49.5% ABV $25 Website We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us a sample to review.
What the Producer Says
This whiskey is 51% rye, 45% corn, 4% malt, and 100% genuine. Bottled at an honest 99 proof, it’s a real straight shooter.
“Based on the success of Ezra Brooks 99 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, we have elevated the proof for both the Ezra Brooks Rye and Bourbon Cream variants,” said Eric Winter, brand manager for Ezra Brooks. “Ezra Brooks 99 Rye drinkers will find the same great rye-whiskey taste, but with enhanced flavor delivered by the higher proof. Similarly, our new Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream delivers a bolder, richer expression of the bourbon-cream flavor our customers love.”
TASTING NOTES: Hints of chocolate, leather, vanilla, and spicy grains, balanced by slightly sweet and oaky tones.
What Gary Says
Nose: Lemongrass, fennel, dried mint, leather, vanilla and a hint of oak. Palate: Caramel, nutmeg, toffee, citrus spice with a bit of chocolate. Finish: Moderate in length, thick with trailing caramel and oak spices. Comments: For a 2 year old rye (minimum, bottle states aged for a minimum of 24 months), this is pretty decent. It’s priced reasonably for today’s market, where most other ryes are coming in at lower proof. For fans of rye, this isn’t going to knock your socks off like the Old Ezra 7 Year Rye – but it’s a third (or less) the price. Nothing objectionable for me as a sipper, and a perfectly serviceable cocktail rye. A bit of water thickens the palate a bit and brings the citrus out from the shadows.
Oak & Eden Whiskey Customizer Whiskey Apostle Selection: Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey (114 Proof) Finished With A Port Wine Soaked American Oak Spiral
45-57% ABV $65-80 Website We would like to thank Oak & Eden and Champlin PR for sending us a sample to review.
What the Producer Says
DALLAS, February 16, 2023 – Today, indie whiskey brand and spirits innovator, Oak & Eden, unveils a project it’s kept under wraps for nearly three years – Whiskey Customizer. Living within the brand’s Anthro Series line of whiskey collaborations with artists, musicians, actors and creators, Whiskey Customizer enables the customer to be the creator, crafting their own whiskey bottle from the comfort of their home using one of the Oak & Eden’s four finished whiskey bases and over eleven infusion options. Whiskey Customizer is exclusively offered online at OakandEden.com.
Oak & Eden’s proprietary In-Bottle Finishing technique was just the start of the founders’ vision. Rooted by the innovative spire, the brand developed Whiskey Customizer, becoming the first national spirit brand to offer single bottle customization for the masses. Whether you’re an avid whiskey fan wanting to experiment or looking for that perfect gift for a loved one, Whiskey Customizer has a little something for everyone.
“Five years ago, we embarked on a journey to revolutionize the spirits industry and bring something unique to the market. The wooden spire and patented finishing process were simply the tools that led us to Whiskey Customizer – the true innovation,” comments Oak & Eden Co-founder and CEO Joe Giildenzopf. “Today, as we celebrate its long awaited debut and our anniversary, we are paving the way for a new era of personalization and experimentation within the spirits industry.”
To kick off the experience, customers are invited to build their custom bottle by selecting a desired whiskey base out of Bourbon, Four Grain Bourbon, Wheated Bourbon or Rye. Each base has been aged a minimum of three years. All four whiskey bases are available in 90 proof ($64.00 / 750ml bottle) and 114 proof ($79.00/ 750ml bottle).
After selecting the base and proof, builders may then choose the preferred wooden spire to be infused or inserted into the base with no infusion. Wood options include an American Oak spire, lending a sweet and toasty finish, or a French Oak spire, lending a floral and peppery finish.
Builders can also select their spire to be infused with Coffee, Vanilla, Grapefruit Liqueur, Orange Liqueur, Pineapple Liqueur, Blackberry Liqueur, Cabernet, Port Wine, Rum, Honey, or Maple Syrup which is then inserted into the bottle. Oak & Eden plans to add to its infusion options, introducing seasonal and limited l-batch options quarterly, making the possibilities with Whiskey Customizer truly limitless.
As a final step, customers can make the bottle theirs by personalizing the label.
Each customized bottle is available for shipping nationwide and ready to drink following the recommended six-week In-Bottle Finishing process.
As a part of its education efforts, Oak & Eden shares popular bottle creations, describes the characteristics and notes associated with each selection and provides cocktail recipes that best accompany each bottle.
“The launch of Whiskey Customizer allows our customers to unleash their creative spirit, one bottle at a time, in a way that has never existed before,” says Oak & Eden Co-founder & CMO Brad Neathery. “As important as making the new experience seamless on our site was providing visual and educational tools on building a whiskey, an often misunderstood and intimidating spirit. We are a whiskey for the people, inviting and empowering anyone to be a creator.”
Check out oakandeden.com for more information on Whiskey Customizer as well as the brand’s full lineup of whiskies.
What Gary Says
Nose: Vanilla, salted caramel, oak, chocolate, raisins, blackcurrant, graham cracker and slightly nutty. Palate: Rich mouthfeel, sweet with cherry, vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins and figs. Finish: Short to moderate in length with cinnamon, pepper, honey and fruit notes. Comments: I want to start off by stating that if you read my review of my first experience with the Whiskey Customizer (a Rye Whiskey at 114 proof finished with a Port Wine soaked American Oak spiral), I mentioned some items that I hope they had fixed. I’m happy to share that they had! For this order, I received an informing me that my custom bottle was being built, to expect an email when it was shipped, and to WAIT three weeks after I receive the bottle before enjoying. The packaging was also improved, with the bottle being safe and secure, but not so tight that it removed the stopper when unboxing it. Bourbon and port is one of my happy places (ok – I haven’t met a whiskey I didn’t like with a little port maturation or finishing to be honest!). A bit of water brings out a bit of citrus on the nose. This is non-age-stated, which always tends to leave me skeptical that it must be young (or why not brag on the age). I don’t get some of the corny notes I’d associate with a younger bourbon. The nose is a tad hot for the proof. I did follow the instructions this time and waited actually a bit over three weeks before opening and trying, which I think did help. It was even better a month after that (I was concerned that perhaps too much time might have a negative impact, but I suspect it hits a plateau).
49.3% ABV $130 Website We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us samples to review.
What the Blender Says
Lux Row master distiller and master blender John Rempe renews his annual pact with bourbon drinkers with the release of Blood Oath Pact 9 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in Oloroso Sherry casks. A limited supply of 17,000 (3-pack) cases will arrive at retail this April at a suggested price of $129.99 per 750 ml bottle. As with all of Rempe’s pacts, Blood Oath Pact 9 is offered at 98.6 proof (49.3% ABV).
Blood Oath Pact 9 combines some of the finest extra-aged bourbons Rempe could find, including a 16-year ryed bourbon and a 12-year ryed bourbon, as well as a 7-year ryed bourbon finished in Oloroso Sherry casks from the Sherry Triangle region in southwest Spain. These casks impart unique woody and ripe-fruit aromas and flavors to make Blood Oath Pact 9 a memorable pour.
“Blood Oath Pact 9 contains three great bourbons, and the Oloroso Sherry cask finish has resulted in a deep, dark amber liquid with long legs,” said Rempe. “The Oloroso Sherry casks also bring out tasting notes of sweet sherry with hints of ripe fruit on the nose, as well as flavor notes highlighted by ripe fruits including figs, plums and raisins, with notes of molasses, chocolate and tobacco. This bourbon also provides a long-lasting finish characterized by fruit notes and complemented by hints of spicy oak. I’m proud to share Blood Oath Pact 9 with bourbon lovers.”
Each Blood Oath pact has featured a different colored label. This year, Blood Oath Pact 9 features a label that is deep crimson in color. And like its predecessors, each bottle of Blood Oath Pact 9 comes in a commemorative fire-branded wooden display box.
The official launch of Blood Oath Pact 9 will include a total allocation of 51,00 bottles, 1,400 of which will be held for a future Trilogy Pack release. The first Trilogy Pack, featuring Pacts 1, 2 and 3, was released in 2018, and the second Trilogy Pack, featuring Pacts 4, 5 and 6, was released in September 2021 in conjunction with National Bourbon Heritage Month. The next Blood Oath Trilogy Pack, featuring Pacts 7, 8 and 9, will be offered in 2024.
TASTING NOTES AROMA: Sweet sherry with hints of ripe fruit. PALATE: A melody of ripe fruits including figs, plums, and raisins, with notes of molasses and chocolate. FINISH: Long lasting fruit notes complemented by hints of spicy oak.
What Gary Says
Nose: Caramel, fruitcake with apricots, baked apples, brown sugar, oak, cinnamon and nutmeg. Palate: Sweet with caramel, fruity with apples and raisins, chocolate and a hit of cinnamon. Finish: Moderate in length, slightly drying with caramel, mixed fruit and wood spice. Comments: This is another solid addition to the Blood Oath lineup. Continue to appreciate the subtly of their finishing, and maintaining the bourbon as the star of the show. This one does get better with time in the glass, and a bit of water (but not too much) brings out more cinnamon baked apples on the nose along with a hint of clove, and a note of cherry cola on the palate. Very nice, and fruity for sure although less in the ‘dark fruit’ spectrum that I associate with an oloroso sherry matured scotch. Not sure how much of that is finishing vs maturation, or the nature of the spirit itself – but I like it!
Nose: Cognac, grapey, cedar, oak, soft spices with dill, subtle lemon zest and a hint of anise. Palate: Soft, floral, caramel, mandarin orange, vanilla, light spice with mint and cinnamon, grapes and a bit of pepper. Finish: Moderately long, drying with orange zest and cognac. Comments: This is an interesting dram. At first I misunderstood and thought this was ‘cognac finished’ (and I’m not sure if that isn’t the case, since I don’t think you could label it ‘straight rye’ unless it was aged in new oak for at least the first two years). No idea how long this was in a cognac cask, but the nose is heavily cognac influenced. The palate isn’t as sharp as a typical rye, although the low 43% ABV is a factor. It absolutely has that family resemblence to what I expect are its Canadian rye whiskey roots – which is a good thing in my book. Not sure I’d pay the retail price for this, but if someone is offering me a pour – I’d gladly accept. Complex, layered, well balanced (if heavy cognac on the nose, it is better balanced on the palate), and delicious neat.
Built in 1811, Port Dundas grew throughout the 19th and early 20th century by absorbing neighboring producers. It quickly became Scotland’s largest distillery. During its long history on the banks of the Forth and Clyde Canal in Glasgow, this grain whisky powerhouse provided much of the juice for the Johnnie Walker and White Horse blended whiskies. With Diageo’s expansion and modernization of Cameronbridge in the early 2000s, production at Port Dundas ceased, and in 2011 the landmark site was completely demolished. That closure makes this 28 year old single grain whisky a veritable piece of history. And at the same time, one of the most affordable ghost distilleries available on the market. Nearly every time we have the opportunity to purchase old grain from Port Dundas at this kind of price, we have to take it. The whisky is too enjoyable to pass up. Just as it’s been a workhorse for blenders for 200 years, it’s a workhorse in nearly every K&L staff member’s whisky collection.
From the bottle: From the bottle: Distilled February 1990, Bottled July 2018 1 of 239 Bottles Cask Ref: HL15272 Aged in a Refill Hogshead, Bottled at Cask Strength Non Chill-Filtered, Natural Colour An almost tropical nose with coconut and pineapple both in attendance, along with the expected vanilla and a touch of honeydew melon. Apricot, raspberry and a touch of menthol on the palate leading to a finish of orange, maple syrup and more coconut notes.
What Gary Says
Nose: Heather, vanilla sponge cake, grilled peaches, pears with subtle tropical fruit notes of kiwi and coconut. Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, sweet with vanilla, honey, coconut, malt, buttered biscuits with peaches and cream. Finish: Long and damp with vanilla, honey and fading fruit salad. Comments: Long time readers of the blog (all 4 of you) know that grain whisky isn’t my favorite category. I bought my first bottle back in 2016 while in the U.K. because for a 25 year old it was a bargain – and ironically enough it too was a Port Dundas, distilled in February 1990 (but bottled in May 2015). This definitely reminds me of that, being very subtle and gentle, and needing some time in the glass to open up. I appreciate the mouthfeel, and in terms of value (only $80 freaking dollars?) it would be hard to beat.
