Must Try

Springbank 19 yr Single Cask

/ / Campbeltown, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Springbank 19 yr Single Cask
Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky

57% ABV
$250-$300
Website
Springbank 19 yr Single Cask Single Malt Whisky

What the Bottle Says

Distilled: May 1997
Bottled: October 2016
Cask Type: Re-Charred Sherry
No. of Bottles: 438
An exclusive bottling for Pacific Edge Wine & Spirits

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich and intense, dark fruit, stewed plums, raisins, hint of pineapple, cloves, nutmeg, earthy funk, pencil eraser and sea air.
Palate:  Thick and chewy, dark fruits, black currants, raisins, dates, cloves, nutmeg, earthy/salty note and pepper spice.
Finish:  Moderately long, peppery with sea air and fruit.
Comments:  Classic Springbank. Intense flavor with a magnificent balance of sweet, savory and earthy – just spectacular (if you like that sorta thing). Water brightens the dram up with the fruit taking more of a citrus slant and still maintaining the lovely mouthfeel. It feels pricey to me, except that seems to apply to damn near everything 18 or more years old these days – so accepting the fact I’m likely just becoming a cheap curmudgeon. I just can’t imagine buying this, and being disappointed after the fact.

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

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Cognac Hommage a Yves & Jean-Noel Pelletan

/ / Other Spirits, Review / ,

Cognac Hommage a Yves & Jean-Noel Pelletan
A PM Spirits Project | Single Cask | No Additives | Cask Strength

43.8% ABV
$400
Website
Cognac Hommage a Yves & Jean-Noel Pelletan

What the Producer Says

We think this is the best Cognac we have ever worked with. We know, we know – of course we think it’s good, it’s our product. But we’re serious…this Cognac is the epitome of everything PM Spirits is about.

Comprised of eaux de vie from one single cask plus a few assorted demijohns acquired by Nicolas over the years, these are the remains of the original plan for PM Spirits – an independent bottler of rare Cognacs. It was a romantic idea full of travels between France and the US, sourcing incredible Cognac, and bottling small lots by hand. It wasn’t practical, however, and PM Spirits eventually evolved into what it is today.

Yves Pelletan started to work full time as a cooper at age 14, learned the ropes of this demanding job and perfected his skills until he felt he was ready to open his own shop in the heart of Grande Champagne in 1973. His son, Jean-Noel, joined the family business in 2002. The work of this father and son team quickly became extremely sought-after in the Cognac region and beyond as they took the art of cooperage to the next level, prioritizing extreme quality over quantity.

We have bottled this as an homage to Yves and Jean-Noel Pelletan, two of only a handful of people to hold the title of Maitres Artisans Tonneliers, the apex of the cooperage profession. Yves and Jean-Noel have been instrumental to my understanding of Cognac and in making the liquid in this bottle taste as awesome as it does

A blend of Cognacs distilled between 1925 and 1965
Bottled in July 2020 • Cask Strength • 43.8% ABV
870 Bottles • No Additives • No Filtration

What Gary Says

DISCLAIMER: I’m a whisk(e)y enthusiast, and not as familiar with Cognac (so read at your own risk!)
Nose:  Grapes, fruitcake, vanilla, leather, allspice, dark fruit, Christmas spices and a bit of molasses.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, sharpens a tad with fruit salad, tart tangerines, raisins, cherries, pepper spice and cinnamon.
Finish:  Long, drying with slightly bitter fruit notes.
Comments:  I tasted this amongst a lineup of various brandies and cognacs, and this was by far my favorite. In fact when I first tried it (and didn’t know any of the details about this marvelous spirit), I thought this might replace Paulet XO as my ‘go to’ – but that won’t be the case. I’m sure that I haven’t appreciated this as much as a true Cognac aficionado would have. It does share some similarities with really old whisk(e)y, notes of leather on the nose, and that creamy mouthfeel. A really lovely dram!

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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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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