Must Buy

WhistlePig Single Barrel 13 yr

August 23, 2019 / Gary / Review, Rye Whiskey / Must Buy

WhistlePig 13 Year Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey
Selection by Dekalb Bottle House, Atlanta GA
Barrel 3323

60.5% ABV
$90
Website

What the Bottler Says:

(Note – what follows is what they say about WhistlePig 10 Year Straight Rye; the Private Selection program allows for a custom label, but includes the “10 Year” age statement despite samples being older. This particular barrel was 13 years old)
The spirit of entrepreneurship.
Fortune, superb taste, and hustle lead us to the discovery of an aged Rye Whiskey stock in Alberta, Canada. We rescued the stock from misuse as a blending whiskey, aged it in new American Oak with a bourbon barrel finish, then hand-bottled this rye on its own. We’re honored to present the most awarded Rye Whiskey in the world.

NOSE: Allspice, orange peel, anise, oak, char and caramel
PALATE: Sweet; hints of caramel and vanilla, followed by ryespice and mint
FINISH: Long finish; warm butterscotch and caramel.

What Gary Says:

Nose: Rich salted caramel with toasted lemon zest, charred oak, pine needles, dried dill, hint of mint, thyme, cinnamon, and orange essence.
Palate: Rich mouthfeel with a lovely warm sweetness, caramel with chocolate orange, allspice, a bit of cinnamon, some ginger and pepper spice.
Finish: Long with notes of caramel and minty pepper spice.
Comments: Considering the WhistlePig 10 Yr 100 proof is only $15 less than this was, this was a no-brainer to pick up without having tried it. You don’t see 13 yr cask strength ryes for under $100 anymore. This is the 2nd cask strength private selection of WhistlePig that I’ve had, and both were damn delicious. 100 proof is nothing to sneeze at, but the extra 10% ABV plus a few more years does some lovely things to this whiskey. I’m sure this is long since sold out, but if you see a private pick that is reasonably priced and you’re a fan of rye whiskey – I’d recommend grabbing it.

Rating: Must Buy

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George Dickel Bottled in Bond

August 8, 2019 / Gary / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review / Great Value, Must Buy, Must Try

George Dickel Bottled in Bond

50% ABV
$36 – 40
Website

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

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Old Forester Rye

March 29, 2019 / Gary / Review, Rye Whiskey / Great Value, Must Buy, Must Try

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

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George T Stagg (2018)

February 19, 2019 / Gary / Bourbon, Review / Must Buy

George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

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

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.