October, 2022 - BourbonSphere

5 Reasons Every Whisky Lover Should Attend WhiskyFest New York

Rare pours, whisky makers from around the globe, top notch seminars, and more highlight this year’s festivities.

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After swinging through San Francisco, WhiskyFest heads to New York this week for one of the largest gatherings of whisky lovers and whisky makers in the world. VIP and General Admission tickets are still available for the event, which takes place this Thursday evening, November 3rd, at the Marriott Marquis Times Square. With 400 whiskies plus other spirits to choose from, it’s a can’t-miss show. Here are five reasons why every whisky lover should attend.

Rare Whiskies During VIP Hour

Attendees will sample phenomenal whiskies throughout the evening, but VIP ticket holders are in store for something truly special, as whisky makers pour their finest and rarest bottles. VIP pours at WhiskyFest New York this year include Benromach Heritage 40 year old (2022 release), Eagle Rare 17 year old, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select, Michter’s 20 year old, Nikka Discovery Series Aromatic Yeast, St. George Spirits 40th Anniversary, and much more.

Taste Whiskies From Around the Globe

WhiskyFest is a great opportunity to taste that rare bourbon or scotch you’ve been curious about, but it also presents the chance to taste whiskies from all parts of the globe, including emerging countries. Indian whisky will be well-represented with Paul John and Rampur on hand, plus you can discover Morris Australian single malt, Brenne French whisky, Kavalan from Taiwan, and a handful of Japanese brands like Fuji, Kikori, and Hatozaki.

Attend an Illuminating Seminar

If you want an in-depth look at some of these whiskies away from the main event area, duck into one of the 12 seminars for educational tastings that often feature exclusive whiskies. This year’s seminars are being presented by Nelson’s Green Brier, Fuji, Glen Moray, Lux Row, Heaven Hill, Widow Jane, Compass Box, Glenturret, High West, Keeper’s Heart, Dewar’s, and Jim Beam’s Legent and Little Book.

Meet The World’s Top Whisky Makers

Even if you can’t get away to attend a seminar, you can still meet some of the world’s brightest whisky-making minds on the WhiskyFest floor. This year, WhiskyFest New York has attracted some big names, including John Glaser, founder and whiskymaker at Compass Box; Matt Hofmann, founder and master distiller at Westland; Brendan Coyle, vice president and master distiller at High West; Jared Himstedt, head distiller at Balcones; Brian Nation, master distiller for Keeper’s Heart; Caleb Kilburn master distiller at Kentucky Peerless, and many others

Bring Your Tasting Group and Test Your Palate

WhiskyFest is a great occasion to take your tasting club out of its element and put everything you’ve learned to the test. No matter how many whiskies you typically taste in a single session, WhiskyFest will expand your horizons as you sample quarter-ounce pours throughout the night. Experience a vertical tasting with brands like Laws Whiskey House, Virginia Distillery Co., and New Riff Distilling. And try to take notes—with so much to taste, you and your fellow club members will discover many different whiskies that will inspire discussion and future gatherings.

Don’t delay, buy your tickets today!

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Kings Of Leon Join The Celebrity Whiskey Fray

Tennessee-based rock band Kings of Leon has become the latest celebrities to lend their name to whiskey – collaborating with Kentucky-based Willett Distillery to launch Kiamichi Whiskey – a limited edition bourbon and rye whiskey collection named after the river where the members of Kings of Leon [brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared Followill along with their cousin, Matthew Followill], gathered for family reunions. The limited edition Kiamichi Whiskey Collection includes a five-year-old rye whiskey, an eight-year-old rye whiskey and a 19-year-old bourbon.

The five-year-old rye is a 12-barrel blend of Willett rye mash bills, aged in 24-month cured oak, bottled at 54% alcohol by volume [108 proof] and limited to 2,780 bottles for $150 per 750ml bottle.

The eight-year-old rye is a six-barrel blend of Willett’s low-rye mash bill aged in nine-month cured oak, bottled at 55% alcohol by volume [110 proof], limited to 1,171 bottles for $250 per 750ml bottle.

The 19-year-old bourbon was concocted in a single barrel proprietary mash bill, bottled at cask strength (56.5% alcohol by volume – 113 proof), is limited to a mere 374 bottles and being made available for the slightly higher price point of $1,500 per 750ml bottle.

The entire Kiamichi Whiskey Collection is available via kiamichiwhiskey.com as well as in the states of Kentucky, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

Review / Aberfeldy Red Wine Cask Collection – 15 years old & 18 years old

These whiskies are the latest new expressions to the Red Wine Cask Collection from the Perthshire distillery of Aberfeldy. The Aberfeldy 15 years old and 18 years old have been crafted by Stephanie Macleod, the Malt Master at Aberfeldy, and are the first in the series to feature wine casks from outside of France. The Red Wine Cask Collection was launched in 2019 and has seen annual releases since.

The Aberfeldy 15 years old has been finished in ex-Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques sourced from California's Napa Valley. The 18 years old has been finished in ex-Tuscan red wine barrels from Bolgheri in Italy. Both expressions are bottled at 43% ABV and are available in limited numbers, although the exact quantity of each has not been revealed.

Aberfeldy is located in the village of Aberfeldy in the southern Highlands. It is owned by John Dewar & Sons, a subsidiary of the Bacardi group. The distillery is engrained in the history of the Dewar's blended Scotch brand - it was founded and built by John and Tommy Dewar in 1896 to make single malt for their popular White Label. The Dewar's White Label remains one of the world's best selling brands with a particular stronghold in America. The distillery has a current annual production capacity of 3.5 million and is also home to the recently revamped Dewar's World of Whisky visitor experience.

The Aberfeldy 15 years old will be available in selected markets including France, Germany, the UK and USA. A bottle will cost £55/ €59/ $79.99 US. The Aberfeldy 18 years old will be available in China, France, Germany, India, Taiwan, the UK and USA. It will cost £95/ €99/ $120 US.

Our tasting notes

Aberfeldy 15 years old

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Finish

The colour is deep gold and the nose is fruity and fragrant. Aromas of raspberry jam and orange zest rise first and are followed by milk chocolate, caramel and heather honey. Underneath is a hint of malty biscuits and red apple also.

On the palate this whisky is bold and sweet. Notes of hard toffee and caramel come through initially and are quickly joined by the heather honey and milk chocolate-like characteristics from the nose. This is all underpinned by a distinct cereal maltiness. Then comes to delicious wave of fruitiness. There is also a confected floral edge to this with something resembling parma violet sweets coming through. Red fruit dominates with stewed plum and raspberry compote to the fore. The richness is further aided by a late hint of coffee, cinnamon and red wine tannins.

Aberfeldy 18 years old

Tuscan Bolgheri Finish

The colour is deep gold with a peachy rose tint. The nose is expressive and bold with plenty of citrus and stone fruits evident - think of orange and lime zest, plus black cherries in particular. There is also a distinct savoury and umami undertone that wraps around everything.

On the palate this whisky is initially a little closed but comes to life with time. It is an interest mix between sweet and savoury. Notes of golden syrup, honey and marzipan drive the sweetness. The savoury/umami quality comes through in the form of tannic oak spices, bitter cherry and hints of earthy mushroom and green pepper. It is a strange marriage but somehow works. With more time the whisky moves away from the sweetness and becomes more savoury, dry and woody. A late hint of sweet almond almost brings it back but not quite.

What's the verdict?

The previous expressions in this Red Wine Cask Collection from Aberfeldy have all been good and it is good to see the series spreading its wings beyond France. We look forward to seeing where else will be explored around the world. For these two releases Stephanie Macleod has gone in two differing directions - one old world and one new world.

For us the 15 years old and its use of ex-Cabernet Sauvignon barrels from the Napa Valley works better. It is rich, sweet and deliciously in balance. The 18 years old with its Tuscan Bolgheri influence is much more grown up as a whisky with the balance tipping towards the wood and savoury notes. If you get the opportunity, then try them.

6 Great Rye Whiskeys to Try Now

From cask finishing to single barrel releases, these rye whiskies are flavorful and perfect for fall sipping.

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Bartenders love rye whiskey for the bold and spicy flavor it lends to cocktails, but rye is just as great for sipping neat or on the rocks. Plus, unlike bourbon, rye can be made anywhere in the world—Canada has a rich history of producing rye, while distillers on the world stage are crafting some excellent expressions as well—meaning there is an ever-growing diversity to the style. In short, rye is versatile and delicious, and earlier this year, we dedicated an entire issue to it.

More recently, the Fall 2022 issue just hit newsstands this month, and features more than 130 whisky reviews in the Buying Guide, including some great tasting ryes. These six rye whiskeys all scored 90 points or more and include inventive finishes, skillful blends, and a high proof single barrel bottling.

Uncork one of these 90-point rye whiskeys

Four Gate Rye Downunder Finished in Australian Apera Sherry Casks (Batch 16)
92 points, 55.1%, $200

Earthy scents of grain and old leather against lighter fruit notes of grape and dried figs. The palate is well-balanced, with an impressive mix of fruit and spice, plus dark chocolate and caramel. The mouthfeel is jammy, creamy, rich, and extremely pleasant overall. The finish offers great length and lots of spice at the back end. The spiciness of rye meets flavorful fruit and chocolate—an excellent one. (2,168 bottles)—David Fleming

Chicken Cock Island Rooster Rum Barrel Finished
91 points , 47.5%, $200

Green apple candy, honeydew, cantaloupe, lemon jelly candies, and cooked blueberries alongside pine needles on the nose. The palate is similarly soft, with more lemon and pine flavors, rye spice, and with water, bitter chocolate and dark berries. The texture is creamy and oily, like freshly made hummus. A rich finish provides good length, plus notes of blueberry compote and chocolate cake. The finish presents itself nimbly on this bright and easy sipper. (12,000 bottles)—Ted Simmons

Frey Ranch Barrel Strength Distiller’s Reserve Single Barrel (No. 260)
91 points, 68.73%, $100

Powerful and big on the nose, with baked chocolate brownies, plum pudding, cooked prunes, and woodsmoke. Water brings out spice notes of nutmeg, ginger, and vanilla. The palate is spicy, with blackberry tart, chocolate, blueberry pie, barrel char, and more vanilla. The finish is the best part, with balanced char, lots of deep chocolate, and some dark fruit. It’s a hot one, but this is a very well-made whiskey.—David Fleming

291 M Wood Staves and Maple Syrup Barrel Finished
90 points, 63. 5%, $110

A dark brown whiskey with orange peel, black tea, new leather, and green apple candy on the nose. It is sweet and pungent, with tropical fruit emerging with water. A syrupy palate brings apple tart, vanilla pound cake, and honey and granola, with water unlocking notes of chile-dusted mango and toasted marshmallow. The finish is long, with sweetened coffee and chocolate syrup. There is a lot to unpack here, but water helps.—Ted Simmons

Alias
90 points, 45%, $30

This is like taking a trip to New England— there’s an earthy must that’s complemented beautifully by woodpile, pine trees, apple orchard, and clean air. Given the nose, the palate is somewhat surprising (but no less lovely); that earthiness lingers on, but it’s joined by lemon-poppyseed muffin and white peppercorn. A lovely round finish coaxes out some chocolate, marking a great end to a delicious ride.—Julia Higgins

Stellum Fibonacci Blend No. 1
90 points, 57.56%, $100

Plenty of cinnamon spice on the nose, sweetly balanced by vanilla bean, some fresh, green notes, and root beer float. While the palate starts off quite hot, once the Red Hots surge passes a lovely dollop of honey emerges, followed soon after by creme brûlée. Raspberry syrup adds a nice, if subdued, fruity zing. The finish cuts off fairly quickly, but it packs a fiery punch. (9,000 bottles)—Julia Higgins

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St. George Marks 40th Anniversary With Special Release

St. George Spirits, the California distiller that was doing American Single Malts long before they “became a thing,” has announced the release of a special-edition Single Malt Whiskey in honor of the distillery’s 40th anniversary. St. George’s 40th Anniversary Edition Single Malt Whiskey is a highly limited bottling that celebrates a major milestone in the …

“Our 40th Anniversary Edition Single Malt Whiskey represents the cumulative experience of 40 years of boundary-pushing distillation, as well as our decades-long love affair with making single malt,” says master distiller Lance Winters. “It’s the pure essence of passionate self-expression—and it’s also delicious.”

As with all of St. George Spirits’ distillates, the 40th Anniversary Edition Single Malt Whiskey is the product of the distillers’ passion for capturing the intangible: sense of place, the emotion of a moment, and the thrill of pursuing something never done before. It comes as an addition to the distillery’s portfolio of American Single Malts: Baller Single Malt Whiskey and the Lot Series, a yearly release which the distillery began making in 1996 and first released in 2000, a time when no other American distillers dared to make whiskey from heavily roasted grain.

In preparation for its release, Winters and head distiller and blender Dave Smith sampled more than 600 casks over a period of several months, ultimately selecting only 14 to draw from for the 40th Anniversary Edition. Sourced from barrels that range from four years old to one of the earliest casks the distillery ever laid down, the rigorous selection process speaks to the distillery’s approach of melding precision with imagination. Each individual barrel offers a range of unique characteristics that complete the whiskey’s flavor profile. For example, a California Sauternes-style cask imparts notes of stone fruit and rose geranium. Some barrels are nods to important pieces of St. George’s heritage, like the umeshu casks that serve as a tribute to Baller Single Malt Whiskey.

“Special releases are about sharing our heritage and making a statement about where we are today, as well as where we are going,” says Smith. “We were inspired to finish a portion of our anniversary single malt in umeshu cask as we discovered that our Lot Series mash bill married perfectly with the stone fruit tones of umeshu and brought balance to the rich weight of Lance’s house-made tawny port casks.”

St. George Spirits 40th Anniversary Edition Single Malt Whiskey opens with a complex nose of vibrant cola, dark chocolate, and lager; with creamy notes of brown butter, salted caramel, sandalwood, and sweet coconut emerging with time exposed to air. The palate reveals bold notes of dark chocolate, walnut fudge, latte, and Amber malt mingled with buttered waffle; joined by secondary notes of coconut, spice, cinnamon, clove, candied ginger, stone fruit, and soft smoke. Only 1,982 bottles were produced.

To further honor 40 years of craft distilling, St. George Spirits will be donating $40,000 to the STEPUP Foundation, an organization that aims to provide underserved individuals with opportunities, training, and mentorship to enter the spirits industry.

St. George Spirits 40th Anniversary Edition Single Malt Whiskey ($500; 48% ABV) is expected to start reaching fine spirits retailers in early November, although rollout timing will vary from market to market. It can also be purchased in-person at the distillery during a special release event November 12—quantities are very limited.

Laws Whiskey House Brings Back Cognac-Finished Bourbon

Laws Whiskey House announced the second release of their Cognac Cask Finished Bourbon. Introduced in 2017 as one of the brand’s first projects in their Special Finish series, this year’s expression contains a blend of whiskeys aged between three and eight years in three different types of wood casks. This limited release will be available …

Laws’ new Cognac Cask Finished Bourbon is the second annual release of a living and evolving blend. Through several years of trial and experimentation, Laws created a distinctive solera process where only a portion of their Cognac Cask Finished Bourbon is released at a time, leaving the remainder to marry with future blends of this whiskey.

The process starts with Laws Four Grain Straight Bourbon that has been aged for a minimum of two years in new American oak barrels. Select barrels are then chosen to rest in Cognac casks for secondary aging. Finally, the Cognac Cask Finished Bourbon is combined in a 50-year-old French oak blending vat known as a foeder. Each year, only a portion of the foeder is harvested, meaning each annual release contains whiskey from prior years’ vintages and maintains style continuity from batch to batch. After harvesting for each annual release, the foeder is immediately topped with Cognac Cask finished Four Grain Bourbon and the cycle continues. The Laws team expects the whiskey’s flavor to evolve with time, making it a collectible whiskey from year to year.

“This whiskey is about process and patience,” says Al Laws, founder of Laws Whiskey House. “Like the Cognac blenders that inspire us, we are seeking harmony and depth from this whiskey. The flavor notes are so rich, balanced, and complex and that can only be achieved by following our process and by giving it time to mature.”

Laws’ process was developed with help from sixth generation Cognac producer Alain Royer. Alain provided technical expertise on cask finishing and blending and also helped the Laws team source the foeder. Laws says, “the foeder is really crucial. Not only does it enable our solera process, it also allows for the Cognac cask influence to gently integrate over time. The French oak foeder staves also lend elegance and finish to this whiskey.”

This second release consists of 2,340 750ml bottles. This distinctive whiskey has aromas of stewed fruit and black tea on the nose. The spirit boasts flavors of spiced apple butter, toasted wood, and raisin leading to a rich and luxurious finish.

“One of our central philosophies is continuous improvement,” says Laws. “This whiskey is an example of that philosophy. With this release we are pushing ourselves and our whiskeys to the next level. It’s a special release and we are excited to have you join us on this taste journey to see how this whiskey evolves with time.”

The New “Old Bushmills Distillery” (Episode 976: October 30, 2022)

Colum Egan had a unique challenge when presented with the opportunity to build a new Bushmills distillery that would complement the venerable existing distillery: take the best technology of today while making the whiskey taste the same way the old distillery has been producing it for decades. The €37 million project went into production a year ago, but few visitors have been allowed inside to take a look at the new distillery. You’ll get a first look inside with Colum Egan on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Irish Whiskey exports rose in 2021, but will be pressed to Read More »

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Nelson Brothers Bourbon Review

Have you heard of Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery? If you have been into bourbon for a while, you probably are familiar with their Belle Meade line of bourbons, the bourbons that originally put them on the map. They have recently rebranded their flagship whiskey line as Nelson Brothers Whiskey and have released two inaugural bourbons in the new Nelson Bros Whiskey line; Nelson Bros. Classic Bourbon and Nelson Bros. Reserve Bourbon. Learn more about them in our review!

The post Nelson Brothers Bourbon Review appeared first on Bourbon Obsessed℠ .

Nelson Bros. Classic Bourbon
Nelson Bros. Reserve Bourbon
Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery
93.3 proof / 107.8 proof
MSRP: $36.99 / $59.99

Please enjoy our Nelson Brothers Bourbon Review!

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery

Have you heard of Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery? If you have been into bourbon for a while, you probably are familiar with their Belle Meade line of bourbons, the bourbons that originally put them on the map. In fact, some of the Belle Meade special releases have a cult-like following and were very difficult to come by. Belle Meade bourbons are sourced from MGP (Ross & Squibb) in Lawrenceburg, IN. But, times they are a changing, as they say. Rebranding is going on, and there are new flagship whiskeys now under the Nelson Brothers Whiskey (or “Nelson Bros. Whiskey” as it says on the bottle label) brand.

A New Line of Bourbons

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery announced in June that they would be releasing two inaugural bourbons in the new Nelson Bros Whiskey line; Nelson Brothers Classic Bourbon and Nelson Brothers Reserve Bourbon. For all the Belle Meade fans out there, you might notice some similarities in the naming. That’s because the Belle Meade line also had Classic and Reserve bourbons. Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery also has another namesake whiskey, Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey, which will be the subject of another review.

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery has provided few specifics about the new Nelson Bros. bourbons, with the bottle labels saying only that they are “Bottled By Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, Nashville, TN”. Some searching through Google found a review on drinkhacker.com stating that the bourbons were a blend of sourced whiskeys from Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana. It is unclear if the Tennessee bourbon is distilled by Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery or elsewhere.

So what are these new Nelson Brothers Bourbons like? Let’s taste them!

Tasting Notes – Nelson Brothers Classic Bourbon

Nelson Bros. Classic Bourbon
A Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys
93.3 Proof

Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn

Nose: Dark cherry, caramel, butter, oak; moderate alcohol for the proof
Taste: Caramel, honey sweetness, some rye spices, oak, cherry
Finish: Sweetness lingers with a black peppery spice building, joined by some barrel char later on; fairly long with a moderate burn; some sweetness and cherry candy also hang on to the end

Nelson Bros. Classic Bourbon has the “classic” (no pun intended) bourbon flavors, with quite a bit of sweetness, which continues on through the finish. It drinks a bit above its proof, and that may be due to its somewhat spicy nature, presumably due to the high rye mash bill(s).

Nelson Brothers Classic Bourbon — Nelson Bros. Classic Bourbon Review

Nelson Bros. Classic Bourbon Front — Nelson Bros. Classic Bourbon Review

Tasting Notes – Nelson Brothers Reserve Bourbon

Nelson Bros. Reserve Bourbon
A Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys
107.8 Proof

Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn

Nose: Sweet caramel with some creme brûlée character and vanilla; apples, dark plums, honey sweetness, hint of milk chocolate, some oak in the back; noticeable alcohol
Taste: Caramel, brown sugar sweetness, oak, with a little bit of a light citrusy tang
Finish: Fairly spicy and long with a moderate burn. The other flavors linger on a bit, too. Some char and dry oak become noticeable later on.

The Nelson Brothers Reserve Bourbon is noticeably different from the Nelson Brothers Classic Bourbon. There are still the characteristic bourbon flavors, but they are bit more rich. The nose takes on some lighter fruit and more confectionary notes. These flavors continue into the taste, although become a bit less rich. There is again some spice in the long finish.

Nelson Bros. Reserve Bourbon Front — Nelson Brothers Reserve Bourbon Review

Summary – Classic vs. Reserve – Similar, But Different

These are both enjoyable bourbons. While they have similarities, they are also quite different. They both have typical bourbon flavors, but in different ways, and they both have some spiciness, particularly in the finish. The Nelson Bros. Reserve Bourbon has fuller and richer flavors, but the Nelseon Bros. Classic Bouron is quite pleasant as well. It is not clear from the information provided if the differences are accounted for simply by the proof and the barrel selection, or other factors. Since these bourbons are both blends of bourbons from different states and distilleries, and probably different ages as well, varying proportions of each may be used in each the Classic and Reserve. Regardless, the differences in flavor profile are such that one or the other would probably suit most people’s tastes.

Have you tried the new Nelson Brothers bourbons? What did you think? If you would like to learn more about the distillery, check out our Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery Review! Or read about one of their special releases under the Belle Meade label in our Belle Meade Black Belle Bourbon Review.

We hope you have enjoyed our Nelson Brothers Bourbon Review!

Thank you so much to Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery for providing the bottles for this review!

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!

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The Revolving Doors At Distilleries

Many skilled distillery workers are leaving their jobs at the established distilleries. It is not surprising to me. It is a job market that is growing rapidly. There are a lot of opportunities for skilled distillery workers. In the last… Continue Rea…

Bomberger’s Declaration Bourbon Review (2022)

By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ A short history lesson is necessary to explain Bomberger’s Declaration. The 1980s and 1990s were a decidedly mixed period for the American Whiskey industry. On the one hand, the seeds of its future revival were being sewn with the creation of premium expressions, like Blanton’s and Elijah Craig. Maker’s Mark …

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B+

Bomberger’s Declaration
(Credit: Richard Thomas)

A short history lesson is necessary to explain Bomberger’s Declaration. The 1980s and 1990s were a decidedly mixed period for the American Whiskey industry. On the one hand, the seeds of its future revival were being sewn with the creation of premium expressions, like Blanton’s and Elijah Craig. Maker’s Mark was making a marketing push, positioning itself as a luxury and sought-after export item.

But sadly, the other hand holds the closure of the few hold out distilleries that remained outside of Kentucky. One of these was Bomberger’s, in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The main brand made there had been Michter’s, and the rights to that brand were acquired by Chatham Imports, which began reviving Michter’s whiskeys in 2004. To make this part crystal clear, Michter’s as we know it today does not and has never owned the Bomberger’s Distillery. They preferred instead to set up shop in Kentucky, for the very practical reason that Kentucky is the center of “Big Whiskey.” As a result of that, they were not the only company to release a whiskey labeled “Bomberger’s,” although they might be the only company doing so at present.

Confused? Then let us focus squarely on this expression from here, Bomberger’s Declaration, so named to honor the company’s legacy at the aforementioned distillery. The kicker for this expression is that part of the stock used is matured in Chinquapin oak (sometimes spelled “Chinkapin”), the staves of which were air dried for three years before being fashioned into barrels. This species is a cousin of the better known (and more widely used) white oak, and is noted for imparting toffee notes.

Bomberger’s Declaration is bottled at 108 proof and released in a discrete batch annually. Given that Michter’s uses the low entry proof of 103 for its whiskeys, bottling at 108 is awfully close to what I expect their average cask strength would be.

The Bourbon
My pour of Bomberger’s had a deep red amber cast, once in the glass. No water was needed at all for this one at 108 proof.

I thought the scent was a cross between a vanilla wafer and a ginger cookie, but only if both had bits of dried peaches baked into them. The flavor follows much in the same vein, but brings a current of old leather to the whiskey, giving it a generally hoary character that offsets its otherwise cookie-like aspects. The finish adds a whole other layer to the whiskey, because as the leathery, woody note becomes the thing that lingers, it develops a nutty character.

The Price
Officially, this item goes for $170 per bottle.