America | NYC Whiskey Review

Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey – Revisited 2025

April 16, 2025 America

Name: Blantons’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey – Revisited 2025

Color: Brown

Nose: Spices, caramel, vanilla, orange

Taste: Charred oak, vanilla, honey finish, slight burn

The revisited series is a look back on reviews from a few years ago with more knowledge and experience. This week’s review is a look back on Blanton’s Bourbon review I posted in 2022.

Blanton’s Bourbon is a “single barrel” bourbon that spends 8 years in white oak barrels that have been toasted to a #4 char rating. The mash bill is estimated to be 51% corn with 15% rye, however, the exact figures are not released from the distillery. The term “single barrel” means that each bottle comes from an individual aged barrel instead of from multiple blended barrels. The bottle label lists the date, warehouse, barrel, location, etc. which is different to almost all whiskies. To summarize, one barrel will produce a limited number of bottles from that specific barrel.

For the TV and movies fans, you might recognize Blanton’s because of the unique bottle shape. If you have watched the TV show “Justified” or you have seen the movies John Wick I & II you will see Blanton’s being drank. In Justified, which took place in South Eastern Kentucky, the US Marshall’s sipped it in their office. In John Wick, Keanu Reeves prefers bourbon to pain meds after he takes a beating fighting from fellow hitmen.

What I thought in 2022:

One thing I really like about Blanton’s (besides the taste) is the bottle. The octagonal shape and cork with racehorse and jockey stand out among other bottles of bourbon. The combination of single barreling, the taste and the bottle style make a great gift for yourself or someone else. Price around $50-60 it is well worth the price.

What I think in 2025:

I am not overly impressed any longer with Blanton’s as the taste profile came across very flat and dry. It is a different kind of bourbon, but over the years since its explosion in popularity I no longer find Blanton’s worth the price for the taste. This glass cost me $14 in Cape Cod, but I have seen bottles up to $250 in stores in NYC, and that is if you can find it. It was perfectly fine at the $60 price but now it is just not worth it to me.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Founders’ Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey

April 10, 2025 America

Name: Founders’ Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey

Color: Copper

Nose: Rye, spices, dry wood, dark fruits

Taste: Rye, spices, oak, cherries

Founders’ Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey is produced by Smooth Ambler, which is located in Maxwelton, West Virgina. I was not familiar with this distillery and this is the second bottle gifted to me by good friend Sam Dean.

Founders’ Cask Strength Straight Rye is aged for 6 years and bottled at 62.9% abv. The mash bill is 88% rye and 12% malted barley. They rye and strength of the whiskey very strong and too strong for me to drink neat or on the rocks, with one exception.

On my first taste I could only think was, “Holy shit has this stuff got some kick to it!”. I need to add some water to get the flavors to come out. Once my mouth calmed down, I tried again, and it was still a very strong rye and was for cocktails only. I tried it in a couple of old fashions and they were strong, but not as flavorful as Sagamore Cask Strength Rye. Founders just did not have a the same balance of flavors, so Sagamore is still number one for my rye cocktails.

The one exception…..When you are having a shitty day, chopping oak logs, you split the axe handle you can easily drink Founders’ neat or on the rocks. Trust me on this one.

Priced around $60 and very strong rye, but not as smooth as I would like it in a cocktail. I look forward to trying more of the expressions from Smooth Ambler.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Old Scout Straight Bourbon Whiskey

April 2, 2025 America

Name: Old Scout Bourbon Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Color: Copper

Nose: Corn/rye, barley, vanilla, orange

Taste: Corn, barley, vanilla, orange, sugar-spice

Old Scout Bourbon is produced by Smooth Ambler, which is located in Maxwelton, West Virginia. I was not familiar with this distillery and this bottle was a gift from my good friend Sam Dean.

On my first taste I found the bourbon a little hot and lacking body structure, it just tasted very light. The overall taste is a little rough, but I think that is due to the rye. The finish was decent and I expected it would work better in a cocktail and I was correct. This bourbon is not really a sipper. It works fine on the rocks but better in an old fashioned as the high proof holds the flavor longer.

Old Scout Bourbon is bottled at 49.5% abv and is non-chilled filtered. The mash bill is 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley, however, the corn was more forward tasting, and the rye gave it a little spice, but not too much.

Priced around $40 and a decent bourbon for cocktails. I look forward to trying more of their expressions.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Discretion Single Barrel Select Whiskey

January 1, 2025 America, Japan

Name: Discretion Single Barrel Select Whiskey

Color: Brown

Nose: Corn/malt, oak, vanilla, cherry

Taste: Corn/malt, vanilla, spices, light oak

Discretion Single Barrel Select is produced by Tarnished Truth Distillery in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The distillery is located in the Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach and states that it is “the first and only distillery in a hotel in the United States…” . They have been in operation since 2013 and was founded by Andrew Yancey and Bruce Thompson.

My friend Sam brought this bottle to me to try and to be honest, I was not expecting much from this whiskey. I thought the name sounded goofy. It reminded me of Larceny or 10^th Mountain Man, but I ended up being very surprised. The balance was good, the flavors were nice, and at 60.3% abv I was surprised it all came together when I tasted it. The mash bill is 70% corn, 18% wheat, and 12% malted barley; however, the malt was more forward than the corn or wheat to my palate. It was smoother than I expected for the proof and I would have liked to try it in an Old Fashioned. If I am every in the Virginia Beach area, I will make it a point to stop by the Cavalier Hotel and order one.

Other expressions: Discretion, Discretion Bottle In-bond, Single Barrel, Tarnished Truth, High Rye Single Barrel, AVA Vodka, Moonshine, Old Cavalier, Fourth Handle Gin, and Old Cavalier Bourbon Cream.

Priced around $50 and a good whiskey. I look forward to trying more of their expressions.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Black Dirt Bourbon – Batch #011

December 26, 2024 America

Name: Black Dirt Bourbon – Batch #011

Color: Brown

Nose: Carmel, toffee, vanilla

Taste: Smooth, vanilla, toffee, easy finish with little burn

I visited the Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery in Warwick, NY over the weekend to pick apples and sample their wine and beer. Upon my arrival, and to my great delight I discovered they also served their own whiskey. The bar adjacent to the gift shop inside serves and sells beer, wine and whiskey by the glass or bottle. I ordered the Bourbon #011 and received a “healthy” pour for $8. I was very surprised how smooth it tasted for its age.

The Black Dirt Bourbon Batch #011 is aged 3 years and 4 months in new American Oak barrels charred to levels 3 and 4. The mash bill is 80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye. The whiskey is 45% abv and the name “Black Dirt” refers to the fertile soil in the farming area. I would not have gone with “black dirt” from a marketing standpoint, but to each their own. The Warwick Distillery produces several different types of spirit in various size bottles. Other products produced; single barrel bourbon, crown maple bourbon, apple jack brandy, gin, wines (white and red), cider beers, and dessert wines.

Let me be clear, the whiskey was not “amazingly good”, but for a 3 year old bourbon styled whiskey it was a lot better than I was expecting. When it comes to small craft distilleries there has been a massive boom in the last decade. There are 65 distilleries in New York State (not all whiskey) and over 1,100 in America and growing. Personally, I like to support local businesses in a world full of corporate conglomerate controlled products.

Priced at $40 per bottle, it could be considered a bit expensive for a 3-year-old bourbon styled whiskey. However, I liked it, I enjoyed it so I bought it. And now I will now drink it!

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Rye

November 13, 2024 America

Name: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Rye

Color: Copper

Nose: Rye, spices, wood, vanilla, orange

Taste: Rye, caramel, vanilla, oak, light spice

Jack Daniel’s has departed from their usual mash bill and classic Tennessee Whiskey flavor with their first rye whiskey and they went heavy on the rye. The Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Rye mash bill is 70% Rye, 18% Corn, and 12% Barley. It is aged in new charred oak, is non-aged stated, and bottled at 47% abv.

On my first taste of this whiskey, I enjoyed the flavor. On my second taste I got the class Jack on the backend, but the rye spice masked it well. I found this rye hard to nose and this is probably due to the high amount of rye in the mash. As anyone who reads my reviews or knows me I really dislike Jack Daniels. However, I must be fair and try them as they come my way. Overall, this expression was pretty good. Next time I try this one I will have it in an Old Fashioned to see how it tastes.

Priced around $50+ and not bad for a rye whiskey from Jack Daniel’s. I believe Frank Sinatra would have enjoyed this one!

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Taconic Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup

October 24, 2024 America

Name: Taconic Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup

Color: Brown

Nose: Maple, wood, caramel

Taste: Maple sugar, oak, light bourbon, caramel

Taconic Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup is the second item that came in the gift box that I received from Taconic Distillery. The syrup came with their Dutchess Private Reserve Bourbon which I reviewed last month and I am almost out off.

The maple syrup is sourced in New York (support local business!) and is matured in bourbon barrels. The syrup is medium bodied and not too thick or overly sweet. The bourbon flavor is hard to detect when cold but is there when the syrup gets to room temperature. I tasted it neat and then determined it would be better on my waffles. I think that it might be hard to taste any bourbon if there was fruit on my waffles or on pancakes. Note for the parents; the syrup does not taste like bourbon so your children can enjoy it too.

The bottle size is 375ml and you need to refrigerate it after opening. I recommend you take the syrup out of the refrigerator before you use it on your breakfast or in your Taconic Whiskey Sour.

Price around $40 for two bottles (online store price) and worth the money if you like maple syrup.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

George Remus Batch Rye

July 25, 2024 America

Name: George Remus Batch Rye

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Rye, spices, white pepper, orange

Taste: Rye spice, white pepper, orange, light wood

I sampled George Remus Batch Rye #002 whiskey not too long ago at my friends home in Northern Kentucky. For some reason Bourbon and Rye always taste better in Kentucky and Scotch tastes better in Scotland.It must be something in the air.

There is a lot of interesting history about George Remus but I will give you the short version. He was born in 1878 in Germany and immigrated to America as a child. He became a lawyer in Chicago and became a defender of arrested bootleggers. He did well for himself with his clients as found numerous loopholes in the Volstead Act. One loophole was to get liquor prescribed by doctors legally and the shipping it in his own fleet of trucks. Smart, eh? He the realized there was more money in booze than law so he move from Chicago to Cincinnati and became a bootlegger. He did so well finically that the book The Great Gatsby was rumored to be based on him. He died in 1952 in Covington, Kentucky.

Now, the whiskey….Remus Rye is good but very spicy. It is not a straight drinker, but the balance of flavors and spices is good for a cocktail. There is a flavor in the taste profile that I can not figure out. It has a coconut or oak wood thing going on. I hope my friend still has some when I get back to KY in the fall.

Priced around $50 and good for a rye cocktail.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Larceny Bourbon

July 18, 2024 America

Name: Larceny Bourbon

Color: Light brown

Nose: Corn, vanilla, oak/wood, white pepper

Taste: Corn, wood, dark fruits (cherry), vanilla, honey

Larceny Bourbon is basic whiskey from Kentucky that claims to have “Origins in the history of the Old Fitzgerald brand…..”. Translation: “We distilled some cheap stuff for you to drink, but we needed some old Kentucky Bourbon romantic brand name story in the tag line to sell this stuff you…”

A few years ago, I was in Louisville, Kentucky and was talking with Cop about bourbon and the bourbon trail tours. The conversation went like this:

Chris

“What bourbon do you prefer to drink?”

Cop:

“I like Larceny.”

Chris:

“Why?”

Cop:

“Because it’s drinkable”.

The bourbon is bottled at 92 proof and the mash bill favors more to wheat than rye which yields a softer flavor profile. The nose is a young and tight and the flavor is similar. A little water opens in up and it would work fine as a summer drinker or a cocktail mixer.

Priced around $30 and I agree with the Cop, it’s drinkable.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Stranahan’s Snowflake Whiskey (2021 edition)

July 11, 2024 America

Name: Stranahan’s Snowflake Whiskey (2021 edition)

Color: Copper

Nose: Light malt, dry sherry, dark fruits

Taste: Light malt, sweet sherry, mix of unique flavors

Stranahan’s Whiskey was founded in 2004 and it is located at 200 S. Kalamath St. Denver, CO. The distillery/visitor center is in an industrial park and has a simple outdoor seating area with a nice view of the mountains. The inside bar has a modern rustic wood design with seating for around 75 people. The bar serves whiskey, flights, cocktails, and the retail store sells bottles and merchandise. The staff is very friendly with that easy going Colorado vibe.

The Snowflake is very nice tasting, smooth, and well-balanced whiskey. It is almost too smooth as a whiskey like this can be finished by two people in one sitting. I have heard stories of people who sleep outside for a couple of days to be early in line to get a bottle. I find this a little bit too extreme, but to each their own.

From my research Snowflake is 100% malted barley, aged 4 to 8 years in new white American Oak barrels at a #3. It is then transferred to a variety of barrels for finishing. These barrels are listed as sherry, rum, tequila, cognac, and “others”. This finishing in multiple barrels is the reason I list it as a “mix of unique flavors”. I had a difficult time detecting trying to determine each one during tasting.

Other expressions produced: Original, Blue Peak, Mountain Angel 10 Year, Snowflake, Diamond Peak, Sherry Cask, Single Barrel, and other special releases. The whiskeys that really impressed me are the Snowflake, Sherry Cask, and Cask Strength.

Priced around $125 and is an excellent whiskey. Not sure if you can find this expression in the stores as a limited amount is produced each year.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey – Revisited 2025

Founders’ Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey

Old Scout Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Discretion Single Barrel Select Whiskey

Black Dirt Bourbon – Batch #011

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Rye

Taconic Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup

George Remus Batch Rye

Larceny Bourbon

Stranahan’s Snowflake Whiskey (2021 edition)

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