Tastes

[10.29.2025] Well, the new job has its perks and a tour of the Stitzel-Weller was one of them. Learned about black ethyl alcohol-digesting mold, the first Van Winkel, how Old Fitzgerald got its start as a rot gut swill, the Stitzel-patented racking system, what a blade and bow are on a key, and how the whiskey is made. They won't outwardly say it but pretty clear the old barrels are being blended into new pot still bourbon so take my tasting notes with a grain of salt; I'm not sure how relevant they'll be when the barrels run out. Maybe it's because we drank Bulleit (yikes) then Harper (does it taste like anything?) before but I was pleasantly surprised by Blade and Bow. Smooth(er), reasonable proof, small batch effect with typical barrel flavors and a healthy dried fruit throughout. Mellower than I expected for a start-up brand and that's how we learned about the blending - ask a lot of questions and learn a few things. Decent brand that's only a little overpriced.

[6.13.2025] A pretty perfect night earns this a higher rating than it probably deserves. It could be the company that leads to the score. Bachelor party for the little brother, a nice night, sparky hot fire, Stapleton on the radio, and this was brought along by the groom's childhood friend. Truly a great night. Vanilla and dried fruit predominate. Oak follows the burn on the aftertaste. I put it at a 4.5 but it may be more like a 4. The flavor profile is really nice but there's just a bit too much bite - gives a perception it's out of balance.

[2.3.2025] I usually spill the review on the first dram. But truth be told, this bottle was on my shelf for over a year. A Christmas gift from 2023 from my brother-in-law. So much for agreeing we wouldn't exchange gifts. This turned out to be a solid one. Finished the bottle tonight and if there was ever a bourbon for a sweet, stiff old fashioned... This is it. No touch up needed. Just syrup, cherries, orange peel, and a double shot over ice. Initial tastings I thought nothing. But this grew on me - less spicey than Inl expected and more sweet undertones that led me to seek another bottle out for the cupboard.

[12.25.2024] Picked this up on a work trip through Wisco, probably at a Woodmens. Word was that it's "pretty good" in the land of old fashioneds. Was stuck by the fingerprints in the bottle and brought it home and saved it for my FIL for Christmas. Initially sweet, followed by common bourbon flavors from an oak barrel and mid corn bill. But then we looked at the proof. Our particular barrel (bottled by Casey, batch 3) was ~97 proof. This is very easy to sip and would be a great base in any bourbon cocktail. Impressed and the price wasn't outrageous yet. Buy a bottle before the collectors ruin another new player.

[8.30.24] Yes, this is a post-dated review. Truth is, I was a bit too sloppy from drinking this an a half dozen other things on Lake Norris to leave a fresh review back in June. Now that it's almost finished, its probably time to post a review on this 22-G single barrel we picked up at the Liquor Barn in Lexington on the way down. And no, I didn't drive the boat. Predictable sipper that I could backpack on the lake, this bottle was a go-to when I knew people wanted some extra bourbon. [We also picked up a bottle of Broken Barrel but that's a sad story for a different day]. This bottle smells like oak and leather but is fruitier than others and a couple of ice cubes can make four fingers turn from a summer sipper in a full on drink in a hurry. Pair with mint and a bit of maple syrup to make a killer back porch drink for one of the hottest summers I can remember.

[6.8.24] This one was a pleasant surprise, but first a disclaimer. They call this 4-grain on the bottle but the reality is 4 different TYPES of grain. A bit of false advertising to someone whose life is a bit more grain based than some. The whiskey itself though, excellent. Had it over breakfast at the in-laws and theyve once again scored a nice bottle. I think it's spicier at the end than the beginning, with mild bourbon typicals: vanillins, tannins, etc. but for the 95 proof, this is smooth. A very balanced bourbon without being bland.

[5.17.24] This one is probably not anything special. Honestly, I thought I'd had it years ago and apparently never kept a note. Regardless, my impression has improved somewhat but the real reason I remembered to include it was the joy of my mother-in-law finding it at the liquor store on a release day. She had quite the haul and tagged this in with the cluster. The story was worth it. Simple whiskey. Has some bite and is spicy, not as raw oak and wood chips as I remembered, but more fall spices like cinnamon. Good, not great, but good and I'll remember sipping this one after taking care of the in-laws' fish for a while.

[5.30.24] It does seem like I've been drinking a fair bit of whiskey lately... As one does. This was actually a Christmas gift from the brother-in-law. Admittedly, if your brother-in-law is giving you whiskey for Christmas - it's going ok. I think some of these barrels are being used for a "bossing" good bourbon-barrel maple syrup project. Speaking of, maple syrup is exactly what I'd add to this in a mixed drink. This is smooth beyond its proof with a sweet vanilla malt flavor, almost like a liquor milkshake (complete with more oily profile than I think is credited by others on this app). Easy drinker, room temperature. To put it in perspective, I had mine after ice cream and still thought it was sweet.

[5.24.24] These bottles are still a bit ot a puzzle to me so I was glad to be able to taste another from someone's collection. Capped off a great night but nothing stacks against our Russell's. Minty. At first I thought it was a myth but as you swallow and the flavors start to clear, it becomes more apparent. This a julep whiskey if there was ever one made. Easy to drink but it has one clear purpose - Derby Day.

[5.24.24] Memorial Day weekend, on the lake, beachhouse in Michigan where rentals are prohibited. This is the life. And kudos to our friends for putting us up for the night. Hands down, best whiskey I've had in at least a year. This is the #22-0011 and I would own the barrel. Easy drinker, sipping like an 80 but riding in the 100s. Smooth, sweet, and a bit fruity on top of all the usual good flavors you'd expect from Russell's line.