Eric Burke - BourbonSphere

Happy Thanksgiving

Happ…

Happy Thanksgiving!

I may not always have turkey to eat on Thanksgiving, but I always have some Turkey (the Wild kind) in my glass. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Try not to fight with your family.

Eric

Wyoming Whiskey Outryder (2021 Edition)

I’d like to thank Verde Brand Communications for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

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I’d like to thank Verde Brand Communications for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

Just in time for the holiday gift rush to begin in earnest, I’ve got one last sample to feature. This time, the 2021 release of Outryder from Wyoming Whiskey. I covered the origin story of Outryder when I received a sample of the 2020 release so let’s jump right into talking about the liquid itself instead of the story behind it.

Quoting the press release:

Following the popularity of its first two iterations of Outryder, in 2016 and 2017, Wyoming Whiskey came to terms with the finite amount of 2011 whiskey stock used to create the initial batches. In order to carry on the legacy of this exceptional whiskey, Wyoming Whiskey has begun to marry its 10-year-old “almost rye” whiskies (48% rye, 40% corn, 12% malt) and bourbon (68% corn, 20% rye, 12% malt), with two whiskies distilled in early 2017, which are considered a “true rye” (51% rye, 37% corn, 12% malt) and bourbon (68% corn, 20% rye, 12% malt).

I mean, that sounds like a pretty good blend. So how does it taste?

Wyoming Whiskey Outryder, 2021 edition

Purchase Info: This sample was provided by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $74.99 and was available nationwide beginning in November 2021.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $5.00

Details: 50% ABV. A blend of three Wyoming Whiskeys the original “almost rye,” a rye, and a bourbon.

Nose: Caramel, cinnamon, black tea, mint, and a muted orange note.

Mouth: Brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, mint, and black tea.

Finish: Warm and of medium length. Notes of cinnamon and mint.

Thoughts: This is a tasty one. I like it. It has a lot of "brown" baking notes. Brown sugar, baking spices, etc. The herbal mint and black tea notes play nicely with the baking notes. I'm a fan. Price is a little high for my tastes, but this is a limited release from a small producer, so you are going to have that.

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Baker’s Exclusive Selection. Limited Edition Release

I’d like to thank the folks at Beam Suntory and their PR firms for providing a review sample with no strings attached.

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I’d like to thank the folks at Beam Suntory and their PR firms for providing a review sample with no strings attached.

We are still working our way through the sample backlog tonight so why don’t we jump right in.

Back in 2019, Baker’s Bourbon transitioned from a Small Batch to a Single Barrel Product. I’ve always been a fan of Baker’s. In fact, I’d say that it was probably my favorite of the Small Batch Collection. And the new single barrel version continued that even though I don’t buy it often as Knob Creek is so much less expensive in my neck of the woods. So imagine my delight when Beam Suntory announced that they had released a Limited Edition version of Baker’s Bourbon. This one is aged 11 years, 8 months. Sounded pretty good to me.

Let’s see how it tastes though.

Baker’s Exclusive Selection

Purchase Price: This sample was provided by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $99.99.

Price per Drink (50 ml): $6.67

Details: 11 years, 8 months old. 53.5% ABV.

Nose: Leather, cinnamon, red fruit, and oak.

Mouth: Spicy cinnamon, leather, brown sugar, red fruits, and oak.

Finish: Medium in heat and length. Lingering notes of cinnamon spice and oak.

Thoughts: As I said above, I'm a big fan of Baker's Bourbon. And this? Well, this is a very nice Baker's Selection. It hits all the notes I've always enjoyed in a pour of Baker's. It's sweet, spicy, and bold. If I knew a Baker's fan that I wanted to get a gift for, I can see myself seeking this out. For myself, the Standard Baker's Single Barrel release would be "good enough." Baker’s Exclusive Selection is really good, but I can't see myself paying the $40 premium for it unless it was a gift.

Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye 2021

I’d like to thank the folks at Beam Suntory and their PR firms for providing a review sample with no strings attached.

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I’d like to thank the folks at Beam Suntory and their PR firms for providing a review sample with no strings attached.

It is getting cold here in Minnesota. So cold that when I go for a walk, I’ve started wearing pants instead of shorts. I haven’t yet graduated to a coat, much to the chagrin of my many elderly neighbors who are already wearing gloves outside. To be honest, for as much as I really hate winter, I seem to have been born in the right place for it. It just takes me a while to actually get cold. For example, I seldom wear shoes, even outside, unless I’ll be out there for more than 20 minutes or so or the temperature is below zero Fahrenheit.

That has also gotten me comments from the neighbors as I go to get the mail.

In the spirit of cold weather, I thought it would be fun to take a look at a sample that has recently landed on my desk from Canada. At least originally. For the second year running, BeamSuntory has released a limited edition bottling of Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye Whiskey. From the press release:

Made in Calgary, Alberta, Alberta® Premium Cask Strength Rye is crafted from 100% Canadian prairie rye grains grown by local farmers and nutrient-dense, glacier-fed spring water from the famed Rocky Mountains. The result is a perfectly balanced liquid that reflects the brand's unique natural surroundings, Canadian heritage, and expert whisky craftsmanship.
"Following the success of Alberta® Premium Cask Strength Rye's debut in the U.S. last year, we are thrilled to offer stateside whisky drinkers the limited 2021 release of our award-winning whisky," said George Teichroeb, General Manager of Alberta Distillers. "When Alberta Premium debuted in 1958, we were one of the first distilleries to create a true 100% rye whisky, and this cask strength rye is the culmination of our hard work and dedication to crafting exceptional rye whisky."

I really liked last year’s release. And I was lucky enough to find a bottle recently on a trip to rural Wisconsin. But, since it was late last month that I found it, I had no idea if I had picked up the 2020 or 2021 release. So I reached out to the PR folks to see if there were any visual differences between the two releases. I like to know what release of a limited edition I’m buying and I thought you might as well. Here is what I found out:

The label of the two releases is the same with two minor design differences. 2020 had three standing barrels as a design element and 2021 has a single barrel on its side in the same location. And the typeface has changed from a sans-serif to a serifed font. Otherwise, they look the same.
The ABV range of the 2020 release was 63.9% ABV to 66% ABV and the ABV range of the 2021 release is wider at 63% ABV to 67% ABV.

That last one didn’t really help me as the ABV on the bottle I picked up was 66%, which was within both sets of ranges. In either case, I was able to determine by the design elements that I had, indeed, picked up a 2020 release. So now I will be on the lookout for 2021.

Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye 2021

Purchase Info: This sample was provided by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $74.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $5.00

Details: 63.7% ABV

Nose: Notes of cinnamon red hots candies, cedar, and black tea.

Month: Follows the nose with spicy cinnamon candies, cedar, mint, and black tea.

Finish: Long and warm with notes of floral mint and cinnamon candies.

Thoughts: This is good. I like it. I don't like it quite as much as I liked the 2020 release, though the differences are minor enough that I wouldn’t notice if I didn’t try them side by side. 2021 is a touch spicier and really focuses on the spicy cinnamon notes. 2020 had a bit more depth and complexity to it. Makes me happy that I found a bottle of 2020 in Northern Wisconsin last month, but also makes me want to grab a 2021 as well.

Jack Daniel’s 2021 Single Barrel Special Release: Coy Hill High Proof

I’d like to thank the folks at Jack Daniel’s for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

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I’d like to thank the folks at Jack Daniel’s for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

Last week I got to sit in on a fun virtual tasting with the Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller for their new 2021 Single Barrel Special Release: Coy Hill High Proof. It is an interesting tasting and what follows are some of the notes my wife and I took during the presentation.

Coy Hill is the name of the highest elevation on the Jack Daniel’s property with aging warehouses on it. This whiskey came from two of those warehouses, number 8 and 13. The retail product will list which warehouse of the two warehouses the whiskey was aged in.
The typical Jack Daniel’s warehouse has 7 floors, each with 3 levels. The top floor has just enough space between the ceiling and the top rack to squeeze another level of barrels. They call this the “Buzzard’s Roost.” This product came exclusively from the Buzzard’s Roost.
Barrel entry dates for this product were August 2, 3, and 17 of 2012. They were bottled in late September 2021. Meaning this product is 9 years old, though that is not on the label. All nine of those years were spent in the Buzzard’s Roost as they do not move or rotate barrels.
The retail product ranges from 137.4° proof to 148.3° proof. They had barrels in the batch that came in proofed over 160° proof, but the high alcohol content was causing leakage as the alcohol expanded in the head space and pushed the cork out. Most of these barrels are still aging until they figure out what to do with them. (For the record, typical barrel proofs at this age are probably in the mid-130s.)

And now some quotes from the Press Release that I found interesting:

“Coy Hill High Proof is made from Jack Daniel’s classic 80% corn, 12% malted barley and 8% rye grain bill.”
“The limited offering whiskey is bottled at proof points ranging from 137.4 up to 148.3 and marks the highest proof whiskey ever released from the Jack Daniel Distillery.”
“The Coy Hill High Proof is all about pushing the limit for single barrel maturation to create one of our boldest, most innovative whiskeys we have ever released,” says Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller Chris Fletcher. “It highlights one of the unique attributes of the Jack Daniel Distillery – the dry air of the highest floors of the barrel houses – and the amazing impact it has on whiskey making.”
“Due to the high barrel strength, the bottle should remain upright at all times
unless being poured into a glass for drinking in a responsible manner.”

But enough of that, let’s get on to the tasting notes.

Jack Daniel's 2021 Single Barrel Special Release: Coy Hill High Proof

Purchase Info: This sample was sent by Jack Daniel’s for the purposes of the virtual tasting and for review. The Suggested Retail Price is $70 for a 750 mL bottle.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $4.67

Details: 73.65% ABV

Nose: Oak notes of leather and tobacco, spearmint, wintergreen, vanilla, and baking spices.

Mouth: Very warm and sweet. Initial strong toffee notes followed by vanilla, mint, and almond.

Finish: Long and warm with notes of almond, mint, toffee, and baking spice.

Thoughts: This might have the darkest color of any whiskey I’ve ever reviewed. It is also a very tasty whiskey. It is quite a bit too hot for my taste when consumed neat. Luckily for me, when I have a glass of whiskey for enjoyment, I like to have a small piece of ice in higher-proof ones. Well, this one gets a large piece of ice. And it takes it well. There is still some heat to the drink. The flavor softens a bit and brings the oak notes more to the forefront. And the finish is still fairly long. Overall, I really like this one.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: C921

I’d like to thank Heaven Hill for providing this review sample to me with no strings attached.

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I’d like to thank Heaven Hill for providing this review sample to me with no strings attached.

You know, I like Bourbon. I know that doesn’t come as a shock to most of you since, well, I do tend to write about it twice a week. But it is worth saying now and then when you are someone who acts as a critic. I love bourbon. Everything I write on this site stems from that. I won’t go so far as to say there is no bad bourbon, there is. (Cough…TerrePure…cough cough). But generally, I like bourbon. It’s one of the reasons the majority of products get a “like” rating. I just generally like the stuff. Occasionally there is one that I very much dislike. Like, it is bad. Or that really does nothing for me. It isn’t bad, but it isn’t for me. I don’t have this happen too often because I try really hard to only purchase things I’m pretty sure I’ll enjoy. I mean, I’m going to have the rest of the bottle left after the review and I can only use so much prop bourbon.

But every so often, something surprises me. I’ve been doing this long enough that when a sample of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof shows up, I know I’m going to really enjoy it. I expect that and have never been disappointed. It is just damn fine whiskey. But this time I was surprised. Read on to see why.

Eijah Craig Barrel Proof, C921

Purchase Info: This bottle was provided by the producer for review purposes. I have found previous editions locally for as low as $69.99 for a 750 mL bottle at Total Wine.

Price per Drink (50mL): $4.67

Details: 60.1% ABV. 12-years-old.

Nose: Caramel, mint, red fruits, chocolate, and vanilla.

Mouth: Warm, but not as hot as the proof would lead you to expect. Sweet with notes of caramel, vanilla, allspice, red fruits, and chocolate.

Finish: Medium-long and sweet. Notes of floral vanilla, chocolate and baking spices.

Thoughts: This is delicious. Even at 120 proof it is drinkable neat. Sweet caramel, vanilla, and chocolate throughout. Nice baking spice notes. It isn’t enough to say that I'm a big fan of this one. I love it.

Comparison to B521: In my opinion, there is no question that C921 is better in every way. It is richer in the mouth and on the nose. Sweeter, spicier, better mouthfeel. It's so good. Don't get me wrong, I really liked B521, but I love C921! If you run across it, do yourself a favor and buy it. This might be the best bourbon I've had this year.

In fact, I’m going to pull out a very seldom used award. I’m going to say that Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C921 is only the second recipient of the BourbonGuy.com Bourbon of the Year Award. I only give this to bourbons that are by far the best thing I’ve had all year. The last one was awarded way back in 2017. I haven’t had a bourbon that was that much better than every other bourbon since. But this one qualifies. Nice job Heaven Hill!

Parker’s Heritage Collection 2021: Heavy Char Wheat Whiskey

I’d like to thank Heaven Hill for providing this review sample to me with no strings attached.

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I’d like to thank Heaven Hill for providing this review sample to me with no strings attached.

I’m not going to lie. I’ve been slacking a bit on reporting on samples that companies have sent to me. Between vacation, a covid scare, the worst allergies I’ve had in years, and then a booster shot, I haven’t had many opportunities for tasting whiskey. But that seems to be changing. I feel great so let’s start taking a look at the backlog.

Tonight’s whiskey was provided by Heaven Hill. It is the 2021 Edition of the Parker’s Heritage Collection. the 15th Edition if you can believe that. My, how time flies. This edition is an 11-year-old wheat whiskey, using the same mashbill as their Bernheim product. It comes in at a whopping 122° proof.

I’ll let Heaven Hill tell you what makes this special:

This edition continues the award-winning series of heavy char releases, exploring how a more intense char allows the liquid to penetrate deeper into each barrel stave and the effects on the resulting flavor. Comprised of 75 barrels charred for one minute and 30 seconds (Level 5), as opposed to the traditional 40 second char (Level 3) for Heaven Hill, the Wheat Whiskey reached peak maturation after 11 years on the sixth floor of Rickhouse Y. The heavy char allowed Heaven Hill’s traditional Wheat Whiskey mashbill of 51% wheat, 37% corn, and 12% malted barley to interact more with the oak, extracting a mix of sweetness, filled with hints of molasses and butterscotch. This release is only the second time the Wheat Whiskey mashbill has been featured in the Parker’s Heritage Collection, with the first released in 2014 as an Original Batch Cask Strength.

And as with previous versions of the Parker’s Heritage Collection, a portion of the proceeds of each bottle will go to support ALS research and patient care.

Parker's Heritage Collection: Heavy Char Rye Whiskey

Purchase Info: This review sample was graciously provided to me by Heaven Hill for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $139.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $9.33

Details: 11 years old, 61% ABV.

Nose: Very hot, very spicy. Notes of cinnamon, mint, almond, and oak.

Mouth: Cinnamon spice, mint leaves, vanilla, almond.

Finish: Long and warm with notes of dusty oak, red fruits, chocolate, mint, and a nice nuttiness.

Thoughts: Hot and spicy as might be expected from the high proof. The flavor seems most heavily influenced by the barrel, rather than the mash bill which is expected from both a double-digit age and a majority wheat mash bill. Overall, this is pretty close to what I would have expected. Which is to say that it is very, very good.

Ancient Age 90 Proof

I lo…

I love getting emails from readers. You guys are literally the only thing that keeps me going as this is not, and never will be, a profit center for me. Between hosting, domain registration, email accounts, and of course purchasing new and interesting bourbons for review? Well, let’s just say that if the time comes where I need to really look at making cuts to the budget, the thousands of dollars per year that I spend on this site will be one of the first things thought of for the ol’ chopping block.

And you guys write in for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes to correct me, which I appreciate. Many times to give me the ol’ attaboy, which I love. And occasionally one of you will write in with a request for the type of thing you’d want to see covered in upcoming posts, which is super helpful.

Sometimes the requests are for certain brands, but by far the most common of request is for more coverage of inexpensive bourbons. I like that suggestion. I’m a frugal guy. To be honest, the main reason that I don’t cover more inexpensive bourbons is not because I don’t like them, but because after doing the Bottom Shelf Brackets for so many years, I’ve basically run out of them. Or at least ones sold locally that aren’t TerrePure. I’m never knowingly putting that shit in my mouth again.

So I knew it was going to make at least a few of you very happy when, on my last trip to Kentucky, I saw a 375 mL bottle of a whiskey that I’d never had before. And one from a beloved producer at that. I’ve never picked up the 90 proof version of Ancient Age before. I’d had the 80 proof numerous times. I’d had the 10- year-old back in the day. I’m unconvinced that I’ve had the Ancient Age 10-Star bourbon. I just can’t remember. But I knew I had never had the 90 proof. So I picked it up. This is distributed in Kentucky, Tennessee, and parts of West Virginia.

Ancient Age 90 proof

Purchase Info: $6.49 for a 375 mL bottle at Liquor Barn, Louisville, KY

Price per Drink (50 mL): $0.87

Details: 45% ABV. 3- years-old.

Nose: Delicate on the nose. Notes of caramel, vanilla, red fruits and baking spice.

Mouth: Spicy cinnamon touched with cocoa powder, mint, dried grains, dried fruits, and vanilla.

Finish: Medium in length and warmth. Notes of cinnamon, red fruits, and caramel.

Thoughts: While this won't win many awards, it is nothing to turn your nose up at. At only three years old and less than $1 per pour, this is much spicier than I had anticipated. Especially as I've had the 80 proof that is sold here in Minnesota and it has next to no spice to it. For the price, I like it. I'd probably reach for Very Old Barton first, but if I'm in a Buffalo Trace kind of mood, but don't have a Buffalo Trace kind of budget, then this'll do in a pinch. Kinda gets lost in an Old Fashioned but would work ok in a Whiskey Sour.

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Tasters’ Selection: Jamaican Allspice, Spring 2020

Goin…

Going to be a short one tonight. I got my vaccination booster last night and I feel like warmed-over poo. I originally got the J&J shot. It wasn’t too bad. Fever and Chills overnight the day I got it, but nothing lasting. This Pfizer one is wild though. For a while, I had every symptom of the flu except the lethargy. So I was amped up on coffee, raring to go but with chills, joint aches, etc. I got a bunch of work done this morning. Then boom. I got run over by a truck about 1 pm. And I’ve been down since. But hey, it gave me a lot of time to listen to podcasts and play a Star Wars Lego game on my iPad this afternoon.

Tonight’s whiskey (tasted this weekend prior to getting jabbed), is one of the Tennessee Taster’s Selections. As far as I know, these are only sold through the Jack Daniel’s Distillery Bottle Shop and select liquor stores in Tennessee. The Tennessee Tasters’s Selections are limited, experimental releases that take a Jack Daniel’s product and play with it a bit. This one was finished with “Jamaican Allspice” wood. Otherwise known as Pimento Wood, this is the wood that gives Jamaican Jerk Chicken its unique flavor.

So in the name of this being a short post, let’s get on with the tasting notes.

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Tasters' Selection: Jamaican Allspice

Purchase Info: $34.24 for a 375 mL bottle at the White Rabbit Bottle Shop, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Lynchburg, TN

Price per Drink (50 ML): $4.60

Details: Finished for 180 days with Jamaican Allspice Wood. 50% ABV. Released Spring 2020. Selection number 6.

Nose: Oak, caramel, allspice, and pipe tobacco.

Mouth: Spicy with notes of tobacco, clove, caramel, and oak.

Finish: Medium to long and warm. Notes of tobacco, clove, and caramel.

Thoughts: Damn. I wish I'd bought a second bottle. This is delicious. Strong tobacco and clove notes throughout. Nice heat. Nice finish. This makes me look forward to the next two Tennessee Tasters’ Selections I have in the closet. This bottle, however, will live on the special shelf so I don't empty it too fast. Damn, that’s tasty!

Smoke Boards: Cocktail Smoking Kit

When…

When I was a kid, my brother and I visited my father every other weekend as part of my parent’s divorce agreement. My dad and younger brother were (and are) avid outdoorsmen. And since I wasn’t interested in hunting, fishing, trapping, etc (like, at all, not even a little bit), that left me at his place watching my even younger siblings from his second marriage.

As you might imagine, Saturday afternoons in a rural trailer park in the middle of Northern Wisconsin weren’t very exciting for a 10- to 12-year-old boy. This rural trailer park was surrounded by a creamery that made cheese, a post office, a bar, a car/farm equipment dealership, and a cemetery. That was the “town” I spent about 52 days a year living in as a child and young teen. And I wasn’t thrilled by it. Mostly because the only things to do were to get into trouble or watch tv. And I did plenty of both while babysitting.

Now, this was long enough ago that rural cable systems were basically non-existent. My dad had a tall antenna that was able to pull in the ABC, CBS, and PBS stations. No NBC station and FOX wasn’t even a thing yet, at least not locally. And while I would watch ABC and CBS for my Saturday morning cartoon fix, the afternoons on those stations were pretty boring. So I’d switch over to PBS and watch what they had on. Basically a lot of This Old House and various cooking shows.

I loved the cooking shows as a kid, which is weird since I was a super picky eater. But that love never went away. As a young adult, early Food Network was my favorite thing for a while. These days about half of my YouTube subscriptions are cooking channels. Which is how I stumbled upon the idea that I wanted to start smoking meat. And I jumped into that whole-heartedly. It’s become my favorite hobby.

So it was only natural that when I walked past the Smoke Boards booth at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, that I‘d be easily convinced to stop and give their cocktail smoking kit a look. And after talking to the guys manning the booth, I was convinced to grab a kit for myself. I haven’t had many smoked cocktails. But the ones I’ve had are usually more theater than flavor. A local restaurant serves their smoked manhattan in a smoke-filled box. It is dramatic, but the flavor of the drink isn’t affected that much. The folks at Smoke Boards told me that their kit would do better. So let’s check out how it works.

Step 1: Light the chips on fire.

Place a small amount of one of the types of the kit’s wood chips on the smoke board and light them on fire using the provided torch.

Step 2: Smother the fire.

Or wait for it to go out. Place the provided mason jar over the smoldering chips to allow it to fill with smoke.

Step 3: Add your whiskey.

Put the cover on the jar and shake it up to dissolve the smoke. I’ve tried adding just the whiskey and adding the entire cocktail. I got better results infusing the whiskey and then making the cocktail out of the infused whiskey than I did by infusing the premade cocktail.

Step 4: Make the cocktail and enjoy it.

It really is that easy. It took me a few tries to nail down the best procedure for me. But, I tell you what. I have a new appreciation for smoked cocktails. A smoked Old-Fashioned is delightful on a cool Autumn evening. The smoke isn’t as strong as it is in the various smoked American Whiskeys on the market so it doesn’t over-power the drink, it just sort of adds another layer to the drink. All in all, I like this. They do sell extra containers of chips on their site, but I’m actually kind of excited to try some of the many smoking chips I currently have in the house to see how they play. I’m thinking an Old Fashioned smoked over peach wood might be tasty.