Must Try

Baker’s 13 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Baker’s 13 Year Old
Unfiltered Single Barrel
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

53.5% ABV
$130
Website
Bakers 13 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon
We would like to thank Beam Suntory and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Baker’s® Bourbon is excited to announce the return of Baker’s® 13 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon, a limited-time offering highlighting the influence that extra-aging, warehouse and barrel storage location, and environment has on each and every unique bourbon barrel.

Originally released in 2019 when the brand reemerged as a single barrel product, Baker’s 13 Year Old is aged at least six additional years than the brand’s classic offering. While the single barrel bourbon showcases distinct nuances between each individual barrel, fans can expect to experience more robust vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak flavors in this special, extra aged expression.

“Baker’s Bourbon celebrates the individual characteristics in each and every barrel, and this 13 Year Old expression takes that experience even further as the distinct flavors from the barrel develop over time,” said Fred Noe, Seventh Generation Master Distiller. “We received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback the first time we released this 13-year-old edition, and I’m proud to bring it back for whiskey fans who appreciate something special from Baker’s as a true gem within our Small Batch portfolio.”

While the notes of every barrel of Baker’s 13 Year Old offer a unique tasting journey, you can expect a few defining characteristics:

● Proof: 107
● Age: Minimum of 13 Years
● Nose: Fruit, vanilla and caramel
● Palate: Medium-bodied with flavors of oak and toasted nuts, with vanilla and fruity notes
● Finish: Robust, medium long, warmly rounded
● Sipping Suggestion: A neat pour or on the rocks to taste the distinct nuances from each barrel’s individual aging experience

Fans can also learn more about what shapes the distinct tasting notes of their bottle by heading to the Single Barrel Journey page on the Baker’s website. After entering the serial number found on the bottle’s neck tag, Baker’s fans can follow along to see how weather, length of aging and warehouse location affected the barrel and liquid of their personal bottle.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Warm, vanilla, toasted crème brûlée, caramel drizzle, oak, hint of peanut brittle with some subtle fruit notes.
Palate:  Cream mouthfeel with caramel, vanilla, mixed nuts (some lightly salted, some cinnamon glazed), oak, bit of apple and raisins along with brown sugar.
Finish:  Moderately long and thick with caramel, oak and spice notes.
Comments: I’ve always been a Baker’s fan, and thought it was one of the most under-rated of the Beam small batch collection. I think part of that is the proof point of 107, which for my money – if you’re not going cask strength – this is a damn fine place to be. This is a really nice bourbon, and fans of Baker’s won’t be disappointed. As a single barrel, there is apt to be some variation but I can’t see the fine folks at Beam selecting barrels for this that would stray too far. The house style of Beam (that peanut/nutty note) comes through, and is balanced really nicely with oak and spice, while not approaching anywhere close to over-oaked. Another really nice addition to the Baker’s saga!

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Four Roses 135th Anniversary Small Batch Limited Edition 2023

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Four Roses 135th Anniversary Small Batch Limited Edition 2023
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

54% ABV
$200
Website
Four Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch 2023
We would like to thank Four Roses and The Brand Guild for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Four Roses Bourbon, the award-winning Kentucky-based bourbon brand, announced it will launch its 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch on September 15, 2023. The release will be the 16th in its series of annual limited-quantity special bottlings, showcasing the brand’s unyielding commitment to craftsmanship and quality bourbon.

Bottled at 108 proof, the 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch features four hand-selected bourbon recipes: A 12-year-old and a 16-year-old OESV recipe, which features notes of delicate fruit and caramel; a 14- year-old OESK recipe, with notes of baking spice; and a 25-year-old OBSV recipe that boasts delicate fruit and rye flavors. A key differentiator for the distillery, Four Roses combines two mash bills with five proprietary yeast strains to create 10 distinct bourbon recipes, allowing for Master Distiller Brent Elliott to not only create consistency across the brand’s core product line, but to innovate and achieve an endless range of flavor profiles.

“This release celebrates 135 years of meticulously crafted, high quality bourbon, and I’m excited to hear what our devoted consumers have to say about it,” said Brent Elliott. “In crafting this blend, I wanted to create an elegant bourbon worthy of the brand’s heritage. Each of the 12-, 14-, and 16-year-old batches possess individual characteristics that complement each other perfectly. Once the ideal balance of these three batches was achieved, I looked at several other batches of various ages and recipes to add an extra layer of nuance to the blend. Ultimately I selected the 25-year-old OBSV, which melds perfectly with the other batches and adds additional complexity and depth.”

The 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch bourbon offers delicate aromas of allspice, vanilla and elegant oak, mingled with a hint of cinnamon and clove. The palate boasts rich layers of honey and rye spice, balanced out by the taste of ripe berries and pear that lead to a long mellow finish. The result is an exceptionally smooth bourbon made for sipping, and sharing with friends and family.

The release comes on the heels of the Four Roses’ recent brand refresh. Fans will see the new packaging details on the limited edition bottle, including the brand’s updated logo and an engraved rose cluster on the cork of the bottle.

Four Roses will distribute approximately 15,060 hand-numbered bottles of 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch at a suggested retail price of $199.99.

Recipes:
12-year-old OESV
14-year-old OESK
16-year-old OESV
25-year-old OBSV

What Gary Says

Nose: Oak, salted caramel, cherries, allspice, vanilla, mint, cinnamon, clove with a hint of worn leather.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel with caramel, oak, honey, berries, bit of pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg and a touch of dark chocolate.
Finish: Moderately long, slightly syrupy with oak, honey, berries and pepper.
Comments: Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition has always had a special place in my heart, as it was one of the first limited edition bourbons I purchased retail. The 125th anniversary was actually one of the last ones I was able to buy (and I still have that empty bottle, with Jim Rutledge’s signature, on a shelf). I have never tasted a Four Roses Small Batch LE that I didn’t think was pretty damned tasty, and this doesn’t break that streak. A very nice older bourbon, balanced well given its age between the oak and spice. A bit of water brings out some more fruit on the nose (grapes, pears and a subtle citrus vibe) while cutting the pepper back on the palate. While my sweet spot for bourbon is a bit younger than this, the single-story rickhouses that Four Roses uses allows for some older barrels that don’t get over-oaked. Every year what is selected for the Small Batch Limited Edition varies, but they have been consistently high quality, well balanced, nuanced, and delicious.

Rating: Must Try

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Barrell Rye Batch 004

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Barrell Rye Batch 004

57.85% ABV
$90
Website
Barrell Rye Batch 004
We would like to thank Barrell Craft Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Blender Says

10-year-old Indiana Rye barrels with notes of brown sugar and a touch of smoke had 5 and 6-year-old barrels layered in for fruit and spice character. 14-year-old Canadian barrels were added for their dry herbal notes. The result is fruit-forward rye with layers of depth.

BLEND COMPONENTS:
Indiana: 5, 6, & 10 years old
Tennessee: 5 years old
Kentucky: 6 years old
Canadian: 14 years old

  • A blend of straight Rye Whiskeys
  • Bottled in Kentucky
  • 115.7 proof cask strength bottling

DERIVED MASH BILL:
Rye: 89%
Corn: 7%
Malted Barley: 4%

FLAVOR NOTES
This rye blend highlights rye’s earthier side, featuring notes of tobacco, leather, and mole poblano. Its stewed fruit and wilder savory character recall the syrahs of France’s Rhône valley: blackberry and tapenade on the nose followed by flavors of bresaola and black pepper.

Neat
Appearance: Copper penny with pumpkin highlights.
Nose: Blackberry, dried apricot and Concord grape lead off. The grape introduces woodsy tones of blonde tobacco, birch oil and dandelion root. Rye lends its familiar bouquet garni, lemon verbena, and peppermint aromatics. Meanwhile an unhurried maturation has produced cashew, tahini and nocino.
Palate: The first impression mirrors the nose but here grape soda is joined by a dark amber maple syrup. Burnt marshmallow leads into rich espresso and black licorice. There’s a deep umami presence of leather, black olive, and grilled onion. The oak here is strong and extractive yielding clove, coconut oil, and pine needle.
Finish: A burst of blanche armagnac and rosewater volatiles make way for the piquant heat of mole poblano and black pepper on the tongue. The lingering impression is of juniper, thyme, and wormwood.

With a splash of spring water

What Gary Says

Nose:  Fruity with blackberries, grapes, lemongrass, mint, mandarin orange and a hint of cedar.
Palate:  Thick mouthfeel chockful of fruit notes including grapes, apricots, orange and a hint of lemon, bit of maple syrup and cinnamon.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with pepper and savory herbs.
Comments:  This is a lovely, savory and herbal rye – ideal in my mind for cocktails. I’m still jealous of the mad skills the folks who do their tasting notes possess, but just as impressed with the blending chops that BCS employs. This is a really nicely balanced whiskey, subtly sweet but more savory with herbal and spice notes. Not typical for a rye, but definitely has that rye-vibe going on, and is a must-try for true rye whiskey fans out there..

Rating: Must Try

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Macaloney’s The Peat Project: European Moscatel Barrique

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

Macaloney’s The Peat Project Series: Single Cask European Moscatel Barrique 
Canadian Island Peated (54 ppm) Single Malt Whisky

46% ABV
$? (maybe $135?)
Website
Macaloney's Peat Project Washington Peat and Portuguese Red Wine STR Cask
We would like to thank Macaloney’s Island Distillery for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Distillery smoked using Washington Peat and carefully crafted in a premium European Moscatel Barrique

This sweet white wine Euuropean oak barrique explores peat ‘terroir’ from Washington State (Canadian and Islay peat coming soon). The nose has medium peat smoke, bonfire, cigar, vanilla, white wine with apricot, lychee, melon, fresh ginger, coconut, sweet peas, roses, and honey. Juniper and pine forest yield to white chocolate, walnut, and peat smoke. The palate is velvety, with big peat, sweet burnt heather, seashort, malt extract, pineapple, sultanas, pears, figs, stewed apples, chocolate orange, and Key lime banana pie, with cloves, white pepper, liquorice, marzipan and hazelnut. The finish is dry with a hint of salt and lingering smoke.

Natural Colour & Non-Chill Filtered

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich, exotic fruit notes, peat smoke, floral, honey, smoked meat with a hint of spices.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, fruity with pears, apples, and tropical fruit (not quite pineapple), peat, chocolate, sea salt and cracked pepper.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying with peat smoke, salt and kiwi.
Comments:  This is really nice – and was my favorite of the 5-sample pack sent! Less of the peat and minerality than the others, and the nose on this is rather complex. With a bit of water, it thickens nicely and opens up. My only complaint is that there’s no mention of this on their website! My guess is word got out and they had limited inventory (while a ‘single cask’, I hope they didn’t just have ONE single cask, but who knows). I’m making the leap that the price would be in line with the others, which is still on the high end.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Bib & Tucker 6 Year Double Char Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Bib & Tucker Double Char Bourbon
Aged 6 Years

44% ABV
$55
Website
Bib & Tucker 6 Year Double Char Bourbon
We would like to thank Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits and Create Studios for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Inspired by the turn of the century, when food was cooked on the open flame, this new bourbon is aged twice to create savory smoky notes and an exceptionally smooth finish. Bib & Tucker Double Char is first aged for six years in the rolling hills of Tennessee in new white American oak, followed by a minimum of five months in a second heavily charred and smoked new barrel. This unique fire-forged double char aging method creates the rich and deep flavor of Bib & Tucker Double Char.

“I can’t wait for consumers to try this delicious expression,” said Tom Steffanci, President of Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits. “Double Char spends just the right amount of time in the second heavily charred barrel, creating a savory, smoky character that adds a whole new dimension to the bourbon.”
As a Tennessee bourbon, Bib & Tucker follows the Lincoln County process unique to the state, meaning the bourbon is filtered through sugar maple charcoal before going into the barrel for aging.

For Double Char, to pay homage to the Lincoln County process, the second barrel is smoked with sugar maple before being filled with the brand’s 6-year aged bourbon. The perfect amount of time in the barrels, the char, and the sugar maple barrel smoking process delivers a bourbon with an inviting savory white smoke flavor not found in any other whiskey on the market.

Bib & Tucker Double Char Tasting Notes
Nose: A touch of smoke with immediate notes of toasted oak and dulce de leche, background notes of cinnamon and clove
Palate: Vanilla and sugar maple surrounded with white smoke, hints of sweet corn and toasted cinnamon
Finish: Medium to long finish with oak, white smoke and vanilla
Color: Deep rich mahogany with copper undertones

Bib & Tucker Double Char will be available nationally, in-store and online, beginning August 2023.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Caramel, vanilla, freshly baked oatmeal raisin cookies with cloves, nutmeg, brown sugar, charred oak and just a hint of vitamins.
Palate:  Rich and sweet, chocolate, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and a hint of citrus.
Finish:  Moderately long and dam with caramel, oak and spice notes.
Comments:  Pouring this along side the Bib & Tucker 6 Year Small Batch, it is noticeably dark in color, and also richer with more chocolate and spice notes. The ‘house style’ of the distillate is present, but much more muted. This is a really lovely bourbon, and if you enjoy a cigar with your whiskey – I expect that this would pair nicely. While I don’t get ‘smoke’ per say, the effect of the finishing in another new barrel is clear, and definitely brings out some nice flavors and adds depth to the whiskey. I do wish that it was offered at a higher proof, but maybe they’ll come out with a cask strength offering in the future (hint hint 😉).

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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