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Stranahan’s Snowflake Whiskey (2021 edition)

July 11, 2024 America

Name: Stranahan’s Snowflake Whiskey (2021 edition)

Color: Copper

Nose: Light malt, dry sherry, dark fruits

Taste: Light malt, sweet sherry, mix of unique flavors

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 Snowflake is very nice tasting, smooth, and well-balanced whiskey. It is almost too smooth as a whiskey like this can be finished by two people in one sitting. I have heard stories of people who sleep outside for a couple of days to be early in line to get a bottle. I find this a little bit too extreme, but to each their own.

From my research Snowflake is 100% malted barley, aged 4 to 8 years in new white American Oak barrels at a #3. It is then transferred to a variety of barrels for finishing. These barrels are listed as sherry, rum, tequila, cognac, and “others”. This finishing in multiple barrels is the reason I list it as a “mix of unique flavors”. I had a difficult time detecting trying to determine each one during tasting.

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 $125 and is an excellent whiskey. Not sure if you can find this expression in the stores as a limited amount is produced each year.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Jefferson “Very Small Batch” Bourbon

July 4, 2024 America

Name: Jefferson Small Batch Bourbon

Color: Light brown

Nose: Vanilla, spice, citrus, caramel

Taste: Dark fruit, spice, caramel

Jefferson Very Small Batch Bourbon is a great way to celebrate the 4^th of July and will be drinking some today. Jefferson was first released by Castle Brands from Kentucky in 1997.

The Castle Brand does not distill their own whiskey. They acquire it from sources and blend and adjust it as they see fit. They are honest about this which is a good way to be in the whiskey world. Other companies (not going to mention any names) make efforts to hide the fact they source the raw product. I look at it this way, if you bottle a good whiskey, why do I give a shit you did not distill it yourself? Some people think the whisky has to be distilled by the company directly to be a whiskey. These people need to be reminded that building and operating a distillery takes tens of millions of dollars to start up. Even after the startup costs you spend years developing your whiskey before you sell it.

Jefferson Very Small Batch is not bad, not good, it is just a decent bourbon. It is fine to drink on the rocks or on in a cocktail. Since this is the week of vacations and BBQ’s a bottle of this bourbon is a good one at a good price to get shit faced to celebrate the birth of our Nation.

Price around $40 it is a decent bourbon. Happy 4^th of July and don’t drink and drive!

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

New Riff “Red Turkey Wheat” Bourbon

June 20, 2024 America

Name: New Riff “Red Turkey Wheat” Bourbon

Color: Copper

Nose: Corn, unique wheat, vanilla, caramel-orange

Taste: Toasted malted blend, caramel, vanilla, white fruits

New Riff Bourbon Single Barrel Bourbon is produced by the New Riff Distillery which is 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 cannot produce and distribute whiskey in Kentucky so he sold the store to start the distillery.

On my last visit to Kentucky, I stopped by the bar to see if they had anything new. The bartender presented me the New Riff Red Turkey Wheat for a tasting. I was pleasantly surprised. The mash bill is 70% corn, 25% red turkey wheat, 5% malted barley, aged “at “least five years. It is a bottle and bonded, non-chilled filtered whiskey that is bottled at 50% abv. The Red turkey wheat uses heirloom seed that have been passed down over 50 years from crops and unlike modern seeds they are not a hybrid mix. This type of wheat creates a different flavor profile that I had not experience before and it is very enjoyable.

Red Turkey Wheat it is very good whiskey, well balanced, and can be drank neat. At 100 proof I would add some water or make a high-quality cocktail.

Priced around $50 and worth the money. Not sure if you are going to find it in the stores up in the NYC area as this is limited production run.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Heaven Hill 6-Year-Old Bourbon

May 30, 2024 America

Name: Heaven Hill 6-Year-Old Bourbon

Color: Copper

Nose: Corn, vanilla, wood

Taste: Corn, vanilla, caramel, wood

The Heaven Hill distillery was found in 1935 by a group of investors ready to take advantage of the upcoming open market after Prohibition ended in 1933. The distillery is in Louisville, Kentucky and produces a ridiculous amount of bourbon each year.

Heaven Hill 6-Year-Old Bourbon “Green Label” mash bill is 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye. Aged in white oak barrels at char #3 and bottled at 45% abv. This is a basic bourbon from Kentucky and is nothing special or very interesting. It is drinkable and good for a mixer, but at $15 per bottle at 90 proof (sold in Kentucky only) it might be an alcoholics delight. My friend St. Matthew of Covington prefers to use this in his bourbon slushes and those things can really put you on your ass.

Other expressions: Bottle in Bond, Henry McKenna, Bernheim Original Wheat, Larceny, Rittenhouse Rye, Old Fitzgerald, Parker’s Heritage Collection, Pikesville Straight Rye, Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, and Mellow Corn.

Priced around $15 and decent drinker for the price if you need to buy a cheap bottle in Kentucky.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Stranahan’s Original Single Malt Whiskey

May 23, 2024 America

Name: Stranahan’s Original Single Malt Whiskey

Color: Copper

Nose: Malt, oak, vanilla, white fruit

Taste: Malt, oak, vanilla, white pepper

Stranahan’s Whiskey was founded in 2004 and it is located at 200 S. Kalamath St. Denver, CO. The distillery and visitor center is in an industrial park and has a simple outdoor seating area with a nice view of the mountains. The inside bar area 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 has that Colorado friendly and easy going vibe.

The Original is 100% malted barley, aged 2-5 years in new charred oak barrels, non-chilled filtered, and the water is sourced from a spring in Boulder. The Original is very nice tasting and well-balanced whiskey, however, when you start comparing it to their other expressions it is a baseline whiskey. The whiskeys that really impressed me are the Snowflake, Sherry Cask, and Cask Strength.

One issue I keep running into with American Whiskeys is the cost v. age v. flavor profile. I realize many distilleries are in an economic position where they need to charge a lot to cover their production costs and make profit. This should not be considered a deal breaker, but it is a mathematical fact that should not be ignored by any reviewer. It can be difficult to spend $50-75 for a young domestic whiskey when you can get a aged single malt for the same or lower price. Everyone has a budget when it comes to whiskey no matter how much they have in their wallet.

Other expressions produced: Original, Blue Peak, Mountain Angel 10 Year, Snowflake, Diamond Peak, Sherry Cask, Single Barrel, and other special releases.

Priced around $55 and a good baseline.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select

May 16, 2024 America

Name: Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select

Color: Copper

Nose: Corn, malt, oak, vanilla, dark fruits

Taste: Corn mash blend, oak, vanilla, spices

Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select is surprisingly good expression from the Jack Daniels Distillery. Their baseline expression, Old No.7 aka “Black Label” is absolute shit and difficult to drink. I would rather drink frozen rose and watch the Housewives of New Jersey than drink Black Label. The word “quality” does not come to mind when I think of Jack Daniels, but I am beginning to change my mind. This is the best part of whiskey tasting, the evolution of your opinions.

The mash bill is 80% corn, 12% malted barley, 8% rye and is non aged stated but estimated to be aged 4 to 7 years. It is bottled at 47% abv, aged in virgin American oak barrels, and has unique shaped bottle. From my research is appears to also be undergo the maple charcoal filtration processes which is a signature trademark of Jack Daniels. Upon my first tasting I was bracing myself for disappointment, however, I was pleasantly surprised by smoothness on my palate. On the second taste I wondered why Jack Daniels does not make better stuff for their baseline expressions.

I am not a fan of regular Jack Daniels, but the Single Barrel Select and the Sinatra Select are very good. Sinatra Select is the best expression I have sampled, but due to its cost and lack of production it is hard to find.

Priced around $65 and is affordable and very nice for a Jack Daniels product. I might keep a bottle on my bar.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Troëgs Brewery

May 9, 2024 America

Name: Troëgs Brewery

Location: 200 Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11:00am to 9:00/10:00pm

As the summer approaches the travel season to the Parks will be soon be upon Americans. If you are heading to Hershey Park this summer, I recommend a visit to Troëgs Brewery. I went to my first trip to Hersey Park last Fall and discovered this brewery as I was pulling off the highway.

Troëgs Brewery is a nice place with indoor and outdoor seating. There is plenty of beer, food service at the Snack Bar, and a gift store with merchandise and beer to go. There are no televisions so do not plan to watch a game. I saw plenty of families enjoying themselves so it appears to be kid friendly.

I did not get to try to food, but I did sample a few beers. Below are my condensed thoughts and ratings.

Sunshine Pilsner – Clean and Crisp. Better than your average pilsner. 7/10
Oktoberfest – Medium Body. Sam Adams style. 7/10
Double Block – Medium Body. Yuengling style. Not my thing. 5/10
Perpetual IPA – Baseline. Nice flavor and balance. 8/10
Pumpkin – Chemical gimmick shit. Horrible. 3/10
Dream Weaver – Wheat ale. German Hefeweizen style and nice taste. 7/10
Hop Cyclone – 9% Very nice taste and balance. 8/10
Grand Cacao Chocolate Stout – The name says what it is. Tastes heavy but is weaker than Guinness for some reason. 7/10

Troëgs Brewery is worth a visit if you are in the area. It has the shortest lines in all of Hershey which is great!

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Del Bac Frontera

May 8, 2024 America

Name: Del Bac Frontera

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Malt, dry cedar/oak, orange, vanilla

Taste: Malt, wood, orange zest, vanilla, citrus/flowers

Del Bac whiskey is produced by the Hamilton Distillery located in Tucson, Arizona and is named after a 17^th century Spanish mission. Del Bac’s website explains the distillery “puts a Southwest spin on their whiskey…with the use of mesquite instead of peat….”

Frontera is an American Single Malt, aged in new American White Oak, finished in Pedro Ximenez Sherry botas, bottled at 48.5% abv, and is non-aged stated. It is a limited annual release at around 1,200 bottles.

This whiskey was given to me as a sample from a coworker. I was not familiar with this distillery, but he said it was very good so I was curious to try Arizona Whiskey. On my first taste I was impressed. The nose was a little dry and it smelled more like a bourbon than a malt to me. On my second taste I was still impressed, and the balance was more evident. I got the feeling the distiller was more influenced by Kentucky than Scotland, but I liked the little kick on the finish. I also tried it in Old Fashioned. I used orange bitters to enhance the flavor, and the dry finish works well with the sugar, ice, and lemon peel. Once again, it shows that someone who is new and cares about their craft can make a good whiskey. Most new whiskies the market are shit. This one was not shit, it was good. I look forward to trying other expressions and need to try the base line in the near future.

Other Expressions: Classic, Dorado, Sentinel Straight Rye, Frontera, Normandie, Ode to Islay, Distillers Spring/Fall/Summer Cut.

Priced around $90 and worth the money if you like the flavor profile. I have not seen it in the NYC area.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

May 2, 2024 America

Name: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

Color: Copper

Nose: Corn, malt, vanilla, oak, caramel

Taste: Corn, vanilla, wood, caramel finish

Woodford Reserve comes from Versailles in Northern Kentucky and is officially titled Labrot & Graham Distillery. It was founded in the 1830’s and it has changed ownership over the years. It is considered a premium Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon and over one million cases per year are produced.

The Double Oaked expression is richer, darker, and smoother tasting than the regular Woodford Reserve Bourbon. It is bottled at 46.2% abv and finished in two barrels with one that is deeply toasted and then lightly charred. The bottle shape, along with the price, are different that the baseline expression. Overall, this bourbon is very good and smooth to drink.

Woodford holds a special place in my heart as it was my first introduction to good whiskey and distillery tour. I visited in 2007, or as I like to say, about three weeks before Madmen became the cultural phenomena. I was living in Florida at the time and no one was drinking whiskey in bars. A week after Madmen aired on AMC, everyone was drinking and Old Fashioned and Manhattans. Luckily for me I switched from my gin and tonics just before!

Other expressions: Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, Woodford Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey, Woodford Reserve Straight Malt Whiskey, and Woodford Reserve Wheat Whiskey. There are also limited releases and many of them are associated with the Kentucky Derby.

Priced around $65 and worth the money and would make a great holiday or party gift.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Sagamore Rye “Cask Strength”

April 25, 2024 America

Name: Sagamore Rye Cask Strength

Color: Copper

Nose: Rye, white pepper, orange, vanilla, smoky wood

Taste: Hot, rye, very spicy

Taste with water added: Rye, pepper, vanilla, oak, toffee

Sagamore Spirit Whiskey originates from Baltimore, Maryland and is owned by the owner Under Armor clothing. The marketing claims that Maryland produced rye whiskey before Bourbon was created in Kentucky. This makes sense when you look at how America’s colonies and states developed, however, I can now smell a Mad Men marketing a mile away before I taste a whiskey.

Sagamore Rye Cask Strength is bottled at 112.2 proof compared to the Signature at 83 proof it’s a big jump. The bottle I enjoyed came from Batch 5A and was Bottle #1996. This expression has a very strong nose and taste profile, but that would be expected at this high proof. Add a little water or ice and it opens up nicely, but it is still a strong rye. This is too strong for me to drink neat or on the rocks. However, in a cocktail I expected it to be amazing and it was far better than I expected.

I found this bottle at Liquor Outlet Wine Cellars in Boonton, NJ which has a good selection of whiskeys. I have not found a lot of Sagamore expressions on the shelves. If you see multiple expressions on the shelf in the Tri-State area, please reach out to me and let me know.

Priced around $70 and worth it. This Sagamore Rye Cask makes the best Old-Fashioned cocktail I have ever had. Hands down.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Stranahan’s Snowflake Whiskey (2021 edition)

Jefferson “Very Small Batch” Bourbon

New Riff “Red Turkey Wheat” Bourbon

Heaven Hill 6-Year-Old Bourbon

Stranahan’s Original Single Malt Whiskey

Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select

Troëgs Brewery

Del Bac Frontera

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

Sagamore Rye “Cask Strength”

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