Must Buy

Heaven Hill Select Stock Bourbon SB.com Pick 1

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Heaven Hill Select Stock Bourbon
StraightBourbon.com First Barrel Pick

63.8% ABV
$75
Website
Heaven Hill Select Stock

What the Bottle Says

(Why the bottle? Well, this isn’t mentioned on Heaven Hill’s web-site. The “Select Stock” label is something they’ve used for some one-off barrels (like these) or for limited gift shop releases. In fact this may have been the first release under the label, but I’m not positive. It is definitely one of the first!)
Barrel Serial No: 00004826
Lot ID: 03I24A
Rickhouse/Floor: J-6 | Rack/Tier: 0-0
Special Characteristics: 8 year old Wheated Bourbon Finished in Cognac barrels for 19 months
Bottle 249 of 366
Distillation Date: 9/24/2003
Bottled Date: 9/19/2013

Hand Selected for StraightBourbon.com to raise funds for the Parker Beam Promise of Hope Fund and fight against ALS.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich vanilla bean, salted caramel, summer rickhouse oak with nutmeg, cinnamon, dark cherries, chocolate, a hint of clove and a faint hint of black tea.
Palate:  Warm, thick sweet caramel/vanilla fudge, black cherry ice cream with cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg, a bit of freshly cracked pepper.
Finish:  Long, slightly drying with floral vanilla and cinnamon notes.
Comments:  On the nose this is a tad sharp, but at 63.8% that’s understandable. When this was offered to a select number of active community members on Straightbourbon.com, I was honored to be included – but also a bit nervous. At that time, $75 was a LOT of money for me to spend on a bottle of whiskey. I had tried the Parker’s Heritage Collection 5th edition, which was a rye-mashbill bourbon finished in cognac barrels, and I wasn’t overwhelmed. But, the proceeds were going to a good cause, so I definitely wanted to participate, and I only asked to purchase two of these. DOH! I wish I had gotten more. The cognac finish is subtle, giving it a little bit of black cherry notes, but not overpowering the bourbon. Unfortunately with only 366 bottles (and all going to members of that community, who each pledged NOT to sell them – although a couple have been), your odds of ever seeing this are close to nill. But if you ever happen upon an open bottle at some gathering, I’d make sure I got a taste!  As I prepare for Thanksgiving tomorrow, giving thanks for having had the opportunity to be part of the amazing Straightbourbon.com community.

Rating: Must Buy

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The Macallan Cask Strength

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside, The Collector's Cabinet /

The Macallan Cask Strength

60.1% ABV
$70-$80 (original retail; several multiples now at auction)
Website
The Macallan Cask Strength

What the Bottle Says

(Unfortunately as a discontinued offering, no mention of it on their web-site)
Exclusively matured in selected sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain & bottled at original cask strength.

This Macallan is bottled at original cask strength without chill filtration or the addition of water. The result is a particularly rich Single Malt, in our opinion best enjoyed with a splash of water to release the complex aromas and sumptuous flavours. Just how much water is left entirely to you. Making this the perfect Single Malt for the adventurous whisky drinker who likes to experiment and explore.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Thick, rich stewed plums and raisins covered in molasses, dark chocolate covered coffee beans, charred oak, a worn leather chair in a musty library where cigars were enjoyed the night before – yeah, that kind of depth.
Palate:  Thick and viscous, intense dark fruit – mincemeat pie that went easy on the cinnamon, some pepper edge that gives way to hints of nutmeg and a faint whisper of anise.
Finish:  Long and lingering, with fruit, hints of chocolate and pepper spice.
Comments:  I only discovered this lovely pour a few years back, stumbling upon some bottles while hunting for dusty bourbon. I bought a couple, and would kick myself for not buying every last one if it might change what happened (I have it on good account my Delorean won’t be out of the shop anytime soon – so pointless). When I first poured it, my immediate thought was “This is the George T. Stagg of Scotch!” With many more years of experience across different whiskies, I’m not sure I would disagree with that initial assessment. This is a bold, intense yet balanced whisky. Unfortunately discontinued many years ago, and now going for several multiples of the retail price at auction. Never bought whisky via an auction previously, although as I near the end of my last bottle – giving that more thought.

Rating: Must Buy (at retail)

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WhistlePig Single Barrel 13 yr

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

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

60.5% ABV
$90
Website
WhistlePig 13 Year Private Selection

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

/ / 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

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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

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