Ross & Squibb Distillery (MGP) recently announced the release of the newest member of the Rossville Union Rye family – Rossville Union Bottled in Bond Rye. It’s aged 6 years and made from a unique mash bill of 51% rye and 49% barley malt. So, what…
Ross & Squibb Distillery (MGP) recently announced the release of the newest member of the Rossville Union Rye family - Rossville Union Bottled in Bond Rye. It's aged 6 years and made from a unique mash bill of 51% rye and 49% barley malt. So, what's it like? Read our full review to find out!
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Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII Bourbon is the latest release in the series from the Ross & Squibb Distillery (MGP). It is a blend of bourbons distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and aged from 9-16 years. Previous releases have received significa…
Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII Bourbon is the latest release in the series from the Ross & Squibb Distillery (MGP). It is a blend of bourbons distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and aged from 9-16 years. Previous releases have received significant acclaim. So what's it like? Read our full review to find out!
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Yellowstone Limited Edition 2023 Bourbon is a blend of 7, 13 & 16 year old bourbons, finished in Tokaji casks. Wondering what it is like? Read Ray’s review to find out!
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Yellowstone Limited Edition 2023 Bourbon is a blend of 7, 13 & 16 year old bourbons, finished in Tokaji casks. Wondering what it is like? Read Ray's review to find out!
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First there was Ezra Brooks 99 Bourbon. Now, there is Ezra Brooks 99 Rye. So how is this new, reasonably priced rye from Lux Row Distillers? Read on to find out!
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First there was Ezra Brooks 99 Bourbon. Now, there is Ezra Brooks 99 Rye. So how is this new, reasonably priced rye from Lux Row Distillers? Read on to find out!
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There’s little available information on Big House online, and a lot of it’s wrong. The bottle says it’s produced and bottled by Sazerac in Louisville, but that really means Buffalo Trace, which Sazerac calls its “home away from home.” Read our Big House Bourbon 120 Proof Review to learn more!
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Please enjoy our Big House Bourbon 120 proof review by Ray Marcano
A very nice bourbon with a nice spice kick at a very reasonable price
There’s little available information on Big House online, and a lot of it’s wrong. The bottle says it’s produced and bottled by Sazerac in Louisville, but that really means Buffalo Trace, which Sazerac calls its “home away from home.”
Corn: 60%
Rye: 35%
Malted Barley: 5%
Let’s taste it:
Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass
Nose: Charcoal, oak, grain, rye spiceTaste: Rich maple, rye, pepperFinish: Rich maple that quickly turns to pepper, cardamon, rye, cherry licorice
At one of my local liquor stores, I saw a bottle of the Big House 120 Proof Bourbon and thought, huh, that could be something. I like high-proof bourbons, and at the $30 price point, I figured it was worth a try.
I was right. The 120-proof brand has a strong rye taste that out-ryes some ryes. But it’s balanced by oak, a little maple, and a potpourri of pepper, cardamon, and rye spice. If you’re a rye-forward fan you’ll love this. It has the same percentage of rye as Four Roses, but a far more pronounced rye feel, which comes through huge on the nose.
The maple on the palate surprised me because, based on the nose, I expected a rye bomb that didn’t materialize — for a few seconds. Then, I got slapped across the face with spice. The heat hit next with a beautiful long finish with a little cherry licorice.
As soon as I wrote this, I returned to the store for a second bottle. I’ve never seen this bottle before, and don’t know if I ever will again. If you see a bottle, grab it.
Have you tried Big House Bourbon 120 proof? What do you think?
I hope you have enjoyed our Big House 120 proof Bourbon review by Ray Marcano. Ray publishes a free monthly newsletter, The Bourbon Resource. You can subscribe here. If you would like to learn about another great bourbon check out our Knob Creek 9 Year Bourbon Review!
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Booker Noe crafted Basil Hayden Bourbon in 1992 to produce a more subtle but tasty bourbon. The mash bill pays homage to the one created by Meredith Basil Hayden in 1792, who used a high-rye recipe. Basil Hayden Bourbon honors both men and their contributions.
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Please enjoy our Basil Hayden Bourbon review by Ray Marcano!
A light bourbon for those who don’t like much burn, but the flavor profile and finish miss the mark
Booker Noe crafted Basil Hayden Bourbon in 1992 to produce a more subtle but tasty bourbon. The mash bill pays homage to the one created by Meredith Basil Hayden in 1792, who used a high-rye recipe. Basil Hayden Bourbon honors both men and their contributions.
Corn: 63%
Rye: 27%
Malted Barley: 10%
Let’s taste it: Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn glassNose: Vanilla, dried fruit, oakTaste: Vanilla, honey, citrusFinish: Honey, oak
Basil Hayden is supposed to offer customers a subtle bourbon that appeals to those who want a light yet tasty pour. So this presents a conundrum. Serious bourbon drinkers, especially those that like a richer and deeper drink that showcases a variety of flavors, will find this boring. It has a very short finish and little character. Entry-level drinkers will be okay with it.
Basil Hayden Bourbon would be okay, but the $50 price point doesn’t match the quality. There are plenty of bourbons that cost nearly half the price with twice the flavor. I have a bottle in my collection just because. I had a glass for this review and won’t for a while.
We hope you have enjoyed our Basil Hayden Bourbon review by Ray Marcano. Ray publishes a free monthly newsletter, The Bourbon Resource. You can subscribe here. If you would like to learn more about one of the Basil Hayden Special Releases, check out our Basil Hayden Toast Review!
Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!
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According to legend, John E. Fitzgerald was a US Treasury Agent turned criminal who would use his access to rickhouses to steal bourbon samples. Larceny plays up the tale, first with its name but also its slogan — so smooth it’s criminal. Read our review to learn more!
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Please enjoy enjoy our Larceny Bourbon review by Ray Marcano.
This is one of the best value bourbons on the market.
According to legend, John E. Fitzgerald was a US Treasury Agent turned criminal who would use his access to rickhouses to steal bourbon samples. Larceny Bourbon plays up the tale, first with its name but also its slogan — so smooth it’s criminal.
68% corn, 20% wheat & 12% malted barley
Let’s taste it:
Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass
Nose: Heavy citrus, honey, sugarTaste: Honey, citrus, peachFinish: Pepper, baking spice, honey
This wheated bourbon delivers. It looks light, but the flavors make for a solid all-around pour. This is a “don’t judge a book by its color” (see what I did?) bourbon. The Larceny Very Special Small Batch Bourbon has a long finish, not only on the palate but in my chest (a nice warmth, not a big burn).
Bourbon drinkers tend to group wheated bourbons into a category of their own, just like high rye bourbons compare with others. In this case, Larceny Bourbon compares well to any bourbon in its class. It’s so easy to drink, and a $30 price point makes it a must-have. You won’t be embarrassed serving this to the most refined bourbon drinker.
Have you tried Larceny Bourbon? What did you think?
We hope you have enjoyed our Larceny Bourbon review by Ray Marcano. Ray publishes a free monthly newsletter, The Bourbon Resource. You can subscribe here. Would you like to learn about a higher proof, limited release version of this bourbon? Then read our Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon C922!
Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!
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The Evan Williams Aged 12 Years used to be sold only in Japan as an export-only product. However, you can now find the bourbon at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in Louisville, the only place in the country that makes the 12-year available. It’s an easy drinker that I wish was more widely available. Read our review to learn more!
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Please enjoy our Evan Williams 12 Year Bourbon review by Ray Marcano!
It’s an easy drinker that I wish was more widely available.
The Evan Williams Aged 12 Years used to be sold only in Japan as an export-only product. However, you can now find the bourbon at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in Louisville, the only place in the country that makes the 12-year available. Interestingly, there is a significant price difference depending on where you buy it. A recent Reddit poster from Japan stated that they paid 3800 yen, or roughly 31 dollars (at the time) for the Evan Williams 12 Year Bourbon. That is quite a difference from the $130 price tag in the U.S.!! However, you do get gold wax over the top in the U.S. version!
78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye
Let’s taste it:
Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn
Nose: Brown sugar, oak, honey, caramelTaste: Pepper, rye, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet caramelFinish: Rye, cinnamon, honey, oak
I’m a big Evan Williams fan, and the Evan Williams 12 Year Bourbon is my overall favorite. It has all of the classic bourbon notes, though I’m surprised by the presence of so much spice. It’s only 10% rye, but the bourbon delivers a nice kick. It’s well balanced with a medium-long finish and nicely coats the inside of your mouth.
There aren’t too many bourbons worth making a special drive to get, but the Evan Williams 12 Year is one of them. It has just the right amount of heat at the end that makes for a perfect fall or winter drink. The only problem — I want to drink it all the time, even at the $130 price point. If you’re in Louisville, make sure you stop by the Evan Williams Experience and get a bottle of the Evan Williams Aged 12 Years bourbon. You won’t regret it.
I hope you have enjoyed our Evan Williams 12 Year Bourbon review by Ray Marcano. Ray publishes a free monthly newsletter, The Bourbon Resource. You can subscribe here. Next, learn about more Evan Williams Bourbons in our Evan Williams Bourbon Review and our Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Review!
Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!
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Shenk’s Homestead honors John Shenk, who founded a distillery in 1783 that would later become Michter’s. It’s a limited-production release shrouded by a little mystery. This is a “high rye” whiskey that doesn’t make its mash bill public. The 2021 release’s aging process uses barrels made from Chinquapin Oak trees. Some use the oak as proof that Shenk’s can’t possibly be bourbon. It could be that the mash bill has less than 51% corn, which would knock it out of the bourbon sphere. Learn more about Shenk’s Homestead 2021 release in our review!
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Please enjoy our Shenk’s Homestead Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey review by Ray Marcano
The price point keeps this from being a must buy.
Shenk’s Homestead honors John Shenk, who founded a distillery in 1783 that would later become Michter’s, according to the distillery’s website. It’s a limited-production release shrouded by a little mystery. This is a “high rye” whiskey that doesn’t make its mash bill public. Its aging process uses barrels made from Chinquapin Oak trees. Some use the oak as proof that Shenk’s can’t possibly be bourbon. Still, Old Charter Oak uses Chinkapin oak — a different spelling of Chinquapin — and calls its brew “bourbon”, so that’s not it. It could be that the mash bill has less than 51% corn, which would knock it out of the bourbon sphere.
Not disclosed
Let’s taste it:
Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn
Nose: Grain, brown sugar, caramel, toffeeTaste: Cherry, citrus, pepper, oak, Finish: Pepper, allspice, dried fruits
The grain speaks to the high rye content of this whiskey, but it’s quickly offset by some pleasant brown sugar notes that bring forward some sweetness. It’s an interesting pour, a cross between the lighter characters of a whiskey with the strong, long finish of a bourbon. It’s a pleasing, easy drink and will certainly warm you up on a cold night.
I’m torn. I like Shenk’s Homestead Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey. It’s a fine sipping and unique whiskey, given its character and quality. But $90 is a tough ask, especially since (1) these are very hard to find in the wild and cost two times MSRP if you can find one on the secondary and (2) there are plenty of whiskeys and ryes available for half the price that are just as good. If money is no object, this is a good get.
I hope you have enjoyed our Shenk’s Homestead Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey review by Ray Marcano. Ray publishes a free monthly newsletter, The Bourbon Resource. You can subscribe here. Next, read about Shenk’s Homestead’s brethren in our Bomberger’s Declaration Review!
Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!
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The latest in the Remus Bourbon family, the Remus Gatsby Reserve, celebrates F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, “The Great Gatsby,” which examines prohibition-era America during the Jazz age. The bourbon, crafted by master distiller Ian Stirsman and his team at Ross & Squibb Distillery, is made with 15-year-old reserves of straight bourbon whiskey. How is it? Check out our review!
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Please enjoy our Remus Gatsby Reserve review by Ray Marcano.
This bourbon may be expensive, but it’s worth the investment. Exquisite.
The latest in the Remus Bourbon family, the Remus Gatsby Reserve, celebrates F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, “The Great Gatsby,” which examines prohibition-era America during the Jazz age. The bourbon, crafted by master distiller Ian Stirsman and his team at Ross & Squibb Distillery, is made with 15-year-old reserves of straight bourbon whiskey.
Not disclosed
Let’s taste it:
Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn
Nose: Cherry, licorice, vanillaTaste: Butterscotch, warm caramel, maple syrupFinish: Maple, caramel, vanilla
Cherry candy and licorice jump out on the nose and remain the predominant flavors. I let it rest in my Glencairn glass for a few minutes, tried again, and got a little vanilla this time but not enough to cut through the cherry. The tongue gets hit with a taste explosion, a mouthful of warm caramel and butterscotch followed by a little maple syrup so thick it felt like my throat was becoming coated in sweetness. There’s a little oak, less than I anticipated for a 15-year-aged product, and the finish is as long as a passionate kiss. Just a touch of burn, and I mean the good kind that makes you feel all toasty inside.
The Remus Gatsby Reserve is one special bourbon that immediately works its way into my top-tier bottles. It’s not a daily drinker only because of the limited availability and price. But it’s worth it. It’s delicious.
I hope you have enjoyed our Remus Gatsby Reserve review by Ray Marcano. Ray publishes a free monthly newsletter, The Bourbon Resource. You can subscribe here. If you would like to learn about more whiskeys from Ross Squibb (MGP) check out our George Remus Single Barrel Bourbon Review and our Rossville Union Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey Review!
Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!
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