Must Try

Compass Box Flaming Heart 2022

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Compass Box Flaming Heart 2022
Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

48.9% ABV
$160-200
Website
Compass Box Flaming Heart 2022 Blended Scotch Whisky

What the Blender Says

The whisky inspired by a rock song – remixed​
This is our seventh edition of Flaming Heart, the whisky that revels in the harmonies between heavy peat and toasted French oak. Imagine Metallica with a backing orchestra, and you’re getting close.
With the best bands, each album is an opportunity to explore and experiment; every record is an evolution from the one before. For fans of Flaming Heart, we always seek to evolve the ‘sound’ and have introduced a deep fruitiness to the arrangement for the 2022 version.
The smoke machine is powered by a combination of malts from the Laphroaig, Caol Ila and Talisker distilleries, while our Highland Malt Blend has spent more than five years in richly toasted virgin French oak custom casks to deliver round, booming spicy richness.
FLAVOUR PROFILE: A high-energy nose with smouldering peat embers, cigar wrapper and candied ginger. The palate is oily, smoky, rich and savoury.
SERVING RECOMMENDATIONS: A whisky for friends, great music, and not taking life too seriously.
TECHNICAL DETAILS: Bottled at 48.9%. Natural colour. Not chill filtered. Blended Malt Scotch Whisky. A limited edition of 9,606 bottles. August 2022.
LEAD WHISKYMAKER: James Saxon.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Smoke and peat with wisps of salty sea air, bit of tar, smoked pork lightly brushed with barbecue sauce, grilled peaches, pears, raisins, mineral notes and leather.
Palate:  Thick and creamy mouthfeel, sweet with smoky caramel, peat, berries, apples, raisins, cherries, and nutmeg.
Finish:  Long and syrupy with apricot jam and peat smoke.
Comments:  I’ve been a fan of Flaming Heart ever since I first tried one (which was the 2012 edition). The 2015 edition I was such a fan of, I stocked up and over a couple of years bought 6 or 7 bottles (hard to tell as some were drank over that period of time!) The SRP back then was around $130 so this wasn’t an inexpensive endeavor – but worth it to me. Fast forward to 2024 when I sat down with a sample of the 2022 Flaming Heart (which I didn’t buy as the SRP was closer to $200 when I saw it on the shelf). Knowing how much I have loved past releases, I wanted to do a blind side-by-side tasting with the 2015. I have to admit – kinda wishing I had picked up a bottle now! This is a marvelous whisky! By comparison, I found this to be thicker on the nose, with more darker fruit notes, and with a bit of water got notes of tropical fruits. The 2015 was a bit lighter in color, with less red and gold – and with a bit of water tended towards more citrusy notes. Also found the nose on the 2015 brighter but a bit thinner. I found the 2015 pretty similar to the 2012 when I did a similar blind side-by-side back in the day. Just another magnificent offering from the folks at Compass Box, who I’ve been fans of for many years while not loving everything they’ve put out.

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

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Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary
8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

50.5% ABV
$50
Website
Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell's 70th Anniversary 8 Year Old Bourbon
We would like to thank Campari Group and Allison Worldwide PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Commemorative bourbon release honoring Master Distiller Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary with Wild Turkey making him the longest-tenured spirits Master Distiller in the world.

To honor Jimmy’s incredible impact on the bourbon world, Wild Turkey is proud to present the limited-edition Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon.

This collector-worthy release is an 8-Year-Old, 101-proof bourbon, with an additional blend of 8- to 9-year-old whiskeys, hand-selected from a few of Jimmy’s favorite Rickhouses. Best enjoyed neat or over ice, this bourbon is a true tribute to Jimmy’s legacy.

A LIFETIME OF PASSION

From his earliest days at the distillery sweeping the floors at age 18 to rising through the ranks to become Master Distiller, Jimmy has remained committed to crafting bourbon one way, the right way, even when it wasn’t popular. In the 1970’s and 80’s when the bourbon industry was close to collapse, Jimmy stayed the course.

When many began favoring lighter spirits, Jimmy refused to dilute his bourbon or change the distilling process at all. Embracing the pre-prohibition style that he learned from his mentor and predecessor Bill Hughes, Jimmy “didn’t change a damn thing.” This approach helped propel the popularity of many of the distillery’s classic bourbons, including Jimmy’s favorite, Wild Turkey 101. He knew bold Kentucky bourbon would always have a place on the bar, a legacy that endures today.

“In my eyes, I’ve never worked a day in my life. The day I do, I’ll retire,” jokes Master Distiller Jimmy Russell. “Until then, I’m going to continue making the bourbon I love.”

TASTING NOTES
AROMA: Vanilla, oak, and honey with notes of cinnamon, brown sugar, tobacco, and orange peel.
TASTE: Sweet cream, vanilla, butterscotch, stone fruit (dates), pecans, and black tea.
FINISH: Warming with notes of caramel, dark cherry with a long lingering finish of oak, burnt sugar, and bitter chocolate.

PROCESS: 101 proof, 8-Year-Old bourbon with additional blend of 8-9YO whiskeys from Jimmy’s favorite rickhouses.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Turtle brownies (caramel, chocolate, slightly nutty), vanilla, a bit of cinnamon, honey, slightly sour oak note, and orange zest.
Palate:  Round mouthfeel with caramel, toffee, hazelnut, cinnamon, nutmeg, oak, pepper spice with black cherries and a hint of orange marmalade.
Finish:  Long and wet with vanilla, cocoa, honey, leather, and oak.
Comments:  Damn, this is just delicious. I can see why this is how Jimmy Russell likes his Wild Turkey! Comparing this to Wild Turkey 101, this is more refined, nuanced, and complex. It is (dare I say) a bit softer than Wild Turkey 101 – but that is NOT “smooth”. Don’t go thinking that they tamed the Turkey, because Jimmy wouldn’t be having that – but this trades that biting edge for a more viscous mouthfeel and depth of taste that is just scrumptious. A bit of water doesn’t hurt it, but it absolutely doesn’t need it either – this sips beautifully neat. The whiskey is just lovely, and I appreciate Wild Turkey putting this out at an accessible price point and enough volume to allow their fans the chance to get one.

Rating: Must Try

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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

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Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye Kentucky Blended Straight Whiskey

/ / Bourbon, Other Whisk(e)ys, Review, Rye Whiskey /

Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye
Kentucky Blended Straight Whiskey

56.5% ABV
$45
Website
Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye Kentucky Blended Straight Whiskey

What the Distillery Says:

Knob Creek® is excited to announce its first-ever, limited edition bourbon and rye blend to its award-winning* portfolio, Knob Creek® Bourbon x Rye Kentucky Blended Straight Whiskey. Carefully crafted and seasoned by time, Knob Creek® Bourbon x Rye brings together two of Knob Creek’s® premium whiskeys, Knob Creek® 9 Year Old Bourbon and Knob Creek® 7 Year Old Rye, offering fans an unforgettable experience unlike anything existing within the portfolio or many other offerings on the market.
Highlighting the perfect balance of Knob Creek® 9 Year Old Bourbon’s sweet notes complimented by Knob Creek® 7 Year Old Rye’s bold spice, this robust and complex whiskey brings bourbon and rye enthusiasts the best of both whiskey worlds. It’s best enjoyed neat or on the rocks to unveil its sweet, fruity and spicy notes.
TASTING NOTES
Knob Creek® Bourbon x Rye is a masterful blend that brings together the richness of brown sweets and a hint of fruitiness and black pepper, with a sweet lingering spice finish that will leave you wanting more. This high-quality, flavorful whiskey is a testament to our dedication to deliver exceptional whiskey to enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
PROOF: 113
COLOR: Golden brown with copper hues, reminiscent of autumn leaves and evening sunlight.
AROMA: Enticing sweetness of maple syrup and vanilla, joined by hints of nuttiness and baking spices, such as cinnamon and nutmeg.
TASTE: Rich and comforting sweetness of brown sweets, like caramel and toffee, complemented by a delicate hint of fruitness for added complexity.
FINISH: Gentle heat of black pepper, adding a touch of lingering spice.

What Gary Says

Nose: Salted caramel, oak, fruity with cherries, plums and tangerines, mint, hint of maple syrup with polished leather and baking spices.
Palate: Caramel, peanut butter, chocolate, cherries, cinnamon, nutmeg, mint, citrus with a bit of cloves.
Finish: Moderately long with caramel, fruit, pepper spice and mixed nuts.
Comments: There isn’t a lot of bourbon rye blends on the market, and I’ve honestly never understood why that is. Many whiskey enthusiasts that I’ve known over the years have created their own blends, including blending from different distilleries. This is a delicious offering! Priced reasonably and at a solid 113 proof, this brings the best of both Knob Creek bourbon and rye into a single pour. Well balanced, I enjoyed this quite well neat, although a few drops of water thickens the mouthfeel nicely and brings the fruit notes forward.

Rating: Must Try

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Yellowstone 2024 Limited Edition

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Yellowstone 2024 Limited Edition
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Finished in Cognac and Brandy Casks

50.5% ABV
$100
Website
Yellowstone Limited Edition 2024 Bourbon Whiskey
We would like to thank Limestone Branch and BYRNE PR for sending us samples to review.

What the Producer Says

Limestone Branch Distillery announces the annual release of Yellowstone Bourbon Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Created by Limestone Branch Distillery Master Distiller Stephen Beam, the 2024 expression is extra aged, featuring 7-year and 17-year aged bourbons and Beam’s first double finish in French brandy and cognac casks. Bottled at 101 proof (50.5% ABV), an allocation of 10,000 cases (3-in) of Yellowstone Limited Edition will arrive on shelf in September 2024 at a minimum suggested price of $99.99 per 750mL bottle.
Limestone Branch Distillery has released its annual Yellowstone Limited Edition since 2015. In the 2024 release, Beam sought out spirits to complement the natural flavors in the extra-aged bourbon. Finishing the blended bourbon in brandy and cognac casks from France introduces nuances from different spectrums of distilled grapes within the same style of spirit. The result is a soft and approachable bourbon, perfect for Yellowstone Bourbon loyalists.
The 2024 Yellowstone Limited Edition is a rich amber color and features the bright aroma of pear, panela sugar, ripe apple and leather. With a thick, soft texture, the body includes flavors of American basswood honey, ripe stone fruits and citrus with traditional notes of caramel and vanilla. The bourbon’s warm and inviting finish delivers honey, Bosc pear, butterscotch and leather.
“The 2024 expression of Yellowstone Limited Edition represents my natural progression of experimenting with special finishes over the years,” said Beam. “Now, finished bourbons have become sought after by fans who want to push the flavor profile. I love experimenting and exploring new opportunities, and using a double finish with brandy and cognac casks created a more complex and nuanced bourbon, opening a whole new experience for consumers to enjoy.”
The 2024 Yellowstone Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is presented in custom-designed bottles featuring embossing, a label with the 2024 Yellowstone Limited Edition emblem and a high-end natural cork.
Tasting Notes
AROMA: Bright with notes of pear, panela, ripe apple, and leather.
BODY: Basswood honey, ripe stone fruit, citrus, a thick soft texture with traditional bourbon notes of caramel and vanilla.
FINISH: Warm and inviting ending with honey, bosc pear, butterscotch, and leather.

What Gary Says

Nose: Fruity with orchard fruits, apples, pears, vanilla, oak and a bit of leather.
Palate: Caramel, honey, canned fruit salad of apples and pears, vanilla and cinnamon.
Finish: Moderate in length with honey and pears.
Comments: This is another nicely done limited edition. I appreciate that the finishing isn’t overdone, even with the double finish. Quite well balanced and a delightful late summer sipper. Takes a bit of water well, and the mouth feel thickens up nicely. Cognac is one of those delicate spirits (like a refined French cousin of sorts) that really lends itself well as a finish for bourbon or rye.

Rating: Stand Out/Must Try

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