Must Try

Sagamore Spirit Barrel Select Rye Whiskey

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Sagamore Spirit Barrel Select Rye Whiskey
Total Wine Selection

52.5% ABV
$65-80
Website
Sagamore Spirit Barrel Select Rye Whiskey

What the Producer Says

Barrel Select Rye Whiskey
The Sagamore Spirit Barrel Select program is a unique Maryland-style blend of 7-year-old straight rye whiskies. Each barrel of high-rye is expertly blended with a low-rye mash bill by our distilling team. No two expressions taste the same, and you are guaranteed to enjoy a one-of-a-kind product. The Sagamore Spirit Barrel Select program showcases the uniqueness of our distillers’ favorite barrels in each bottle.

Tasting Notes
Palate: Classic tasting notes include hints of caramel and vanilla with cinnamon and clove.
Age: 7 Years

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rye spice with fennel, dill, tarragon, mint, toasted oak, bright citrus with notes of lemon and lime.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, vanilla then sharpens to grapefruit, lemon, a bit of orange, toffee, cinnamon and honey.
Finish:  Moderately long with grapefruit, cinnamon and vanilla.
Comments:  Just delightful! Honestly I am normally not a fan of grapefruit notes in my whiskey, but this has a lot going on beyond that. From what I see the price points on these vary quite a bit, with some folks snagging for $65 but $80 seems to be the SRP.

Rating: Must Try

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Bib & Tucker Gold Roast Provisions Parcel

/ / Gary's Blog, Review / ,

Bib & Tucker Gold Roast Provisions Parcel

$85
Website
Bib & Tucker Gold Roast Bourbon Provisions Parcel
We would like to thank Bib & Tucker and CREATE ENTERTAINMENT for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

At the crossroads of heritage and innovation comes a new signature expression from Bib & Tucker Small Batch Bourbon: Gold Roast, a 6-Year Tennessee Whiskey artfully finished with whole roasted Arabica coffee beans using a refined cold extraction method. Gold Roast Bourbon is a celebration of two time-honored American traditions. Inspired by the turn of the century, when bourbon and coffee were rituals of connection, comfort, and craft, this release reimagines those traditions for the modern drinker.

Kit includes:

  • Bottle of Bib & Tucker Gold Roast Bourbon
  • Custom Gold Roast Blend Coffee from Muletown Coffee Roasters
  • Bib & Tucker Leather Coasters
  • Premium Glassware

What Gary Says

I reviewed Bib & Tucker Gold Roast Bourbon just a few months back, and really enjoyed it.  Many producers start putting together gift box sets just in time for the holidays – and I receive offers to try them and share reviews. The vast majority of the time I pass – not because I think they’re not good products, but often the boxes are simply the whiskey – and some branded glassware; maybe a gimmick or two. They sell the idea of generosity without delivering much real value.

Not this one.

The Bib & Tucker Gold Roast Provisions Parcel surprised me—in the best way.

What’s Inside the Box
  • A bottle of Gold Roast Bourbon – six-year Tennessee small-batch, finished with cold-extracted Arabica coffee beans
  • A bag of the same roasted coffee used to finish the bourbon (THIS was my main curiosity!)
  • Two heavy crystal tumblers (my parcel had Nachtmann Noblesse glasses, 13.6 oz—solid in the hand)
  • Leather coasters to support those hefty tumblers
  • Nicely presented gift box with honeycomb flex paper wrapping the bottle (great protection, and a nice visual touch)

Bib & Tucker Gold Roast Provisions Parcel

Why This Is Worth It
  • The bourbon: This isn’t a gimmick-finish. The coffee integration is real. Check out my review on it, but it’s solid (and in fact the more I sipped it, the more I liked it).
  • The coffee: This was a huge component for me. Imagine a tasting experience where a whiskey is finished in some cask (sherry, wine, etc), and you could get a gift box with a small taste of THAT product!  I would be all over that! This adds a layer of storytelling to the whole experience, and invites you to brew, sit down, sip, compare, and most of all – enjoy.  And how is it?  Really nice, and can see why it was selected – medium roast with notes of vanilla and cocoa; complements the bourbon quite well (which I knew from the whiskey itself)!

Custom Gold Roast Blend Coffee from Muletown Coffee Roasters

  • The packaging: Strong. The bottle’s honeycomb wrap adds texture and substance—way more thoughtful than the usual molded foam, bubble wrap, or heaven forbid packing peanuts.

The Bib & Tucker Gold Roast Bourbon Provisions Parcel

  • The barware: Let’s talk about that glass. Whether neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail, I love the way this tumbler feels in my hand. There’s real presence here. You know when you’re holding it, and it looks distinguished.

Nachtmann Noblesse Whisky Tumblers

  • The extras: Leather coasters are a classy touch.

I made the Gold Roast Old Fashioned from Bib & Tucker’s recipe here and it worked beautifully. That coffee edge plays well with bitters and a twist. Stirred it up, dropped in a couple of rocks, and let that glass do its thing. Heavy in the hand, light on the lip. Everything I want in an end-of-day pour (and yes, if it looks like the fill line is high – I made a double; don’t judge me).

Gold Roast Old Fashioned

Final Word

In a crowded field of bourbon gift sets, this one doesn’t just pass muster—it stands out. The whiskey is legit. The coffee is just plain fun to experience that connection. The packaging is intentional – including being stylish and functional. The accessories are high quality. It doesn’t scream for attention; it just shows up ready to impress – and it did that!

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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West Overton Keystone Rye

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

West Overton Keystone Rye
Special Collaboration with Stoll & Wolfe Distillery

54% ABV
$75 (375 ml)
Website
West Overton Keystone Rye
We would like to thank Stoll & Wolfe Distillery and The Whiskey Bard for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Age: 3 Years
Mash Bill: A blend of 95% Stoll & Wolfe (60% Rye, 30% Corn, 10% Malt) and 5% WO Monongahela Rye (80% Rye, 20% Malt)
Cask Types: 53 gallon barrel 2 yr air dried staves for the S&W (American oak); WO is American oak
Things to Note: Historic collaboration with West Overton (Distillery of Abraham Overholt)

Tasting Notes
Nose: Aromas of citrus oil, dried mint, and stone fruit rise from the glass, layered with toasted oak and a hint of cherry.
Palate: The palate opens with bold rye spice—black pepper, clove, and ginger—balanced by the depth and natural sweetness of the Rosen rye. Notes of fig, dark honey, and rye bread develop into warm oak and leather.
Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel is full and slightly chewy, with a firm structure that carries through to the finish.
Finish: Lingering notes of cinnamon, cocoa, and dry oak round it out with warmth and complexity.

What Gary Says

Nose: Strong rye spice notes with mint, time, oak funk and cedar.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel with caramel, honey, cloves, cinnamon, mint and orange bitters.
Finish: Long, slightly drying with rye spice notes trailing.
Comments: Apologies in advance for this note which many of you may not be able to relate to very well (just not sure how else to describe it), but this reminds me of ‘dusty rye; – like how rye tasted before rye started making a comeback a dozen or more years ago. It leaves me super curious about how the Stoll & Wolfe Pennsylvania Straight Rye Whiskey tastes at this ABV (as that’s 95% of the blend) versus what the West Overton Monongahela rye. This drinks like a more mature whiskey than 3 years old. It is a tad sharp, but I don’t mind that in a rye whiskey (in fact expect a certain amount of that). Just a delicious, spicy spirit perfect for a crisp fall day! This is a limited release, on sale only at the distillery – so if you’re in the area get it while you can!

Rating: Must Try

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Stoll & Wolfe Pennsylvania Straight Rye Whiskey

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey / ,

Stoll & Wolfe Pennsylvania Straight Rye Whiskey

45% ABV
$48
Website
Stoll & Wolfe Pennsylvania Straight Rye Whiskey
We would like to thank Stoll & Wolfe Distillery and The Whiskey Bard for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Stoll & Wolfe have moved to the forefront of a crowded whiskey landscape by using recipes and methods passed down by Legendary Pennsylvania Master Distiller Dick Stoll. The distillery has been a vital part of reviving whiskey making in small-town Pennsylvania. The collection of Stoll & Wolfe spirits embodies the style and 250-year history of distilling in Lancaster County.

Both the Pennsylvania Straight Rye Whiskey, distilled by Dick Stoll, and the Blend of American Straight Whiskeys, with casks selected and blended by Dick Stoll, have been heavily awarded. Both spirits received scores from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge indicating whiskies that are both highly recommended and excellent in quality. These two flagship bottles were each awarded a Silver Medal at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition – in the Rye Whiskey and American Whiskey categories respectively. Among the awards, both spirits finished as Chairman’s Trophy finalists in their categories with a Top 3 Finish. Stoll & Wolfe has continued to build upon the legacy of Dick Stoll and the early success of these spirits by expanding to a number of whiskey variations and other distilled offerings. Stoll & Wolfe offerings are available in both the tasting room for purchase and pickup or online for shipping nationwide. View our online shop to try one of Pennsylvania’s most authentic whiskies.

Age: 3 Years
Mash Bill: 60% Rye, 30% Corn, 10% Malt
Cask Types: Zak Cooperage 2 Year air dried staves American oak
Things to Note: Non-Chill Filtered, Sweet Mash Kline Farm Grain

Tasting Notes
Nose: Bright and grain-forward with aromas of rye spice, lemon peel, dried mint, and toasted oak. Subtle notes of cinnamon and orchard fruit peek through with time in the glass.
Palate: Focused and expressive. Classic Pennsylvania rye character comes through with black pepper, clove, and dry herbal notes, rounded out by hints of honey, toasted grain, and dried fruit.
Mouthfeel: Firm and structured with a dry edge and chewy grain texture that lingers.
Finish: Long and spice-driven with lingering notes of cracked pepper, oak, and dutch cocoa.

What Gary Says

Nose: Bright rye spice – mint, thyme, dill with some lemon zest and oak.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel with honey, vanilla, cloves, tangerines, mint and pepper.
Finish: Moderately long with pepper spice followed by cloves and oak.
Comments: Rye whiskey is the only category of whiskey that I find enjoyable at under 4 years old (and not ALL rye whiskey fits that description). For a three year old rye, this punches well above it’s weight! The non-chill filtering really shines through, and the spices in this dram – I would have guessed it was more like an 80% rye (although it doesn’t have that crisp edge that a higher rye would have). This is just delightful! I would love to try this with a few more years of maturity, and a higher ABV (maybe a limited edition in the future, maybe straight, 5 year old cask strength? A guy can dream, right?)

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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State Line Coffee Liqueur

/ / Other Spirits, Review / ,

State Line Coffee Liqueur

25% ABV
$30
Website
State Line Coffee Liqueur
We would like to thank State Line Distillery and Publicity For Good for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Locally roasted coffee, organic grains from Wisconsin’s Driftless region, and pure cane sugar combine to form a decadent liqueur that is velvety smooth with rich notes of coffee and chocolate.

Crowned ‘Best in the World’ multiple years at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition, State Line Coffee Liqueur represents unmatched quality in every sip.

State Line Coffee Liqueur is velvety smooth with rich notes of coffee and chocolate. Produced from locally roasted Kin-Kin Coffee it’s hard not to get hyperbolic about our coffee liqueur. But man — it’s good. Crazy good.

State Line’s neutral grain spirit blends with cold brewed Kin-Kin Coffee and cane sugar for a decadent liqueur that’s not too sweet yet not too bitter, like dark chocolate. Serve it over ice or shake up an Espresso Martini. It’s always good. Too good, even. Okay we’ll stop.

Learn more here!

What Gary Says

Nose: Medium to dark roast coffee with a bit of chocolate.
Palate: Sweet coffee with a bit of caramel and dulce de leche.
Finish: Short in length with notes of coffee and sweetness.
Comments: This is a delightful and coffee-forward coffee liqueur! That might sound like a given, but trust me – it was really eye-opening to experience. After tasting, I decided to pull out the “coffee liqueur” I had in my cabinet (Kahlúa) for a side-by-side comparison, and the two really aren’t that similar. This is less syrupy and a tad lighter in the glass (because of course I tried both in Glencairns because I’m a whisk(e)y geek!) This is coffee first, with sweetness playing a supporting role – where the other is syrupy sweet and more chocolate forward, with coffee falling well behind. It was only then I noticed that the other is ‘coffee AND RUM liqueur’, which I had forgotten. All that to say, don’t think of this as a substitute for the other – it really does stand on its own, and if you’re a fan of coffee, this is a gem!

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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