Category: bourbon release

OHLQ Announces 2023 Maker’s Mark Private Select Holiday Collection – Arriving Week of December 11

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the 2023 release of Maker’s Mark Private Select titled ‘Holiday Collection’. This version contains four expressions and will sell for $74.99 + tax per bottle (up from $69.99 + tax last year)…

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the 2023 release of Maker's Mark Private Select titled 'Holiday Collection'. This version contains four expressions and will sell for $74.99 + tax per bottle (up from $69.99 + tax last year). They will be available throughout the State starting the week of December 11th. You can check availability in your area using this link. 

For those new to the Private Select releases, Maker's Mark and OHLQ usually do two releases a year with the first release in the Spring/Summer timeframe and the second release in the Fall/Winter. 

  • Chocolate Covered Almond - Nose: Nutty, sweet and earthy, Taste: Cocoa, toasted almond and baking spices, Finish: Rich, heavy and toasty

  • Grandpa's Toddy - Nose: Sweet, bold and smoky, Taste: Caramel, chocolate and dried fruit, Finish: Long robust pipe-tobacco

  • Winter Wassel - Nose: Sweet, candy and lemon, Taste: Ripe fruit, crisp ginger and honey, Finish: Flashes of baking spice

  • Pecan Pie a la Mode - Nose: Light, sweet and almond, Taste: Caramel, vanilla and cashew, Finish: Long and sweet
My Take

There isn't a ton to say on these releases. They come out twice a year and they are usually pretty easy to find. This isn't a release I'd recommend camping out, but if any of the releases pique your interest, this might be one to pick up. For me, the Grampa's Toddy and Winter Wassel both sound horrible so I would personally avoid those. 

What do you think? Drop a note in the comment box below. 


Source: OHLQ

OHLQ Announces 2023 Maker’s Mark Private Select Summer Exclusives – Arriving Week of July 31

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the 2023 release of Maker’s Mark Private Select titled ‘Summer in Ohio’. This version contains five expressions and will sell for $74.99 + tax per bottle (up from $69.99 + tax last year). They wi…

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the 2023 release of Maker's Mark Private Select titled 'Summer in Ohio'. This version contains five expressions and will sell for $74.99 + tax per bottle (up from $69.99 + tax last year). They will be available throughout the State starting the week of July 31st. 

For those new to the Private Select releases, Maker's Mark and OHLQ usually do two releases a year with the first release in the Spring/Summer timeframe and the second release in the Fall/Winter. 

The five releases that make up this exclusive are:

  • Backyard Barbecue - 109 Proof (54.5% alcohol) - Sweet, aromatic smoke evolves to a dynamic flavor of molasses, toasted marshmallow, cumin, and sage, and finishes with a rich complexity and a fatty quality that coats the palate.

    Stave Profile: Baked American Pure 2 (1); Seared French Cuvee (2); Maker’s Mark 46 (3); Roasted French Mendiant (4)

  • Bonfire - 108.4 Proof (54.2% alcohol) - A captivating aroma of pipe tobacco and toffee expands to a palate of butterscotch, smoked applewood, toasted almond, and dark chocolate, and finishes with warm, full-bodied richness.

    Stave Profile: Maker’s Mark 46 (3); Roasted French Mendiant (5); Toasted French Spice (2)

  • County Fair - 108.9 Proof (54.45% alcohol) - An airy, fruity, floral, and toasty aroma delivers a delightful confectioner’s sugar, honey, cream, and cinnamon toast taste with intriguing notes of oak and cedar, and departs with a subtle, balanced, lingering finish.

    Stave Profile: Baked American Pure 2 (4); Seared French Cuvee (3); Toasted French Spice (3)

  • Lakeside Sipper - 108.3 Proof (54.15% alcohol) - A mellow, sweet, and cheerful orange, creamy aroma melts into a zesty, citrus-forward flavor with notes of honeysuckle, vanilla, and dried apricot, with a soft, bright finish.

    Stave Profile: Baked American Pure 2 (1); Seared French Cuvee (5); Maker’s Mark 46 (1); Roasted French Mendiant (1); Toasted French Spice (2)

  • Summer Wheat - 108.8 Proof (54.4% alcohol) - With an aroma that’s delicate yet rich, a shortbread flavor with earthy notes of sweet wheat exits with a bright, full-bodied finish.

    Stave Profile: Baked American Pure 2 (2); Seared French Cuvee (3); Maker’s Mark 46 (5)
It is not known how many bottles make up each release. To locate a bottle, you can use the OHLQ bottle finder.

My Take

This is what I wrote last summer:

I haven't been a huge fan of these releases because the tasting notes are usually insane and they seem like a marketing gimmick. I do like how this year, Maker's Mark is including the staves (barrel wood types) that make up the release. Different woods while aging will have a meaningful impact on the finished product and makes the blends different than other releases.

I'm not sure any of that has changed in this release other than the price has gone up over 7%. It's nice that this is a twice-annual release and I've seen this on the shelves... however, this isn't a release I'm going to spend a ton of time tracking down. 

What do you think? Drop a note in the comment box below. 


Source: OHLQ

$75,000 “Mystic Galactic Bourbon” Will Age in Outer Space…Huh?

Galactic

The creative realm for aging Bourbon is about to jump out of the stratosphere…literally. Forget Rickhouses and their boring gravity bound limitations. Mystic Galactic Bourbon has announced some very ground breaking things on the horizon. Mystic Galactic Bourbon (label name) has announced plans to age a Bourbon for one year in outer space with a […]

The post $75,000 “Mystic Galactic Bourbon” Will Age in Outer Space…Huh? first appeared on The Bourbon Review.

Galactic

The creative realm for aging Bourbon is about to jump out of the stratosphere…literally. Forget Rickhouses and their boring gravity bound limitations. Mystic Galactic Bourbon has announced some very ground breaking things on the horizon.

Mystic Galactic Bourbon (label name) has announced plans to age a Bourbon for one year in outer space with a 750ml price tag of $75,000. The Bourbon is being produced by Durham, North Carolina based Mystic Farm & Distillery. The distillery, per their website, was founded in 2015. They use estate grown grains in their product mashbills and use water from a local aquifer running beneath the distillery grounds.

About The Spirit

  • Made from 45% wheat, 55% corn
  • Aged 3 years on Planet Earth
  • Aged 1 year in OUTER SPACE ORBIT
  • 53 gallon oak barrels
  • Original barrels are being re-coopered prior to launch to install baffles and to ensure integrity during launch, orbit, and reentry.  
  • Estimated 1,000 – 1,500 bottles available
Galactic

Galactic vs Earth Aged

There will be an earth aged Bourbon titled “Ground Control” of the same batch used to compare to the space aged juice. Ground Control will be available to the public.

Packaging will entail a special custom made aluminum flight case, piece of space barrel, and a 50ml sample. That’s a nice touch at least.

NFT will be used for authentication purposes. Apparently, refunds are available should plans go south for this ambitious project at any point.

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OHLQ Announces First 2022 Release of Maker’s Mark Private Select

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the Spring/Summer release of Maker’s Mark Private Select titled ‘The Lakeside Collection’. This version contains five expressions and will sell for $69.99 a bottle. They will be available through…

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the Spring/Summer release of Maker's Mark Private Select titled 'The Lakeside Collection'. This version contains five expressions and will sell for $69.99 a bottle. They will be available throughout the State starting the week of July 18th. 

For those new to the Private Select releases, Maker's Mark and OHLQ usually do two releases a year with the first release in the Spring/Summer timeframe and the second release in the Fall/Winter. 

The five releases are:

  • Crumble Coffee Cake - Tasting Notes: Complex, velvety mouthfeel with aromas of roasted coffee beans, and rich flavors of brown sugar, warm cinnamon and bold baking spices, pie crust, and dried fruit.

    Stave Profile: Baked American Pure (2); Maker’s Mark 46 (2); Roasted French Mendiant (2); Toasted French Spice (4)

  • Marshmallow Krispy Treat - Tasting Notes: Aromas of vanilla and oak, with a confectionary profile of marshmallow, freshly-baked bread, candy, and hints of pear.

    Stave Profile: Baked American Pure (5); Seared French Cuvee (3); Maker’s Mark 46 (2)

  • Summer Sweet Tea - Tasting Notes: Fragrances of vanilla bean and wild honey give way to a round, warm palate of black tea leaves, lemon zest, and subtle tobacco expanding to soft lingering finish.

    Stave Profile: Baked American Pure (1); Seared French Cuvee (6); Maker’s Mark 46 (2); Roasted French Mendiant (1)

  • Smoked Maple Glaze - Tasting Notes: Deep aromas of oak, leather, and maple, cascading to flavors of rich caramel, toasted pecans, and a long finish of subtle allspice.

    Stave Profile: Baked American Pure (1); Seared French Cuvee (2); Maker’s Mark 46 (4);  Roasted French Mendiant (1); Toasted French Spice (2)

  • Roasted French Mendiant - Tasting Notes: Aromas of milk chocolate and toasted nuttiness, opening to creamy flavors of rich cocoa and dark dried fruit, with a lasting finish marked by soft hints of smoke and warm cinnamon.

    Stave Profile: Roasted French Mendiant (10). 

It is not known how many bottles make up each release. To locate a bottle, you can use the OHLQ bottle finder.

My Take

I haven't been a huge fan of these releases because the tasting notes are usually insane and they seem like a marketing gimmick. I do like how this year, Maker's Mark is including the staves (barrel wood types) that make up the release. Different woods while aging will have a meaningful impact on the finished product and makes the blends different than other releases. I think if you see this out and about, and there is a flavor that catches your eye (Summer Sweet Tea for me), you could do worse with your $69.99 + tax. 

What do you think? Drop a note in the comment box below. 


Source: OHLQ

Castle & Key Distillery

For the past couple of weeks our attention has been focused in and around Castle & Key Distillery. It’s understandable with the release of their batch one bourbon this past week, as well as them being right down the road from us. This historical distillery is something that will simply amaze you and we

The post Castle & Key Distillery appeared first on The Bourbon Road.

For the past couple of weeks our attention has been focused in and around Castle & Key Distillery. It’s understandable with the release of their batch one bourbon this past week, as well as them being right down the road from us. This historical distillery is something that will simply amaze you and we have been patently waiting for them to come of age. They have taken care to preserve the grounds with its old world charm and bourbon history. Working in and around the past certainly has its challenges like the bottling line building collapsing or even putting a gift shop in the old boiler room. The attention to detail is stunning.

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Just strolling through the grounds will give you a sense of what Colonel E.H. Taylor was thinking. All world class destination in the small Kentucky town of Millville. Sunken gardens, botanical gardens, water flowing over the dam of Glen’s Creek and a cocktail bar with amazing drinks with spirits made right on sight. Can this place get any better? Well if they have it their way the folks from Castle and Key will surely try. They are wholeheartedly focused on hospitality and it shows from the time you show up. Bringing this distillery back to life had to be a labor of love. The parking lot is massive, but is not out of the way like some distilleries. As you take the short walk to the distillery gaze at the top of the castle and you will see them flying Old Glory with the POW/MIA flag right below it.

Now that’s a welcome sight. Honoring those veterans that scarified all and those that had to endure much to protect our freedoms and way of life is not lost on us nor the team at Castle and Key. Brett Conners even explained that they go out of their way to hire Veterans for their work ethic and loyalty. As you cross the road and walk into the gate there is always someone from the staff to help guide you. Either to your tour, the bar or the gift shop. Its simple acts like this that will make you want to stay, sit out by springhouse and enjoy a drink or walk the trails. Browse the gift shop and purchase something to take home. This place is a must for any pilgrimage to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. For us it’s the most beautiful distillery in Kentucky.

Make sure to book your tours for Castle and Key here https://app.anyroad.com/carolineb and let them know The Bourbon Road Podcast sent you. After your tour head on over to The Stave for lunch or dinner and we would recommend reservations. The Kentucky-style cuisine will have have you saying bless your heart in no time. After your visit to the Stave and just a short drive through some of the most beautiful horse farms you will ever see is something you can’t leave Kentucky without. Rebecca Ruth Candies is a must with their Rebecca Ruth Bourbon Ball Chocolate Candy. Trust us when we say that they are something that are hard to say no to.

Well, until your visit to Kentucky make sure to give our latest podcast episode a listen. Grab that glass, a bottle of their whiskey if you can find it and listen as Jim and I take another trip down The Bourbon Road with Brett Conners the Whiskey Wizard. This episode is packed with history and some future releases to come from C&K.

Cheers!

Mike (Big Chief)

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