whisky

August 2024 Bourbon Women’s Collector’s Trinity Tasting

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August 31, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer 

It is hard to believe that two weeks have passed since Wayne and I were attending the Bourbon Women SIPosium in Louisville. One of the events of the weekend was an ongoing auction. Thrilled that we won four auctions. This tasting wraps up the final auction of bottles that was won. This set has a connection to Missouri.

For the other auction item tastings:
Aug 2024 Leiper’s Fork & High n’ Wicked Tasting
Aug 2024 J.T.Meleck Rice Whiskey Tasting

For more about the conference:
2024 Bourbon Women SIPosium Day 1
2024 Bourbon Women SIPosium Day 2
2024 Bourbon Women SIPosium Day 3

Selected for this Tasting

The Collector’s Trinity: Exclusive Whiskey Experience Description: A trio of exceptional whiskeys that epitomize craftsmanship and rarity. Each bottle in this curated collection is a testament to the art of distillation, featuring unique finishes and signatures from the masterminds behind these spirits. 

Planters Whiskey Single Barrel Reserve: (By Nobletons Distilling House) This single barrel reserve is personally signed by the head distiller, Demetrius Cain, and engraved with #BWSIP24. It’s a bold and robust whiskey, perfect for those who appreciate high-proof spirits with depth and character. (Union, Missouri)


Investment KY Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Madeira Casks: This cask strength single barrel bourbon is finished in Madeira casks, adding a layer of sweet, fortified wine complexity to the robust bourbon base. Signed by founder Michael Steinkamp, this bottle offers a unique tasting experience that is both rare and exquisite.  (St. Louis, Missouri)

Barrel King Knighted Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Finished in rare ex-bourbon barrels, this straight bourbon whiskey embodies richness and complexity. The unique finishing process imparts nuanced flavors that elevate the traditional bourbon profile, making it a regal addition to any collection. (Bourbon, Missouri)

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

Planters Whiskey Single Barrel Reserve

Mashbill – 51% malted corn, 22% malted wheat, 22% Canadian rye, 5% malted barley
Age – 6+ years
Proof – 115.56
Other – Batch: Last Watch; Bottle: 095
Price Paid – $67 (average of total auction price of $200; MSRP $69.99)

Color – Honey 

Aroma – Honey, caramel, a light spice baking spice, tea, perhaps a berry note.

Tasted Neat – Cinnamon, orange, honey, and there is chili spice.

Finish – It is fairly long with cinnamon, orange zest, a hint of barrel char, and a dryness from the wood tannins.

Tasted with dried cranberry – This brought forward the spice as well as the orange as well.

Tasted with a pecan – The woodiness comes forward, with cinnamon, a dark chocolate note, and oranges – reminiscent of those chocolate covered orange slices.

Tasted with dark chocolate – An earthiness with wood and a muted finish. It is creamy with a nuttiness.

General Thoughts – It drinks pretty hot. There is an interesting combination of sweetness and spice. The orange component adds a fascinating twist. Also, the spice is different, such as a chili pepper or perhaps red pepper. Not a daily drinker but very different with notes that do not appear often.

Investment KY Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Madeira Casks

Mashbill – Unknown four-grain.
Age – 5 years before the finishing.
Proof – 109.4
Other – Sweet mash, pot-stilled bourbon made with a four-grain mash and aged for five years in a traditional barrel rickhouse in Kentucky, before being moved to a madeira wine barrel, where it was aged for an additional 16 weeks. 
Price Paid – $67 (average of total auction price of $200; MSRP $99.95)

Color – A beautiful mahogany.

Aroma – Oh my! This smells so good! There is a spiced pear note with brown sugar and baking spices. The madeira wine is also present.

Tasted Neat –  It is a party on your tongue! Dark wine, brown sugar, baking spices, pears, and apples … like a spiced apple and pear pie with a buttery crust. It is a great taste profile for us.

Finish – The finish is medium but what it has is very pleasant. The madeira wine remains present and there is a peppery spice that lingers.

Tasted with dried cranberry – This pushed the fruitiness to the back but also made it sweeter on the front of the palate … such as confectionary sugar, cotton candy, or bubblegum. The finish was diminished and was less spicy.

Tasted with a pecan – The pecan brought the spicy notes to the front. Interestingly, the fruit became a dark, spicy cherry surrounded by wood notes.

Tasted with dark chocolate – Very creamy and smooth with cinnamon. While the finish was muted, it remains a really good sip.

General Thoughts – This is an outstanding finished bourbon. It is a perfect marriage of wine and bourbon. The artist behind this did a spectacular job by bringing a fantastic balance – we could smell this glass all evening long and not tire of it.

Barrel King Knighted Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Mashbill – Unknown (MGP often uses 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley)
Finished – Straight Bourbon Finished in EC18
Age – 6-year-old MGP bourbon
Proof – 114
Other – Batch: WBSI; Bottle: 175
Price Paid – $67 (average of total auction price of $200; MSRP Membership-driven, $100 a month for locals)

Color – Light Copper

Aroma – Sweet with caramel and brown sugar. There are orange notes and baking spices.

Tasted Neat –  There is a spiciness on the front as well as sweetness like powdered sugar. There are other notes such as orange, vanilla, and honey. There are baking spices, especially cinnamon and nutmeg.

Finish – The finish is very dry dry and woody with an earthiness that leads to leather. However, there is a nice sweetness of cherry that lingers with cinnamon and it is a nice medium to long finish.

Tasted with dried cranberry – This made it really tart and dry at the same time. It also took the finish away.

Tasted with a pecan – Very little sweetness and mostly cinnamon with not much of a finish.

Tasted with dark chocolate – Similar to the pecan except that it has a creamy mouthfeel with mostly a cinnamon taste and sensation. It is better than with the pecan, not bad, but not great either.

General Thoughts – This was a very interesting pour. We might have been spoiled by the second taste with the madeira finish. Any other day, this one would likely be much more appreciated as it is solid and has a nice level of complexity with a flavor profile that we enjoy.

Discussion and Final Notes


On the Nose: Planters had the light honey, caramel, tea, a hint of berry, and baking spices. Investment blew us away with its spiced pear, brown sugar, baking spices, and madeira wine. Meanwhile, Barrel King was somewhat classic with the sweetness of caramel and brown sugar as well as orange and baking spices. On any given day, any of these would have a winning nose. However, in this lineup, the Investment Madeira Finish stole the show!

Taste and Finish: There were no “losers” or “bad pours” in this grouping. Planters was fascinating with the cinnamon, orange, honey, and there is chili spice and it had a fairly long finish. Like the nose, the Investment just blue us away. Dark wine, brown sugar, baking spices, pears, and apples … like a spiced apple and pear pie with a buttery crust and with a lingering peppery finish. Again, Barrel King was terrific with a spiciness on the front as well as sweetness like powdered sugar as well as notes such as orange, vanilla, and honey, plus cinnamon and nutmeg. Again, with a nice medium to long finish. Once again, if we could only select one, it would have to be the Investment Madeira Finish.

After researching, we learned the Investment was distilled, finished, and bottled by Neeley Family Distillery. We are glad we did not know before tasting as it may have influenced us since we love what Royce Neeley does! That said, we were not surprised and, in our discussion, we noted that it reminded us of their Jett Brothers Madeira Finish!

This was a fantastic tasting experience and we are happy to have won this auction so we could taste and enjoy each special bottle. We look forward to enjoying them again!

Cheers,
Rebecca & Wayne

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Straight Bourbon Whiskey Requirements

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 whiskeys 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.

August 2024 Blind Match Up Tasting

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August 30, 2024
By Wayne McBrayer 

Rebecca and I have been doing tasting over the last year and it’s always fun.  Today, I decided to spring on her a mystery tasting that I called “Match Up.”  I placed stickers with the number 1 and 2 on the bottom of our Glencairn glasses.  Rebecca was instructed to enter the bourbon room, mix them up a bit (so I won’t know either), and bring the glasses out for the tasting.  For the notes, we will go with each person’s A (left) & B (right). I looked forward to having a fun and different tasting with my wife.

This will be fun since we don’t even know if we have the same pour in the A or B glass!

Wayne
Blind A		Wayne
Blind B		Rebecca
Blind A		Rebecca
Blind B
Aroma: It’s a lot of sweet. I get cherry and cotton candy, maybe a little vanilla – that’s three things I’m getting.
Aroma: Baking spices, there’s a stone fruit, and cinnamon. The nose might be cherry.


Aroma: Caramel cinnamon, maybe a hint of red apple.



Aroma: There are some darker tones in this one. Caramel – almost to a toffee, some wood notes coming through as well as some baking spices such as nutmeg.
Tasted Neat: I get a nuttiness, almost peanut, wood, and not very sweet.




Tasted Neat: I’m getting cinnamon, white pepper, light, brown sugar.




Tasted Neat: Vanilla, not very sweet, cinnamon on the back.





Tasted Neat: There’s a lot of spice on the palate. It does give way to some notes of vanilla & caramel. Very woody and very light on the spice – more like nutmeg and white pepper.
Finish: Finish is a little cinnamon and a little white pepper; short.



Finish: The finish is short.




Finish: The finish is somewhat woody, cinnamon, hints of white pepper, and
medium too long.

Finish: Medium in length, oak comes through on the finish as well as white pepper.


General Thoughts: I’m guessing the age is pretty young. I don’t think it’s older than four years. The proof is probably in the 90s. Short finish. Honestly, just OK.
General Thoughts: This is not bad and I get a little bit more on the taste and in the nose than I did the first one. Overall, it’s OK.


General Thoughts: The proof on this one is probably low-mid 90s, maybe 4 years old. I think it’s OK. It’s not overly dynamic. It’s got good flavors, just not a lot of them. It is a decent poor.General Thoughts: The nose matches the pallet pretty well. Sweet and with little spice. Proof is likely under 100. Young but maybe a bit older than the first one.
This was Wayne’s winner.This was Rebecca’s winner.
Wayne’s
Blind A = Our Bourbon Journey 2023 		Wayne’s
Blind B = Rebecca & Wayne 2022		Rebecca’s
Blind A = Our Bourbon Journey 2023 		Rebecca’s
Blind B = Rebecca & Wayne 2022

Ironically, we were tasting the same thing and selected the same winner!!

The Match Up Reveal

The bottles I selected were from Barrels & Billets.  It’s located next door to the Louisville Slugger Museum and it’s a place we recommend.  It’s fun experience where you can create your own bourbon based on a series of questions regarding your preferences.  Our winner was our Rebecca & Wayne 2022 bottle, which has no age statement and is 90 proof.

As I was putting this tasting together, I honestly thought we would end up selecting the Our Bourbon Journey 2023 bottle, which also has no age statement and is 90 proof. I was confident that I had selected the 2023 and was surprised I had selected the 2022. Rebecca was equally as surprised that she selected the 2022 as well. The 2022 represented a sweeter profile while the 2023 was a little more savory and smoky.

It appears on this day, we went back to the future with our pick.

Cheers,
Wayne & Rebecca

Photo by Wayne McBrayer

Bourbon Whiskey Requirements

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. 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 producers for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

August 2024 Old Forester 1924 & Single Barrel Tasting

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August 28, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer 

Wayne found a store pick of Old Forester Single Barrel at Beverage Barn in Henderson on Friday. He wanted to crack it open and I realized that we hadn’t done a formal tasting of Old Forester 1924. Thus, they seemed like a great pair to taste together!

Selected for today’s tasting – each by Old Forester: Old Forester 1924 10-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Old Forester Single Barrel, Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey selected by Beverage Barn.

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

Old Forester 1924 10-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Mashbill – 79% Corn, 11% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Age – 10 Years
Proof – 100
Price Paid – $149.99 (plus tax)

Appearance – Medium amber.

Aroma – Brown sugar and banana – reminiscent of banana’s foster – with cinnamon and nutmeg. Oak and leather are also noted.

Tasted Neat – There is immediately a creamy mouthfeel. Similar to the nose, brown sugar and bananas greet you and have you thinking about ordering a banana’s foster at the first opportunity. There is also caramel, vanilla, maple, light leather and oak.

Finish – The sweet and banana notes fade while cinnamon mixes with smoky notes from the wood and it is very earthy and savory with notes of allspice and white pepper. It provides a very nice finish.

Tasted with dried cranberry – The original flavors are gone but there is a vanilla cream sweetness. Overall, the cranberry muted a lot of the goodness of the original pour.

Tasted with a pecan – This was interesting as it brought caramel and oak forward as well as dark chocolate – much like a chocolate covered banana offered at the fair grounds. Nutmeg takes over as the dominant spice component. Overall, the pecan brought out some nice flavors.

Tasted with dark chocolate – This was not pleasant. It seemed to flatten it out and remove any distinct flavors.

Old Forester Single Barrel, Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey selected by Beverage Barn

Mashbill – 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley
Age – at least 4 years
Other – Warehouse I; Floor 2
Proof – 131.1
Price Paid – $99.95 (plus tax)

Appearance – Medium Amber

Aroma – It somewhat dances with your nose. There are notes of vanilla, cotton candy, dark fruit, chocolate, cherries, oak, and nutmeg.

Tasted Neat – There are many flavors coming forward including wood, toffee, dark cherry, dark brown sugar, dark chocolate, leather, and various spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.

Finish – Medium to long finish with black pepper, cinnamon, and cherries. It continues with seasoned oak and burnt caramel then ends ending with cocoa and leather notes. 

Tasted with dried cranberry – This eliminated the sweet notes and created zesty notes in its place. The finish is minimal. Not a good combination for this pour.

Tasted with a pecan – Very wood forward, pecan, leather, cinnamon, dark chocolate covered cherries, and plum. The pecan played well with this single barrel.

Tasted with dark chocolate – Creamy mouthfeel with vanilla cream and cinnamon. Minimal finish. Nothing bad but nothing great either.

Discussion and Final Notes

Old Forester 1924 10-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: This mashbill sets itself apart from the standard Old Forester. The 10-year aging contributes to a remarkable maturity, adding complexity from the barrel that we appreciate. What we enjoyed is how the nose aligns with the palate, and the delightful hint of Banana’s Foster, which, surprisingly, doesn’t overwhelm with sweetness, thanks to the underlying barrel and smokiness. When considering the price point, there are other options in this range that we enjoy, but this one stands out. We would recommend trying it first to see if it matches your taste profile. If you are a fan of bananas or Banana’s Foster, then this is a bottle worth acquiring.

Old Forester Single Barrel, Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey selected by Beverage Barn: The single barrel drinks much differently than a traditional Old Forrester. We are wondering if the higher proof and barrel strength allows additional flavors to remain present in a very positive way. Even with the higher proof, it drinks very smoothly and feels more like a 115-120 proof range. For just under $100 and with the flavor profile and high proof, this bottle is a good value and one that we recommend. Scanning the web, there seem to be quite a few store picks for the Old Forester Single Barrel so it is very possible it is available in your area. Check with your favorite liquor store.

This was a fun and interesting taste comparison. Glad we decided to pair them together as they generated a lot of conversation and we realized that these are definitely our two favorite Old Forester expressions.

Cheers,
Rebecca & Wayne

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Spirit Requirements

Bourbon Whiskey: 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.

August 2024 J.T. Meleck Rice Whiskey Tasting

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August 25, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer 

It is hard to believe that last week at this time Wayne and I were attending the Bourbon Women SIPosium in Louisville. One of the events of the weekend was an ongoing auction. Thrilled that, together, we won four auctions. This tasting is from one of those winning auctions.

For more about the conference:
2024 Bourbon Women SIPosium Day 1
2024 Bourbon Women SIPosium Day 2
2024 Bourbon Women SIPosium Day 3

Selected for this Tasting

This tasting from a three-bottle set of J.T. Meleck. We will be tasting the two rice whiskeys but not the rice vodka.

From the J.T. Meleck Distillers Website: One family, one farm, one great idea… It begins in 1896, when John Meleck had the crazy idea to grow his 1st rice on 20 acres of marshland in s. Louisiana. Against the odds, the name J.T. Meleck became synonymous with Louisiana rice, but to us he is great, great uncle John. Five generations later we still grow rice – and now crawfish – on the same 20 acres as our Uncle John. We’ve grown since then but we are still as connected to the dirt as J.T. Meleck. I began thinking, what if we could make a great spirit from our rice? It would make our Uncle John proud. The result is something truly special. It’s American Rice, born right here on our farm, just off hwy 35 in Branch, LA. We´re proud to take our rice from grain to bottle. We work the dirt and grow the seed, just like Uncle John did. That’s why we’ve named it J.T. Meleck. Because our crazy idea has managed to create a whole new Louisiana classic. One that goes straight from our farm to your front porch. 

J.T. Meleck American Rice Whiskey: Released in 2022, this is J.T. Meleck’s staple and long talked about American Rice Whiskey. Aged in new American oak barrels for almost 5 years their whiskey is amber in color and deep in intensity.

J.T. Meleck Single Barrel Cask Strength American Rice Whiskey: This single barrel pick is 120.4 Proof/ 60.25% alcohol, and aged for 4+ years. J.T. Meleck’s Single Barrel Program was launched in October of 2022. They decided to launch this program after discovering that some barrels were not like the others. They were meant to be enjoyed separately. Whether it be the nose, flavor or finish, they knew these barrels were special and needed to be shared with their fans.

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

J.T. Meleck American Rice Whiskey Small Batch

Mashbill – 100% Rice
Age – at least 4 years
Proof – 96
Specifics – Small Batch #323
Price Paid – $31.67 (average of total auction price for all three at $95; MSRP $44.99)

Color – Medium Honey

Aroma – A light sweetness such as caramel or vanilla pudding, baking spices – mostly cinnamon, and a light berry note – perhaps raspberry.

Tasted Neat – Sweet and savory at the same time. The sweetness is confectionery and leans toward cotton candy. The savory note includes a light taste of black pepper.

Finish – There are nice notes of wood, tobacco, and medium spice flavors. It finishes very nicely with savory feel.

Tasted with dried cranberry – This created an immediate taste of orange zest on the palate. The sweetness and pepper have vanished to give way to a light and refreshing orange sherbet experience.

Tasted with a pecan – Spice and wood is definitely prominent. Not much else with the pecan.

J.T. Meleck Single Barrel Cask Strength American Rice Whiskey

Mashbill – 100% Rice
Age – at least 4 years
Proof – 120.4
Other – Barrel 194, Bottle 122
Price Paid – $31.67 (average of total auction price for all three at $95; MSRP $59.99)

Color – Medium to Dark Amber; nice legs/viscosity.

Aroma – Maple syrup, vanilla, nutmeg, dark cherry, and warm butter.

Tasted Neat –  Caramel, molasses, vanilla cream, dark cherry, nutmeg, white pepper, and oak.

Finish – A lovely finish with notes of sweetness from the cherry, warm nutmeg and a hint of cinnamon, oak with leather and tobacco. It really takes a flavor and sensation journey and lingers in a most pleasant manner.

Tasted with dried cranberry – This brought wood and lemon zest to the forefront. There is also a sour candy note and a shorter finish that is warm but not distinct in any way.

Tasted with a pecan – Spices, oak, leather, and pecan. No sweetness. Limited finish.

Discussion and Final Notes

Small Batch – The contrasting sweet and savory was a journey on the palate. It drinks very smoothly and enjoyably. It would likely pair well with some light fruits and berries or a lovely sorbet.

Single Barrel – This is a great single barrel. It had some memorable notes to it. It starts out with an amazing nose that leads to an almost bourbon-like palate and then finishes very well. It would be challenging to say this was a rice whiskey in a blind tasting as most people would assume it is a bourbon. The complexity of this might pair well with a charcuterie board of meats and hard cheeses.

The small batch is very light and summery with the taste of raspberries; whereas, the single barrel, with its dark cherry notes, comes through more like we’re ready for fall. Happy to have won this auction so we could taste and enjoy the uniqueness of these Louisiana American Rice Whiskeys.

Cheers,
Rebecca & Wayne

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Whiskey 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.

There doesn’t seem to be an official category for American Rice Whiskey at this time. However, I will keep an eye out for developments in this category.

NOTE: The whiskeys 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.

August 2024 Leiper’s Fork & High N’ Wicked Tasting

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August 23, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer 

It is hard to believe that last week at this time Wayne and I were attending the Bourbon Women SIPosium in Louisville. One of the events of the weekend was an ongoing auction. Thrilled that, together, we won four auctions. This tasting from a basket that was won.

For more about the conference:
2024 Bourbon Women SIPosium Day 1
2024 Bourbon Women SIPosium Day 2
2024 Bourbon Women SIPosium Day 3

Selected for this Tasting

Peacock Leiper’s Fork Distillery Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey: 100% Local: Mashed, Fermented, Distilled, Aged and Bottled by Leiper’s Fork Distillery. It is made with local non-GMO Grains (Corn Grown on their Chief Distiller’s Farm), with the use of Toasted Barley Malt for Deeper Complexity. Also, it is Non-Chill Filtered for a Robust Profile and Mouthfeel, Pot Distilled for a Pre-Prohibition Style that is Full Bodied, has a Low Distillation Proof of 137* for Depth of Flavor, Low Barrel Entry Proof at 110* for a rounded Palette and is a Limited Release.

Single Barrel High N’ Wicked Rye Whiskey Women Peacock Preferred Pick: This 4-year-old rye is 114.4 proof and has a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted rye. 5 Year Aged Sour Mash Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, Distilled by New Riff Distilling. All Aging in seasoned medium toast new #4 char American white oak barrels. Non Chill Filtered. No additives.

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

Peacock Leiper’s Fork Distillery Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey

Mashbill – 70% Corn, 15% Wheat & 15% Toasted Barley Malt
Age – 5 years
Proof – 109.6 (cask strength)
Other – Non-Chill Filtered for a Robust Profile and Mouthfeel, Pot Distilled for a Pre-Prohibition Style that is Full Bodied, has a Low Distillation Proof of 137* for Depth of Flavor, Low Barrel Entry Proof at 110* for a rounded Palette and is a Limited Release.
Specifics – Barrel 452; Bottle 149 of 201

Price Paid – $105 (average of total auction price of $210; MSRP $85)

Color – Medium Amber

Aroma – Very inviting with caramel, vanilla, toffee, a light butterscotch with a hint of smokiness and cherry.

Tasted Neat – Similar to the nose with note of butterscotch, caramel, baking spices, cinnamon, and a hint of dark cherry.

Finish – Pleasant and lasting with baking spices, cinnamon, and notes of wood that linger in a great way.

Tasted with dried cranberry – This muted most of the great flavors and eliminated the sweetness. The baking spices remained and there is an addition of black pepper on the finish.

Tasted with a pecan – Very nice as the butterscotch returned with the addition of a very nice dark chocolate. The finish has more wood and oak flavor that previously.

Tasted with dark chocolate – The chocolate really increased the spice notes but not in a bad way. It also added a creaminess that was pleasant.

High N’ Wicked Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Single Barrel

Mashbill – 95% Rye, 5% Malted Rye
Age – 4 years
Proof – 114.4
Other – Bourbon Women Peacock Preferred Pick
Price Paid – $105 (average of total auction price of $210; MSRP $80)

Color – Amber hue

Aroma – Rye grass, brown sugar, pears, and mint tea.

Tasted Neat –  Rye grass spices and cinnamon greet you with the first sip. Great mouth feel and there is a sweetness of pears and then a hint of oak and a slight smokiness.

Finish – The finish is very similar in that it begins spicy then leads into the pear and a bit of caramel and finally with a slight coolness of mint coupled by a sweet but smoky oakiness. Great finish.

Tasted with dried cranberry – Surprising as it created a rather sour note and the spices and rye grass way back. Not unpleasant but not great either.

Tasted with a pecan – As sometimes happens, the pecan amplified the spices and brought a lot of black pepper forward. The finish was very short as well.

Tasted with dark chocolate – Not very flavorful with the dark chocolate. It was creamy and with black pepper on the finish.

Discussion and Final Notes

Leiper’s Fork is undeniably exceptional. The outstanding taste and aroma make it a bottle worth savoring. The enticing nose draws you in, making you want to savor every drop. It’s truly a remarkable single barrel and its fantastic qualities leave a lasting impression. Once again, Leiper’s Fork has left us thoroughly impressed.

We were not familiar with High n’ Wicked at first, but after trying it, we were impressed by its quality. This rye whiskey truly stands out for its solid and enjoyable character. In fact, its high rye mashbill adds a unique touch and flavor profile. With its rich and diverse flavors, it offers an elegant and enjoyable rye experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who appreciates a fine whiskey.

Happy to have won this auction so we could taste and enjoy each special bottle.

Cheers,
Rebecca & Wayne

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Straight Bourbon & Rye Whiskey Requirements

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.

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.

NOTE: The whiskeys 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.

August 2024 Shenk’s & Bomberger’s Tasting

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August 11, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer 

It is hard to believe that this time last week Wayne and I had just returned from our amazing Louisville, Chocolate, and Bourbon – Oh My! weekend. Our typical trips to Louisville are event-driven. It might be a dinner, a specific distillery experience, or even a bottle release. Last weekend was different. The trip was focused on seeing a long-time friend who would be there for the weekend. It was about friendship, sharing our passion for bourbon, exploring new things, and reconnecting with great friends from afar as well as in the local area. While not on a “bottle hunt” we are always open when a situation presents itself.

The Michter’s Shenk’s and Bomberger’s are typically very challenging to acquire as so few are made each year. While in Louisville, we wanted to share The Bar at Michter’s with our friends. We walked into Michter’s at 4:30 PM on Friday afternoon and I noticed the combination package sitting on the counter. I inquired if they were for sale and the person said, yes, and they are the last ones we have today. Well, there you go. You just never know and it certainly doesn’t hurt to ask!

Shenk’s Homestead Sour Mash Whiskey is a limited edition release celebrating Kentucky’s whiskey-making heritage and part of Michter’s Legacy Series. Founded by John Shenk in 1753, the distillery became known as Michter’s in the 20th Century. This small-batch, full-bodied whiskey is made using traditional sour mash methods in Kentucky, with a significant amount of rye and aged in toasted French oak barrels from the Vosges region, imparting a unique finish and rich mouthfeel.

Bomberger’s Declaration Distillery Bourbon pays tribute to the former Bomberger’s distillery from the 1800s and later as Michter’s in the 20th Century. This 2023 release is a small batch 108 proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, continuing the tradition of offering a bold and beautiful 108 proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon. It features a rich and complex flavor due to aging a portion of the bourbon in Chinquapin oak. The oak was seasoned for three years, toasted, and charred to exact specifications. Malted rye was also used in the production of this bourbon.

Wayne and I were excited to taste these side-by-side. Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.

Shenk’s Homestead Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey by Michter’s

Mashbill – Undisclosed but with “significant” rye.
Age – NAS (at least 4 years)
Other – 2023 Release; Batch 23D1490; Bottle 911 of 2836
Proof – 91.2
Price Paid – $119 (plus tax)

Appearance – Dark amber.

Aroma – Toffee, vanilla, light butterscotch, spices, a hint of smoke.

Tasted Neat – Very smooth and creamy and different from what was experienced on the nose as it is less sweet and more savory. There is a coffee note with dark chocolate and burnt caramel. The wood from the barrel is present as is a smooth spiciness and a hint of honey.

Finish – Like the palate, the finish is smooth and savory with black pepper and baking chocolate.

Tasted with dried cranberry – The cranberry brightened the otherwise deep, dark notes of Shenk’s. There is additional spice and some zesty notes that were very refreshing, although a completely different experience.

Tasted with a pecan – As often happens, the pecan brought forward even more wood and dark notes. The chocolate is dark and inviting with a nice white pepper and oak finish.

Tasted with dark chocolate – This option brought the coffee forward with chocolate, caramel, and black pepper. It is incredibly creamy and with a nice finish as well.

Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey by Michter’s

Mashbill – Undisclosed but some malted rye was used
Age – NAS (at least 4 years)
Other – 2023 Release; Batch #23E1948; Bottle 427 of 2386
Proof – 108
Price Paid – $129 (plus tax)

Appearance – Rich mahogany 

Aroma – A lot of wood influence with vanilla cream, burnt caramel, honeysuckle, stewed cherries, baking spices, and a hint of nuttiness.

Tasted Neat – First, there is a terrific mouthfeel that is creamy and truly coats the palate. Sweet notes of butterscotch, toffee, molasses, and cherries greet the palate. Cardamon, dark chocolate, graham crackers, and a hint of mint are welcoming mid-palate. As it reaches the back of the palate, the cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, and tobacco join the journey.

Finish – Medium to long finish with warm backing spices, coffee, oak, mint, and barrel char.

Tasted with dried cranberry – The cranberry really changed it to a tartness of lemon zest with a finish of white pepper.

Tasted with a pecan – Again, the pecan brought the wood forward and a strong cinnamon finish.

Tasted with dark chocolate – This was tasty and very creamy with coffee and chocolate followed by cinnamon and white pepper on the finish.

Discussion and Final Notes

This is somewhat difficult to select which we enjoyed the most as each has something special to offer.

The Shenk’s Homestead 2023 Release boasts a dark amber color and offers a delightful tasting experience. Aromas of toffee, vanilla, light butterscotch, and a hint of smoke lead to a smooth and creamy texture with rich notes of coffee, dark chocolate, burnt caramel, and a velvety spiciness. The finish is smooth and savory, with hints of black pepper and baking chocolate.

The Bomberger’s Declaration 2023 Release has a mahogany color and offers a rich tasting experience with aromas of wood, vanilla cream, burnt caramel, honeysuckle, cherries, baking spices, and a subtle nuttiness. The palate is coated with creamy sweetness and welcomes notes of butterscotch, toffee, molasses, and cherries, as well as hints of cardamom, dark chocolate, graham crackers, and mint. The finish is marked by warm baking spices, coffee, oak, mint, and barrel char.

As always, it all comes down to your personal taste preferences and what resonates with you on any given day. When it comes to Shenk’s and Bomberger’s, the experience is truly remarkable. However, the depth and consistency of Bomberger’s simply resonates with us on a whole other level. From the captivating nose to the lingering finish, every sip is a journey. Being bourbon enthusiasts, Bomberger’s exquisitely crafted flavors nudge it ahead in our book. That being said, we wholeheartedly recommend trying both, and eagerly anticipate the opportunity to savor future releases.

Cheers,
Rebecca & Wayne

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Spirit Requirements

Sour mash is a process in distillation that involves using material from an older batch to start fermenting a new batch of mash. It is very similar to the process of making sourdough bread with a starter. Using sour mash has the benefit of consistency between batches. It also reduces the possibility of unwanted bacterial growth. For additional information on bourbon requirements, please read this post – Four Stages of Making Spirits.

Bourbon Whiskey: 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 whiskeys 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.

July 2024 Bardstown Collection BBC Tasting

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08/01/24
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer 

Last weekend, Wayne and I each selected a bottle not-yet-opened that we wanted to taste. Wayne selected the Evan Williams 23 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. I selected the 2024 Bardstown Bourbon Collection by Bardstown Bourbon Company that we were able to acquire at their Louisville location on June 14th, National Bourbon Day.

In 2023, we splurged and booked a two-day Mint Julep VIP Tour that included amazing experiences at the six participating Bardstown Bourbon Collection distilleries. We were able to acquire two of each expression for the 2023 collection. We were not able to do that for 2024 and really didn’t expect to purchase any of the seven 2024 collection. However, we were thrilled when we walked into the Bardstown Bourbon Co’s Louisville Tasting room and saw it available!

There isn’t a lot written about this specific releasee. Some of the particulars, such the age and mashbill of the barrels selected for blending, I was able to glean while listening to a couple brief interviews with Steve Nally, their Master Distiller.

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

Bardstown Bourbon Company’s 2024 Bardstown Bourbon Collection – Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Mashbill – Blend of two sourced bourbons:
(1) 72% of a 9-10 year old that is 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% Malted Barley;
(2) 28% of a 14 year old that is 78% Corn, 13% Rye, and 9% Malted Barley.

Age – Blend (see above), at least 9 years old.

Finish – Each aged individually for an additional 3.5 months in new toasted oak barrels prior to blending.

Other – Bottle #73

Proof – 119.4

Price Paid – $199.99 (plus tax)

Color – Dark amber and with terrific legs on the glass. 

Aroma – The nose is very inviting. There is a pleasant sweetness of rich caramel, vanilla cream, honey, and a hint of cotton candy. Then the barrel characteristics appear with oak, grain, and a light smoke.

Tasted Neat – There is a lot going on with this bourbon. Coffee flavor awakens your senses. Next is the sweetness of caramel, dark fruit, with honey. There is also roasted peanuts and thoughts of cinnamon toast followed by oak and leather. Wow! Really terrific.

Finish – The finish is long with cinnamon, honey, caramel, a slight oak, and nuttiness along with leather and white pepper. The finish persists in an amazingly pleasant way.

Tasted with dried cranberry – Wayne and I differed on our experience with the dried cranberry. He felt the spice really picked up while I felt it smoothed a bit and the leather was present. We agreed that it was less sweet, the coffee notes faded, and the finish was quite shortened.

Tasted with a pecan – The coffee notes returned and it also had dark chocolate, cinnamon, and wood flavors. The finish was medium in length, not as pronounced as when drinking it neat.

Tasted with dark chocolate – A lot of woodiness with white pepper on the palate. The finish is somewhat muted but still present.

Tasted with a few drops of water – Steve Nally mentioned in a video that he suggests drinking this on ice. We decided to add a few drops of water to see if there was a notable shift. The water opened up the nose and the aromas were quite pronounced; however, the flavors were not as prominent as when we originally tasted it neat. Not bad, but we definitely preferred it neat overall.

Discussion and Final Notes

We thoroughly enjoyed this pour! It is a sensational journey on the nose and palate. In summary, the nose provides irresistible allure, offering a delightful blend of rich caramel, vanilla cream, honey, and a hint of cotton candy. Soon, the bold character of the barrel emerges, bringing notes of oak, grain, and a delicate hint of smoke. This bourbon presents a complexity that tantalizes the senses. A rush of coffee flavor invigorates the palate, followed by a symphony of caramel sweetness, dark fruit, and honey. Roasted peanuts and the memory of cinnamon toast dance gracefully before yielding to the embrace of oak and leather. Remarkable! The finish lingers endlessly, weaving together cinnamon, honey, caramel, subtle oak, and a touch of nuttiness, while hints of leather and white pepper add depth. The finish leaves a lasting impression of sheer pleasure.

As is evident from our summary, we are thrilled to have this bottle and a “back-up” bottle. If you are fortunate to locate this 2024 Bardstown Collection by Bardstown Bourbon Co, we highly recommend that you make the investment. We will enjoy this for years to come.

Cheers,
Rebecca & Wayne

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 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 bourbon in this review was 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.

July 2024 Evan Williams 23 Year Old Tasting

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July 30, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer 

Last weekend, Wayne and I each selected a bottle not-yet-opened that we wanted to taste. Wayne selected the Evan Williams 23 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. I was very pleased with his choice! We originally tasted this offering on National Bourbon Day, June 14th, and had the opportunity to purchase it at the Evan Williams “A Toast to Bourbon” dinner.

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

Evan Williams 23 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Mashbill – 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye
Age – 23 Years
Proof – 107
Price Paid – $399.99 (plus tax)

Color – Dark copper with very nice legs on the glass.

Aroma – Deep and dark come to mind first, including dark chocolate. Spice and honey blend in an inviting way. It is evident this is an older bourbon based on the aged oak notes. But then the sweetness surprises you with vanilla, marshmallow, and crème brûlée. Allspice, nutmeg, and leather add another dimension. What a nose!

Tasted Neat –  Similar to the nose, the tannins from the wood come forward to start, but the sweetness will not be denied. There is vanilla cream, sweet corn, rich cherry, and a lovely honey. Next, rich notes of dark chocolate, toasted nuts, and marshmallow are present. Finally, warm leather, nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon let you know this bourbon has some great barrel influence.

Finish – There is a medium length finish. The finish includes sweet notes such as toffee, the richness of dark chocolate, some dryness from the tannins including oak, licorice, tobacco, and orange peels, plus a bit of black pepper.

Tasted with dried cranberry – The sweetness of the dried cranberry created a strong oak presence with leather and the finish was greatly reduced.

Tasted with a pecan – This brought the dark chocolate front and center with a hint of cinnamon and tobacco. Again, the finish is very short.

Tasted with dark chocolate – The chocolate actually removed the dark chocolate notes and replaced it with mostly a light cinnamon without a lot of taste and virtually no finish.

Discussion and Final Notes

We definitely preferred drinking this neat. The pecan wasn’t bad and this might be good with a steak or perhaps a nice cigar. But when having a bourbon of this maturity, we will savor and enjoy it neat and on its own.

Obviously, this is an expensive bottle of bourbon. There are not a lot of bourbons offered at 23 years and even fewer that have such an inviting nose, amazing journey on the palate, and a great finish. Given the price of some 20+ year bourbons, we find this to be of good value. While this would not be an “every-day-drinker,” we are thrilled to have it and will enjoy it whenever we feel the desire to dive into some extra age and complexity. With the warm notes from the barrel, we plan to enjoy this once the weather gets cooler. It could be that perfect pour to sink into on a cold night.

Cheers,
Rebecca & Wayne

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 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 bourbon in this review was 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.

July 2024 Middle West Spirits Dark Pumpernickel Rye Tasting

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July 28, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer 

Wayne and I have seen a few people mention Middle West Spirits out of Columbus, Ohio and have heard very good things about what they are producing. The notion of a rye whiskey made with dark pumpernickel rye was very intriguing and when we had an opportunity to get a bottle online, we did.

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

Middle West Spirits Dark Pumpernickel – Straight Rye Whiskey

Mashbill – Dark pumpernickel rye, Ohio soft red winter wheat, Yellow Corn, 2-row barley (specifics unknown)
Age – Minimum of 4 Years (per website)
Proof – 96
Price Paid – $54.99 (including tax)

Appearance – Amber with nice legs.

Aroma – Rye grass, honeysuckle, cinnamon, slight vanilla, and black licorice.

Tasted Neat –  Good mouthfeel. Rye grass, cardamom, light cinnamon, honey, white pepper, black licorice, ginger, a hint of dark fruit maybe fig. 

Finish – Medium finish with white pepper, cinnamon, rye spices, a hints of mint, oak, and black licorice.

Tasted with dried cranberry – Very fruity/fig with a lot of rye but less pepper.

Tasted with a pecan – Smokey and a lot of oak, a hint of leather and vanilla, and rye toast.

Tasted with dark chocolate – Dark chocolate with a hint of mint tea, and rye spices on the finish.

Discussion and Final Notes

This dark pumpernickel makes a very nice rye. However, we really had hoped to find more of the pumpernickel and its darkness to create a more distinct flavor profile. From that standpoint, it was somewhat disappointing, but a nice rye whiskey, nevertheless.

The Ohio soft red winter wheat component could be what is lightening the rye aspects of the pour. Hard to know for sure and this is just supposition. Also, we believe that additional time in the barrel could really enhance some of the “hint” notes we identified or perhaps a higher proof point, such as of 105 versus 96, might for the overall flavor profile. We would love to try this at cask strength! I noted on their website that both their cask strength and single barrel options have garnered awards.

This is a good bottle of rye, and we enjoyed our first experience with it. If it had been a blind tasting and we had no idea about the type of rye, that may have influenced our palates in a different way. We are happy that we have it. If we see future bottles that are somewhat older or cask strength, we will certainly want to see if it creates a different experience.

Cheers,
Rebecca & Wayne

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Straight Rye Whiskey Spirit Requirements

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.

NOTE: The whiskey in this review was 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.

July 2024 Wild Turkey Triumph Tasting

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July 25, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer 

Wayne and I have been wanting to open this bottle and finally found a moment to relax and enjoy a pour. “Crafted with Conviction” by Eddie Russell, this year’s limited release of Master’s Keep – Triumph – is a passion project at Wild Turkey. This release is a nod to Eddie’s son, Bruce, Associate Blender at Wild Turkey and someone with a passion for rye. At 10-years old, this is the oldest age-stated rye ever released by Wild Turkey.

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

Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Triumph – Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

Mashbill – 51% Rye, 37% Corn, 12% Malted Barley
Age – 10 Years
Proof – 104
Price Paid – $275 (plus tax and shipping)

Appearance – Copper. Legs are somewhat slow to form but very substantive when appear.

Aroma – Initially, it is light and not very distinct. As it opens and the nose acclimates, a lot begins to happen. There is a sweetness often reminiscent of bourbon with vanilla and crème brûlée. Then the rye components of mint, allspice, and cloves drift into the aroma. Finally, there is a hint of light fruits such as apples and pears with a touch of nutmeg. It is quite a journey just on the nose!

Tasted Neat –  Much like the nose, tasting requires several approaches to allow the flavor profile to touch each part of the mouth. It shifts and turns with each sip. The viscosity, as indicated by its legs, really provides a wonderful mouthfeel and the texture coats the palate very pleasantly. There is a lovely sweetness of honey, vanilla, and baked apples or pears. The flavors transition to deeper notes of dark chocolate, brown sugar, dates or possibly figs. The barrel notes come forward with oak and baking spices.

Finish – The finish is very long and lingering. Wood notes are dominate with oak and black pepper. However, there is also a light mint sensation to lighten up the otherwise darkness of the finish. It is certainly a journey!

Tasted with dried cranberry – At first sip, it became a spice bomb of red hot cinnamon. However, it calmed down to release a hint of citrus on the front and a brighter, but still a spicy finish.

Tasted with a pecan – This is interesting as it brought the wood notes very forward with dark chocolate and mint. Still a spicy finish but more along the line of ginger.

Tasted with dark chocolate – Wow, this became a chocolate desert drink, almost like Mexican Hot Chocolate with cinnamon.

Discussion and Final Notes

Perhaps it is the length of time in the barrel, the 37% corn, or the specific barrel selections, but this rye tends to waiver between a bourbon and a rye experience. As such, it would be a great pour for someone who hasn’t regularly enjoyed a rye whiskey.

That aside, this is an outstanding rye whiskey. With a 51% rye mashbill, the rye spices and rye grass notes don’t hit you upside they head; instead, they dance around and play with your nose and palate. As noted above, the journey it takes you on is an incredibly pleasant one and one that has a surprise around every turn.

Overall, I’m glad that we were able to get a bottle at MSRP directly from Wild Turkey. This is a wonderful addition to our Wild Turkey collection as well as our rye options.

Cheers,
Rebecca & Wayne

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Spirit Requirements

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. In addition, to be Kentucky Straight Whiskey, 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 – Rye Whiskey.

NOTE: The whiskey in this review was 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.