Must Try

Barrell Bourbon Batch 027

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Barrell Bourbon Batch 027

57.85% ABV
$90
Website
Barrell Bourbon Batch 027
We would like to thank Barrell Craft Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Blender Says

Barrell Bourbon Batch 027 started with 6-year-old fruit forward barrels from Tennessee and 5-year-old spice forward barrels from Indiana. After these were blended together, 13 and 15-year-old barrels with more wood tannin and depth were layered in and a select number of 9-year-old barrels with a higher rye content were blended in for spice and assertiveness. Finally, 5 and 8-year-old wheated bourbon barrels were added to soften the batch, brighten the front palate, and solidify a cohesiveness to an otherwise extremely complex flavor profile.

  • A blend of straight Bourbon Whiskeys
  • Distilled and aged in Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana
  • Selection of 5, 6, 8, 9, 13, and 15-year-old barrels
  • Aged in American white oak barrels
  • Bottled in Kentucky
  • 115.7 proof cask strength bottling
  • Mash bill: corn, rye and malted barley

FLAVOR NOTES
Many bourbons just taste like caramel, some older bourbons taste like oak, but this — this bourbon is a cherry bomb. At times bright and juicy, at others, brooding and oxidized, but while there are many flavors to be found, cherry stands above them all.

​Neat
Appearance: Carrot.
Nose: Supporting notes that span sweet desserts, woodsy herbs, and rich oils, but their presence is an afterthought to the singular and intense focus of this whisky’s nose, and that focus is squarely on old, comforting cherry. The oak is sweet and nutty, displaying amaretto and sweet, raisonated grapes. Deeper bass notes of sweet potato pie, walnut shells, and freshly ground coffee flesh out the aromatic register. The influence of rye is subtle here, potpourri, earl grey tea, and bouquet garni whisper at the periphery.
Palate: The candied texture that falls short of syrupy and a just-gentle tannin suggest minimal oak extraction but significant concentration over long years spent slowly evaporating in a rickhouse. Like the nose, a bright, juicy acidity puts the focus squarely on a note of cherry so monumental that almost nothing else breaks through. A bit more floral than the nose, candied violet and lavender are just able to peek through, along with a steely minerality. Eventually, some oxidized notes evoke an old oloroso sherry, among them hazelnut, molé sauce, and stewed mushroom.
Finish: A gentle, yet complex finish that makes one imagine a flavor wheel in thin air. This mysterious yet fruity bourbon leaves the palate with blood orange, rosehip, hibiscus, and sumac.

With a few drops of spring water
Lychee, pineapple and honeydew melon emerge, and heather, sage, and cigar smoke lend a welcome complexity. This is followed by baklava, Boston cream pie, and a creamy brown ale, which lends a subtle hoppy note to the finish.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Caramel, cherries, roasted walnuts, musty oak, herbal notes of fennel and dried mint with a hint of lavender.
Palate:  Sweet and thick with cherries and honey, vanilla, pepper spice, oak, raisins, cinnamon, and chocolate fudge.
Finish:  Moderately long with caramel and sour cherries.
Comments: Another really well done blend.  Cherries are definitely a prominent note, but to be clear this isn’t one dimensional in any way/shape/form. There is a sherry-like sweetness that I really like, which seems to intensify with a bit of water.  Continue to be impressed with the blending by the folks at Barrell Craft Spirits, and like that they’re not looking for “consistency” across batches.  I liked this almost as much as Batch 026, but if I had to pick a favorite, that one won by a bit – but I can’t see anyone being disappointed in either.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Barrell Bourbon Batch 026

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Barrell Bourbon Batch 026

56.32% ABV
$90
Website
Barrell Bourbon Batch 026
We would like to thank Barrell Craft Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Blender Says

Barrell Bourbon Batch 026 was created by combining 9, 10, 11, 13 and 15-year-old barrels in several blending steps. The first was a fusion of 9-year-old high rye barrels peppery and pointed on the palate, 10-year-old oak forward barrels, and sweet, toasty 11-year-old barrels for mouthfeel and classic baking spice notes. The second balanced citrus forward 10, 12 and 15-year-old barrels with spicy, floral 9-year-old high rye barrels. These two blends were gradually co-mingled resulting in an intriguing bourbon that dances between fruit and spice long into its finish.

  • A blend of straight Bourbon Whiskeys
  • Distilled and aged in Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana
  • Selection of 9, 10, 11, 13, and 15-year-old barrels
  • Aged in American white oak barrels
  • Bottled in Kentucky
  • 112.64 proof cask strength bottling

FLAVOR NOTES
Like a well-aged Sauternes, a complex array of fresh, dried, and cooked fruits dominates the aroma, supported by pungent florals and a delicate layer of barrel-spice. The palate is concentrated and extractive, having pulled quite a lot of sugar and peppery spice from the cask. Water tames it, bringing forth a panoply of tropical fruits on the nose and creamy desserts on the palate.

Neat
Appearance: Pumpkin pie.
Nose: Immediately bright and fruity, smelling of white peach, creamy coconut, and prickly rhubarb, followed by dried or cooked fruits, among them golden raisin, candied grapefruit peel, and roasted red pepper. Pungent florals are intermixed, notably rosehip and meadowsweet. As one’s nose adjusts, richer, sweeter notes of beeswax, toasted almond, and tiramisu arrive. They sit atop a dusting of allspice, spearmint, ginger ale and charcoal.
Palate: A bit brash, but well balanced and with only modest tannin. Initially the flavor is dark and complex, on molasses, black cherry soda, and root beer barrel candy. The palate is rounded out by slate, salt, green apple and a little horseradish.
Finish: Advances the cooked-fruit theme put forth by the nose, cycling through candied grapefruit peel, grape jam, cardamom and allspice. It fades with a mineral tingle of iron and wood smoke.

With a few drops of spring water
Tropical fruit aromas become the focus, particularly starfruit, pineapple, and limoncello. Geranium and vanilla lend to the exotic feeling. The palate grows richer and silkier, with toasted pumpernickel, quince paste, mocha and horchata.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Salted caramel, vanilla, graham cracker, hot cocoa with marshmallows, raisins, oak, hint of cedar, touch of honey with mint, allspice and nutmeg.
Palate:  Thick and spicy with citrus zip, caramel, honey, bit of maple syrup with apples and tropical fruit notes.
Finish:  Moderately long, thickly sweet with chocolate and coconut.
Comments: Quite a complex pour – one that I really enjoy simply nosing and pondering.  Another shining example of the blending skills of the fine folks at Barrell Craft Spirits.  I’ve yet to try a batch I didn’t think was damn fine (with some being more in my wheelhouse than others).  And I remain equally impressed with whomever does their tasting notes (reading them after making my own, I often find notes I didn’t nail but think “Oh yeah – THAT was there!”).  I tasted this along side Bourbon Batches 018 & 027, and of those three – this was my favorite (although I wouldn’t turn away any of the others!)

Rating: Must Try

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Compass Box Phenomenology

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Compass Box Phenomenology
Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

46% ABV
$170-$180
Website
Compass Box Phenomenology

What the Blender Says

‘Phenomenology’ – Noun. An approach that concentrates on the study of consciousness and the objects of direct experience.

Phenomenology and whisky. What, you may wonder, is the connection?

We’d long been working on a blend of single malts that combines seemingly dissonant flavour profiles, but together creates something compelling.

We landed on a recipe that elicited a surprising range of reactions and descriptions, each person taking away something different from the whisky.

Bottled at 46% | Not chill-filtered | Natural colour | Lead Whiskymaker: John Glaser

Rather than referring to our tasting notes and description of the aromas and flavours of this whisky, we invite you to first experience it for yourself without preconception. Describe the ‘phenomena’ of this whisky yourself, in your own words and ideas. Your experience is your own, personal, subjective experience. Relish it.

FLAVOUR DESCRIPTORS: Aromas and flavours reminiscent of berry fruits, baked apples and hints of banana, with a delicate peaty smokiness that follows and resonates in the long finish.

AVAILABILITY: Limited Edition release of 7,908 bottles worldwide. Bottled September 2017.

RECOMMENDATIONS: This is an ideal whisky for sipping and contemplating on its own, or with a splash of water or an ice cube, which will reveal the subtle complexity of the whisky as the whisky very slowly dilutes.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich and bright, floral, grapefruit, peaches, green apples, nectarines, apricots, subtle peat brine.
Palate:  Waxy citrus sweetness, apples, slight pepper bite gives way to bananas and nutmeg.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with wine notes and fading spices.
Comments:  Quite a nice dram! Fruity without being lopsided with sweetness. Has a bit of a dry quality that reminds me a little of a Riesling.  Improves a lot with some water, thickening the mouthfeel and bringing the fruit notes out more on the palate.  Another really solid offering from the folks at Compass Box.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Booker’s 2020-03 “Pigskin Batch”

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Booker’s “Pigskin Batch” Batch 2020-03
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

6 Years, 7 Months, 7 Days
63.65% ABV
$90
Website
Booker's 2020-03 "Pigskin Batch"
We would like to thank Beam Suntory and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says:

The third release of the Booker’s® Bourbon 2020 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2020-03 “Pigskin Batch.” This batch is a nod to 6th Generation Master Distiller Booker Noe’s love of American football, which eventually became a whole family affair.

Booker was a good football player back in the day, playing both tackle and kicker on his high school team. He was quick for his size — standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing close to 300 pounds — and strong from working as a farm hand growing up. Although he ultimately never pursued a college football career, he was talented enough to practice with the team when he attended the University of Kentucky as a freshman – a rare honor in those days.

Anyone who knew Booker knew his love of football. Whether it was his favorite team on the television or his son and grandson playing in the backyard, Booker loved watching a game and made the sport into a true Noe family tradition.

TASTING NOTES

Like all batches of Booker’s Bourbon, Booker’s “Pigskin Batch” was selected by 7th Generation Master Distiller Fred Noe to ensure it upholds the qualities and standards that his dad set for Booker’s Bourbon more than 30 years ago and that fans of the brand have come to know and love. Uncut and unfiltered, Booker’s “Pigskin Batch” has a beautiful light brown color. The aroma contains brown sweets and slight vanilla notes. The flavor is big and bold with a finish that is long and warm.

Booker’s “Pigskin Batch” is best enjoyed neat, over ice or with a few drops of water.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Salted caramel, vanilla crème brûlée slightly over-roasted, heavy oak, pecan praline, peanut brittle and chocolate.
Palate:  Rich mouthfeel with heavy caramel, spice notes of nutmeg and pepper kicking in with dark chocolate, oak and a bit of orange.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with dark chocolate, oak and citrus spice.
Comments:  A really nice pour. I don’t have all of the various batches from 2020 to try to compare against, although in a blind side-by-side against 2018-04 “Kitchen Table” and 2013-06, I did find I preferred this one (which is props as I really liked 2013-06, one of the initial ’roundtable’ batches). The variation is subtle from batch to batch, and I found this one to be more on the sweet side, with a bit less spice and oak. Takes water really well, although I don’t mind it at bottling proof. The streak of “hadn’t met a Booker’s I didn’t like” remains unbroken!

Rating: Must Try/Stands Out

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Redemption 10 Yr Barrel Proof Rye

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey / ,

Redemption 10 Yr Barrel Proof Rye

58.1% ABV
$100
Website
Redemption 10 year barrel proof rye
We would like to thank Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits and R\West for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Mash Bill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
COLOR: Deep amber with lime hues.
AROMA: Seductive aromas of black caramel, molasses, and vanilla layered over tones of freshly cut grass and hints of ginger.
PALATE: The palate has amazing concentration. The spicy rye notes evolve with flavors of dark chocolate, licorice and fennel laced together with cardamom, black pepper and tarragon. The finish is long and mellow.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich orange, caramel, chocolate, lemongrass, ginger, oak, cinnamon, clove, fresh cracked pepper with a hint of anise.
Palate:  Dark chocolate orange, caramel, honey, rich with baking spices – clove, cinnamon, anise, nutmeg, and pepper.
Finish:  Moderately long with baking spices, honey and oak.
Comments:  This is a really nice barrel proof rye.  Lovely Christmas spice notes throughout.  I’m a big fan of the really high rye mash bill rye whiskies (compared to the more common ‘barely legal rye’ with just over 50% rye), and especially at barrel proof.  Water really opens it up, although I loved it neat.  This is nice and robust – an excellent cocktail rye that works just as well for sipping neat.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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