Tastes

J.J. Corry 'The Hanson' Batch No. 2 Irish Whiskey is an outstanding, elegant, Irish Whiskey by Louise McGuane, founder of Chapel Gate Whiskey, in Ireland crafted with a blend of Irish Grain Whiskies pulled from just 3 casks by a pair of undisclosed Irish distilleries. 80% of the Spirit is 10-year-old Single Grain and 20% is 4-year-old Single Grain — both matured in ex-Bourbon barrels before being bottled at 46% ABV. It has an aromatic birth with notes of grain, wood, fruit, herbs & spices; while a rich life adds notes of Sponge cake, rum-raisin ice cream with chocolate sauce, vanilla flan, tiramisu, toasted granola clusters & peach cobbler; that led to a warm & dry death of medium length adding notes of soft oak tannins, Chai latte with honey & exotic fruits. December 2023

A rich Single Malt Whisky by Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery in Yorkshire, England crafted with 100% homegrown barley & aged in ex-Bourbon barrels before being bottled at 46% ABV. It has an aromatic birth with notes of grain, wood, fruit, nut, herbs & spices; while a rich life adds notes of barley, apricot, vanilla, mint & maple syrup; that led to a creamy death of medium length with notes of gingerbread, orange zest, chocolate, honeycomb & hazelnuts. December 2023

A rich, Straight Bourbon Whiskey by Scott Blackwell & his wife Ann Marshall, founders of High Wire Distilling Company in Charleston, South Carolina crafted with 100% local Jimmy Red corn; then aged for a minimum of 2 years in in char 3.5 American oak barrels before being bottled at 47.5%. It has an aromatic birth with notes of corn, wood, nuts, herbs & spices; while a creamy life adds notes of mint, brown sugar, tobacco, graham cracker & vanilla cream; that led to a silky death of medium length adding notes of pepper, oak & honey. January 2024

A rich, Single Barrel Single Malt Irish Whiskey by Master Distiller Darryl McNally for Limavady Distillery in Ireland. It is crafted with 100% Irish Barley & 3x distilled in Copper Pot Stills; matured in ex-Bourbon barrels before being finished in ex-Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks & bottled at 46% ABV. It has an aromatic birth with notes of grain, wood, dried fruits, herbs & spices; while a rich life adds notes of plums & vanilla, that led to a warm death of medium length adding notes of oak, caramel & almonds. January 2024

An intense, Straight Rye Whiskey by Limestone Branch Distillery in Kentucky aged for a minimum of 2 years in new American white oak casks, then finished in a cream Sherry cask for 8 months before being bottled at 45.0% ABV. It has an aromatic birth with notes of grain, wood, fruit, summer flowers, herbs & spices; while a bold life adds notes of cherry, raisin, caramel & Sherry; that led to a warm & spicy death of medium length adding notes of oak & rye spice. January 2024

An intense, handcrafted, organic, Bourbon Whiskey by Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, Michigan. It is crafted with locally grown organic white corn, wheat & rye, Midwestern oak barrels & water from a local aquifer; before being bottled at 100 proof. It has an aromatic birth with notes of grain, wood, fruits; herbs & spices; while a bold life adds notes of corn, vanilla & citrus; that led to a complex death of medium length with notes of pepper, oak & tobacco. May / December 2017 / May 2020 / August 2022 / January 2024

A rich, New Zealand Single Malt Whisky by Matt John & his wife Celine founders of Pōkeno Whisky Company in Auckland's Bombay Hills, New Zealand crafted with locally sourced barley & spring water before being aged in first-fill bourbon casks before being bottled at 43.0% ABV. It has an aromatic birth with notes of grain, wood, herbs & spices; while a rich & creamy life adds notes of honey, grapefruit, cherry & fudge; that led to balanced & silky death of medium length with notes of black pepper, candied lemon peel, oak, cinnamon, brown sugar & vanilla pudding with bananas and Nilla wafers. January 2024

An intense, Blended Scotch Whisky by The Famous Grouse Distillery in Scotland. It is 1st matured in American & European oak casks then finished for an extra 6 months in “naked” Oloroso Sherry casks that haven’t held Whisky before. It has an aromatic birth with notes of grain, wood, fruit, herbs & spices; while a complex & oily life add notes of cherry compote, buttered granary toast, malt, peach, sultanas, sticky toffee pudding, raspberry jam, Victoria sponge, custard, crème caramel & sherry; that led to a rich & spicy death of medium length with notes of pepper, oak, cocoa, smoke. January 2024

An intense, Rye Whiskey by Rick Wasmund founder of Copper Fox Sperryville Distillery in Sperryville, Virginia. It is double pot stilled & progressively aged for 15-20 months using apple wood toasted chips inside a used Bourbon barrel. The mash bill is 66% Virginia Rye, and 33% Virginia Thoroughbred hand-malted barley, kiln dried with apple wood & cherry wood smoke. It has an aromatic birth with notes of Sherry, plum wine, Apple-pie, cinnamon, raisin toast & a hint of caramel; while a rich & spicy life adds notes of toasted almond, pepper & flowers; that leads to a spicy death of medium length with notes of bitter-apple, flour & unbaked dough. May / October 2020 / February 20221/ February / August 2022 / January 2024