Must Try

Ezra Brooks 12 Year

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Ezra B Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 12 Years
Barrel 558
49.5% ABV
$35
Website
brbon_ezr4_large1
What the Bottler Says:
Carefully stored away and undisturbed for 12 years inside select, heavily charred White Oak Barrels until it reaches its peak of smoothness, Ezra B 99 Proof Single Barrel Bourbon is truly a smooth, mellow bourbon whiskey. Backed behind seven generations of whiskey producing tradition, Ezra B uses only the choicest of grains, perfect limestone water, and special natural aging to acquire its exceptional flavor and character. Each hand-crafted bottle of Ezra B, topped with a wax sealed cork finish, perfectly personifies its character and sophistication, and should be enjoyed extra slowly to appreciate its unique flavor, aroma and full body.

TASTE: A MEDIUM TO FULL BODY WITH A RICH SWEETNESS OF VANILLA, HONEY, AND A HINT OF CHOCOLATE.
FINISH: TOASTY, LONG FINISH

What Gary Says:
Nose: Deep, rich, thick vanilla and brown sugar, sandalwood & toffee (a tad hot).
Palate: Thin mouthfeel, but nice balance of oak and chocolate, with caramel & honey.
Finish: Moderate in length and drying.
Comments: Very nice pour – although as a single barrel, be prepared for some variation. In full disclosure, I had bought a bottle of this years ago that left me less impressed than this sample (although our tastes evolve – so that could be completely on me). The nose had me braced for a thick and viscous pour, and while it felt thin to me – it was not short on flavor. Really nice balance – some 12 yr bourbons are too woody for me, and this wasn’t even close (my wheelhouse is typically 8-12 yrs old). It isn’t a secret that Luxco sources the whiskey that goes into this label from Heaven Hill, and it absolutely reminds me of their Heritage Center in Bardstown – which isn’t a bad thing in the least (heck – one of my favorite places to visit!) If you are a fan of other Heaven Hill bourbons, I would absolutely give this a shot!
Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

What Richard Says:
Nose: Rich and captivating. Burnt sugar, vanilla beans, and soft deep woody notes.
Palate: Caramel, vanilla cream, woody, and peppery spicy.
Finish: It finishes smooth but heavy on the oak.
Comments: This is sourced whiskey but don’t let the recent cloud around that term dissuade you. It’s the result of a long standing arrangement with Heaven Hill for this Luxco brand. This is a nice, satisfying whiskey that is definitely a bourbon drinker’s bourbon. For those lamenting the recent loss of 12 year old Elijah Craig, may I recommend this as a potential replacement.
Rating: Stands Out

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High West 14 Year Light Whiskey

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

High West Very Rare Light Whiskey 14 Years Old
46% ABV
$99.95
Website
14-year-bottle-_-web
What the Bottler Says:
Come see the light! High West Distillery, Utah’s first legal distillery since 1870, releases a limited edition 14-Year Light Whiskey. Beginning March 19, this special bottling is available exclusively to visitors at the High West Distillery at Blue Sky Ranch, followed by a roll out at the High West Saloon & Distillery in historic Old Town Park City on April 16.

“At High West, we believe education leads to appreciation so we wanted to shed some light on this rarely discussed type of whiskey,” says High West founder David Perkins. “This is a spirit that’s not likely to be available again for a long time.”

Light whiskey denotes a grain spirit that’s been distilled at a higher proof than a straight whiskey — between 80-95% alcohol by volume (ABV) versus less than 80% ABV respectively. It’s typically used as a component in about 95% of the world’s blended whiskeys. In the U.K., what they call grain whiskey is essentially the same thing as light whiskey.

“This whiskey was distilled at a higher proof on the still, which reduces the heaviness of the flavors, and reveals more floral and fruit subtleties,” said High West master distiller Brendan Coyle. “It was aged in used barrels, as opposed to first-use charred barrels, which lends more elegant complexities with a spirit-forward character.”

High West discovered 100 stunning barrels of light whiskey at MGP made from corn that was distilled between 1999 and 2001, aged in second-fill barrels. That wood aging imparted a traditionally light spirit with lovely vanilla and white chocolate notes, and an intriguing Concord grape overlay—to anything but typical results.

High West encourages you to indulge in this special offering all on its own—neat, with a touch of water, or on the rocks. The 14-Year Light Whiskey will retail for $99.95.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Subtle all around, faint oak, lightly sweet fruit, hints of cinnamon rolls (baked the day before) or apple pie (baked two days before).
Palate: Deliciously delicate, starts off soft and lightly sweet before some stronger fruit notes (figs and orange marmalade) and a bit of a nutty-spice kick in.
Finish: Lingers before slowly/softly slipping away.
Comments: For me this is a thinking/pondering dram. It is dangerously drinkable, but I don’t want to just throw it back – it begs to be studied carefully. It is very subtle and nuanced; more like a scotch than a bourbon (the aging and second-fill barrels certainly contribute to that). For a whiskey geek who is looking to experience “light whiskey” and try something different – this may be right up their alley, and I’d call it a “must-try”. For the casual whiskey drinker, you may not be happy dropping $100 on something you find “too subtle”.
Rating: Must Try

What Richard Says:
Nose: Lightly floral sweet.
Palate: Exceptionally creamy with a rich vanilla sweetness mixed with poached peach parfait.
Finish: The finish is almost non-existent. It is clean and short.
Comments: This is light in many more ways than name alone. This is an exceptionally delicate whiskey. It doesn’t necessarily have exceptional depth but it is very drinkable and intriguing for being a rare example of extra aged “light” whiskey. It reminds me more (as you would expect) of aged grain scotch much more than anything normally made in the U.S.
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank High West for sending us a sample to review.

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High West American Prairie Reserve

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

High West American Prairie Reserve
A Blend of Straight Bourbons
46%
$45
Website
APR-Bottle-Web
What the Blender Says:
High West Distillery is passionate about the American West’s culture, heritage, and natural beauty and wants to raise awareness of one of the most fantastic projects of our time: the American Prairie Reserve in northeastern Montana. We tip our hats to this amazing effort to assemble the largest wildlife reserve in the lower 48 states. When stepping onto the plains of American Prairie Reserve, it is not difficult to imagine the landscape as Lewis and Clark and Native Americans saw it, with thundering herds of bison, racing bands of pronghorn antelope and prairie dog towns dotting the horizon. When the Reserve is complete, it will be approximately 5,000 square miles, or roughly the size of Connecticut. On the front label: the stunning greater sage grouse is just one of the many beautiful species that call the American prairie home. Habitat destruction has led to steep declines in sage grouse populations across the West and the bird is now a candidate for Endangered Species Act protection. However, these beautiful birds still thrive on the Reserve. Visit in early spring to see male sage grouse vying for mates as they “dance” on the breeding ground, called a lek.

• 6 year old Bourbon
• Mashbill from 75% Corn
• 20% rye
• 5% barley malt (LDI now MGP)
• 10 year old Bourbon
• Mashbill from 60% Corn
• 35% rye
• 5% barley malt (a distillery in Lawrenceburg, KY)

Nose: A subtle, albeit pleasant, nose on the first pour. Opens up into a floraled butter corn, cotton candy, and fruit nose.
Taste: Candy sweetness is the first thing which explodes on your tongue. Super sweet, but it has a relatively dry mouthful throughout, meaning the sweetness does not overtake the senses in a more syrupy bourbon. The short rye spice and pecan pie finish is a good thing in this case, never overwhelming.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Musty oak sweetness, vanilla and toffee, fresh tobacco, leather, hints of coffee grounds and honey.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, luscious texture – nicely balanced caramel and chocolate sweetness, dried fruit with a bit of a pepper-spice edge.
Finish: Lingers nice and slowly, drying.
Comments: This is a really great whiskey for the price, and some of the proceeds go to a good cause. Incredibly easy to drink, but also the kind of pour I could spend ample time studying if that was what I was in the mood for. Note that there is an American Prairie and American Prairie Reserve – which are not the same. I appreciate the transparency from High West about what is in the bottle, and for the money – this is damned hard to beat!
Rating: Must Try

What Richard Says:
Nose: Cherries, oranges, corn pudding, and crushed mint.
Palate: Orange marmalade, vanilla cream, cinnamon, and anise.
Finish: Dry and woody with hints of chocolate and licorice.
Comments: A lovely solid bourbon on par with Four Roses Single Barrel or Russell’s Reserve. Not stunning but no slouch. Easy to drink and versatile in flavor and style.
Rating: Stands Out

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High West Bourye

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

High West Bourye
A Blend of Straight Whiskeys
Batch No. 15B09
46% ABV
$79.99
Website
bourye-bottle
What the Blender Says:
THE RETURN OF BOURYE
High West Releases a Limited Run of the Original Bourbon and Rye Blend

PARK CITY, Utah (February 12, 2016) — High West Distillery, Utah’s first legal distillery since 1870, is proud to announce the return of Bourye, the original super premium bourbon and rye blend. Much like the elusive jackalope that graces its label, the limited release Bourye may be hard to find, but a delight when discovered.

Bourye is a unique and very premium blend of rich 9-year-old bourbon and 13-and-17-year-old ryes, making for a premier sipping whiskey and one of High West’s own all-time favorites. “This iteration of Bourye is very similar to the original in age profile and component whiskeys,” said High West Founder David Perkins. “But I personally think this one is better.”

Bourye offers a taste of sweet honey nougat, rich caramel, mulling spices, and candied fruits with a long dry spice finish. “This release brings the flavor profile back to the level of richness that our original release had,” said High West Master Distiller Brendan Coyle. “I’m really excited to share it with whiskey lovers.” It’s available nationally this month at saloons and stores across the country, as well as at the High West Distillery in Park City, Utah, the world’s only ski-in gastro-distillery. It’s priced at $79.99.

Component whiskeys:
• 9-year-old straight bourbon (mash bill: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% barley malt) Source: MGP/LDI/Seagrams, Indiana
• 13-year-old straight rye whiskey (mash bill: 95% rye, 5% barley malt) Source: MGP/LDI/Seagrams, Indiana
• 17-year-old straight rye whiskey (mash bill: 95% rye, 5% barley malt) Source: MGP/LDI/Seagrams, Indiana

What Gary Says:
Nose: Oak, anise, subtle vanilla honey & caramel with a hint of dill and subtle tobacco.
Palate: Soft, fruity spice & oak; rice pudding with pears and figs.
Finish: Slow, nice and peppery.
Comments: Not quite a bourbon, and not quite a rye. Nicely balanced, and dangerously drinkable (goes down like an 80 proofer at first until the spice kicks in). I really enjoy this whiskey, but I honestly am a fan of DIY mingles of bourbon & rye. Some may want more sweetness, some may want more rye spice. And sometimes what I want varies from day to day. For the price point – unless you’ve tried it and know this is hitting you just right – you may be better off playing with different ratios of more affordable whiskies.
Rating: Stands Out

What Richard Says:
Nose: Fennel seed, old cigars, and over cooked (not quite burnt) caramel.
Palate: Delicious spicy and sweet candy. Black pepper, polished wood, cinnamon jelly beans, leather, tobacco, spearmint gum, and Mars bars.
Finish: Peppery, minty, woody, and lingering. All in the best way.
Comments: Sadly, I missed the first iteration of Bourye. I wasn’t as firmly on the High West bandwagon at that time. So I can’t compare the two but I can say that this is stellar whiskey. It has all the right parts firing on all the right cylinders.
Rating: Must Try

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Yellow Spot

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Yellow Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Aged 12 Years
46% ABV
$99
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
Yellow Spot whiskey was last seen in Ireland in the mid to late 1960’s. Created and sold by Mitchell & Son Wine and Spirit Merchants, Yellow Spot was always a 12 year old whiskey which was slightly sweet due to the inclusion of some single pot still spirit which was matured in Spanish Malaga wine casks. Inspired by the original, Yellow Spot is the rare taste of a bonder’s style Pot Still Irish whiskey. Maturation in Bourbon barrels, Sherry butts and Malaga casks creates a superbly complex whiskey with fresh and sweet top notes.

Nose: Mown hay & cracked black pepper, Red bell peppers, nutmeg, clove oil & green tea. Sweet honey & peaches from the Malaga casks.
Taste: Honey sweetness with pot still spices. Flavours of fresh coffee, creamy milk chocolate & Creme Brulee. Notes of red apples & toasted oak.
Finish: Sophisticated & complex. Sweetness throughout, with a mix of red grape & dry barley upon exit.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Tobacco, candied ginger, eggnog, and vanilla drizzled peaches and cream.
Palate: Rich orange blossom honey, Del Monte fruit cocktail, and melted milk chocolate.
Finish: Sweet fruit playing against spicy black pepper.
Comments: Fantastic. Absolutely stellar. Easily my favorite 12 year old pot still Irish whiskey at drinking proof. (Redbreast Cask Strength still does it for me at the higher proof). The Sherry, Bourbon, and Malaga wood fit together seamlessly. For sure, this is an Irish Whiskey all should try. If it wasn’t so damn expensive I would be yelling in your ear that you have to get out there and buy a bottle.
Rating: Must Try

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