Chris | Page 17 | NYC Whiskey Review

christopher.dias.nyc@gmail.com

Stratahan’s Sherry Cask

August 3, 2023 America

Name: Stratahan’s Sherry Cask

Color: Copper

Nose: Malt, dry sherry, dark fruits

Taste: Malt, dry sherry, caramel

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 Sherry Cask is created from the four year old Rocky Mountain Single Malt and is then finished in Oloroso Sherry Barrels that come from the Andalusia region of Spain (aka the Palm Beach of Espana). It is a very nice tasting, smooth, semi sweet dry finish styled whiskey. It is well balanced and easy to drink. The Spanish Sherry styled finish is very nice on the plate. Normally, I do not go for sherry cask whiskeys but this expression is very good.

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 $75 and the best of the four I sampled in 2022. I highly recommend this one and will pick up a bottle if I find in the NYC area.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

John Barr

July 26, 2023 Scotland

Name: John Barr

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Malt, oak wood, lemon, honey, vanilla

Taste: Malt, honey, vanilla, rough finish

John Barr Whisky is a brand I had not heard of so I bought a nip. I will not waste your time with with a lot of words. Fuck me sideways, this shit if dreadful. It taste like shit.

Priced around “who gives a fuck?” and “do not buy this piss poison shit whisky.”

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Old Bardstown Bourbon

July 19, 2023 America

Name: Old Bardstown Bourbon

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Corn mash blend, wood/oak, vanilla

Taste: Corn mash, vanilla, sweet cream, spices

Bardstown Bourbon comes from the Willet Distillery, is a NAS and is aged around 4 years. It is a hard to nose at 50% abv with a hot finish. It is sweeter style bourbon and not really to my taste.

It is not a bad bourbon, but it lacks any complexity or depth in the flavor profile. It is overall a good bourbon and would work fine in cocktail or on the rocks. At the price point, I know half of the cost is taxes so it this to me is a very basic bourbon.

Willet is known to make some great bourbons, but this one just seems to be a mass market whiskey. It’s drinkable and will get the job done.

Prices around $50 and good, but nothing that impressive.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Kentucky Owl Rye

July 13, 2023 America

Name: Kentucky Owl Rye (Batch #3)

Color: Copper

Nose: Corn mash, barley/rye, vanilla, white oak

Taste: Corn, vanilla, orange finish

Kentucky Owl Rye Batch #3 whiskey is one of those with an odd history and a very high price tag. I stopped by the Bardstown Distillery with the hope to sample some of their more exotic expressions, but I was only able to get a flight of basic expressions and this rye for some reason. The bartender was really selling how great this rye was and that the gift store has bottles for sale. My Spidey-sense started tingling which is never a good sign.

When I tasted this rye, (away from the bartender at a table) it had a nice balance, soft profile, and was a little hot at 57% abv. A little water opened it up, and I liked it. But then I learned the cost and I started hating it.

I had to do some research about why this rye cost so much. I learned the Stoli Corporation purchased Kentucky Owl from a private owner who is the great-great-great grandson of someone who made bourbon a long time ago. They appear to be in the process of creating a premium luxury brand and added this stuff to their portfolio. The whiskey is sourced from multiple distilleries. It is not clear which ones but it is thought to be Jim Beam, Old Forester, Wild Turkey, and Barton/Sazerac. This does not justify the cost.

Priced around $250 and not worth the money. What dumb ass pays $250 for a 10-year-old rye?

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

PS: I read Batch No. 4 is not being released. No shit? I wonder why…

Boone Country Small Batch Bourbon

June 29, 2023 America

Name: Boone Country Small Batch Bourbon

Color: Copper

Nose: Corn (harsh), oak, vanilla, dark cherries, spice

Taste: Corn (harsh), oak, vanilla, dark fruit, rye spices

Boone County Small Batch Bourbon comes from someone with a distillery, somewhere, that was inspired by someone who lived 182 years ago, that did something.

That is pretty much how I am going to start summing up these fairly tale history sales pitches. I have learned when I read a things like “we are inspired by….following the same tradition……we take our direction from the brave ones before us….” there is an extremely high chance it will taste like shit.

This bourbon is a straight bourbon bottled at 45.45% abv with a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. On my first taste it is harsh, but a little water opens up the flavors slightly but does not impress or improve the taste. Boone has an a Old Forster type of taste and would probably be ok in a cocktail or with a mixer, but not for the price. I hate being right before I sample a whiskey.

Priced around $50 and not that impressive and I do not recommend it.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Opinions Vary – Which Cigar Cutter is the best?

June 28, 2023 Opinions Vary

There is sometimes a raging debate on what is the best method to cut your cigar among cigar smokers with no clear winner. Personally, I have learned it depends on the type of cigar and your preference on the type of draw you like.

Traditionally there are three types of cutters that are used which are, Straight Cut, V-Cut, or Punch. I like to use them as follows:

“Straight Cut” is for larger gauge, longer and tightly pack cigars that take 45+ minutes to smoke.

“V-Cut” when I want to mix it up. If I don’t like the draw then I straight cut it over it.

“Punch” for smaller cigars like Nub. Also, it is easy carry with you on a key chain.

What is affect the most by the cutter is the draw you feel in the mouth of the smoke. A Straight Cut will give you full smoke. A V-Cut will give a slower arriving full mouth feeling. A Punch will give you a half the amount feeling. Some work better than others depending on how tightly packed your cigar is and how it burns so state one version is the best is not realistic.

If you are looking to get a cutter as a gift there are many types and price ranges. Spend what you think the person is worth but I would not go crazy. Cutters have a habit of falling out of you pockets and getting left in golf carts. As long as it is sharp, it will get the job done.

If you like it, drink it (or smoke it)! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Whistle Pig 10 Small Batch Rye

June 8, 2023 America

Name: Whistle Pig 10 Small Batch Rye

Color: Brown

Nose: Rye malt, spices, caramel, light oak

Taste: Rye malt, spices, orange, vanilla oak notes

Whistle Pig Whiskey was founded in 2007 in Vermont and produce high end rye whiskey that is expensive. Their history is a mixed bag of startup distillery, reality show owner, board management drama, and sourced product from Canada. It is a bit of a mess so go look it up if you are interested.

The Whistle Pig 10 is 100% rye, aged 10 years, and is bottled at 50% abv. For a rye whiskey it is very smooth, well balanced, and easy to drink. It has a little spice on the finish, and it bit hot due to the proof. A few drops of water open it up nicely. At the price this should be enjoyed neat or on the rocks. I would not put this in a cocktail as it would probably not hold its flavor profile after mixing or shaking with ice.

Like my recent comments on Stranahan’s Origional in last week’s review, I can understand the relationship between the age of the distillery vs. the expressions but I struggle to understand the cost per bottle of Whistle Pig. For the price I will spend my money on scotch or Sagamore Rye Cask Strength for cocktails.

Other expression: Piggyback Rye, Farmstock Rye, 10 Year Small Batch, 12-Year-Old World Cask Finish, 15 Year Estate Oak Rye, 18 Year Double Malt Rye, and The Boss Hog (editions releases vary in name).

Priced around $75 and overall good but too expensive for a sourced rye.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Chivas Regal 18 Gold Signature

June 1, 2023 Scotland

Name: Chivas Regal 18 Gold Signature

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Malt, light wood, flowers, citrus, white pepper

Taste: Malt, lemon, vanilla, honey, light oak

Chivas Regal was created by James & John Chivas in the early 1800’s in Scotland. The Strathisla Distillery in Speyside region is now the source of all production and the distillery has changed ownership over the years. Chivas is a popular and leading blended whiskey in European and Asia markets. It is somewhat popular in the US market but Johnnie Walker and Kentucky Bourbons are the front runner for blends. Chivas has a very long history so if you are interested in learning more I recommend you look it up. I can only write so much in one review.

Chivas 18 is a blended scotch whiskey, bottled at 40% abv. It has a medium body and has a nice balance. It is an easy drinker and smooth tasting. It is good for a summer scotch and can be enjoyed on the rocks or neat.

I have had Chivas a few times over the years in peoples home mainly in Europe but when visiting the “A Hero to you and me Both” Sam Dean and he had this bottle to knock back around his fire pit in the back yard.

Other expressions: 12, Extra, Extra 13, 18, Royal Salute 21, 25, Brothers’ Blend, Ultis, Mizunara, The Icon, and XV.

Priced around $65 and a good summer drinker.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Opinions Vary: Manners & Deportment in a Cigar Lounge

April 26, 2023 Accessories

Opinions Vary: Manners & Deportment in a Cigar Lounge

There are unwritten rules in this world that some people know by nature and common sense. There are others rule that need to be stated and taught. Many years ago, I was living in South Florida and I was a member of a cigar lounge and I learned the rules over time so I wanted to share them with you. One of the rules I learned in the bathroom where a sign stated: “Don’t talk about yourself. We will do that when you leave.”

That a good life rule for anyone in a social situation.

If you have not been in a cigar lounge, or you go occasionally, these are the rules you should follow:

Be nice.
Don’t talk about yourself unless asked. You are a stranger or a new guy and the regulars don’t give a shit about you.
Ask if the seat is available before you sit. Don’t just plop your ass down like you are owed a seat because you bought a cigar.
Take note of the pecking order. Don’t sit with regulars until invited or offered.
If you want to start a conversation, ask the person what they are smoking and what they think of it. Don’t ask “what do you do”, it’s not a date.
Don’t ask for the tv to be changed unless you are a regular. It’s a dick move. Watch what everyone is watching.
Don’t name drop or brag. It is fucking pathetic, and it immediately lets people know you are full of shit.
Don’t break balls unless you know the person well.
Dress somewhat nicely. It’s not a construction site or your home.
Bring your own booze if allowed. Offer it to the regulars to speed up the process of becoming a regular.
Don’t talk about politics, religion or sex. Of course, you always end of up talking about it, so keep it light.
If you are allowed to carry a weapon, unload it BEFORE putting it on the coffee table.
If it is Members Only Lounge, ask if there is a purchase price to go in. Most lounges will let you in for a cigar if you spend $25 or more on cigars.
Have somewhere else to go afterwards. Don’t make the lounge your second home. Get in, relax, get out.

Everyone and every lounge is different. But good manners and deportment cost nothing!

If you like it, drink it (or smoke it!) – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Davidoff of Geneva – Downtown NYC

April 20, 2023 Accessories

UPDATE: Lounge is now private. You need to be a member to enter. Hudson River has a nice view and benches, smoke there!

Davidoff of Geneva (Downtown) is a cigar store and lounge located at 225 Liberty Street (Brookfield Place) which is considered the “Downtown” area New York City. Davidoff is a Swiss premium brand of cigars, cigarettes and smoker’s accessories. It was founded in 1936 by Zino Davidoff who ran a tobacco specialist shop in Geneva, Switzerland.

The the store is small and the humidor is a walk in type and has nice selection of quality cigars and a large selection of Davidoff cigars. I am not certain if they carry the entire line of Davidoff’s, but at the prices that are listed, it appears they carry the good ones. The store sells high end accessories such as lighters, cutters, and humidors and the staff is very professional and knowledgable.

Store & Humidor

The lounge is small and caters mainly to the financial people that work downtown. Each time I have visited the lounge after work the televisions have the financial news running and most visitors keep to themselves or their phones and tablets. The smoke eaters are good and I have not suffered any red eyes or headaches when enjoying a stick. The bathroom is in the hallway directly across from the store front in Brookfield Place so it a very short walk if nature calls. I do not know the rules on drinking in the lounge, however, I have seen people having a water of coffee on occasions. The lounge is not a loud, backslapping, shit talking, leaving drinking type of spot. It has a more subdued vibe, however, I only go afterwork from 4pm-6pm. I am not sure how it is on the weekend or during football season.

Davidoff NYC has three locations in New York. They are on Madison Avenue, 6^th Avenue, and Downtown. I have only been to the downtown location as it is near my office. Downtown had an advantage over the others being located in Brookfield Place on Hudson River you can opt to smoke outside on a bench by the river if the weather is nice.

Prices range from $8 to $40+ per single cigar and higher for boxes/accessories. It’s my regular spot to buy and smoke cigars in NYC.

If you like it, drink it (or smoke it)! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

christopher.dias.nyc@gmail.com

Stratahan’s Sherry Cask

John Barr

Old Bardstown Bourbon

Kentucky Owl Rye

Boone Country Small Batch Bourbon

Opinions Vary – Which Cigar Cutter is the best?

Whistle Pig 10 Small Batch Rye

Chivas Regal 18 Gold Signature

Opinions Vary: Manners & Deportment in a Cigar Lounge

Davidoff of Geneva – Downtown NYC

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