Stands Out

Wenzel Distillery Wheated Barrel Proof (Batch #05)

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Wenzel Distillery Wheated Barrel Proof (Batch #05)
Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskies

55.35% ABV
$99
Website
Wenzel Distillery Wheated Barrel Proof (Batch #05)
We would like to thank Wenzel Distillery and The Whisky Bard for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Aged at least 8 years, this a rich and full-bodied blend of straight bourbon whiskeys that is a high wheat lover’s delight (mash bill: 65% Corn, 12.5% Wheat, 12.5% Oats, 10% Barley). It has heavy notes of caramel, cocoa, and vanilla that don’t subside quickly. The mouthfeel and flavor are long-lasting, leaving the palette with a rich and full dessert-like finish.

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel, soft oak, vanilla sponge cake, honey and fresh-baked shortbread cookies.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel with caramel apple, cinnamon, vanilla, pepper spice, toffee and almond cookies.
Finish: Moderate in length, drying with oak, vanilla and baking spices including cloves.
Comments: This is a nice, and gentle bourbon (although not your traditional “wheater” with a mashbill of 65% corn, 12.5% wheat, 12.5% oats and 10% barley). The nose is quite gentle, which for me made the palate a bit of a surprise with a spice edge I didn’t anticipate. It isn’t hot – just more spicy than I would have expected. It takes water well, bringing notes of chocolate on the nose, and tamping the cinnamon/spice edge a bit on the palate, while bringing more caramel to the party and taking the toffee notes into more of a fudge.

Rating: Stands Out

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Penelope Cocktails Blackberry Old Fashioned Ready to Pour Cocktail

/ / Other Spirits, Review / ,

Penelope Cocktails Blackberry Old Fashioned
Ready to Pour Cocktail

38% ABV
$30
Website
Penelope Cocktails Blackberry Old Fashioned
We would like to thank Luxco and The Brand Guild for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned is the newest addition to Penelope Bourbon’s collection of ready-to-pour cocktails, crafted for easy enjoyment from backyard gatherings to relaxed evenings with friends. The expression features a blend of straight bourbon and rye whiskey, orange bitters, and blackberry simple syrup for a vibrant, fruit-forward take on the classic cocktail. Bottled at 76 proof (38% ABV), it balances bright berry notes with layers of vanilla, oak, citrus, and warm spice, designed to be served simply over ice.
“We’re continuing to see consumers gravitate toward elevated ready-to-pour cocktails that deliver on both quality and convenience,” said Michael Paladini, Founder and Vice President of Strategy at Penelope Bourbon. “Our Blackberry Old Fashioned brings a fresh, fruit-forward element to a timeless cocktail while staying rooted in the whiskey character that defines Penelope.”
“An Old Fashioned is one of those cocktails people already know and love, so we wanted to put our own spin on it in a way that still felt approachable and true to Penelope,” added Danny Polise, Founder and Master Blender of Penelope Bourbon. “The blackberry brings a fresh and familiar layer without taking away from the bourbon and rye at the core. You still get that classic foundation with a little something unexpected. It’s balanced, easy to drink, and keeps the focus on the whiskey.”
TASTING NOTES
Aroma: Juicy blackberry, ripe fruit, and lemon.
Body: Vanilla, oak, light citrus, and berry.
Finish: Aromatic spice, deep plum, and fruit sweetness.

What Gary Says

Nose: Blackberry syrup with a hint of bitters.
Palate: Thick and syrupy with blackberry jam, honey, caramel and a bit of cinnamon.
Finish: Moderate in length with blackberry jam and honey.
Comments: I’ve had a few of these read-to-pour cocktails with mixed results, but this is a pretty good one. I think the ones that try to be a straight up Old Fashioned are competing with what someone expects in an Old Fashioned. Let’s be honest – if you’re making it at home, you likely prefer it a certain way – maybe heavier on the simple syrup, or lighter on the bitters, etc. I can honestly say I’ve never made a Blackberry Old Fashioned, so this isn’t competing with a standard. All that aside – the most important criteria: I enjoyed it! This tastes exactly like what it should – a whiskey cocktail (while the blackberry syrup element is front and center, you get enough caramel to know there’s bourbon inside). I did follow the instructions and chilled it first, although didn’t pour it over any rocks. It’s on the thick side ‘neat’ but still tasty. If I was entertaining – this is 12 cocktails – that’s under $3 a pop without any work other than pouring.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Blue Note Cherry Wood Cask Bourbon (Volume 1)

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Blue Note Cherry Wood Cask Bourbon (Volume 1)
Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Cherry Wood Casks

59.7% ABV
$65
Website
Blue Note Cherry Wood Cask Bourbon (Volume 1)
We would like to thank B.R. Distilling Co and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Exploring the art of alternative cooperage, Cherry Wood Cask is aged in American Oak and finished in sustainably harvested wild-cherry wood casks from the Jura region of eastern France. This cask finished straight bourbon whiskey delivers a distinctive balance of depth and brightness. Memphis heat and humidity draw rich character from the wood, layering vibrant cherry, warm spice, gentle sweetness and subtle toasted notes into every sip, culminating in an unmistakably unique finish that lingers.

The limited release features a mash bill of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley, and was bottled at cask strength, unfiltered.

What Gary Says

Nose: Vanilla, musty oak, caramel, cherry with a hint of cinnamon.
Palate: Dark chocolate, cherry lozenge, brown sugar, cinnamon, caramel, oak, vanilla, tobacco and pepper spice.
Finish: Moderate in length, drying with oak, cherry and spice notes.
Comments: I’ve enjoyed cherry wood finishes, and this is no exception. Done really well – subtle and unique. This isn’t as nuanced on the nose, but the palate has complexity. Cherry sounds sweet, but this is on the spicier side. A bit of water helps, bringing the cherry forward on the nose, and thickening the mouthfeel nicely while tamping the oak a bit on the palate. I inquired about the aging and learned this is a select blend of 5-6 year old barrels that were finished in the cherry wood casks for four months. Nicely done!

Rating: Stands Out

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Silverthorn Reserve Blender’s Art Rye Blend 10 Years (Batch 1)

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Silverthorn Reserve Blender’s Art Rye Blend 10 Years (Batch 1)
Straight Rye Whiskey

56.5% ABV
$100
Website
Silverthorn Reserve Rye Blend 10 Year
We would like to thank Silverthorn Reserve and The Whiskey Bard for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

This blend of 8 barrels brings together 13-year high-rye, with 10-year high-rye, 10-year low-rye, and 1 barrel of 10-year high-rye double oak. The nose is reminiscent of a cinnamon pastry with vanilla icing. The palate moves from caramels and brown sugar into soft baking spices before seamlessly finishing with rich, sweet oak.
COMPOSITION:
• 12% – 13Y – 95R Straight Rye Whiskey – Indiana
• 36% – 10Y – 95R Straight Rye Whiskey – Indiana
• 37% – 10Y – 51R Straight Rye Whiskey – Indiana
• 15% – 10Y – DO – 95R Straight Rye Whiskey – Indiana
Cask Strength. Non-chill filtered. Hand bottled. Batch size: 8 barrels. 113 Proof (56.5% ABV).

What Gary Says

Nose: Brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon roll, mint and oak.
Palate: Caramel, honey, mint, cinnamon, pepper, oak and a hint of dark chocolate.
Finish: Moderate, drying with oak, pepper spice and honey.
Comments: This is not as sharp as the Remus Repeal Reserve Rye, but similarly takes water well. I was surprised at the mashbill, as this is much more rounded than most other 95% rye mashbills. A bit of water brings out some orange zest on the nose and thickens the mouthfeel nicely, bringing out brown sugar and chocolate.

Rating: Stands Out

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Silverthorn Reserve Blender’s Art Bourbon Blend 10 Year (Batch 1)

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Silverthorn Reserve Blender’s Art Bourbon Blend 10 Year (Batch 1)
A Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskies

57.5% ABV
$100
Website
Silverthorn Reserve Bourbon Blend 10 Year
We would like to thank Silverthorn Reserve and The Whiskey Bard for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

The Blender’s Art Series explores the art of marrying exquisite whiskies to develop new, one-of-a-kind flavor profiles, showcasing nano-blends of only 2 to 10 barrels. Silverthorn Reserve is built on a passion for the art and science of crafting exquisite whiskies, focusing on single barrel curation, custom finishing, and nano-blending projects.
This blend of 8 barrels brings together 14Y 4-grain bourbon from GA, with 10Y high-malt bourbon from IN and 10Y low-rye bourbon from KY. It has caramel, vanilla, and maple on the nose. It opens with caramel and light brown sugar on the pallet before transitioning into baking spices across the mid-palate, and then finishing with a clean, light oak.
“As a blender, my goal is to create whiskey that is greater than the sum of its parts. While every barrel contributes its own character, bringing those elements together distinctively and harmoniously is the craft,” said Drew Thorn, Founder and Master Blender.

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel, chocolate fudge, vanilla, oak, coffee cake, hint of maple syrup with an earthy, mineral note.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel with caramel, cinnamon, chili oil, oak, honey, brown sugar, hint of dark cherry and chocolate.
Finish: Moderate in length with oak, white pepper and toffee.
Comments: Very interesting dram. Nose is layered and complex. Palate is a tad hot – this drinks more like 125 proof than 115 proof. But it takes water well – bringing out graham cracker and German chocolate cake on the nose, and tamps the heat on the palate while bringing maple and chocolate forward. I definitely preferred it with some water. I appreciate the transparency about the components as well!

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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