Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

April 2024 Casey Jones Tasting

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

04/16/24
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer 

Wayne and I enjoyed our recent visit at Casey Jones Distillery and especially LOVED sharing their special eclipse bottles with friends April 8th, during the Total Eclipse! Typically when we open new bottles, we like to do a formal “first taste” tasting and write up. Due to the eclipse festivities, we simply enjoyed them with friends, which is really how you should drink the spirits that you love. This past weekend, we decided to take some time with what we purchased recently.

Selected for this Tasting

Casey Jones Total Eclipse Kentucky Straight Bourbon (375 ml), Casey Jones Single Barrel Eclipse Cask (700 ml), and Casey Jones Single Barrel Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon Mash Bill 3 – all produced by Casey Jones Distillery. Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.

Casey Jones Total Eclipse Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Mashbill – 75% Corn, 10% Wheat, 10% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
Age – at least 2 years
Proof – 100
Other – We purchased the eclipse 2-pack with 375ml bottles
Price Paid – $27.49

Color – Honey gold.

Aroma – Corn, a hint of honey, apple, and spices and wood.

Taste –  Corn and vanilla lead the way to a crips green apple and a nice cinnamon and black pepper finish.

Tasted with dried cranberry – Sweet but with vanilla versus corn, the apple remains and, pepper is stronger on the finish.

Tasted with a pecan – The vanilla is very sweet and the oak comes through on the finish.

Tasted with dark chocolate – Very different. Toasted vanilla cream with a stronger black pepper finish.

Casey Jones Single Barrel Eclipse Cask


Mashbill – 50% Corn, 50% Sugar Cane
Age – Moonshine aged just under 7 years (barreled after 2017 Eclipse)
Proof – 109
Other – It was aged in a Kelvin Cooperage #4 char, medium toast cask, offered uncut at cask strength, 700ml.
Price Paid – $99.99

Color – Medium to dark amber.

Aroma – Vanilla, molasses, brown sugar, cherries, and a light spice such as white pepper and baking spices.

Taste –  Sweet, great mouth feel, brown sugar, molasses, cherries, baking spices and oak .

Tasted with dried cranberry – This turned the sweet cherry to sour cherries – very interesting. Also, now there is cinnamon on the finish.

Tasted with a pecan – The cherry flavor now tastes and feels like brandy soaked cherries – very sweet. The spiciness and wood flavors are rather limited with the pecan.

Tasted with dark chocolate – Interesting, the sweetness has been eliminated but there is and it finishes with a pink peppercorn.

Casey Jones Single Barrel Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon Mash Bill 3

Mashbill – 26.5% Bloody Butcher Corn, 26.5% Yellow Corn, 35% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley
Age – 4.5 years
Proof – 113.5
Other – Authentic Square Pot Distilling, Barrel #931, Char 4, Toast M
Price Paid – $99.99

Color – Medium amber.

Aroma – Inviting sweetness of vanilla cream, caramel, crème brûlée, and fruit notes of apple and/or pear. There seem to be hints of cloves and oak as well.

Taste – This has a terrific mouth feel and it is incredibly smooth. There’s caramel, honey, vanilla pie, and the crème brûlée that was on the nose. Very balanced with some sweet tea notes. A nice finish with cinnamon and a malted caramel.

Tasted with dried cranberry –  This really brightened it up like fresh berries but it has a strong finish of black pepper.

Tasted with a pecan – The woodiness of the barrel is very prevalent. The pecan itself is present but more like the pecan used in a smoker. Overall, there is also some toasted marshmallow – terrific.

Tasted with dark chocolate – Very creamy and sweet, the cinnamon is more like a cinnamon roll.

Casey Jones Authentic Square Pot Still. Photo taken 12/18/22 during first visit.

Discussion and Final Notes

Casey Jones Total Eclipse Kentucky Straight Bourbon is very good but in this line-up, we might have to rank it third against its older brothers!

Casey Jones Single Barrel Eclipse Cask is phenomenal. It is still hard to believe that it is an aged moonshine. It has a wonderful sweetness yet very complex. It’s a beast – and we mean that in the best possible way. The primary “negative” is that it is likely sold out since it was quite limited when we visited April 6th. It is one of those times we really wish that we had purchased a back-up bottle!

Casey Jones Single Barrel Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon Mash Bill 3 is fantastic! We are huge fans of good four-grain bourbons and this one ranks way up there on our list. In addition to the single barrel that we purchased, they also offer it in a small batch at 95 proof for $59.99. Since it has regular availability, we encourage you to make a visit and give it a try.

Honestly – we thoroughly enjoyed each one. AJ is making some terrific spirits at Casey Jones. Give them a try!

Cheers,
Rebecca

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

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 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.

April 2024 Elijah Craig Trio Tasting

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

04/09/24
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer 

Wayne and I regularly enjoy Elijah Craig Barrel Proof offerings and the Toasted Barrel stands out as a classic toasted offering. Last year at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, we were able to acquire a bottle of their 18-year-old and had not had an opportunity to open and taste it. Thus, we decided to taste and compare a trio of Elijah Craig for this tasting.

Selected for this Tasting

Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel, Elijah Craig Single Barrel #6334 18 year old, and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof #A122 – all produced by Heaven Hill Distillery. Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.

Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel

Mashbill – 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye
Age – at least 4 years but typically 8-12 years
Proof – 94
Other – Toasted Barrel
Price Paid – $64.99

Color – Golden amber.

Aroma – Caramel, baking, spices, and classic toasted aromas of marshmallow.

Taste – A lovely sweetness of marshmallow and graham crackers with chocolate and caramel. Nutmeg and white pepper linger on the finish with a nice hint of smokiness.

Tasted with dried cranberry – Muted many of the flavors, only a light sweetness after the cranberry and even the spicy notes are limited.

Tasted with a pecan – Spicy notes really returned but more of a white pepper. The barrel and toasted oak is prevalent but the sweetness and toasted marshmallow is gone.

Tasted with dark chocolate – Much more balanced with a nice flavor profile, including a hint of pepper on the finish.

Elijah Craig Single Barrel #6334 18-Year-Old


Mashbill – 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye
Age – 18 years
Proof – 90
Other – Single Barrel
Price Paid – $199.99

Color –  Golden amber.

Aroma – Caramel and oak, then honey and brown sugar, followed by apple and cinnamon.

Taste – Very delicate but 18 years of oak come forward. Not as sweet as on the nose but vanilla cream and spiced apples are present. It finishes with rye spices, a touch of vanilla, and aged oak. A little higher proof might create more complexity and a more viscous mouth feel.

Tasted with dried cranberry – Not a huge difference with the cranberry but more tannins, less sweetness and spice, and somewhat of a tea flavor, perhaps cardamon.

Tasted with a pecan – The pecan made it quite bitter and it stripped away all of the delicate flavors.

Tasted with dark chocolate – The chocolate comes through and provides an elevated mouth feel.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof #A122

Mashbill – 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye
Age – 12 years
Proof – 120.8
Other – Barrel Proof
Price Paid – $89.99

Color – Medium amber.

Aroma – Vanilla, caramel, light toffee, and light baking spice. A very pleasant nose.

Taste – Cherry, caramel, and baking spices with a hint of leather. The finish includes cinnamon, pepper, and lingering oak.

Tasted with dried cranberry – Heavy spices with a lot of cinnamon and pepper.

Tasted with a pecan – It is cinnamon on the front and pepper on the back.

Tasted with dark chocolate – Cherry came back and then cherry cinnamon pie with a buttery piecrust.

Discussion and Final Notes

We enjoyed each one. The Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel is a pretty classic toasted barrel profile and exceptional for its price point. This particular Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is good but perhaps not as flavorful as other seasonal releases. The Elijah Craig 18-year-old is good but quite delicate and lacks the viscosity and complexity that we enjoy. Based on its availability and price point, it would be lower on our recommendation.

Our personal favorite of this specific trio leans toward the Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel. It has a great flavor profile and terrific price point with good availability.

Cheers,
Rebecca

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

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.

March 2024 Old Fitzgerald 1976 Decanter Tasting

/ bourbonjourney / 1 Comment

March 17, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Wayne and I were married March 17, 2020. Yesterday, Wayne surprised me with an early anniversary gift. It was an unopened bicentennial decanter of Old Fitzgerald. It had remained in a clear plastic carton and the bottle is pristine!

He shared that he spotted this bootle during our visit to Northern Kentucky and the Revival Vintage Bottle Shop in late January. He later contacted Brad Bonds and made the purchase.

About the Bottle: 1976 Old Fitzgerald American Sons of St. Patrick Bicentennial

The 1976 Old Fitzgerald American Sons of St. Patrick Bicentennial is a ceramic decanter that celebrates the 1976 American Sons of St. Patrick Bicentennial. The decanter is made of genuine porcelain by Fitzgerald Distillery, Inc. and is about 9 1/8 inches tall. The decanter is part of the Old Fitzgerald Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bicentennial bottling series and contains whiskey distilled at Stitzel-Weller.

Images on the decanter include: Com. John Barry, “Father of the Navy;” Maj. General John Sullivan; General Andrew Lewis, “Idol of the Army;” Andrew Jackson, First Irish President; Gustavus Conyngham, “The Dunkirk Pirate;” Col. John P. Fitzgerald, Finest Horseman in the Revolution; Tim Murphy, Hero of Bemis Heights 1777; Richard Montgomery, Hero at Quebec 1775; and Margaret Corbin at Ft. Washington, Nov 15, 1776.

Opening a Vintage Bottle

Opening a vintage bottle always requires care; however, even with the utmost care, corks can be brittle and break. This happened with this bottle on first touch of the ceramic lid.

Following what we had observed previously, I carefully placed toothpicks around the edge of the cork and carefully used a knife to loosen it. Unfortunately, I should have stuck the toothpicks in further as the cork broke off.

From this point, the main option was to allow the cork to fall into the bottle. We then strained it into a large glass a bit at a time to ensure removal of cork. An additional strain into a decanter was the final step.

The bourbon was clear, cork-free, and ready to drink!

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

Tasting Notes: Old Fitzgerald American Sons of St. Patrick Decanter

Mashbill – The researched mashbill for Old Fitzgerald Prime in the early 1970s was 70% Corn, 20% Wheat, and 10% Malted Barley.

Age – According to bourbon historian, Michael Veach, Old Fitz Prime was typically a blend of 4-8 year-old-whiskey with mostly 6-year-old.

Distilled – If this whiskey was bottled around 1976, and the dominate age was 6 years, it was likely distilled and barreled around 1970.

Proof – 86

Color – Deep golden to light amber.

Aroma – Caramel, apples, brown sugar, and vanilla.

Tasted Neat – Like a cinnamon candy apple that you get at the fair with a hint of leather and a very long and pleasant finish.

Tasted with dried cranberry –  Leather, tobacco, and a hint of apple.

Tasted with a pecan –  Apple, chocolate, baking spices, and tobacco.

Tasted with dark chocolate – Baking spices, apple, with light pepper on the finish.  

Additional note – About an hour after we finished the tasting, our empty glasses remained in front of us. The aroma from the glass carried a strong nose of tobacco and nothing else. It was fascinating.

Discussion and Final Notes

Tasting from a dusty bottle is always a unique experience. You quickly learn that what was made then may not taste like it does today. We have never owned a bottle of Old Fitzgerald but have had the opportunity to taste it. As wonderful as it is today, there is something about tasting history that brings it to a new level.

If you have the opportunity to taste Old Fitzgerald from this era, we highly recommend it. And if you do, let us know what you thought.

A huge thank you to our friend and bourbon historian, Michael Veach, who identified the bourbon as Old Fitzgerald Prime and the historical age of this bourbon at time of bottling.


If you are ever in the Northern Kentucky or Cincinnati area, please make plans to stop by and visit Revival Vintage Bottle Shop. It is an experience like none other.

When you first enter, you aren’t sure where to looks because you are surrounded by amazing dusty bottles that represent the history of spirits. They have great specials each day to taste these amazing dusty bottles.

If you decide you would like to take one home, Brad Bonds will guide you toward a great decision!

Cheers,
Rebecca & Wayne

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Spirt Requirements

This bottle contains 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, read Bourbon Whiskey, part of the Sunday Spirit Notes.

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.

February 2024 Augusta Distillery Bourbon Tasting

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

02/07/24
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

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

For this tasting, Wayne and I decided to taste and compare three selections from one of the newest members of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour: Augusta Distillery. We purchased these when we visited the distillery January 27, 2024. You can read about our visit here.

They are all Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys. 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.

Augusta River Proof Series 24

Mashbill – 51% Corn, 45% Wheat, 4% Malted Barley
Proof – 120.4
Aged – 24 months
Other – Single Barrel
Awards – Silver at 2023 World Spirits Competition
Price Paid – $49.99

Color – light copper
Aroma – honey, citrus, a hint of caramel, and fennel
Taste – fennel, caramel, light baking spice, cinnamon on the finish; it drinks more like 105-110 versus 120; Tasted with dried cranberry – more caramel, spices in the middle but then finishes smooth with light nutmeg; Tasted with a pecan – very spicy on the front and with less sweetness, a slight hint of chocolate and caramel with a pecan; Tasted with dark chocolate – the caramel is back, baking spice in the middle.

General Notes – A fairly complex drink for a two-year-old bourbon. Carmel, warm spices, and a gentle finish of fennel. Doesn’t drink like 120 proof and is a great price point.

Augusta Old Route 8


Mashbill – 74% Corn, 18% Rye, 8% malted barley
Proof – 121.1
Aged – 8 Years
Specifics – Bottle 176 of Barrel 60; Single Barrel, Unfiltered, Cask Strength
Awards – Gold at 2023 World Spirits Competition
Price Paid – $114.99

Color – dark amber
Aroma – caramel, baking spices, bit of smokiness
Taste – caramel, cinnamon, vanilla, brown sugar, oak, with a pleasant peppery finish; Tasted with dried cranberry – brought out the smokiness from the aroma as well as oak, sweetness is very limited; Tasted with a pecan – creaminess on the front and a very peppery finish; Tasted with dark chocolate – A bit of sweetness but many of the other flavors got lost.

General Notes – If you enjoy oak and smokiness with a hint of pepper, this would hit those marks. We would love to try this in a smoked Old Fashioned. This also might be extremely complimentary to pair with the right cigar.

Augusta Buckner’s 10-Year-Old

Mashbill – 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Age – 10 Years
Proof – 125
Specifics – Bottle 129 of Barrel 47; Single Barrel, Unfiltered, Cask Strength
Price Paid – $149.99

Color – medium amber
Aroma – an inviting sweetness such as honey and vanilla with hints of cinnamon and brown sugar
Taste – very cinnamon forward, caramel, baking spices, oaky; Tasted with dried cranberry – smoky, but it now tastes more like it smelled regarding brown sugar and cinnamon; Tasted with a pecan – hot with cinnamon, everything else seems to be missing now; Tasted with dark chocolate – back to being an inviting sweetness of honey with some light brown sugar and cinnamon.

General Notes – We each enjoyed the nose and drinking it neat. However, the cranberry added some interesting notes.

Comparison and Ranking

Aroma
  Wayne: Augusta 8, River Proof Series 24, Buckner 10
  Rebecca: Buckner 10, Augusta 8, River Proof Series 24  
Taste
  Wayne: Augusta 8, Buckner 10, River Proof Series 24
  Rebecca: Buckner 10, River Proof Series 24, Augusta 8
Overall
  Wayne: River Proof Series 24, Augusta 8, Buckner 10
  Rebecca: River Proof Series 24, Augusta 8, Buckner 10 

Discussion – The River Proof Series 24 exceeded our expectations and it’s the one that has the most distinct individual flavor. If we could only buy one bottle at the distillery, we would go with this one based on value and complexity. However, if your friend has a bottle of Augusta 8 or Buckner’s 10 or if you see them on a bar menu, give them a try and let us know what you think.

Cheers,
Rebecca

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

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.

January 2024 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Tasting

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

01/31/24
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

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

For this tasting, Wayne and I decided to select three Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys. 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 this tasting, we selected expressions from the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour: The Bard Distillery, Bluegrass Distillers, and James E. Pepper Distilling Co.

The Bard: Cinder & Smoke


Mash Grains – Corn, Rye, Malted Barley
Proof – 94
Age – At least 4 years






Color – Medium Amber
Aroma – Honey, baking spices, smoke
Taste – Honey, caramel, vanilla, brown sugar; Tasted with dried cranberry – very similar but there is a buttery taste and the black pepper finish is gone; Tasted with a pecan – baking spice, caramel, and some light oak; Tasted with dark chocolate – creamy, buttery, caramel.
Finish – lingering with black pepper
General Notes – Solid bourbon with a nice balance of tastes.

Bluegrass Distillers: Bottled-in-Bond


Mashbill – 75% yellow corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley
Proof – 100
Aged – At least 4 years







Color – Medium amber
Aroma – Honey, salted caramel, vanilla, green tea, light fruit
Taste – Honey, pear, oak, butterscotch; Tasted with dried cranberry – more fruitiness again a very light caramel with a really smooth finish with a hint of cinnamon; Tasted with a pecan – more buttery with the pecan, less cinnamon, finish is very light now; Tasted with dark chocolate – strong pepper on the finish.
Finish – Lingering baking spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon as well as black pepper
General Notes – Very nice, full-bodied, drinks like it would be a warm hug in the cold

James E. Pepper: Decanter Barrel Proof

Note – this decanter is a recreation of a historic bottle from 1945
Mash grains – Corn, rye, malted barley, malted rye
Age – average of 5.5 years
Bottled – from barrel, uncut, unfiltered
Proof – 105.7






Color – Darker amber
Aroma – Strong caramel, toasted oak, fruit and nuts
Taste –  Cherry, raisins, caramel, citrus, toasted oak, cinnamon; Tasted with dried cranberry – the fruit is a little different and less forward, buttery, cinnamon finish; Tasted with a pecan – baking spices with caramel and a hint of cocoa and a light cinnamon finish; Tasted with dark chocolate – creamy, buttery caramel, a little bit of cinnamon and baking spices, would like pair well with a dessert
Finish – dried fruits, rye spice, cinnamon
General Notes – Beautiful bottle with an inviting complexity, a great pour

Comparison and Ranking

Aroma
  Wayne: Bluegrass, James E Pepper, Cinder & Smoke
  Rebecca: James E Pepper, Cinder & Smoke, Bluegrass  
Taste
  Wayne: James E Pepper, Cinder & Smoke, Bluegrass
  Rebecca: James E Pepper, Cinder & Smoke, Bluegrass

Discussion – We enjoyed each of these even though they are incredibly different. Perhaps that is one of the reasons that we love bourbon so much – they are all labeled Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and they are each their own unique offering. What they have in common is that each have rye as their second grain.

**James E Pepper is right in the midst of our favorite profile. It is caramel and fruity with just the right pop of baking spices.
**Cinder & Smoke is loaded with honey, caramel, vanilla, and brown sugar with the added interest of smoke and black pepper.
**Bluegrass BIB is honey, pear, oaky, and finishes with nutmeg and black pepper.

How to chose? For a cocktail, we know that Cinder & Smoke is amazing in an Old Fashioned (especially a smoked one). Overall, it will depend on your day and what you are in the mood to enjoy. Today, we rank them as listed above. However, the great thing about bourbon is that if we do this again in a few months, the ranking could very well be completely different.

We recommend them all and they would be terrific additions to a bourbon collection, especially since they are so different. Have you tried any of these? What did you think?

Cheers,
Rebecca

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

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.