Tastes

Taste: 2oz. neat in glen cairn. Nose (4.5): Love the nose on this one! Cherry and vanilla dominates. If there is any flaw it may be that there is a slight hint of acetone/nail polish remover. It is not off putting but it takes what would be a 5 on the nose and moves it down just a tad. Palate:(5) Fantastic palate. The sweet cherries turn just a bit tart and smokey, caramel and oak come in after a strong hit of vanilla. You would never guess proof above 100 as this gives off hardly any ethanol hug. It is warming into your face and feels like a warming blush with a smile. The higher proof points amplifies the superior flavors and richness. It does not detract. This is really well done. Finish: (4.25) The sweetness gives way to dry oak and sweet tea. I would have liked those cherries a little more on the finish and maybe a little less dryness, but you can't win them all. Overall: Tremendous dram. Exceeded my expectations. One of the best I have had this year. It is a refined, gentlemanly sip with exceptional nuance. Only rough edge maybe the OF signature nail polish thing on the nose and the quick dryness on the finish. That oaky dryness though may be a plus for some enthusiasts. It does well to showcase the age.

Taste: Binny's Barrel pick #1808591, 4 years old, 1.5 oz neat in Glen Cairn. NOSE: (3.25) A bit light on the nose. Vanilla and caramel corn are dominant but not much else. The nose is good but there is not enough there to really draw me in. PALATE: (3.75) Palate is good. Definately above average. There is pastry with a sort of vanilla cream filling. Best way to describe is like a boston cream donut without the chocolate topping. There is some peaches in the background, and a bit of cherry pie on the back palate. Really nicely done for a younger straight bourbon. FINISH (3.75): The oak kicks up a notch on the finish. A bit of pepper and vanilla carry on. The finish for a 93 proof whiskey is pretty darn good OVERALL: This is one that really surprised me, and to the positive side. There are plenty of good flavors on the palate and nose. There is a youngness to it, but not that oily creamed corn taste that some new bourbons have. More of a popcorn ball. The flavors really play well together. I think if this was at a higher proof (100 maybe) and was in the oak longer it would go from above average to being a knockout. I did shy away from the higher proof, older limited release because of price BUT that may have just been what I am after. And there is the rub.....this was a well picked 4 yr old for 39.00 which is right on the money for what it is. The limited release however brings you into competition with the big boys, and for that I am really expecting alot. Big price to pay to take a chance on a sourced whiskey with not alot of time in the market. For this one though, Binny's really picked a nice barrel to introduce a newer brand in their store, kudos to them. Limestone Distillery will definately be one to watch. Steve Beam is definately no slouch in the game and the lineage and know how is showcased here. This bottle was an excellent bang for the buck, and I wouldn't shy away from buying this one

Taste: 2 oz in glen cairn neat and then 2 drops water. Nose (4.5): Delicious nose. Orchard fruits drizzled in caramel. Notes of leather like an old book study. There is a dustiness about it that is pleasing. Plenty of ethanol lets you know this will have a punch. The nose is strong an inviting. The first whiff is strong but let it sit and the nose is a treat. Palate (4.25): Wintergreen is on the front end. Surprises at first because I never got it on the nose. There is a hint of red raspberry on the mid palate that gives way to apples. The back palate is loads of spice and pepper. This is a spicy rye forward offering. Not for the faint of heart. Finish (4.0): Long and drying. The older bourbon really comes through here. Lots of old oak and hits of baking spice. My chief complaint is that it may be too drying. Finish was my least favorite part here. Overall: First, I like what Four Roses does. They batch from ten different recipes which are derived from 5 different mashbills and 2 yeast strains. Each single barrel is distinct on its own. This blend is a treat of some fine 15 and 11 year old whiskies and a 21 year old to boot! But you do "pay at the pump" so to speak. $165 retail is alot of commitment. If you are a Four Roses geek.....don't hesitate, buy it. If you are just getting your feet wet, experience the Single Barrel Select for way less first. Would I buy a second bottle- no. Was the experience worth it to me-- maybe. I really want to see how this one opens up.

Taste: Neat 2 oz in glen cairn, fresh bottle. This is Binny's barrel 12118 and bottle 173. Finished 1yr 4 months in brandy cask. Proof is 103.6 Nose (3.5): Butterscotch candy dominates. There is some lighter oak and ethanol that quickly gives way to red fruit. It is not the most complex but just enough to be different. Very straight forward and pleasing. Palate: (4.0) starts a bit sweeter with the brandy up front. Reminds me of my grandma's candy bowl--- good memories of gold butterscotch candy and caramel creams. Ripe red fruits come in and then a peppery hit surprises. Palate is more complex than the nose. This is interesting. Finish: (3.75) longer than I expected. A bit drying. Newer oak. When the pepper and oak fade you get just a bit of honey to close it out. Overall: This is interesting. Combining what feels to me like a more rye foward whiskey with the sweetness and richness of brandy is a hit. I like what is in this bottle! For 39.99 it will make you ask-- why have we not finished whiskey in brandy casks like this more often? It was on par with the newer releases of MWND ( post act 6) for me for half the price. Not as full and rich but definately digestif. If price were determining factor this is a 4. I try to judge the juice but you cannot ignore what this is at its extremely low price point. A single barrel finished pick for under 40???? You be the judge

Tasting: 2 oz neat in glen cairn, then 2 drops. This is a Binny's pick, Barrel #61. Nose (3.5): Vanilla and creamed corn. Tells me 2 things-- going to be a little young, and looking at some high corn in the mashbill likely. The nose is soft and inviting, just a little difficult to find. The corn I get reminds me of corn pops. Palate (3.75): Vanilla is forward but more in a custard with pie crust note. The mouthfeel is thicker. Corn pops are on the back end. It isn't off putting but is just a bit out of place. Very much on the sweeter side. Finish (3.75): where the palate was sweet, I now have found some pepper and oakiness to it. Was surprised at first because this hit me without warning. The sweetness doesn't fade or give way to spice like I enjoy, but instead of jumps out at you like a ghost in the dark. Overall: This is my first introduction to the brand. I love what Greg Metze has done in the past before Old Elk for mgp so I was juiced. Given that this was a picked barrel got me even more stoked. I can't say I was disappointed, but I can say I wasn't wowed. The balance was off-- too much treble, not enough bass so to speak. I think that 6 yrs may not have been enough. Everything about it was good individually but not enough cohesively. UPDATE ON 3/1: I stand by my above notes but I have a comparison for those interested....suspiciously this profile is really close to Stranahan's Yellow Label Single Barrel. I am wondering if they do not share sources.

Taste: Neat 2 oz. in a glen cairn with and without water. Background: This is a Binny's barrel pick that is 14 years old! It is not cask strength, but at the cut 120 proof I would guess very close to it. Nose: (4.75) upfront caramel, vanilla, oak, and some heat. The ethanol is present but not overly done. No disguising this is a serious bourbon. Palate (4.75): The vanilla and caramel melds wonderfully. I am immediately reminded of caramel cream, "bullseye" candy. The mouthfeel is buttery and soft. There is a chewy, butterscotchiness at the back palate. Wonderful taste with super good balance. Just a hint of Beam peanuts towards the end makes this a liquid ice cream sundae without loosing its alcohol oomph. Finish (5.0): Oak, brown sugar,butterscotch, vanilla, and browned butter that lasts for days. It is the kind of finish that makes you want more. I like that a lot. This is how a bourbon needs to finish. Overall: Tasted this along side Little Book #3, KC Silver Anniversary, and Booker's Centercut in a blind pour. Here is how I picked it-- KC Binny's, Center Cut, 25th Anniversary, and Little Book. That said ALL 4 of these bottles are absolutely outstanding! I think what draws me most to the Binny's pick is the incredibly rich balance this achieved. I may be biased, but with the exception of Basil Hayden's and the shelf Jim Beam white label (and even that is a good rail whiskey), I find most of these KC picks, one time releases, and Booker's to be truly exceptional.

Taste: 2 oz. neat in glen cairn glass, then 3 drops of water. Nose (4.75): Luscious and fragrant. Crispy green apples, caramel, and brown sugar. The nose is Fall like and inviting. Palate (4.5): Buttered rye bread, browned butter, apple, and nutmeg. Spice comes in on the back end. The feel is creamy and coating. This is a rich, tasty rye. Water detracts in my opinion and brings about some bitter notes. Finish (4.75): Nutmeg, cinnamon stick, apple pie spices. Long and lingering. Finishes with that buttered rye bread note. Overall: I am not a huge fan of the regular straight rye. I find it just ok as my main complaint is that it is a bit thin and kind of singular. This one is totally different. It is rich, lush, buttery, and the nose immediately reminded me of being in an apple orchard at harvest. There were so many good flavors that just seemed to play well with each other and pop. A little background here- this is likely NOT MGP but from Alberta Canada and definately bottled in Vermont. Among all the fancy labels on the bottle there is suspiciously no mention of "distilled in/by" anywhere on the bottle. Don't let that in any way dissuade you. If this is what quality single barrel, cask strength rye from our neighbors to the north tastes like, then count me in!

Taste: 1oz sample neat in glen cairn, and then as the base spirit in old fashioned. Nose (3.0) Fresh churned butter, caraway seed, fresh meadow flowers. Palate: (3.75) Mouthfeel is smooth, rich, and buttery. Brown sugar comes forward and some cherries with a dab of clover honey. No rough edges on this, maybe but a bit timid. Finish: (3.0) Lacks proof when neat so it is a quicker finish as compared to some of my more favorite barrel proof or close to it, American rye cousins. It stays together though with a nice balance all the way through. Overall: Neat it is a bit underproofed and doesnt have those bold flavors I appreciate in a spicy barrelproof rye. More sweet to me. I don't dislike that, just throws me off a bit as it is a rye more like a corn forward whiskey. That said, my expertise in Canadian Rye is limited but I would like to explore it more. But what it isn't as a neat drinker it IS as a base for an old fashioned. Sweet without being cloying, enough spice to let you know you have some rye in there, and finely buffed edges that blend well with bitters, orange, and sugar. Garnish with luxardo cherries and it is hard NOT to make the perfect old fashioned.

Taste: Neat 1.5 oz in glen cairn Nose (3.25): Sweet corn and bbq sauce dominate. It is a pleasing nose but the sweet corn aroma suggests this to be young. Makes me skeptical that this might be one that wash rushed to market and needs more barrel time. I hoped that it would not further fall apart. Palate (4.25) Where I felt the nose was young, I felt the palate the tale of two cities! Super interesting. It is the best of sourmash (sweet yellow butterscotchy candies from grandma's candy bowl) and toasted finishing (campfire marshmallows, smokey embers). Where I wasn't bowled over by the nose, the palate made me want it more. Finish (3.75) I get a pleasant bbq sauce and s'mores sans chocolate. Wish it were longer but this was really good while it lasted. Overall: Showcased the best of both worlds- sweet, corny, butterscotchy sourmash and that campfire toastiness with a woody smokehouse flavor on the back end. This is one I would absolutely LOVE to taste at a barrel proof. It is intriguing but is not the best balance. I like it better than toasted bourbon, but not as sophisticated as toasted rye in 2017

Taste: This is Binny's select #8094. Warehouse #1, Floor 6, Rick 20. Barreled on 10/15/12, selected 5/24/2019. NAS but thought to be 6 yrs. 5 mos by the math at 115 proof. 2 oz, Glen cairn neat, then 2 drops. Nose: (4.0) Toasty buttered rye bread. There is some oakiness here as well. Caramel lies in the background to keep you guessing. Ethanol is on the nose with the slightest hint of vanilla bean. I like traditional rye, and this one calls to me. Palate: (4.0) Sweeter than the nose hints at. Think Baker's here. Baking spices dominate with a cereal bar-grain backing that up. There is some bitterness that is easily tempered by a drop or two. That comes on towards the end, so I address it here but could have in the finish. Finish: (4.0) Long, brawny and buttery. It lingers with a nice baking spice kick. A bit tannic, but rye lovers will dig that. Bourbon lovers will find the finish the reason they prefer bourbon and not rye. Overall: A well done and traditional rye. It has no regrets and does not try one bit to disguise what it is-- well aged, straight up, no frills, kick you in the taste buds rye! My comparison is the #2 Cask strength which was exceptional. This is a definate "get a bottle" of this offering. Cheers!