Author: Luke@CapitalCityBourbon

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T H E G R E A T B A M B I N O!

Since the day I saw the announcement for this release, that iconic scene from the Sandlot was the first thing that came to mind. A few months later when I came home to find a box at my front door with this beautiful bottle inside, the image came to mind once again (along with a few other choice words!). Suffice to say, I could not wait to dive into this bottle.

So what do we have in the bottle? Well, its a blend of three high-rye mash bills (inspired by Babe’s legendary #3) aged for 6-7 years, that are blended together and bottled at 110 proof (55% abv). To further pay homage to the Sultan of Swat, a total of only 10,624 bottles available – one for each of his plate appearances.

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Tasting:

Appearance – This bourbon provides a nice orange amber with slow legs in the glass.

Nose – The nose is subtle, requiring you to spend a little time before your first sip. I found a pleasant bouquet of rich brown sugar, rye spice, dark fruit preserves, and just of hint of warm citrus tea.

Palate – This bourbon provides a pleasant balance of sweetness and spice almost instantly. That rich brown sugar note stands out early on along with mild vanilla bean, but the rye spice intensifies and starts to take center stage, delivering layers of spice that becomes slightly peppery with some earthiness to help balance the sweet notes. Surprisingly, this bourbon drinks as smooth as can be despite that elevated proof point.

Finish – The finish on this bourbon is exceptional. The balanced sweetness and spice notes linger mid-palate, with no harsh tannins or bitterness that I sometimes find with MGP products. As the note faded I started to pull out more citrus, candied pecans, and golden raisin that just seemed to last forever.

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Overall

I will be the first to admit that I am always skeptical of any “Limited Edition” or other special release, particularly one that tries to tie in some celebrity or other icon in a fancy decanter-style bottle. However, the Remus Babe Ruth Reserve provides one of those rare occasions when the whiskey in the bottle delivers an elevated experience and actually lives up to the hype.

In my opinion, this is an exceptional, delicate blend of quality, high-rye MGP whiskey. The flavors here are subtle and this bourbon does not pack the punch you might expect at the proof point, but it is extremely well-balanced and flavors develop nicely throughout the sip, leading to a long and enticing finish. I could drink this bourbon all day. And in fact, I just may do that!

*Disclaimer – this sample was provided to me free of charge by the distillery; however, this did not impact my review of this product.

The post Tasting Notes: Remus Babe Ruth Reserve appeared first on The Capital City Bourbon Blog.

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Well, I think its fair to say that Jon and I have been slacking just a little bit. We’ve missed, well, four months of monthly picks, but I assure you it is not because we haven’t been drinking whiskey. Quite the opposite, actually! But it just so happens that we found the motivation we needed to get back on track with our monthly picks with the arrival of three new single barrels selections at Market Square Liquors. Jon and I have spent plenty of time with each of these since picking the barrels, and while they are all delicious, we could only pick one each. Don’t sleep on these bottles…they will not be around long!

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Luke’s Pick – Yellowstone “MSL Porch Pickin’ 2023”

For the second year in a row, the MSL Barrel Team traveled to Kentucky to pick numerous barrels, for the second year in a row we spent a lot of time at the Limestone Branch Distillery, and for the second year in a row we were blown away with the quality of the bourbon being produced by Stephen Beam. The experience at the distillery was exceptional, and this year we unanimously selected a 4 1/2-year-old barrel that was bottled at 119 proof.

The nose on this whiskey is warm and inviting, providing layers of caramel, vanilla, clove, leather, and soft oak. This whiskey is viscous and rich up front, providing and just enough spice. Surprisinly, this whiskey provides almost no burn, despite the high proof point. Oak on the finish, slihgtly tannic but not overpowering. Just delicious.

The post MSL Monthly Picks – October 2023 appeared first on The Capital City Bourbon Blog.

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Visitors to this site know that I am a huge fan of Luxco brands. I’ve picked many barrels from Luxco and I have never been disappointed with the people, the experience, or the whiskey. It should come as no surprise then, that I always keep a watchful eye out for an email from Luxco announcing the details of one of their most coveted annual releases: the Blood Oath series.

The Blood Oath Bourbon series began back in 2015 when food scientist and Master Blender/Distiller John Rempe released his first secretive blend of aged bourbon under this new Luxco label. Since that time, the series has gained a massive following and Rempe has released six more pacts, each consisting of masterful blends of aged whiskey and one or more unique finishing processes.

In April 2023, Luxco announced the release of Pact No. 9, a blend  of 16-year ryed bourbon, 12-year ryed bourbon, and 7-year ryed bourbon finished in Oloroso Sherry casks from the Sherry Triangle region in southwest Spain. This blend is bottled at 98.6 proof (49.3% abv) and retails for $129.99.

*Disclaimer – this sample was provided to me free of charge by the distillery; however, this did not impact my review of this product.

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Tasting:

Appearance – deep amber with slow, thick legs.

Nose – the sherry finish is immediately present on the nose, providing a rich and creamy aroma of almonds, raisins, and dark fruit. With time, some traditional bourbon aromas of caramel and chocolate are present, along with hints of red grape, tobacco, and some barrel spice.

Palate – this whiskey presents with a creamy mouthfeel up front but feels somewhat restrained. The profile is predominantly sweet, with lots of dark fruit (dark cherry, berries, plum), tobacco, and some cinnamon spice developing mid-palate. The spice is quite mild and there is a minimal oak presence, which is surprising given the age of the whiskey in this blend.

Finish – the finish is medium-long and characterized by more of that dark red fruit sweetness. There is also some lingering spice mid-palate that intensifies along with some dark chocolate notes. A slightly musty oak flavor develops and helps tame the sweetness, along with providing some astringency to draw you back for the next sip.

Overall – this is a predominantly sweet whiskey and I am usually quick to voice my distaste for any product that I find overly sweet, particularly when there is a finishing process involved. However, this bourbon does not drink like most finished products. The sweetness from the Oloroso sherry finishing actually compliments the older whiskey in this blend and somehow does not feel overly sweet. This is a finished bourbon that still tastes like a bourbon!

This is not the first time you’ve heard me give praise to a Blood Oath release. John Rempe clearly knows how to blend and finish a whiskey, and I think this release is a perfect example of that. I doubt most of us will be able to find this at retail price, but if you are able to, I don’t think you will be disappointed. As always, give this one a try and let me know what you think.

Cheers y’all!

The post Tasting Notes: Blood Oath Pact #9 appeared first on The Capital City Bourbon Blog.

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A new month means new some brand new picks at the original Market Square Liquors! MSL had several new barrel picks come in this month, as well as some new releases, so Jon and I definitely had to put in some work to come up with our recommendations this month. It is hard work, but we don’t mind the sacrifice!

This month we both came up with a delicious pick, but these are some big, bold, high-proof bourbons.Prepare yourself…

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Luke’s Pick – Jefferson’s Ocean Single Barrel (MSL 2022)

I will be the first to admit that Jefferson’s Ocean is not a bottle you will typically find in my bourbon cabinet. With very few exceptions, I’ve found that most of these releases fell flat, and I just could not buy into the novelty of the additional aging-at-sea process, especially at that price point. So suffice to say, I initially turned my nose up at the prospect of a single barrel pick of this release. Well, I was wrong!

This barrel proof single barrel of Jefferson’s Ocean Voyage #27 is absolutely delicious. From nose to finish, it is a big, bold whiskey that will not disappoint. On the nose, this barrel delivers a bouquet of rich sweetness, including caramel, vanilla, some dark fruit, and a slight floral aroma. On the palate, that sweetness quickly trnasitions to a more prominent spice mid-palate, but this whiske

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Jon’s Pick – Knob Creek (MSL 2022-23)

Here at Market Square Liquors in Tallahassee’s Market District, our privately selected single barrel offerings have been recognized nationally as some of the most sought after spirits in the USA.

That said, I’d like to draw your attention to Knob Creek from the warehouses of Jim Beam in Claremont, Kentucky. We offer our ‘23 selection and a few of the delicious ‘22 bottles.

Knob Creek is bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof. They present as full bodied, well aged, classic bourbon. The predominant aroma and tastes are dark caramel, vanilla bean, in a pleasant charred cinnamon base. Our selections also offer up a cherry sweetness that makes them outstanding barrels & sets them apart from the standard shelf bottles.

I recommend proofing your pour down by adding a bit of water until you get the benefit of all of the sweetness. A couple cubes of ice & you’ve got some fine sipping, Kentucky bourbon.

Reach for a private selection. You can’t go wrong.

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As always, head over to Market Square Liquors on Timberlane Road to grab these bottles, and then come and join us on the porch! Cheers y’all!

The post MSL Monthly Picks – May 2023 appeared first on The Capital City Bourbon Blog.

The post MSL Monthly Picks – March 2023 appeared first on The Capital City Bourbon Blog.

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Well folks, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, so now we can look forward to six more weeks of winter! That may not matter to us down here in Florida (usually), but lets take this as a sign that we all will need a little more whiskey in our lives to get us through the idea of an extended winter. With that in mind, check our our newest picks for the month of February!

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Luke’s Pick – Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (2022 MSL Pick)

Last year, the MSL Barrel Team had an opportunity to taste through a selection of one of our favorite releases from Heaven Hill, and there was a consensus among the team regarding one particular barrel. Last month, the barrel finally arrived in Tallahassee and we now have access to this delicious 8-year-old,130.1 proof (65.05% abv) whiskey, aptly named “Big Boy Pour.”

Despite the high proof, the ethanol is actually quite tame, and the nose opens up to plenty of dark cherry, cocoa powder, caramel, and oak. On the palate, there is a pleasant viscosity and dark cherry licorice jumps out along with some dark chocolate, but there is a sudden punch of spice mid-palate with some heat from the high proof. You really know this is a big boy pour! The spice lingers on the finish with with an emphasis on cinnamon, along with more dark cherry, chocolate, a slightly musty oak, and a slight astringency.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is one of my favorite releases and I continued to be impressed with the single barrel offerings Heaven Hill is making available. These barrels may be a little younger than what we are used to for this brand, but they still pack tons of flavor at that high proof point that always catches my eye. This particular release is flying off the shelf at MSL, so make sure you get there quick to grab yourself a bottle or two!

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Jon’s Pick – Michter’s Mysterious Duo (American Whiskey & Sour Mash)

I’m going to recommend either, or both, of these two bottles as they will bring joy to those who are looking for an easy sipper that’s not going to curl the hair on the back of your neck. In a sit down many years ago with then Master Distiller, Willie Pratt, his eyes lit up when it came to these two. He reveled in the fact that, not being labeled bourbon or rye, he had no constraints when it came to grains and percentages. He made the whiskey he wanted to make and there is no question that he knew how to make it tasty.

There are similarities between the two. For starters, they’re sweet and tasty. Each is less than 90 proof. Each offers that signature butterscotch/caramel goodness with a bright fruitiness. I think the Sour Mash offers a bit more rye while the American Whiskey seems a mellow blend of softer grains.

Honestly, I think each deserves a place on your bar. It’s the perfect pour for those who are not looking for a blow torch, high octane experience. Try them side-by-side and enjoy the cruise!

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As always, give these bottles a try and then come find us on the porch! Cheers y’all!

The post MSL Monthly Picks – February 2023 appeared first on The Capital City Bourbon Blog.

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Well, its a new year and we are already nearly two weeks behind with our first monthly pick! Lets hope this is not an indication of how this year is going to progress! We may be a little late, but Jon and I have some great recommendations to help you get through the winter doldrums. Make sure you stop by Market Square Liquors to check these out…

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Luke’s Pick – Ezra Brooks Cask Strength Single Barrel (MSL Barrel Team)

In mid-May last year, members of the MSL Barrel Team had an opportunity to fly up to Kentucky for a few barrel pick opportunities, and we were particularly excited to spend a day with the fine folks at Lux Row Distillers. During our visit, we tasted a lot of great whiskey, but we were all enamored with one particular barrel that we just could not leave behind. It took a little longer than expected to make the trip down to Tallahassee, but in December MSL finally received its Old Ezra Cask Strength Single Barrel!

From nose to finish, this is a big, bold whiskey. The nose is full of rich vanilla, burnt caramel, intensifying spice, and a dark oak presence. Some sweetness carries over from the palate, but the rye spice really picks up and delivers a powerful punch of spice and proof, along with some dark fruit notes and cereal grain. The spice and grain notes linger on the finish and a more prominent oak note takes center stage. The finish is long and provides a slight astringency that entices you to reach for your glass to keep the experience moving along!

I continue to be impressed with the whiskey coming from Lux Row, particularly at the 4-6 year range. These releases also come in at a very favorable price point, so you don’t need to feel guilty walking out with a bottle or two. I encourage you to try this whiskey neat, and then come in with a few drops of water or a big cube. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the experience!

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Jon’s Pick – Maker’s Mark 101

Maker’s Mark is the iconic wheated bourbon. It’s been around forever at 90 proof and collectors have squirreled away special editions where only the label (or wax) may have changed. Of late, they have been releasing a few with tweaks to the proof and aging we are all used to. Thank you Maker’s Mark!

The newly released Maker’s 101 proof is a home run. It greets you on the nose with all of the soft, wheater bourbon notes with the rich baritone cello notes of Yo-Yo Ma vs. a concert flautist. The proof makes way for a cacophony of vanillas, rich dates, a bit of citrus, and rich caramel crème. The taste is bold and it delivers everything the nose promised. Neat, and yes with a Luxardo Cherry, it’s a long, pleasing sipper. The added proof is well worth the few extra bucks.

This may well be my favorite wheater. Stock up, folks!

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You know the routine. Grab these bottles, enjoy a pour, and come have a chat with us on the porch! Cheers y’all!

The post MSL Monthly Picks – January 2023 appeared first on The Capital City Bourbon Blog.

The end of the year is upon us, and I don’t know about you, but the Holiday season usually makes me want to up my alcohol intake! If you’re in a similar position, don’t fret, because Jon and I have some great new picks to help get you through!

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Luke’s Pick – Blue Run High Rye Bourbon

Blue Run Spirits has quickly established itself has as a producer of high-quality bourbon and rye whiskey. Their sourcing, blending, and marketing prowess has been impressive from day 1, and certainly has not gone unnoticed in the industry, as they recently announced their plan to build a $51 million distillery in Georgetown, Kentucky. Blue Run has put out numerous releases since its inception in 2020, including some higher-aged bourbon, a few quality ryes, and numerous limited edition single barrel offerings. I have been impressed with all of these, but one release in particular stood out to me, not only because it is a fine sipping whiskey, but also because it comes from a Titan in the bourbon industry. Without further ado, I present my final pick for 2022: Blue Run High Rye Bourbon.

This beautiful bottle of whiskey was distilled by the one and only Jim Rutledge, the famed former Master Distiller for Four Roses. Jim distilled this whiskey at the Castle & Key Distillery from a mash bill comprised on 65% Corn, 30% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley, and it was then aged for an undisclosed period of time before being bottled at 111 proof (55.5% abv).

On the nose, this whiskey provides a subtle bouquet of rye spice with just a hint of a dill and some floral essence, caramel, and some citrus candies. On the palate, this whiskey is initially sweet, with vanilla and some toasted grain – think honey drizzled rye toast. However, the rye spice quickly takes over and provides plenty of warm spice to balance the sweetness up front. The finish is long, warm, and full of ginger and cinnamon spice with a slight touch of oak on the back end.

I am never shy to admit that I follow Jim Rutledge closely, and I will never pass up an opportunity to try his whiskey because I know his skill and experience as a master distiller is second to none.

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Jon’s Pick – Knob Creek

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We hope these picks treat you well throughout the holiday season. If you ever want to discuss these picks, our just whiskey in general, come find us on the porch! Otherwise, we wish you all a happy holiday season and an even happier new year!

Cheers y’all!

The post MSL Monthly Picks – December 2022 appeared first on The Capital City Bourbon Blog.

We’re about to set our clocks back, the weather is getting chilly (relatively speaking), and the holidays are right around the corner, so its definitely time for a few new picks to help you stay warm and brace yourself for the ensuing holiday madness! Here are our picks for the month of November…

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Luke’s Pick –

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Jon’s Pick – Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

The Nose…second barrel sweet char, overlaying a creamy deep vanilla/butterscotch with hints of strawberry. Not a bad start!

On the first sip all those flavors settle in their spots like a team of players taking their places. The creamy under-layer settles on the tongue as the strawberry (now bright, with lingering spice) coats your cheeks & roof of the mouth. This bourbon sings. It lingers forever. I’m so enjoying it neat, I don’t want to chase it with water at all. This is an exceptional bourbon. Exceptional. It’s been available a while. Don’t know why I waited so long.

The post MSL Monthly Picks – November 2022 appeared first on The Capital City Bourbon Blog.

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Barrell Craft Spirits was founded in Louisville, Kentucky in 2013 by Joe Beatrice, a former marketing and technology entrepreneur. The company originally began by sourcing bourbon from various distilleries and bottling it at barrel proof, a nod to the founder’s preference for high proof whiskey. Since that time, Barrell has significantly expanded its portfolio, which now includes rye whiskey, American whiskey, and rum, and their products can now be found in 46 states. The company recently developed a very successful single barrel program and has cultivated a reputation as one of the most unique and innovative producers of finished whiskies in the market. While most distilleries seem to focus on creating single cask products, Barrell has started to showcase the creativity of its team by creating blends of whiskey finished in multiple casks, including brandy, rum, amaro, and various types of wine.

Vantage is the newest release from Barrell that will become part of their annual lineup of blended whiskies. Vantage is a blend of straight bourbons that were sourced from undisclosed distilleries in Indiana, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Each whiskey is then finished separately in one of three distinct expressions of virgin oak: Mizunara, French, and toasted American oak casks. Once the finishing was complete, the Barrell team went to work on creating a harmonious blend of whiskey. According to Barrell:

The BCS team has drawn on years of experience with three-part barrel finishing, used previously in Armida, Dovetail, and Seagrass. With Vantage, those same techniques were applied to the oak itself, using different char levels, toast levels, and oak origins to create a multidimensional blend.

https://www.barrellbourbon.com/vantage

As with all Barrell releases, this whiskey is bottled at barrel proof (114.44 proof/57.22% abv) and retails for approximately $90.

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Tasting:

Appearance – Deep amber.

Nose – Initially, notes of warm dark berries abound, along with some juicy apple, baking spices, and just a hint of toasted grain. I instantly thought of a freshly baked fruit tart. However, with time I started to pull out the aroma of roasted peanuts and rich vanilla custard with just a hint of char.

Palate – On the palate, there is a familiar spiciness up front, reminiscent of some quality Indiana whiskey, along with baked green apple, caramel, coffee beans, and a perfect proof punch. As you work through the pour, the oak really starts to take center stage and enhances the spicy qualities in this blend. The oak is not overpowering by any means and the blend of different oaks provides a nice balance of barrel influence. The mouthfeel is surprisingly rich and oily, despite the heavy oak presence.

Finish – The finish is pleasantly long and spicy. More of those dark fruit and vanilla custard notes are present, but a bouquet of baking spices really dominates the finish. I found a range of spices, including black peppercorn, cinnamon, ginger, anise, and allspice, all underscored by some subtle barrel char influence. The pour becomes slightly tannic toward the end, but the tannins are not overpowering or off-putting. The oak profile here is somewhat difficult to pin down, as the flavors are not typical of what you may find in a toasted barrel or other oak finishing process, but it is absolutely a fun challenge.

Overall – I’ve been a fairly vocal critic of some of Barrell’s prior releases, particularly those that utilized multiple-cask finishing. I absolutely respect their team for their blending prowess and creativity, but some of these releases just did not appeal to me as a more conservative whiskey drinker. However, with this release Barrell really hit my sweet spot. Barrell acquired some quality whiskey and utilized a unique blend of oak finishing to create a very dynamic whiskey. The oak influence is subtle and challenging, and I found that the pour continues to develop with time. I went through a few pours of Vantage and I just kept finding more! I am pleased to see this become a new addition to Barrell’s annual lineup, and I imagine it will become very difficult to find, even with the nearly $100 price tag.

As always, try this one for yourself and let me know what you think. Cheers y’all!

*Disclaimer – this sample was provided to me free of charge by the distillery; however, this did not impact my review of this product.

The post Tasting Notes: Barrell Vantage appeared first on The Capital City Bourbon Blog.