Stands Out

Barrell Bourbon New Year 2025

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Barrell Bourbon New Year 2025

56.05% ABV
$85
Website
Barrell Bourbon New Year 2025
We would like to thank Barrell Craft Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Blender Says

New Year. New beginnings. New traditions. The new year is a time of renewal and fresh starts, a chance to reflect on past accomplishments and look to what lies ahead. Barrell New Year Bourbon 2025 celebrates the possibilities and optimism that every new year brings.

BLEND COMPONENTS:
Kentucky Bourbon: 5, 6, & 9 years old
Indiana Bourbon: 5, 6, 7, 11, & 12 years old
Tennessee Bourbon: 8, 9, & 15 years old
Wyoming Bourbon: 9 & 12 years old
New York Bourbon: 5 years old
Texas Bourbon: 5 years old
Ohio Bourbon: 5 years old
Maryland Bourbon: 6 & 7 years old

DERIVED MASH BILL:
Corn: 75%
Rye: 20%
Malted Barley: 4%
Wheat: 1%

  • A blend of straight Bourbon Whiskeys
  • Crafted and bottled in Kentucky
  • 112.1 proof cask strength bottling

FLAVOR NOTES
A gentle cask influence underlies the palate while it builds on the diversity of fruit and herbs. An initial note of candied pineapple hints at a tropical depth revealed only with a splash of water.

​Neat
Appearance: Radiant copper.
Nose: Undertones of chamomile tea and a squeeze of lemon, followed by chardonnay and pear. Dried pineapple nods toward a hidden tropical depth. A richness is revealed by notes of beeswax, wheat cracker and white chocolate. There’s a vibrant piquancy that conjures ginger ale as well as just a hint of minerality.
Palate: A whole host of herbs typical of alpine liqueurs, notably thyme, lemon balm, and peppermint. Juicy notes of Meyer lemon and key lime pie recall the citrusy aroma. The fruit then diverges, adding lychee and grape soda. While initially subdued, the oak gains steam over time, carrying with it allspice and vanilla.
Finish: A brief flash of wasabi jolts all the senses awake. Oils coat the palate, notably tea tree and grapefruit, but also a note of fried plantain. Maraschino liqueur, rosehip and coconut water linger.
With a splash of spring water
It blooms with the tropical papaya, passionfruit and orange marmalade. The fruits keep coming: tart cherry, applesauce, cantaloup and more. The lower proof renders the palate richer, creamier, and spicier.

What Gary Says

Nose: Vanilla, tropical fruit notes, pear, lemon zest, toasted oak, honey, hint of tea and a subtle mineral note.
Palate: Cross between lemon meringue and key lime pie with orange marmalade on top, honey, vanilla, caramel and herbal spices.
Finish: Moderate in length, drying with tropical fruit notes, lemon-lime and a bit of pepper spice.
Comments: This is very nice bourbon, and very unique! I can’t recall another bourbon that has included a blend from a minimum of 8 different distilleries (8 different states, and with different ages – it could be more distilleries than that!) Nice citrus-forward dram, that surprised me with the derived mashbill. I would have guessed 35%+ rye, but this showcases how blending different bourbons from different distilleries can really lead to something quite. I remain blown away by whomever does their tasting notes (I avoid reading them until I have done my own review, but often find they call out things I couldn’t put my finger on but definitely experienced). A versatile whiskey that I enjoy neat or with a few drops of water, but the citrus bend would lend this to working well in a rye or bourbon-based cocktail!

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Woodinville Founder’s Find

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

Woodinville Founder’s Find
12 Year Old Whiskey from a Bourbon Mash

53.5% ABV
$130
Website
Woodinville Whiskey Founders Find
We would like to thank Woodinville Whiskey for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Woodinville, WA – This fall, as part of its annual Harvest Release, Woodinville Whiskey will introduce its first sourced whiskey, Woodinville Founder’s Find, a discovery too exceptional not to share.

“Working on new whiskey innovation projects with Moët Hennessy, our parent company, introduced me to the world of sourced whiskey,” says Woodinville Whiskey Co-founder and CEO, Orlin Sorensen. “One bourbon I encountered really called out to me and, when Brett and I tasted it together, we knew it was something special.” At that moment, Woodinville’s new Founder’s Find collection was born.

The first bottling in this exciting line of rare and unusual whiskeys is a 12-year-old whiskey from Tennessee, blended six years into aging with a small dose (4%) of 15-year-old Indiana bourbon. Its viscous body, incredible depth, and mile-long finish comes not only from the liquid but from the uncommon way it’s been aged: in a reconditioned barrel, a process by which used barrels are scraped clean and freshly toasted and charred. Years ago, a group of renowned distillers proposed the use of these barrels and began experimenting, only to be rebuffed by lawmakers. Which is how Orlin uncovered this forgotten barrel in the back corner of a legendary rickhouse, patiently waiting for someone to notice and appreciate it.

Confident they’d happened upon something extraordinary, Orlin and Brett entered Woodinville Founder’s Find in the 2024 San Francisco Spirit Awards Competition, where it earned Double Gold medals. The esteemed judges also selected it as one of four finalists for “Best in Class” in the American Blended Whiskey category. The judges’ tasting notes were: “this whiskey boasts an aromatic nose with notes of dried fruit, spice, and a hint of caramel. The palate is smooth and well-rounded with flavors of rye spice, vanilla, and a touch of oak.”

Woodinville Founder’s Find earned Double Platinum in Fred Minnick’s 2024 ASCOT Awards, and it was propelled to the top in a blind tasting by a panel of judges. Out of 900 entries it was a finalist for “Best in Show” and, while not the ultimate winner, Fred selected it as his personal vote for #1 Best in Show Whiskey. Judges gave it these tasting notes: “Aromas of caramel, vanilla and baking spices on the nose while dark cherry and mint shine through on the palate, concluding with a truly incredible finish.”

The first 500 numbered bottles of Founder’s Find (107 proof) will be released exclusively at the distillery’s Harvest Release on October 19 at $129.99 per bottle. The Harvest Release will also feature Woodinville Bourbon Sauternes Finish, a grain to glass offering, priced at $69.99 per bottle. Woodinville Bourbon Sauternes Finish also earned Double Platinum in the ASCOT competition and the judges gave these tasting notes for it: “Fresh and cooked orchard fruit on the nose hangs around on the palate where it’s met with gentle oak and hints of freshly brewed coffee notes and a lingering finish.” The first 500 numbered bottles of this bourbon will also be available that day, when Brett and Orlin will be joined by Fred Minnick to taste the whiskeys and sign bottles. Both Harvest Release whiskeys will be available online at a later date.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Caramel, dried orchard fruit, cinnamon, nutmeg, freshly toasted oak, walnuts, cocoa, crème brûlée and Flintstones™ Vitamins.
Palate:  Creamy, sweet with caramel, cherry, honey, nougat, milk chocolate, cinnamon, mint and a bit of pepper spice.
Finish:  Long with caramel apple, milk chocolate and a bit of pepper.
Comments:  The mineral note on the nose is a hallmark of Dickel, but don’t mistake that this is simply Dickel with a different label. It is absolutely unique. The oak on the nose reminds me of fresh wood shavings from taking wood shop as a kid. The reconditioned barrel as well as the blending of an older bourbon definitely adds to the complexity on both the nose and palate. I really enjoyed this one, and coaxing the notes out over time. Shame that this experiment didn’t get more traction (thanks Tennessee lawmakers), but glad that Woodinville is bringing this to market so we can enjoy it!

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve
Blended Scotch Whisky

40% ABV
$65
Website
Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky

What the Blender Says

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is the perfect blend for an indulgent celebration. Luxurious, creamy and honeyed, it is a wonderful tribute to the harmonious partnership of Speyside and Highland Whiskies, with just a hint of smouldering embers from the West Coast. Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is made for those unforgettable nights out with amazing friends.

Enjoy Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve in any way you like – on its own, with a dash of water, or along with your favourite mixer.

FLAVOURS
Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is known for its creamy smoothness. It opens with a luxurious burst of delicate nectar and gentle smokiness that develops into sweet fruits and deeper, velvety, honeyed tones before giving way to sublime, lingering whispers of smoke and oakiness in the finish.

STORY
Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is the Celebration Blend, a personal creation of Master Blender Jim Beveridge for very special nights out with very special friends. Included in the blend is the Clynelish Single Malt, whose distillery was fed with water from hills where gold was once discovered. Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is every bit as luxurious and indulgent as its name suggests.

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve has won several major awards, including four Le Monde Selection Grand Golds and four Double Golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

What Gary Says

Nose: Rich with sponge cake, peaches, plums, heather, vanilla, honey, floral with poached pears
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, fruity, peaches, bit of earthiness underlying tropical fruit notes (kiwi?), blackcurrants, blackberries and pepper spice.
Finish: Moderately long with fruit notes, pepper spice and vanilla.
Comments: A nice, balanced dram that’s fruity with a bit of earthiness (wouldn’t go so far to say ‘peaty’). The palate bends towards tart fruits, and it takes a bit of water well, dropping the pepper spice edge a bit and rounding out the mouthfeel. This is really just the newer version of the Johnnie Walker Gold Label that dropped the 18 year age statement years ago (but added ‘Reserve’, so there’s that!) I don’t recall the 18 year version, but Rich’s review from 14 years earlier had the same price point – which tells you it isn’t the same. But for the price point I thought it was pretty good.

Rating: Stands Out

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Blue Note Crossroads

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Blue Note Crossroads
Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Toasted French Oak

50% ABV
$45
Website
Blue Note Crossroads Straight Bourbon Whiskey
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

Finished with two types of toasted French oak staves, Crossroads sips like a lower proof bourbon but sits at a respectable 100 proof. Try it for yourself to see what’s so special about this offering.

Technical Details
Product Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Finish: Toasted French Oak
Proof & Filtration: 100 proof, unfiltered
Availability: Nationwide, Crafted in Memphis

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich, light caramel, wood spices, French oak, raw honey, vanilla and dark fruits.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, vanilla, caramel, honey, toasted marshmallow, dark fruit notes of raisins and a bit of cinnamon.
Finish:  Moderate in length, drying with oak, spice and honey.
Comments:  This is a really interesting pour! The dark fruit notes give it almost a sherried finish flavor. The mouthfeel from the lack of filtration is nice, and the higher proof also helps this one stand out. Have tried French oak finished bourbons before, but the toasting of the staves adds something different.

Rating: Stands Out

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Bardstown Bourbon Company Plantation Rum Finish

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Bardstown Bourbon Company Plantation Rum Finish
Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Plantation Rum Barrels

55% ABV
$160
Website
Bardstown Bourbon Company Plantation Rum Finish

What the Producer Says

Savor the latest addition to this innovative series with our plantation rum release — 10-year-old Tennessee bourbon finished for 22 months in Plantation Rum barrels.

Tasting Notes: Orange peel, allspice, and cinnamon highlight layers of banana bread with rich caramel. On the palate, apple crisp and molasses lead to a balanced finish of fruit and spice, rounding out this luxurious, summer sipper.

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel, molasses, vanilla, grassy, oak, hint of chocolate with cinnamon.
Palate: Sweet with caramel, sharp bite of molasses, chili spice, cinnamon and vanilla.
Finish: Long and drying with pepper spice, cinnamon and rum.
Comments: This was a bit sharper than I expected, but a bit of water softens it up and I definitely preferred it that way. It smoothed that pepper bit and allowed the molasses notes to shine through. 22 months is a long time for a finish, and a bit heavy-handed for my liking; it really dominates the core spirit for me. But if you like rum more than bourbon this might be right up your alley.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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