Must Buy

George Dickel Bottled in Bond

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

George Dickel Bottled in Bond

50% ABV
$36 – 40
Website
George Dickel Bottled in Bond

What the Distillery Says

George Dickel is excited to announce the brand’s newest limited release – George Dickel Bottled in Bond. Bold and balanced, this 13-year-old whisky is rooted in authenticity – reflective of Cascade Hollow Distilling Co.’s commitment to honestly producing quality whisky.At 100 proof, George Dickel Bottled in Bond can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks in addition to being well-suited for many of your favorite cocktails. Whisky drinkers can purchase this high quality, 13-year-old whisky at local fine wine and liquor stores in specific markets.

The Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 was initially passed to guarantee a spirit’s authenticity and quality. Like other spirits with the Bottled in Bond distinction, George Dickel Bottled in Bond has been aged and bottled according to a special set of regulations from the U.S. government. To be labeled Bottled in Bond, the whisky must be produced:
During One Distillation Season: Fall 2005 (13 Years Old)
By One Distiller: George Dickel brand
At One Location (Produced and Aged At): Tullahoma, TN
Bottled at 100 Proof

What Gary Says

Nose:  Oak with brown sugar, caramel, toffee, minerals/vitamins, slightly burnt brownies, charcoal ash, a hint of rubber bands.
Palate:  Sweet caramel toffee with dark honey and molasses, turtle brownies with walnuts and burnt corners, a bit of a sharp pepper spice with oak.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with fudge, pepper, oak, and that mineral note.
Comments:  Kudos to George Dickel for releasing a 13 yr bottled-in-bond for under $40. Seriously, even if you’re not a Dickel fan (I get why the mineral/vitamin note can put some off), whisk(e)y fans from all walks of life should take a moment to appreciate that and applaud. This one seems to get better every time I pour it. My first taste I thought was too oaky (at least for my preference), and I almost didn’t buy a bottle based on that one tasting. Glad I gave it another chance, as it is delicious, and a terrific value. While there is oak as you’d expect in a 13 yr Tennessee whisky – it isn’t overly so. If you know you’re a fan of Dickel already, I’d consider this a ‘Must Buy’. If you can take it or leave it, I’d certainly seek out the opportunity to try it!

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy; Great Value

George Dickel Bottled in Bond Read More »

Old Forester Rye

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey / , ,

Old Forester Rye

50% ABV
$23 – $26
Website

What the Distillery Says

In 1870, our founder George Garvin Brown revolutionized the industry by sealing Bourbon in a glass bottle for the first time. Five generations and nearly 150 years later, we are proud to introduce the first Kentucky Straight Rye Whisky from The First Bottled Bourbon™.

A historic recipe, acquired in 1940 by Owsley Brown I, Old Forester Rye features a mash bill of 65% Rye, 20% Malted Barley, and 15% Corn. Such a high proportion of barley allows for a fully natural fermentation process, forgoing the need for artificial enzymes commonly found in high rye mash bills. Additionally, a generous percentage of malt yields a unique floral character, balancing the sharp, brisk spice of the rye grain. Continuing our legacy of quality and consistency, Old Forester uses its own proprietary yeast strain, produces every barrel, and distills every drop.

At 100 proof, Old Forester Rye plays beautifully in a cocktail but also stands up boldly on its own.

TASTING NOTES
AROMA: Rich brown sugar and magnolia blossom, with hints of soft sassafras and candied lemon.
TASTE: Spice awakens immediately leading with sharp black pepper and cinnamon stick, rounding out with notes of dried dill and baked apple.
FINISH: Allspice and peppercorn introduce a loyal and dry finish which ignites with pine, anise, and bright lemon zest.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich, thick nose, chock full of rye spice; mint, dill, and evergreen forest.
Palate:  Soft and round at the start, then sharpens as the journey continues with some herbal dill and mint notes, cinnamon and pepper kicking up over rye toast later.
Finish:  Not very long, with a drying herbal note.
Comments:  I really like this; just a straight up, unapologetically rye whiskey. With the growth in popularity the last few yeas, there has been more rye introduced – some of it solid, and some pretty disappointing.
I don’t get much/any citrus fruit like with some ryes – this plays in the herbal corner of the garden for sure, but it does so beautifully. My benchmark for any rye under $30 (frankly, under $40 even) is how it compares to Rittenhouse Bottled in Bond – and this held its own (in fact, the day of – I preferred this!) And can we take a moment to celebrate a screw-top?
Don’t get me wrong – this isn’t as complex as an 8 year cask strength rye (no age statement, so assuming this is in the ballpark of 4 yrs old).  But if you are a fan of rye whiskey, at this price point – I can’t imagine you being disappointed in a blind purchase.  If you’re not a solid rye fan (like some, not others), I’d urge you to try .

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy; Great Value

Old Forester Rye Read More »

George T Stagg (2018)

/ / Bourbon, Review /

George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

2018 Release
62.45% ABV
$90 to ??? (retail has gotten unpredictable)
Website
Stagg

What the Distiller Says

This extremely hearty whiskey ages in new charred oak barrels for no less than 15 years. Straight out of the barrel, uncut and unfiltered, the taste is powerful, flavorful and intense. Open it up with a few drops of water, sit back and ponder the wonders of the universe.

The 2018 release is comprised of barrels aged for more than 15 years and 4 months.

TASTING NOTES:
Lush toffee sweetness and dark chocolate with hints of vanilla, fudge, nougat and molasses. Underlying notes of dates, tobacco, dark berries, spearmint and a hint of coffee round out the palate.

What Gary Says:

Nose: Rich dark chocolate, charred oak, vanilla, brown sugar, cigar paper; bit of water tamps the oak, brightens it and brings out more caramel with toffee.
Palate: Warm, dark chocolate with vanilla, raisins, hint of cherries, cinnamon; bit of water brings out malted chocolate candy with milk chocolate and caramel.
Finish: Moderately long, drying with a spicy smoke note.
Comments: Very similar to the 2014 (in fact, I took a bit of both vintages, brought them down to 100 proof – and found them virtually identical).  Which is to say delicious.  My track record of never meeting a George T. Stagg I didn’t like remains unscathed.

Rating: Must Buy

George T Stagg (2018) Read More »

George T Stagg (2014)

/ / Bourbon, Review /

George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

2014 Release
69.05% ABV
$80 to $100 (retail)
Website
Stagg

What the Distiller Says

This extremely hearty whiskey ages in new charred oak barrels for no less than 15 years. Straight out of the barrel, uncut and unfiltered, the taste is powerful, flavorful and intense. Open it up with a few drops of water, sit back and ponder the wonders of the universe.

The 2014 release is comprised of barrels aged for more than 16 years and 4 months.

TASTING NOTES:
Lush toffee sweetness and dark chocolate with hints of vanilla, fudge, nougat and molasses. Underlying notes of dates, tobacco, dark berries, spearmint and a hint of coffee round out the palate.

What Gary Says:

Nose: Rich dark chocolate, charred oak, vanilla, molasses, cigar paper; bit of water tamps the oak and brings out more brown sugar and toffee.
Palate: Warm, bitter chocolate with vanilla, raisins, cinnamon; bit of water brings out more caramel, more milk chocolate and mixed nuts.
Finish: Moderately long, drying with a smokey note of dark roasted coffee.
Comments: I have never met a George T. Stagg that I didn’t like. Are some years “better” than others? I suppose if you’re blessed to have multiples laying around to compare – sure.
I’ve never had one that I thought wasn’t pretty damn great. Where does this sit? No idea; I did a blind side-by-side between this and the 2018 vintage – which is 13 proof points lower – and found the differences to be few/far between. This is one of those that if I ever see it retail (stop laughing, it might happen again some day) and it isn’t marked up obscenely – it’s an automatic buy for me.

Rating: Must Buy

George T Stagg (2014) Read More »

Four Roses 130th Anniversary Small Batch Limited Edition 2018

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Four Roses 130th Anniversary Small Batch Limited Edition 2018

54.2% ABV
$140
Website

What the Distiller Says

If you’d like to experience some of the best Bourbons we’ve ever put in a bottle, ask about our Limited Edition bottlings at your favorite bar or liquor store. From time to time, our Master Distiller hand selects a few exceptional barrels from our 10 Bourbon recipes for these special releases. Each is non-chill filtered and barrel strength, so you get to savor them exactly as they come out of the barrel. Look for them. Find them. Collect them. Share them. Or not.

TASTING NOTES
Nose: Warm aromas of rich vanilla, mingled with raspberries, crème brûlée and ripe berries.
Palate: Bright apricot flavors greet the palate, then give way to hints of mint, cinnamon, apple and mellow oak.
Finish: Very long, with notes of cinnamon, more fruit and vanilla.

Recipes:
10-year-old OBSV
13-year-old OBSF
14-year-old OESV
16-year-old OESK

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich, vanilla, coffee cake, a floral mustiness, nutty butterscotch, allspice and a hint of anise.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, sweet entry with caramel, vanilla, honey before sharpening with lovely spices (nutmeg, allspice) and oak (maybe a hint of clove).
Finish:  Moderately long, slightly drying with oak spice and a hint of cinnamon.
Comments:  The bit of butterscotch I get from this reminds me of dusty Old Taylor (which is a huge compliment for those unfamiliar). It isn’t the ‘butterscotch bomb’ that you find there, but if tasting blind – I might have guessed this to be mingled with some dusty Old Taylor. This is flat out delicious, which isn’t a surprise to me. I’ve yet to find a Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition I didn’t think was pretty amazing, and this continues that trend. I lament no longer being able to walk into a store and pick one of these up for $80 (or even the ability to walk in and buy one retail for the current MSRP; locally you’ve got to be in good with a store and get lucky). But if I found myself staring at one in a retail store that wasn’t gouging, this would be an automatic buy for me every time.

Rating: Must Buy

Four Roses 130th Anniversary Small Batch Limited Edition 2018 Read More »