Stands Out

Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey / ,

Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey

50% ABV
$60
Website
Uncle Nearest Straight Rye 100 Proof Whiskey
We would like to thank Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and The Brand Guild for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

SHELBYVILLE, TENN. (November 10, 2022) — Nearest Green Distillery, makers of the most-awarded American Whiskey or Bourbon of 2019, 2020, and 2021, has announced that it will add three permanent expressions to its national portfolio before the end of 2022: Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey, Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Black Label and Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Rye. Uncle Nearest Straight Rye, launched today, is the brand’s first new whiskey available to purchase online and at retailers across the country since the 2019 release of its 1884 Small Batch Whiskey.

Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey furthers the brand’s commitment to honoring its namesake, Nearest Green, by creating the highest quality whiskeys possible. The November 10 release follows the sold-out launch of the distillery exclusive Uncle Nearest Uncut/Unfiltered Rye Whiskey, which has already been met with rave reviews by critics and has received awards from top competitions including being named Best in Class at The Drinks Business & The Spirits Business Autumn Tasting. The 100-proof straight rye, hand-selected by four-time Master Blender of the Year and great-great-granddaughter of Nearest Green, Victoria Eady Butler, features a bold, decadent nose; a palate brimming with light vanilla cream, caramelized sugar, and the unmistakable spice of rye; complimented by a long, rich finish.

“It took us a while to release our 100-proof straight rye whiskey. If we were going to add rye to our lineup, it had to be worthy of all the accolades and awards our other whiskeys receive,” said Master Blender Victoria Eady Butler. “My great-great-grandfather’s legacy of excellence requires us to take our time to do things differently. I’m confident he would have been so proud of this straight rye whiskey.”

Due to the challenges around growing rye in Tennessee, this whiskey originates in Canada – according to the exact American specifications required to be a straight rye whiskey – and is then aged in New York for a minimum of four years before moving down to Tennessee, where it is then rested in used Uncle Nearest barrels for additional maturation. The liquid is then tasted, barrel by barrel, and blended by
Victoria.

“When I was doing my research on Nearest Green, I came across a handwritten letter from President William Taft,” said Fawn Weaver, founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest. “The letter was dated May 16, 1911, and was addressed to his U.S. Secretary of War, Jacob M. Dickinson, thanking him for sending his favorite rye whiskey ‘of the Lincoln County variety.’ This letter led me to believe rye whiskeys were being made in this area, so after I found that letter there was no doubt in my mind a straight rye whiskey would one day be added to our portfolio of whiskeys.”

This was a lofty experiment that worked. The results of this 100-percent rye mash bill, matured in used Uncle Nearest barrels before being bottled at 100-proof, keeps with our tradition of creating some of the most awarded whiskeys in the world. This is rye whiskey, elevated, hitting every mark with its rich flavor profile, incredible balance of spices, and extraordinarily smooth finish.

NOSE: Bold and decadent with notes of praline, nutmeg and white pepper.
PALATE: Brimming with light vanilla cream, caramelized sugar and the unmistakable spice of rye.
FINISH: Long, rich and well-balanced.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Thick with fresh donuts with maple frosting, cedar, vanilla, bit of citrus and cinnamon.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, sweet with caramel, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper, orange marmalade, mint and a bit of clove.
Finish:  Moderately long and damp with caramel, orange, chocolate and a mineral spice note.
Comments:  For fans of Canadian rye, this is a classic rendition of that – with a twist. That additional ‘maturation’ (which I’d refer to as ‘finishing’ if it were me – oh, and this is!) in used Uncle Nearest bourbon casks gives it a little something different. Not that Canadian rye has a lot of bite, but it tamps the edges a bit more and brings more caramel to the party. Adding a bit of water brings notes of toffee as well as a nuttiness I really enjoyed, although it is a lovely dram neat as well. This is similar to the recently released cask strength Uncle Nearest Uncut/Unfiltered Straight Rye. I did a side-by-side comparison (diluting that to 50% ABV), and they are quite similar – but not identical.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Booker’s 2022-03 “Kentucky Tea Batch”

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Booker’s “Kentucky Tea Batch” 2022-03
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

7 Years, 4 Months, 14 Days
63.25% ABV
$90
Website
Booker's Bourbon 2022-03 Kentucky Tea Batch
We would like to thank Beam Suntory and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says:

This batch is named after Booker Noe’s signature drink, which he fondly referred to as Kentucky Tea. As one could imagine, Booker loved the flavor of bourbon, especially his namesake brand, Booker’s Bourbon. Since the flavor still pulls through when mixed with water, Booker would add one part bourbon to four parts water and enjoy his Kentucky Tea with dinner.

One night, when a reporter was at Booker’s house for supper, he asked why he drank Kentucky Tea. Booker shared that there was no reason to flavor his water with tea leaves when he could flavor his water with bourbon. It was that simple – Kentucky Tea was his drink. He would drink it with a country ham or fish dinner and would talk about how the flavor notes of the Kentucky Tea was a perfect complement to the food.

TASTING NOTES
Like all batches of Booker’s Bourbon, Booker’s “Kentucky Tea Batch” was selected by Seventh Generation Master Distiller Fred Noe to ensure it upholds the qualities and standards that his dad set for Booker’s Bourbon more than 30 years ago. Uncut and unfiltered, this batch has the following characteristics:
PROOF: 126.5
AGE: 7 years, 4 months and 14 days
BATCH NOTES: Booker’s “Kentucky Tea Batch” has a golden amber color and a dark, sweet vanilla aroma. It has a rich sweet vanilla taste with a lingering finish.
SIPPING SUGGESTIONS: Booker’s “Kentucky Tea” is best enjoyed neat.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich with caramel, vanilla, oak, peanut brittle, cocoa, cinnamon, bit of clove and brown sugar.
Palate:  Thick mouthfeel with burnt brownie corners, caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg, peanut brittle, bit of citrus.
Finish:  Moderately long with oak, caramel and pepper spice notes.
Comments:  Another truly classic Booker’s, and the streak continues with it being many years since I’ve had a batch I didn’t care much for. I’m really encouraged to see the age creeping up, although age isn’t everything. I don’t have prior batches to do a true blind side-by-side with, but there were some that were a bit younger in the last couple of years I personally enjoyed better – which isn’t to throw shade at this batch. If you have had Booker’s before and enjoyed it, this won’t disappoint. I’m not afraid to throw a little water at a bourbon; many benefit from at least a few drops – and some more than that. Others can fall apart. Honestly, I expected to really not like ‘Kentucky Tea’ with 4x water than bourbon, but it surprised me. It gives that hint of bourbon flavor, and if you make a tall glass (like 8oz water, 2 oz bourbon), I could see that being dangerous. You definitely lose the complexity and nuance, so not sure I’d personally use Booker’s for this recipe, but I’m glad I tried it.

Rating: Stands Out

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Remus Gatsby Reserve 2022 15 Years Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Remus Gatsby Reserve 2022 15 Years Old
Straight Bourbon Whiskey

48.9% ABV
$200
Website
Remus Gatsby Reserve 15 Year Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey
We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us samples to review.

What the Producer Says

LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. (Sept. 29, 2022) – Ross & Squibb Distillery announced the latest member of the Remus Bourbon family: Remus Gatsby Reserve. Released to celebrate F. Scott Fitzgerald’s legendary novel, “The Great Gatsby”, a century ago – from its events in 1922 to its publication in 1925 – Remus Gatsby Reserve is bottled at 97.8 proof (48.9 ABV) and offered in ultra-limited quantities at a minimum suggested retail price of $199.99 per 750-ml bottle.

Crafted by master distiller Ian Stirsman and his team at Ross & Squibb Distillery, Remus Gatsby Reserve is made with the 175-year-old Lawrenceburg, Indiana, distillery’s finest 15-year-old reserves of straight bourbon whiskey and is offered at cask strength. Hitting shelves this October, Remus Gatsby Reserve leads with rich aromas of dried candied fruit, caramelized pecans, charred oak and tobacco, and the taste profile is characterized by flavors of candied fruit, syrup, leather, and cherry, while the finish lingers with notes of cinnamon, char, and oak.

“The Remus Bourbon brand has provided our team an opportunity to showcase the great bourbon whiskey produced at Ross & Squibb,” said Stirsman. “Like the Remus Repeal Reserve series, Remus Gatsby Reserve gave us a chance to showcase some of the best bourbons we have – in this case, some of the finest 15-year-old bourbons in our reserves. Remus Gatsby Reserve is certain to be a highly sought-after member of the Remus Bourbon family, particularly given its limited production.”

“The Remus Bourbon brand is inspired by the finest bourbon of the Prohibition era, and ‘The Great Gatsby’ offers arguably the most well-known depiction of those times,” said Shanae Randolph, brand manager for Remus Bourbon. “With its Art-Deco-inspired design, Remus Gatsby Reserve will serve as yet another authentic way for the Remus brand to transport bourbon fans back to the excitement of the Roaring 20s.”

What Gary Says

Nose: Mature oak, worn leather, salted caramel, tobacco, dried orchard fruits with apple, pear and cherry, nutty with pecans and walnuts, brown sugar and vanilla.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel with caramel, cinnamon dusted apples and pears, nutmeg, bit of cherry and citrus, chocolate and a hint of ginger.
Finish: Long, syrupy and damp with oak, spices and caramel.
Comments: A very nice mature bourbon! Lot of complexity on both the nose and palate, and nicely balanced where the oak isn’t excessive (in fact, for 15 years the oak is on the mild side, which I prefer). This is really low proof for a cask strength bourbon, and speaks to how it was aged – almost certainly on a lower floor or in a temperature controlled environment – assuming that it went into the barrel at the typical 62.5% ABV.  That is pretty unique, but the few really low proof cask strength bourbons I’ve had all seemed to punch above their weight when it came to flavor intensity.  It doesn’t need any water, but a few drops doesn’t hurt it – and brings notes of chocolate chip cookies. From start to finish, this is a lovely pour!

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Spirit Works Distillery 8 Year Rye Limited Edition

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Spirit Works Distillery 8 Year Rye Limited Edition

45% ABV
$90
Website
Spirit Works Distillery 8 Year Rye
We would like to thank Spirit Works Distillery and Verdant PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Whiskey crafting is a true passion for distillery co-founder and head distiller Ashby Marshall, and the distillery is excited to roll out a number of new brown spirit offerings. First in the line-up: a limited edition 8 Year Rye Whiskey, the oldest whiskey bottling in the brand’s portfolio. Selected from some of the distillery’s oldest stocks, the barrels harvested for this very special whiskey are among the first ever produced at Spirit Works Distillery. Carefully chosen to highlight both the grace of an older whiskey and the spicy notes of Rye, these barrels are a glimpse of good things to come ahead in the Spirit Works line up. Expect notes of crème brulee, marzipan, nutmeg, mint on the nose; with poached pears, caramel apple, cinnamon, pumpernickel on the palate. Candied pecans, yellow peaches, coffee and charred cedar create a beautifully complex finish.

Aged in full-size American oak barrels with a 70% rye 30% malted barley mash bill.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rice pudding, oak, orange creamsicle, mint, nutmeg, cinnamon, bit of wood polish and cedar shavings.
Palate:  Sweet and fruity with orchard fruits and blood orange, caramel, cinnamon, pepper and a bit of chili spice.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying with pepper spice and lingering fruit notes.
Comments:  This has a lovely color in the glass, a golden/coppery hue. It drinks a bit on the hot side for 45%, but delivers that rye spice you’re looking for in a ‘high-rye’ content rye whiskey (not to be confused with those ‘barely legal’ rye whiskies where just 51% of the mash is rye). The 30% malted barley also gives it a unique character (I hesitate to say ‘funk’ since that might sound negative, but with no corn in the mix – it is different than most other ryes on the market). This does really well in a cocktail, where the spice holds up well and isn’t hurt with other ingredients bringing some sweetness to the party.

Rating: Stands Out

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Knob Creek 18 Year Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Knob Creek 18 Year
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

50% ABV
$170
Website
Knob Creek 18 Year Bourbon
We would like to thank Beam Suntory and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Knob Creek® Bourbon, a leader in the Small Batch Bourbon category, is excited to announce the addition of a new, limited-edition bourbon to its award-winning* portfolio: Knob Creek® 18 Year Old. This latest release marks the oldest expression from Knob Creek to-date, and its introduction comes just in time to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Knob Creek and the Small Batch Bourbon Collection.

Aged twice as long as its flagship bourbon and bottled at 100 proof, Knob Creek 18 Year Old offers a complex, yet balanced, liquid due to its mature age. Extensive aging in Kentucky rackhouses give this bourbon its rich copper color and unique flavor profile, delivering notes of caramelized oak and sweet vanilla with a warm finish; further demonstrating how great things take time and patience – yielding remarkable results.

Three decades ago, Booker Noe, grandson of Jim Beam and Sixth Generation Master Distiller, set out to define the standards for pre-prohibition style bourbon by introducing Knob Creek to the world. Today, Knob Creek continues to honor his legacy by pushing the boundaries of the bourbon category, and this new, extra-aged and full-flavored liquid reinforces the brand’s ongoing dedication and commitment to exceptional craftsmanship.

“As we celebrate 30 years of Knob Creek, it’s clear to me that Dad was ahead of his time in creating innovative expressions with big, bold flavors that defined pre-prohibition whiskey,” said Fred Noe, Booker Noe’s son and Seventh Generation Master Distiller. “This new 18 Year Old liquid is a nod to his vision and commitment to quality and craftsmanship, and I know this is a whiskey he’d be proud to serve. I’m honored to further his legacy with Knob Creek’s oldest and boldest expression yet.”

Knob Creek 18 Year Old is bottled with the following characteristics:

Proof: 100
Color: Rich copper tones with auburn hues
Aroma: Brown sugar and aged oak, with notes of char and caramel
Taste: Full-bodied with notes of caramelized oak and hints of sweet vanilla and baking spices
Finish: Warm finished with spice and slight floral and fruit notes

Knob Creek 18 Year Old is now available nationwide in limited quantities with a suggested retail price of $169.99 for a 750mL bottle. For more information about Knob Creek 18 Year Old and Knob Creek’s award-winning bourbon and rye portfolios, please visit www.KnobCreek.com or visit us on Instagram @KnobCreek.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Oak char, cocoa, slightly burnt turtle brownies, peanut brittle, cherry cola, worn leather, smoke and wood polish.
Palate:  Lots of oak, caramel, boiled peanuts, pecans, cinnamon and a bit of cocoa.
Finish:  Long with toffee, peanut brittle and oak.
Comments:  The nose on this is amazing – lot of depth and complexity (and yes – oak – but not so much that I couldn’t coax more from it). The palate was a different experience for me where the oak was much heavier. I wouldn’t call it ‘over-oaked’ – I’ve had bourbon that was like chewing on a stave, and this isn’t like that. It just has a lot of oak which for 18 years is to be expected. If you are not a fan of oaky bourbon, this may be a bit outside of your range (although this is one that I’d be perfect happy nosing all night as the nose is delightful!) If your personal taste leans towards the oaky side, this is probably a no brainer. Friends who don’t mind more oak have spoken highly of it.

Rating: Stands Out

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