Average

Few Rye Whiskey

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Few Rye Whiskey

46.5% ABV
$55 – $65
Website

What the Distillery Says

BORN OF HEARTY GRAIN AND PATIENCE.
The generous rye content is married with the sweetness of corn for a genteel interpretation of the venerable spirit. Patiently aged in air-dried oak barrels, its spicy character transcends mere resurgence. Behold – the renaissance of rye.

Mashed, fermented, distilled, aged at least one year in charred new oak barrels, and bottled by FEW Spirits, LLc. Evanston, IL

What Gary Says

Nose:  Bright rye spice, mint, dill, lemon furniture polish with notes of pine.
Palate:  Crisp, bright sharp with lemon spice, mint and a touch of cinnamon.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length with dried mint and light pepper.
Comments:  I’m not sure where the ‘patience’ comes from in their claim, since they don’t list an age. It tastes fairly young to me, although I happen to like young rye (maybe the only whisk(e)y category I don’t mind in the 2-3 yr range). While I don’t mind young rye, I’d never cough up over $50 for a bottle of this. If you’re considering it for some other reason (maybe you live in Illinois and want to support local craft?), I’d urge you to try a pour first.

Rating: Average

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Stolen X Rock & Rye

/ / Other Spirits, Review /

Stolen X Rock & Rye

40% ABV
$25
Website
Stolen X Rock and Rye
We would like to thank Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Stolen X.  Dangerously Good.
We believe that a good drink doesn’t have to be complicated to order or take forever to make.

Stolen X is based on a traditional spirit called Rock and Rye – a designated spirits category.

The history dates back to pre-prohibition days with a combination of new rye whiskey and rock candy. This drink knew how to get the party started.

We’ve since updated this OG classic with simple, premium ingredients: Stolen X is made with American rye whiskey, organic raw honey and orange peel. At 80 proof, Stolen X has a kick, but is smooth going down.

Shoot or sip over ice.

  • American rye whiskey
  • Aged over two years in new American oak
  • Fresh orange peel & organic raw honey
  • Affordable, all natural, gluten free

Stolen X is currently available at both on-and off-premise establishments in 750ml bottles with a suggested retail price of $24.99. This summer the brand plans to launch a One Liter($29.99) and 100ml cans($2.99)

What Gary Says

Nose:  Orange creamsicles, honey, subtle rye spice with mint, evergreen, and a hint of dill under rickhouse oak.
Palate:  Sweet thick honey and orange with a rye bite of cracked pepper near the end.
Finish:  Short to moderately long, with honeyed orange and a hint of pepper spice.
Comments:  ‘Rock & Rye’ isn’t really intended to be nosed like a whiskey; it really is catering to those looking for a pre-made cocktail. It is definitely on the sweet side, and the rye gives it a pop but doesn’t necessarily stand out on its own.

Rating: Average

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Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon

43% ABV
$20
Website

What the Distillery Says

Created in 1870, Old Forester is the only bourbon continuously distilled and marketed by the founding family before, during and after Prohibition. At 86 proof, Old Forester delivers a genuine bourbon experience, with rich, full flavor and a smooth character that is ideal for sipping neat, on the rock, with a splash of water or in a classic cocktail.

TASTING NOTES
AROMA: Sharp and sweet, with a strong floral character that swirls with hints of mint, rich tobacco leaf and vanilla. A touch of oak and pine provides a strong underpinning.
TASTE: Sharp at first, but softens quickly, with hints of oak, sweet corn and rye grain character. Spicy, with soft vanilla and light orange notes.
FINISH: Long, warm and slightly drying. Nice level of sweetness.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Crisp, sharp rickhouse must with vanilla, baking spices, and subtle spearmint with eucalyptus.
Palate:  Caramel toffee with notes of vanilla and cinnamon.
Finish:  On the short side, sweet with notes of light-roasted coffee.
Comments:  Old Forester 86 proof is a fairly basic/standard Kentucky Straight Bourbon. For my money, it is a small step up from Evan Williams (although I do appreciate that both are offered at 86 proof rather than 80!). A little more spice and nuance make this a quite serviceable bourbon.

Rating: Average

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Balcones Texas Single Malt Whisky

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Balcones Texas Single Malt Whisky

53% ABV
$75
Website

What the Distillery Says

A TIMELESS WHISKY
A timeless style of malt whisky, Balcones “1” Texas Single Malt breathes new life into centuries of distilling tradition with classic techniques and ingredients adapted for New World tastes. Opening aromas bear hints of toffee and overripe fruits. On the palate, layers of toasted malt and honey give way to mellow notes of baked pears and apples. A long finish is accompanied by cinnamon and cloves. Texas made, Texas proud, we hope you enjoy the whisky we owe our success to as much as we enjoy making it.

NOSE: ripe, buttered stone fruit, banana and pears; honey and rose water with delicate citrus accents
TASTE: silky and full on the palate; lightly toasted bread with fresh butter and marmalade
FINISH: long finish with lingering toast and burnt sugar notes morphing into rich malt and wood flavors with counterbalancing acidity

What Gary Says

Nose:  Chocolate, caramel, rice pudding, sherry cask, oak with spent matches.
Palate:  Bitter chocolates with hazelnut, cracked pepper on smashed and baked green plantains.
Finish:  Moderate in length, drying with a bit of pepper notes.
Comments:  When I first nosed this, it reminded me a bit of a highland single malt. My brain keeps pulling towards a sherry-cask influence without any fruit, which is different. On the palate; completely different. Aged “at least 22 months”, so quite young and immature – which shows. More interesting than the Baby Blue, but not something I’d seek out – especially at this price point. I will give them props for having 50 mL bottles (which is how I came to try it).

Rating: Average

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Bruichladdich – The Classic Laddie

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Bruichladdich
The Classic Laddie
Scottish Barley

Unpeated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
50% ABV
$55-$65
Website

What the Distillery Says

Head Distiller Adam Hannett has individually selected casks to showcase the classic, floral and elegant Bruichladdich house style. Made from 100% Scottish barley, trickle distilled, then matured for its entire life by the shores of Loch Indaal in premium American oak, it is a testament to the quality of our ingredients.

THE NATURAL OILS
We never chill-filter our whiskies because this industrial process strips out the natural oils and esters that give Bruichladdich a wonderful rich, oily mouthfeel.
A characteristic ‘band of gold’ is created when water, which is denser than our whisky is carefully added to the glass.

TASTING NOTES
CHARACTER – Smooth as pebbles in a pool. It’s clean, fresh and lively with both the oak and the grain in perfect harmony.
COLOUR – Sunlight on fields of early summer barley.
NOSE – The bouquet is brilliant. Opening with barley sugar and a hint of mint before leading into the most wonderful notes of freshly cut wild flowers; buttercup, daisy, meadowsweet, myrtle, primrose and cherry blossom. The cleanliness of the spirit is remarkable. As the seconds tick by, more aromas rise from the glass, little zephyrs of spindrift and sea pinks reminding you that this spirit is matured exclusively by the sea. After some four or five minutes and with the addition of a little water, caramelised fruits drift onto the scene; lemon drops and honey, tangerine and tablet.
PALATE – The palate entry is so refined and refreshing, the sweet oak and the barley arriving together sending the taste buds into raptures. The fruits from distillation drift in on an atlantic breeze and pop on the tongue like champagne bubbles. A combination of ripe green fruit, brown sugar and sweet malt bring closure. A taste back in time, a realisation that not all single malts are equal and to achieve the absolute optimum, you must use barley that is made in Scotland. Make this one the benchmark for all others you meet on your journey through the stills of Scotland.
FINISH – Unforgettable! Its best enjoyed in good company, you just don’t want the evening to end. It brings warmth to the heart and soul. The clock slows down and the cares of tomorrow disappear into the dawn.
MOOD – Conviviality! Relaxed, enjoying the spirit in the glass and the laughter from tales often told but never tired of hearing.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Sweet malt, with a bouquet of floral and herbal notes, bit a dried mint and sea breeze.
Palate:  Nice mouthfeel, not quite creamy, blanched pears atop vanilla flan with caramel; builds up with pepper spice and a bit of clove at the back.
Finish: Moderately long;  slightly drying with some mint and subtle pepper spice.
Comments:  Richard picked up the Bruichladdich The Wee Laddie Tasting Collection Gift Pack, which included three 200mL bottles. I’m glad he did! Starting with this as the baseline for exploration of the three, which for my tastes is pleasant enough although definitely on the subtle side. Nothing that jumps out and grabs my attention, but also nothing that turns me off.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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