Month: June 2024

June 2024 Cap & Cork Hard Truth Dinner Pairing

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June 27, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Wayne and I became aware of this event through a few friends posting and sharing it on Facebook and even through private messages. We have enjoyed Hard Truth spirits for several years but we were not familiar with the Cap & Cork in Henderson, KY. We decided to acquire tickets and attend; after all, it was all about great food and great bourbon – what’s not to like?

Imagine our surprise when we arrive and see many familiar faces. We had no idea that folks we have gotten to know via the Beverage Barn in Henderson had started this new adventure.

In an April article by Chuck Stinnett, I was able to learn that Cap & Cork involves three couples: Brian and Justina McDaniel, owners of the Beverage Barn chain of liquor stores; Michael and Danielle Ervin; and Aaron and Heather Nelson. Michael Ervin, who gained cooking experience at a farm-to-table restaurant and a steakhouse, will serve as executive chef as well as managing partner. Aaron Nelson will focus on the bar, while Heather Nelson will work with Michael Ervin in the kitchen and Justina McDaniel and Danielle Ervin will serve as hostesses.

We got a look at the bar and the selection is truly amazing with many impossible-to-find bourbons. And, if the meal we enjoyed is anything like what their gastropub will produce, the Cap & Cork will quickly become a huge success on Henderson’s beautiful waterfront!

Gathering

When we arrived we saw familiar faces and joined Justin Strumpfer, Master of Bourbon, at his table. By the buzz in the room, you could tell that the guests were in high anticipation of a great meal paired with Hard Truth spirits.

Cap & Cork Executive Chef/Partner, Michael Ervin
Hard Truth Master Distiller/Partner, Bryan Smith

Once the introductions were made, we heard from the Cap & Cork’s Executive Chef/Partner, Michael Ervin, as he described the menu for the evening. Next, Hard Truth’s Master Distiller/Partner, Bryan Smith, discussed the opening cocktail and what we could expect for the evening.

Cocktail: Bourbon Ginger Highball with Hard Truth Sweet Mash Bourbon.

Sharable: Whipped Pork Butter (smoked pork whipped into salted butter with salsa verde) and Focaccia Bread with garlic oil and black lava salt.

2nd Course

The 2nd course was presented and it was lovely. Seared Scallops with serrano cream corn, maitake mushrooms, and Hard Truth Rye cream sauce. We were also served a neat pour of Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye.

Although I do no eat seafood, Wayne was happy to receive my scallops. He said they were perfectly cooked with a nice sear and very tender. He even said that Chef Gordon Ramsey would be pleased. I really enjoyed the serrano cream corn!

3rd Course

Wow! When the 3rd/main course was served, it made quite an impression. The plating was gorgeous and we could not wait to cut into that veal and taste the sauce. It was described as a veal lollypop crusted in coffee and cocoa nibs with bacon tomato jam and broccolini. While the veal was great on its own, including some of that bacon tomato jam with each bite truly took it to another level. We were also served a neat pour of Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Chocolate Malt, which happens to be a favorite of ours.

4th Course – Dessert

Dessert was a Brûléed Piña Colada Panna Cotta with a Boozy Antler Single Origin Cold Brew and Hard Truth Coconut Rum. Both Wayne and Justin were raving about each of these and said the dessert was like having a bite of a Piña Colada. Unfortunately, I am unable to eat/drink coconut. However, I was provided an a amazing chocolate cake option that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Brûléed Piña Colada Panna Cotta
Boozy Antler Single Origin Cold Brew and
Hard Truth Coconut Rum

Wrapping Up a Great Event

Things were starting to wind down and we heard from the leadership team of the Cap & Cork and then Bryan Smith shared a parting toast that included a neat pour of Hard Truth’s Sweet Mash Rye Finished in French Oak Cognac Barrels. It was the perfect ending to an amazing evening!

The event helped us to appreciate Hard Truth and the work of Bryan Smith even more than we had before. Plus, we are so excited about the opening of the Cap & Cork. We believe it will be a tremendous success and encourage everyone to make a visit very soon!

Cheers until next time!
Rebecca & Wayne

Rebecca, Wayne, and Bryan Smith

Please check out our tasting notes for Hard Truth Sweet Mash March releases HERE.

June 2024 Casey Jones Barrel Cut Tasting

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June 25, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer 

Last weekend, Wayne and I were headed to our annual family reunion at Lynnhurst Family Resort in Murray, KY, and the route took us through Hopkinsville, KY. If you know the Bourbon Trail, that means that Casey Jones Distillery was on the way. We couldn’t resist stopping by for a quick visit.

We didn’t even get to the front door, and we were warmly welcomed and thanked for visiting. We chatted about what might be new, what they were working on, and sought suggestions. We decided that we would do their next scheduled tasting. While waiting for the tasting to begin, we each enjoyed a cocktail in their bar area.

At Casey Jones, the tasting includes 10 small samples for $10. The challenge is that there are usually about 15 items available. The tasting leader describes what is being poured, and you decide if that will be one of your 10 samples. We enjoyed our choices, and the next challenge was determining what to purchase. We settled on a few new options as well as some favorites to replenish.

Selected for this Tasting

We selected the Casey Jones Barrel Cuts. Casey Jones Single Barrel Cut (white label) at 102.6 Proof and Casey Jones Double Barrel Cut (blue label) at 103.9 proof. Each was made using the Casey Jones’ Prohibition-era moonshine recipe of 50% Yellow Corn and 50% Cane Sugar. In addition, they were produced on the Authentic Square Pot Still. They were then finished in new, toasted #4 char wood-fired barrels. The double barrel (blue label) was then finished in their used bourbon barrels.

Casey Jones’ Authentic Square Pot Still

Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.

Casey Jones Single Barrel Cut

Mashbill – 50% Yellow Corn and 50% Cane Sugar
Age – NAS, Up to 4 years.
Proof – 103.9
Price Paid – $58.29

Appearance – Copper with great legs.

Aroma – Butter, almost butterscotch, brown sugar, a hint of spice, and a bit of that #4 char coming forward. Sweet and inviting.

Tasted Neat – Surprisingly, not as sweet on the palate as it was on the nose. It has a great mouthfeel, very soft and smooth. It starts out as butterscotch then there is a long and warm finish of cinnamon.

Tasted with dried cranberry – The cran emphasized the butter and lightened the finish. The cinnamon is now a much lighter baking spice, perhaps more of a nutmeg.

Tasted with a pecan – The pecan truly took over and added a very woody note. The finish really lingers with a soft and warm baking spice.

Tasted with dark chocolate – Fascinating! There is usually a creaminess with the dark chocolate but not with this. In fact, the sweetness is gone and it is much spicier with a strong cinnamon finish.

Casey Jones Double Barrel Cut

Mashbill – 50% Yellow Corn and 50% Cane Sugar
Age – NAS, Up to 4 years.
Proof – 103.9
Price Paid – $58.29

Appearance –
Copper with great legs

Aroma – Cocoa and honey with a light nuttiness. Very nice.

Tasted Neat –  Very chocolate forward with a hint of cherry. The finish is light and tingling such as a pepper. Quite surprising and wonderful.

Tasted with dried cranberry – This brought the cherry forward but in a spicy way. The nuttiness is gone and so is the chocolate on the front. Instead, it finishes like a chocolate cherry cordial. Very interesting that the cranberry moved the spice more to the front.

Tasted with a pecan – Very pecan forward and with added notes of the barrel. The chocolate and cherry seems to have vanished and it seems like a totally different sip.

Tasted with dark chocolate – This helped bring the chocolate and cherry forward and the finish is very gentle now, it’s warm and lingering not truly spicy.

Discussion and Final Notes

The first one (white label) is so amazing on the nose. That buttery sweetness is so warm and inviting. The second one (blue label) has the fantastic chocolate and cherry nose. They are each terrific but if we could only smell one, we might have to go with the white label.

Similarly, each has a wonderful taste! Again, the white label is like buttered toffee but the blue label has chocolate, cherry and cinnamon. If we had to chose, we would go with the blue label on taste due to its added complexity.

Overall, we would have to make it a truly split decision. Each is terrific and a great addition to a collection. We highly recommend Casey Jones Distillery, which is just outside of Hopkinsville, KY. The Master Distiller is normally there and happy to answer questions, sign bottles, and visit. They often have food trucks on the weekend and cocktails are available in their bar. We have always had great experiences with all of their staff.

Cheers,
Rebecca & Wayne

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producers for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

June 2024 Angel’s Envy Bottled-in-Bond Tasting

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June 19, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

For this tasting, Wayne and I tasted the latest release from Angel’s Envy – their Cask Strength Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon. We purchased this bottle when at the distillery on National Bourbon Day. Our first thoughts were – what? wait? cask strength? bottled in bond? – how the heck??? After researching and locating the press release, their process for achieving this were revealed.

From Angel’s Envy Press Release: Master Distiller Owen Martin explained how they achieved a cask strength bottled at 100 proof. In the spring of 2018, before he was with the distillery, the team placed barrels filled with lower entry proof whiskey (103 proof) in a cooler warehouse. “Instead of withdrawing them at 100 proof, we let them mature further to prioritize flavor,” he said. “We drew the barrels at 98 to 99 proof and blended 27 low-proof barrels with two high-proof barrels from the same season to reach exactly 100 proof, creating Cask Strength Bottled-In-Bond.”

Not only is this their first Bottled-in-Bond, it is also their first unfinished spirit!

Label on the side of the bottle.

Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already. 

Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon

Mashbill – 72% Corn, 18% Rye, and 10% Malted Barley
Barrel Entry Proof – 103
Age – NAS but reported at nearly 6 years (barreled in 2018)
Proof – 100
Price Paid – $54.99 (375 ml bottle)
Other – Cask Strength blending of 29 barrels

Appearance – Honey copper with great legs.

Aroma – Light and inviting. Warm brown sugar, vanilla cream pie, honey, candied pecans, and a hint of a fruit.

Tasted Neat – Toasted brown sugar with hints of fruit, honey, and marshmallow. A light finish with nutmeg and caramelized brown sugar that makes you want another sip.

Tasted with dried cranberry –  Very different taste profile. The brown sugar is absent and a tartness came forward with a fruitiness, such as a ripe green apple. This also added cinnamon to the finish.

Tasted with a pecan – The oak from the barrel came forward and the pecan also brings a dark cocoa taste with some caramel … like a dark chocolate turtle. There is a lot of cinnamon and oak on the finish.

Tasted with dark chocolate – Creamy chocolate caramel with a hint of cocoa and warm barrel notes. The finish is warm and pleasant with a nutmeg finish.

Discussion and Final Notes

This is a terrific bourbon and an outstanding bottled-in-bond. It is light, sweet, rich and complex. It takes you on a journey for your senses and memories as so many playful notes appear. Congrats to Angel’s Envy and Master Distiller, Owen Martin for this unique expression. To create your first non-finished bourbon as a bottled-in-bond AND cask strength is truly innovative. This has raised the bar for us when it comes to a bottled-in-bond experience.

Cheers,
Rebecca & Wayne

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Requirements

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Such whiskeys have all the requirements of bourbon: Made in the U.S, distilled at <= 160 proof, barreled at <= 125 proof, aged in new, charred oak containers, bottled at >= 80 proof. Straight bourbon means it is aged at least 2 years (and must have an age statement if less than 4). In addition, to be Kentucky Straight Bourbon, it has the additional requirement that it must be produced and aged at least 1 year in the state of Kentucky. For additional information on bourbon requirements, please read this post – Bourbon Whiskey.

Bottled-in-Bond: Must be produced in a single distillation season by a single distillery; must mature in a U.S. bonded warehouse for a minimum of four years; and the aged spirit must be bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof). For additional information on Bottled-in-Bond requirements, please read this post – Bottled in Bond.

NOTE: The bourbon in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

Celebrating Bourbon in Louisville

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June 18, 2024
By Rebecca McBrayer

To wrap up National Bourbon Week, Wayne and I enjoyed a quick trip to Louisville, KY. We had two planned activities for the weekend: a dinner at Evan Williams on Friday and a tour at Starlight Distillery on Saturday. Beyond that, we decided to go with flow and enjoy whatever caught our eyes. If you haven’t been to Louisville and explored Whiskey Row, you should likely place that on your travel calendar!

Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bottled-Bond Release

When we arrived in Louisville, we drove directly to Angel’s Envy. They were releasing their Cask Strength Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, their first non-finished offering. We were excited to stop in and acquire a bottle. We learned that they were 375ml bottles and got two as well as a distillery only single barrel. This is an historic moment for Angel’s Envy and we were thrilled to stop in for their celebration!

Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Louisville Tasting Room

We have been huge fans of Bardstown Bourbon Company since our first weekend on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and love that they now have a tasting room in Louisville. Thus, that was our next stop.

A busy day in Louisville!
View from the bar.

We had hoped that we would be able to acquire a bottle of their Amrut Collaboration and were thrilled that it was available. When planning our tasting flights, we also wanted to try the two distillery only offerings. The first was a Small Batch Stave Finish and the other was a Single Barrel Four Grain. When we saw that their Bardstown Collection for 2024 was available, that was an easy choice!

As we sat down for our tasting, I was more than surprised to see my friend and AOII sorority sister, Cindy Visot, who I have not seen in 9 years! She and her husband were in town for a wedding and just happened to stop in to sample some bourbon. What a fun coincidence!

Flight: Small Batch Stave Finish, Single Barrel Four Grain, Bardstown Collection 2024, Amrut Collaboration
Finding a friend you haven’t seen in 9+ years!













We bought all that we sampled as each expression was amazing. To say we were surprised and THRILLED to have the opportunity to purchase the 2024 Bardstown Collection is an understatement!

Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey Row Experience

We then walked a couple blocks to the Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey Row Experience. We really enjoy their products and made a point to stop in as we knew they are having a special event to celebrate the grand opening of their hidden speakeasy. The event included a sample spirit upon arrival, light bites, and a special cocktail menu at their cash bar.

Buzzard’s Roost on Main St in Louisville
We got a peek at their still!

Everyone was dressed in Roaring 20’s attire and the place was buzzing! The small bites were welcomed as we had been quite busy already. We were happy to get a seat at the bar and order from the special menu for the event. We each enjoyed our drink selections … Manhattan for me and a Paper Plane for Wayne!

Special Cocktail Menu
A Manhattan for Rebecca & a Paper Plane for Wayne

Evan Williams – A Toast to Bourbon Dinner

Following our visit at Buzzard’s Roost, it was time to head to Evan Williams for our “A Toast to Bourbon Dinner” that was scheduled to begin at 7PM. Please read all about that event HERE.

Breakfast at Doc Crow’s

We were up early on Saturday morning and looked forward to breakfast at one of our favorite places – Doc Crow’s! The location and atmosphere is fantastic. We always have amazing service and the food is outstanding.

Wayne enjoyed the “build your own” omelet with hashbrowns, a side of biscuit & gravy and a spicy Bloody Mary made with bourbon. I loved the spinach and feta omelet with hashbrowns … and we shared a side of cheddar grits!

Whiskey Row Car Show

As we walked to Doc Crow’s, we noticed that cars were filing in for a show. By the time we finished breakfast, we were able to stroll along Whiskey Row and enjoy some amazing cars! You just never know what you will find in downtown Louisville.

Michter’s Fort Nelson Distillery

After checking out of our hotel, we decided to see what Michter’s was offering for the day. We arrived just as the doors were opening and learned that they had a Barrel Strength Rye (109.6 proof) available. It came as a set with their Straight Rye Whiskey. There was also an opportunity to bottle-your-own Barrel Strength Bourbon but the next available time was later than we desired to stay.

James B. Beam Distilling Co.

After leaving Michter’s, we decided to head to Jim Beam, which is less than a 30-minute drive from Louisville. We always love being on their campus and we were hopeful that they would have some bottles on the shelf that we wanted to buy.

We were in luck as they had exactly what we were hoping for: Booker’s 2024-02, “The Beam House Batch” and Little Book Chapter 8, “Path not Taken.” Of course, it would have been incredible to acquire a bottle of their 2024 Bardstown Collection; alas, there were none available. But that is ok, we got what we thought we would have an opportuity to buy!

It was a great, albeit quick, trip to Louisville. We always look forward to visiting!

Farewell Louisville – time to head to Borden, IN and Starlight Distillery!

Happy Trails!
Rebecca & Wayne

June 2024 A Toast To Bourbon Dinner at Evan Williams

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June 17, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer


June 14th was National Bourbon Day! We were thrilled to acquire tickets for this event at Evan Williams Bourbon Experience that included a premium tasting led by Artisanal Distiller, Jodie Filiatreau followed by a plated dinner and exclusive shopping experience.

Tickets included a premium tasting flight, 3 cocktails, a multi-course dinner, and an opportunity to purchase a bottle of Evan Williams 23-Year-Old Bourbon.

We received a welcome cocktail of their take on a Horses Neck. Instead of Brandy, they used 1 part Evan Williams white label bottled-in-bond, Angostura bitters, and 3 parts Ginger Ale. We requested just a splash of Ginger Ale and enjoyed that very much.

After everyone was served, we moved to the lower level – the same room where we have previously enjoyed their Speakeasy Tasting Experience. A live band was playing as we arrived.

We found seating and admired the beautiful setup with the tasting pours prepared for us. We enjoyed terrific passed appetizers with our Horses Neck cocktail while everyone was getting seated. The appetizers included a puff pastry with ham, cream cheese and guava as well as a small bite sandwich of pimento cheese, chipotle, and a pickle on brioche.

Premium Tasting Led by Artisanal Distiller, Jodie Filiatreau

Evan Williams Single Barrel, Square 6 Wheated, Old Fitzgerald 13-year, and Evan Williams 23-year

Jodie introduced himself and shared a bit of his nearly 43-year tenure with Heaven Hill. He started at 20 years old working in the rickhouses and accepted opportunity after opportunity to learn and grow with the organization. He even had the honor of learning under Parker Beam. Jodie loves his role as Artisanal Distiller at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Louisville’s historic Whiskey Row.

Jodie was masterful at leading everyone through the four-part tasting. He gave us ample time with each expression and happily answered questions. He also visited with each table to meet, greet, and get to know the guests.

Wayne, Jodie, & Rebecca

Salad Course

This was a kale salad with smoked almonds, crispy bacon, goat cheese, and a bourbon champagne vinaigrette. It was quite tasty.

Dinner Course





While I wasn’t able to record all of the details of the entrée cocktail, it drank like a very well-balanced peach old fashioned. I did note that it was made with Evan Williams 12-year-old bourbon, peach bitters, and garnished with a brûléed peach.

Surprisingly, it was not overly sweet and paired extremely well with the pork entree.



The entrée included a seared pork chop, bourbon achiote sauce, roasted sweet potatoes, and braised greens. Every bite was fabulous!



Dessert Course

We were then treated to a Bourbon Espresso Martini made with Evan Williams black label. We have had something similar served at other dinner events; however, this was by far the best ever. All guests at our table felt it was the best cocktail of the evening.

The dessert was bread pudding with bourbon dulce de leche. It was amazing!

Note: The Mayan Cafe catered the event. Every bite was fantastic and the staff was outstanding.

Shopping and Bottle Signing

At the conclusion of the meal, we visited the gift shop. Each guested was permitted to buy one of the Evan Williams 23-year-old bottles as well as other items available in the gift and bottle shop. We greatly enjoy the Square 6 Wheated and used this opportunity to acquire a back-up bottle. Jodie was also kind enough to sign bottles.

This was the FIRST dinner that Evan Williams Bourbon Experience has held. Wow – what a tremendous first-time event. They knocked it out of the park! We hope that they will add more events as we would be honored to attend.

Cheers until next time!
Rebecca & Wayne

June 2024 W.H. McBrayer Batch 4 Tasting

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June 12, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer 

Wayne and I anticipated the release of W.H. McBrayer Batch 4 and were excited when we got the email saying it was ready for ordering. We were unable to complete the pick up at Revival Vintage Spirits this time so we had it shipped to us. It arrived pretty quickly. Unfortunately, I was unable to sample it because of recent knee replacement surgery. Aye! We had to wait about ten days. Needless to say, we were very excited when I could partake and we didn’t waste any time popping the seal on one of the bottles we purchased.

Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.

W.H. McBrayer Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch 4

Mashbill – 88.4% Bloody Butcher Corn, 5.8% Heirloom Rye, 5.8% Malted Barley
Age – NAS; a blend of 5-7-year-old barrels
Proof – 106
Price Paid – $100

Color – Medium Amber

Aroma – Burnt caramel, vanilla cream, honeysuckle, cherry, oak, nutmeg, and leather. 

Tasted Neat –  It drinks like a mature bourbon and carries a lot of complexity. Cherry, tobacco, vanilla cream, and oak. The finish was cinnamon, black pepper, leather, and oak.

Tasted with dried cranberry – The cranberry brightened up the overall taste of it by bringing more fragrant notes such as orange zest versus the deep dark notes when tasting it neat.

Tasted with a pecan – The pecan was similar to drinking it neat except that there was the addition of a hint of dark cocoa and the spice level was higher.

Tasted with dark chocolate – Very rich and reminiscent of a dark chocolate turtle. The spice is somewhat reduced and the finish is tobacco and nutmeg. Very nice.

General Notes: Neat remained our favorite way to drink it but the dark chocolate was excellent as well. In addition, the brightness that the cranberry brought forward was very nice. This batch is super flavorful overall and would be excellent with a steak dinner before or perhaps afterwards with a nice cigar.  

Comparison of W.H. McBrayer Batches 1-4

Bill McBrayer asked for our opinion across the four batches. We explained that we only had one unopened bottle of Batch 1 and we were holding onto it for sentimental reasons. He was kind enough to send us a small sample of Batch 1 so we could taste and compare all four batches.

This was several days after our original tasting of Batch 4. We nosed and tasted each batch. We then waited 15 minutes to allow them to open fully and nosed and tasted them again. The notes below are from the final tasting.

Batch 1
2021
Aged 4 Years, 4.5 Months
103.6 Proof

Batch 2
2022
Blend of five 4-year-old barrels and one 5-year-old barrel
100 Proof
Batch 3
2023
Blend of six 5-year-old barrels, two 6-year-old barrels, and two 4-year-old barrels
103.5 Proof		Batch 4
2024
Blend of 5-7-year-old barrels
106 Proof

Nose:
*Wayne: Butterscotch, creamy vanilla, baking spice
*Rebecca: Carmel, vanilla cream, leather, baking spices		Nose:
*Wayne: Vanilla, honeysuckle, baking spices
*Rebecca: Caramel, honeysuckle, baking spices		Nose:
*Wayne: Honeysuckle, leather, vanilla
*Rebecca: Cherry, caramel, cinnamon

Nose:
*Wayne: Honeysuckle, vanilla, leather
*Rebecca: Cherry, vanilla cream, leather, baking spices
Nose Rank:
*Wayne: 4
*Rebecca: 2		Nose Rank:
*Wayne: 2
*Rebecca: 4		Nose Rank:
*Wayne: 3
*Rebecca: 3		This was our favorite nose!
Tasted Neat:
*Wayne: Tobacco, butterscotch, cinnamon
*Rebecca: Caramel, vanilla cream, leather, nutmeg

Tasted Neat:
*Wayne: Tobacco, cinnamon, black pepper, leather
*Rebecca: Vanilla, honey, tobacco, cinnamon
Tasted Neat:
*Wayne: Leather, tobacco, pepper, cinnamon
*Rebecca: Cherry, apple, cinnamon, leather
Tasted Neat:
*Wayne: Tobacco, vanilla, leather, black pepper
*Rebecca: Cherry, vanilla, tobacco, leather, cinnamon, black pepper, oak
Taste Rank:
*Wayne: 3
*Rebecca: 2		Taste Rank:
*Wayne: 4
*Rebecca: 4		Taste Rank:
*Wayne: 2
*Rebecca: 3		This was our favorite taste profile!




Throughout the tasting process, we nosed and tasted one at a time. We wrote our findings individually and shared with one another afterwards. We have found that sharing too soon can overly influence one another.






Discussion and Final Notes

We weren’t surprised that we selected Batch 4 overall. It has had more of an opportunity to mature. Each batch of W.H. McBrayer has been outstanding and Batch 4 simply raised the bar a bit with its additional maturity. The original heirloom mashbill creates a bourbon that is unlike others on the market today. If you appreciate a complex flavor profile as indicated in our notes, you will most likely enjoy this as well.

As with any tasting, it is strictly opinion on a particular day. We each struggled with determining a ranking because there was something in each batch that we really enjoyed. Ultimately, it came down to what we enjoyed “most” at that moment in time. We could do this again next week or next month and have somewhat different results. This is one of the things that we truly appreciate about bourbon.

The bottom line, McBrayer Legacy Spirits treat their brands like family because it is part of their family heritage. They have taken it slowly and carefully as they entered the highly competitive spirits market and have a terrific long-rang plan. In addition to W.H. McBrayer, they also offer a Bottled-in-Bond (Old McBrayer Bourbon) and Cedar Brook. These brands are not currently distributed but you can simply join their Legacy Club to be alerted to each bottle launch where you will have an opportunity to purchase it online. As of this posting, there is currently availability for Old McBrayer BIB 2023 and W.H. McBrayer 2024. We sincerely hope you will have the opportunity to taste the heritage of this brand.

Cheers,
Rebecca

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Note: Wayne McBrayer is not affiliated with McBrayer Legacy Spirits. They are cousins, friends, and great people. We support their bourbon journey and respect what they are doing to resurrect a 150-year-old brand that is part of their family lineage.

Spirit Requirements

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Such whiskeys have all the requirements of bourbon: Made in the U.S, distilled at <= 160 proof, barreled at <= 125 proof, aged in new, charred oak containers, bottled at >= 80 proof.

Straight bourbon means it is aged at least 2 years (and must have an age statement if less than 4).
In addition, to be Kentucky Straight Bourbon, it has the additional requirement that it must be produced and aged at least 1 year in the state of Kentucky.

For additional information on bourbon requirements, please read this post – Bourbon Whiskey.

The bourbons in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producers for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

June 2024 Green River Full Proof Tasting

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June 9, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Green River – The Whiskey Without Regrets!

For this tasting, Wayne and I tasted the latest release from Green River Distilling – their Kentucky Straight Full Proof Bourbon. We purchased this bottle when we attended their Full Proof Release Event on June 7, 2024.

For the release event, we received a gift bag that included a bottle of Green River Full Proof in commemorative packaging and one of their newly redesigned Glencairn glasses, which is really beautiful.

Time to open the box for the surprise!

From Green River’s Press Release: Green River Full Proof is a blend of five-to-seven-year barrels selected from curated areas of Green River’s Owensboro tile warehouses and feature the same mash bill as Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon. These original tile warehouses maintain both warm and cool temperatures, yielding unique proof variation and liquid maturation. The result is a pure expression offering a robust flavor profile which preserves the barrel character while bringing massive flavor to the palate.

Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already. 

Green River Kentucky Straight Full Proof Bourbon


Mashbill – 70% Corn, 21% Rye, and 9% Malted Barley
Age – A blend of 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old barrels
Proof – 117.3
Price Paid – $49.99
Other – One of the coolest bottles around with the horseshoe base as a throwback to their historical DSP-KY-10

Color – Dark Golden Amber

Aroma – Caramel, vanilla, citrus, honeysuckle, cherry, light mint, baking spices.

Tasted Neat – The warmth of backing spices and like the nose, there is vanilla, citrus, honeysuckle, caramel, and dried cherry. On a second sip, cocoa and mint appear. The finish is lingering with more spicy notes of black pepper and cinnamon, a hint of fruit, and the barrel char is noticeable.

Tasted with dried cranberry –  Light and bright. The citrus is more prominent and it is less spicy but still a finish of cinnamon.

Tasted with a pecan – A bit more woody and somewhat hot but not with a distinct spice. The citrus and other great notes seem to be gone.

Tasted with dark chocolate – That is really good. The light cocoa from the neat taste is coming through with more chocolate and the rye mint flavors. The finish remains very nice and oaky with the dark chocolate as well.

Discussion and Final Notes


This is a really good full proof. At 117.3 it is pretty easy to drink after the first acclimation sip. It has a wonderful range of flavors with a terrific body and mouthfeel. The blending of this was masterful as is evident from such a balanced taste profile.

Value – all day long! This is a 5-7-year blended full proof bourbon for under $50. It is very elegant and highly enjoyable. We might want to try this head-to-head with other full proofs / barrel strengths of a similar proof. This is not allocated and should be widely available.

We highly recommend trying this Green River Full Proof. For the price point, we plan to always have a “back up” on hand as well. This could easily become one of our regular pours.

Cheers,
Rebecca & Wayne

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Requirements

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Such whiskeys have all the requirements of bourbon: Made in the U.S, distilled at <= 160 proof, barreled at <= 125 proof, aged in new, charred oak containers, bottled at >= 80 proof.

Straight bourbon means it is aged at least 2 years (and must have an age statement if less than 4). In addition, to be Kentucky Straight Bourbon, it has the additional requirement that it must be produced and aged at least 1 year in the state of Kentucky.

For additional information on bourbon requirements, please read this post – Bourbon Whiskey.

NOTE: The bourbon in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

Green River Full Proof Bourbon Release Event

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By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

June 7, 2024, Wayne and I ventured to Owensboro, KY to partake in Green River Distillery’s launch of their full proof bourbon.  We had secured a VIP Tour and arrived early to take in the festivities.

While awaiting the start of our tour, we had a pour of the full proof. The perfect way to set the stage for the remainder of the event.

VIP History and Distillery Tour


We a VIP tour with none other than the amazing National Brand Ambassador, Caryn Wells. We started in the room that holds so much of the history of Green River Distilling. Each time the story is told, we learn and/or remember a new detail. I decided to get pictures of the timeline barrels to help me remember. The artifacts that they have collected and displayed are top notch.

History notes from the barrel heads –

1885: Green River Distillery is founded by JW McCulloch. DSP-KY-10 is the 10th oldest Licensed distillery in the state and becomes home to McCulloch’s famous whiskey.

1886-1889: Green River Whiskey is known far and wide, thanks to its quality and JW McCulloch’s innovative marketing approach. Advertising for the brand includes the slogan “The Whiskey without a Headache,” later becoming “The Whiskey Without Regrets.” Known as the “most expensive spirit ever sold,” 20 barrels were once traded for interest in a Colorado gold mine. Green River becomes the official whiskey of the US Marine Hospital in 1910.

1900-1906: Green River wins many awards, including a gold medal and “best of show” at the Paris Exposition in 1900, and later a grand prize at the 1905 Leigh Exposition in Belgium. It also wins awards at expositions in St. Louis MO in 1904, Portland OR in 1905, and Milan Italy in 1906.

1906-1917: The city of Owensboro is an epicenter of bourbon production with more than 20 distilleries. Daviess County is home to several of the state’s largest and best distilleries.

1918: At the height of Green River’s popularity, a fire broke out on the distillery grounds. In just three hours, most of the buildings and whiskey barrels were reduced to rubble.

History notes from the barrel heads – (continued)

1920-1933: The distillery is rebuilt, but Prohibition is passed, and McCulloch wouldn’t live to restore Green River to its former glory. Almost all of Daviess County’s distilleries, including Green River, shut their doors, as Owensboro’s whiskey industry evaporates overnight.

1939-2007: A group of Medley family members band together to purchase and revive the distillery as the Medley Distilling Company. For the next 70 years, the Medley Family continues to carry on the tradition of distilling spirits at the location and maintains the registration of the distillery as DSP-KY-10.

Today – A Legacy Revived: In 2014, the Green River team finds the distillery with such a storied history in ruins. Brick by brick, building the building, they restore the 10th oldest distillery in the state. In 2016, they began distilling. History comes full circle in 2020 as Green River Distilling Co. is officially revived in its original home. With the support of John W. McCulloch’s great-grandson, the Green River flag is raised high on the distillery campus for the first time since Prohibition.

2022: Green River returns to its former glory. The revival marks the return of Owensboro’s rich bourbon legacy. The distillery remains registered as DSP-KY-10 and is a heritage member of the famed Kentucky Bourbon Trail, welcoming visitors from near and far.

We headed outdoors for a discussion about grain. Green River uses only non-GMO grain and receives more bushels a week than one can wrap their head around. Next we were off to the stillhouse. Caryn shared history as well as distilling facts with us along the way.  We got to drink the “high wine” off the still and it was fantastic.

Time for the Tasting in Rickhouse B

Rickhouse B

We then went to Rickhouse B where all the single barrels are selected. It was great that we were able to taste and compare their various offerings. We started with the Wheated, then their flagship Bourbon, followed by the Rye, and we finished with the Full Proof. We learned that the full proof is a blend of 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old barrels. In addition to the prepared pours of their line, we received samples of a bourbon single barrel thieved straight from the barrel. It was incredible!

We have been on many tours and experiences. Two of the most important factors of a GREAT one are the guide and your fellow enthusiasts. For this event, we hit the jackpot with Caryn as our guide and an amazing group of bourbon/Green River enthusiasts. It was like family and we had so much fun!

Commemorative Gift Bag for the Green River Full Proof Release

We each received a gift back with a bottle of Green River Full Proof and one of their newly redesigned Glencairn glasses, which is really beautiful.

See our Green River Full Proof tasting notes HERE!

Distillery Trail Statistics

Green River Distilling, in Owensboro, KY, is the closest distillery to us and one of our favorite places to visit. This was our 9th visit and our 127th distillery experience. Our first visit was November 13, 2021 where Caryn Wells led us through a guided tasting and discussion about this history of the distillery.

We had a truly wonderful evening and it was difficult to say goodbye. Wayne and I look forward to our next visit at Green River Distilling.

Rebecca, Caryn, & Wayne

June 2024 The Barons of Whiskey Tasting

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June 6, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer 

“The Barons of Whiskey” was a group of men that helped make Kentucky bourbon legendary, ushering in bourbon’s golden age more than 100 years ago. Wayne and I recently enjoyed a tasting of two of the three: Bond & Lillard and W.B. Saffell. Unfortunately, we have been unable to locate Old Ripy.

These are two of the three Barons of Whiskey line: Bond & Lillard anad WB Saffell.


Bond & Lillard was a trusted name in the pre-Prohibition whiskey industry. It was first distilled by John Bond in what was then called, Cedar Run, KY now known as Anderson County, in 1820. A veteran of the American Revolutionary War, Bond moved his distilling operation closer to Lawrenceburg, KY after the war. The brand gained international attention in 1904 when it won the Grand Prize at the St. Louis World’s Fair for its flavor, strength, and appearance.

W.B. Saffell pays tribute to William Butler Saffell, who began distilling as a teenager and built his first distillery in 1889. This bourbon is inspired by the delicate spirit he produced at the time and is the first in the collection to have legendary Master Distiller Eddie Russell working on the spirit.

Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.

Bond & Lillard Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Mashbill – 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Age – Non-age-stated; reportedly aged at least 7 years
Proof – 100
Other – 375 ml bottle
Price Paid – $59.94

Color – Honey Amber

Aroma – Lemon zest, honeysuckle, vanilla, toffee, cardamom. 

Tasted Neat – Lemon zest, green apple, honey, cardamom with a cinnamon finish. 

Tasted with dried cranberry – Toasted oak, citrus gone, white pepper finish. 

Tasted with a pecan – Citrus returned, honey forward, and quite oaky. 

Tasted with dark chocolate – Green apple returned, sweetness is more of a caramel, slight oak. 

WB Saffell Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey


Mashbill – 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Age – Non-age-stated; reportedly blends of 6, 8, 10, and 12 years
Proof – 107
Other – 375 ml bottle
Price Paid – $58.85

Color – Light Amber and Copper

Aroma – Sweet and rich. Dark caramel, molasses, nutmeg, and apricot.

Tasted Neat – Caramel, vanilla, maple syrup, dark chocolate, baking spices. The finish is long and warm with caramel, bits of citrus, cinnamon, and black pepper. 

Tasted with dried cranberry – Butterscotch with pepper on the back. 

Tasted with a pecan – Creamy, smooth, pepper is gone. 

Tasted with dark chocolate – Sweet butterscotch, very creamy. 

Discussion and Final Notes

Bond & Lillard smells and tastes like summertime. With the lemon zest and honeysuckle on the nose, and even its golden hue, it invites you to enjoy it in the sunshine. As you dive into it, your senses really linger on the citrus, green apple, honey, and floral notes while surprising you with a nice cinnamon finish.

W.B. Saffell is rich, creamy, and incredibly flavorful. When thinking of seasons, this screams Fall Festival. The aromas of dark caramel, molasses, nutmeg, and apricot urge you to give it a try. One taste and you are not disappointed as the caramel opens up to include vanilla, maple syrup, and dark chocolate. Its long and warm finish is amazing with pops of caramel, citrus, and then cinnamon and black pepper.

Each expression is unique and worthwhile. We certainly enjoyed them and recommend each as a nice addition to your collection.

Cheers,
Rebecca & Wayne

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Spirit Requirements

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Such whiskeys have all the requirements of bourbon: Made in the U.S, distilled at <= 160 proof, barreled at <= 125 proof, aged in new, charred oak containers, bottled at >= 80 proof.

Straight bourbon means it is aged at least 2 years (and must have an age statement if less than 4).
In addition, to be Kentucky Straight Bourbon, it has the additional requirement that it must be produced and aged at least 1 year in the state of Kentucky.

For additional information on bourbon requirements, please read this post – Bourbon Whiskey.

NOTE: The bourbons in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producers for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

June 2024 Penelope Rose & Valencia Tasting Notes

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June 4, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer 

Wayne and I decided to revisit a couple selections from Penelope to further explore their interesting taste profiles. These selections are part of the Penelope Bourbon Cooper Series where they seek the perfect marriage of various cask finishes with their signature four grain straight bourbon whiskey.

Selected for this tasting: Penelope Rosé Cask Finish and Penelope Valencia.

Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.

Penelope Rosé Cask Finish

Mashbill – 76% Corn, 14% Wheat, 7% Rye, 3% Malted Barley
Finished – Rosé Cask is finished in hand-selected French Rosé wine casks from the Southern Rhône region
Age – 4-5 years
Proof – 94
Other – Non Chill-Filtered, #4 Staves, #2 Heads
Price Paid – $59.94

Color – Golden Amber

Aroma – The rose wine is prevalent on the nose. There is also a light fruitiness, vanilla cream, and floral notes.

Tasted Neat – Rose wine is on the front of the palate followed by strawberry shortcake and vanilla cream with a finish of lingering nutmeg.

Tasted with dried cranberry – Fruit forward with floral notes as well as an herbal presence; very creamy. 

Tasted with a pecan – Fruitiness is gone, heavier in white pepper, but still creamy. 

Tasted with dark chocolate – Similar to the neat pour, but finishes with white pepper. 

Penelope Valencia


Mashbill – 75% Corn, 15% Wheat, 7% Rye, 3% Malted Barley
Finished – Valencia is finished in Vino de Naranja casks
Age – 4-5 years
Proof – 95
Other – Non Chill-Filtered, #4 Staves, #2 Heads
Price Paid – $108.99

Color – Medium Amber.

Aroma – Toffee, orange cream, orange zest, and baking spices.

Tasted Neat – Floral notes and French vanilla on the front with burnt orange zest, moves to a rich fruit with pops of black and white pepper and a lovely creamy and savory finish where the orange peel reappears.

Tasted with dried cranberry – The cranberry negated the orange notes but brought in a hint of chocolate and remained creamy.

Tasted with a pecan – With pecan it is very woody up front and then the orange returns on the back end, but the creaminess was gone.

Tasted with dark chocolate – The dark chocolate enhanced the fruitiness and increased the boldness of the spices on the finish.

Discussion and Final Notes


Both are outstanding! While they are different from most bourbons, they remind you on the journey that they are indeed bourbons. Sometimes finishes such as these are too wine-forward or you lose the taste of the original spirit. That is not the case with these Penelope selections.

We are often asked what we drink in the summer. Well, we still drink bourbon! However, for those who want something a bit lighter and with tastes of summer in their bourbon, the Rose and Valencia could be great choices. Their aromas and tastes make you think of summertime vibes.

We highly recommend Penelope Rosé Cask Finish and Penelope Valencia as a great addition to any bourbon collection. 

Cheers,
Rebecca & Wayne

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Spirit Requirements

Whiskey (generic) must be made from cereal grains, distilled below 190 proof, placed into an oak container, and bottled at a minimum of 80 proof.

Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Such whiskeys have all the requirements of bourbon: Made in the U.S, distilled at <= 160 proof, barreled at <= 125 proof, aged in new, charred oak containers, bottled at >= 80 proof. Straight bourbon means it is aged at least 2 years (and must have an age statement if less than 4).

For additional information on bourbon requirements, please read this post – Bourbon Whiskey.

NOTE: The bourbons in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producers for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.