Must Try

Old Ezra 7 Year Straight Rye Whiskey

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Old Ezra 7 Year Straight Rye Whiskey

57% ABV
$80
Website
Old Ezra 7 Year Straight Rye Whiskey
We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

ST. LOUIS (Nov. 1, 2022) – Lux Row Distillers announced the newest variant in the Ezra Brooks brand family: Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey. A limited allocation of 3,000 six-pack cases of Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey will reach retail shelves across the country later this month at a suggested retail price of $79.99 per 750 ml bottle.

Like other members of the Ezra Brooks brand family, Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey is distilled using the highest-quality ingredients and charcoal filtered for mellow flavor and a smooth finish. Old Ezra 7-Year Rye features two rye mashbills (51% rye whiskey and 95% rye whiskey), is aged a full seven years and is bottled at full proof (114 proof, or 57% ABV) to deliver a full, complex flavor.

“With Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey, we’ve delivered a rye whiskey worthy of the Old Ezra label,” said Lux Row Distillers master distiller John Rempe. “This tasty 7-year-old rye offers slightly sweet and oaky tones with hints of vanilla and honey, and it finishes with a warm touch of spice and tobacco. It’s certain to become a favorite among both rye fans and fans of the Ezra Brooks brand family.”

The introduction of Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey comes on the heels of Old Ezra 7-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey’s recent “Best Overall Bourbon” win at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Like its bourbon namesake, Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey features a high-end, custom-designed bottle. Its green, jewel-toned label is highlighted by a 7-year age statement and gold and copper foil accents.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich, chocolate with toasted orange zest, cinnamon, honey, nutmeg, fruitcake and pipe tobacco.
Palate:  Thick and warm, chocolate with orange bitters, cinnamon, vanilla, honey, nutmeg, bit of anise and clove with tangerines.
Finish:  Moderately long, damp with citrus, pepper spice and cocoa.
Comments:  I love rye whiskey around this age range and proof. This one in particular with the various spice notes on the nose left me with the impression of ‘Christmas in a bottle’. Just really nice mouthfeel, those big spice notes you hope for in a rye, and a nice balance with sweetness (and a chocolate note that I don’t get a ton with rye). A bit of water brightens it up, bringing out some mint and rickhouse must, with the mouthfeel transitioning to creamy.

Rating: Must Try

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Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023

113.54% ABV
$85
Website
Barrell New Year 2023
We would like to thank Barrell Craft Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Blender Says

In the whiskey industry, the past is always with you. But we’ve set ourselves apart by always keeping one eye on the future. Maybe that’s why we love celebrating the New Year so much. Each autumn, we create a very special blend of bourbons as a toast to the new beginnings and fresh energy of the year to come. Making New Year Bourbon gives us an opportunity to see the pillars of our brand through clear eyes, celebrate the inherent creativity of our blending process, and rededicate ourselves to our forward-thinking, quality-driven line of spirits. Released at the beginning of December, Barrell New Year Bourbon 2023 is a tribute to the optimism that every new year brings.

  • A selection of 5, 6, 7, 8, 10-year-old straight bourbon whiskeys
  • Distilled in TN, IN, KY, OH, WY, NY, TX & MD
  • Crafted and bottled in Kentucky
  • 113.54 proof cask strength bottling
  • Aged in American white oak barrels

FLAVOR NOTES
Classic, with caramel on the nose, vanilla and spice on the palate, and a creamy finish. A splash of water introduces a plethora of tropical fruits to the nose while the syrupy palate displays a range of rich liqueurs.
Appearance: Chestnut brown.
Nose: A classic bourbon opening of brioche and caramel. Added to that is a woodsy underpinning of sandalwood and a wisp of smoke. It evolves through a range of sweets: amaretto, coconut macaroons, and cream soda. Gooseberry, quince, and lime cordial add a bit of lift. A range of mineral notes round it out with flint, limestone, and beeswax.
Palate: Though cask strength, the heat is kept in check by syrupy oak sugars. Black cherry soda and roasted molé take center stage. Vanilla is notably strong here and joined by fellow oak spices nutmeg, cardamom, and aniseed. The oak is well balanced by herbaceous rye notes along with rose hip, wormwood, and peppercorn.
Finish: Candied chili pepper and preserved lemon flash across the Horchata takes over as a creaminess builds, adding white chocolate, and cashew. As the flavors slowly fade, a waxiness lingers on.

With a splash of spring water
Passionfruit, mango lassi, and ripe banana herald a broad range of tropical fruits. Meanwhile a leafy side expands, exhibiting cigar, tarragon, and peppermint. A rich sweetness overwhelms the palate, converting every note to its liqueur form: limoncello, maraschino, anisette and crème de menthe.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Caramel creams, cedar and oak, freshly baked sponge cake, nutmeg, mineral note, hint of dried tropical fruit.
Palate:  Thick mouthfeel with honey, caramel and vanilla, roasted marshmallow, cherry, nutmeg, orange chocolate, hint of anise.
Finish:  Long, slightly drying with a nutty pepper spice and chocolate.
Comments:  This opens up really nicely with some time in the glass. Classic bourbon notes with just a bit of that Dickel minerality; balanced really nicely. Water opens up more of the fruit notes while maintaining a thick mouthfeel.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Black Label

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

Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Black Label
Premium Whiskey

60.5% ABV (for sample provided; varies by barrel)
$79
Website
Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Black Label
We would like to thank Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and The Brand Guild for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

An expression that highlights barrels hand-picked by our four-time Master Blender of the Year, Victoria Eady Butler, who tastes every Uncle Nearest barrel and sets aside those that stand out to her as exceptional. Now, we are ready to share these barrels with you.

As with all of our non-rye whiskeys, this new label is both premium Straight Bourbon Whiskey and premium Straight Tennessee Whiskey. However, this single barrel whiskey is different from our other releases. It has the most distinct flavor profile of any of our expressions and was bottled at barrel strength to capture every nuance of this one-of-a-kind spirit. Our distillery’s triple filtration process ensures perfection in every sip. Every drop of liquid that goes into Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Black Label is distilled and bottled by Nearest Green Distillery, continuing the legacy of excellence of our namesake, Nearest Green.

The smooth character of our whiskey is what distinguishes it from all others. The legacy of our namesake is what makes it unrivaled.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Cocoa, slightly burnt caramel, anise, oak, vanilla, worn leather, nutmeg and a hint of cloves.
Palate:  Warm and thick mouthfeel, caramel with a bit of cola, vanilla, honey, cinnamon, black cherry and pepper.
Finish:  Moderately long, thick and damp with vanilla cola and pepper spice trailing.
Comments:  This is a very nice pour (I’d call it a bourbon, and from their description it would qualify as such – although I am disappointed that the label on the bottle doesn’t state “straight bourbon”).  It tastes like a really nice bourbon, and is well balanced with a lovely mouthfeel. A bit of water brings out a chocolate fudge note on the nose while amping the cola notes on the palate, and lending a creaminess to the mouthfeel.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Talisker 18 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Talisker 18 Year Old
Single Malt Scotch Whisky

45.8% ABV
$145-$190
Website
Talisker 18 Year Single Malt Scotch

What the Distillery Says

Produced at the oldest distillery on the Isle of Skye, Talisker Single Malt Scotch Whisky has been made by the sea since 1830, with its smell and taste instantly connecting you to its rugged maritime home. Every sip is a taste of the Isle of Skye itself, one of the most remote, windswept yet beautiful landscapes in Scotland. With wonderful sweetness and warmth, intertwined with just a thread of smoke, Talisker 18 Year Old is an award-winning whisky that is rich and soft but still assertive. Named the ‘Best Single Malt Whisky in the World 2007’ at the World Whiskies Awards, Talisker 18 Year Old is a single malt masterpiece. Talisker 18 Year Old makes a perfect gift for connoisseurs looking to explore new depths of flavour amongst smoky island single malt whiskies.

Serving Suggestion: Best enjoyed neat or add a splash of water or ice to reveal rich notes of plum, orange peel, and toffee.

APPEARANCE: Amber.
BODY: Full bodied, pleasant and smooth.
NOSE: Rich and fruity Victoria plums, greengages, perhaps dried orange peel with some butterscotch or rum toffee and a thread of smoke behind.
PALATE: Sweet in front, then more assertive, with a whiff of smoke. The overall effect is warming. The development is towards smoke, coal-tar, and toffee.
FINISH: Medium length and chilli ‘catch’ in the finish.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Thick, rich and smoky, dark fruits, peaches, kiwi, grassy, honey, smoked brisket, hint of balsamic and worn leather.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, sweet with honey, fruit, peat smoke, savory spice notes.
Finish:  Long, damp with fruit, pepper spice and subtle peat.
Comments:  I’m a fan of Talisker, and this only reinforces that – a delightful, wonderfully balanced dram with peat, smoke, fruit and savory notes. I could nose this for hours, if it wasn’t so delicious to sip. This is a pour where giving it time in the glass is worth the wait. “They” say to give an aged whiskey 1 minute in the glass for every year on the label. I don’t have that kind of patience, but think I made it a solid 10 minutes, and it was definitely better than when freshly poured.

Rating: Must Try

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Highland Park Old Particular 1997 20 Year Old

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Highland Park Old Particular 1997 20 Year Old
Single Malt Scotch Whisky

53.1% ABV
$200
Website
Highland Park Old Particular 20 Year

What the Bottle/Retailer Says

Highland Park is truly a product of its environment. The distillery lays just a few degrees outside the bounds of the Arctic Circle on an island devoid of trees and ravaged by wind, yet relatively mild in temperature swings. This unique location coupled with the extra effort of floor malting their own barley on site are some of the components that lead to an awards list a mile long. This list includes many Gold and Double Gold medals for the distillery and its various bottlings. The barley is malted with local peat from Hobbister Moor, dense in heather, and providing an unusually floral characteristic to the smoke. The gale force winds carry the salt sea air through the barrel houses giving the whisky a salty tanginess that is all together different than the iodine characteristics of Islay. Weighing in at 53.1% alcohol and well below the $550 price tag of the 25 year old distillery bottling, this 20 year old Old Particular cask really struts the salt air and delicate floral smoke. Charged from a refill hogshead.

DL 12125
One of 263 bottles
Distilled September 1997
Bottled September 2017
No Colouring | No Chill Filtration

What Gary Says

Nose:  Tobacco, leather, toffee, peat, hint of dark fruits, bit of creosote, sea air, walnuts and oak.
Palate:  Honey, toffee, caramel, chocolate, nutty with spiced raisins, nutmeg, allspice and salty peat.
Finish:  Long, damp with honey, toffee and peat.
Comments:  Lighter in color than Highland Park’s standard distillery offering, and an interesting perspective without the sherry maturation. Water brings some fruit out and thickens the mouthfeel.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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