Tastes

Buffalo Trace Distillery is one of, if not the most popular bourbon distilleries in the world. Their products are highly sought after and are consistently sold for 500X their DSRP. Rock Hill Farms is another line from the Buffalo Trace Distillery that adds to the superior reputation that they have worked so hard to build, A single barrel, Rock Hill Farms, is named after the farmland along the Kentucky River. I have never seen one in the wild to purchase and was only able to taste a pour at a whiskey restaurant. The Bourbon Rock Hill Farms is another expression from the Buffalo Trace Distillery owned by Sazerac. It is said to be distilled using mashbill #2 and is another single barrel offered by the distillery. Although it is a solid bourbon, it does not get as much attention as the other single barrels that come out of the Buffalo Trace Distillery. It has no age statement and is bottled at 100 proof/50% ABV. Color: Caramel On the nose is a sweet, charred aroma with notes of vanilla bean, charred oak, banana bread, pineapple, caramel, candied nuts, cinnamon, and some dark chocolate. The palate is a little spicier with notes of charred oak, nutmeg, baking spices, dark chocolate, pepper, tobacco, and leather. The finish is medium in length and whatever sweetness is left fades quickly and has notes of fall spices, charred oak, tobacco and leather.

The Balvenie was founded in 1892 by William Grant and sons in a building in Speyside Scotland. Still to this day the distillery operates and continues to use malting floors for turning the barley which is something not many distilleries still do. David C. Stewart, The Balvenie Malt Master, oversees the production of their different lines of expressions. Stewart has been with The Balvenie Distillery since 1962. No one knows Scotch Whisky quite like Stewart does and with his knowledge and experience, he has led the distillery for over 30 years. Under his watch, The Balvenie has won numerous awards and has established itself as one of the prominent distilleries known around the world. Today The Balvenie produces over 20 bottlings. The Whisky The Balvenie 21 Portwood was originally released in 1996. This splendid dram is the concept from the brilliant Malt Master David C. Stewart of The Balvenie Distillery. Since its birth 25 years ago, this whisky has won countless awards and is considered by some to be Stewart’s finest creation. Initially matured in American ex-bourbon barrels, the whiskey is then transferred and finished in Port pipes under intense observation from Mr. Stewart. The Balvenie 21 Portwood is non-chill filtered and bottled at 40% ABV. Color: Caramel The first thing I noticed upon nosing was how warm and welcoming this dram is. One the nose are delicate notes of caramel, plums, dark chocolate, oak tannins, dark cherry, toffee, orange peel, almonds and some floral hints. The palate was rather complex, but soft and silky that took me on an adventure to discover her secrets. I found more notes of dark chocolate, plums, dark fruits, vanilla, cinnamon, oak, and some cracked pepper. The finish is long and still welcomes you with open arms. This soothing finish is accompanied by notes of oak, vanilla, and some leather.

Amaranth, a grain similar to wheat, was predonently used by the Aztecs in ancient times. Known as the “Grain of the Gods”, Buffalo Trace crafted a whiskey to honor both the ancient grain and Colonel E.H. Taylor. The Colonel was inspirational during his time to whiskey making and innovation. Buffalo Trace has stated this is a one time release and has all E.H. Taylor fans going crazy. The Bourbon Colonel E.H. Taylor Amaranth Grain of the Gods was a fun whiskey to try. Although I have never seen one in the wild, finding one at a whiskey bar, I had to give it a try. Colonel E.H. Taylor Amaranth Grain of the Gods, according to Buffalo Trace, is at least ten years of age and said to be from mashbill one with the rye replaced by amaranth. Said to be a one time release, this whiskey is bottled at 100 proof/50% ABV. With this all said, it was a little underwhelming and I expected more for the hype and price tags I’ve seen. Color: Deep Amber On the nose are notes of sweet cherries, brown butter, fresh red berries, honey, creamy vanilla, and charred oak. The palate is creamy and continues with notes of brown butter, sweet cherry pie, brown sugar, baking spices, oak tannins, and hints of cracked pepper. The finish is long and lingers, to what seems like forever, with more brown sugar, toasted nuts, vanilla, charred oak, and whatever sweetness is left fades.

Sassenach; a noun meaning outsider or stranger; Scottish Gaelic; circa 1700s. The Sassenach Blended Scotch Whisky is the brainchild of Scottish Actor Sam Heughan (Outlander) and Master Blender Michael Henry of Loch Lomond Distillery. Sam Heughan and Michael Henry bring their love of the Scottish Highlands to the rest of the world in the traditional Scottish way, crafting an exceptional whisky. The Sassenach is a symbol of the outsider, the nonconformist, and for those who construct their own journey. A unique blend, The Sassenach is a limited batch release comprised of Scottish single malt and grain whiskys that highlight the pure water and firm oak found in the hidden glens and ancient peaks of the Sottish Highlands. Wherever your journey may lead you, The Sassenach will keep you welcomed with the spirit of the Highlands. The Whisky The Sassenach Blended Scotch Whisky is a proud product of Scotland inspired by the Highland landscape. It is a unique spirit blended almost to perfection using carefully selected single malts that are between 9 and 20 years old. Those selected single malts are then paired with a 20-year-old Organic Single Grain Scotch Whisky to create an almost perfectly balanced whisky. The single malts are handpicked by Master Blender Michael Henry and are then blended and finished in Madeira Wine casks that add complexity and richness. Afterwards, the infusion of the 20-year-old Organic Single Grain Scotch Whisky strengthens the single malts and brings out more delicate subtle flavors that that continue to greet you with a warm welcome throughout your experience. The Sassenach is bottled quite elegantly at a smooth 46% ABV and will leave you wanting more. Color: Vibrant Gold Upon nosing, a blend of tart fruits, delicate perfume, and creamy sweetness greets you with a warm welcome. This wonderful concoction is accompanied by notes of citrus fruits, orange peel, honey, apricots, cocoa, buttercream, ripe peaches, and is lays heavily on the floral side. The fruitiness and floral notes are emboldened on the somewhat thick and complex palate with notes of orange zest, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, slight oakiness, and cracked pepper which balances out the sweetness beautifully. The finish is long and continues to welcome you to the spirit. The sweetness fades a little and gives way to some more vanilla, licorice, oak, and some lingering pepper.

Michter’s Distillery is dates back to the early years of the United States in a time when George Washington was leading an army, fighting for independence from Great Britain. originally named Bomberger’s, now Michters distillery primarily produced rye whiskey as it was common in that day. Being founded in Pennsylvania, it is said that George Washington even had stopped in during his travels to secure whiskey for his men. During and there after the prohibition, the distillery changed hands a few times ultimately leading to the founding of Michter’s in the 1950s. The Michter’s distillery as we know it has three locations for its operations. Among their line of products are bourbons, ryes, and of course American whiskey. Michter’s is known as a quality whiskey with good consistency. With careful applications and determination, Michter’s distillery strives to produce some of the best whiskies on the market. The Bourbon Michter's 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon is produced in Bardstown, KY. It is matured for at least 10 long years in charred American White Oak barrels. It is an annual single barrel release that may change year to year. The mashbill is undisclosed, however it is bottled at a pleasant 94.4 proof/47.2% ABV. Color: Delicate Amber The nose begins with a rich creamy butter aroma with hints of crème brûlée, roasted pecans, vanilla, caramel, maple syrup, and toffee. The palate is a little spicier with notes of all spice and pepper that gives way to caramel, vanilla, charred oak, candy apple, apple pie, and brown sugar. The finish is long and lingers for a while with some spiciness; notes of toffee, brown sugar, and oakiness are present until the end. Price: $120 DSRP/$250 Secondary

Wild Turkey was originally released in 1991 and since then there has been about 11 different batches. Each batch uses a single mashbill but is blended of different aged bourbons. The proof of the bourbon has ranged from the low 100s to the mid 120s. Although it competes with its brother Russell's Reserve, Wild Turkey is an amazing bourbon that is often overlooked. The Bourbon Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a small batch from the Wild Turkey line that is found in most areas around the US. It is a favorite among Wild Turkey lovers, as it is complex and full bodied. It is a blend of 6, 8, and 12 year bourbons. It has a mashbill comprised of 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley. Wild Turkey Rare Breed is bottled at 116.8 proof/58.4% ABV. Color: Auburn The nose begins with espresso notes then opens up to sweet aromas of vanilla, brown butter, burnt sugar, and banana bread. The palate is thick and oily with notes of baking spices, oak tannins, vanilla, tobacco, and graham cracker. The finish is long and has a strong leatheriness. The oak and spices continue.

Old Grand Dad Bottled in Bond is an expression from the Old Grand Dad Small Batch line produced by Jim Beam distillery. The whiskey dates back to the 1800’s when Meredith Basil Hayden Sr. was the lead distiller for what has, through the years, become Jim Beam. These whiskies are now considered “the olds”. The Bourbon Produced from Jim Beam Distillery in Cleremont Ky, Old Grand Dad Bottled in Bond is a high rye bourbon that matches traditional bourbon notes to the tee. The mashbill is comprised of 63% corn, 27% rye, and 10% malted barley. Old Grand Dad Bottled in Bond is bottled at 100 proof/50% ABV. this is a sleeper bourbon at the current price point. Well balanced and very enjoyable. Color: Straw Gold Although not very complex, there is quite a bit of depth in flavor. The nose begins with notes of a strong ethanol smell buts fades into sweet candied berries, vanilla, and brown sugar. The palate is well rounded with traditional bourbon notes of cinnamon, baking spices, graham crackers, vanilla, oak tannins, and is somewhat thin. The finish is long and lingers for a while with notes of cinnamon spice.

Willett distillery can trace its roots back to the 1600’s when the Willett family settled in Maryland just outside of What is now Washington DC. After a few generations the family moved to Kentucky and brought the Maryland style whiskey making process with them. From there, the Willett distillery has grown into one of the most famous and historical distilleries in Bardstown, Kentucky, where prominent bourbon production is done. The Whiskey Willett Straight Rye is matured for a minimum of 4 years and is bottle at different proof levels depending on the batch. The whiskey is blended by 2 different mashbills and bottled at cask strength. The bottle is tasted was 111.6 proof/55.8% ABV. Color: Delicate Amber This whiskey is full bodied and complex starting with wonderful rye notes of the nose. It begins with notes of coffee and oakiness, then gives way to sweeter notes of dark chocolate, dark cherry, vanilla, and a slight maple note. On the palate the sweetness intensifies with notes of rich dark chocolate, marshmallow, graham cracker, and caramel. Notes of spearmint, oak tannins, and rye spice arise on the back half that mix well and balance out the sweetness. The finish is long, with notes of intense oakiness, dark chocolate, and some tobacco.

Two friends, Orlin Sorensen and Brett Carlile, have set out to create the worlds best craft whiskey. Using advanced technologies and wisdom from their mentor David Pickerell, former Master Distiller for Maker’s Mark, Woodinville brings traditional bourbon distilling with advanced methods to create wonderful craft whiskies. The distillery manages everything in Washington State and using locally produced grains for their products. The Bourbon Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a small batch bourbon from Washington State.it is crafted using locally grown grains from the Omlin Family farm in Quincy, Washington. After distillation, the new spirit is barreled and matured in the Cascade Mountains where it is matured for 5 years enduring extreme temperature cycles to bring out more flavors from the wood. The barrels are toasted and heavily charred before being stored. The mashbill is 72% Corn, 22% Rye, and 6% Malted Barley and bottled at 90 proof/45% ABV. Color: Toasted Caramel This bourbon is rather sweet. It borders on being too sweet but is very consistent and has a great depth of flavors. On the nose are strong sweet hints of vanilla that remind me of creamy crème brûlée. The creamy vanilla then gives way to candied red berries, bubble gun, caramel, charred oak, and brown butter. The sweetness continues on the palate with notes of dark chocolate, oak, vanilla, sweet taffy, and is rather creamy with some oiliness. The finish is medium in length with lingering oakiness, caramel, and subtle spices arise.

A Smith Bowman Cask Strength Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the first release of their signature small batch whiskey but is uncut and non-chill filtered. Each batch is comprised of barrels hand selected by Master Distiller Brian Prewitt from the lower tiers in their Warehouses A1 and A. The whiskey is matured for a minimum of 10 long years in charred oak barrels and is bottled at cask strength of 141.1 proof/70.5 ABV. This whiskey may quite possibly be a new favorite for high proof lovers. Although the retail price is a little high, it is well worth a try. Color: Rich Auburn Upon nosing I was hit with a blast of the alcohol fumes, but after letting it breath for a few moments it opens up to rich and complex aromas. Notes of toasted oak and cedar open on the nose that give way to rich vanilla, maple syrup, brown butter, baking spices, caramel apple, and a slight cherry note. The palate is oh-so smooth and is not overwhelming at all. It does not drink like a dram that is 70% ABV but rather 55-60% ABV. Although very oily, it continues with notes of vanilla, brown sugar, toasted pecans, baking spices, cloves, and toasted oak. The finish is long and lingers for quite a while, but in an awesome way. The flavors of toasted oak, cloves, baking spices, and roasted pecans continue to linger long after the tasting. Adding water, I was able to detect more vanilla, caramel, and some candy apple. However, it mellowed the baking spice notes and some of the alcohol burn.