Must Try

George Washington Rye Whiskey

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

George Washington Rye Whiskey

Batch 2014B (Nov), Bottle 1731
43% ABV
$100 (375 mL)
Website
George Washington Unaged Rye Whiskey

What the Distiller Says

This special bottle of George Washington’s Rye Whiskey® is one of a limited number of bottles distilled at George Washington’s reconstructed distillery at Mount Vernon.

The mash bill, or recipe, was discovered by researchers examining the distillery ledgers for 1798 and 1799. His whiskey consisted of 60% rye, 35% corn and 5% malted barley. The records also indicate that George Washington’s whiskey was distilled at least twice before being sent to market. In Washington’s time whiskey was not aged and was sold in its original form. The whiskey in this bottle accurately represents that process.

Mount Vernon staff used Washington’s original mash bill and traditional 18th-century methods in the production of this rye whiskey. This included grinding of all the grain in Washington’s water-powered gristmill, fermenting in wooden mash tubs and distilling in copper pot stills heated by wood fires, making this rye whiskey as close to the original recipe as possible.

What Gary Says

Nose: Thick, robust cereal, corn bread and freshly baked rye bread; a hint of barley malt and pine.
Palate: Rich, creamy, sweet corn and sweet barley malt with a bite of pepper and a touch of sourdough bread.
Finish: Fairly quick (although more pleasant than the other white dog whiskies evaluated during the same sessions).
Comments: In early 2015, I visited George Washington’s Mount Vernon Distillery and Gristmill, and bought this bottle (despite not being a fan of white dog). They make whiskey a couple times a year, using the same techniques used in George Washington’s day (almost completely by hand!) They sell a limited number of bottles, and I was anxious to taste what whiskey back in Washington’s day may have tasted like. In that period, whiskey wasn’t aged (at least not intentionally), so the unaged rye whiskey was as close as I could get (although I guess something aged for some odd months might have been more accurate – who knows). Besides the methods used, this is a much lower proof than most white dog on the market today. And of the three white dogs I reviewed, this was hands down my favorite. Quite interesting, with a lot more going on in terms of depth of flavor on both the nose and palate, and a thicker mouthfeel. I would absolutely love to try this with some real age on it, based on what I’ve read about lower proof distillates. Don’t get me wrong – this was an expensive taste of history, but it left me with no regrets.

Rating: Must Try (if you’re a whiskey geek; otherwise try before you buy!)

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Advent Day 15: Lost Distilleries Blend

/ / Review, Richard's Blog, Scottish Whisky /

On the 15th day of Advent, my calendar gave to me…

The Lost Distilleries Blend Blended Scotch Whisky
Batch 10
51% ABV
$400
Website

What the Blender Says
It is no secret amongst whisky-lovers that some of the greatest and most admired distilleries in Scotland are those that have sadly closed over the years. Be these closures due to economic circumstance, lack of demand, or just bad fortune, many of the whiskies left behind have attained iconic, near-mythical status amongst the whisky cognoscenti.

The Lost Distilleries Blend has reached double digits! Yes, The Blended Whisky Company’s exceptional blended Scotch whisky created exclusively with malt and grain whiskies from distilleries that have shut their doors has arrived at its 10th batch. As ever, stocks both rare and sought-after by whisky collectors and cognoscenti alike have made their way into the Lost Distilleries Blend – this time featuring whisky from Caperdonich, Rosebank, Imperial, Mosstowie, Glen Mhor, Glenisla, Glenlochy, Craigduff, Port Ellen and Brora, alongside grain from Port Dundas. A marvel of blending and a fine tribute to those gone but not forgotten greats.

Batch 10 is a release of 1,041 bottles.

What Richard Says
Nose: Deep notes of warm fruit, polished old oak furniture, fine aged tobacco, rich vanilla cream, and that wonderful “old whisky” nose.
Palate: Stewed stone fruits, more vanilla cream, raisins, and toffee.
Finish: Herbal and smoky with a sprinkling of cocoa powder and ground black pepper. After all that fades it gets really bitter.
Comments: Delicious! This is a very complex and well integrated old blend of scotch. It is pricey and not widely distributed. I don’t think that I would scour the earth for a bottle but if you come across the opportunity to try it then you definitely should.
Rating: Must Try

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McCarthy’s Single Malt

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

McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt Pot Distilled Whiskey
Batch W16-02
42.5% ABV
$50
Website

What the Distillery Says
McCarthy’s® Oregon Single Malt Whiskey is distilled in a Holstein pot still using one pass distillation. This premium, non-chill filtered product is then barrel-aged in air-dried Oregon Oak barrels. The result is remarkably smooth for a 3-year-old whiskey.

What Gary Says
Nose: Peat and cereal malt, with some vegetal/herbal notes; a bit of sour oak and smoke.
Palate: A subtle barley sweetness with peat and some savory spice notes, pepper bite in the back.
Finish: Moderately long and drying, but also gets sweeter.
Comments: For only being three years old, I’m very impressed. Don’t get me wrong – this isn’t a richly complex dram that would leave you thinking it was a 12 year single malt – but it is a helluva lot better than most three year whiskey I’ve tried. I haven’t been a big fan of single malt whiskey done here in the States (whether from smaller craft distilleries or even the Parker’s Heritage Collection offering by Heaven Hill). I’m wondering if barley malt just needs to be dumped much earlier when aged in new wood? Either way – if you like peaty Scotch, I’d definitely be open to this. And if you’re a whiskey nerd – I’d look for an opportunity to experience it!
Rating: Stands Out / Must Try

What Richard Says
Nose: An interesting mix of delicate peat, wet pine needles, and campfire smoke.
Palate: A rich honeyed sweetness intermingled with an authoritative peat and pine straw.
Finish: The finish is lingering smokiness, cracked pepper, and a bitter tinge.
Comments: “Oregon Pot Still Whiskey”, what the hell is that? This is easiest to describe as an American version of Laphroaig 10 Year. It tastes A LOT like that. The fact that this is only three years old really blows me away. Fans of smoky Scotch should really give this one a try. It is incredibly impressive.
Rating: Must Try

We would like to thank Hood River Distillers for sending us a bottle for review.

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Jack Daniel’s Rye

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey / ,

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Straight Rye Whiskey
45% ABV
$25-$30
Website

What the Distillery Says
Introducing rye whiskey made Jack’s way. Crafted with our 70-percent rye grain bill, natural spring water from our own Cave Spring Hollow, and Jack’s time-honored charcoal mellowing process, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye is a whiskey that could only come from Lynchburg, Tennessee. Master Distiller Jeff Arnett and the whiskey makers of the Jack Daniel Distillery have created a unique rye that’s undeniably spicy and complex yet sippin’ smooth. It might be one of our first new recipes in over 150-years, but if you know Jack, you’ll know Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye.

70% RYE GRAIN BILL
CHARCOAL MELLOWED
A BOLD BALANCE OF SPICE & SMOOTHNESS

What Gary Says
Nose: Mellow rye spice, orange creamsicles with banana, subtle clove and nutmeg with some oak and a hint of dill.
Palate: Sweet and spicy, with a citrus zip that isn’t sharp or peppery, mellow bananas.
Finish: Moderately short, and on the dry side.
Comments: This is definitely a different and unique rye whiskey. I didn’t get any pepper spice, although I expect that is dulled by the signature mellowing process used by them boys (and gals) in Tennessee. Don’t get me wrong – this is absolutely a rye whiskey (while “mellow” – it still has that citrus zip you’d expect), and for my money – a solid contribution to the category. Appreciate that they didn’t bring this in below 90 proof too! Unmistakenably “Jack”, and for rye whiskey fans, this is affordable enough I’d consider a “Must Try”.
Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

What Richard Says
Nose: Upon first pour a spicy, slightly musty acetone note is predominant. A little more air time and more minty and peppery smells peek through with hint of banana liqueur and vanilla. Water opens the nose up to a delicious banana cream pie.
Palate: Nice kick. You can definitely tell it’s made by Mr. Arnett in Lynchburg but with a solid rye twang. Black and white pepper, warm rye bread, and grassy with a light banana bread sweetness.
Finish: It lingers with a black pepper dusting around the sides of the tongue and back of the mouth.
Comments: Certain distilleries have a relatively consistent note that rings true throughout nearly all of their products. At George Dickel it’s a chewable kids vitamin kind of thing. At Jim Beam there is a peanut like funk to their products. At Jack Daniels it is bananas. I’m not a chemist or olfactory scientist to know what causes that but I think that since I also find it distinctively in their Rye that it must me the yeast they use in the mash. I think the charcoal mellowing actually brings it forward more as it filters out other things. This rye makes me happy. It’s not a “HOLY SHIT” rye or anything. But it is a solid new product from a long established distiller at a reasonable price. I would happily keep Jack Daniel’s rye in my house for cocktails and the occasional sip. It’s not a deep contemplative rye. It’s just solid. And in a sea of MGP rye rebottlings from “craft” producers it’s nice to have another sub $30 rye option that tastes different. Add it to the stable with Rittenhouse, Wild Turkey Rye, and Jim Beam Rye. Kudos Brown Forman. You did this one right!
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank Jack Daniel’s for sending us a sample to review.

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Blood Oath Pact 3

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Blood Oath Pact No. 3 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Finished in Cabernet Sauvignon Barrels
49.3% ABV
$100
Website

What the Blender Says
A masterful union of well-bred bourbons. Taking the lead is a far-from-shy, sharp and floral rye, finished in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels for a dry, blackberry and espresso complexity. This, coupled with a well-seasoned, rye bourbon, rich with fragrant vanilla, toasted caramel, oranges and oak. Be grateful for this fateful affair between Kentucky and California.

APPEARANCE Deep dark amber with long legs.
AROMA Caramel, vanilla, stone fruit, cocoa, oak.
PALATE Caramel, vanilla, creamy smooth from the barrel finish, toasted oak, apricots, higher spice than the previous pacts but still ultra-smooth for the proof.
FINISH Long lingering spice, balanced and surprisingly-smooth at this high proof, with lasting caramel and oak.
BARREL DETAILS Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Finish: For the third chapter in the Blood Oath epic, we’ve conspired with like-minded craftsmen in the heart of California wine country. Nestled in the Oakville region of Napa Valley—famous for its fertile, alluvial soil—Swanson Vineyard has been making nationally known and limited, small batch Bordeaux style wines for over three decades. These prized Cabernet barrels add an unforgettable layer of complexity to the whiskey.

What Gary Says
Nose: Thick, rich dark fruit with chocolate, allspice, oak, cinnamon, and a touch of smoke (maybe cigar paper); together reminds me of a toasted marshmallow.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel with intense sweetness (but not cloyingly sweet), salted caramel, dark fruit preserves, brown sugar with a spicy bite (but not overly sharp); solid balance with an oak undertone.
Finish: Moderately long, drying with pepper and cinnamon notes.
Comments: I haven’t had any previous releases (or “pacts”) in this series, but this is a very tasty bourbon. Solid balance between the sweet and spice without losing the oak, and none of those were overpowering. It is a bit brash/sharp, but not overly so – and a bit of water doesn’t hurt it (although I didn’t find it needed it – delicious neat). Sure – I’m not crazy about spending this kind of money on a non-age stated whiskey (to be honest, I’ve passed this on the shelves for that reason). But it is pretty solidly in my wheelhouse – and with pricing on most limited releases these days – I’d pick one up now that I’ve tried it.
Rating: Must Try

What Richard Says
Nose: Luxardo cherries, vanilla extract, roasted fruits, and a sharp bitterness. This whiskey wears its alcohol heavy on the nose. It’s a bit challenging to pull the pieces out. You would think that this ran about 20% higher in alcohol with the nose.
Palate: Caramel apples, Tabasco, wet pulp, more vanilla extract, and cherry pie filling.
Finish: The finish is a bit hot with heavy wood, black pepper, and tannic influences.
Comments: This is a very nice and enjoyable whiskey but it wears the alcohol hard. A couple of splashes of water settle this bad boy down to a nice enjoyable experience. I am admittedly not a fan of wine finished, or really any finished bourbons. The exceptions are far fewer than the ones that come up short. However, this is definitely one of the better ones. I’ve heard that Pact 3 is the best yet and far superior to the first version of Blood Oath. I’ve only had this one and cannot opine of such things but it is very nice none the less. The hardest thing for me to swallow about this bourbon is the price tag. It’s a solid $50 bourbon. It’s an interesting $75 bourbon. At $100+ I would let this one pass. If you are lover of wine finished bourbons (Jefferson’s Groth, etc.) then you may find this one pretty stellar. For fans of good old fashioned middle of the road bourbon, you may want to keep that Benjamin in your wallet. I highly recommend trying before you buy if at all possible.
Rating: Stands Out

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