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Bardstown – The Prisoner #2

November 2, 2022 America

Name: Bardstown – The Prisoner #2

Color: Brown

Nose: Corn, vanilla, citrus, root beer, dry wood (amber wood)

Taste: Earthy, dirt, honey, vanilla

Bardstown Bourbon Company is from Bardstown, Kentucky and it is a relatively new company compared with others from the region. I learned they are “a new blend of bourbon makers pushing the boundaries through innovation” and “a modern Napa Valley styled facility with food paring…on the new 1,000-acre property…combo of distillery, visitor center, rickhouses, and active farm”. I visited the distillery in April 2021 and it is impressive. It makes some other visitor centers feel tiny in comparison. The company states $25 million was spent on the property, but it appears they spent much more. I hoped to sample some of the expensive expressions, but they were only available for purchase.

The Prisoner #2 has a dryer nose/taste than any other expression I have sampled from the distillery. It has a very flat and earthy dirt flavor that heavily masks the other flavors. I do not know if it is the Tennessee corn that I am not enjoying, but this was not that enjoyable for me.

As stated on the bottle label:

Origin = Tennessee
Age = 10 years
Mash Bill = 84% Corn, 8% Rye, 8% Malted Barley
50%abv / 100 proof

I was overall unimpressed with this expression, especially at the price. The bartender at the distillery told me they were “selling out of this amazing whiskey”. I thought to myself, “This kinda smells like bullshit”. I would have loved to go into the back room or warehouse to see how many cases they had left. A tip for you on my experience on anything a seller is running out of, don’t believe them. You will know when someone is running out of something when the price goes up significantly or you can’t find it on the self.

Priced around $125+ and not enjoyable due to the flavor profile.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Opinions Vary: Neat or on the Rocks

October 26, 2022 America

Opinions Vary: Neat or on the Rocks

Following up on my Opinions Vary: Cask Strength I wanted to give my thoughts on enjoying whiskey “Neat” or “On the Rocks”.

On the Rocks makes sense to most people as it is on ice. The term “neat” comes from somewhere at sometime and has a history that I can’t figure out, but it sounds cool when you say it in a bar ordering your whiskey.

I believe that a good whiskey, which is subject your opinion, needs nothing more than a glass. I have found that ice can really ruin the enjoyment of a good whiskey. If you are drinking whiskey over 18 years old (and sometimes younger), it usually has been created with care and balanced very well for taste. Why ruin it with ice?

With many whiskeys it can be a crap shoot. A whiskey on ice may be nice, but the ice melts and waters down the whiskey. It affects the taste, weakens it, and makes it easier to drink. I find this a problem when drinking bourbon on the rocks. The sweetness of the corn mash becomes easier to consume and you end up drinking too much too quickly.

Many years ago watched Anthony Bourdain on No Reservations drinking his favorite whiskey on the rocks. From what I remember, he was in Brooklyn and he was drinking Pappy Van Winkle 23-Year-Old in some hipster bar. He spoke about how you can drink whiskey any way you want, which is true, but you need to consider a few things. One thing to consider is the TV show was paying for it, another was he did well for himself finically so he could have bathed in Pappy for all I care. For most of us, budgets are a controlling factor in our whiskey experience.

My advice, order whiskey neat, with ice on the side. Start with one or two cubes and take it from there.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Bardstown Bourbon Company – Fusion Series #1

October 20, 2022 America

Name: Bardstown Bourbon Company – Fusion Series #1

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Corn, vanilla, dark fruit, wood

Taste: Corn, cherry, oak, caramel, pepper

Fusion Series #1 is very good. It is well balanced, well made, has a smooth flavor profile, and has just the right amount of kick to it. Stated on the bottle is the following:

40% Kentucky Bourbon 11.7 years, 74% corn, 18% rye, 8% malted barley
18% Bardstown Bourbon 2.3 years, 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley
42% Bardstown Bourbon 2.1 years, 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley
NAS, non-chilled filtered, 49.45% abv

I purchased this bottled at a charity auction for Brett Ferencz, aka “Scotch Trooper” to support his fight against cancer. Sadly, Brett lost his battle with cancer on February 11^th, 2021. I would like to note that if you can afford expensive whiskey please consider donating money to families, friends, neighbors, or strangers that are fighting cancer. Cancer just doesn’t devastate a ones health and family’s emotional state, it does massive damages to their finances.

The Series #5 is available for around $60. Series #1,2,3,4 are now listed as “Previous Releases” so I am not sure if you will be able to find them, nor do I know the price. The bourbon and distillery are worth your money and your time.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

Clyde May’s Straight Bourbon

October 12, 2022 America

Name: Clyde May’s Straight Bourbon

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Corn, vanilla, oranges, dry wood

Taste: Same but rough

Clyde May’s is named after a man and moonshiner from Alabama with a long history of backwoods whiskey production. Clyde passed away in 1990 and his son took over the business and made it legal. The whiskey is sourced from Indiana (or possibly Kentucky) and is bottled in Florida. As of January 2022, they have broken ground in Troy, Alabama with construction to complete in 2023 and first released production expected in 2027.

The Straight Bourbon is young, rough, and has not real sense of style. It is a not mixed bag of flavors like the Alabama Style Whiskey. The first and second tastes of this whiskey are the same, which is shit. The good news is the second taste is less shit because your mouth adjusted to the first taste of shit stuck on your tongue.

Other expressions (hopefully less shitty): Straight Rye, Straight Bourbon, Alabama Style Whiskey, Clyde May’s Cask Strength, Alabama Style Whiskey, and Clyde May’s Special Reserve Alabama Style Whiskey.

Priced around $40 and it is just a quickly produced low level whiskey.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

September 8, 2022 America

Name: Blantons’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

Color: Brown

Nose: Spices, caramel, vanilla, orange

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

Over 4^th of July weekend at lot of people on social media were celebrating with BBQ and Blanton’s Bourbon. I was going to join the pack and get a bottle but my Scottish side somehow convinced me to drink scotch on the rocks. A few weeks later and still in the mood, I dropped into “American Whiskey” in midtown Manhattan and treated myself to a Blanton’s.

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 amount 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 hit-men.

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.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

FEW Cold Cut Bourbon Whiskey

September 1, 2022 America

Name: FEW Cold Cut Bourbon Whiskey

Color: Dark Copper

Nose: Wood, orange, spices, pepper, light roasted coffee

Taste: Spices, cinnamon, caramel, light smoke

FEW Bourbon Whiskey has released a new expression called “Cold Cut Brew Coffee” Bourbon Whiskey. The distillery has decided to replace the water in cutting the bourbon with Chicago Passion House Coffee before bottling the spirit.

Cold Cut is aged less than 4 years and bottled at 46.5% abv. The mash bill 70% corn, 20% Northern Rye, and 10% two row malt. Upon opening the bottle, I noticed it was difficult to nose the whiskey. It took some time and a couple comparisons to other bourbons to detect the aromas of the coffee. The taste is similar their bourbon but is a little stronger with minor coffee notes. A little water brings out the flavors better but it does not taste like coffee which is a good thing.

FEW is my go-to for a mixer for Old Fashions at home or out in NYC. The Cold Cut creates another level of flavor that I really enjoyed when I made a cocktail at home. I think the bourbon could be a little bit better if it was over 50% abv as it would retain more flavor profile in the glass. I am not sure if this is a one-off experiment or if it is here to stay but I hope it becomes part of their expressions. I thought this would make an interesting flavor and it does. It might even be better than their regular bourbon.

Priced around $60 and worth the money for the unique taste as a cocktail mixer.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Dad’s Hat Classic Rye

September 1, 2022 America

Name: Dad’s Hat Classic Rye

Color: Yellow

Nose: Light wood, rye, spice

Taste: Rye, wood, pepper

Dad’s Hat Rye comes from Bristol, Pennsylvania and I first sampled the Classic Rye expression at a whiskey tasting at Court Street Restaurant in Hoboken, NJ. It was used as a comparison between Pennsylvanian Rye and Maryland Rye at the start of the tasting. Pennsylvania Rye’s have historically been known to be very rough on the tongue and reserved for hard drinkers.

The Classic Rye mash bill is 80% rye, 15% malted barley, 5% malted rye, and it is aged 6 months in charred casks. Other expressions produced by Dad’s Hat are: Vermouth Finish, Port Wine Finish, Straight Rye, and Bonded Rye.

Rye was the primary grain used in the production of whiskey in America for many years. Even before America was the United States it was used by early settlers to distill whiskey. In the 1700’s rye is was cheap, plentiful, easy to grow, and was even a form of currency due to lack of coins and notes in the colonies. Today Rye Whiskey is making a comeback, however, most people do not like it due to the harsh flavor. Personally, I have not found a rye that I can drink neat or on ice, but love a Rye Whiskey Old Fashioned cocktail.

Unfortunately, this expression was young and rough. I was not very impressed. It has a harsh taste and it feels like it is a throwback the tough coal miners drink of choice.

Priced around $40 and ok for a mixer. I will try their other expressions and I hope they are better.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

August 25, 2022 America

Name: Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Cream, corn, vanilla

Taste: Cream, corn, vanilla, little burn finish

The history of Wild Turkey Bourbon dates back to 1891 and the names is said to have come from an executive by the name of Austin Nichols who enjoyed some samples of a bourbon distilled in Tyrone, Kentucky on a turkey hunting trip in 1940. By 1942 he was bottling Wild Turkey and continue for the next 30 years as he built up his business. Much of the whiskey was purchased from Ripys/Gould Distillery in Tyrone unit he purchased the distillery and changed the name to Wild Turkey Distillery. Since 1980 the distillery has changed ownership a few times and is currently owned by the Campari Group.

This bourbon is an American Institution is there every is one. Even if you don’t drink whiskey you have probably heard the name. Bottle at 50.5% abv (101 proof), hence the name it’s got some kick but a very basic taste. Its basic and good, but not my preferred flavor profile. It mass produced and lacks any deep flavor profile. The Russel Reserve 10 is one of Wild Turkey’s expression and is better for a few dollars more.

Other expressions include 81,81 Rye, Rare Breed, Kentucky Spirit, Longbrach, Masters Keep: 17, Decades, Revival, Russel’s Reserve: 10, Rye 6, Single Barrel Rye, Singel Barrel, and American Honey and Honey Sting.

Priced around $40 and a must try if you drink whisky. Your call if it is a must buy or drink regularly.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Seagram’s 7 Crown American Whiskey

August 11, 2022 America

Name: Seagram’s 7 Crown American Whiskey

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Barley, light oak, other

Taste: Malt, light dark fruits, candy notes

Seagram’s 7 Crown American Whiskey is a classic blended whiskey and bottled at 40% abv. This whiskey was very popular in the 1970’s but lost popularity in the 1980’s & 1990’s when people switched to rum and vodka drinks.

This is an old school whiskey that you would see at your grandparents’ home or a older bar or country club. The nose and taste are not very impressive and there really is not much there. It is basically a mixer that goes with soda water. It is most well known when it is ordered as a “7 and 7” which is Seagram’s 7 and 7 Up Soda. The last time I heard this drink mentioned out loud was in the movie Bridesmaids. I have not heard it ordered in a bar yet.

Nothing special about this whiskey other than it has a low production. Maybe bring it to a 70’s themed party with a six pack of 7 Up or Tab Cola if you can find it.

Priced around $35 and not that good, unless you want to go back in time.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Willet Bourbon Whiskey

July 21, 2022 America

Name: Willet Bourbon Whiskey

Color: Copper Brown

Nose: Corn, oak, citrus

Taste: Corn, vanilla, charred oak, pepper

Review:

Willet Bourbon Whiskey is produced by the Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD) in Bardstown, Kentucky. The distiller was originally named the “Willet Distilling Company” until it underwent a name change in the 1980’s. The Willet Family has been in producing whiskey since the late 1800’s and KBD produces familiar expressions such as: Noah’s Mill, Rowan’s Creek, and Willet Rye (along with many more).

Willet Bourbon is aged in new white oak casks, is non-aged stated, and bottled at 94 proof in Willet’s signature tall pot still style bottle. I look at the bottle as more of a marketing product to offset the average tasting bourbon. The tall bottle is pretty cool but I think taking it home in NYC or putting on a bar cart would be a pain in the ass due to its size. The bottled I sampled was Small Batch No. 16022 and I was surprised that it a little rough on the tongue. I was expecting it to be more smooth on the finish and that is how the bottle tricks you in the store. I have tasted Willet Rye and Noah’s Creek and they are a much higher quality spirit. This one tasted ok, but I think it is more of a marketing gimmick with the bottle.

Priced around $60 and good, but not amazing. The bottle would make a good gift for the right person.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Bardstown – The Prisoner #2

Opinions Vary: Neat or on the Rocks

Bardstown Bourbon Company – Fusion Series #1

Clyde May’s Straight Bourbon

Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

FEW Cold Cut Bourbon Whiskey

Dad’s Hat Classic Rye

Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

Seagram’s 7 Crown American Whiskey

Willet Bourbon Whiskey

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