Stands Out

Little Book Chapter 4: Lessons Honored

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Little Book Chapter 4: Lessons Honored
Blended Straight Whiskey

61.4% ABV
$125
Website
Little Book Chapter 04 Lessons Honored
We would like to thank Beam Suntory and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Little Book Chapter 4: “Lessons Honored,” is the fourth chapter in 8th Generation Beam Distiller Freddie Noe’s acclaimed Little Book Whiskey annual release series. This year’s release honors the man who taught Freddie some of life’s most important lessons — his dad and Beam’s 7th Generation Master Distiller, Fred Noe.

Little Book Chapter 4: “Lessons Honored,” is an ode to what Fred has taught Freddie through the years, and the lessons that have been passed down through the generations of the Beam family. Integrity, remaining true to himself, patience and knowing when to slow down are just some of the lessons that have made Freddie who he is today, both as a man and as 8th Generation Beam
Distiller.

Each annual release of Little Book features a different blend of uncut and unfiltered liquid streams carefully chosen by Freddie Noe himself and meticulously blended until it meets his vision. Little Book Chapter 4 is composed of three liquids that have a special connection to Fred and the lessons instilled by him.

Blend Components:
4-year-old Kentucky Straight Brown Rice Bourbon delivers more complex notes of oak and fruit. It’s a very approachable liquid that gives the final blend a noteworthy quality.
8-year-old Kentucky Straight “high rye” Rye Whiskey lends complex, sweet flavors from its time in the barrel paired with a rye spiciness that lingers into the blend’s finish.
7-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey anchors the unconventional flavors from the rye and brown rice liquids with a depth of character representative of the Small Batch Bourbon
Collection.

Tasting Notes: Little Book Chapter 4: “Lessons Honored” features flavors of full-bodied vanilla balanced by notes of rich charred wood and dried cherries. The finish is soft and decadent, leaving a warm caramel taste on your tongue, followed by a spicy finish from the rye.

Sipping Suggestions: Little Book Chapter 4: “Lessons Honored” is best enjoyed neat or over ice.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich caramel, nutmeg, vanilla, oak, orange zest, note of peanut butter cookies, touch of dried mint.
Palate:  Thick mouthfeel, sweet with chocolate covered black cherries, caramel, spicy with nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, peanut butter, honey and a bit of mint.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying with caramel spices.
Comments:  I really love the nose on this – reminds me a lot of Knob Creek with a twist. The palate is really sweet with spice notes – not syrupy but close (which I like my bourbon on the sweeter side).  Bit of water doesn’t hurt it – in fact I think it shines. I wish I had some Little Book Chapter 3 to compare it to, not that it is a competition. Mint is a different note I’m not accustomed to from Beam, but it goes well.  While each release/chapter is a unique take, they’re all done really well.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Decades

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Decades
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

52% ABV
$150
Website
Wild Turkey Masters Keep Decades

What the Distillery Says

WILD TURKEY DECADES
This hand-selected lot of precious and rare barrels, aged between 10 and 20 years, represents the very best of two decades of bourbon making. Master Distiller Eddie Russell’s harmonious mingling of liquid results in an extraordinarily enjoyable whiskey with the finesse and deep character of older bourbon, anchored by the bold, balanced, and vibrant backbone of younger bourbon.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Vanilla, charred oak, caramel, cinnamon, orange zest, brown sugar, grilled corn (over charcoal), allspice roasted walnuts, a hint of maple.
Palate:  Caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, hefty oak, cherries, orange bitters, pepper, bitter dark chocolate.
Finish:  Long, drying with oak, spice and caramel.
Comments:  I’m not a big oak fan, so this isn’t my favorite Wild Turkey – but it is a damn nice, big and robust bourbon. A bit of water tamps the oak a bit, and amps up the chocolate and orange notes.

Rating: Stands Out

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Fighting Cock 6 Yr Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Fighting Cock 6 Year
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

51.5% ABV
$17
Website
Fighting Cock Bourbon 6 years 103 proof

What the Distillery Says

The bad boy of Bourbon is bottled at a robust 103 proof, but its 6 years of aging smooth out the feathers real well. Through award-winning packaging and point-of-sale, and a unique and irreverent marketing campaign, Fighting Cock appeals to both male Gen X-ers and serious Bourbon lovers alike.

The “kickin’ chicken” has been a favorite throughout the South for years.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Salted caramel, vanilla, oak, brown sugar, nutty spice, subtle mint with a faint hint of overripe banana.
Palate:  Warm with vanilla, caramel, pepper bite, cinnamon, toffee and mint.
Finish:  Short and drying with oak, pepper and mint.
Comments:  For a sub-$20 bourbon, this is solid and definitely a great value. With an unapologetic rye bite, this has the edge you’d expect with the proof but also isn’t particularly harsh. While the web-site in September 2020 is still mentioning “6 years”, I want to be clear that current distribution of Fighting Cock Bourbon no longer carries the 6 year age statement regrettably (that was dropped in early 2015). This review however is from a bottle which did carry that age statement. I haven’t done a side by side (yet!) with the current version, but have that on my growing to do list.

Rating: Stands Out; Great Value

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Tomatin 18 Year

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky / , ,

Tomatin 18 Year
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

46% ABV
$90 – $100
Website
Tomatin 18 Year Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

What the Distillery Says

The Tomatin 18 Year Old is a truly world class malt. Matured in traditional oak casks and first fill Oloroso Sherry butts, honey and soft oak flavours develop into a hint of dark chocolate with a citrus bite before a sustained sweet and slightly dry finish.
Non-chill Filtered
Aroma: Orchard fruit, cinnamon, vanilla, maple syrup with just a hint of smoky heather.
Palate: Deliciously sweet, citrus and dark chocolate with a slightly oaky edge.
Finish: Long, sweet and slightly dry.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich fruit notes of apricots, figs, caramelized grilled peaches, subtle baking spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, hint of maple syrup, oak, subtle floral notes.
Palate:  Thick and creamy mouthfeel, rich , sweet with blood orange, peaches, plums, dark chocolate, toffee, a touch of cinnamon and oak.
Finish:  Moderately long, slightly drying with cocoa and fruit.
Comments:  This is delicious. Like the 12 yr, this is finished (not fully matured) in sherry which gives it a lovely balance. I appreciate the higher proof and non-chill filtration.
Age isn’t everything, but this is a great value for an 18 yr single malt (and I like as well as others that are 20-30% more expensive).

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try/Great Value

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Tomatin 15 Year

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Tomatin 15 Year
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

43% ABV
$50 – $60*
Website
Tomatin 15 Year Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

What the Distillery Says

Soft and delicate but with a significant influence from the North American oak.

Aroma: Light and fresh. Citrus fruits, vanilla, fruit cake. Oak prominent throughout.
Taste: Good balance. Smooth, medium body, delicate honey and mild orange.
Finish: Quite long; lingers on the palate.

Cask: Matured in refill American Oak casks.
* NOTE: This expression was discontinued in 2014; price reflects retail.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Light and fruity with peaches, candied orange, vanilla, toasted oak, a hint of heather.
Palate:  Sweet and creamy with honey, vanilla, mandarin oranges, peaches, mangoes, very gentle pepper spice.
Finish:  Moderate in length with honey and oak.
Comments:  This is lighter in color than the Tomatin 12 yr, which isn’t surprising given the cask maturation. This has a nice mouthfeel, and is a pleasant enough whisky – but a bit light for my liking. I preferred the Tomatin 12 yr. This is discontinued, and replaced with a 14 yr port finished version. My sample of this was part of a three-pack, 50 mL set I bought back in 2014 prior to the product change. Having never tried the new offering, but based on the 12 yr, I’m optimistic the new version is better.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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