For this tasting, Wayne and I tasted the latest release from Green River Distilling – their Kentucky Straight Full Proof Bourbon. We purchased this bottle when we attended their Full Proof Release Event on June 7, 2024.
For the release event, we received a gift bag that included a bottle of Green River Full Proof in commemorative packaging and one of their newly redesigned Glencairn glasses, which is really beautiful.
Time to open the box for the surprise!
From Green River’s Press Release: Green River Full Proof is a blend of five-to-seven-year barrels selected from curated areas of Green River’s Owensboro tile warehouses and feature the same mash bill as Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon. These original tile warehouses maintain both warm and cool temperatures, yielding unique proof variation and liquid maturation. The result is a pure expression offering a robust flavor profile which preserves the barrel character while bringing massive flavor to the palate.
Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.
Green River Kentucky Straight Full Proof Bourbon
Mashbill – 70% Corn, 21% Rye, and 9% Malted Barley Age – A blend of 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old barrels Proof – 117.3 Price Paid – $49.99 Other – One of the coolest bottles around with the horseshoe base as a throwback to their historical DSP-KY-10
TastedNeat – The warmth of backing spices and like the nose, there is vanilla, citrus, honeysuckle, caramel, and dried cherry. On a second sip, cocoa and mint appear. The finish is lingering with more spicy notes of black pepper and cinnamon, a hint of fruit, and the barrel char is noticeable.
Tasted with dried cranberry – Light and bright. The citrus is more prominent and it is less spicy but still a finish of cinnamon.
Tasted with a pecan – A bit more woody and somewhat hot but not with a distinct spice. The citrus and other great notes seem to be gone.
Tasted with dark chocolate – That is really good. The light cocoa from the neat taste is coming through with more chocolate and the rye mint flavors. The finish remains very nice and oaky with the dark chocolate as well.
Discussion and Final Notes
This is a really good full proof. At 117.3 it is pretty easy to drink after the first acclimation sip. It has a wonderful range of flavors with a terrific body and mouthfeel. The blending of this was masterful as is evident from such a balanced taste profile.
Value – all day long! This is a 5-7-year blended full proof bourbon for under $50. It is very elegant and highly enjoyable. We might want to try this head-to-head with other full proofs / barrel strengths of a similar proof. This is not allocated and should be widely available.
We highly recommend trying this Green River Full Proof. For the price point, we plan to always have a “back up” on hand as well. This could easily become one of our regular pours.
Cheers, Rebecca & Wayne
Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Requirements
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Such whiskeys have all the requirements of bourbon: Made in the U.S, distilled at <= 160 proof, barreled at <= 125 proof, aged in new, charred oak containers, bottled at >= 80 proof.
Straight bourbon means it is aged at least 2 years (and must have an age statement if less than 4). In addition, to be Kentucky Straight Bourbon, it has the additional requirement that it must be produced and aged at least 1 year in the state of Kentucky.
For additional information on bourbon requirements, please read this post – Bourbon Whiskey.
NOTE: The bourbon in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.
“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.
Wayne and I decided to revisit a couple selections from Penelope to further explore their interesting taste profiles. These selections are part of the Penelope Bourbon Cooper Series where they seek the perfect marriage of various cask finishes with their signature four grain straight bourbon whiskey.
Selected for this tasting: PenelopeRosé Cask Finish and PenelopeValencia.
Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.
PenelopeRosé Cask Finish
Mashbill – 76% Corn, 14% Wheat, 7% Rye, 3% Malted Barley Finished – Rosé Cask is finished in hand-selected French Rosé wine casks from the Southern Rhône region Age – 4-5 years Proof – 94 Other – Non Chill-Filtered, #4 Staves, #2 Heads Price Paid – $59.94
Color – Golden Amber
Aroma – The rose wine is prevalent on the nose. There is also a light fruitiness, vanilla cream, and floral notes.
Tasted Neat – Rose wine is on the front of the palate followed by strawberry shortcake and vanilla cream with a finish of lingering nutmeg.
Tasted with dried cranberry – Fruit forward with floral notes as well as an herbal presence; very creamy.
Tasted with a pecan – Fruitiness is gone, heavier in white pepper, but still creamy.
Tasted with dark chocolate – Similar to the neat pour, but finishes with white pepper.
PenelopeValencia
Mashbill – 75% Corn, 15% Wheat, 7% Rye, 3% Malted Barley Finished – Valencia is finished in Vino de Naranja casks Age – 4-5 years Proof – 95 Other – Non Chill-Filtered, #4 Staves, #2 Heads Price Paid – $108.99
Color – Medium Amber.
Aroma – Toffee, orange cream, orange zest, and baking spices.
Tasted Neat – Floral notes and French vanilla on the front with burnt orange zest, moves to a rich fruit with pops of black and white pepper and a lovely creamy and savory finish where the orange peel reappears.
Tasted with dried cranberry – The cranberry negated the orange notes but brought in a hint of chocolate and remained creamy.
Tasted with a pecan – With pecan it is very woody up front and then the orange returns on the back end, but the creaminess was gone.
Tasted with dark chocolate – The dark chocolate enhanced the fruitiness and increased the boldness of the spices on the finish.
Discussion and Final Notes
Both are outstanding! While they are different from most bourbons, they remind you on the journey that they are indeed bourbons. Sometimes finishes such as these are too wine-forward or you lose the taste of the original spirit. That is not the case with these Penelope selections.
We are often asked what we drink in the summer. Well, we still drink bourbon! However, for those who want something a bit lighter and with tastes of summer in their bourbon, the Rose and Valencia could be great choices. Their aromas and tastes make you think of summertime vibes.
We highly recommend PenelopeRosé Cask Finish and PenelopeValencia as a great addition to any bourbon collection.
Cheers, Rebecca & Wayne
Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer
Spirit Requirements
Whiskey (generic) must be made from cereal grains, distilled below 190 proof, placed into an oak container, and bottled at a minimum of 80 proof.
Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Such whiskeys have all the requirements of bourbon: Made in the U.S, distilled at <= 160 proof, barreled at <= 125 proof, aged in new, charred oak containers, bottled at >= 80 proof. Straight bourbon means it is aged at least 2 years (and must have an age statement if less than 4).
For additional information on bourbon requirements, please read this post – Bourbon Whiskey.
NOTE: The bourbons in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producers for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.
We started the weekend on Friday night with the kick-off dinner, Spirited Bourbon Pairing Dinner at Green River Distillery. However, Saturday, May 11, was the big day – and BIG it was. The 2024 BBQ & Barrels event was amazing. There was competition BBQ in the streets, a great line-up of live music all day, a very interesting auto show, education sessions in the afternoon, followed by the bourbon festival. Of course, that doesn’t mean the day is complete until gathering with friends and an opportunity to view the Northern Lights. What a day! Something for everyone!
BBQ Competition and Street Fair
Cooking teams, BBQ competition, Food Trucks – this Street Fair lined 2nd Street in downtown Owensboro, KY. It was fun to walk and smell the amazing aromas coming off of those smoker. Wow – if only cameras had smell-a-vision!
On Friday we sampled one item and enjoyed a cocktail from Castle & Key.
Saturday we had the opportunity to sample from the various competition teams. So many yummy bites of smoked chicken, pork, bologna, ham, sausage, venison, etc. It is amazing how full you can get sampling with a toothpick!
Rob, Wayne, & April
Champions Motorcar Invitational
The car show was new this year. I’m not sure I would have been aware of it if I hadn’t known someone who was showing his 57 Chevy. While there weren’t as many cars in the field as one might expect, they were all incredibly different and quite stunning. Ultimately, 12 barrel head trophies were awarded.
Education Session with Evan Williams
We enrolled in the Master Class with Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (EWBE) Artisanal Distiller, Jodie Filiatreau. The BBQ & Barrels classes are a terrific value. Held one hour prior to the VIP entry for the bourbon tasting, the last two years there have been three options available and only $25 a ticket for a 45 minute session.
Jodie introduced himself and provide some background on his 42 years of experience, working his way up, of being a part of the Heaven Hill family-owned operation.
He then led us on a detailed tasting of two award-winning Evan Williams Bourbons made in distinctly different styles. The small cups, in the photo above, contained various elements, such as cherry, cinnamon, walnuts, etc. that might be on the nose or the palate of the two expressions. We were also provided a water dropper and were encouraged to try each a second time with a drop of water to see how it might open up differently.
First up was the Evan Williams Single Barrel made in column stills at the historic DSP-KY-1 Bernheim plant. This expression is 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley. The notes provided were accurate for our palate as well – nose of dark caramel, sweet oak, and charred wood; taste of oak with honey, fruit notes of apple and orange, and a very nice spice.
Next was the Square 6 wheated bourbon made in the EWBE Artisanal Distillery using Vendome pot stills. We have tried and purchased the Square 6 previously and the wheated expression is one of our favorites. It is a blend of two mashbills. The first is 74% corn, 16% wheat, and 10% malted barley. The second is 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. This is bottled at 105 proof. All aspects of this is wonderful. The nose starts with caramel, vanilla, figs, cherries, and oak. The nose continues on the palate and adds confectioners’ sugar and walnuts. The walnuts continue on the finish as well as oak and cinnamon. It is a yummy flavor bomb.
Rebecca, Wayne, & Jodie
Lisa & Jodie
Jodie loves what he does and it shows in his excitement when talking about these spirits. It was really nice to meet him, hear his story, and taste these spirits again with his enthusiasm as an added bonus. After the session concluded, we were able to get pictures with him for us and our friend, Lisa Stinson.
Barrels Bourbon Festival– VIP
View of the BBQ & music festival from the Convention Center
The VIP ticket included the all-important one-hour early entry (3PM vs 4PM). Everything else aside, this is critical because it is much less crowded and this allows you to sample more easily and spend time talking with the various distillers. Of course, the passed heavy hors d’oeuvres and commemorative VIP BBQ and Barrels Glencairn tasting glass is very nice as well.
With 35 distilleries, we approached it somewhat methodically but also ensured we had time with some of our favorite people!
Rebecca, Kim, & Wayne: The Bard DistilleryBarry with RD One DistilleryAaron with Green River DistillingJustin with Spirits of French LickRebecca, Amine, & Wayne: Old Louisville Whiskey CoAJ of Casey Jones Distillery
There were legacy distilleries, craft distilleries, and some who were just getting started. It is wonderful to see everyone together and in a support environment.
Starlight DistilleryMichter’s DistilleryCoal Pick DistilleryWestern KY DistillingBrothers of the Leaf DistilleryEvan Williams Bourbon Experience
The crowds were substantial following the VIP hour but everyone was polite and friendly. People shared tables to visit and take a break. Distillers shared their stories, provided samples & tchotchkes, most were able to sell bottles a well. It was a great opportunity to be reminded of why we have enjoyed these folks while meeting new people and tasting new expressions.
We made our bottle purchases (pro tip: wait so you don’t have to carry!) and exited the event a little after 5PM. We enjoyed our time there and two hours was just about perfect for us.
Bourbon Friends & Northern Lights
It was a wonderful day and a beautiful evening; thus, we couldn’t let the fun end at the conclusion of the festival. Many of us gathered at about 8PM for a “bottle share” around the bonfire at one of the hotels on the river. Again, time with old friends and time to get to know new friends. That is what the bourbon journey is all about. Sharing a pour with stories, laughter, and even some cigars. I’ve said it before and will say it again – bourbon has an amazing culture and it is one that we feel immensely blessed to be a part of.
Lisa, Phil, Ann, & JeffSarah & LisaTori, Barry, Lisa, & Phil
This also happened to be a night where viewing the Northern Lights was a possibility. Being on the river, without excessive lights, was a lovely setting to gain a glimpse. We all looked, watched, and hoped for several hours. Ironically, it wasn’t until Wayne and I were walking back to our hotel at about midnight that we were finally able to capture the magical view. Wow – the Northern Lights truly placed a colorful bow on what had already been a perfect weekend.
The Glover Cary Bridge (also known as the Blue Bridge) connecting Indiana to Owensboro KY always has an amazing light display.
That’s a Wrap for BBQ & Barrels
Wow – what a wonderful weekend! We could not have asked for better weather. The event was well-organized and everyone we met was friendly and fun. It is always difficult to say what was the best part or the best memory. While the events were excellent, it is always the people who create the memories. Seeing folks that we haven’t seen for some time. Making new friends. Spending time with people who come from various locations and walks of like to share a common passion – bourbon.
If you haven’t been to Owensboro, KY or this BBQ & Barrels event, mark your calendar for 2025. The BBQ event has been a staple on the riverfront for decades and in 2023 the “barrels” portion was added. This year was the first time for the car show. With the live music, it is truly a festival atmosphere. There is something for everyone and that is why the attendance continues to grow. Bookmark their site, tickets usually go on sale late February or very early March.
Again, we highly recommend this event. If you haven’t attended a bourbon festival before, this is a terrific chance to do so in a non-overwhelming environment. And if your friends, spouse, or significant other are not “into bourbon” that’s ok because there is so much to do!
This was a great memory for Our Bourbon Journey – be sure to add it to yours!
American single malt whiskey is a fast-growing category in the United States. According to a 2022 Forbes article, more than 100 distilleries were producing over 200 American single malt expressions. The numbers of distilleries in now over 130. This brief note explores some of the requirements for this spirit category.
American Single Malt Whiskey Commission (ASMWC)
The American Single Malt Whiskey Commission (ASMWC) was formed in 2016 to address the growing need for American-based producers to define the category—both domestically and internationally—in order to protect, educate, promote and ultimately grow it. The ASMWC has been instrumental in getting this spirit category an identity as well as proposed standards.
The ASMWC has a terrific Press Page if you have an interest in reading related articles.
American Single Malt Whiskey Requirements
July 29, 2022 – In response to requests and petitions, specifically from the ASMWC, the TTB proposed establishing a specific standard of identity for American single malt whisky. From the Federal Register, there was a notice of proposed rule making and the following summary:
“The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to amend the regulations that set forth the standards of identity for distilled spirits to include “American single malt whisky” as a type of whisky that is a distinctive product of the United States.”
Under the proposal, to be labeled American single malt whisky, the product must be:
1) Distilled entirely at one U.S. distillery 2) Must be mashed, distilled, aged in the United States 3) Must be sourced from a fermented mash of 100% malted barley 4) Have a distillation proof of 160° or less 5) Stored in oak barrels not exceeding 700 liters.
In addition, allowable coloring, flavoring, and blending materials would be permitted.
I hope that this brief note brought clarification regarding American Single Malt Whiskey. Rebecca
Wayne and I have discussed our desire to do an American Single Malt Tasting for some time. Last weekend we picked up Bulleit’s offering and our interest in opening that bottle led us to do a full tasting. Ironically, we intended to taste only three; however, we started to see a meal pairing theme and decided to taste two additional ones following a break. It was incredibly interesting. If you haven’t tried American Single Malts, we hope that these tasting notes might encourage you to give at least one a try.
Selected for this Tasting
Part One: Bulleit Single Malt, Clermont Steep by Jim Beam, and Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey – by Limestone Branch
Part Two: New Riff Kentucky Single Malt Whiskey and Moving Pieces American Single Malt Whiskey – by Second Sight Distillery
Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.
Bulleit Single Malt
Mashbill – 100% Malted Barley Age – NAS (at least 4 years) Proof – 90 Price Paid – $66.48
Color – Golden
Aroma – An inviting sweetness is on the nose much like honey, bright fruit scents such as apricot and citrus, as well as nutmeg and oak. It really encourages you to want to taste it.
Tasted Neat – The honey and sweetness from the nose are right there on the palate, those lead to the herbal/citrus flavors such as lemongrass and ginger. The finish has a hint of cocoa, cinnamon, and oak. The overall taste is really pleasant.
Tasted with dried cranberry – The sweetness faded while the lemon aspects came forward. It isn’t bad, just different.
Tasted with a pecan – The pecan eliminated the citrus and now the oak is dominant and there is an allspice finish.
Tasted with dark chocolate – Oddly, the chocolate brought out many bitter notes, perhaps a touch of malt, and the finish tastes like black pepper.
Overall, we enjoyed it neat or with the dried cranberry. It is very approachable and tastes a bit like summertime. If you have shied away from trying an American Single Malt, this might be a terrific option.
Clermont Steepby Jim Beam
Mashbill – 80% Standard Malted Barley, 20% Golden Pilsner Malted Barley Age – 5 years Proof – 94 Price Paid – $63.59
Color – Light Amber or Bronze
Aroma – Roasted barley and a light smokiness is first. A very toasted aroma. Also on the nose is a sweetness of caramel, oak, and baking chocolate or maybe coffee beans.
Tasted Neat – Very similar to the nose … sweet and earthy at the same time but with more spice. Caramel and toffee with barley, nuts, and charred oak. Also tasted a hint of honey and white pepper. Similar notes on its rather long finish with malted barley, caramel, oak, and pepper.
Tasted with dried cranberry – This negated many of the flavors but added pepper almost like pepper flavored Pop Rocks candy.
Tasted with a pecan – The earth tones are amplified with strong nutty notes and there is an additional woodiness with a light and smooth finish.
Tasted with dark chocolate – Fascinating as it really didn’t have much flavor at all with the dark chocolate.
Overall, we enjoyed it neat or with the pecan. This is an all-around good pour with terrific malt flavors and, again, an approachable choice for trying an American Single Malt.
Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey– by Limestone Branch
Mashbill – 100% Malted Barley Age – NAS (at least 4 years) Proof – 108 Price Paid – $54.49
Color – Light Amber
Aroma – Fruity with apricot or pear, floral scents perhaps honeysuckle, the malted barley is coming through in a cereal-like fashion. Great nose.
Tasted Neat – It begins with a lovely floral sweetness of honeysuckle, apricot, and caramel. The taste evolves to graham cracker and pastry crust then finishes with a combination of sweetness, oak, and white pepper.
Tasted with dried cranberry – Very nice as there was the sweetness of honey followed by a much more intense finish of oak and pepper.
Tasted with a pecan – This created a very smooth and sweet woodiness with a nice white pepper finish.
Tasted with dark chocolate – This was not a good pairing as it made any flavors very harsh.
Overall, we enjoyed it neat or with the dried cranberry. In some ways, this drinks a bit more like a bourbon than the other two did and the fruity sweetness is very nice and welcoming.
Moving Pieces American Single Malt Whiskey– by Second Sight Distillery
Mashbill – 100% Malted Barley (5 types) Other – Crafted using 5 different malts and aged in small barrels before being blended to new 55 gallon barrels for its final finish. Age – 5 years Proof – 96 Price Paid – $106.00
Color – Very Dark Amber
Aroma – A burst of coffee and chocolate malt with the sweetness of brown sugar.
Tasted Neat – The dominate taste is a fantastic dark roast coffee but there is so much more going on. There are also raisins and a dark cherry with dark chocolate or perhaps a chocolate malted mocha. There is a very nice lingering finish of cinnamon that brings thoughts of oatmeal raisin cookies.
Tasted with dried cranberry – The cranberry brightened it a bit but also brought a hint of bitterness as if from the zest of an orange.
Tasted with a pecan – This pairing really brought forward the coffee and the chocolate together with a hint of white pepper on the finish.
Tasted with dark chocolate – This negated the coffee and made the chocolate pretty dominant … like a chocolate covered caramel.
Overall, we enjoyed it neat as well as with the pecan or dark chocolate. Its name says it all … Moving Pieces … it changes quite a bit and remains dark and inviting throughout the pour. Quite amazing overall.
New Riff Kentucky Single Malt Whiskey
Mashbill – 100% Malted Barley (up to 6 types) Other – Various mashbills matured in a variety of casks for at least 7 years and then blended to create this concept. The six mashbills include: 100% Maris Otter, a classic British ale malt; 100% Golden Promise, a classic Scotch whisky malt; Barleywine-style, after high gravity, heavy bodied barleywine ales; Belgian quadrupel-style, in the fashion of rich, mellow Trappist ales; 100% Scottish peated barley malt, heavily smoked and pungent; 100% Chevallier Heirloom malted barley, an 1820s-vintage English variety.
Age – at least 7 years Proof – 113.8 Price Paid – $75.77
Color – Dark Amber
Aroma – There is sweetness and earthiness. Specifically, malted grains, dark chocolate, and coffee with hints of citrus and smoke. Very complex on the nose.
Tasted Neat – Sweet and earthy notes from the various barley and barrel treatments such as sherry and oak. Chocolate and cherries somewhat like a cherry cordial, soft caramel, coffee beans, and a light smokiness. On the finish there are light fruit and sherry notes with citrus, spice, and a bit of smokiness.
Tasted with dried cranberry – This muted the flavor profile and brought forward a harsh lime zest and a spicy finish.
Tasted with a pecan – This pairing is nice as the chocolate returns and it is a lot like a chocolate turtle, the barrel is present, and there is a nice and spicy finish.
Tasted with dark chocolate – Not very flavorful, only cinnamon and spices.
Overall, we enjoyed it neat and with the pecan. This is a complex pour that you need to take your time with to fully enjoy its nuances.
Discussion and Final Notes
While enjoying this extended tasting, we noted that each one was unique and also had some similarities. Also, what each paired well with provided an idea of how we might have an American Single Malt dinner pairing.
Bulleit is an afternoon salad luncheon outdoors with friends. It would also be great in the appetizer round of a pairing event. It’s bright and herbal nature would make it complement a salad or charcuterie board very well.
Clermont is hearty yet approachable. It could pair well with a cheese plate but for a dinner pairing we would enjoy it with a lovely steak to bring out that smoky char.
New Riff would be terrific with a dessert as it would complement the sweetness and bring some additional complexity. With it cherry cordial notes and nice cherry cheesecake might be fantastic with it.
Moving Pieces, with its strong, bold, coffee notes could be served with coffee, in coffee, or instead of coffee. If for dessert, a chocolate-focused desert would be very nice.
Yellowstone has a lot of flexibility and could be inserted into many portions of the dinner pairing lineup. We find it most relatable to an after dinner, after dessert drink. Sit back with friends, reminisce about the day, and enjoy a nice cigar.
So overall, we recommend all five and we have a place for them for whatever you were doing in your life on a particular day and if you want to have a phenomenal American Single Malt dinner, you could easily do it with these five selections.
If you haven’t tried American Single Malts, we hope that these tasting notes encourage you to give at least one a try.
Cheers, Rebecca & Wayne
Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer
Spirit Requirements
Whiskey (generic) must be made from cereal grains, distilled below 190 proof, placed into an oak container, and bottled at a minimum of 80 proof.
To be labeled American Single Malt Whiskey, the product must be distilled entirely at one U.S. distillery, and must be mashed, distilled, aged in the United States. The product also must be sourced from a fermented mash of 100% malted barley, at a distillation proof of 160° or less, and stored in oak barrels not exceeding 700 liters. In addition, allowable coloring, flavoring, and blending materials would be permitted.
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.
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.
Tasting a fine spirit like whiskey or bourbon is as much art as it’s science. That said, it also takes much time to become accustomed to it, especially after experiencing a burning sensation as you take your first sip. In the article, “Enjoying Bourbon Might Take Patience,” Wayne shared his personal story of how long it took him to be able to drink bourbon neat and truly enjoy it. For this Sunday Spirit Note, I share some reasons why whiskey/bourbon can burn your throat and tips on reducing such unpleasant experiences.
What is Whiskey Burn
Whiskey burn, a tingling sensation in the mouth and throat, is caused by ethanol activating Vanilloid Receptor-1 (VR1) nerve cells, which send distress signals to the brain, interpreting the drink as too hot and causing a burning sensation to prevent further consumption. The burn intensity depends on the whiskey’s alcohol content and temperature. Ethanol lowers the activation temperature of VR1 receptors, making them more sensitive to the heat of the whiskey. Similar to the reaction to capsaicin in spicy foods, VR1 receptors are activated at a lower temperature in the presence of ethanol, triggering the burning sensation. Whiskey burn is a protective mechanism to prevent tissue damage from consuming liquids that are too hot or potentially harmful.
Steps to Reduce the Burn of Bourbon Whiskey
There are multiple approaches that can be taken to reduce the burn of bourbon whiskey to help you enjoy it more. Over time, you can find the method that is best for you and you may also find that different options for different bourbons are most effective.
– Add water: Dilute the whiskey with a few drops of water using a straw. Start with three to five drops and add more until you reach your desired dilution. Water can also release additional aromas and tastes by reducing the alcohol content.
– Add ice: Adding ice can neutralize the burn and prevent dehydration and a parched throat.
– Chill the drink: Chilling the bottle or glass in the refrigerator for about 2 hours will soften its flavor; thus, reducing the burn and helping it go down more smoothly.
– Use a straw: Drinking whiskey through a straw can help to bypass the back of the throat and reduce the burn.
– Take small sips versus large swigs: Savor your drink with small sips instead of chugging it to reduce the burn. This also helps you to enjoy the flavors more. Have a glass of water on hand for drinking to quench your thirst so you will be more inclined to sip your bourbon slowly.
– Hold the whiskey in your mouth: Allowing the bourbon to sit in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing helps the flavors to dissipate and reduces the burn. This is especially important on the first few sips as it can help to numb the tongue.
– Roll it around on your tongue: This has a similar effect as holding it in your mouth. By gently rolling the bourbon around on your tongue before swallowing, it allows the flavors to develop and reduce the burn.
– Drink then exhale: Take a deep breath in, exhale a bit, sip the whiskey, and then exhale the rest of the air. This flushes out alcohol vapors and reduces the burning sensation.
– Add a mixer: Mixing whiskey with a non-alcoholic beverage, such as soda or juice, can reduce the alcohol concentration and make it more palatable.
Summary and Closing Thoughts
Bourbon whiskey often causes a burning sensation due to its high alcohol content, but various methods can mitigate this. If you tour a distillery in Kentucky, it is often described as the “Kentucky Hug.’ Experimenting with chilling techniques, dilution of alcohol, tasting approaches, and even breathing techniques, can reduce the burn while preserving the flavor.
Remember, when ordering bourbon whiskey in a bar, it can be consumed “straight,” which involves cooling it and straining it over ice, or “neat,” which means serving it at room temperature without any additives. While some prefer the pure flavors of bourbon neat, others suggest sipping it slowly to fully appreciate its nuances. Ultimately, the best way to enjoy whiskey is subjective and it certainly depends on personal preferences.
In the words of Jim Beam’s Master Distiller, Fred Noe, and his father (Booker Noe) before him, “Drink it any damn way you please.”
Enjoy Your Bourbon Journey – And Always Drink Responsibly Rebecca
April 12, 2024 Wayne and I attended the Black Stone Cherry, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd concert at the Ford Center in Evansville, IN. Each group contributed outstandingly, and we had fabulous front row center seats for an amazing night of music and memories.
Johnny singing Whiskey Rock-a-Roller 04/12/24.
I wore my “Talk Bourbon To Me” T-Shirt and didn’t realize that might catch the eye of Johnny Van Zant. That is because I missed their announcement of partnering with Bespoken Spirits and the release of American Hell House Whiskey in July, 2023. Honestly, the first I knew about it was during their 5th song, Whiskey Rock-a-Roller when it was on the screen. Then I was intrigued.
At the conclusion of Sweet Home Alabama (right before the encore), Johnny Van Zant pointed to me and tossed me a “Hell House” hat. Unfortunately, the woman sitting next to me grabbed it. This did not sit well with Johnny, and he AGAIN pointed at me and ensured that I got their “Lynyrd Skynyrd Forever” hat. Super cool!!
Rebecca, Wayne, and Trevor Herman by the tour bus after the concert.
About Hell House Whiskey
American Hell House Whiskey was released in July 2023. In an announcement by PR Newswire (07/27/23), it was shared that the name is a tribute to the band’s legendary cabin. Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Hell House, a humble cabin nestled in the woods of Florida, played a pivotal role in the band’s early success. It served as their rehearsal and writing space, where iconic songs like “Free Bird” and “Sweet Home Alabama” were born. The cabin’s legacy lives on in the band’s new whiskey, Hell House Whiskey, which pays homage to the raw and creative spirit of their formative years.
The whiskey is produced by Bespoken Spirits that launched in January 2018 in California. Most recently, March 2024, Bespoken moved their headquarters and operation to Lexington, Kentucky. They pride themselves on creating a process for sustainability. Their approach to whiskey is accomplished with less wood, water, and energy. Early supporters of Bespoken include T.J. Rodgers of Cypress Semiconductor and Derek Jeter, Baseball Hall of Famer and owner of the Miami Marlins. As of their move to Kentucky, they were available in Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, and North Carolina. However, they announced plans to expand into Colorado and Illinois in 2024.
Following the concert, we really wanted an opportunity to taste Hell House Whiskey. Using the locator on Bespoken’s website, we found a place just over the bridge in Henderson, KY. Saturday, 04/13/24, we were able to purchase a bottle at the location indicated.
American Hell House Whiskey Tasting Notes
If you haven’t already, please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey.
Taste – Some sweetness and a light floral note; however, the dominate taste coming forward is tobacco. On the finish the tobacco lingers and is joined by leather, oak, and black pepper.
Tasted with dried cranberry – With the cranberry it has a lighter overall feel to it. A bit less tobacco, but the leather remains it still finishes with oak and black pepper.
Tasted with a pecan – More sweetness with caramel on the front, the tobacco and leather has faded but the finish is now cinnamon and oak.
Tasted with dark chocolate – This did not complement the spirit. The previous taste characteristics are no longer present and it now has a rather bitter finish similar to tasting ground cinnamon. We certainly would not recommend this paired with chocolate.
Bespoken Spirits Tailored Wood Finishing
According to an article published by Whisky Advocate (03/21/24), Bespoken Spirits uses a proprietary rapid-aging process called Tailored Wood Finishing. Unlike traditional whiskey-aging methods that rely on extended barrel storage, Bespoken uses “micro staves” to infuse flavors of wood, toast, and char into its spirits in just a few days. This innovative approach allows them to create diverse flavor profiles from a single base liquid while reducing material consumption, water usage, energy expenditure, and eliminating evaporation losses.
In a related article published last year by Robb Report (04/11/23), Bespoken’s unique Tailored Wood Finishing process uses “activators” to rapidly age whiskey by applying heat and pressure, simulating years of aging in just days. This method allows the company to finish or rectify whiskey for other brands, potentially resolving flavor issues. While the process can produce whiskey that tastes different from traditionally aged products, lacking depth and maturity, blind tastings have shown that Bespoken’s whiskeys are often distinguishable from others.
Summary Notes
I have loved Lynyrd Skynyrd since I was in High School, and it is hard to believe that they are celebrating FIFTY YEARS! I really wish they would have partnered with a spirit company that has the depth and maturity to match who they are. That said, as a fan, it is very cool to listen to a band’s music and have a whiskey to drink that has their name on it.
We are looking forward to the next warm day when we can sit on the patio and enjoy a cigar. With the tobacco and leather notes of this whiskey, we believe it will go quite nicely with a cigar and the cigar won’t negatively impact the flavor of the whiskey.
If you are a fan and locate a bottle of Hell House – buy it! You will enjoy it for the same reasons that we do … its story and connection to Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Cheers, Rebecca
Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer
American Whiskey (as per the label)
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.
When aged less than four years and without an age statement, it might need to be labeled as corn whiskey. To be considered American Corn Whiskey, it must be made from at least 80% corn, but isn’t required to be aged. Aged American corn whiskey must rest in either used or uncharred oak barrels. Note: Based on the mash bill of Hell House, it could qualify as a corn whiskey.
Regarding the labeling of American Hell House Whiskey as American Whiskey, according to Whiskey Advocate’s 03/21/24 article, it was sourced from MGP (Midwest Grain Products); thus, likely achieved the placement into oak barrel requirement during its time at MGP. In addition, that would add to the accumulated age.
NOTE: The whiskey 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.
Your Bourbon Journey 