Germain-Robin XO California Alambic Brandy

/ / Other Spirits, Review /

Germain-Robin XO California Alambic Brandy

40% ABV
$130
Website
Germain-Robin XO California Alambic Brandy

What the Distillery Says

Germain-Robin XO is an icon of California Brandy. Distilled exclusively in Pruhlo Charentais Pot Stills and aged in Limousin Oak Barrels, XO highlights the unique flavor and characteristics of California Pinot Noir grapes.

DISTILLER’S NOTES:
The high-quality California wine grapes in Germain-Robin XO showcase unique flavors and layered textures. The signature grape, Pinot Noir, provides a dark cherry character and a rich silky mouthfeel. Colombard distillate adds a fresh apple character while Sémillon provides richness with peach and apricot notes. The balance of both fruit and oak flavors is unique to Germain-Robin XO. The vanilla and toast flavors from the French oak complement the fruit which creates layers of complexity that only can be found from sourcing great fruit. The fermentation and distillation is driven with the goal of emphasizing fruit and mouthfeel and then paired with aging in select Limousin Oak Barrels. Texturally, the brandy is extremely smooth and has an incredibly long finish.

SIGNATURE FLAVORS:
Cherry, Vanilla, Oak

What Gary Says

DISCLAIMER: I’m a whisk(e)y enthusiast, and not familiar with Brandy (so read at your own risk!)
Nose:  Grapes, apples, sherried fruit, sandalwood incense, floral, hint of green tea with subtle mulling spices.
Palate:  Bright, floral with apples, cherries, and pepper spice (tad astringent).
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, dry with unsweetened grape juice and apples.
Comments:  I haven’t had a lot of brandy, but I enjoyed this one. The nose is delightful and complex, although the palate left me wanting what the nose was advertising. Seemed like the nuance and subtle notes from the nose just got lost along the way to my tongue! This isn’t my area of expertise, so that may be typical – and as such, not knocking down my rating.

Rating: Stands Out

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Barrell Whiskey Private Release Blend AH08

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Barrell Whiskey Private Release Blend AH08

59.49% ABV
$100
Website
Barrell Whiskey Private Release AH08

What the Blender Says

The Barrell Private Release Series is a project in detailed blending on a scale small enough to allow extreme precision.​

The Private Release Series lets us exercise our blending expertise while maintaining a single barrel-like scale controlled entirely by hand and by palate. Our goal is always to maximize the best attributes of each component. Every ounce of every ingredient changes the overall character of these blends, as does the barrel that each one is aged in. For that reason, these barrels take months to polish and perfect. While we may be able to replicate the recipe for these releases, the unique nature of each ingredient and the barrel they are married in makes every bottling singularly special.

Each release of our Private Release Whiskey is a unique blend of whiskeys. Once created, these blends are married in single casks, many of which were previously used for other spirits and/or wines. Each Private Release Whiskey series has slightly different base whiskey and is entered into a finishing cask at a different time.

AH08 is a blend of KY Whiskeys, the largest component being 18-year-old KY whiskey, finished in a Malmsey Madeira barrel.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Fruit salad steeped in wine, apricots, berries, vanilla, brown sugar, honey and cedar.
Palate:  Chocolate covered cherries, vanilla, honey, tangerines, cinnamon, bit of ginger, pepper, nutmeg and a hint of anise.
Finish:  Long, thick with ginger and orange marmalade.
Comments:  Very fruity, sweet but with a ginger-spicy edge. Interesting and unique to be sure. A bit of water brings out a note of grapefruit on the nose, and thickens the palate while bringing more citrus to the party.

Rating: Stands Out

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Booker’s 2022-04 “Pinkie’s Batch”

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Booker’s “Pinkie’s Batch” 2022-04
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

6 Years, 10 Months, 10 Days
61.2% ABV
$90
Website
Booker's 2022-04 Pinkie's Batch
We would like to thank Beam Suntory and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says:

This batch is named in honor of Booker Noe’s dad, the original Frederick Booker Noe, better known as Pinkie to his family and friends. Although no one is quite sure where Pinkie’s nickname came from, he is remembered as someone who always followed his passions.

Most people thought Pinkie was in the bourbon business, which was a good assumption to make about someone in the Noe family, but he actually worked as the vice president of the local bank. That’s not to say he didn’t enjoy drinking bourbon – he actually was a big fan – but being a part of the bourbon business wasn’t his thing. When he wasn’t running the bank, Pinkie loved to golf and tried to play as often as possible. He was also an outdoorsman with a passion for hunting that he passed down to Booker.

Although some of Pinkie and Booker’s interests were different, the two would often bond over hunting quail and watching football, which brought them together at the end of the day. While enjoying “Pinkie’s Batch,” be sure to raise a glass to the original Frederick Booker Noe.

TASTING NOTES
Like all batches of Booker’s Bourbon, Booker’s “Pinkie’s Batch” was selected by Seventh Generation Master Distiller Fred Noe to ensure it upholds the qualities and standards that his dad set for Booker’s Bourbon more than 30 years ago. Uncut and unfiltered, this batch has the following characteristics:
PROOF: 122.4
AGE: 6 years, 10 months and 10 days
BATCH NOTES: Booker’s “Pinkie’s Batch” has a golden amber color and a balanced aroma of brown spice and vanilla notes. It has the rich vanilla taste Booker’s is often known for, with a lingering well-rounded finish.
SIPPING SUGGESTIONS: Booker’s “Pinkie’s Batch” is best enjoyed neat.

What Gary Says

Nose: Salted caramel, vanilla, oak, cocoa, peanut brittle with brown sugar, and a hint of graham cracker.
Palate: Caramel, cark chocolate, vanilla, peanut butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper.
Finish:  Moderately long with cocoa, oak and a bit of pepper.
Comments:  I do admire the consistency of Booker’s, as well as getting that something a bit different from time to time. The note of graham cracker on the nose was unexpected, and I do enjoy that in bourbon. This takes water well, which won’t be a surprise to fans of Booker’s either.

Rating: Stands Out

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Stellum Black The Lone Cypress

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Stellum Black The Lone Cypress
Cask Strength Blend of Straight Rye Whiskies

57.67% ABV
$100
Website
Stellum Black Lone Cypress Whiskey
We would like to thank Stellum Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

This savory and delicate rye blend is defined by notes of dried herbs and pine, with a hint of salt-air salinity. It’s named for one of the world’s most famous trees, found on the picturesque coast of the Monterey Peninsula.

TASTING NOTES
Color: Russet.
Nose: Soft aromas of cedar and a buckwheat honey sweetness. Slight notes of burnt orange peels and an apricot kernel-like nuttiness. Lingering pleasant spices like toasted allspice and peppercorns.
Palate: It immediately coats the mouth and presents a flavor reminiscent of saltwater taffy. There are satisfying notes of ripe apricot and peach skins complimented by freshly baked pastry dough.
Finish: On the exhale, there are faint flavors of chamomile tea and more baked goods like an apple cider donut. The orchard fruit flavors persist and become jammy.

With 3 drops OF WATER: The slight addition of water brings out its savory edge. Now crushed peppercorn becomes more present, bringing subtle notes of fennel and licorice along. The fruit notes soften and become akin to poached pears and cinnamon.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Honey, fresh cedar, pine, mint, orange zest, cinnamon, and a hint of juniper.
Palate:  Thick with nectarines, cinnamon, mint, light caramel, peaches, pepper and savory herbs.
Finish:  Moderate in length, drying with cinnamon, lemon and pepper.
Comments:  I can’t recall getting juniper in a whiskey before (in fact when I first nosed, I wondered “Is this a whiskey finished in gin barrels?”)  It isn’t that heavy – but just caught me by surprise.  Grapefruit comes out with some water, and it softens the palate while keeping that lovely viscosity. This is a rye whiskey for folks who really like that sharp, acidic bite that rye offers (not that ‘barely legal rye’ nonsense, although I enjoy those as well).

Rating: Stands Out

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Stellum Black Hunter’s Moon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Stellum Black Hunter’s Moon
Cask Strength Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskies

57.76% ABV
$100
Website
Stellum Black Hunters Moon Whiskey
We would like to thank Stellum Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

This warm, oak driven bourbon is made in preparation for winter, inspired by the Hunter’s Moon of October. It is marked by a high rye spice and a robust woodiness meant for the time of year when days get shorter and the nights get longer.

TASTING NOTES
Color: Golden Caramel.
Nose: Very warm, rounded vanilla and butterscotch aromas initially, giving way to honeysuckle and ripened mango.
Palate: Bright cinnamon at first, leading into flamed orange peel, then savory, earthy notes of black plum and petrichor.
Finish: Sweet and upbeat medium finish that tapers off gracefully.

WITH A SPLASH OF WATER: The layer of fruity, floral aromas is activated with a splash of water. The nose gives ripe mango, coconut, and tangerine, the palate is toasted salted cashew and lemon balm, and the finish is longer and leaner, like a walk down a long dock at the beach.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich, salted caramel, vanilla, butterscotch, honey, brown sugar, nutmeg and a bit of cherries.
Palate:  Thich mouthfeel, citrus forward with toasted orange zest, caramel, milk chocolate, cinnamon, honey, and pepper spice.
Finish:  Moderately long and damp with caramel, grapefruit, cinnamon and pepper.
Comments:  Very nice and spicy bourbon – almost reminds me of a rye whiskey with that citrus edge on the palate. Takes a bit of water well, adding a toffee note on the nose and bringing the chocolate out more on the palate.

Rating: Stands Out

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