Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review, Rye Whiskey /

Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
90% Rye Whisky
Fine Blended Canadian Whisky
45% ABV
$25 to $35
Website
crown-royal-northern-harvest-rye.jpg.size.xxlarge.letterbox
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.

Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye Read More »

Four Roses 2015 Limited Edition Small Batch

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
2015 Release
54.3%ABV
$100
Website
fourroses-2015smallbatch
What the Distillery Says:
The 2015 Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon is timed with the retirement of Master Distiller Jim Rutledge and the appointment of Brent Elliot to the post.

Four Roses is the only distillery that combines two mashbills with five proprietary yeast strains to produce ten distinct Bourbon recipes, each with its own unique characteristics. The 2015 Limited Edition Small Batch features a 16-year-old Bourbon from Four Roses’ OBSK recipe, a 15-year-old OESK, a 14-year-old OESK and an 11-year-old OBSV.

“This combination of mature bourbons is something truly special,” said Rutledge. “It’s great when you can go out on a high note, and this Bourbon delivers that.”

Bottled at barrel strength with a proof of 108.5, the 2015 Limited Edition Small Batch mingles together aromas of ripe cherry, caramel custard and fresh magnolia. Spicy cinnamon and clove flavors give way to subtle tastes of orange peel, apricot and light honey. The long, velvety finish leaves lingering hints of creamy vanilla and fresh spearmint.

“This Bourbon is a great tribute to Jim Rutledge, whom I’ve had the privilege to work with closely over the past decade. His knowledge and passion, along with the strong team at our distillery, are responsible for the high-quality Bourbon we produce every day,” said Brent Elliott, who takes the post of master distiller September 1. “I couldn’t think of a better way to toast Jim’s exceptional career.”

Four Roses will produce and distribute approximately 12,600 hand-numbered bottles of the 2015 Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon, which are expected to hit retail outlets in mid-September, during National Bourbon Heritage Month.

The limited edition release also highlights a year in which Four Roses announced an expansion that will increase its aging capacity and double its distillery in size and annual production by 2020.

“It’s an exciting time of growth for Four Roses, but what’s not going to change is the attention to detail that’s put into every Bourbon we handcraft,” said Elliott.

TASTING NOTES

Nose: Ripe cherry, caramel custard, fresh magnolia
Palate: Spicy cinnamon, clove, orange peel, apricot, light honey
Finish: Long, velvety finish, lingering hints of creamy vanilla, fresh

What Gary Says:
Nose: Rich sweetness, spice, caramel, oak (more so than 2014), mincemeat pie.
Palate: Thick, robust dark fruit sweetness, toffee, more oak but nice balance; toasted orange zest.
Finish: Dries out after a bit, but not unpleasantly.
Comments: Different from the 2014 Small Batch Limited Edition; more oaky, and a bit more robust, but very nice. This one is thicker on the palate, but dries out more on the finish. Each year I wonder if this will be the year I’m disappointed with Four Roses’ fall limited edition offering (especially since the market is driving prices higher). This is not that year – I bought my bottle at the gift shop for $120, and have zero regrets.
Rating: Must Try

What Richard Says:
Nose: Layers of sweet mints, caramel chews, vanilla custard, orange zest, and cloves.
Palate: Rich doesn’t begin to describe it. Cinnamon, cloves, citrus marmalade, oak staves, and poached stone fruits with a pinch of pepper around the edges.
Finish: Dry, spicy, minty, and slightly peppery.
Comments: The last Jim Rutledge Four Roses Limited Edition. It’s everything great about Four Roses. It’s not the absolute best Four Roses I’ve had but the sentimental value sends this through the roof. It’s a little drier and woodier than the best examples but the nose is the best I’ve ever sniffed from this distillery. For the uber whiskey geeks (like me) the recipes for this one are a 16 year OBSK, a 15 year OESK, a 14 year OESK, and an 11 year OBSV.
Rating: Must Buy

Four Roses 2015 Limited Edition Small Batch Read More »

Four Roses OESV

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Four Roses Single Barrel Private Selection
Recipe OESV, 10 years and 9 months old
59.7% ABV
$59.99
Website

The Recipe:
OESV is currently only available as a private selection bottling at the distillery gift shop or possibly at a local liquor store near you. Unlocking the recipe codes goes like this…

“O” starts all of Four Roses’ recipes and only means that it is made by Four Roses in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

“E” mean that this is the lower rye content of the two mashbills that Four Roses uses, specifically 75% Corn, 20% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley

“S” means that it is Straight Whiskey by U.S. Regulatory definition, again all their products carry this designation

“V” distinguishes the yeast strain used. This specific one impacts more of a delicate fruity flavor onto the distillate

What Richard Says:
Nose: When you first open the bottle a big dose of brown sugar comes wafting out. As it opens up I get more of a stewed stone fruit presence. With a fair addition of water it’s more of a light tropical fruit mix. Kiwi, passion fruit, and a bit of pineapple.
Palate: Rich, thick, and chewy. A real brawler on the palate. Again, this takes water very well leaving a smooth fruity sweetness of kiwi syrup over poached pears and brown sugar caramel.
Finish: This one finishes very heavy on the wood and mint.
Comments: I’m really more of a “B” higher rye mashbill kind of guy when it comes to Four Roses recipes. However, every now and again I come across one from the other side of the fence to reinforce my acquisition disorder of having both on hand in the whiskey closet. This is not the best example but it’s still damn tasty.
Rating: Stands Out

Four Roses OESV Read More »

Four Roses OBSQ

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Four Roses Single Barrel Private Selection
Recipe OBSQ, 10 years and 11 months old
54.2% ABV
$59.99
Website

The Recipe:

OBSO is currently only available as a private selection bottling at the distillery gift shop or possibly at a local liquor store near you. Unlocking the recipe codes goes like this…

“O” starts all of Four Roses’ recipes and only means that it is made by Four Roses in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

“B” mean that this is the higher rye content of the two mashbills that Four Roses uses, specifically 60% Corn, 35% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley

“S” means that it is Straight Whiskey by U.S. Regulatory definition, again all their products carry this designation

“Q” distinguishes the yeast strain used. This specific one impacts more of a floral character onto the distillate

What Richard Says:
Nose: Grenadine, mint tea, jasmine, and clover.
Palate: This has a really nice layered richness to it. Cherry sweetness layered over jasmine and wisteria with a fresh mint note bringing up the back end.
Finish: This bottle finishes with kind of grassy note playing against the wood with a bit of black pepper teasing around the edges.
Comments: A great bottle of bourbon for sure. I don’t often get more floral notes from a bourbon but this one has it in spades. It’s also well layered and integrated. All around very enjoyable.
Rating: Must Try

Four Roses OBSQ Read More »

Four Roses OBSK

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Four Roses Single Barrel Private Selection
Recipe OBSK, 9 years and 5 months old
59.1% ABV
$59.99
Website

The Recipe:
OBSK is currently only available as a private selection bottling at the distillery gift shop or possibly at a local liquor store near you. Unlocking the recipe codes goes like this…

“O” starts all of Four Roses’ recipes and only means that it is made by Four Roses in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

“B” mean that this is the higher rye content of the two mashbills that Four Roses uses, specifically 60% Corn, 35% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley

“S” means that it is Straight Whiskey by U.S. Regulatory definition, again all their products carry this designation

“K” distinguishes the yeast strain used. This specific one impacts more of a slightly spicy character onto the distillate

What Richard Says:
Nose: Vanilla extract, cracked black pepper, cinnamon Red Hots, and wintergreen mint.
Palate: Another big hit of cinnamon Red Hots followed by vanilla creme brulee and 5th Avenue chocolate and toffee bars. Fighting it’s way to the front is a spicy mixture of cayenne, and habanero pepper notes. This one bites back!
Finish: Fresh mint and more vanilla play against another cayenne kick before it fades out to a medium oak finish.
Comments: I’m a little partial to this barrel because I helped pick it out. Even still, I step back and really appreciate the depth here. OBSK seems to be a pretty popular pick. More often than not I find store barrel selections in this recipe. I think that tells that it’s a drinkable approachable bourbon but also that you would have better luck finding an OBSK than many other recipe selections.
Rating: Must Try

Four Roses OBSK Read More »