August, 2024 - BourbonSphere

Old Forester 117 Series, Rum Finish Review

Outside a faint tropical fruit note, the nose isn’t recognizable as Old Forester. I’ll be fair: Its aromas are solid: light and floral and slightly candied. Then, it moves to sherried notes like golden raisins, honey and baking spices.

BOTTLE DETAILS

DISTILLER: Old Forester Distillery
MASH BILL: 72% Corn | 18% Rye | 10% Malted Barley
AGE: Not stated, but likely 5 to 7 years
YEAR: 2024
PROOF: 95 (42.5% ABV)
MSRP: $59.99 per 375ml bottle
BUY ONLINE: This release is already gone from the gift shop and is narrowly available in Washington D.C., Kentucky, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Dakota.

STEVE'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Whiskey fans in general, especially Old Forester fans. Why them? To see if they agree with me.

WORTH THE PRICE: Not at all. This $60 half bottle, while pretty tasty, doesn't distinguish itself as deserving of a high price.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bust. There are too many Old Forester products that are better than this and don't cost as much.

OVERALL: All reviewers have their baseline favorite spirits, and one of mine is Old Forester Bourbon, particularly the Signature release. It's a 100-proof bargain that's hard to beat on cost, taste and versatility.

To my palate, it doesn't benefit from a rum cask finish, which, I must admit, is puzzling. Usually, a bourbon as sturdy as Old Fo' can shoulder other flavors, such as cocktail amendments, with admirable aplomb. Despite bitters or amari, you know Old Fo' is in the drink, holding the drink together like a circus strongman with humans dangling from his neck and arms.

And yet a rum barrel, one of the most floral and light of all the finishing barrels out there, flits into the ring like Gorgeous George the wrestler and bosses this bourbon around before pinning it to the mat.

Outside of a faint tropical fruit note, the nose isn't recognizable as Old Forester. I'll be fair: Its aromas are solid: light and floral and slightly candied. Then, it moves to sherried notes like golden raisins, honey and baking spices. It smells more like briefly aged rum or charanda aged in a rum barrel–not bold bourbon aged in a meek rum barrel.

The palate is equally light and intriguing. Lemon meringue pie (with lots of crust) and white port wine elements nearly cast this as a funk-free rum or, at most, a reposado rum finished in a whiskey barrel. It's like a puzzle that's ever challenging. Even when you think you've finished the border, you keep nosing and tasting and identifying particular elements that make you think, "OK, I'm onto something now, I think I'm going figure out this whiskey." Then you re-taste and realize that, like mistakenly linked puzzle pieces, those flavors and aromas never belonged together at all.

Credit Old Forester, a 154-year-old brand, for innovating with its one-off distillery-only offerings. But for me, innovation in whiskey fails at the point where the product's house style is indiscernible. Old Forester hit that point with this rum cask finish. Though I know the Old Forester base whiskey well, I don't think I could identify this in a blind tasting as that bourbon.

BRAND NOTES

Old Forester releases its latest expression in the 117 Series: Rum Finish.

Historically, commercial trade on the Ohio River brought a variety of cask-aged spirits to the wharf behind Old Forester Distillery on Whiskey Row. This expression features the finishing of Old Forester in barrels that have matured rum for a minimum of four years, bringing notes of rich tropical fruit, coconut, and custard to the profile

Rum Finish is bottled at 95-proof in a 375 ml bottle.

"By finishing our signature bourbon for approximately six months in these rum barrels, we have complimented and accentuated the sweet aromatics of Old Forester with hints of brown sugar and molasses, emboldening its rich character," said Old Forester Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo. "Rum Finish provides a sweet addition to the series that whiskey aficionados–and rum drinkers–will love."

TASTING NOTES:

Nose: Buttery toffee mingles with banana custard, coconut and fresh apple.
Palate: Enters light and quickly expands with rich tropical fruit led by more banana, coconut & toffee supported by dry barrel spice and tannins.
Finish: Long, lazy and dry with a compelling dynamic of creaminess and spice surrounded by plenty of sweet fruit and red licorice.

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.

Mike And Matt Taste 15 Stars Whiskeys

I received a couple of bottles of 15 Stars whiskeys a couple of weeks ago and Matt and I sat down to taste them. The first is 15 Stars Triple Cask Batch 2. It is finished in cognac, rum and… Continue Reading →

Jim Beam Closes Their Summer With Little Book “The Infinite”

Jim Beam has announces the first line extension the Little Book series, which was started to showcase the work of 8th generation Beam Master Distiller Freddie Noe, the heir apparent to Fred Noe. This extension is called Little Book ‘The Infinite: Edition 1’ Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. At the Fred B. Noe Distillery (the one …

Little Book Infinite 1
*(Credit: Beam Suntory)*

At the Fred B. Noe Distillery (the one located in Clermont where the visitors go, not the larger production plant in Boston, Kentucky), Freddie Noe was experimenting with blending varying aged whiskeys, when he sought to blend barrels his father, Fred Noe, and grandfather, Booker Noe, laid down, resulting in a perfectly balanced profile forming ‘The Infinite’. Each year, new whiskey will be added to the blend, delivering an ever-evolving confluence of artistry for a unique experience while pushing the boundaries of flavor and tradition. It’s this initial, proprietary blend that sets the series apart from other Little Book chapters.

“My father and I are lucky enough to work together, side by side as Master Distillers, and I know he always dreamed of that with his own father, my Grandaddy Booker,” said the younger Noe. “This new series pays tribute to that dream and inspired the first Edition of Little Book ‘The Infinite’, a multigenerational liquid that will form the foundation of all future releases. Once a year, I’ll bottle some up for the world to try. So, savor this whiskey today, and come back in a year for its next evolution.”

Little Book ‘The Infinite: Edition 1’ includes the following liquids:

· Booker Noe’s Component: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Aged 20 years

· Fred Noe’s Component: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Aged 14 years

· Freddie Noe’s Component: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Aged 7 years

· Shared Family Component: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Aged 8 Years

Little Book ‘The Infinite: Edition 1’ will be available in limited quantities nationwide across the U.S., in-store and consumers can go tolittlebookwhiskey.com for more retail locations. The new blend was bottled at a cask strength of 59.65% ABV and priced at $199.99.

The Balvenie Opens New Ultra-Aged Collection

The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky has launched one of its rarest releases, The Balvenie Fifty Collection, a seamless trilogy that represents the interwoven stories of craftsmanship at the Speyside distillery over the last 50 years. Beginning with The First Edition this year, The Balvenie will release only 125 bottles globally of each edition over …

The First Edition is a unique single cask expression aged in a European oak refill butt, filled in 1973 and hand-selected by Malt Master, Kelsey McKechnie. The Second Edition will introduce an American oak hogshead cask filled in 1973 to marry with the first, and finally, a third cask filled in 1974, an American oak barrel, will be added to complete the marriage for the final Third Edition.

The inaugural expression from The Balvenie Fifty Collection showcases the depth and complexity of the spirit influenced by the European oak cask while maintaining The Balvenie’s classic sweet honey style, even after 50 years of maturation. The result is a liquid that presents flavors of caramelized fruit, rich spice and soft vanilla, which are complemented by delicate ginger and crisp citrus.

“Each Edition in this collection is a testament to the craftsmanship that has defined our liquid over the past 50 years,” said Kelsey McKechnie. “The unique characteristics of these rare casks come together to create a truly exceptional experience and set a new benchmark for our contribution to the rare and extraordinary whisky market at The Balvenie. Using a refill butt for the First Edition provides us with a distinctive flavor thread that will run through our next two releases, demonstrating the spectrum of flavors and aromas in our aged spirit. It is a celebration of our legacy, our passion, and our unwavering commitment to producing some of the finest whiskies in the world.”

In 1973, former Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE came together with The Balvenie’s craftspeople to fill the cask for the First Edition, starting decades of watchful stewardship and marking the beginning of The Balvenie Fifty Collection’s journey. Many of those individuals still work at The Balvenie today, and through dedication and commitment to the brand’s five rare crafts, many new practices in whisky making have been put into place over the last half century, with the discovery of cask finishing, by our very own David Stewart himself, being one of the most poignant. Today, Kelsey continues this legacy with her approach to the marrying and remarrying of casks, creating a signature flavor profile across The Balvenie Fifty Collection that is not only complex, but also unique to each Edition.

The Balvenie Fifty Collection is enhanced further by the exquisite packaging developed by Croglin, a bespoke craft workshop based in Cumbria. Each presentation contains over 100 intricate elements, including a four-layer wood helix and beautifully crafted 14 carat gold plated brass display.

Bottled at 52.3%, The Balvenie Fifty First Edition is now rolling out worldwide, with 14 bottles available specifically in the United States for a suggested retail price of $53,000.

Dublin Whiskey Distillery Gets Huge Funding Boost

Scotch Whisky

In order to establish the Dublin Whiskey Distillery Company in Europe, the company raised more than €400,000 (US$446,887) through a crowdfunding campaign. Notes from an insider report, over 260 investors contributed €433,469 (US$484,256) to the Dublin Whiskey Distillery Company’s crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube. The donors allocated funds exceeding its original target of €175,000 (US$195,500). According […]

The post Dublin Whiskey Distillery Gets Huge Funding Boost first appeared on Whisky Critic – Whisky Reviews & Articles – Style. Attitude. Whisky..

Scotch Whisky

In order to establish the Dublin Whiskey Distillery Company in Europe, the company raised more than €400,000 (US$446,887) through a crowdfunding campaign.

Notes from an insider report, over 260 investors contributed €433,469 (US$484,256) to the Dublin Whiskey Distillery Company’s crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube. The donors allocated funds exceeding its original target of €175,000 (US$195,500).

According to Crowdcube, Lorcan Rossi, a former finance director for Diageo from 1994 to 2004, is behind the revival of Dublin Whiskey Distillery (DWD). The Irish whiskey distillery was founded in 1872 and was once part of the ‘six great distilleries of Dublin’. According to Crowdcube, DWD is one of the oldest distilleries in Dublin.

Dublin Whiskey Distillery Gets Huge Funding Boost

dublin whiskey distillery

Approximately 44% of the funds raised will be spent on product, 18% on promotion, 14% on overheads, and 24% on cash in the bank. The company owns the DWD global trademarks and other key intellectual property including the ‘Great distilleries of Dublin’ and the ‘enduring Irish spirit’.

In addition to the crowdfunding, the company secured £150,000 (US$198,510) in investment. DWD produces Heritage premium Irish whiskeys, as well as Dublin’s Own, its standard line. Since Q1 of 2024, the company has sold 18,000 bottles of whiskey in Germany, Ireland, and Ukraine. The fastest-growing spirits category in the world is Irish whiskey, which is estimated to generate US$8.5 billion in sales in France, the UK, and Germany by 2023.

Rossi, founder, and CEO of DWD, shared in a Crowdcube update: “The ambition is to build upon this momentum and grow case sales to 13,000 over the next 12 months by expanding our distribution into two or three large European markets including the UK, France and Poland. By doing so we can then clearly demonstrate that the DWD consumer franchise is real and scalable.

“This key milestone will then allow us to bring on board a strategic trade investor to enable the brand to break out across Europe and into the US.”

The post Dublin Whiskey Distillery Gets Huge Funding Boost first appeared on Whisky Critic - Whisky Reviews & Articles - Style. Attitude. Whisky..

Five Deanston on WF, OB vs IB

Deanston ‘Heritage Sherry Cask Finish’ (40%, OB, 2018)
Deanston ‘Pioneer #1’ (46.3%, OB, Transformation Series, sherry and first-fill bourbon, +/-2024)
Deanston 12 yo 2010/2023 (48.4%, Douglas Laing, Old Particular, refill hogshead, cask #…

Deanston ‘Heritage Sherry Cask Finish’ (40%, OB, 2018)

Deanston ‘Pioneer #1’ (46.3%, OB, Transformation Series, sherry and first-fill bourbon, +/-2024)

Deanston 12 yo 2010/2023 (48.4%, Douglas Laing, Old Particular, refill hogshead, cask #DL17759, 313 bottles)

Deanston 14 yo 2008/2023 (55.8%, Simply Good Whisky, Kirsch Import, refill bourbon barrel, cask #KI-0011)

Deanston 12 yo 2012/2024 (56.9%, Whisky Sponge, Decadent Drinks, Web exclusive, 1st fill bourbon barrel, 101 bottles)

Pursuit Spirits Releases New Double Oaked Rye Whiskey

Over 40 different oak experiments were conducted to find a profile that worked in perfect harmony with their Pursuit United Rye.

Pursuit Spirits, the company founded by the creators of the popular Bourbon Pursuit podcast, today announced the launch of their latest expression Pursuit United Double Oaked Rye whiskey that is wise beyond its years.

"After the wild success of our Double Oaked Bourbon, we immediately began working to bring a new level of depth and complexity to our rye expression. This pursuit resulted in a truly exceptional whiskey that we're incredibly proud of."

This new product is part of the United product family, which emphasizes the art of blending whiskeys with varying mashbills from different regions to achieve a more flavorful and one-of-a-kind profile. The Double Oaked Rye features the same base as their award-winning Pursuit United Rye whiskey, produced in partnership with industry leaders Bardstown Bourbon Company and Sagamore Spirit. Building on the success of their highly acclaimed Double Oaked Bourbon, the new Double Oaked Rye showcases a new stave profile using french oak that has been lightly toasted and heavily charred for the secondary maturation.

"We're thrilled to be expanding our Double Oaked line with this exceptional Rye Whiskey," said Kenny Coleman, Co-Founder of Pursuit Spirits. "After the wild success of our Double Oaked Bourbon, we immediately began working to bring a new level of depth and complexity to our rye expression. This pursuit resulted in a truly exceptional whiskey that we're incredibly proud of."

This release represents the culmination of an extensive experimentation phase. Over 40 different oak experiments were conducted to find a profile that worked in perfect harmony with their Pursuit United Rye. The team tested various oak profiles along with different toast and char levels to determine the ideal combination for this initial release. The finished product boasts a rich mahogany color and full-bodied flavor showcasing an oak profile with whiskeys three times its age, but at Pursuit's signature 108 proof point.

The result is a whiskey that offers notes of fresh baked cherry pie, cranberry, cardamom, and nutmeg on the nose. The palate is rich with flavors of buttered brown sugar crumbles, tart cherries, and a berry medley jam, while the finish lingers with hints of cherry pipe tobacco, charred oak, and a touch of sweet habanero pepper. "This Double Oaked Rye is the result of relentless experimentation and our unwavering commitment to quality," said Ryan Cecil, Co-Founder and Master Blender at Pursuit Spirits. "For this product, we wanted to push the boundaries of what rye whiskey can be and compete with the best older whiskeys out there. At 108 proof, it delivers a bold yet balanced experience that we believe will captivate both rye enthusiasts and those new to the category. This limited release truly embodies our pursuit of whiskey excellence."

Double Oaked Rye also joins Pursuit United Private Select program, allowing individual retailers, distributors and clubs to hand-pick their own single barrel expressions further finished with a variety of oak stave styles.

Pursuit United Double Oaked Rye whiskey will be available at the Pursuit Spirits distillery tasting room on Mellwood Ave in Louisville, KY, beginning on Thursday, August 29th, 2024 and soon to Seelbachs. The suggested retail price is $69.99 for a 750ml bottle. For more information, please visit PursuitSpirits.com.

Boann Single Pot Still P.X. Cask Irish Whiskey Review

By Alex Southgate Rating: A I’m a firm believer in not having too much of a good thing. That being said, it’s nice to be able to get two expressions from the same distillery in one go. This is great for a number of, but the main one is that it gives us a good …

By Alex Southgate

Rating: A

Boann Single Pot Still PX Cask
*(Credit: Boann Distillery)*

I’m a firm believer in not having too much of a good thing. That being said, it’s nice to be able to get two expressions from the same distillery in one go. This is great for a number of, but the main one is that it gives us a good idea of the variety of whiskey that is being brought to the market. So after my previous acquaintance with Ireland’s Boann recently, I was eager to see whether I liked their triple distilled P.X. cask expression just as much. I have to say that after that last review, I had high hopes.

The Boann Single Pot Still triple Distilled P.X. Cask Irish Whiskey we’re trying today was initially matured in Oloroso Sherry hogsheads from Bodegas Garvey of Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. These American Oak hogsheads were chosen alongside George Espie and Ventura Nunez from the famed cooperage in Jerez. These were filled with a mixed mash bill, single pot distillate which included locally sourced malted and un-malted barley, oats and rye.

PX butts which had been in the PX Solera system for 60 years were sourced for the finishing. These butts came from Malaga and a portion of them were made exclusively of chestnut, which is a very rare variety of wood when it comes to maturing whiskey in Ireland. Mind you, after six decades in use for making Sherry, it is open to question just how much influence the chestnut itself has. The Oloroso-aged Single Pot Still was finished in these vintage Solera PX casks to create a product that is truly special and decadent. The cask strength of this Irish whiskey is 47%.

The Whiskey
The Boann PX Cask expression struck me the moment it hit the glass. The whiskey is a deep honey in hue but aside from the appealing color what really jumped out at me was the scent. The nose from this
whiskey was apparent immediately on the pour and filled the air with delicious aromas. I hadn’t placed the glass anywhere near my nose and I already couldn’t wait to see what this whiskey had in store.

The nose begins with creamy toffee notes that are rich in buttery caramel. These softer notes deepen into sticky molasses which is paired with juicy raisins. These juicy, fruity tones then lift for a finish of leather.

To the taste we begin with a gooey honey sweetness that is cut beautifully with a background of white pepper. These flavors shift into decadent dark chocolate. This is beautifully rich and long lasting on the palate. The savoury peppery notes return for the finish and carry to the end.

This is a fabulous whiskey. I really enjoy expressions that aren’t trying to be too many different things at once. Too often we end up with a multitude of flavors that, while working well on their own become confused when mixed together. Everything in the P.X. cask rendition from Boann has a place and does its job perfectly.

I think I mentioned in my last review that the Sherry cask expression was clever because it left the palate clear so you could keep going back for more. I think it’s important to note this again. In that instance mint was being used to do this, in this case its pepper. Both of these flavors have the desired effect in being an excellent carry so that you can keep going back for more.

All in all this is a very tasty tipple and not only am I going to be adding this bottle to my own collection but I think Boann, a company that was completely new to me, is going to be one that I’ll be exploring a lot more in the future.

The Price
The Boann Single Pot PX Cask Irish Whiskey is coming it at €69.95, which is roughly £59 for those of us in the UK and $79 in the US.

Parker’s Heritage 2024 Is A Middle-Aged American Malt

Heaven Hill Distillery has announced the release of the 2025 Parker’s Heritage, the 18th edition of the series. This latest installment is a 14 year old Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey Finished in Reconstructed Heavy Toast Cognac Barrels. This edition continues Heaven Hill’s partnership with Master Blender Alain Royer, who worked with the bourbon distiller on …

Heaven Hill Distillery has announced the release of the 2025 Parker’s Heritage, the 18^th edition of the series. This latest installment is a 14 year old Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey Finished in Reconstructed Heavy Toast Cognac Barrels.

This edition continues Heaven Hill’s partnership with Master Blender Alain Royer, who worked with the bourbon distiller on two previous Parker’s Heritage Collection releases. The American malt was barreled on March 2009, dumped fourteen years and entered into 56 rebuilt, heavy toasted Cognac barrels for a further four months of secondary maturation. he original Malt Whiskey barrels are from the fourth floor of Rickhouse O and the sixth floor of Rickhouse Q. Once re-barreled, the Cognac barrels aged in Rickhouse H1 on the fifth floor. It was bottled at 107 proof.

This whiskey is an American Malt rather than an American Single Malt because of its mash bill of 65% malted barley and 35% corn. Single malts are 100% malted barley. Coming from 2009, the whiskey was distilled and barreled at a time before craft distillers had come to cultivate the malt whiskey space and coalesce around the American Single Malt concept.

The 18^th Edition is an allocated product and will be available nationally and internationally in limited quantities at the suggested retail price of $169.99. Like previous editions, a portion of the proceeds will continue to support ALS research and patient care in honor of Parker Beam, late Master Distiller Emeritus.

“We are excited to continue to work with Alain Royer as we look for more ways to innovate with barrel finished products,” said Susan Wahl, Vice President of American Whiskey at Heaven Hill. “In honoring Parker’s enduring legacy, Heaven Hill Distillery remains steadfast in our commitment to uphold the high standards he set. With this latest expression, we celebrate Parker’s influence on and dedication to innovating outside of Heaven Hill’s traditional Bourbon mashbills by crafting a Whiskey that embodies his spirit as we continue to support ALS research and patient care.”

The late Heaven Hill Master Distiller Parker Beam, for whom the acclaimed series is named, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also called ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) in 2010. Since 2013, proceeds from sales of the Parker’s Heritage Collection have raised more than $1.3 million dollars toward ALS research and patient care through contributions made by Heaven Hill for each bottle purchased. With this edition, Heaven Hill will again contribute a portion of the proceeds from each bottle sold to the ALS Association. To learn more about The Parker Beam Promise of Hope Fund, please visit als.org/parker-beam-promise-hope-fund.

Cream of Kentucky Releases 2024 Cask Strength And Small Batch

Cream of Kentucky proudly introduces its latest offerings: the 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon and the 2024 Small Batch Bourbon. These releases mark a new chapter for the brand, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and delivering distinctive bourbon experiences. 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon The 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon features a bold proof of 114, offering a rich, uncut …

2024 Cask Strength Bourbon The 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon features a bold proof of 114, offering a rich, uncut flavor profile. This bourbon highlights the deep, caramelized notes of toffee, oak, and vanilla. The intense flavor and warming finish make this a standout choice for aficionados and collectors.

2024 Small Batch Bourbon The 2024 Small Batch Bourbon, crafted under the guidance of Master Distiller Jim Rutledge, is a testament to Cream of Kentucky’s dedication to quality. Bottled at 100 proof, it presents a smooth blend of honeyed pome fruits, crème brûlée, and subtle hints of banana, with a soft oak finish. This release continues the brand’s tradition of excellence.