Stands Out

Smooth Ambler Founders’ Cask Strength Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Smooth Ambler Founders’ Cask Strength Series
Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Bourbon Mashbill 2
2022 Batch 4
6 Years old

61.4% ABV
$55
Website
Smooth Ambler Founders Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey
We would like to thank Smooth Ambler and Cork + Knife for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

We love sharing our homemade liquid because we get to let y’all taste what makes our part of the world so perfect for making whiskey. With this Bourbon recipe, we add a modest amount of rye to play well with our casks in the Appalachian climate. It’s a surprising meddling of flavors and geographical super powers that just work effortlessly.

Didn’t know we made a rye-backed Bourbon? Yeah… we didn’t but now we do. You’re welcome. So please enjoy this newly minted convergence of flavors from our home to yours.

SUBTLE SPICE? IT’S NICE
UNIQUE BATCHES? YOU BET
LOW RYE BOURBON? COOL HUH!
CASK STRENGTH? ALWAYS

Graham Cracker, Dark Chocolate, Cherry, Allspice

DISTILLED IN WEST VIRGINIA

71% CORN
21% RYE
8% MALTED BARLEY

What Gary Says

Nose:  Caramel, vanilla, charred oak, fall leaves, dark chocolate, smoke, orange zest, cherries and a hint of root beer.
Palate:  Chewy mouthfeel, caramel, dark chocolate, walnuts, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, orange bitters, cola, graham crackers and a bit of molasses.
Finish:  Moderate in length, drying with nutty caramel and pepper spice.
Comments:  I’ve been a fan of Smooth Ambler since the ‘old days’ (in fact, I still have some of their sourced barrel proof rye stashed), but didn’t love Contradiction (which blends sourced whiskey with their own make). So I was excited for the opportunity to try something that is all their own whiskey. This is a really nice, solid, straight down the middle of the plate bourbon. Well balanced, just a bit of spice and not too much oak. In my opinion, 6 years is a really solid age for bourbon (not that I don’t love a four-year old bottled-in-bond, but I find 6-8 years old to be right in my wheelhouse). Also appreciate the price point given the age and proof. While a smaller distillery (have heard some refer to them as one of the ‘original craft distilleries’), this is doesn’t come across like a small distillery “figuring things out”. This takes water well, bringing out notes of fresh tobacco on the nose and rice putting on the palate.

Rating: Stands Out

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Redbreast Pedro Ximénez Edition

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review / ,

Redbreast Pedro Ximénez Edition
Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in PX Sherry Hogsheads

46% ABV
$105-$130
Website

Redbreast PX Edition Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

What the Bottle* Says

UNIQUE among the family, Redbreast Pedro Ximénez edition is a SINGLE POT STILL WHISKEY, tripled distilled, initially matured in BOURBON AND OLOROSO SHERRY CASKS before being re-casked in delectable PEDRO XIMÉNEZ HOGSHEADS for a sweet finish.

Mixed FRUIT compote with a squeeze of ORANGE ZEST combined with LIQUORICE and WOOD SPICES.

* No mention of this offering on Redbreast’s website, so above details are from the bottle/packaging itself.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich fruit with blood orange, cranberry, honey, raisins, nutmeg, cloves, caramel, dates, cinnamon and a hint of balsamic.
Palate:  Thick and syrupy, sweet fruitcake with plums, candied orange, caramel and nutmeg.
Finish:  Moderately long with dark fruit jam and spices.
Comments:  I’m a fan of Redbreast and PX finished (or matured) whiskey, but this is borderline ‘too sweet’ for me. It doesn’t cross the line, but it inches right up to it (and I’ve been told I like sweet whiskey; so if you find things ‘too sweet’ that your friends think is fine – this may be much for you). A bit of water opens it up nicely. I think back to the days when Redbreast 12 Year Cask Strength were on the shelves for $60 and think this is probably overpriced – then remember those days are long gone. I really enjoyed this, but it isn’t as complex as others (no age statement, so not sure how old).

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Lost Irish Whiskey

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Lost Irish
Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey

Finished in casks from all corners of the world

40% ABV
$37-$45
Website
Lost Irish Whiskey
We would like to thank Lost Irish and Cork + Knife for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Lost Irish is an adventurous Irish Whiskey made from six worlds in three styles to embody the wandering Irish spirit.

SIX WORLDS
Our casks, collected from six continents, reflect Ireland’s true home: the world. Over 70 Million Irish are dispersed throughout the same continents we source our casks from. This global influence makes our Whiskey more interesting and richer.

AFRICA: South African Brandy Casks
ASIA: Japanese Mizunara Oak
EUROPE: Sherry Casks
NORTH AMERICA: U.S. Bourbon Casks, Caribbean Rum Casks
OCEANIA: Australian Tawny Casks
SOUTH AMERICA: Colombian Rum Casks

THREE STYLES

Our drive for the best led us to experiment with all three styles of Irish Whiskey at once. This combination balances flavour and complexity: grain lends sweetness, malt adds fruitiness, and pot still contributes spice and cream.

GRAIN FOR SWEETNESS
MALT FOR FRUITINESS
POT STILL FOR CREAMINESS + SPICE

TRIPLE DISTILLED
While our adventurous spirit brings creativity and originality, there are some traditions just too good to lose. Lost Irish celebrates Irish tradition with triple distillation for a renowned smoothness unlike other whiskeys.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Vanilla buttercream frosting, fruity with peaches and banana, grassy, sandalwood, shortbread, subtle wood spices.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, vanilla, orange blossom honey, peaches, shortbread cookies, cinnamon, cereal notes and a hint of caramel.
Finish:  Short with honey and porridge.
Comments:  The nose has a lot going on, perhaps too much for some (although I like trying to pick the various pieces out). The palate is more direct, and reflects a younger whiskey.  A nice mouthfeel, and an easy sipper with no objectionable notes. Wish this was bottled at a higher ABV, and with more age this could be something really special.

Rating: Stands Out

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Kildara Canadian Island Triple Distilled Potstill Whisky

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

Kildara
Canadian Island Triple Distilled Potstill Whisky

Carefully crafted in premium Kentucky bourbon, Spanish Oloroso & Pedro Ximénez, and virgin American casks

46% ABV
$125
Website
Macaloneys Kildara Canadian Island Triple Distilled Potstill Whisky
We would like to thank Macaloney’s Island Distillery for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

This island whisky is from our triple distilled single potstill range – triple distilled using only the best unmalted and malted barley available. The patient, yet purposeful, triple distillation produces a complex, layered and balanced new-make spirit. Dr. Swan described our original new-make which trickles off our copper pot stills as “the best that I have tasted in any distillery at this stage, super fruity.” This triple-distillate is even smoother and fruitier!

Kildara, our Whiskymaker’s Signature Expression, was married from a select combination of Kentucky Bourbon, Spanish Oloroso, virgin American, and Spanish Pedro Ximénez (PX) casks. The result is a full bodied, triple distilled single potstill, island whisky with pronounced Oloroso and PX notes including dried fruit cake, vanilla crème laced with cinnamon, demerara sugar, and old seasoned leather notes. Abundant tropical fruits include candied orange, dried apricot, figs, ripe blackberries, blackcurrant jam, dried raisins and roasted nuts. The complexity continues with barley, malt and dried hay, butterscotch, milk chocolate, light tobacco and ocean breeze.

The palate is velvety-soft, resplendent with full bodied Sherry and tropical fruit. Oatmeal develops to oak spices, coffee, dark chocolate orange, nectarines, stewed plums, blackcurrant, red currant and sultana’s, coming together as sweet dark fruitcake and honey. The finish presents dried fruit with a hint of salt and dulse, lingering oak and more Sherry, ending with hazelnut and almond raspberry pie with a drizzle of dark chocolate.

ABV: 46% | 750ml bottle | Natural Colour & Non-Chill Filtered

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich, vanilla, mincemeat pie with raisins, apricots, cinnamon, malt, molasses and a floral note.
Palate:  Viscous mouthfeel, fruity with plums, apricots, blackcurrant and subtle citrus notes, a bit of oak, vanilla, honey, nutmeg and dark chocolate.
Finish:  Moderate in length, thick and damp with fruit, honey and nutmeg.
Comments:  Really nice, intense flavor and well balanced. Clearly tracks to Irish roots.  While I enjoyed the Killeigh, I like this one more – especially at the same price point (and like the Killeigh, I appreciate the ABV/non-chill filtration but wouldn’t mind seeing a cask-strength offering). The non-chill filtration Also really appreciate the solid tasting notes (often tasting notes are ‘basic’ or entirely imagined, so when they are more detailed and line up with my experience – it stands out because of the rarity!)

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Killeigh Canadian Island Triple Distilled Potstill Whisky

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Killeigh
Canadian Island Triple Distilled Potstill Whisky

Carefully crafted in premium Kentucky bourbon, European Moscatel & virgin American casks

46% ABV
$125
Website
Macaloneys Killeigh Canadian Island Triple Distilled Potstill Whisky
We would like to thank Macaloney’s Island Distillery for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

This island whisky is from our triple distilled single potstill range – triple distilled using only the best unmalted and malted barley available. The patient, yet purposeful, triple distillation produces a complex, layered and balanced new-make spirit. Dr. Swan described our original new-make which trickles off our copper pot stills as “the best that I have tasted in any distillery at this stage, super fruity.” This triple-distillate is even smoother and fruitier!

Killeigh is a salute to our distillers who love how Kentucky Bourbon wood allows our house style with its plethora of tropical fruits to shine through. Embellished by our Master Whiskymaker with Portuguese moscatel sweet white wine oak casks and virgin American oak casks, the result is a distillers delight.

The nose presents cream soda, soft vanilla and oak, with apricot, pear, hints of banana, sweet pea flowers, milled oats and honey. The white wine is delicate and layered with wet coastal forest and sea breeze. The palate is velvety-creamy with more tropical fruits including sweet lychees, mandarin orange, and delicate banana embellished with honey and barley water. Fresh rose petals and a potpourri of dried flowers and wood spice yield to vanilla, oak and coconut with a hint of linseed, nutmeg and cinnamon. The development includes light moscatel white wine, crème fraîche, toasted hazelnut, and sea salt, drying to a long, lingering oak finish. Superb!

Killeigh won Best Potstill Whisky in Canada at the prestigious 2022 World Whiskies Awards.

ABV: 46% | 750ml bottle | Natural Colour & Non-Chill Filtered

What Gary Says

Nose:  Honey, vanilla, malt, fruity with canned pears and over-ripe bananas, subtle floral notes.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, sweet with honey, fruit notes of banana, pear, blackcurrant, bit of citrus, vanilla and a hint of nutmeg.
Finish:  Moderately long, damp with fruit salad and a bit of pepper.
Comments:  A really nice, balanced, fruity dram. Appreciate the ABV (although would love to see this higher) and the non-chill filtration. This is non-age stated, so not sure how old it is. Age isn’t everything, and while this seems like it might be a tad young – there aren’t any rough edges or objectionable notes. Of the first three Macaloney’s Island Distillery samples I’m reviewing, this was my least favorite (don’t be like that, there has to be a 3rd place) but if someone is offering to pour – I’m not turning it down. It does seem a bit pricey, but value is in the eye of the beholder.

Rating: Stands Out

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