Stands Out

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Batch A117

63.5% ABV
$60 (original retail)
Website

What the Distillery Says

To sip Barrel Proof is to experience Bourbon in its purest form: uncut, straight from the barrel, and without chill filtering. Each bottle is hand labeled with its unique proof and batch number; but the nose, taste, and finish are pure Elijah Craig.

UNDERSTANDING THE LABEL
Each batch of Barrel Proof is bottled with a unique age statement, including the month and year of the youngest barrel from the batch. The proof also varies with each release.

The batch number on the label provides specific information about each batch. The first letter indicates the order of the release for that year, starting with “A.” The first number represents the month of the release. The third and fourth digits indicate the year.

TASTING NOTES (not batch specific)
Color: Deep amber
Aroma: Caramel with toasted oak, fruit notes of apple and orange
Taste: Rich vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch along with spices of black pepper & cinnamon at the back of the palate
Finish: Nicely layered showcasing all flavors, fades slowly then lingers as it cools

What Gary Says

Nose: Salted caramel, cocoa, charred oak, vanilla, brown sugar, citrus zest with oak spices.
Palate: Caramel, cinnamon, vanilla, cracked pepper, oak, black cherries, a hint of sassafras and cloves.
Finish: Moderate in length, drying with pepper spice, caramel and tobacco.
Comments: I’ve long been a fan of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof since before it’s original retail release in 2013 (if you’re wondering how that’s possible, chat up a member of the Georgia Bourbon Society about their ‘amnesia barrel’, which was a 15 year old single barrel at 64% ABV – picked prior to the first retail release). While there have absolutely been some batches that appealed to my tastes more than others, I don’t recall ever having purchased one that I thought wasn’t at least good. This is a fine representation of the label. A splash of water brought out more chocolate on the nose along with graham cracker, and on the palate more of a chocolate donut with maple cream frosting. Back in the day, for 12 year age stated barrel proof bourbon, it was hard to beat!

Rating: Stands Out

Oaklore Story Series: Old Fashioned Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey

49% ABV
$90
Website

We would like to thank Oaklore Distilling Co. for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Our Story Series continues with a four-grain bourbon of wheat, rye, corn, and barley, aged at least 6+ years from our North Carolina and Kentucky sister distilleries. The bourbon is then finished for 12 to 18 months in Oaklore’s Old Fashioned barrels — barrels previously used to age our Old Fashioned Cocktail Mixer — picking up layers of orange bitters, spice, and baked sweetness. Bottled once it reaches its fullness of character.

NOSE: Orange Bitters, Salted Pecans
PALATE: Snickerdoodle, Vanilla, Spiced Honeysuckle
FINISH: Cinnamon Butter, Spice Cake

What Gary Says

Nose: Wow – old fashioned! Orange bitters with pecans, honey and vanilla.
Palate: Caramel with orange bitters, pepper, cinnamon roll and honey.
Finish: Moderate in length, drying with orange bitters and cracked pepper.
Comments: Pretty sure this is the first old fashioned bourbon (or any) whiskey I’ve tried. Impossible to mistake this for anything other than old fashioned – which I love (probably my favorite cocktail). That said – this is still heavy handed as far as finishing goes; the old fashioned aspect is really strong. But on the plus side, having this over a couple of rocks is nearly a cocktail by itself (although the proof will sneak up on you if you’re not careful).

Rating: Stands Out

Blue Note Wheated Blend 101
Straight Bourbon Whiskey Unfiltered Small Batch

50.5% ABV
$45
Website

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

Soft winter wheat takes the lead as Memphis heat pulls hidden nuance to the surface. Ripe peach, dark caramel, apricot, and cinnamon rise on the nose. The palate brings sticky toffee, pastry sweetness with a little grit, and hazelnut rolling into a honey-soaked finish. Smooth, but never timid—Blue Note Wheated carries true Southern swagger.

Nose: Caramel, apricot, peach, cinnamon
Body: Velvety, smooth
Taste: Toffee, pastries, hazelnut, sweet oak, graham cracker
Finish: Floral, honeysuckle, honey

TECHNICAL DETAILS
Product Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Mash Bill: 70% Corn, 21% Wheat 9% Malted Barley
Proof & Filtration: 101 proof, unfiltered
Availability: Select Markets, Crafted in Memphis

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel, peach filled pastry w/ cinnamon and vanilla cream frosting, bit of oak.
Palate: Rich mouthfeel, pastries w/ caramel drizzle, pecan praline, honey and cinnamon.
Finish: Moderate length w/ honey and floral notes.
Comments: Very nice! I appreciate the ABV as well as the unfiltered treatment. As a straight bourbon with no age statement, guaranteed to be 4 years old (sources say 5 years, which wouldn’t surprise me). Strong honey notes on this, which I enjoy. Their limited edition Honey Cask is one I keep an eye out for (definitely worth picking up!). A bit of water brings out honey glazed brioche on the nose, and thickens the mouthfeel further bringing out some subtle fruit notes.

Rating: Stands Out