Average

Elijah Craig Barrel Select

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Elijah Craig Barrel Select

62.5% ABV
$25 (200 mL)

NOTE: This is a bottle sold in Heaven Hill’s Bourbon Heritage Center gift shop. I couldn’t find any information about it on any Heaven Hill web-site. The bottle, intended to be a small barrel but I’ve heard it referred to as a “grenade”, indicates the name, the proof, and that it is Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Sweet caramel with notes of leather under a rough edge with a hint of eucalyptus.
Palate:  Warm, creamy sweet, banana nut bread (but light on bananas), cocoa with a dusting of cinnamon.
Finish:  Moderate in length with a lingering sweetness.
Comments:  On the nose this screams Heaven Hill’s house style, which for me is caramel with a bit of eucalyptus (many get mint, but for me it is a bit different). As a non-age stated member of the Elijah Craig family, comparing it to its siblings might not be fair – but what else could we compare it? There is a familial resemblance for sure, and while NAS I would guess this is maybe 6-9 yrs old (I don’t get “young whiskey” notes, but it isn’t nearly as oaky or complex as the former 12 yr age stated version). I picked this up in their gift shop, and thought it was a “gift shop exclusive” – but Google seems to think different stores offer this for sale – so perhaps not. The bottle is cute, and it was an inexpensive pick-up – although considering it only has 200 mL of bourbon – it isn’t a bargain. I think if you’re there and want to pick up a nifty souvenir – this might be well received. If you’re a fan of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and hoping to get that bourbon in a smaller vessel – I expect you would be disappointed.

Rating: Average

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The GlenDronach ‘Peated’

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

The GlenDronach ‘Peated’
46% ABV
$45
Website
(Important note for those in the United States:  On the site’s landing page, select United Kingdom as the country or it will auto-direct by location, and you won’t see the content; I couldn’t find a way around that!  If it auto-selects United States, you may have to clear cookies/cache to be prompted)

What the Distiller Says
In contrast to the traditional, non-peated character of the GlenDronach, this particular whisky has, unusually, been distilled using peated malted barley. The GlenDronach ‘Peated’ pays homage to the peat historically used to dry the malted barley in the traditional floor matlings during the early days of the distillery. The subtle peated notes in this intriguing expression complement the classic GlenDronach Highland character and the rich sherry notes drawn from the wood.

TASTING NOTES
APPEARANCE: Vivid harvest gold.
NOSE: A delightful aroma of ripe gooseberries dusted with cinnamon sugar combines with a contrasting crisp citrus twist. The delicate peat influence gives a smouldering charred wood character filled with freshly ground barley and hints of vanilla toffee.
PALATE: Vibrant oak spices and floral heather honey develop to rosehips and barley sugars, all warmed by a touch of white pepper. Subtle peat notes complement the palate by giving a delicate depth and dryness of glowing campfire embers.
CONCLUSION: A unique marriage of crisp fruit and barley-laden Highland characteristics surrounded by gentle peat smoke, intriguingly reminiscent of heather burning in the distant glens.

What Gary Says
Nose: Peat, sweet sea brine over husky, vegetal notes with a hint of iodine.
Palate: Sweet malt, notes of fruit salad underneath earthy peat and pepper.
Finish: Short and dry.
Comments: GlenDronach is typically a ‘sherry bomb’ single malt, so this peated offering is a significant departure from their traditional line. I like to see folks reach and try new things, and while this is interesting, it delivers peat but falls short for me if I’m looking for a peated single malt. It left me wanting to reach for some other Islay whisky.
Rating: Average

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The GlenDronach 8 Year Old Octarine

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

The GlenDronach 8 Year Old Octarine
46% ABV
$60-ish
(This was a limited edition launched in May 2010 exclusively for the Carrefour supermarkets in France, although may be found elsewhere)
Website

What the Distiller Says
Matured and married in a combination of the finest bourbon & sherry casks

TASTING NOTES
APPEARANCE: Burnished copper with a pronounced saffron glow.
NOSE: Dense citrus fruits, with hints of marzipan and chocolate shavings.
PALATE: Fresh, vibrant and fruity. Vanilla, butterscotch and toffee, laced with spiced apple cake. Smooth and very approachable.
FINISH: Fragrant and aromatic. Lingering. Superb depth and development.

What Gary Says
Nose: A bit thin, sherry with raisins, pecan shortbread cookies and a hint of sandalwood.
Palate:  Sweet fruity malt with a subtle pepper spice and a bit of sour oak.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, drying with pepper spice.
Comments:  While darker in color than the 8 Year The Hielan’ as well as the 12 Year Original, I found this to be thinner all the way around. Maybe the color set my expectations higher (note – per the label the color is all natural)? I tasted this alongside The Hielan’ and the 12 Yr to kick off this series, and it was a distant third in that grouping for my taste. That said, nothing wrong or off-putting about this whiskey. The Hielan’ really impressed me at the same age, so while this is thinner by comparison, it isn’t overly so for its age.
Rating: Average/Stands Out

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Hewn Spirits Reclamation American Single Malt Whiskey

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Hewn Spirits Reclamation American Single Malt Whiskey
Finished in Chestnut
46% ABV
$43 (375 mL)
Website

What the Distiller Says
AGED WITH 300-YEAR-OLD RECLAIMED WOOD, FOR A TRULY TIMELESS CHARACTER
In the age of recycling, we’ve discovered a brilliant use for old wood in the making of Reclamation American Single Malt Whiskey. Made from premium malted barley, Reclamation from Hewn Spirits is aged with hickory, chestnut, or oak that’s been reclaimed from timbers up to 300 years old. The result is a whiskey that is uncommonly soft, full, rich and complex to the taste. The true spirit of wood™.

What Gary Says
Nose: Sweet malt with some nutty vegetal notes and a hint of honey.
Palate: Sour oak, apricots and a hint of hops.
Finish: Fleeting.
Comments: A unique pour for sure. I’m not a big fan of “craft whiskey” that tries to compete straight up on bourbon or rye, because I don’t find that they’re able to (for the money – they typically don’t compete with Evan Williams Black Label, but are multiples of the price). I think this is exactly the type of niche where craft whiskey can contribute – different and innovative treatments of the spirit. I applaud Hewn Spirits for taking that approach. This particular one – finished in Chestnut – doesn’t hit me in my wheelhouse. It is clearly young malt, but it is different. I bought the bottle really to reward desired behavior – namely offering free samples of their products in the store. While I wouldn’t buy it again, I don’t regret the purchase – and for a whiskey geek – finding that different/unique experience is worth taking a flyer.
Rating: Average

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Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye

45% ABV
$25
Website
Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye

What the Producer Says

PRODUCED AND SOLD IN LIMITED QUANTITIES, SMALL BATCH RYE OFFERS SMOOTH, SPICY RYE FLAVOR WITH ENOUGH BACKBONE TO STAND UP TO CLASSIC COCKTAILS.
NOSE
Spicy with Hints of Chocolate and Vanilla
TASTING NOTES
Mildly Woody with a Sweet and Surprising Spice

What Gary Says

Nose: Bright and sweet pine notes with a bit of mint and dill.
Palate: Full mouthfeel, corn sweet with a subtle lemon-spice pick-up; a bit of allspice on the back.
Finish: Short and wet.
Comments: This is a 2 yr old straight rye from Indiana, and the nose represents that well. On the palate, it comes across more like a young bourbon to me. Reminds me a bit of Ezra Brooks Straight Rye (also bottled by Luxco with Indiana distilled rye). Smoother than most ryes of this age that I’ve tasted. If I was looking for a rye in this price range, I’d select a couple others over this – although there isn’t anything off-putting with it.

Rating: Average

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