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Blanton’s Bourbon

September 15, 2021 America

Name: Blanton’s Bourbon

Color: Brown

Nose: Corn, vanilla, dark fruit, wood

Taste: Corn, white pepper, vanilla, oak, dark cherry

Review:

Blanton’s Bourbon is produced by Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, KY. It is named after Albert B. Blanton who started at the distillery in 1897 and held numerous jobs over his lifetime of employment. This bourbon was released in 1984 as single barrel, aged six years, and bottled at 46.5% abv. The trade mark stopper comes in eight styles and will spell B-L-A-N-T-O-N-S if you collect them all. Over the last few years, the price of this whiskey has skyrocketed, and it is very hard to find a bottle at a reasonable price.

Due the recent popularity I wanted to re-introduce myself and see if it was as good as I remembered. After visiting six stores in various locations in New York, New Jersey, and Florida I had no success in finding a bottle on the shelf. One store manager told me, “Ya, we got it in the back, but we save it for our preferred clients.” I responded in my head, “Ya, you should go fuck yourself”. I decided to leave and search the local bars. I found a it at $13 for 2 ounces in Hoboken. After my first sip, I realized that this bourbon is good, but not amazing. It is absolutely not worth the current market price.

Blanton’s is a little hotter tasting than I remembered, with a medium body, and some good Kentucky chew. A few drops of water opens it up nicely and it should not be used in cocktails. The biggest take away I had was, it is not as good as I remembered, nor does it deserve to be priced over $60-70 per bottle. If you have paid over $100 for this bourbon, you are a sucker.

For the trifecta of cost vs. taste vs. availability, I feel Blade & Bow or New Riff Single Barrel is much better for taste and cost per bottle. These two bourbons have a different flavor profile, but when comparing these three factors they are better. They also should not be put in cocktails.

I have seen prices as high as $120 a bottle, but it should be around $50-$65. If are currently mad at your money, go overpay and drink up.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Noah Mill Bourbon Whiskey

August 26, 2021 America

Name: Noah Mill Bourbon Whiskey

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Corn, sweet vanilla, almonds

Taste: Oak, vanilla, orange, burn finish

Review:

Noah Mill Bourbon is produced by the Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD) in Bardstown, Kentucky. The distiller was originally named the Willet Distilling Company until it underwent a name change in the 1980’s. The Willet family has been in producing whiskey since the late 1800’s and KBD also produces other expressions such as Rowan’s Creek, Willet Rye, Willet Bourbon, and many more.

Noah Mill is 75.13% abs or 114.3 proof and has no age statement. From my research, it is a blend of maybe four bourbons aged around 15-20 years, however, at its retail cost I doubt this whiskey is blended with such aged spirits.

This expression from Willet is a side project and has low production. You might not easily find it in your area. I have seen it only a couple of times in the Tri-State area. It is not amazing, it is not bad, it just has a bit of an odd finish and is very “hot” due to the proof. You will need to cut it with water. I was surprised how smooth it tastes for such a high proof compared to other whiskeys in the same range.

Priced around $50 and good but I prefer other high proof bourbons for mixers.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

FEW Rye Whiskey

August 19, 2021 America

Name: FEW Rye Whiskey

Color: Gold brown

Nose: Vanilla, cinnamon, sugar

Taste: Rye grain, citrus, smooth vanilla, spice

Review:

I sampled this rye whiskey a few weeks ago at Whiskey Live NYC and I really enjoyed the spirits that Few Whiskey released on the market. Few produces a rye, bourbon, and single malt and they are all very good. When I saw this bottle on the store shelf I decided it would look good on my bar at home. Over the weekend, I broke the seal and decide to try it neat and then on the rocks. This whisky is well balanced, smooth, tastes great, and I even like the bottle style and label. I am not going to ramble on about Few Rye in this review, I will just close with Few Whiskeys are very good, and I recommend them if you have not tried them yet.

The only drawback I can see is the cost per bottle if you are going to use this rye as a mixer in cocktails. At approximately $60 per bottle it is a good price, but not for a mixer. I would recommend mixers not exceed $30 per bottle.

If you like it, drink it! Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

James E. Pepper 1776 Bourbon

August 5, 2021 America

Name: James E. Pepper 1776 Bourbon

Color: Copper

Nose: Caramel, corn, vanilla, honey

Taste: Spices, rye, clove spice

Review:

James E. Pepper 1776 Bourbon is named after Colonel James E. Pepper who was a Bourbon Industrialist (not sure what that means) who died in 1906 and was a third generation distiller. The name dates back to his grandfather’s Revolutionary War era recipes.The bourbon is 100 proof and very strong. It is a non chilled filter and is 38% rye, also known as a “high rye”. The balance of flavors is a bit off and hard to detect. The corn ethanol is harsh and the high rye of the whiskey makes it a bit tough to drink.

This bourbon is not a straight or on the rocks drinker. It is more a mixer in a cocktail. When it comes to a mixer it is very subjective and personal with respect to the flavor, proof, and cost. I find if you are spending around $50 for a whiskey to make cocktails you better know what you like. I prefer FEW and Sagamore Rye Cask for my Old Fashions. For my Manhattans I like Maker’s 46.

Priced around $40 and not worth the money on flavor, only on high proof.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Rebellion Bourbon

July 22, 2021 America

Name: Rebellion Bourbon

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Corn, oak, dark fruit, ethanol

Taste: Corn, vanilla, rough finish

Review:

Rebellion Bourbon is a “in house” type bourbon created to commemorate Opici Wines history of business. Opici Wines is an importer and producer of wines and spirits founded in 1913 and is headquartered in Glen Rock, New Jersey.

The whiskey is aged 6 years and the mash is 70% corn, 30% rye, and malted barley. It is distilled in copper pot stills and charred in American oak casks. It is bottled at 47% abv but is non-aged stated. The nose is strange, and the taste is awful. This stuff must be for those creative cocktail menus you see at regular bars.

You will probably not find this bourbon it in stores. Their sales force will be pushing it to buyers to make more money for the owner instead of selling another distilleries products.

Priced around $40 and tastes like shit.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength

July 8, 2021 America

Name: Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength

Color: Brown

Nose: Orange, spice, light vanilla

Taste: Maple, oak, spices, booze

Review:

Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength is a recent expression from Bulleit that adds a little “kick”to their Bourbon. Barrel Strength Bourbon is an uncut (no water added), single batch, non-chilled filtered bourbon that is bottle between 120-125 proof. The bourbon is aged at their base of operations which is Stitzel Weller in Louisville, KY. I have been there for a tour and a tasting. It is a good tour and tasting but Woodford’s setup is a bit nicer.

The Bulleit 10-Year-Old is comparable in flavor and cost and probably is the same bourbon with some aging and water added. The Barrel Strength has almost the same flavor profile as the regular Bulleit Bourbon but more powerful due the higher proof. It can be hard to detect the flavors due the higher proof but I do not think flavor is what they are going for with this expression. Although it is not stated clearly, it appears Bulleit has created this bourbon for more powerful cocktails per requests of bartenders as the whisky and cocktail craze continues. Cocktails get water down during the mixologist (what a stupid fucking name btw) process to make them so strong booze will allow the flavors to stand out.

Price around $65 and good for Bulleit expressions but needs water to cut/soften it. Great for a stronger cocktail.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Tin Cup 10 Year American Whiskey

June 17, 2021 America

Name: Tin Cup 10 Year American Whiskey

Color: Copper

Nose: Corn, orange, vanilla, green grass

Taste: Corn, citrus, vanilla, white pepper

Review:

Tin Cup 10-Year-Old American Whiskey is made in Colorado by Jess Graber. Mr. Graber is also the founder of Stranahan’s whiskey, which is nice stuff but I think it is way overpriced here in NYC. Tin Cup is a blend of 1/3 rye, 2/3 corn, and some malted barley. It is aged in American oak char #3 and is bottled at 42% abv.

Tin Cup is considered an “American Whiskey”, not a bourbon. There is an ongoing debate in the United States on the actual and legal definition of “American Whiskey” as it is currently up for debate and does not have as many requirements as bourbon.

As expected, Tin Cup 10 is smoother than the regular Tin Cup due to the aging process. It has a nice balance and is much richer and thicker than the regular Tin Cup. It is good, but does not have a deep complexity when you really nose and taste the whiskey. I would have expected a bit more with the 10 years, but the whiskey overall is not a deep rich type of flavor. Probably a blend of decent 10-year American whiskey. It is basic and decent stuff.

Tin Cup is a whiskey for outdoor drinking in the woods, at the lake, or in your backyard at a BBQ or at a fire pit. I like the little shot cups that come on the top of the bottle. This one is black with black and red logo and the regular has silver with blue. Stranahan’s whiskey has the same cups but the bottle is taller and the cups are longer.

Priced around $60 and worth the money if you like the flavor profile. It’s a good summer outdoor whiskey.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Bone Snapper Rye Whiskey

June 10, 2021 America

Name: Bone Snapper Rye Whiskey

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Rye spice, light wood, pepper

Taste: Strong alcohol, rye, white pepper, wood

Review:

Bone Snapper Rye Whiskey is made by the Back Bone Bourbon company which was founded in 2014. The head quarters are in California, the whisky comes from Kentucky, and the water is sourced from Indiana. The company also produces a bourbon and a gin. I could not find much about the company and the “about page” on their site did not tell me much either so that actually needed up telling me a lot. Rich kids making whiskey.

I sampled Batch #4 which is 54% abv, aged 24 months in America Oak barrels, but has not age statement. From my research the mash is 95% rye, 5% malt and comes from Bardstown, KY. The water is limestone filtered water from Southern Indiana. I am going to guess that the whiskey is made in Kentucky and then shipped from there to other locations. It would not make a lot of sense to ship everything to California, put the product together and then re-ship it. The whiskey is very strong and rye spicy. Even cutting it with water is was very harsh. Basically, it’s a high proof rye for cocktails. I would not drink it neat or on the rocks.

I would have written more if I could have found out more about the company or product.

Priced around $40 and good for a high proof mixer in cocktails but that is about it.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Journeyman – Silver Cross Whiskey

May 26, 2021 America

Name: Journeyman – Silver Cross Whiskey

Color: Copper

Nose: Corn-barley mash, spices, white fruit

Taste: Corn, tart apples, white pepper

Review:

Journeyman Spirits originates from Three Oaks, Michigan and is stated to be a hand-crafted artisan spirit. The distillery notes that all the ingredients are locally sourced organic grains, and a local aquifer supplies the water. The factory that distillery operates out of has some interesting history of producing various old timey items for adults. You can look it up.

The distillery, like many new distilleries produces other spirits to support the whiskey production. Journeyman Spirits also produces vodka, gin, rum, brandy, and liqueurs.

Silver Cross is bottled at 45% abv and I sampled Batch 71, Bottle 513 from the sample pack. This bourbon has potential if it can age and soften out a more like the Journeyman Bourbon. I do not think that will happen as the product needs to make its way to market. It is young, tight, and rough. There is not really anything interesting in the taste of the finish. It is just a whiskey for drinking.

From my research this whiskey is inspired by golf, a golfer, or someone that golfed in Scotland. Also, on the label it states “1% 4 Golf”. This represents that 1% of the sales go to a various children’s golf charities. Yes, you read that right, golf charity for children. Last time I checked Michigan’s got a few problems that could use money. One is the water and the health of the people in Flint, MI which is 200 miles away.

Priced around $50 and this was the last of the 3 pack I bought on whim. I did not enjoy any of Journeyman’s whiskeys and I cannot recommend them. I will probably give the leftovers of the pack away.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Journeyman – Bourbon

April 28, 2021 America

Name: Journeyman – Bourbon

Color: Brown

Nose: Corn/wheat mix, dark fruit, honey vanilla,

Taste: Corn, wheat, spices, white pepper, honey, vanilla

Review:

Journeyman Spirits originates from Three Oaks, Michigan and is stated to be a hand-crafted artisan spirit. The distillery notes that all the ingredients are locally sourced organic grains and a local aquifer supplies the water. The factory that distillery operates out of has some interesting history of producing various old timey items for adults. You can look it up.

The distillery, like many new distilleries produces other spirits to support the whiskey production. Journeyman Spirits also produces vodka, gin, rum, brandy, and liqueurs.

Featherbone Bourbon is a mash bill of 70% corn, 25% wheat, and 5% rye. It is bottled at 45% abv and I sampled Batch 92, Bottle 386 from the sample pack. This bourbon has potential if it is allowed to age and soften out a more. I do not think that will happen as the product needs to make its way to market. It is young, rough, little spicy on the front and sweet in the finish. It feels rushed.

Priced around $50 and would be ok for a slugging whiskey or a boiler maker combo. I am not that impressed with this stuff.

PS. Wife tried. She said, “That’s harsh. I think hair on my chest.”

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Blanton’s Bourbon

Noah Mill Bourbon Whiskey

FEW Rye Whiskey

James E. Pepper 1776 Bourbon

Rebellion Bourbon

Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength

Tin Cup 10 Year American Whiskey

Bone Snapper Rye Whiskey

Journeyman – Silver Cross Whiskey

Journeyman – Bourbon

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