

50% ABV
Market $ varies
Old Forester Bonded Bourbon Whiskey
Note the image above is not from the same bottle sampled, but has the same ‘dimples’ on the side.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Spicy oak, caramel, butterscotch, tapioca, bit of dark fruits, raisins, chocolate, a hint of fennel.
Palate:  Rich mouthfeel, sweet caramel, vanilla, nutty milk chocolate, touch of pepper; bit of water brings out the butterscotch and toffee.
Finish:  Moderate in length, wet with caramel and pepper spice.
Comments:  First, this is really dark in the glass. While ‘Bonded’ means it is at least 4 years old (along with a bunch of other requirements), coming from the 1980s this has older bourbon in the batch. I love these dusty Old Foresters – just delicious. Keep in mind this wasn’t a ‘super-premium’ pour back in the day, but also not a bottom shelfer by any stretch. I’ve seen bottles like this go for hundreds of dollars at auction, and while I really like it – I’d never pay that kinda money for it. If you have the chance to drink someone else’s though – I’d absolutely try it. In fact, when it comes to dusty whisk(e)y, I’d rarely turn down a chance to taste some history!

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Johnnie Walker Explorers’ Club Collection – The Gold Route

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Johnnie Walker Explorers’ Club Collection – The Gold Route
Blended Scotch Whisky

40% ABV
$95 (for a 1 L bottle)
Website
Johnnie Walker Explorers Club Collection The Gold Route

What the Blender Says

NOTE: This is a discontinued item.
Johnnie Walker Explorer’s Club Collection – The Gold Route is a luxurious, alluring, contemporary blend which evokes the exotic fruit flavors and beautiful, rich golden colors experienced by agents of John Walker & Sons on their journeys through Amazonia and the Caribbean. This blend is available exclusively to travellers through Duty Free stores.
Johnnie Walker Explorer’s Club Collection – The Gold Route delivers a bold, distinctive smokiness followed by a rush of guava, coconut, mango and pitaya. An undercurrent of sweet vanilla and spice emerges before a smooth, luxurious finish combining rich currants and raisins.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Butter cream icing on freshly baked donuts, maple candies, subtle peat and smoke, herbaceous, fresh tobacco, a malty tropical note.
Palate:  Fruit forward with apple, pears, mangos, other tropical fruit with a subtle earthiness, honey, toffee and a chili spice.
Finish:  Moderate in length with a lingering chili spice and smoke.
Comments:  This is quite nice, especially for 40% ABV. The nose on this is as complex as any Johnnie Walker I can recall (in fact trying this side-by-side with Johnnie Walker Blue Label, I preferred the nose on this). This might be my favorite Johnnie Walker to date. A lovely, fruity, spicy dram!

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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The Macallan Cask Strength

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The Macallan Cask Strength

60.1% ABV
$70-$80 (original retail; several multiples now at auction)
Website
The Macallan Cask Strength

What the Bottle Says

(Unfortunately as a discontinued offering, no mention of it on their web-site)
Exclusively matured in selected sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain & bottled at original cask strength.

This Macallan is bottled at original cask strength without chill filtration or the addition of water. The result is a particularly rich Single Malt, in our opinion best enjoyed with a splash of water to release the complex aromas and sumptuous flavours. Just how much water is left entirely to you. Making this the perfect Single Malt for the adventurous whisky drinker who likes to experiment and explore.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Thick, rich stewed plums and raisins covered in molasses, dark chocolate covered coffee beans, charred oak, a worn leather chair in a musty library where cigars were enjoyed the night before – yeah, that kind of depth.
Palate:  Thick and viscous, intense dark fruit – mincemeat pie that went easy on the cinnamon, some pepper edge that gives way to hints of nutmeg and a faint whisper of anise.
Finish:  Long and lingering, with fruit, hints of chocolate and pepper spice.
Comments:  I only discovered this lovely pour a few years back, stumbling upon some bottles while hunting for dusty bourbon. I bought a couple, and would kick myself for not buying every last one if it might change what happened (I have it on good account my Delorean won’t be out of the shop anytime soon – so pointless). When I first poured it, my immediate thought was “This is the George T. Stagg of Scotch!” With many more years of experience across different whiskies, I’m not sure I would disagree with that initial assessment. This is a bold, intense yet balanced whisky. Unfortunately discontinued many years ago, and now going for several multiples of the retail price at auction. Never bought whisky via an auction previously, although as I near the end of my last bottle – giving that more thought.

Rating: Must Buy (at retail)

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Wild Turkey 101 – 8 Years Old (Dusty, 1984 Decanter)

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Wild Turkey 101 – 8 Years Old (Dusty, 1984 Decanter)
50.5% ABV
$80
NOTE: This was a decanter I purchased in 2014 in Georgia with an exceptional fill level and decanted.


What Gary Says
Nose:  Rich salted caramel, oak, allspice, brown sugar, dark chocolate, vanilla, a hint of cinnamon and smokey fall leaves.
Palate:  Sweet but sharp, deep caramel bomb with honey, vanilla, some bitter chocolate notes, cinnamon, nutmeg, a hint of clove and pepper.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying with cracked pepper spice.
Comments:  I love older Wild Turkey, and this decanter was not an exception. Buying a sealed decanter is a gamble – it is difficult to tell how full it is, or if the contents will be drinkable. I’ve seen a few that were fairly full but clearly contaminated (looking dark like coffee and smelling “off”). I was very fortunate; this had less than 5% loss in the 30 years it spent in the decanter, and its color was a lovely dark copper. The risk of a low fill or contaminated contents is the only reason I wouldn’t rate this a ‘Must Buy’, since there is absolutely some risk you have to accept. But when you get lucky – it is well worth it!
Rating: Must Try

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