Must Buy

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique

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

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength
Single Malt Whisky

50-59.9%
$220 – $300
Website
Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Cask Strength Whisky

What the Distillery Says

Vinho is fully matured in used American oak wine barrels that have been toasted and recharred in a way that brings out fruity vanilla notes from the wood into the whisky overlaid on a delicate background of complex fruitiness.
It has a complex and multi-dimensional background of pepper, spice, dates and other fruits, such as ripe melon and mango together with kiwi and a delicate blend of bursting citrus fruits.
ABV: 50-59.9%
Colour: Deep autumn gold
Flavour: A rich fusion of vanilla and caramelized sugars with dark chocolate on top. Ripe melon and mango together with kiwi and a delicate blend of citrus fruits burst. Pepper is also present in the background waiting to be noticed.
Palate: The taste ends with clean and complex flavours embodying all that is best in the finest malt whiskies enjoying a long aftertaste.
Tasting: We suggest drinking Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask neat.

What Gary Says

Nose: Raisins, berries, leather, toffee, charred oak, smoked brisket with brown sugar glaze, subtle baking spices, balsamic drizzled over mango.
Palate: Rich and thick mouthfeel, fruity with cherries, strawberries and raspberries, fudge toffee, plums, dates, honey and vanilla.
Finish: Long and syrupy with dark fruit, honey and allspice.
Comments: Wow – this is just a lovely dram! Apologies that I don’t know the exact ABV of this sample, but damn – I need more of this in my life. Incredibly intense and complex – the kind of dram I could just sit and nose for hours (except it’s so damn tasty on the palate!) I don’t often get strawberries and raspberries in whisky, and really enjoyed those peeking in. A bit of water brings more citrus to the party, but despite the cask strength I enjoyed it immensely neat. I haven’t had much Kavalan before, but this is definitely going on my watch list.

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Read More »

Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond (National Distillers)

/ / Bourbon, Review, The Collector's Cabinet / ,

Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
National Distillers (dusty)

50% ABV
$20
Old Grand-Dad Bottled in Bond Bourbon

What the Bottle Says

BONDED
Old Grand-Dad 100 Proof
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bottled In Bond Under Supervision of U.S. Govt
Distilled and Bottled by The Old Grand-Dad Distillery Company
Frankfort, KY – DSP KY. 14

(on the faux tax stamp)
AGED 8 YEARS
BOTTLED FALL OF 1990
NOTE: This image isn’t of my bottle but a representative image; mine was a 375 mL I paid $10 for in 2014. The first part of the UPC is 86259, which identifies it as a product of National Distillers.

What Gary Says

Nose: Butterscotch, honey, caramel, vanilla, soft oak with hints of toffee, peanut brittle and leather.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, caramel, butterscotch, cinnamon, nutmeg and honey.
Finish: Moderately long with honey, toasted oak and butterscotch.
Comments:  This is an absolute butterscotch bomb! While the faux tax stamp printing states 8 years old, this may be older being bottled during the glut era. National Distillers is one of my favorite dusty bourbons, and I was fortunate to stumble across two bottles of this at a small liquor store in Miami back in 2014. This is one where if someone could bottle this – exactly like this today – I’d be stockpiling. I wish I knew what it was that gave it that unique profile (and there’s been countless hours debating such topics on Straight Bourbon, whether it was the proof coming off the still, the entry proof, where it was matured, the yeast used, etc). I know a lot of folks who have tasted a fair amount of dusty bourbon would stampede over loved ones for Stitzel Weller, but for my taste buddies I’ve always preferred the ND profile. Now this whiskey isn’t mind-blowingly complicated, but I’d still rate it as a ‘Must Try’ because it’s just freakin’ delicious, and a ‘Must Buy’ if you can find it for reasonable money.

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond (National Distillers) Read More »

Blood Oath Pact No. 10

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Blood Oath Pact No. 10 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Finished in Cabernet Franc & Merlot casks

49.3% ABV
$130
Website
Blood Oath Pact 10
We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us samples to review.

What the Blender Says

Lux Row Master Distiller and Master Blender John Rempe marks a decade of distinction – and secrecy – as he renews his annual pact with bourbon drinkers by releasing Blood Oath Pact 10 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey double finished in Cabernet Franc and Merlot casks. A limited supply of 17,000 (3-in) cases will arrive at retail this month at a suggested price of $129.99 per 750 ml bottle. As with all of Rempe’s pacts, Blood Oath Pact 10 is offered at 98.6 proof (49.3% ABV).

Blood Oath Pact 10 combines some of the finest rare bourbons Rempe could find, including two well-bred ryed bourbons and one finished bourbon each complementing the others. In honor of Blood Oath’s double-digit age milestone, Rempe achieved a double finish for this year’s special, secret blend. The first finish was perfected in Cabernet Franc barrels, imbuing rich flavors of tart raspberries and black pepper. The second finish was refined in Merlot barrels, instilling the tastes of red stone fruits with undertones of vanilla, cocoa and anise. The result is a delicious and distinctive pour.

For a decade Rempe has sought out famous and forgotten rare bourbons and bottled them in combinations for his limited-release Blood Oath Pacts. Not to cater to anyone’s loyalties, he has sworn to never reveal where he finds his bourbon, but only promises to choose and make the best he knows.

“We wanted to create something truly distinctive and unique to mark our 10th edition of Blood Oath and we did just that,” said Rempe. “For this offering I sourced three extraordinary bourbons that could be elevated even further through a double finish in Cabernet Franc and Merlot casks, and would ultimately deliver the kind of rich, fruit-forward notes and smooth drinking experience I wanted to achieve. It’s a superb blend and I’m excited to share it.”

Lux Row only releases one new Blood Oath Pact annually, and each limited edition features a distinct and thoughtfully designed label. This year, a black label with striking silver highlights adorns the Blood Oath Pact 10 bottle. And like its predecessors, each bottle of Blood Oath Pact 10 comes in a commemorative fire-branded wooden display box.

The official launch of Blood Oath Pact 10 will include a total allocation of 51,000 bottles, 1,400 of which will be held for a future Trilogy release. The first Trilogy featuring Pacts 1, 2 and 3, was released in 2018, and the second Trilogy featuring Pacts 4, 5 and 6, was released in September 2021 in conjunction with National Bourbon Heritage Month. The next Blood Oath Trilogy, featuring Pacts 7, 8 and 9, will be offered later this year.

TASTING NOTES
AROMA: Sweet fruit with hints of oak.
PALATE: Rich caramel with flavors of tart raspberries and black pepper.
FINISH: Distinct notes of red stone fruits with undertones of vanilla and cocoa.

What Gary Says

Nose: Fruity with berries, nectarines, caramel, nutty note, cigar paper, oak and dark chocolate.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel, load of fruit including raspberries, plums, apricots and black cherry, honey, vanilla, dark chocolate, nutmeg, anise and a hint of root beer.
Finish: Long and syrupy with raspberry, honey and oak.
Comments: This is my favorite Blood Oath to date; complex, layered, nuanced, balanced, and all-around delicious! The finishes bring a ton of fruit to the party, but don’t overpower the bourbon spirit. This drinks lovely neat, but adding a few drops of water brightens the fruit notes on the nose, leaning more into a citrus vibe. I love the versatility of this bourbon – it is one that I could sit and ponder, nosing for hours over a long quiet evening. Or just sip while enjoying good company, and great whiskey!

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

Blood Oath Pact No. 10 Read More »

Springbank 21 Year

/ / Campbeltown, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Springbank 21 Year
Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky

46% ABV
$325-600
Website
Springbank 21 Year Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky

What the Distillery Says

45% Bourbon, 20% Rum, 20% Sherry, 15% Port

With its warm, golden glow, our 21 year old is inviting, creamy and offers unbelievable complexity. The maritime influence uncovered in this single malt will take you on a journey to its Campbeltown home.

Nose: Notes of citrus zest, pineapple upside-down cake and fudge introduce this year’s Springbank 21 year old. There is a savoury element in the notes of baked gam and tomato vine leaves, with subtle peat smoke coming through on the nose.

Palate: A tropical influence comes through on the palate in the notes of ripe mango, dried coconut and papaya, opening up to notes of liquorice, cola syrup, digestive biscuits, honey and a slight earthiness.

Finish: A long finish with notes of orange zest, campfire embers and caramel.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Dark fruits, figs, dates, raisins, blackcurrants, worn leatherbound book, soft oak, hints of spent matches, anise, blood orange and a bit of smoke.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, sherried fruits (raisins, dates, figs), honey, building to wood spices with nutmeg, anise and clove.
Finish:  Long, slightly drying with sherry, soft pepper and bit of smoke.
Comments:  Springbank is damned hard to beat, and this is no exception. Just ridiculously delicious, balanced between the fruit and savory notes. Bit of water rounds out the spice and thickens it nicely. This would be a solid ‘Must Buy’ but the pricing has also gotten ridiculous.

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

Springbank 21 Year Read More »

Longmorn 18 Year Old Double Cask Matured

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

Longmorn 18 Year Old Double Cask
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

48% ABV
$108 (700 mL)
Website
Longmorn 18 Year Old Double Cask Matured Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

What the Bottle Says

Double Cask Matured
American Oak Barrels and Hogsheads
Elegant and fruity on the nose with notes of sweet pear and mango followed by creamy toffee and orange marmalade. The palate is rewarded with soft fudge and ripe juicy pear. Incredibly smooth and long finish with a touch of nutty oak.
Non Chill-Filtered

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich and thick, fruity with pears, peach cobbler, hint of mango, butterscotch, buttered biscuits, leather, pipe tobacco and brown sugar.
Palate:  Thick mouthfeel, fruity with honey, maple candies, peaches, pears, smoke, praline and a bit of nutmeg.
Finish:  Long and damp with citrus notes, oak and a touch of pepper.
Comments:  I love Longmorn. There, I said it, and I’m not ashamed. I have many fond memories of putting a hurting on various independent bottlings of Longmorn over the years, made better given the company (but don’t get me wrong – these were some stellar bottles. This is a distillery bottling, and might be the first that I’ve had – so I wasn’t sure what to expect.  Not sure why – it’s freaking delicious – and ridiculously good given the price. Even with shipping to the states (which I despise paying for), this one would easily be worth it. A bit of water brings out more tropical fruit notes on the nose, and tamps the smoke on the palate bring the peaches to the forefront. I only added water to see what would happen, and was rewarded by watching it cloud up nicely. This is a delightful dram neat though.

Rating: Must Buy

Longmorn 18 Year Old Double Cask Matured Read More »