Stands Out

Yellowstone Small Batch 107

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Yellowstone Small Batch 107
6 Years Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

53.5% ABV
$45
Website
Yellowstone Small Batch 107 Six Year Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey
We would like to thank Limestone Branch and BYRNE PR for sending us samples to review.

What the Producer Says

Lebanon, Kentucky-based Yellowstone Bourbon announced the release of Small Batch 107, a new permanent addition to the Yellowstone family. The elevated expression pays homage to the brand’s history while featuring several firsts for the family lineup. Small Batch is aged six years and the only variety in the Yellowstone portfolio to feature an age statement on packaging.

Bottled at 107 proof, the expression is one of the highest proof everyday offerings from Yellowstone. Due to the high proof, Small Batch is non-chill filtered, which allows the depth of flavors to stand out in this bold new bourbon. Yellowstone Small Batch 107 is available nationwide starting this month at a minimum suggested retail price of $44.99 per 750mL bottle.

Yellowstone Bourbon is one of the few bourbon brands available with a strong history of tradition and 150 years of continuous sales. To honor Yellowstone’s heritage and values, seventh-generation Founder and Master Distiller Stephen Beam crafted Small Batch 107 with expert care. As one of the most experienced experts in the industry, Beam made deliberate choices from the six-year age statement to the 107 proof point and more to create a new release that achieves the ideal balance of flavor and depth.

“Yellowstone was the top selling whiskey in Kentucky in the 1960s, and at the time, it was bottled at six years old,” said Beam. “I wanted to bring back that tradition and offer a product with a clear age statement, and the perfect entry level proof point at 107. This is a long time coming. We’ve had great success with special finishes but never had an age-stated product before Small Batch.”

Together, Small Batch’s six-year age statement, 107 proof point and non-chill-filtering process result in a bold flavor experience that’s great neat or over ice, and stands up well in a cocktail. With notes of caramel and vanilla with hints of chocolate and oak on the nose, Small Batch features intensified flavors of caramel, oak, honey and Yellowstone’s signature rich cherry notes.

“The higher proof brings out more flavors, and by non-chill filtering Small Batch we created a much more full-bodied product than a lower-proof chill filtered bourbon,” said Beam. “It’s the perfect addition to our family of offerings. Small Batch delivers on our heritage and tradition, bringing back memories of Yellowstone’s history, while also representing a natural progression in elevating the portfolio.”

What Gary Says

Nose: Salted caramel, chocolate, vanilla, raw walnuts and oak.
Palate: Rich mouthfeel, caramel, milk chocolate, honey, cinnamon, black cherry, pepper and a bit of cloves.
Finish: Moderately long and syrupy with chocolate covered cherries.
Comments: If there’s a ‘perfect proof point’ (short of barrel strength), 107 might be it. This is delicious, and the non-chill filtration really shines through in both the mouthfeel and the finish. While delicious neat, this opens up nicely with just a few drops of water bringing out more cherry and a slight citrus note on the nose, and bringing the chocolate forward, bending towards toffee (and a touch of baked apples). Honestly not sure which I prefer! A well balanced pour that I look forward to enjoying all spring (if it lasts that long!)

Rating: Stand Out/Must Try

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High West Bourye 2025

/ / Bourbon, Other Whisk(e)ys, Review, Rye Whiskey / ,

High West Bourye 2025
Blend of Straight Whiskeys

46% ABV
$125
Website
High West Bourye
We would like to thank High West Whiskey and lippe taylor for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Legend has it, the only way to catch a glimpse of the cunning and elusive jackalope is to enjoy a glass of a truly incredible whiskey. That’s why we made Bourye®, a cross between bourbon whiskey and rye whiskey (Bourbon + Rye = Bourye) that—like the jackalope itself—is unique, mysterious, and gone in a flash. All whiskeys in this carefully crafted, limited-release blend are a minimum of ten years old. Overflowing with rich flavors of orange crème anglaise drizzled over dark chocolate ginger cake, with notes of espresso on the finish, Bourye® is sure to attract even the most discerning of jackalopes.

All whiskeys in this carefully crafted blend are a minimum of 10 years old and sourced from multiple distilleries. See highwest.com for technical details and sourcing, that’s not a secret. However, the proportions are! Bourye® is best enjoyed around a campfire while looking at the Milky Way.

Mash bill Details
Straight Rye Whiskey: 95% rye, 5% barley malt from MGP; 80% rye, 20% malted rye from HWD
Straight Bourbon Whiskey: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% barley malt from MGP; 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley from MGP; 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley from KY
Filtration: No Chill filtration, no flavor added

Sensory Notes
Nose: Honeycrisp apples, caramelized peaches, homemade waffles with honey butter, bergamot, toasted almonds, sandalwood, wooden chest filled with dark chocolate truffles
Taste: Maple glazed doughnut, salted crème brûlée, candied orange peel, chicory, English breakfast tea, ginger chews, seasoned oak
Finish: Fresh yellow nectarines with a softly building rye spice
Bourye® is best enjoyed around a campfire while looking at the Milky Way. Sip straight or with a little water. Not recommended with ice.

What Gary Says

Nose: Baked apple crisp, vanilla, oak, cedar, hint of maple syrup, chocolate, almonds and blood orange zest.
Palate: Salted caramel, chocolate orange, toffee, ginger snap cookies, cinnamon with a bit of oak.
Finish: Moderate in length with peaches, caramel and rye spice.
Comments: I’ve been a long-time fan of High West Bourye since I first reviewed it almost 9 years ago to the day.  Sadly I don’t have any from that far back, when I did happen to have bottles from 2024 and 2017 that I pulled out for comparison purposes. Insanely similar to last year’s batch, and pretty darn similar to 2017.  All that said – this is a really nice whiskey, giving you the best of the sweetness of bourbon with some spice from the rye.  You may wonder – is this different from simply a ‘high-rye bourbon’?  Short answer – yes.  It has some pretty high-rye bourbon in the mashbill (or blend-bill?) but it definitely has different characteristics.  And whiskey enthusiasts are well aware that even IDENTICAL mashbills can produce very different whiskies based on where they age and for how long. This is very well balanced pour, and while I’ve never enjoyed it around a campfire – it was delightful in the comfort of my own home!

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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JYPSI Tribute Double Barreled Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

JYPSI Tribute Double Barreled Bourbon
4 Year Straight Bourbon Whiskey Blend

43% ABV
$45
Website
JYPSI Tribute Double Barreled Bourbon Whiskey
We would like to thank Outsiders Spirits and CHQ Media for sending us samples to review.

What the Producer Says

Whiskey JYPSI introduces Tribute Double Barreled Bourbon

A celebration of those you want to raise a glass to

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 5, 2025) – JYPSI Spirits announced the launch of its fourth whiskey today: Whiskey JYPSI Tribute Double Barreled Bourbon. Tribute is an 86-proof, straight bourbon whiskey aged a minimum of 4 years and double-barreled in new American Oak. Today’s Tribute release follows the prior introductions of the company’s industry-acclaimed and award-winning Legacy and Explorer whiskeys in 2023 and 2024.

“This is a whiskey with a price point and a flavor profile everybody can enjoy, but with the same high-quality approach we’ve taken with our other whiskeys. And that’s what we were looking for with Tribute,” says co-founder and music artist, Eric Church.

Whiskey JYPSI’s Tribute is priced at $44.99 and will be available online at shop.whiskeyjypsi.com and in select liquor stores.

Once the mash is distilled and aged at least four years in charred new American Oak barrels, Tribute then takes the extra step of proofing down its whiskey and re-barreling it for an additional 3 to 6 months – also in new American Oak. This gives Tribute its additional aromas of vanilla and caramel and a refined flavor most everyday bourbons cannot match – along with its deep, robust color. Tribute is then bottled at 86-proof for a rich, bold flavor with smooth drinkability.

What also makes the blend unique is the source of the grains. Whiskey JYPSI whiskey maker Ari Sussman said, “Instead of using commodity grains from large commercial farming operations for efficiency, the company contracted with small family farms willing to grow more flavorful, varietal-stated grains specifically intended for making whiskey. These sustainably raised grains for Tribute include a variety of the once-sacred Cherokee White Corn.”

Church added, “With Tribute, we’re also honoring and working with small communities and local farmers to make this whiskey… I’m from Appalachia, so I love the small-town and artisanal element. And it’s those points of differentiation that, to me, make a major difference with people who drink whiskey.”

“Typically, companies won’t do all this because it takes more time and costs more money,” said JYPSI Spirits co-founder and owner Raj Alva. “But if you’re committed to making a better bourbon, you not only use the best distilling and blending practices; you start with the very finest grains that make up that whiskey in the first place and go above and beyond conventional processes at every level of production. That’s what we did with Tribute.”

What Gary Says

Nose: Vanilla, caramel, sponge cake with a bit of maple syrup drizzle.
Palate: Round mouthfeel, caramel, toffee, vanilla, cocoa, bit of banana nut bread.
Finish: Moderate in length, damp with cocoa.
Comments: This is a very easy to drink dram, and different from other ‘double barrel’ bourbons out there. I’ve really enjoyed most of the ‘double barrel bourbon’ offerings. This one is different in that they proof it down before going into the second barrel, although I think they may have lost something in the process. It isn’t quite as intense as some others, but they weren’t shooting to be amongst the pack. Priced where it’s accessible to try.

Rating: Stands Out

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Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition
Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

46% ABV
$100
Website
Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

What the Distillery Says

Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition is a single pot still Irish whiskey initially matured in a combination of bourbon and oloroso sherry casks. The whiskey was then finished in Tawny Port casks for a number of years, adding a new dimension to the profile used in the expression. All of the whiskeys then completed their maturation journey by marrying in freshly seasoned tawny port hogsheads for a final maturation period of 14-25 months.

Nose: Sweet and warming confectionery notes of buttered pastry accompanied by aromas of caramelized almonds with subtle undertones of praline and dried cherry. Scented floral honey with whisperings of a delicate herbal character linger in the background while the seasoned oak and pot still spices accentuate the sweet and full-bodied nature of this wonderfully balanced whiskey.

Taste: Rich and nutty at first with notes of chocolate coated hazelnut and salted caramel, quickly followed with fresh plums and dried fig. The tannins’ soft presence works in harmony with the luscious and creamy texture, evoking notes of orange marmalade with delicate hints of toasted oak.

Finish: Lingering finish which sees the pot still spices and fruits slowly fading, leaving the tawny seasoned oak to have the last word.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich fruity malt with blood orange, currants, figs, honey, mincemeat pie (without the cloves).
Palate:  Creamy and fruity with orange, figs, caramel apple, nutmeg, honey and a hint of clove.
Finish:  Moderate in length with dark fruits and baking spices.
Comments:  Sometimes you find whiskies where the nose and the palate are quite different; one might even say the nose was misleading. That couldn’t be further from the truth with this dram – the two are very closely aligned. I’m a fan of Redbreast (the 12 year cask strength was the first Irish whiskey I really loved). I’m also a fan of port for finishing or maturation. Maybe the two of those combined had set my expectations too high, as I couldn’t fight off this feeling of disappointment. I mean – this is a really nice and very drinkable dram; just not as special as I had hoped it might be. Although to be fair, it isn’t priced as outrageously as others, so all in all, it balances out.

Rating: Stands Out

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Two Stacks The First Cut Signature Blend Irish Whiskey

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review / ,

Two Stacks The First Cut
Signature Blend Irish Whiskey

43% ABV
$38 (700 mL) / $5 ($100 mL ‘Dram in a Can’)
Website
Two Stacks First Cut Signature Blend Irish WhiskeyTwo Stacks Dram in a Can Irish Whiskey
We would like to thank Two Stacks Whiskey and Raptor Communications for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Two Stacks Irish Whiskey Expands U.S. Distribution Ahead of St. Patrick’s Day Through Foley Family Wines & Spirits Partnership

Flagship Two Stacks The First Cut Signature Blend Irish Whiskey Now Available Nationwide through Foley Distribution Network, Including Innovative “Dram in A Can”

SANTA ROSA, CA (February 3, 2025) – In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Two Stacks, one of only three recognized whiskey bonders in Ireland, is expanding the U.S. distribution of its flagship product – Two Stacks The First Cut Signature Blend Irish Whiskey – through its new import agency partnership with Foley Family Wines & Spirits. Both the 700 ml bottle of The First Cut and the unique 100 ml Dram in A Can are now available in 19+ U.S. markets, including NY, MA, FL, MN, and and are expected to achieve national distribution by the end of the year.

As more discerning Irish Whiskey drinkers reach for bottles during St. Patrick’s Day and other celebratory occasions that combine authenticity and tradition with quality and innovation, Two Stacks Irish Whiskey blends these attributes. Two Stacks The First Cut Signature Blend is the marriage of five whiskeys from some of Ireland’s most lauded distilleries making it a clear demonstration of the time-honored craft of bonding and blending. With two Single Grain Whiskeys providing the foundation, a Pot Still Whiskey (an Ireland-only geographic indicated spirit) lends layers of green apple and spice; a Double-Distilled Malt Whiskey adds body, rich mouthfeel and rounded fruity esters; and a Peated Malt Whiskey adds a hint of smoke.

Two Stacks’ signature five-part blend showcases transparency at its core, proudly highlighting the distilleries that contribute to its unique character. While this blend hails from Great Northern Distillery, Two Stacks collaborates with more than 17 distilleries across the island of Ireland, including Killowen, Boann, Adara, Dingle and Echlinville Distillery. Every label details the exact blend composition and the origins of the distillates, ensuring customers know exactly what is in their whiskey. This blend comprises 40% Single Grain Whiskey (aged in former Kentucky Bourbon casks), 40% Single Grain Whiskey (aged in virgin American Oak casks), 8% Pot Still Whiskey (aged in Oloroso Sherry casks), 10% Double-Distilled Malt Whiskey (aged in former Kentucky Bourbon casks), and 2% Peated Malt Whiskey (aged in former Kentucky Bourbon casks). Blended and bottled/canned at 86 Proof, it exemplifies both craftsmanship and full product transparency.

“Two Stacks The First Cut Signature Blend features Peated Malt Whiskey,” noted Two Stacks Co-Founder Shane McCarthy. “Peat is typically associated with Scotch, but, in fact, has a rich legacy in Irish whiskey history. As recently as the early 1800’s, historians noted an abundance of ‘smoky’ Irish whiskeys, primarily from northwest Ireland, where peat was an abundant fuel source.”

While only two percent of the final blend, the 4+ year old Peated Malt Whiskey adds more than a very light smoke. It delivers a layer of flavor complexity not found in other Irish whiskeys, as it contributes to an exceptionally long finish and a defined, robust character. According to the founders, The First Cut Signature Blend brings melted butter, peach, and a hint of black tea and brown sugar on the nose; seeded bread, a hint of toasty oak, butterscotch and blackberry greet the palate; followed by a long finish, with plenty of honeyed warmth.

Before the 1930s, there were hundreds of recognized whiskey bonders in Ireland – now there are just three, including Two Stacks. A whiskey bonder has the unique ability to take whiskeys from different distilleries, employ further aging if desired, and create truly differentiating whiskeys versus a single distillery laying down continuous distillate of a similar profile.

Two Stacks was founded in 2020 by three friends, Shane McCarthy, Liam Brogan and Donal McLynn, whose friendship began over 15 years ago, rooted in a shared love of Irish hospitality and a deep passion for Irish history & culture. Their singular goal of changing the narrative on Irish Whiskey would be achieved by reaching into Ireland’s deep whiskey roots and putting real people back into the fine art of Irish Whiskey making to create complex, sophisticated blends capable of challenging any Whiskey in the world.

In addition to a 700 ml sustainable bottle made from 100% recycled glass ($37.99 MSRP), The First Cut Signature Blend is also available in a ground-breaking 100 ml Dram in a Can ($4.99 MSRP). Both products may also be purchased online https://twostackswhiskey.com/. The recyclable aluminum can provides added convenience for those wanting to enjoy a high-quality whiskey on the go. With the new embossed bottles, Two Stacks is one of the first brands using 80% recycled glass, along with all-natural cork and recycled plastic seals.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Heather, vanilla, peaches, apples, cereal with a hint of peat.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, fruity with peaches and sweet lemon custard, toffee, vanilla and a bit of spice.
Finish:  Moderately long and syrupy with fading fruit notes and vanilla.
Comments:  This as a really lovely, thick mouthfeel for a 43% dram!  The non-chill filtration really stands out, and they need to CALL THAT OUT (they don’t mention this on the web-site or in the press release; it does state on the bottle that this is non-chill filtered and in the glass that’s evident – and a differentiator!) Solid Irish whiskey, especially at this price point.  Sure, I’d love to see this at a higher ABV but if it isn’t cask strength that’s often the case. The ‘Dram in a Can’ didn’t taste different – I tried them both side by side and while not EXACTLY the same, they were incredibly similar.  Definitely no ‘off’ flavors from the canned dram, which I wondered about. Personally I’d just buy a bottle and use a flask for ‘on-the-go’ pours, but to each their own.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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