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Wild Turkey Distillery Tour: A Russell’s Reserve Immersion Experience

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Tour Date: September 12, 2024 10:00am
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Our long-awaited first tour of Wild Turkey was finally here! Arriving in the parking lot and seeing the gorgeous visitor ahead let me know this was really happening!

Check in was simple. The lady who checked us in hinted that we might want to visit the bottle shop before the tour as they had the Jimmy Russell 70th Anniversary bottles available but they had a specific allotment for the day. She also said that she could hold our purchases for us. We know how to take a hint! This also gave us an opportunity to explore a bit.

The visitor center is absolutely beautiful. No detail was overlooked.

Born from the Barrel – Russell’s Reserve Immersion In-depth Russell’s Reserve Rickhouse Experience

Tour Description: Pull back the curtain on Kentucky craft whiskey excellence and discover the art of barrel maturation that has been perfected by our Master Distiller Eddie Russell. We invite you to go behind the scenes with us for the Born from the Barrel Russell’s Reserve Immersion, a 60 minute in-depth look at where and how the award-winning Russell’s Reserve is made. The tour includes a visit to one of our oldest and most iconic timber rickhouses where you’ll learn about the impact of environmental aging and the importance of center cut selection for our acclaimed small batch and single barrel whiskeys.

We were excited to learn that Bo would be our guide. We had met Bo on prior visits and knew he was a wealth of knowledge as well as passionate about all things Wild Turkey. Follow him on Instagram: firebirdbo. He provided a brief overview of what we would be doing and then invited us to board the bus.

We arrived at Rickhouse A – their oldest, built in 1894. We enjoyed the view outside of the rickhouse while Bo shared historical information about Wild Turkey, the property, and the rich distilling history of the area.

Once inside, we learned more history about their operations, the rickhouse, and how Jimmy, Eddie, and Bruce came into the organization. We have been in many rickhouses but this one simply felt special. Of course, it smelled amazing with 130 years of angel’s share permeating the wood! These pictures don’t do it justice but they do provide some context of being there.

Russell’s Reserve Tasting

The tour concluded with a guided flight of Russell’s Reserve products. The pours were outstanding and it was the first time either of us have tasted a Russell’s Rye or the 13-year-old. Wow!

Taking it All In

Following the tasting we got a drink to take outside and enjoy the patio area. A truly beautiful day! We kept hoping that if we stayed long enough, Jimmy Russell would arrive. Thus, we went upstairs to their bar for a small bite and met two great guys from NY – Ben & Ben – father and son. Bourbon people are the best!!!

We decided that we should head back to Bardstown. Slightly bummed that there wasn’t an opportunity to congratulate Jimmy on his 70th but thrilled with our day at Wild Turkey!

Gift Shop

Our most exciting bottle to acquire was the 70th Anniversary one. We did a neat pour of it while there and it is outstanding!

Distillery Trail Statistics

We originally visited Wild Turkey May 23, 2023. Unfortunately, it was still on shut-down for renovations and were not able to engage in a tour. We did enjoy the gift shop and chatting with people who work there. It was our 46th distillery and our 39th stamp on the KBT Signature Trail and we knew we would return once full tours were available.

We visited again February 23, 2024 and were able to meet and visit with Jimmy Russell. It was a dream come true to have the opportunity to visit with him on that day.

For this third visit, we were thrilled to experience the Born from the Barrel Russell’s Reserve Immersion Tour. It was our 142nd distillery experience.

Happy Trails!
Rebecca & Wayne

All photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer unless otherwise noted.

Scotchy Bourbon Boys 4th Annual Bus Tour: Distillery Adventures and Tastings

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Tour Date: September 11, 2024 8:00am – 5:30pm
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

We were very excited to be joining the Scotchy Bourbon Boys on their 4th Annual Bus Tour! We met up at the Mammy’s parking lot bright and early. After a moment of silence in remembrance of 9/11, we kicked off the day with a pour of Johnnie Walker Blue and a toast for a great day!

Then it was time to load the bus and head to Bardstown Bourbon Co. for our first experience. On the way, Super Nash pulled out a dusty bottle of Hill & Hill for us to try on the ride over. It was amazing!

Bardstown Bourbon Company Barrel Thieving Tour

At BardstownBourbon Company we got checked in and some got cocktails while others checked out the gift shop. When it was time for our Rickhouse Barrel Thieving Tour, we met our guide – Samantha. She let us know that her nickname was “Heavy Hand Sam” and to be aware of that during the thieving pours!

We sampled from three barrels in the beautiful Rickhouse K. One was a bourbon that will ultimately become their Bottle-in-Bond bourbon. The second was a rye expression that is not currently being offered. The final one we had to guess and the “Rye Team” won that round! In fact, it was a 95% rye that would later be finished in their special zebra casks and bottled as their green label rye.

Photo by Chris Thompson

Fun on the Bus and Lunch

Back on the bus and more pours were happening! Super Nash had a mason jar of what had previously been in a dusty McCormick decanter – it was fantastic! Tiny showed the “unicorn” that we would have later, and then it was a pour from the 1980 Early Times!

There was a brief stop for shopping at The Blind Pig Bourbon Market where several great finds were acquired by many on the bus. Then we headed to the Old Kentucky Home Country Club for lunch. We had ordered our selections in advance and everyone enjoyed their choices!

Next it was time to travel to Limestone Branch and that meant more time for tastings! Up first was a dusty of Yellowstone, followed by the Yellowstone finished in a Tokaji barrel, and topped off by the fresh opening of beautiful dusty Jim Beam decanter. All terrific pours!

Limestone Branch Distillery Single Barrel Select Tour

Before we knew it, we had arrived at LimestoneBranch Distillery. We were incredibly blessed to have their National Brand Ambassador, Stephen Fante, as our guide for our experience. He provided a fun and informative tour that included history as well as all aspects of their distilling process.

We then went into their newest building addition – the single barrel select room. Once there, we enjoyed five incredible pours and hear more awesome stories. We laughed, shared, and had a great time!

Following our tasting, we still had time for a cocktail, cigar, and shopping in the giftshop before we needed to get on the road back to Bardstown.

Heaven Hill Distillery for an Executive Tasting of High End Pours

While on the road, we had a pour of Jeffrey’s World Whiskey Society 10 Year Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Cask Unicorn edition. It was very good! While we passed, there was also a pour of Penelope Rio available!

Before we knew it, we had arrived at HeavenHill Distillery for our Whiskey Connoisseur tasting. This included 5 great pours: Elijah Craig Toasted, Select Stock Armagnac Finish, Pikesville Rye, Heaven Hill Heritage 18 Year, and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof.

There was time for a bit of shopping before gathering back on the bus.

Surprise Birthday Party for Tiny!!

We arrived back at the parking lot near Mammy’s and everyone was pretending to say their goodbyes for the evening. Little did Jeffrey know that his wife, Rachel, had arranged a surprise party at Mr. Tubs for his birthday. Thus, the fun continued for several more hours. I do believe that he was genuinely surprised!

Photo by Wayne McBrayer

This was an absolutely an amazing day! We knew it would be fun but had no idea how mush we would truly enjoy being with everyone on the bus. The generosity of the bottles and pours shared was second-to-none. People we have known through social media and brief meetings at events have truly become amazing friends that we will always cherish. We hope that we will be able to join them on another trip in the future!

THREE Gift Shops

We picked up a few bottles today!

Distillery Trail Statistics

We originally visited Bardstown Bourbon Co April 23,2022. It was our 6th distillery and our 2nd stamp on the KBT Signature Trail. Our second visit was March 2023 and we did the Barrel Thieving Tour and it was our 56th distillery experience. Next we visited Bardstown Bourbon Co in June 2023 as part of the 2023 Mint Julip VIP Bardstown Collection Tour and it was our 78th distillery experience. We also did a Distilled Dinner there in 2023. Therefore, this was our 5th visit there and our 139th distillery experience.

Our first visit to Limestone Branch was May 20, 2023. It was an amazing day as we completed the Central Craft Trail there and it was our 40th stamp on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail as well as our 48th distillery and 73rd distillery experience. Thus, this was our 2nd visit to Limestone Branch and our 140th distillery experience.

For Heaven Hill, our first visit was April 24, 2022 and we did the Bottle Your Own experience. It was our 9th distillery and our 5th stamp on the KBT Signature Trail. We returned to Heaven Hill in June 2023 as part of the 2023 Mint Julip VIP Bardstown Collection Tour and it was our 77th distillery experience. That makes this our 3rd visit to Heaven Hill and our 141st distillery experience.

It’s a good thing I have a spreadsheet!

Happy Trails!
Rebecca & Wayne

All photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer unless otherwise noted.

Maker’s Mark Distillery Tour: Behind the Bourbon Experience

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Tour Date: September 10, 2024 1:40pm
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Today Wayne and I traveled 165 miles to Lorreto, KY for a visit at Maker’s Mark. It had been nearly 18 months since our first visit and we were excited to enjoy the experience and see what new things we might learn.

They have really expanded their visitor center. After checking in we proceeded to their beautiful bar and lounge area. We quickly determined that we would have a neat pour of the Heart Release 2024 and we were happy to learn that we could also purchase the bottle.


Another fun thing – Whisky Jean the distillery cat. She sat there while numerous people pet her despite the sign saying she didn’t like being touched. She even has her own Instagram account.


Behind the Bourbon Tour

The tour we booked was titled, Behind the Bourbon: An Insider’s Look Behind the Scenes. The tour’s description: This immersive distillery experience pulls the curtain back on the Maker’s Mark® process. More detailed and technical than a standard tour, visitors encounter all aspects of production, accessing far reaches of the distillery, warehouse, cellar, cistern and bottling. And, of course, we can’t truly get behind the bourbon without getting into some. Expect a tasting with pours of the unexpected and the familiar. 

Our guide for the day was Jim and he was fantastic. There wasn’t a question that he couldn’t answer!

We started with a discussion on the receiving, inspection, and acceptance of the grain. Then we went inside to the production building. Unfortunately, they have just come off of a shut down so there wasn’t a lot happening. That said, the cookers were working and we were able to see fermenters at the day 1 and day 2 stage. A

Also, while there was no distillate coming through the spirit safes, Jim had some set aside for us to taste.

We walked the grounds and there is something to see around each corner. We visited the printing room where print presses from the 1930s were at work. We then viewed the area where the barrels are received, moved into the building, and filled. As Jim indicated, it would have had a lot more action if they were in operation. However, it was interesting nevertheless.

Next we headed to their oldest rickhouse where we learned about their barrel aging processes. We first had a pour of the standard, 90 proof, Maker’s Mark. Next, Jim thieved some Maker’s Mark 46 out of the barrel for us. It was terrific!

Then a trip to the cellar was on the agenda. Jim provided a detailed explanation of their farming and raising of livestock, grain, trees, and bees! Once in the cellar, while enjoying the 50 degree temperatures, Jim talked about how the temperatures interact with the barrels and the aging process. We ventured up to the second floor of the rickhouse where we were able to feel the limestone wall while enjoying two additional pours from their stave finishing collection.

We then made a stop at the building with an historical display about Margaret Samuels – the marketing mastermind behind Maker’s Mark and the first woman inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. We learned about the quality assurance room, and watched the operation of the bottling line.

Of course, no trip to Maker’s Mark would be complete without stoping at the stunning Chihuly blown glass display!

While in the gift shop, we also had an opportunity to talk a bit more with Jim (our guide) and got a picture with him as well. We highly recommend this tour!

Distillery Trail Statistics

We originally visited Maker’s Mark April 23,2022. It was our 7th distillery and our 4th stamp on the Signature Trail. For this second visit, The Behind the Bourbon tour was a new experience. It was also our 138th distillery experience.

Happy Trails!
Rebecca & Wayne

Evening Wrap Up

We headed back to Bardstown and checked into our hotel. While we had planned to go to Mammy’s for dinner, we opted for our other favorite when in town, La Herradura, which has outstanding Mexican food.

It was a great first day and we are looking forward to Wednesday!

All photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer unless otherwise noted.

Sept 2024 – Barrel House Rock Castle Bourbon Review: A Versatile Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

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09/09/24
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer 

As part of Bourbon Heritage Month (BHM), Wayne and I have been selecting a different bourbon each day to drink. We have a huge heart for the smaller distilleries who are trying to make it in this very competitive environment; therefore, many of our pours have been with the purpose of featuring such distilleries.

We were watching SLB Drinks on YouTube over the weekend and they were doing a blind tasting of various Buffalo Trace spirits plus one thrown in to perhaps perplex them. It was Rock Castle. That flooded my memory with our visit to Barrel House Distillery April 2023 as part of our visit to Lexington, Kentucky. We kept seeing photos and awards regarding their Rock Castle bourbon. However, they said they only released it once a year and we were a few weeks too early. Dang it!



Fast forward one month and we were at the BBQ & Barrels event in Owensboro, Kentucky. Low and behold, I walked up to the Barrel House table and they had Rock Castle on the tasting menu AND for sale. After having a small taste, I was very happy for the opportunity to buy a bottle. But somehow, we got it home and it sat, unopened, on the shelf!

When it was time to select our pour for Day 8 of BHM, it was an easy choice – it was time to open the bottle of Rock Castle bourbon!

Barrel House Rock Castle Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Mashbill – 60% Corn, 30% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Age – NAS (at least 4 years)
Other – Small Batch, Barrel Proof
Proof – 113.5
Price Paid – $107 (plus tax)

Color – Medium amber and with nice legs on the glass. 

Aroma – Butterscotch, dark fruit, light spice. Pleasant and inviting.

Tasted Neat – Toffee, butterscotch, vanilla, plums or perhaps figs, baking spices, and some very nice barrel notes.

Finish – The finish earthy with charred wood, cinnamon, and black pepper. It lingers fairly long and is very nice.

Tasted with dried cranberry – Sweet and bright! Almost cotton candy with lemon zest and other bright fruit notes. The finish isn’t as long but it is fine.

Tasted with a pecan – Wow, it is totally different again. Now the tastes are more along the lines of a chocolate covered cherry with nuts and a great woodiness. The finish is rather short but the taste makes up for that.

Tasted with dark chocolate – This brought out some very spicy notes and it mimics the effects of a jalapeño. With the chocolate note and spiciness it reminded us of Mexican hot chocolate. Fascinating. There remains a nice woodiness and the finish is medium in length. We enjoyed this as well.

Discussion and Final Notes

It was a very enjoyable tasting! The nose set the stage for a fantastic experience. Tasting it neat revealed flavors that closely matched the nose, and each subsequent sip brought out unexpected nuances. This drink is versatile and can be enjoyed in various settings. Whether you’re hosting a party, enjoying an appetizer, indulging in a dinner course, or savoring dessert, it’s a perfect fit. Furthermore, it would likely pair beautifully with a cigar, as its diverse flavor profiles complement the various tobacco notes.

We are very pleased that we were reminded of this bottle and decided to open it as part of Bourbon Heritage Month. If you get the opportunity to taste this, please let us know what you think.

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

Sept 2024 Bardstown Bourbon Co 2023 KBF SB Tasting

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09/06/24
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer 

Last night Wayne and I decided to explore the bourbon room to see what we might have unopened that was just begging to be tasted. We were surprised to find a signed Bardstown Bourbon Co Single Barrel on the shelf that was untouched. Upon further inspection, we realized it was part of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2023 Flask Force VIP Package; thus, we have a back up bottle in the closet. Our decision was made! With the 2024 Kentucky Bourbon Festival just a week away, it was high time to open this little treasure from last year. Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.

Bardstown Bourbon Company: Kentucky Bourbon Festival Distillers’ Row Series 2023 Single Barrel

Mashbill – 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Age – 6 years old
Other – Rickhouse B, Floor 6
Proof – 129.6
Price Paid – $200 (as part of Flask Force VIP Ticket)

Color – A beautiful medium copper with terrific legs on the glass. 

Aroma – Great nose! There is caramel, creamy french vanilla, butterscotch, oak, and a hint of sweet smokiness such as with a roasted marshmallow.

Tasted Neat – Wow – there is a major cherry taste happening. It is a luscious dark cherry that has been soaked in brandy. There is also a light cinnamon and brown sugar that compliments the cherry.

Finish – The finish lingers in a delightful way. The cherry notes are still present and surrounded by cinnamon, brown sugar, and oak.

Tasted with dried cranberry – This turned the dark cherry into a sour cherry with orange zest. The other flavors are muted and the finish is incredibly short.

Tasted with a pecan – This brought forward a lot of baking spices with brown sugar. The cherry isn’t as pronounced as when drinking this neat and it now is more along the lines of a chocolate covered cherry. The finish is spicier than before and it lingers with a hint of leather.

Tasted with dark chocolate – Creamy chocolate with lemon zest and spicy caramel. The finish is medium not nothing interesting. This isn’t bad but it doesn’t enhance the flavor profile in any manner.

Discussion and Final Notes

This pour is absolutely remarkable, and our only regret is not savoring it sooner! The single barrel showcases incredible notes on the nose, palate, and finish. Despite its nearly 130 proof, it goes down amazingly smoothly. Full disclosure, we are huge fans of Bardstown Bourbon Co, and we have purchased MANY of their bottles. This might just be one of our favorites. Reflecting on its release date and age, it could very well be the initial original spirit from their distillery. It wasn’t until 2024 that they unveiled their Origin Series. Steve Nally, you are extraordinary, and we deeply admire your work! Every sip of this will be a true pleasure!

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

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.