New Riff Bourbon 4 Year Old

New Riff Bourbon 4 Year Old

April 14, 2020

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!

 

ChrisNew Riff Bourbon 4 Year Old
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Jefferson’s Ocean Bourbon

Jefferson’s Ocean Bourbon

April 7, 2020

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!

 

ChrisJefferson’s Ocean Bourbon
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Michter’s Unblended American Whiskey

Michter’s Unblended American Whiskey

March 31, 2020

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!

ChrisMichter’s Unblended American Whiskey
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J. Rieger Kansas City Whiskey

J. Rieger Kansas City Whiskey

February 4, 2020

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!

 

 

 

 

 

ChrisJ. Rieger Kansas City Whiskey
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Backbone Bourbon

Backbone Bourbon

November 6, 2019

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!

ChrisBackbone Bourbon
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James Oliver American Whiskey

James Oliver American Whiskey

October 23, 2019

Name: James Oliver American Whiskey

Color: Copper

Nose: Cheap, tight, vanilla, corn

Taste: Vanilla, corn, oak/wood, burn finish

Review:

James Oliver American Whiskey is produced by Indio Spirits Company and comes from Portland, Oregon. Portland is an interested place in America right now. Perhaps they need more whiskey, maybe less?

The whiskey is distilled from high rye mash aged in two different barrels. The aging is in ex-bourbon and sherry casks for 2 years and is bottled at 43% abv. I have found conflicting information online about the barrels, char level, and abv.

James Oliver won Best American Whiskey Gold Metal in 2015. For the tasted of this spirit I question if this award was bought and paid for ahead of time. I cannot taste any quality, care, or interested in making this whiskey. It has a very cheap rough taste and cannot taste the sherry finish. It appears to me this is a rushed whiskey with a questionable award.

Priced around $30 and not very good. You can use it as a mixer or in an emergency if a you are bit by a snake.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

 

ChrisJames Oliver American Whiskey
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Cask & Crew Whiskey

Cask & Crew Whiskey

October 16, 2019

Name: Cask & Crew Whiskey

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Sweet, ginger, spices, orange

Taste: Sweet, ginger, spices, orange

Review:

Cask & Crew Whiskey is a ginger spiced fruit flavored whiskey. It is a blend of Kentucky Whiskey and Canadian Rye that is aged for 3 years and bottled around 35% abv.

It smells cheap and tastes sweet and spicy. I could barely drink it neat and it was not much better on ice. It is one of those whiskeys made for holiday cocktails.

I am not going to spend any more time writing a review. If you like a ginger flavor and not spending money, go buy a bottle.

Priced around $25 and I am not a fan of ginger with my whiskey.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

 

ChrisCask & Crew Whiskey
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Koval Whiskey – Oat

Koval Whiskey – Oat

July 11, 2019

Name: Koval – Oat

Color: Light brown

Nose: Toasted grains with sweet taste, spices and apples

Taste: Oat and grain woody taste with apples and spices

Review:

This is a unique American Whiskey from Chicago that I tried at a cigar night in midtown recently. Now, to be honest, there were eight of us smoking cigars and we consumed 1-1/2 bottles whisky before we ran dry which I took as a sign that it was the end of the night. I was ready to pack it in until the two married guys with new born babies left the table and ran across the street to get a fresh bottle to keep the party going. They returned with Koval Whiskey -Oat. Upon tasting it (even in my whiskey-cigar zen state) I found the flavor profile to be very different due to this whiskey being 100% Oat and matured in Minnesota American Oak Barrels. Koval also has designs their products to be Organic and Kosher which is great for those that prefer organic food and/or follow Jewish Law regarding food practices.

Priced around $50.00 and has that something different about it that is enjoyable and makes for good conversations and debate.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

 

ChrisKoval Whiskey – Oat
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Four Roses – Small Batch

Four Roses – Small Batch

May 16, 2019

Name: Four Roses – Small Batch

Color: Light brown

Nose: Sweet caramel, orange, spice, vanilla

Taste: Spices, sweet vanilla, oak and cream

Review:

Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon is a 6 to 7-year-old bourbon that is 90 proof and has a been created from multiple recipes. On the label of Small Batch, it states that is it is made from four bourbons. From my research, 250 barrels make one batch and it is made from two mash bills and multiple yeast strains. The two mash bills are;

  • 75% corn, 20% rye and 5% malted barley
  • 60% corn, 35% rye and 5% malted barley

I do not put a lot of faith in this information that I have found online. I do not believe any business ever gives away the “secret sauce”. I think it is a combination of truth and marketing and we all know what I think of marketing.

Small Batch is a very good and well balanced bourbon. I was pleasantly surprised with this one and enjoyed in on the rocks and in my cocktails. The sweet caramel taste has the right amount of orange, spice and vanilla oak. It finishes with a light cream taste which is very nice. I originally bought Small Batch to fill my bourbon decanter but it never made it in. (IW Harper did).

Price around $45 and worth the money. It is somewhere between a mixer and a sipper.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

ChrisFour Roses – Small Batch
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Jack Daniels “Gentleman Jack”

Jack Daniels “Gentleman Jack”

March 21, 2019

Name: Jack Daniels Gentleman Jack

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Caramel, citrus, orange

Taste: Vanilla, pepper, with softened Jack Daniels base flavor

Review:

As a subscriber to Joe Rogan’s Podcast, I have listened to him and his guests enjoy Gentleman Jack or the Jack Daniels Frank Sinatra Edition. I am not sure how Jack and Weed go together, but it does sound like they are having more fun in the studio than I do in my cubicle.
In general, I do not drink regular Jack Daniels. It is not a bad whisky, but I find it too rough of a taste and finish and the overall flavor is not to my liking. I also have the same opinion of Jameson Irish Whiskey but that is for another review.
I was at Whisky Live NYC last week and I sampled Gentleman Jack to remind myself of the flavor. I was pleasantly surprised while tasting the whisky. It has a smoother taste that comes from a twice filter charcoal process used during distillation. It has an easy finish and I found myself enjoying it, but it would not be my daily drinker or oddball spirit to mix things up. However, I will be adding it to my bar just in case a serious Jack Daniels drinker drops by my apartment.
Priced around $45 it is a good value if you like Jack Daniels flavor.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

ChrisJack Daniels “Gentleman Jack”
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