Stands Out

Booker’s 2020-03 “Pigskin Batch”

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Booker’s “Pigskin Batch” Batch 2020-03
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

6 Years, 7 Months, 7 Days
63.65% ABV
$90
Website
Booker's 2020-03 "Pigskin Batch"
We would like to thank Beam Suntory and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says:

The third release of the Booker’s® Bourbon 2020 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2020-03 “Pigskin Batch.” This batch is a nod to 6th Generation Master Distiller Booker Noe’s love of American football, which eventually became a whole family affair.

Booker was a good football player back in the day, playing both tackle and kicker on his high school team. He was quick for his size — standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing close to 300 pounds — and strong from working as a farm hand growing up. Although he ultimately never pursued a college football career, he was talented enough to practice with the team when he attended the University of Kentucky as a freshman – a rare honor in those days.

Anyone who knew Booker knew his love of football. Whether it was his favorite team on the television or his son and grandson playing in the backyard, Booker loved watching a game and made the sport into a true Noe family tradition.

TASTING NOTES

Like all batches of Booker’s Bourbon, Booker’s “Pigskin Batch” was selected by 7th 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 and that fans of the brand have come to know and love. Uncut and unfiltered, Booker’s “Pigskin Batch” has a beautiful light brown color. The aroma contains brown sweets and slight vanilla notes. The flavor is big and bold with a finish that is long and warm.

Booker’s “Pigskin Batch” is best enjoyed neat, over ice or with a few drops of water.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Salted caramel, vanilla crème brûlée slightly over-roasted, heavy oak, pecan praline, peanut brittle and chocolate.
Palate:  Rich mouthfeel with heavy caramel, spice notes of nutmeg and pepper kicking in with dark chocolate, oak and a bit of orange.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with dark chocolate, oak and citrus spice.
Comments:  A really nice pour. I don’t have all of the various batches from 2020 to try to compare against, although in a blind side-by-side against 2018-04 “Kitchen Table” and 2013-06, I did find I preferred this one (which is props as I really liked 2013-06, one of the initial ’roundtable’ batches). The variation is subtle from batch to batch, and I found this one to be more on the sweet side, with a bit less spice and oak. Takes water really well, although I don’t mind it at bottling proof. The streak of “hadn’t met a Booker’s I didn’t like” remains unbroken!

Rating: Must Try/Stands Out

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Redemption 10 Yr Barrel Proof Rye

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey / ,

Redemption 10 Yr Barrel Proof Rye

58.1% ABV
$100
Website
Redemption 10 year barrel proof rye
We would like to thank Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits and R\West for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Mash Bill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
COLOR: Deep amber with lime hues.
AROMA: Seductive aromas of black caramel, molasses, and vanilla layered over tones of freshly cut grass and hints of ginger.
PALATE: The palate has amazing concentration. The spicy rye notes evolve with flavors of dark chocolate, licorice and fennel laced together with cardamom, black pepper and tarragon. The finish is long and mellow.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich orange, caramel, chocolate, lemongrass, ginger, oak, cinnamon, clove, fresh cracked pepper with a hint of anise.
Palate:  Dark chocolate orange, caramel, honey, rich with baking spices – clove, cinnamon, anise, nutmeg, and pepper.
Finish:  Moderately long with baking spices, honey and oak.
Comments:  This is a really nice barrel proof rye.  Lovely Christmas spice notes throughout.  I’m a big fan of the really high rye mash bill rye whiskies (compared to the more common ‘barely legal rye’ with just over 50% rye), and especially at barrel proof.  Water really opens it up, although I loved it neat.  This is nice and robust – an excellent cocktail rye that works just as well for sipping neat.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Redemption 10 Yr Barrel Proof High Rye Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Redemption 10 Yr Barrel Proof High Rye Bourbon

57.2% ABV
$100
Website
Redemption 10 year barrel proof high rye bourbon
We would like to thank Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits and R\West for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
COLOR: Dark gold, flecked with crimson.
AROMA: Rich vanilla oak with hints of aged balsamic and violets.
PALATE: The silky texture of this whiskey is simply amazing combined with the spicy rye backbone, the flavors abound. Toffee, honey, and roasted nut flavors dominate this whiskey, which finishes with the exotic flavors of star anise, nutmeg, and a hint of lemongrass.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich vanilla, salted caramel, oak, fall leaves, cinnamon, dark chocolate with notes of orange bitters.
Palate:  Thick mouthfeel, warm and rich caramel, spicy toffee, coffee cake, cinnamon, chocolate, baking spices, pepper, a bit of clove and anise.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying with cocoa, pepper, oak and baking spices.
Comments:  Another really nice barrel proof bourbon.  I prefer this over the 9 Year, probably more because of the higher rye mash bill than the extra year of age.  Takes water really well, tamping the sharp edges without losing the depth.

Rating: Stands Out

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Redemption 9 Yr Barrel Proof Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Redemption 9 Yr Barrel Proof Bourbon

52.85% ABV
$100
Website
Redemption 9 year barrel proof bourbon
We would like to thank Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits and R\West for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
COLOR: Amber with ruby tones.
AROMA: Aromas of fresh Madagascan vanilla pod, caramelized toffee, and dark roast coffee dominate the aroma with hints of lavender honey.
PALATE: Smooth, mellow, and seamless, this bourbon slides through the mouth. Bacon, smoked meats with nuances of hops and white pepper spice with an overlay of wet river stone are the signature flavors of this complex barrel proof whiskey.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich vanilla fudge, dark chocolate, honey, coffee, oak, orange zest, subtle spice notes.
Palate:  Warm and oily mouthfeel, rich caramel, cocoa, cracked pepper with notes of walnuts.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with pepper and oak.
Comments:  This is a solid, barrel proof bourbon. Definitely a step up from Redemption Bourbon in my book, which isn’t a big surprise since I do tend to prefer higher proof drams.  This takes a bit of water well, but despite the higher proof I don’t think it is required.  This is a really nice age as well, with some oak on the nose, but not so much on the palate.

Rating: Stands Out

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Caol Ila 12 Year

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Caol Ila 12 Year
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

43% ABV
$80 – $90
Website
Caol Ila 12 Yr

What the Distillery Says

The ultimate Islay malt, Caol Ila is considered by experts to be the perfect entry point into the world of peaty malt whiskies and a reference for connoisseurs of Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky the world over. Fresh, sweetly fruity and smooth-bodied, Caol Ila 12 year old is the colour of pale straw, with a delicate balance of tastes.

APPEARANCE: Pale straw.
BODY: Smooth, pleasant mouth-feel: firm with a light to medium body.
NOSE: Subdued, citric fruitiness; a whiff of bath oil and dentist’s mouthwash. A fresh and appetising nose, with little or no trace of smoke. A little water raises almond oil and old fashioned oilskins; still a fresh fruitiness, a trace of olive oil, and after a while potpourri or scented hand-soap.
PALATE: Drinks well at natural strength; sweet start; pleasant, light fragrant smokiness and a lengthy finish. Smooth, pleasant mouth-feel; with water light acidity, some salt and still the sweeter notes. A complex balance of primary tastes.
FINISH: Sweet smokiness in the lingering, slightly sour finish.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Subtle peat and sea air, grassy, vanilla, hint of grapefruit and apricots, leather, maybe a touch of mint.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel with a smoky sweetness, vanilla, light spices, nutmeg, soft peat, orange and lemon zest.
Finish:  Long with peat smoke, slowly building pepper spice.
Comments:  A solid single malt that brings the peat but in a gentle and sophisticated manner. I’m a bit embarrassed that we hadn’t reviewed this classic until now!  This is a pour that I find I enjoy nosing a bit more than drinking (not that I don’t enjoy the sipping part!)  The nose has a bit more complexity than the palate, but both are nicely balanced.  If someone has been turned off by peat in the past (maybe diving right in with a Laphroaig) but is looking to try again, I find this to be a great ‘peat gateway’ pour.

Rating: Stands Out

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