“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
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.
In honor of the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, Saturday May 4, 2024, Wayne and I tasted a THEME of bourbon inspired by this iconic event. In addition to the annual Woodford Reserve release, we also opened and tasted two special bottles.
Selected for this Tasting
Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 150; 1974 James B. Beam 100th Kentucky Derby Decanter; and Evan Williams Kentucky Derby Festival 2023.
Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.
Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 150
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Mashbill – 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malt Age – NAS; KSBW is at least 4 years Proof – 90.4 Other – The whiskey is also triple distilled and has a low proof when it enters the barrel to mature for at least six years. Price Paid – $37.59
Color – Light to Medium Amber
Aroma – Surprised by the amount of ethanol at first as this is pretty low proof. Once we go past that notes of honey, vanilla, light baking spices, hints of oak.
Tasted Neat – Very light and with limited viscosity. Similar to the nose, there is vanilla, honey, orange zest, and a woodiness. The finish is dry with pepper and oak.
Tasted with dried cranberry – The cranberry brought the orange zest very forward, less sweetness, and the finish is also lighter.
Tasted with a pecan – Tobacco leads the way but there is also strong wood notes and a light hint of cocoa powder.
Tasted with dark chocolate – Very similar to when it was tasted neat except that the chocolate has added a creaminess.
We both liked it best with the cranberry as it had a very nice brightness; however, due to the tobacco notes, we might want to taste it with a cigar as well.
1974 James B. Beam 100th Kentucky Derby Decanter
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Mashbill – 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malt (estimated based on today’s Jim Beam white label) Age – 100 months (8.33 years) when bottled in 1974 Proof – 86 Price Paid – Gifted from Family Collection Other – From “A Guide To Jim Beam Bottles” by Cembura & Avery: The 100th anniversary of the famed Kentucky Derby Classic is honored with a bottle bearing cameos of the first winner Aristides in 1875 and Cannonade in 1974. Red roses fill the numerals. The back list the names and dates of previous winners. Height 7.5 inches. Originally sold for $10.00.
Color – Dark Amber
Aroma – Lovely nose … sweet and rich at the same time. There is a nice wood note with caramel, buttered popcorn, and baking spices and perhaps a hint of fruit.
Tasted Neat – Caramel and oak with a vanilla custard and cinnamon. The fruit from the aroma seems to be dried apricot and there is a hint of citrus as well. The finish lingers nicely with cinnamon and oak. It has a lot more character and complexity than we typically see today in an 86 proof bourbon.
Tasted with dried cranberry – This took away the sweetness and brought the baking spices forward with more woodiness.
Tasted with a pecan – Very rich as the caramel turns darker and the wood became quite dominant. The finish is black pepper and oak.
Tasted with dark chocolate – The caramel returned and there is cinnamon more mid-palate. Finishes with a strong woodiness and cinnamon.
Neat would be preferred but with the pecan was very nice.
Evan Williams Kentucky Derby Festival 2023
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Mashbill – 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye Barreled 10/27/15; Bottled 01/20/23; Barrel #5 Age – 7.24 years Proof – 119 Other – Dipped in iridescent teal wax. The bottle also features a special face label with the Kentucky Derby Festival logo in teal and gold, and each bottle comes with a 2023 Pegasus Pin in an envelope. Only 800 bottles were released. Price Paid – $84.79
Color – Medium Amber
Aroma – Vanilla, cherry, floral, and perhaps tea.
Tasted Neat – Caramel, honey, vanilla custard, and a hint of cherry. The finish has nutmeg and a light mint.
Tasted with dried cranberry – This really brightened it up. Now there is citrus coming forward such as orange or lemon zest, still with a hint of cherry and the finish is very nice and with a pleasant cinnamon.
Tasted with a pecan – Now there is chocolate covered cherries with nutmeg and an additional woodiness. Very nice.
Tasted with dark chocolate – The cherry got really bold in the middle with a hint of chocolate but there wasn’t much of a finish.
This is a great bottle and we liked it neat but some of the other options were also very interesting.
Discussion and Final Notes
For a nose preference, it was clearly Jim Beam, Evan Williams, then Woodford.
From a taste perspective, it is hard to compare something that was distilled and barreled in 1966 to today’s products. Based on the older products that we have been able to taste, they tend to have a bit more character than today’s exact counterpart.
The 1974 bottle of Jim Beam was fantastic. If you can get your hands on an unopened decanter of this vintage, we highly recommend giving it a try. And, if ever in Northern Kentucky, just south of Cincinnati you will find Covington, KY and the home of Revival Vintage Bottle Shop where each day you might have an opportunity to taste from a dusty bottle! From a current Jim Beam offering, we would recommend the Jim Beam Black 7 Year as a good substitute.
The 2023 Derby Festival bottle by Evan Williams is truly terrific. We have also had several of their single barrels and since finding this specific bottle might be a challenge, give their single barrel a try.
Woodford Reserve, at least for us, is not preferred for drinking neat. However, it is fantastic in cocktails as its taste holds up very even though it is a lower proof. If you love the Kentucky Derby, you will want to collect their beautiful commemorative bottles.
Everyone has a different palate and different taste preferences. We are confident that at least one of these would be great for most people.
Cheers, Rebecca & Wayne
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.
If you have spoken with us about our bourbon journey and favorite distilleries, you have certainly heard us talk about the Neeley Family Distillery in Sparta, KY. Our first visit was very planned as part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail; however, we almost always “stop by” when traveling to or from the Cincinnati, OH area! We are HUGE fans of their spirits and ensure that we have a good amount to tide us over to our next visit. Thus, it was well past time for Wayne and I to do a formal tasting of the goodness that Royce Neeley puts into a barrel! Last weekend, we did a two-day tasting, and we hope to inspire you to give them a try if you haven’t already!
Day 2: PawPaw’s Birthday Barrel Bottled-in-Bond, Hidden Barn Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in Madeira casks, The Old Jett Brothers Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey French Cognac Finish
Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.
Mashbill – 76% Corn, 19% Wheat, 5% Malted Barley Age – 46 months Proof – 112.7 Other – Single barrel, triple pot distilled, non chill filtered, sweet mash, barrel char 2, barrel size 25 gal, yeast strand A-1. Price Paid – $41.39 (375ml)
Color – Medium amber
Aroma – Sweet corn, wheat, vanilla, brown sugar, and a bit of smokiness.
Taste – Barley, brown sugar, butterscotch, vanilla cream, almost a crème brûlée.
Tasted with dried cranberry – It brightened the taste to almost an effervescence, less sweetness, but lot of cinnamon.
Tasted with a pecan – A hint of chocolate, oak, brown sugar, with black pepper on the finish.
Tasted with dark chocolate – Creamy caramel, chocolate covered nut, with a sweet finish of toasted brown sugar.
Neeley’s wheated bourbon is always a favorite of ours. Perhaps it is the triple pot still approach or the way they treat the grains, but always fantastic.
Mashbill – 76% Corn, 19% Wheat, 5% Malted Barley Age – 52 months Proof – 111 Other – Single barrel, triple pot distilled, non chill filtered, sweet mash, barrel char 3, barrel size 30 gal, eight-year air seasoned barrel, yeast strand A-1. Price Paid – $51.74 (375ml)
Color – Medium amber
Aroma – The nose is complex with caramel, fruit, baking spices, some vanilla malt, brown sugar or even a bit of molasses, a very mature nose.
Taste – Wheat, barley, caramel, dark fruit notes, and a really nice finish of black pepper that goes well with the sweet notes.
Tasted with dried cranberry – A hint of chocolate but there is cinnamon on the front and more of a sweet finish. Great mouth feel – feels creamy … almost buttery.
Tasted with a pecan – This muted some of the flavor and brought some spices forward; somewhat of a spicy chocolate caramel.
Tasted with dark chocolate – This brought the chocolate, like a chocolate covered caramel with sea salt on it. Maybe a little bit of cherry in the middle.
We are very pleased that we purchased several of these bottles because it was a very limited barrel treatment. As noted on the tag, the barrel was aged outdoors for EIGHT years. While the treatment of the oak barrel is quite present in the taste profile, it doesn’t dominate in a negative way. Instead, it brings out a cornucopia of flavors.
Mashbill – 65% Rye Age – 28 months Proof – 108.9 Other – Single barrel, triple pot distilled, non chill filtered, sweet mash, barrel char 3, barrel size 25 gal. Price Paid – $42.39 (375ml)
Color – Medium to dark amber.
Aroma – Rye sweetness dominates, mint, herbal tea, a light baking spice, floral notes, very fresh, very natural, and inviting.
Taste – Mint, rye grass, floral, tea, light spice, pleasant rye bread and white pepper finish.
Tasted with dried cranberry – Very floral with a white pepper finish, very nice.
Tasted with a pecan – Mellow and it brings it all together sweetness and it is just really good.
Tasted with dark chocolate – Chocolate, caramel, mint chocolate chip ice cream.
Neeley’s rye is outstanding. One of the most pleasant and enjoyable ryes to drink. As we were tasting, we kept wondering why we didn’t pull it off the shelf more often. Answer – we do not have a back-up bottle. On our next trip, we will remedy that!
PawPaw’s Birthday Barrel Bottled-in-Bond
Mashbill – Uncertain Age – at least 4 years Proof – 100 Other – Bottled-in-Bond Price Paid – $106
Color – light to med amber
Aroma – Stone fruit, nuttiness, orange zest, floral notes, and light baking spices.
Taste – Caramel, toasted brown sugar, orange zest and cinnamon on the finish.
Tasted with dried cranberry – The cranberry is bringing a fruitiness forward, more citrus, and less cinnamon.
Tasted with a pecan – Chocolate malt – very nice with the pecan.
Tasted with dark chocolate – A great creaminess, a bit less chocolate than the pecan brought but the finish is more like a warm cinnamon roll.
Wayne, Rebecca, & PawPaw 2023
PawPaw signing our bottle
Overall, it’s a fantastic bottled-in-bond as it is rich in flavor and a lot of complexity. It is damn good. This bottle will forever be incredibly special to us. We purchased it at the 2023 Kentucky Bourbon Festival and we got Bottle #1. Most importantly, PawPaw was there – he signed the bottle and we got a picture with him.
We really hope (pretty please) that an annual release of a Birthday Barrel in honor of PawPaw’s birthday will continue.
Hidden Barn Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in Madeira Casks
Mashbill – 70% Corn, 20% Rye, 10% Malted Barley Age – at least 4 years Proof – 100 Other – Finished in Madeira Casks Price Paid – $103.49
Color – dark amber
Aroma – The wine really comes forward on the nose as well as a creamy vanilla and some baking spices.
Taste – Honey, brown sugar, cherry, chocolate, light undertones of the madeira cask and a light yet warm finish. Very nice taste and overall experience.
Tasted with dried cranberry – This did nothing to enhance it and it made it oddly bitter with a stronger cinnamon on the finish.
Tasted with a pecan – This moved the focus to the spicy side and any hint of the Madeira is gone.
Tasted with dark chocolate – Much better with the dark chocolate as it added a creamy sweetness and the taste of chocolate dipped grapes with a nice warm finish.
This was our first time to taste a Hidden Barn bourbon. It was very good, and we liked it neat the best as that focused on the spirit and the finishing with the Madeira.
The Old Jett Brothers Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey French Cognac Finish
Mashbill – High Rye Bourbon Age – At least 4 years Proof – 109.9 Other – Finished in French Oak Cognac Barrels for 7 Months Price Paid – $123.41
Color – golden
Aroma – The cognac is there and the French Oak is bringing a strong vanilla note forward. Also, sweet corn, raisins, and toasted marshmallows.
Taste – Vanilla, vanilla cream pie with a nice pastry note, buttered raisin toast, the cognac is complementing it very well and there is also a lovely finish of baking spices, pepper, and oak.
Tasted with dried cranberry – With the cranberry, it lost the delicate notes and shifted to stronger fruits and french vanilla.
Tasted with a pecan – The pecan brought some French Oak notes forward as well as chocolate and caramel.
Tasted with dark chocolate – This is different and in a good way. Almost like chocolate covered grapes. This makes me want to have a pour of this with a dessert or instead of dessert.
The cognac and French Oak play very well together. In addition to being a good option after dinner, it might also pair well with a cigar.
Discussion and Final Notes
We have wanted to do this tasting for some time; however, we have a substantial “shelf” of Neeley’s spirits and selecting a few for a tasting can be a challenge. Thus, we decided on six and completed the tasting over two days.
Bottom line – they are all fantastic. You really cannot go wrong with a nice pour of a Neeley Family Distillery bourbon or rye. Perhaps it is the family tradition, using sweet mash, being triple pot distilled, or non-chill filtered, or a fine combination of everything they do. We only know that we personally enjoy each one.
Royce Neeley is truly a Master Distiller and continually produces some terrific spirits at Neeley Family Distillery. Give them a try!
Cheers – and always drink responsibly! Rebecca & Wayne
Sweet Mash: Sweet mash is a process in distillation that does not use the sour mash as a starter for fermentation. Instead, only fresh yeast is used. Using sweet mash has the benefit of more control over specific ingredients and the ability to use lower temperatures for fermentation. However, it does require more maintenance and extreme cleanliness to avoid contamination. For more information, please read this post – Four Stages of Making Spirits.
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.
Rye Whiskey Basic Requirements: Rye whiskey must be made from at least 51% rye. It must be distilled at 160 proof or less. It then must be placed into a new, charred oak container at a proof of 125 or below. Straight rye whiskey is a subcategory of rye whiskey that has been aged for at least two years in new, charred oak barrels and doesn’t contain any additives. If aged less than four years, the label must include an age statement. For additional information on bourbon requirements, please read this post – Rye 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 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.
Last July, following a fantastic two-day 2023 Bardstown Bourbon Collection Mint Julep Tour, Wayne and I stopped by the gift shop of the Four Roses bottling facility in Coxs Creek, KY because we heard they had released the Four Roses Ten Recipe Tasting Experience boxed set and wanted to get one to try at some point.
Wayne and I enjoy Four Roses and often have people ask, “What is your favorite recipe?” We really didn’t know because we haven’t purchased a single barrel bottle that we didn’t enjoy. This past weekend, we had the time to devote to this experience and it was very fascinating and sometimes surprising.
Selected for this Tasting
This tasting was boxed and ready for us – the Four Roses Ten Recipe Tasting Experience that is produced by Four Roses Distillery. The set includes ten 50 ml bottles, one of each recipe. The retail price at the gift shop for the set was $129.00
As discussed in Bourbon Yeast Flavors, Four Roses Bourbon produces a wide range of flavors by blending various yeast strains and mash bills. The use two mash bills – Mash Bill B emphasizes rye, while Mash Bill E prioritizes corn. Five yeast strains impart unique characteristics. These elements are combined to create ten distinct recipes as indicated on the table below.
Mash Bill B – 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Barley
Mash Bill E – 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Barley
Yeast V – delicate fruit
1 – OBSV – delicate fruit and rye
6 – OESV – delicate fruit and caramel
Yeast K – slight spice
2 – OBSK – rye and baking spice
7 – OESK – baking spice
Yeast O – rich fruit
3 – OBSO – rich fruit
8 – OESO – rich fruit and vanilla
Yeast Q – floral essence
4 – OBSQ – rye and light floral character
9 – OESQ – delicate grains and floral character
Yeast F – herbal notes
9 – OBSF – delicate grains and floral character
10 – OESF – light grain and mint
The four-character recipe:O for distilled at Four Roses, B or E for the Mash Bill, S for Straight Whiskey, and the final letter (V, K, O, Q, or F) for the yeast strain.
Four Roses Mash Bill B
Mash Bill B – 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley Age – at least 4 years (straight whiskey) Proof – 104
We did the aroma individually, wrote down our notes, and then shared with one another. We did the same with the tasting portion. We also had the Four Roses recipe table. Our conversation and knowledge of the table certainly could have influenced our results.
Recipe 01 – OBSV: ***Aroma: Wayne – pear and chocolate; Rebecca – berries ***Taste: Wayne – honey and cinnamon; Rebecca – pear, herbal, and cinnamon ***Finish: Wayne – cinnamon; Rebecca – long baking spices Recipe 02 – OBSK: ***Aroma: Wayne – honey and rye ; Rebecca – rye bread and baking spices ***Taste: Wayne – honey and rye; Rebecca – rye bread with honey butter on it ***Finish: Wayne – warm baking spices; Rebecca – light, warm cinnamon Recipe 03 – OBSO: ***Aroma: Wayne – apple; Rebecca – plum and ripe apples ***Taste: Wayne – cinnamon; Rebecca – plum and fig ***Finish: Wayne – nutmeg; Rebecca – nutmeg with white pepper Recipe 04 – OBSQ: ***Aroma: Wayne – honeysuckle and cinnamon; Rebecca – light cherry and rose ***Taste: Wayne – disappointed, didn’t like; Rebecca – honeysuckle and rye ***Finish: Wayne – NA; Rebecca – light white pepper Recipe 05 – OBSF: ***Aroma: Wayne – honey, light fruit, and mint; Rebecca – rye, mint, and tea ***Taste: Wayne – tea, mint, and honey; Rebecca – mint tea and rye bread ***Finish: Wayne – light; Rebecca – cinnamon
Favorite Aromas: Wayne – OBSV and OBSK; Rebecca – OBSO and OBSV Favorite Tastes: Wayne – OBSK and OBSO; Rebecca – OBSV and OBSK Favorite Overall: Wayne – OBSK and OBSV; Rebecca – OBSV and OBSO
Four Roses Mash Bill E
Mash Bill E – 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley Age – at least 4 years (straight whiskey) Proof – 104
The same as the other, we did the aroma individually, wrote down our notes, and then shared with one another. We did the same with the tasting portion. We also had the Four Roses recipe table. Our conversation and knowledge of the table certainly could have influenced our results.
Recipe 06 – OESV: ***Aroma: Wayne – vanilla, honey, baking spices; Rebecca – caramel, pear, baking spice ***Taste: Wayne – fruit and honey; Rebecca – caramel and pear ***Finish: Wayne – cinnamon; Rebecca – warm nutmeg and light pepper Recipe 07 – OESK: ***Aroma: Wayne – honey, vanilla, baking spice; Rebecca – vanilla and allspice ***Taste: Wayne – honeysuckle and cinnamon; Rebecca – baking spices ***Finish: Wayne – cinnamon and pepper; Rebecca – light cinnamon Recipe 08 – OESO: ***Aroma: Wayne – honeysuckle, vanilla, baking spice; Rebecca – vanilla cream and raspberry ***Taste: Wayne – spicy and honeysuckle; Rebecca – vanilla cream pie with berries on top ***Finish: Wayne – nutmeg and ginger; Rebecca – white pepper Recipe 09 – OESQ: ***Aroma: Wayne – caramel, honey, vanilla; Rebecca – corn, lavender, and light spice ***Taste: Wayne – wild honey, nutmeg, cinnamon; Rebecca – buttered corn and lavender ***Finish: Wayne – nutmeg and cinnamon; Rebecca – nutmeg Recipe 10 – OESF: ***Aroma: Wayne – rich vanilla, caramel, slight mint; Rebecca – herbal mint tea and baking spices ***Taste: Wayne – cinnamon and mint; Rebecca – sweet mint tea ***Finish: Wayne – cinnamon; Rebecca – nutmeg
Favorite Aromas: Wayne – OESK and OESF; Rebecca – OESV and OESO Favorite Tastes: Wayne – OESK and OESV; Rebecca – OESO and OESV Favorite Overall: Wayne – OESK and OESV; Rebecca – OESO and OESV
Blind Tasting Comparison
Note: The blind tasting was completed on Sunday, the day after the initial tasting.
This turned out to be much more challenging than we anticipated. It was our first blind tasting, and even so, we did break it into 5-pour sets based on Mash Bill B and Mash Bill E.
We started with the “B” group for aroma. This was a silent approach and we did not speak until we each had our top two. We then identified what was on the bottom of the glass but still did not know which one it was. Next we replicated the same approach for the “E” group. Finally, we took the top four that we had each selected and personally ranked them 1-4. Still, no idea which was which.
We repeated this exact process for the tasting component. This took much longer because we drank quite a bit of water between recipes to clear our palates.
Once we completed the process, we looked up the codes for each pour. We found it interesting that we each leaned more toward the Mash Bill B (higher rye) and that our taste tended to align more with one another than our nose. Below are our results.
Aroma
Taste
#1 of Mash Bill B
W: OBSK; R: OBSK *SAME*
W: OBSV; R: OBSV *SAME*
#2 of Mash Bill B
W: OBSF; R: OBSV
W: OBSQ; R: OBSK
#1 of Mash Bill E
W: OESV; R: OESQ
W: OESQ; R: OESK
#2 of Mash Bill E
W: OESF; R: OESK
W: OESV; R: OESQ
#1 Preference
W: OESV; R: OBSK
W: OBSV; R: OBSV *SAME*
#2 Preference
W: OBSK; R: OESQ
W: OBSQ; R: OBSK
#3 Preference
W: OBSF; R: OBSV
W: OESQ; R: OESQ *SAME*
#4 Preference
W: OESF; R: OESK
W: OESV; R: OESK
W = Wayne; R = Rebecca
We learned that information absolutely influences your palate. That could be what we have watched or read regarding other similar tastings, what the distiller states we might find, and even our ongoing conversation throughout a tasting as that makes it a shared versus individual experience.
Just for Fun – A Bit of Blending
Just for fun, we decided to try some blending. Except for single barrel offerings, most of the Four Roses expressions are expertly blended under the watchful palate of Brent Elliott, Master Distiller. We were curious to see what we might find by blending our top taste choices.
Wayne: OBSV with OBSQ – Aroma of mint, cherry, baking spice; Taste of honey and cinnamon OESQ with OESV – Aroma of honey and vanilla; Taste of honey, mint, and vanilla All Four – Aroma of honey and vanilla; Taste of mint, rye, and cinnamon
Rebecca: OBSV with OBSK – Aroma of berries, plum, rye, and mint; Taste of fruit, honey, plum, and finished with cinnamon and nutmeg OESK with OESQ – Aroma of caramel, vanilla, berries, and tea; Taste of caramel, corn, vanilla cream, mint and finished with nutmeg and pepper All Four – Aroma of rye bread, caramel, and fruitiness; Taste of caramel, vanilla, honey, fruit and finished with nutmeg
This was super fun to do some “blending” at home. It was interesting to see which characteristics had the strength to rise to the top over such a wide range of aromas and tastes happening. On a side note, we each took our remaining six recipes and poured them into a Glencairn to sip on throughout the day.
Discussion and Final Notes
As fans of Four Roses, we really enjoyed this challenge/experience. We now better understand their approach to bourbon and blending and this brought us a greater appreciation for the Small Batch and Small Batch Select (although they are typically 6-7 years old) expressions and helped us to better understand why we might prefer one single barrel over another.
Speaking of single barrels, these samples and tastes will likely never perfectly match a single barrel; although, there should be a family resemblance. A single barrel is selected for its specific characteristics. These samples are straight whiskey and likely in the four-year range. Single barrels are typically aged 7-9 years. An older single barrel should have additional barrel notes. Plus, if you purchase a store picked single barrel, that will have the characteristics of what that selection team desired.
Since we have one more set, we plan to do this again in 6-12 months; however, we will approach it differently to make it a new experience. Perhaps comparing yeast strain as the primary or head-to-head challenges in a bracket system. A bracket approach might be nice as we could do it over several days and avoid palate fatigue. We will let you know when that happens!
Meanwhile, enjoy Four Roses because surely there is a small batch or single barrel that aligns with your palate.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 FitzgeraldAmerican 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.
TastedNeat – 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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Your Bourbon Journey 