Stands Out

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year

53.5% ABV
$60
Website

What the Distiller Says

This wonderful bourbon is bottled as close to barrel proof as possible. We add just a splash of our Kentucky limestone well-water when we empty the barrels for bottling. Thus, this whiskey is as smooth as any you will find.

Tasting notes
See a rich, copper color. Smell enticingly sweet, spicy, caramel-nut-fudge aromas. Enjoy a fruity, medium-to full-bodied palate with intense dried fruit and toasted nuts notes. Each sip finishes with a very long, bold wave of peppery brown spices, floral honey and charred barrel flavors that balance the weight of the alcohol. It’s a big, bold, aged bourbon that has great balance for its high proof and flavor.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Dark chocolate, caramel, brown sugar, oak, allspice with a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, slight musty smoke note; bit of water tamps down the sweet a bit, bringing more of the oak out.
Palate:  Warm, sweet with vanilla, caramel, cocoa before turning sharp with allspice and oak; some water tamps down the edge and brings out the caramel with a hint of raisins.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying with a bit of pepper bite kicking in.
Comments:  For a wheated bourbon, this has more edge to it than I remembered. While I do like a couple of drops of water in almost anything, this drinks better for me closer to 90 proof than the 107 from the bottle. This used to be one of my favorite bottles out of Buffalo Trace – when I could pick it up for less than $40. At the MSRP of $60, I’m less of a fan (and unfortunately it is often sold much higher than that – both at retail and elsewhere). Price aside, there aren’t many wheaters at this age and proof, so if you’re a fan of wheaters, I’d definitely make sure you try this (although I’d seek it out at a bar first). Even if you prefer rye-recipe bourbons, this has more spice/edge than most wheaters and is probably something you’d enjoy.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit
(Bottled 5/19/2017, barrel 902, whs H, rick 4; Sherlock’s Selection)
50.5% ABV
$60
Website

What the Distiller Says
Kentucky Spirit is a 101 proof (50.5% alcohol), single-barrel bourbon, with each barrel personally chosen by Master Distiller Jimmy Russell. Known for being fuller bodied, with rich vanilla flavors and a hint of sweetness, it’s the perfect bourbon to enjoy neat. A complex layering of almonds, honey, blackberries, and leather gives way to a long, dark and lingering finish.

What Gary Says
Nose:  Caramel and vanilla mix with rickhouse-oak; subtle cinnamon and allspice; a tad astringent.
Palate:  Burnt salted caramel w/ spiced apple over oak.
Finish:  Moderate in length, with drying pepper spice.
Comments:  Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit is a single barrel Wild Turkey product, and as such there is some variability. The glass bottle itself is lovely – honestly the main reason I bought this particular bottle as I’d heard they might be changing the vessel. As a single barrel product – some are amazing, while others are simply alright (and there’s always a chance one is lousy – although in my experience this is rare). This one is pretty decent, but not amazing (for my taste buddies). It has a fair amount of oak but not too much – and is a bit sharp around the edges; although it takes some water like a champ and really rounds out nicely without losing its rye spice.
Rating: Stands Out

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Jura 18 Year Single Malt

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Jura 18 Year Single Malt

44% ABV
$125
Website

We would like to thank Jura and The 5th Column PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

A timeless 18 Year Old malt whisky finished in red wine casks, guaranteed to complete any collection
They say time and tide wait for no man. On Jura, by contrast, time is stretched by the changing seasons and tempered by its unique microclimate, with each passing year bringing its own riches. Matured for eighteen long years in American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels and enriched by superior Premier Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux barrels, a unique spirit is created that has truly come of age.

COLOR: Rosewood gold
NOSE: Aromas of toffee, tropical fruits and cinnamon
TASTE: Flavours of rich black forest fruit, cocoa and coffee

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich, thick musty sherry with raisins and currants; hint of cinnamon and brown sugar (like a freshly baked pastry) with a bit of smoke.
Palate:  Creamy viscous mouthfeel; sweet dark fruits with chocolate over orange and citrus notes before moving into some baking spices and pepper spice on the back.
Finish:  Moderately long and slowly drying.
Comments:  This is definitely a single malt matured in sherry, but not a sherry bomb. Some lovely chocolate notes and with the sherry still being prevalent but not overwhelming – it allows other flavors to shine. At 18 years old, the sherry can easily become too much, and they’ve done a nice job of keeping it in check. Appreciate the 44% ABV bottling too, and am elated to see higher proofs starting to become more common. This has a lovely balance, and it wears its age well – the sweet, chocolate spicy notes are the star with the oak being subtle to where I don’t really notice it (which is in my wheelhouse).

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Jura Seven Wood

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Jura Seven Wood
42% ABV
$75
Website

What the Distiller Says
Inspired by the tenacity and ingenuity of the people of Jura, Jura Seven Wood is a testament to the skill of our whisky makers and island community. Influenced by seven select French and American Oak barrels for a rare balance and depth with a hint of smoke, this is a single malt with intriguing complexity. Seven Wood is initially matured in first-fill American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels. It is then further enhanced by six hand selected French Oak casks – Limousin, Tronçais, Allier, Vosges, Jupilles & Les Bertranges casks.

These casks have never held any wine prior to being procured by our whisky making team. Through these, we find increased complexity and rare tropical richness from the French oak to develop a unique style of single malt whisky. The result is a more intense flavour experience, amplified by a higher ABV of 42%, showcasing peach aromas, candied orange to taste and a subtle smoke finish.

COLOR: Mahogany gold
NOSE: An aromatic fusion of coffee, ginger spice and a hint of milk chocolate
TASTE: Caramelized peach, chewy licorice and candied orange with a hint of sea-spray and smoke

What Gary Says
Nose:  Musky & smoky sweetness; dark fruit notes over worn leather; mixture of traditional oak notes with some green wood.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel with ripe peaches, pears, and drizzled honey with a sprinkle of cinnamon; sharpens a tad with a unique oak-spice note.
Finish:  Moderately long and gentle.
Comments:  This is my first experience with one of Jura’s whiskies, but it won’t be my last – this is a delightful dram! Very well rounded – not too sweet, not too oaky, and a lot of flavor at 42% ABV. I always try to make my nosing/tasting notes prior to reading other reviews or materials to avoid “power of suggestion”. I made a note wondering if one of the containers was sherry (it isn’t), but that is the type of dark fruit flavors I pick up; although less intense than a straight-up sherry matured single malt. The various French oak casks definitely bring an interesting spice dimension (more holiday-type spices than your savory pepper notes). If you’re a whisky geek – I’d look for an opportunity to try it!
Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

We would like to thank Jura and The 5th Column PR for sending us a sample to review.

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The Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

The Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey
40% ABV
$30
Website
What the Bottler Says
The Sexton is a new and unexpected modern-day Irish Single Malt: rich in hue, approachable in taste and memorable in character. Matured in former Oloroso Sherry casks to achieve a perfect balance between rich, dried fruits and memorable toasted oak notes. The Sexton offers a smooth finish to leave you wanting for more.

The Sexton is crafted using 100% Irish malted barley and triple distilled in copper pot stills resulting in smooth, light and fruit-forward spirit.

Our spirit is matured in hand-selected barrels from European oak, toasted from the inside to a medium-high char and seasoned with Oloroso Sherry.

NOSE: At first honeyed malt, nuts and dark chocolate followed by marzipan, all spice and fruits
TASTE: Clean and mellow honey malt and then the taste complexity reveals itself – rich, dried spices, nuts and sweet oils
FINISH: A pleasant gentle wood with honey sweetness fading slowly

What Gary Says
Nose:  Wow – intense nose! Rich and thick, sherry forward with dark fruits over a young malt with some vegetal notes; a hint of cinnamon, sea air, and acetone.
Palate:  Softer and less intense than the nose; sherried but a tad bitter with a fair amount of tannic/oaky notes; a bit nutty with hints of cocoa and cereal.
Finish:  Short with trailing oak notes.
Comments:  This has a really richly intense nose, and reminds me more of a highland single malt Scotch (which I mean as a compliment by the way!) The palate was less intense than the nose. While not objectionable, it left me wanting for more of that sweet sherry and dark fruit that the nose telegraphed. It reminds me more of a younger single malt scotch than Irish – where the sherry is more dominant on the nose than the palate. Definitely a unique addition to Irish whiskey, and if you’re a scotch fan that hasn’t found an Irish dram that hits you right – this could be your gateway/crossover pour – and quite satisfying at this price point.
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank Articulate Productions for sending us a sample to review.

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