Van Brunt Still House Bourbon

Van Brunt Still House Bourbon

February 16, 2021

Name: Van Brunt Still House Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey

Color: Orange brown

Nose: Pepper, corn, vanilla, oak

Taste: Pepper, corn, vanilla, oak, and a little tight

Review:

Van Brunt Still House Bourbon Whiskey is a locally made whiskey from Brooklyn, NY. The distillery is located in 6 Bay Street, Brooklyn NY and was founded by husband and wife team Daric Schlesselman and Sarah Ludington. They have been producing spirits since 2012 and on their website they state that they source local products from upstate New York. The name “Van Brunt” named comes from Cornelius Van Brunt, who was a farmer in Brooklyn centuries ago when it was a Dutch colony.

Van Burnt Still House has other expressions such as; American Whiskey, Rye, Bourbon, Single Malt, Smoked Corn Whiskey, Rye Moonshine, and Due North Rum. I sampled four of the expressions at Astor Wine and Spirits. Out of the four I tried, I found the bourbon to be the best tasting. I was running low on bourbon for my Old Fashions and this made a nice Old Fashion with the taste profile.

Van Brunt Bourbon is a good whiskey for the price. It has a nice peppery taste but it is tight and young. It needs more time to age and smooth out. This tight taste makes it more of a mixer than a sipping whiskey, but I’ll let you decide what you prefer.

Price around $60 and a little expensive for the taste but remember, you are supporting local small business.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

 

ChrisVan Brunt Still House Bourbon
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287 Single Malt Whiskey

287 Single Malt Whiskey

July 1, 2020

Name: 287 Single Malt Whiskey

Color: Light brown

Nose: Spice, vanilla, flowers

Taste: Fresh, sweet, malt/corn, light oak, vanilla notes

Review:

287 Single Malt Whiskey is from Still the One Distillery in Port Chester, NY which is only 25 miles from my home. I have dropped by the distillery twice in the last year. The first time there was big event going on so I could not get in. The second time, the distillery was on a shifted schedule due to the Pandemic of 2020. 

Still the One Distillery is a local NY (and close to NYC) distillery that produces the following expressions; 914 Bourbon, No. 3 Wheat Whiskey, No. 4 Rye Whiskey, 287 Single Malt Whiskey, 9A Single Malt Whiskey, STO Comb Vodka, STO Barreled Gin, STO Rum, and STO Jarhead Gin. The name “287” comes from the highway that connects the distillery and the Captain Lawrence Brewery. I have also reviewed No.4 Rye Whiskey from the distillery and the review can be found here under NYC.

This expression was developed in 2013, is aged 18 months in American oak barrels, and is bottled at 45% abv. It has a fresh nose and a sweeter taste/finish than I expected. I would not say it is good or bad, it is just different and I did enjoy it. I am not sure if they have a sample pack of small bottles but I hope to make another trip up. 287 Single Malt has also won the Silver NY International Spirits Competition in 2018.

Priced around $60 and is nice stuff if you like this type of flavor profile and want to buy local. At the price point you could buy scotch.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

 

Chris287 Single Malt Whiskey
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No. 4 Westchester Rye Whiskey

No. 4 Westchester Rye Whiskey

December 23, 2019

Name: No. 4 Westchester Rye Whiskey

Color: Yellow

Nose: Rye, pepper, vanilla, lemon/citrus, dry

Taste: Spice rye, vanilla, carmel

Review:

Christmas is coming!! Do you have your gifts and bottles ready?!

The No. 4 Westchester Rye Whiskey comes from Still the One Distillery which is in Port Chester, NY. Established in 2009 they started with Vodka created from honey, then gin, and now whiskey. Still the One is a complete distillery with everything created and bottled at the distillery.

No. 4 whiskey is 100% rye (grown locally), aged for one year in American Oak barrels at Char 4, and is bottled at 90 proof. The char level is where the “No.4″ originates.

Other whiskey expressions are:

  • 914 Bourbon Whiskey
  • No. 3 Wheat Whiskey
  • 287 Single Malt Whiskey
  • 9A Single Malt Whiskey
  • Rt. 1 Single Malt Whiskey

The No. 4 Rye Whiskey has a very nice rye spice flavor which is upfront and well balanced. Like most Rye’s I find the spice flavor profile is best enjoyed in a cocktail such as a Manhattan or Old Fashioned. I will be making a point to get to the distillery soon to taste all the expressions.

Priced around $55 and very good for a cocktail.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

 

ChrisNo. 4 Westchester Rye Whiskey
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Robert Burns Whisky Tasting at The Astor Center 2018

Robert Burns Whisky Tasting at The Astor Center 2018

February 14, 2018

The yearly Robert Burns Tasting at Astor Center was a couple of weeks ago. I have been now 3 years running and I always have a good time. This year there was plenty of haggis and drams to sample. If you don’t know, Robert Burns is a Scottish Poet and in short, wrote the song we all sing on New Year’s Eve.

The Astor Center is the 2nd floor of the Astor Wine and Spirits Store in NYC. It has a sit down class room and a walk around area that have tastings and events throughout the year. This year there were approximately 40 scotch whiskies and I was able to sample 22 scotches I had not yet tried. This tasting was a “walk around”, which is what it states, you walk around and taste. Not my favorite style as you have to bump elbows with people.
The haggis was good but it was more American Kentucky Getta styled. The haggis in Scotland is much better. If you are not familiar with Getta, it’s the same thing as haggis but for some reason no one in Kentucky believes me.
This year’s Burns Tasting seemed to have less people and be missing a few key whisky’s. There was a lower amount of higher end scotches this year. That was fine, but something felt a bit off with the entire event. What was good was there were whisky’s I hadn’t tasted yet and I made a point to try them.
ARBERLOUR 18 YR OLD $160

GLENLIVET 18 YR OLD $125

THE MACALLAN AMBER SINGLE MALT SCOTCH $80

HIGHLAND PARK VALKRYRIE SINGLE MALT $90

BOWMORE DARKEST 15 YR $75

AUCHENTOSHAN AMERICAN OAK $35

WHISKIES OF SCOTLAND BLENDED ISLAY – 1997 $125

WHISKIES OF SCOTLAND MORTLACH SINGLE MALT – 1995 $150

WHISKIES OF SCOTLAND CLYNELISH 18 YR- 1995 $135

THE BENRIACH CLASSIC 10 YR. SINGLE MALT $70

THE BENRIACH CURIOSITAS 10 YR. PEATED SCOTCH $75

GLENGLASSAUGH REVIVAL SINGLE MALT $70

GLENDRONACH 12 YR. HIGHLAND $70

ARDBEG AN OA SINGLE $65

ARDBEG CORRYVRECKAN $90

ARDBEG UIGEADAIL $80

DUNCAN TAYLOR OCTAVE BENRIACH WHISKY – 2011 $125

DUNCAN TAYLOR OCTAVE GLENTAUCHERS WHISKY – 2008 $125

NAVAZOS PALAZZI BOTA #12 OVERSEAS MALT WHISKY $100

WOLFBURN AURORA SINGLE MALT SCOTCH $60

WOLDBURN MORVEN PEATED SINGLE MALT $60

WOLFBURN SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY $60

Nothing on the list blew my mind, and a couple were very disappointing for the price. However, I got educated on new whiskies and that is what counts. One thing I like the most about whisky (other than the taste) is the learning process. Just because its new, old, aged, non-aged, odd, etc. doesn’t mean anything until you taste it. Once you taste it, you learn something new and that to me is the most important part. Anyone can go to a store and buy expensive whisky and feel special, but not everyone wants learn.
If you like it, drink it and keep learning! Reviews on each whisky will be posted over the next few months.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

ChrisRobert Burns Whisky Tasting at The Astor Center 2018
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Robert Burns Day Tasting – Astor Center NYC

January 17, 2018

It’s that time of year! Astor Center’s Robbie Burns tasting is coming! It is a large walk around tasting of over 40 Scotch Whiskies. This is a great event but be warned: I’ve seen a few people go down after too many drams.

Tickets and info here.

The Burns Tasting will be on January 27th, 2018 at Astor Wine and Spirits on the 2nd Floor. Enter at 399 Lafayette Street through the black gates to the right of Astor Wine & Spirits. You then take the elevator up to the 2nd floor and check it. The tasting is from 2pm-4pm. There is a coat rack but no coat check so hold on to your bag. I have left my empty backpack on the floor each year and it was there when I returned so I could carry home my bottles.

Robert Burns was a Scottish Poet born on January 25th, 1759. He is Scotland’s national poet. Writer of Auld Lang Syne which means “Old Long Since” which sounds like “Should all acquaintances be forgot, and never brought to mind…” which is the New Year’s Eve song we all know and love.  Each year the Burns Supper is had to honor home and the “Address to a Haggis” is read aloud as the Haggis is cut into and served. If you haven’t had Haggis yet I recommend you try it. The modern Haggis is very tasty.
I have attended the tastings for the last 3 years, including the one during the blizzard. A fair amount of whisky, food, and fun will he had by all but recommend you eat a few slices or a large sandwich before attending. All regions of Scotland will be covered by various reps. Ages with run from 8-21+ years and their is some food served as well. After the tasting ends, or when you decide to leave, you will find all scotches (minus some of the high ends) at 15% off in the store. If you like or love Scotch, you need to make a point to get to this tasting. I attend every year and really enjoy this particular event.

Well priced at $79 and worth the money. I’ll be there so hit me up or send me an email. I’d love to chat with fellow whisky lovers in NYC.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!$100

ChrisRobert Burns Day Tasting – Astor Center NYC
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