June, 2024 - BourbonSphere

Sagamore Spirt Manhattan Finished Rye Whiskey Review

If you’re expecting a ready-to-drink Manhattan, it’s not quite that. Wondering if it might be, I fridge-chilled it, poured it into a chilled glass and garnished it with an expressed orange peel.

BOTTLE DETAILS

DISTILLER: Not specified, though Sagamore blends its whiskey with that sourced from MGP.
MASH BILL: Not specified.
AGE: 4 years
YEAR: 2023
PROOF: 103 (51.5% AVB)
MSRP: $79.99
BUY ONLINE: Sagamore Spirit Online Shop

STEVE'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Any whiskey cocktail lover, especially those partial to a Manhattan.

WORTH THE PRICE: Yes

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle

OVERALL: There are way too many gimmick RTD cocktails on the market, some masquerading as Manhattans. Despite not caring to try them, some were sent to me anyway, and each was quickly abandoned. They were overly bitter, or the vermouth chosen was just awful. Given my appreciation of Sagamore Spirit's fantastic rye whiskeys, I agreed to accept the sample and couldn't be happier with the product.

This finished whiskey is ready to pour into a nosing glass and go. A cube of ice wouldn't hurt, either. It's really good, balanced and delicious. The fact that the bitters and sweet vermouth flavors are so well-defined is surely tied to Sagamore's decision to age its rye whiskey for 20 months in barrels that previously held bitters and vermouth. Once completed, those barrels were dumped and blended.

If you're expecting a ready-to-drink Manhattan, it's not quite that. Wondering if it might be, I fridge-chilled it, poured it into a chilled glass and garnished it with an expressed orange peel. One sip told me it still needed actual vermouth and, in my case, some Averna (or any similar amaro) to make it a nearly black Manhattan. To my palate, the bitters influence was already established. Remember, it's still potent at 103 proof, well above the proof of any Manhattan you'd find at a bar, so it can use some softening as a cocktail.

I know $79 is not cheap, but this is something unique and worth a splurge.

BRAND NOTES

Bottled at a substantial 103 proof, the 2024 release deconstructs the flavors of a Manhattan cocktail, finishing 4-year-old straight rye whiskey in separate vermouth, bitters, and cherry brandy barrels for a minimum of 20 months for a unique finish with pronounced traits of a Manhattan cocktail. The result is a full-bodied whiskey rich in spice, herbaceous notes, bright cherry, vanilla, honey, and a touch of dryness at the finish that keeps the full-bodied character of Sagamore Spirit’s Maryland rye wholly intact. Sagamore Manhattan Finish pairs perfectly with amaro, bitters, and Sagamore’s whiskey cherries for a rye-forward Black Manhattan cocktail, or it can be savored on its own.

“The original idea for Manhattan Finish back in 2020 challenged us to fully deconstruct the flavors of a Manhattan to create a full-proof whiskey that leaves you with a parting kiss of the cocktail,” said Ryan Norwood, VP of operations at Sagamore Spirit. “Manhattans have become even more popular since then, so we knew it was time to bring back this delicious, limited-edition rye expression.”

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.

Whiskey Of The Month – June 2024 — Lythgoe Four Grain Bourbon

The other day, Steffani Scheurich brought by a couple of bottles of Lythgoe Bourbon and we sat down to taste them. The first bottle we tried was the single barrel Bourbon and I found it to be an excellent Bourbon,… Continue Reading →

The Time Warp Sessions, today Glendronach CS-NAS

Glendronach ‘Cask Strength’ (58.2%, OB, Batch 12, 2023)
Glendronach (56.02% analysed proof, OB, A Perfect Self Whisky, 1940s)
Glendronach 25 yo 1993/2018 (59.3%, OB for The Whisky Barrel, sherry butt, cask #658, 557 bottles)

Glendronach ‘Cask Strength’ (58.2%, OB, Batch 12, 2023) Glendronach (56.02% analysed proof, OB, A Perfect Self Whisky, 1940s) Glendronach 25 yo 1993/2018 (59.3%, OB for The Whisky Barrel, sherry butt, cask #658, 557 bottles)

Still Austin Cask Strength

…

I am jumping right into the description of the whiskey tonight as my wife is away for work and will need to proofread all of this via text message. She really doesn’t need to know that, at least so far, I’m doing just fine on my own after one day alone. We’ll wait until next week to mention any of that—when I’ll be forgetting to shower and eating over the sink like a smelly bachelor.

So, Still Austin Bourbon. This is a brand that I’ve seen mentioned online by people in the Austin, Texas area but that I never paid much attention to because I am not now, nor do I plan to be, in Texas anytime in the foreseeable future. I really don’t like the heat that much. No matter how much I complain about it, I’m much better suited for northern climates.

Still Austin is a craft distillery located in oh-so-hot Austin, Texas. It was started by a father-and-son team about a decade ago. They also employ independent Master Blender Nancy Fraley to help craft their whiskeys—one of the best in the business.

I was curious about making whiskey in the Texas climate. I know that early on in the craft distilling movement, there were stories of barrels completely evaporating away in the heat. When I saw that this bottle had a two-year-old age statement, I was a bit nervous that I was going to get something that was both over-oaked and yet immature when I cracked it open. But the company website addresses that, so I thought I’d quote that below:

SLOW WATER REDUCTION

As the Texas weather works its magic, as much as 15% of the spirit in the barrel can evaporate in the first year alone. To keep our whiskey in proper balance, our distillers employ an ancient process called slow water reduction or ‘elevage.’ This deeply complex process was developed in the brandy-making regions of Cognac and Armagnac in France and brought to us by our Master Blender, Nancy Fraley, who spent years in this region learning from masters of their craft. During this process, over the course of several months, we constantly monitor and add very small amounts of water to aging barrels to help reduce the impact of smokey phenolic compounds and break down more soluble sugars from the oak.

If, like me, you’d never heard of this dilution technique, Alcademics touched on it in a cognac blog post back in 2020.

Let’s see how this two-year-old cask-strength bourbon tastes, shall we?

Still Austin Cask Strength Bourbon

Purchase Info: $49.99 for a 750 mL bottle at Total Wine, Burnsville, MN

Price per Drink (50 mL): $3.33

Details: 2 years old. 59% ABV. Mashbill: 70% White Corn, 25 % Rye, 5% Malted Barley.

Nose: Caramel, oak, and mint.

Mouth: Caramel, bubblegum, allspice, and cinnamon.

Finish: Hot and of medium length. Notes of caramel, bubble gum, mint, and cinnamon.

Thoughts: I'm extremely impressed by this two-year-old whiskey. It focuses mostly on sweetness and spice without the rich depth of older whiskeys aged in a more forgiving climate. But in no way does this taste green or of new make. It is really good, if a touch uncomplicated. I'm very happy with this purchase.

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Buffalo Trace Distillery Debuts Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey

This expression of Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr., is the ideal blend of barrel-proof strength and fresh rye spice. On the nose, it has an aroma of white pepper and nutty undertones, with a touch of fresh floral and candied apricot.

This uncut, unfiltered offering allows fans to enjoy the beloved E.H. Taylor Straight Rye recipe in its most natural and untouched form.

Buffalo Trace Distillery is thrilled to announce Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey, a new uncut, unfiltered rye recipe bourbon, joining the Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Collection. Aged at Buffalo Trace Distillery, this limited-edition release is bottled at 126 proof and crafted with the highest standards of quality and innovation first introduced to the industry by its namesake.

Highly regarded as the “Father of the Modern Bourbon Industry,” Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. purchased O.F.C. Distillery (now Buffalo Trace Distillery) in 1869. Here, the whiskey trailblazer crafted straight rye whiskey over 100 years before its resurgence in the American whiskey landscape. He made an immediate mark on the industry by modernizing, expanding, and upgrading the plant with state-of-the-art grain equipment and a first-of-its-kind steam heating system still used in barrel warehouses in Buffalo Trace Distillery today. Taylor is celebrated for, among many things, playing an instrumental role in the passage of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897.

“Colonel Taylor’s impact on the bourbon industry is immeasurable and, more than 130 years after the construction of his famous and innovative Warehouse C, Buffalo Trace Distillery remains committed to producing exceptional whiskey with the finest quality ingredients,” said Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director at Buffalo Trace Distillery. “Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye Bourbon Whiskey is an exceptional uncut, unfiltered expression that pays homage to the E.H. Taylor’s pioneering vision.”

This expression of Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. is the ideal blend of barrel proof strength and fresh rye spice. On the nose it has an aroma of white pepper and nutty undertones, with a touch of fresh floral and candied apricot. A sip brings a range of complex flavors, balancing the sweet, dried stone fruit with pepper and oaky dryness. The lasting finish is full and sweet as honey, concluding an exceptional experience.

“Bourbon enthusiasts know that there is no experience quite like tasting a whiskey in its truest, untouched form - straight from the barrel,” remarked Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. “Barrel Proof Rye takes the beloved recipe of Colonel E.H. Taylor Straight Rye Whiskey to a new level and brings a new release that perfectly complements the E.H. Taylor, Jr. Collection.”

The Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey is the 13th release to join the Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Collection. Others include Single Barrel Bourbon, Sour Mash Bourbon, Warehouse C Tornado Surviving Bourbon, Four Grain Bourbon, and more. Consistent with previous releases in the collection, the whiskey is stored in the well-recognized E.H. Taylor Jr. canister, which showcases a vintage label.

Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye Bourbon Whiskey is available now, though quantities are limited. The suggested retail price is $77.99 (750ml); state taxes and fees will vary by market.

Michter’s Distillery Launches Legacy Series for July 4

Mitchter's

To celebrate America’s 248th birthday, Michter’s Distillery is releasing its Legacy Series this July. Comprised of Shenk’s Homestead Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Whiskey, the Legacy Series is sure to please. The production team at Michter’s makes creative adjustments to each edition of Shenk’s and Bomberger’s whiskey, according to President Joseph J. […]

The post Michter’s Distillery Launches Legacy Series for July 4 first appeared on Whisky Critic – Whisky Reviews & Articles – Style. Attitude. Whisky..

Mitchter's

The production team at Michter’s makes creative adjustments to each edition of Shenk’s and Bomberger’s whiskey, according to President Joseph J. Magliocco. “While there is some continuity from year to year, we make many modifications to the whiskey every year,” says Magliocco.

Michter’s Legacy Series honors the heritage of Swiss Mennonite farmer John Shenk, founder of Shenk’s distillery in 1753. Bomberger’s Distillery took over the distillery in the mid-1800s renaming it to Bomberger’s. However, it was later changed to Michter’s Distillery in the mid-1920s.

Michter’s Distillery Launches Legacy Series

Scotch whisky

Michter’s Master Distiller Dan McKee said, “In the 2024 Shenk’s release, we used rye, malted rye, and for the first time caramel malt, which offers a nice creaminess to complement the whiskey’s herbaceous qualities and notes of spice.”

Among the barrels used in the production of Shenk’s are oak barrels from the Vosges region of France. These are air-dried and seasoned for 24 months before being toasted to Michter’s exacting specifications.

The 2024 release of Bomberger’s has some malted rye. Chinquapin oak was air-dried and seasoned outdoors for 36 months before toasting and charring. Shenk’s is 91.2 proof (45.6% ABV) and Bomberger’s is 108 proof (54% ABV).

“This year’s release of Shenk’s and Bomberger’s is a reflection of the passion the team has for making exciting whiskeys with a thoughtful touch of exploration,” commented Michter’s Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson.

“The 2024 edition of Bomberger’s continues the use of some Chinquapin (Quercus muehlenbergii) oak to accentuate the dark chocolate and stewed fruit notes in this big whiskey that are then complemented by the spice notes offering a bold, rich, balanced complexity and a long lingering warm finish for your drinking indulgence.”

The post Michter’s Distillery Launches Legacy Series for July 4 first appeared on Whisky Critic - Whisky Reviews & Articles - Style. Attitude. Whisky..

Hidden Barn Releases Seven-Year-Old Bourbon Finished in French Oak

The release is a blend of five barrels distilled at Neeley Family Distillery with a mash bill of 70 percent corn, 20 percent rye and 10 percent malted barley.

Hidden Barn, a bourbon brand launched in 2022, is releasing a seven-year-old double-barreled bourbon on 7/7 (July 7th). The brand has been acquired by Royce Neeley from the Neeley Family Distillery, and continues to be created in partnership with Master Blender Jackie Zykan. This acquisition elevates the brand from its inception as an NDP (non-distiller producer) into having a brick-and-mortar home. The first release for Hidden Barn under the Neeley family of brands is a seven-year-old expression, aged five years in 24-month open-air seasoned barrels, and then barreled in new charred French oak barrels for an additional two years.

“We’re excited to continue partnering with Jackie on Hidden Barn, and to release what is ironically, her seventh blend of Hidden Barn Bourbon. Jackie has access to all my inventory for her blending,” said Royce Neeley, Master Distiller and owner of Neeley Family Distillery. “Basically, I’ve given her the keys to the warehouse, and we can expect to see more one-of-a-kind releases in the future now that she’s got thousands of barrels to play with.”

The Hidden Barn Seven-Year-Old Bourbon has already snagged a gold medal with a score of 91 at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The release is a blend of five barrels distilled at Neeley Family Distillery with a mash bill of 70 percent corn, 20 percent rye and 10 percent malted barley. Like all Neeley Family Distillery distillates, this bourbon was double pot distilled after fermenting with wild-crafted Appalachian yeast, a practice of the Neeley Family dating back generations. The unique process also includes utilizing sweet mash as well as open cypress fermentation tanks to achieve products with rustic depth and dimension.

Through Jackie’s meticulous blending process, which starts with sampling from the multiple barrels available to her at the Neeley Distillery in Northern Kentucky, blends are constructed to represent harmony amid what seems unlimited diversity in profiles. For this particular blend, Jackie utilized just five barrels to achieve the final profile. “It’s actually more difficult to create a blend with fewer barrels than one might think,” Zykan noted. “People think starting with a smaller base is easier, since there are less flavor components in play, but it’s actually harder. With big batches, it’s easier to achieve consistency and camouflage outlying components. But with a smaller batch, such as this with only five barrels, everything has to be intentionally incorporated because any disconnect will show up immediately.” This speaks to Jackie’s approach to blending, (and life), which is a focus on balance, structure and celebrating unique nuances.

With that in mind, Jackie notes the Hidden Barn Seven-Year-Old Bourbon has a gorgeous bouquet of overripe blackberry and red currant, coupled with crème brulee and a hint of spearmint. Rich and full bodied on the palate, with a semi-dry rounded finish, coupled with toasted allspice, banana bread, and black pepper. This whiskey was not chill filtered before bottling, and is bottled at cask strength, 109.4 proof. Suggested retail pricing for the Hidden Barn Seven-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is $79.99. It will be released on July 7th at Neeley Family Distillery and will also be available online and at retail in Kentucky, Indiana, New York, California, Georgia, Colorado and New Mexico.

‘Honey, It’s Barrel Aged!”

If you haven’t had honey drizzled on a pizza, you’re missing out. Hot honey is even better, as in spiced up rather than heated.

Ooni Pizza Ovens and Four Roses collaborate on honey.

Finally, a corporate mashup I’m excited about tasting!

Four Roses Distillery and Ooni Pizza Ovens have collaborated on an Ooni & Four Roses Bourbon Barrel Aged Honey.

According to a news release, the raw honey was harvested by Bohman Bee Company and aged in freshly dumped ex-Four Roses barrels that weren’t rinsed. The finished honey picked up notes of ripened red berries and dried spices that work well drizzled onto pizza and used in Four Roses cocktails.

Four Roses' lead mixologist Abby Martinie and Ooni's chefs created complementary cocktail and pizza pairings using the bourbon barrel aged honey.

You're missing out if you haven’t had honey drizzled on a pizza. Hot honey, as in spiced up rather than heated, is even better. It’s a simple combo of honey seasoned with finely crushed red pepper, sometimes smoked paprika and a little apple cider vinegar. (It’s warmed to help infuse the pepper flavor, then strained and placed into a squirt bottle.) Drizzling over a pizza it creates a fantastic flavor contrast for pies without red sauce.

Linking pizza and cocktails together is something I’ve never tried, partly since my hands are busy making pizzas, but also since beer and wine pair so reliably. Cocktails that tie them together … I’m really intrigued and will do that this week.

I love using honey in cocktails and on pizza. If you’re new to either, here are some tips for using both:

Cocktails

Placing straight honey into a cold liquid mixture makes it thick-thick. If you want the honey flavor to be intense (i.e., without turning it into a 1:1 syrup), add it to your room-temperature whiskey and stir well until combined. Then add ice and stir or pour into a shaker to finish. **That’s not instructed in the recipe below, though.

Pizza:

Not everyone knows not to apply honey to a pizza before baking. It’ll burn—especially in an 850 F Ooni oven—and ruin your pizza. Once the pizza is finished, you’re good to go. Since it’s sticky, it’s not a bad idea to cut the pizza into slices and then add the honey onto each slice to control the mess a little.

Pro tip:

Don’t pour it from the branded bottle as shown in the picture. Pour the honey into a squeeze bottle for precise control.

Four Roses Pineapple Bourbon Iced Tea

INGREDIENTS

1.5 oz Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon
2 oz iced tea
0.75 oz Ooni & Four Roses Bourbon Barrel Aged Honey
0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
3-4 pineapple pieces
Garnish: pineapple

PREPARATION
Muddle pineapple in a mixing tin. Combine all ingredients (except iced tea) in a mixing tin. Add ice. Shake for fifteen seconds or until the cocktail is properly diluted and well chilled. Add iced tea. Double strain into a glass over fresh ice. Garnish with pineapple.

Bonus points if you pair the above recipe with Ooni Honey-Glazed Ham Pizza*.

*Click the link above for the detailed recipe. This is the same web page as the cocktail above. Just scroll down a little.

Johnnie Walker, Jim Beam Lead World’s Best-Selling Whisky Brands

Despite a 2.7% decline in sales during 2023, Diageo’s Johnnie Walker brand continued to lead by a wide margin among Scotch Whisky brands, according to… Read More

Despite a 2.7% decline in sales during 2023, Diageo’s Johnnie Walker brand continued to lead by a wide margin among Scotch Whisky brands, according to the new Spirits Business Brand Champions report. With 22.1 million 9-liter cases sold worldwide, Johnnie Walker outpaced its nearest competitor, Ballantine’s, by nearly a 3-to-1 ratio. Chivas Regal, Grant’s, and Bacardi’s William Lawson blend round out the top five best-selling Scotch brands, while Glenfiddich continues to lead the single malt Scotch category with a 6.2% increase in sales to 1.7 million cases. The figures show the continued strength of blended Scotches compared to single malts.

Jim Beam continues to remain the best-selling Bourbon and “world whisky” brand, with 17 million cases sold during 2023. Suntory’s Kakubin Japanese whisky dominated the domestic Japanese market with 15.8 million cases sold, and Jack Daniel’s came in third with 14 million cases sold. Jameson sales dipped by 7.9%, but remained above the 10 million case mark with 10.2 million cases sold during 2023.

Crown Royal remains the best-selling Canadian whisky despite an 8.4% decline in sales during 2023, with 7.7 million cases sold during the year. Canadian Club also saw a 4% decline in sales, but remained second with six million cases sold, while Heaven Hill’s Black Velvet came in third at 1.6 million cases.

These reports are dwarfed, though, by the performance of McDowell’s Whisky, the top-selling Indian whisky brand. Largely sold in the domestic Indian market, this molasses-based whisky brand sold 31.4 million cases, up 2.1 percent from 2022. In fact, the top four Indian brands all sold more than Johnnie Walker did on a global basis.

The complete report is available here.

The Great Drams – Summer of Sport, Blended Scotch Whisky

A very aptly named Whisky as 2024 has a plethora of sport including :- Euro 2024 Tournament in Germany The Open Championship at Royal Troon Wimbledon in London Olympic Games in...
thanks for reading Whisky Boys Whisky Blog

A very aptly named Whisky as 2024 has a plethora of sport including :- Euro 2024 Tournament in Germany The Open Championship at Royal Troon Wimbledon in London Olympic Games in...

thanks for reading Whisky Boys Whisky Blog