Stands Out

Penelope Tokaji Cask Finish 8 Year Rye

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Penelope Tokaji Cask Finish
8 Year Straight Rye Whiskey

53% ABV
$90
Website
Penelope Tokaji Cask Finish 8 Year Straight Rye Whiskey
We would like to thank Penelope Bourbon and BYRNE PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Rich and decadent, Tokaji Cask Finish straight rye whiskey captures the late harvest notes of Tokaji wine from Hungary, once dubbed, “the wine of kings” by King Louis XIV. Distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, aged eight years and bottled at 106 proof, its two-grain mash bill consists of 95% rye and 5% malted barley. The rye whiskey features a nose of dark chocolate-covered raisins and almond pastry; a viscous body with notes of sweet honey and caramel with hints of orange zest; and a savory finish highlighted by notes of black cherry, tobacco and red wine.

“From consumers to tasting panels, our Tokaji Cask Finish was really well received last year,” said Michael Paladini, founder of Penelope Bourbon. “For the initial release we used a 6-year-old straight rye whiskey as our base, and we are excited to bring this back but with an 8-year base at the same price point.”

In 2023, Penelope Bourbon Tokaji Cask Finish received 91 points from Whisky Advocate and was awarded a Gold Medal ASCOT Award.

It is the third installment of the company’s Cooper Series, which takes Penelope straight whiskeys on a world tour. The other members of the series include Rosé Cask Finish, Valencia and Rio. The Cooper Series was named after the son of Daniel Polise, one of the founders and the master distiller of Penelope Bourbon. A product locator for the Penelope family of bourbons can be found here.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Big rye spice with dill, mint and citrus zest, floral notes with almond cookies and toasted oak.
Palate:  Dry with honey, mint, cinnamon, chocolate orange, caramel, clove and pepper.
Finish:  Drying with orange zest, fading spice and tobacco.
Comments:  This is an interesting dram. Only my second experience with Tokaji as a finish, but like the first it seems to be a very subtle influence. I really enjoy the rye whiskey itself, and have long been a fan of that 95% rye mashbill the folks in Indiana make. With a bit of water the mouthfeel thickens and brings the citrus notes forward. This is an unapologetic rye that’s dry, spicy and savory. I enjoy it neat, but it also makes a mean Preakness cocktail.

Rating: Stands Out

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Arran 24 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Arran 24 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The Whisky Exchange Exclusive

49.5% ABV
$250
Website
Arran 1996 24 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

What the Distillery/Bottle Says

Non-chill Filtered | Natural Colour
Premium Cask
Exclusive To The Whisky Exchange
24 Years Old
Cask No. 1996/752
Distilled: 19/07/1996
Bottled: 11/03/2021
Bottle No. X/274
700mL
49.5% Vol
Distilled and Matured in Lochranza, Isle of Arran

On the nose there are dusty leather-bound books, dried apples, toffee, oranges and sultanas. The palate is full of toffee popcorn, fruit cake and clotted-cream ice cream drizzled with fudge. The finish is long, with a hint of chilli spice and chimney smoke.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Smoked brisket, dark fruit, brown sugar, balsamic, earthy, campfire, sea salt, biscuits, honey, savory herbs, fennel and worn leather.
Palate:  Oily mouthfeel with sweet peat, honey, bit of chili oil, blackberries, apples, cherries, raisins, and smoke.
Finish:  Moderately long with peat smoke, dried fruit, agave syrup and sea salt.
Comments:  The nose on this is delightfully complex! Very layered and nuanced – one of those drams I could just sit and nose the entire evening – as it does continue to open up with time in the glass.  The palate is really nice as well, although a tad sharp with a bit of a bite. Some water adds citrus and brings spices forward on the nose, and the mouthfeel transitions from oily to a more creamy feel, as well as tamping the bite but only a bit.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Calumet Farm Single Rack Black 15 Year Old Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Calumet Farm Single Rack Black 15 Year Old Bourbon
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

52.5% ABV
$120-140
Website
Calumet Farm Single Rack Black 15 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey

What the Producer Says

Calumet Farm Single Rack Black 15 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey is the pinnacle of the Calumet Farm Bourbon family. It represents the premium quality our brand is known for, as well as the hard-earned badge of patience. Allowing our bourbon to age slowly in Kentucky-only rick houses is a testament to doing things the right way – the way bourbon should be done. All barrels used to craft these rare batches are aged in a single, center cut rack. This expression of the Calumet Farm Bourbon family is our most aged and highest proof to date. It is Non-Chill Filtered for added depth of character and color.

Distilled/Aging Location: Bardstown, Kentucky
Batch Size: 19 Barrels (ea.)
Filtration: Non-Chill Filtered
Mash Bill: 74% Corn, 18% Rye, 8% Malted Barley
Bottled By: Three Springs Bottling Company, Bowling Green, KY

TASTING NOTES
Color: Deep amber throughout with shimmering highlights of copper and sun-yellow
Nose Upon Uncorking: Notes of oak and wood char are notable
Nose After Breathing: Complex scents of dark fruit and sweet corn
Taste: Bold flavors of oak, aged spice and toasted grains are present while toffee and a subtle smoky-sweetness roll across the palate
Finish: A lingering finish mellows, leaving sweet tobacco and rye flavors with a slightly dry mouth feel

What Gary Says

Nose:  Caramel creams, oak, maple candies, chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg and cherries.
Palate:  Caramel, vanilla, dark chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, cherries and clove.
Finish:  Moderate in length, drying with oak, baking spices and honey.
Comments:  Compared to the 14 year, the addition proof helps give this a bit more oomph with more cherries, and darker chocolate notes. The oak actually is less tannic than the 14 year which is a nice surprise (again, small batches can lead to more variation). This definitely has a thicker mouthfeel as well, and depending where you shop – is very similarly priced to the 14 year.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Calumet Farm Single Rack Black 14 Year Old Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Calumet Farm Single Rack Black 14 Year Old Bourbon
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

48.1% ABV
$120
Website
Calumet Farm Single Rack Black 14 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey

What the Producer Says

Calumet Farm Single Rack Black 14 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey represents both the prestigious nature and hard-earned quality of a premium Kentucky straight bourbon. It is painstakingly crafted from extremely small batches of 19 barrels. All barrels used are aged in a single, center cut rack from the ideal maturation location and conditions inside the rick house. This expression of the Calumet Farm Bourbon family is a true convergence of craftsmanship and flavor. It is Non-Chill Filtered for added depth of character and color.

Distilled/Aging Location: Bardstown, Kentucky
Batch Size: 19 Barrels (ea.)
Filtration: Non-Chill Filtered
Mash Bill: 74% Corn, 18% Rye, 8% Malted Barley
Bottled By: Three Springs Bottling Company, Bowling Green, KY

TASTING NOTES
Color: Deep amber throughout with shimmering highlights of copper and sun-yellow
Nose: Heavy notes of oak and molasses are rolled back as light scents of fresh corn, wood sugars and hay present
Taste: Smooth flavors of oak and char subside to reveal complex sensations of toasted grains, toffee and vanilla
Finish: The long finish leaves the palate with a subtle dryness followed by lasting flavors of rye and dark fruit

What Gary Says

Nose:  Salted caramel, oak, dark chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, hint of clove and anise.
Palate:  Caramel, vanilla, chocolate, oak, coffee cake, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.
Finish:  Moderate in length, slightly drying with oak, baking spices and vanilla.
Comments:  This is a nice, solid bourbon. Slightly tannic, which being the first (and youngest) of three Calumet bourbons I was sitting down with made me a bit worried, although as these are all truly small batches (only 19 barrels) this may not be like last years (or next years) offering.

Rating: Stands Out

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El Mayor 25th Anniversary Extra Añejo Tequila

/ / Other Spirits, Review /

El Mayor 25th Anniversary Extra Añejo Tequila

40% ABV
$130
Website
El Mayor 25th Anniversary Extra Añejo tequila
We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

To celebrate and honor El Mayor’s 25th anniversary, Master Distiller Rodolfo Gonzalez selected 25 barrels of the distillery’s oldest stock to create a unique, limited-edition tequila: El Mayor Extra Añejo Bourbon Barrel Aged. The ultra-premium tequila is aged for 39 months in American Oak bourbon barrels and distilled from Blue Weber agave from the valley area of Jalisco, Mexico. A limited allocation of approximately 6,000 bottles will be available at a suggested retail price of $129.99 per 750-ml. bottle. Distilled and produced at Destiladora Gonzalez Lux in Arandas, Mexico, the limited-edition tequila will be available nationwide in July 2023.

“This limited-edition Extra Añejo tequila is the culmination of 25 years of knowledge, expertise and innovation,” said Graciela Gonzalez, fourth-generation distiller and daughter of Rodolfo Gonzalez. “The result is an extraordinarily smooth, well-balanced tequila with elegant oak hints, baking spices and dried fruit on the nose and palate. It’s a gorgeous expression worthy of marking such a significant milestone.”

The El Mayor 25th Anniversary Extra Añejo Bourbon Barrel Aged bottle features a silver label and embossed detail around the neck. It is packaged in an attractive black box with silver markings that complement the label.

“The tequila category is experiencing a meteoric rise, fueled by award-winning brands like El Mayor,” said Chelsi Hofmeister, brand manager for El Mayor. “This latest 25th Anniversary Extra Añejo tequila is sure to be sought after by those who recognize and appreciate exceptional tequila.”

For recipes and more information about El Mayor and the limited-edition 25th Anniversary Extra Añejo Bourbon Barrel Aged tequila, or to find a retailer, visit elmayor.com or follow the brands @elmayortequila on Facebook and Instagram.

What Gary Says

DISCLAIMER: I’m a whisk(e)y enthusiast, and not familiar with Tequila (so read at your own risk!)
Nose: Vanilla, agave, vegetal note, hint of tangerine and nutmeg.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel with agave nectar, apples, vanilla, touch of cinnamon and a bit earthy.
Finish: Short to moderate in length with honey, dried fruit and pepper.
Comments: Not a tequila aficionado by any stretch, but of my limited experience, I found this to be quite nice. As a bourbon fan, you definitely get that influence which I appreciate. And this made a fabulous margarita!

Rating: Stands Out

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