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IW Harper Straight Bourbon

October 31, 2018 America

Name: IW Harper Straight Bourbon

Color: Light brown

Nose: Sweet corn, vanilla, cinnamon, honey

Taste: Light citrus, nuts, and spice

Review:

IW Harper Straight Bourbon was founded in 1890 by Isaac Wolfe (IW) Bernheim who immigrated to America from Germany in the mid 1800’s. He originally started with a liquor business and later purchased a distillery in Louisville, KY.

The “Harper” name was added strictly for marketability and is connected to a horse owner who he knew and/or liked. This was a smart move on his part for a future of the world he could not see coming. As IW Harper grew and developed there were times over a century it is was not fashionable to be German. Bernheim story is interesting and worth a read elsewhere online.

On the first nose of the whiskey I got a sharp alcohol burn. However, when I tasted it I experienced a light taste with little to no burn. I believe this is because of the mash bill which is 73% corn, 18% rye, and 9% malted barley. The whiskey is finished in new charred American oak keeping with cooper requirements to make bourbon.

IW Harper Straight Bourbon does not taste very complex which is a nice way of saying it is a bit on the cheap side, but it gives you an idea of what they can produce. I feel this expression gives a good preview of the other expression that are available. I stand by my theory that if the base line (basic) whiskey is decent it should only get better as you move up. This is not always true, but it in most of my tasting experience it has worked out this way.

Price around $35 and is ok on the rocks but better for a mixer. It is a decent bottle to bring to a party if needed.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

Jack Daniels Old No. 7 Whiskey

May 10, 2018 America

Name: Jack Daniels Old No. 7

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. The last time I drank it was on a flight to Florida. I had the choice between Jack or Jameson. I chose the lesser of two evils.

Priced around $30 and I do not like it very much.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Knob Creek Small Batch 9 Year Old

October 19, 2017 America

Name: Knob Creek Small Batch 9 Year Old

Color: Brown

Nose: Caramel, sweet corn and oak

Taste: Caramel, vanilla, oak, slight burn on the finish

Review:

I’m off to Kentucky today and I was wondering;

Do you need a 375ml bottle? Perhaps something small, easy to transport with a little kick in it… Maybe you require some whiskey for train ride home, the office after a hard week, a day at the beach, a tailgating party, or a camping trip? Look no further, this is the bottle is for you!

Ok, that was my clever opening but it holds some truth. This is not full size bottle but I like this bourbon. Its good, well priced and packs a punch and fits well for all the ideas suggested.

Jim Bean produces Knob Creek and it is not the best or the worst Bourbon out there but it can go neat, on ice or in a mixer. At 100 proof you are getting a strong bourbon and it will get you feeling relaxed and good. I find this bourbon to get good for a mixer or a nip from the bottle. The price is good but the taste is not amazing but is decent.

Approximately $40 and a good value because a couple of bar cocktails in NYC are almost the same price.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength

August 2, 2017 America

Name: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength

Color: Amber

Nose: Strong alcohol, cherries, vanilla

Taste: Caramel, cinnamon, nuts, alcohol burn finish

Review:

For over a decade I have traveled to Kentucky every October for the closing weekend at Keeneland Race Course with my college roommate. If you have not heard or have not been to Keeneland, I highly recommend a visit. It is a great racetrack and it is close to the Bourbon Trail tours so you can make a great weekend trip out of a visit. I have never been to the Kentucky Derby, but I know for fact it is an absolute shit show at Churchill Downs if you are not VIP. So go to Keeneland when you get a chance and have some Maker’s Mark Cask Strength.

This last trip was a little colder than usual so with cigar in hand I strolled over to the outdoor bar for a warm up drink. At the bar, they were offering a variety of bourbons so I opted for Makers Cask Strength since I had not yet tried it. As you may know, I am not a fan of cask strength whisky’s. As expected, it had a strong burn and was difficult to enjoy neat but, it was cold out so it got the job done quickly.

I am a big fan of Makers 46 in my cocktails and Maker’s Cask Strength is good, but it packs a punch at 113.3 proof. I recommend this bottle for more a kick to your cocktails, but not for serving neat or on the rocks.

Price around $60 it is good price, but it is really just a strong version of Maker’s without the smoothness of Maker’s 46.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Maker’s 46 Bourbon Whisky

January 26, 2017 America

Name: Maker’s 46 Bourbon Whisky

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Candy sweet, cherries, caramel, and vanilla

Taste: Medium bodied with spices and sweetness but smooth finish

Review:

Similar to Maker’s Mark but smoother due to a longer aging process and the addition of seared French Oak staves (curved part of the barrel). The staves are steeped in the whisky at the end of the distillation process and provide more flavor. The name of this whisky comes from the ranking profile of the charred staves, which is “46”.

NYC tip; I don’t know the bartenders name, but at the Grand Central Oyster Bar Saloon at Grand Central Terminal on 42^nd St. there is a older gentleman who tends bar several nights a week. He is a true old school bartender that can make a perfect drink. Order a Makers Mark 46 Manhattan Straight up and let me know your thoughts in the comment section or on Facebook. Just writing this review makes me want to head over there now!

Priced around $50 and worth the money. I highly recommend this whisky for cocktails and your home bar.

If you like it, drink it!

Maker’s Mark Bourbon

January 26, 2017 America

Name: Maker’s Mark Bourbon

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Spice, cinnamon, vanilla and caramel

Taste: Medium bodied with spices and sweetness

Review:

Most bourbon is distilled from either corn, rye, malt or a blend of these grains. Maker’s Mark is made from wheat, which provides a sweeter, lighter taste and has its own individual nose and taste due to the wheat. Whisky made from wheat is known as a “wheater” in whisky language.

For me Maker’s Mark is a starter Bourbon, good for a daily drinker, or just to kill a bottle at a house or beach party. More of a Summer than a Fall, the sweeter taste makes it easier for non-whisky drinkers to enjoy.

Priced around $40 it is a good value.

If you like it, drink it!

IW Harper Straight Bourbon

Jack Daniels Old No. 7 Whiskey

Knob Creek Small Batch 9 Year Old

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength

Maker’s 46 Bourbon Whisky

Maker’s Mark Bourbon

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