America | Page 11 | NYC Whiskey Review

Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old

May 21, 2020 America

Name: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old

Color: Copper brown

Nose: Sharp, vanilla, corn, oak, dark fruit

Taste: Sweet corn, vanilla, oak, cream

Review:

Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a classic Kentucky bourbon whisky. Russell’s bourbon is made by the father & son combo Jimmy and Eddie Russell of the Wild Turkey Distillery. It is boasted that together, they have 90 years of experience distilling bourbon.Bottled at 90 proof it has a bit of a kick on the nose and tastes good, but not great. Add a little water and it softens, with ice it is a bit better. After a few sips I concluded that this would be better suited as a cocktail mixer. Bourbon’s like Russell’s Reserve 10 are fine and worth the money but they taste better in the summer, on a back porch in Kentucky with a cigar and friends. I did hope that those 90 years of experience might yield a better product. This one will end up in my decanter for bourbon on my bar and will be used in my Old Fashions.

Price around $45 and is ok/good, but I think the Makers 46 is smoother and would make a better cocktail mixer.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Four Roses – Single Barrel

May 19, 2020 America

Name: Four Roses Single Barrel

Color: Brown

Nose: Spice, vanilla, fruit

Taste: Dark fruits, spice, vanilla, little oak

Review:

I enjoyed Four Roses Single Barrel in Kentucky, outdoors under and oak tree with a fine cigar. At the time, I had to dispense life advice to my college roommates 15-year-old son. Note to self and anyone reading, do not drink bourbon and give a teenager advice. The truth about life can scare them!

This bourbon is “straight bourbon whisky” which by law, must be aged in new charred white oak barrels that can only be used once to obtain this title. It is a “single barrel bourbon” which means that that a series of bottles are filled from only one barrel, hence the number on the label. Some people think this is better, others do not. You can be the judge. I have not yet tried the same whisky side by side with different barrel number.

Four Roses was once known as a low grade crap whisky. Over the last few decades it has had a re-birth and is now producing quality bourbons. If you are in Kentucky, need a gift for a someone, or just want to add a bourbon to your bar this would be a good one to purchase.

Priced around $45 and worth the money.

If you like it, drink it. – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Jack Daniels Old No. 7 Whiskey

May 14, 2020 America

Name: Jack Daniels Old No. 7 Whiskey

Color: Brown

Nose: Sweet, light smoke, spices

Taste: Banana peels, nuts, caramel

Review:

Jack Daniels a popular whiskey that you might have heard about in your life time. Jack Daniels, aka “JD” or “Jack” as it is sometimes known is not a bourbon. It is a Tennessee whiskey made up of 80% corn, 12% rye, and 8% malt. The whiskey is filtered through sugar, maple and charcoal which gives it unique taste profile. The label is iconic and is replicated for numerous type of products other than whiskey. It is said that no one knows what Old No.7 really means on the label. I say, who gives a shit. It is just romancing marketing.

Jack Daniels and Frank Sinatra are together in the photo because this week marks the anniversary of the passing of Frank Sinatra. I once heard, “Frank was never without Jack” or something along those lines. Frank Sinatra was born in Hoboken, NJ and started his career in NYC. Due to Sinatra’s great love of Jack Daniels the company makes a Jack Daniels Sinatra Edition Whiskey. I have not tried it but I have been told it is much smoother than the basic Jack Daniels, but it comes at a high price.

Jack Daniels is good for mixing or cooking but I find unpleasant to drink straight or on the rocks.

Priced around $30 and it’s not my cup of whiskey.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Tin Cup American Whiskey

May 12, 2020 America

Name: Tin Cup American Whiskey

Color: Brown

Nose: Spices, white fruits, citrus, honey

Taste: Spice, rye, apple fruit, caramel

Review:

Tin Cup American Whiskey originates from Denver, Colorado and is a nice whiskey that I got a small taste of recently while helping on a tasting panel and I just picked up a bottle at Shoprite in Hoboken.

Tin Cup is a sourced whiskey a blend of high rye bourbon from Indiana and Colorado single malt whiskey that is cut with Rocky Mountain water. The mash bill is corn, rye and malted barley and is aged 4 years in American white oak barrels with number 3 char. Rocky mountain water may seem special but take it from me (engineer), any type of water can be recreated now with modern technology. Hard water, software, mineral based, salted, etc. can be made by scientist/engineer in a warehouse with the right equipment. Coors Light is made from Rocky Mountain water and tastes like shit, so I do not buy into that sales pitch.

Tin Cup is made by Jess Graber who co-founded Stranahan’s and similar to Stranahan’s there is a jigger on the top. I think that is a nice touch to keep you from drinking straight from the bottle. I like to joke that the jigger on Stranahan’s bottles must be $30 of the price of the bottle because their whisky is not cheap. Due to the taste, I am taking an educated guess that the single malt whiskey that is used is Stranahan’s because this whiskey is nice stuff!

This whisky is surprisingly good for the price (and you can see I am enjoying it). It works neat or on the rocks and I am sure it works well in a cocktail. It has been a while since I have been impressed with a whiskey in this price range. (See Tomatin 12)

Price around $35 and well worth the price.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Colonel E.H. Taylor Straight Rye

May 7, 2020 America

Name: Colonel E.H. Taylor Straight Rye

Color: Light gold

Nose: Floral, vanilla, oak

Taste: Vanilla, oak, lemon, and caramel

Review:

I tried Colonel E.H. Taylor Straight Rye last week when I was in Cincinnati at Lackman Bar in the Over the Rhine (ORT) District. If you are in Cincinnati in the future I recommend a visit the ORT. The area has been revamped over the years and there are a lot of nice bars and restaurants of various styles and flavors.

I have seen this whiskey on social media a lot in the last few months so I thought I would give it a try. A pour was $15 in Ohio dollars so that means it is probably $23-25 in NYC dollars. I was pleasantly surprised at the taste and enjoyed it. My friend was shocked at what I spent but I had to laugh as he has forgotten the cost of drinks on his last trip to NYC.

E.H. Taylor comes from Buffalo Trace Distillery, who also supplies Bulleit for most of their products. If you are not familiar with Buffalo Trace, it is a solid whiskey and a main stop on the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky. Buffalo Trace is also popular overseas in the United Kingdom and Europe. I see it on almost every bar shelf from London to Glasgow and from Munich to Madrid.

The bottle is a bit tall and long so if you have a short shelf keep that in mind. I do like the look and label of the bottle. I feel if you are displaying bottles on your bar at home you need to have a few colorful ones in the crowd.

Quick lesson; “Bottle in Bond” means the whiskey is a product of one distillery in one distillation season by one distiller. It is matured in a Federally Bonded warehouse for 4 years. In short, you are not drinking poison, you are drinking whiskey made by the letter of the law.

Priced around $65 I will be looking to pick up a bottle soon.

If you like it, drink it!

New Riff Bourbon 4 Year Old

April 14, 2020 America

Name: New Riff Bourbon 4 Year Old

Color: Orange Brown

Nose: Vanilla, caramel, oak, spice

Taste: Vanilla, caramel, rye spice, dark berries, and orange

Review:

A few weeks ago I enjoyed some and perhaps, a little too much New Riff Bourbon in my friends back yard on my annual trip to Kentucky for the Fall horse races.

New Riff Bourbon is produced by the New Riff Distiller that located in Newport, KY on the Ohio River adjacent to Cincinnati. New Riff was founded by Ken Lewis who used to own The Party Source next door in the same plaza. It is my understanding that you can’t produce and distribute in Kentucky so he sold the store to start the distillery.

New Riff Bourbon is a bottle and bonded bourbon and distilled at 100 proof with 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley (all non GMO) and non-chilled filtered. The water is sources from the Ohio River Aquifer below the distillery. The bottle and bonded means it is aged for four years and quality measures have been followed.

Sales have started in August 2018 and there was/is a limit of 6 bottles per customer but I am seeing online in some bars here in NYC.

New Riff Distillery has multiple spirits for purchase which are bourbon, rye, and gin. They also have tours which vary from $10-$35 a ticket and the times vary. They have a reception area, small bar for cocktails, and merchandise. The distillery is located at 24 Distillery Way, Newport, KY and is in the same plaza with the The Party Source which has plenty of drinks, cigars and supplies.

Price around $50 in Kentucky, not sure of the price here but it is worth the money.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Jefferson’s Ocean Bourbon

April 7, 2020 America

Name: Jefferson’s Ocean Bourbon

Color: Brown

Nose: Caramel, vanilla

Taste: Rye spice, citrus, vanilla, light pepper

Review:

Jefferson’s Ocean bourbon first came to my attention when I saw printed advertisements on the subway here in NYC. When I read “Aged at Sea….” I thought to myself “That looks interesting….and a bit gimmicky”. My gut reaction was right. It is gimmicky.

On my previous review of Jefferson’s Small Batch, I noted they source their bourbon rather than distill their own whiskey. As I have learned, and maybe some people do not realize, anyone who sources their whiskey and does not have a long history of distilling needs marketing to sell their product. Calling Mr. Draper! Calling Mr. Don Draper of Madison Ave. for a new method of creation and a romantic story. See below to summarize advertisement and marketing.

Jefferson states that the air, temperature and movement at sea creates a more unique flavor to the bourbon. For a bourbon that spends months at sea I did not get much of a marine, salt, or brine taste. Unlike Old Putney that has a sea/salt taste to it and Penderyn Madeira that has a wow factor, Jefferson’s Ocean had neither. To be honest, I am glad I did not get a sea salt taste. I have serious doubts about sea salt taste in a Kentucky Bourbon.

Jefferson’s Ocean is a nice, rich tasting bourbon but it is nothing mind blowing. In the end, you are paying for the price of the ship storage at sea and the gimmicky marketing.

Price around $75 and it is overpriced for the flavor profile.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Michter’s Unblended American Whiskey

March 31, 2020 America

Name: Michter’s Unblended American Whiskey

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Candy sweet, spice, and vanilla

Taste: Caramel, vanilla, fruits and butterscotch

Review:

This whisky is titled “Unblended American” rather than “Bourbon” because it is aged in bourbon-soaked barrels instead of new charred American white oak, therefore, it cannot be called Bourbon. (Just a little whisky knowledge for you)

I first tried this whisky at Maysville in the Flatiron District of NYC while having a drink with Robin Robinson and I was very surprised at how nice it tasted. Michter’s has done a great job creating this whisky. It has a butterscotch finish, which may sound too sweet, but is soft and lovely on the tongue. I have since added this bottle to my bar and handed samples out to people that do not drink whisky. I have learned that non-whisky drinkers enjoy the taste even if they opt not to have a full pour.

This whisky to me is more of a summer whisky on the rocks than a Winter whisky served neat. Priced around $45.00 it is a great value.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

J. Rieger Kansas City Whiskey

February 4, 2020 America

Name: J. Rieger Kansas City Whiskey

Color: Light brown

Nose: Sherry, caramel, spices

Taste: Light burn, caramel, sweetness

Review:

When I am up in the midtown area of NYC I like to visit Park Ave Liquor Store. Recently I visited the store and samples of Kansas City Whiskey by J. Rieger Distiller were being offered. I had heard of this distillery from the Whisky Cast Podcast and I was interested to sample it.

It is worth a quick mention; I never buy anything at this store. I just like to be absolutely shocked at the ridiculous prices. They do carry some high end stuff and display some impressive bottles in their street window, but their average bottles retail cost is far too high. As for the street window luxury displays, mark my words, there will be a smash and grab job one day.

Kansas City Whiskey is a blend of straight bourbon, light corn, straight rye, and a small amount of 15-year-old Oloroso Sherry. The whiskey is aged at least 4 years. I asked about the age of the whiskey versus the distillery and I was informed they were sourcing the raw product. Since the whiskey is young I asked about other spirits they produced. Similar to other small distilleries who need to keep the revenue coming in as the whiskey ages, they produce gin, vodka, Caffe Amaro (coffee liquor), and specialty releases.

This whiskey has a nice flavor and I would definitely enjoy it in my Old Fashions or Manhattans cocktails when I am out or at home. If you haven’t yet tried increasing the quality of your whiskey for cocktails I strongly recommend it. I realize people think, “What’s the point of spending the extra money?” I used to think the same way. The point is, it’s worth it for the taste! Enjoying a cocktail in the comfort of your own home with higher quality whiskey is worth every penny.

Priced at approximately $45 it is good and I will be adding to my bar at home.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Backbone Bourbon

November 6, 2019 America

Name: Backbone Bourbon

Color: Copper

Nose: Oak, orange spice, nutmeg

Taste: Vanilla, orange, spices

Review:

Backbone Bourbon is distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana and is bottled in Bardstown, Kentucky. It is a cask strength bourbon at 113 proof, officially non-aged stated, but is aged approximately 4 years. The mash bill is 70% corn, 25% rye, and 5% malted barley. The bottled I sampled was Batch #14 and was distilled on July 2008 and bottled on October 2016.

The name “Backbone” comes from the saying that the Midwest of America is the “Backbone of America”. It is a romantic description of hard-working people coming home each night for a glass of bourbon. It sounds nice, but people coming home for a bourbon each evening was a big complaint of the Tempest Women who were the catalyst of Prohibition. Gotta love that marketing!
The overall taste profile is tight and young with no real mellowness to the bourbon. Add a little water and it is a bit easier to drink. Backbone would be better for a cocktail not to drink neat.

Price around $60 and I was not very impressed. I would recommend Maker’s Cask Strength or Bulleit 10 at this price point and proof.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old

Four Roses – Single Barrel

Jack Daniels Old No. 7 Whiskey

Tin Cup American Whiskey

Colonel E.H. Taylor Straight Rye

New Riff Bourbon 4 Year Old

Jefferson’s Ocean Bourbon

Michter’s Unblended American Whiskey

J. Rieger Kansas City Whiskey

Backbone Bourbon

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