Review | Lochlea Cask Strength Batch 2

Cask Strength Batch 2 is the latest limited-edition single malt whisky from the Ayrshire field-to-cask farm distillery of Lochlea (pronounced lock-lee). This second batch is both older and features different casks to the inaugural 2023 release. The bat…



Cask Strength Batch 2 is the latest limited-edition single malt whisky from the Ayrshire field-to-cask farm distillery of Lochlea (pronounced lock-lee). This second batch is both older and features different casks to the inaugural 2023 release. The batch features a cask make up not seen before in previous bottlings from the distillery - ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry (60% of the marriage) and ex-Oloroso sherry (28%) butts, plus STR ex- red wine barriques (12%). All the whiskies were distilled in 2018 or 2019.

Lochlea was founded in 2015 by Neil and Jen McGeoch. It is located in rural Ayrshire to the south of Kilmarnock. They converted Lochlea Farm from beef production to growing barley for whisky making. All whisky is produced using barley grown on the farm. The distillery is in the old piggery and a converted cattleshed is the maturation warehouse. The independent family-owned distillery has an annual production capacity of 200,000 litres. Their inaugural whisky, Lochlea First Release, was launched in early 2022 and followed by their core product, Our Barley, later that year.

Lochlea Cask Strength Batch 2 is bottled at 60% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. It is now available via selected specialist whisky retailers in the UK (please find a list of stockists here) and other world markets. A bottle will cost £66.50 each.

Our Tasting Notes

The colour is a deep coppery amber and the nose is rich and chocolate-like. Aromas of milk chocolate and mocha rise first, to be quickly followed by raisin, treacle and baked apple. Hints of cocoa powder, cinnamon and something minty or menthol sit in the background. It is enticing and makes you want to take a sip.

On the palate this is whisky feels big and powerful. It has a viscous and slightly oily mouth feel. Early notes of caramel and toffee give way to treacle tart and brandy-soaked raisins with a twist of bitter orange peel. Then comes baked notes that are reminiscent of tarte tatin and apple patisserie with a hint of fresh gingerbread biscuit.

The second half of the palate is led by savoury notes - think of dusty and earthy spices such as cinnamon and clove. These sit alongside lovely notes of dried fig and affogato (imagine good vanilla ice cream with freshly brewed espresso coffee poured over the top). The addition of water knocks back the alcohol and softens the whisky. This allows more orange and chocolate notes to shine, while also dampening the dusty spices.

The finish is long and warming. The early sweet and fruity notes fade slowly and this gives the spotlight to those dusty, earthy spices. Some wood tannins also show themselves to add a pleasant dryness. This in combination with the other savoury characteristics means that the whisky takes a very pleasing turn.

What's The Verdict?

Anyone that reads our blog often will know that we are big fans of Lochlea, their ethos and their whiskies. This is arguably one of their best releases to date and is showing very promising signs of what increased age is doing to their spirit. The depth and complexity is impressive, as is the balance between the sweet and savoury elements. It will be very interesting to see how Lochlea's whiskies will develop further with even more time in cask.


Review | Drop & Dram by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (or SMWS for short) have launched Drop & Dram – a monthly subscription service aimed at allowing whisky enthusiasts in the UK to explore new flavours without having to pay for full annual membership. The new initiati…



The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (or SMWS for short) have launched Drop & Dram – a monthly subscription service aimed at allowing whisky enthusiasts in the UK to explore new flavours without having to pay for full annual membership. The new initiative, which formed part of the company's 40th anniversary celebrations when introduced in November last year, costs £45 per month. It is currently exclusive to the UK.

For this you receive a pack of three cask strength whiskies. Each is bottled at 5cl (50ml) and taken from the SMWS’ vast portfolio of casks. This currently includes over 180 distilleries from Scotland and the whisky world beyond. Each month has a different theme and allows access to exclusive tasting notes and video links about the samples.

A huge benefit of signing up for Drop & Dram is temporary monthly membership to the SMWS. This gives the opportunity to purchase full 70cl (700ml) bottlings upon release from the website and visit one of the four excellent Society venues in the UK – Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leith, and London. It also allows participation in exclusive events and tastings. 

The SMWS was established in 1983 and bottles whiskies exclusively for its members. Most are single cask single malts and at natural cask strength with roughly 150-200 casks bottled per year. They use a unique numbering system for their bottlings and do not reveal the distillery identity - the first number is the distillery where the spirit was produced and the second is the number of casks released by the SMWS from that distillery. Each bottling also has a creative name.


We are sampling Set #4 entitled Drams Without Borders. This includes two Scotch single malt whiskies, one from Speyside and one from the Highlands, plus an English single malt. Drop & Dram Set #4 was released in March 2024 and was the latest pack at time of writing. For further information and to purchase a pack - please visit www.smws.com/drop-dram.


Our Tasting Notes


Drop & Dram | 39.284 Push Pineapple, Shake A Bee
Distilled 5 December 2011/ 11 years old/ first-fill ex-bourbon cask/ Speyside/ 62.1% ABV
 
The colour is pale gold and the nose is highly aromatic and fresh. Vibrant green apple and freshly mown grass aromas mingle with vanilla custard, honey and luscious juicy pineapple. There are also hints of white chocolate, pink peppercorn and candyfloss.

On the palate this whisky is equally as vibrant. Notes of freshly sawn oak shavings, vanilla pod and honey rise first. These are quickly joined by juicy tropical fruits - think of ripe pineapple, peach and apricot especially. Some creamed coconut, lemon curd and crisp green apple are also evident. There are hints of woody spices (imagine cinnamon, cassia and a tiny scratch of nutmeg) and cocoa powder. The white chocolate and candyfloss from the nose also develop. The finish becomes particularly peachy and is reminiscent of caramelised peach with vanilla custard. The woody spice and dryness draw out the length well. A classic ex-bourbon cask Speysider.


Drop & Dram | 55.85 Passionate Desire
Distilled 28 September 2009/ 13 years old/ first-fill ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry hogshead/ Highlands/ 57.5% ABV
 
The colour is a deep coppery amber and the nose is laced with fruity and sweet aromas. Dark muscovado sugar, caramel and treacle sponge cake mingle with warm orange marmalade, brandy-soaked raisins and cherry compote. Hints of milk chocolate, almond patisserie and dates sit in the background.

On the palate this whisky is rich, viscous and decadent. Notes of golden syrup and treacle mix with caramelised bitter orange, fresh warm gingerbread and a pinch of cocoa. It is big and bold with plenty of dark sugary sweetness. Then comes the fruit and then a building spiciness and dryness. Think of black cherry jam and chargrilled figs in combination with the brandy-soaked raisins from the nose and a hint of marzipan. The spice and heat build and evolve from initial notes of gingerbread through to clove-studded almond tart and finally, warming baking spices - imagine cinnamon bark especially. The finish sees the sweetness fade slowly to leave a drying tannic feel.
 

Drop & Dram | 137.20 Potted Shrimp & Salmon Terrine
Distilled 25 October 2012/ 9 years old/ second-fill ex-bourbon barrel/ England/ 60.9% ABV

The colour is deep gold and the nose is smoky, sweet and woody. Peppery peat smoke and expressive charred oak aromas rise from the glass first and are quickly followed by golden syrup, apricot jam and a twist of burnt orange peel and zesty lemon. Hints of vanilla sugar, honey and dessicated coconut back things up.

On the palate this whisky packs an immediate peaty punch. Charred oak and ashy charcoal embers hit first and these slowly subside to allow further characteristics through. Chargrilled lemon and bitter orange notes are followed by golden syrup, honey and a hint of milk chocolate garnache. There is also a distinct pepperiness that builds and adds heat. Savoury and umami elements develop slowly and are reminiscent of black tea, old cigar box and a hint of cedarwood. Some toasted spices also come through - think of cinnamon bark, mace and clove with a hint of coriander seed. This spice and dryness dominates the finish, which becomes woody and ashy with plenty of tannins and white pepper.

What's The Verdict?
 
Drop & Dram is a great initiative from the SMWS and offers a good way of sampling their cask strength single cask whiskies without having to buy a full-sized bottle or annual membership. We like the fact that you can pick and choose which month's packs to subscribe to, depending on your personal tastes and preferences, and that you get a temporary membership with all the benefits it brings for that month.

The whiskies in Set #4 Drams Without Borders perfectly showcase what the Scotch Malt Whisky Society do well - cask strength whiskies in traditional casks. The selection of the three in this set is clever and takes you in three differing directions. All are tasty whiskies and the size of sample allows you to revisit them a couple of times. Well worth checking Drop & Dram out.


Please note | all images are copyright of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.
 

NEW RELEASE: Rabbit Hole “Founder’s Collection”, 12 Year Bourbon Amburana Finish Cask Strength

rabbit

Rabbit Hole Distillery (Louisville, KY) has just debuted the 7th installment of its bi-annual “Founder’s Collection” with a beaut; a 12 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Cask Strength, finished in Amburana oak vessels. Amburana is an exotic wood from Brazil that has been making substantial noise in the finishing world over the last year or so. […]

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rabbit

Rabbit Hole Distillery (Louisville, KY) has just debuted the 7th installment of its bi-annual “Founder’s Collection” with a beaut; a 12 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Cask Strength, finished in Amburana oak vessels.

Amburana is an exotic wood from Brazil that has been making substantial noise in the finishing world over the last year or so. Known for injecting some serious cinammon-esque tasting flavor, some folks are board while others not so much. RHD founder, Kaveh Zamanian, and his team are well versed in the finish game, its a big part of their DNA. We have full confidence this will be a flavor winner.

Quick Facts

  • AGE: 12 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon
  • PROOF: 125.4 Cask Strength (62.7% abv)
  • FINISH: Brazilian Amburana Oak
  • MASHBILL: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
  • MSRP: $1,100
  • VOLUME: 1,299 Bottles
  • AVAILABILITY: Rabbit Hole Distillery, select retailers nationwide, and ONLINE

CONTENT FROM BRAND PRESS RELEASE:

Rabbit Hole Distillery has announced the release of Amburana, a remarkable Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey finished in new Brazilian Oak barrels. Amburana is the latest release in the brand’s highly coveted Founder’s Collection.

Amburana is inspired by the vibrancy and flavors of Brazil, known for its colorful carnivals, infectious music and exotic foods. Brazil is also home to the majestic Amazon rainforest where the soaring Amburana tree flourishes, also known as the Brazilian Oak. This limited release is crafted from 12-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon and finished in new Brazilian Oak barrels, giving it a strong character and a golden amber color that only few will experience.

Amburana is the 7th release in the brand’s Founder’s Collection, a platform under which Kaveh Zamanian, Rabbit Hole’s Founder and Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Whiskey Maker, and team develop unique expressions that showcase his creativity and commitment to the artistry of whiskey making. Released bi-annually, each limited-edition, cask-strength offering stands as a testament to Rabbit Hole’s ethos: “No Shortcuts. No Compromise. Nothing Left To Chance.”

Per Kaveh,”I’ve always been drawn to vibrancy of Brazil and wanted to honor its creative culture with a magnificent, strongly charactered bourbon. Inspired by the syncopated style of bossa nova, my goal was to bring together diverse and exotic flavors in perfect sensory harmony. When crafting Amburana, we took an exceptional 12-year Kentucky straight bourbon from my private collection and finished it in new Amburana Brazilian Oak barrels with a heavy toast and #4 char. This really allowed the spirit to draw out nuanced flavors from the barrel, resulting in floral and aromatic fragrances that you don’t typically get in a standard bourbon barrel. Our Founder’s Collection is the perfect canvas for us to experiment and push the boundaries of American whiskey-making. We’re especially proud of this latest release and can’t wait to share it with those who favor one-of-a-kind whiskeys.

rabbit
Kaveh Zamanian

PACKAGIN DESIGN: The limited-edition bottle and box – individually numbered for authenticity – are works of art themselves. The bottle features an impressive heavy gold cork, while the masterful wooden box is designed to display the whiskey in its full grandeur.

For the latest in Bourbon, visit www.thebourbonreview.com

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Port Askaig Opens Gateway To Islay With Trio Of Whiskies

Islay distillery Port Askaig has released a trio of whiskies to debut their new range touting ‘the gateway to Islay’. The range consists of Port Askaig 8 Years Old, Port Askaig Cask Strength and the Port Askaig 17 Years Old. Port Askaig 8 Years Old was matured for more than five years, bottled at 45.8% […]

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Islay distillery Port Askaig has released a trio of whiskies to debut their new range touting ‘the gateway to Islay’. The range consists of Port Askaig 8 Years Old, Port Askaig Cask Strength and the Port Askaig 17 Years Old.

Port Askaig 8 Years Old was matured for more than five years, bottled at 45.8% alcohol by volume (91.6 proof) and is said to offer notes of pinewood, seaweed salt and smoke.

Port Askaig Cask Strength was matured in both first-fill toasted bourbon barrels and re-fill American oak hogsheads, bottled at 59.4% alcohol by volume (118.8 proof) and is said to offer notes of citrus, peat smoke and vanilla.

Port Askaig 17 Years Old was matured in American oak casks, bottled at 51.8% alcohol by volume (103.6 proof) and is said to offer notes of caramel, dark chocolate, vanilla and wildflowers.

Port Askaig 8 Years Old is being made available $60 per bottle, Port Askaig Cask Strength is being made available for $55 per bottle and only 9,000 bottles of Port Askaig 17 Years Old are being made available for $150 per bottle.

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Angel’s Envy Doubles Down

Angel’s Envy doubled down on their latest release with a pair of bourbons – a lower proof bourbon along with a limited cask strength rye combining Sauternes and toasted oak finishes – as part of their 12th annual Cask Strength Bourbon Angel’s Envy 12th Edition Cask Strength Bourbon was bottled at 59.1% alcohol by volume […]

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Angel’s Envy doubled down on their latest release with a pair of bourbons – a lower proof bourbon along with a limited cask strength rye combining Sauternes and toasted oak finishes – as part of their 12th annual Cask Strength Bourbon

Angel’s Envy 12th Edition Cask Strength Bourbon was bottled at 59.1% alcohol by volume [118.2 proof].

Only 22,656 bottles of Angel’s Envy 12th Edition Cask Strength Bourbon are being made available in the USA on December 1, 2023,for $230 per bottle.

Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Rye was finished in a combination of Sauternes and toasted oak barrels and was bottled at 57.2% alcohol by volume [114.4 proof].

Only 5,500 bottles of Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Rye are being made available in the USA for $270 per bottle.

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Review / Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength

This whisky is the latest limited edition single malt whisky to be released from the Hebridean distillery of  Torabhaig (pronounced tora-vaig). the newest distillery on the isle of Skye. The Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength is a cask strength …


This whisky is the latest limited edition single malt whisky to be released from the Hebridean distillery of  Torabhaig (pronounced tora-vaig). the newest distillery on the isle of Skye. The Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength is a cask strength version of their popular Allt Gleann bottling, which was first released in 2021. Allt Gleann translates as 'old glen' from the local Gaelic dialect. The whiskies featured in Batch Strength were distilled in 2017 and 2018, and filled to ex-bourbon barrels. It forms part of The Legacy Series alongside the original Allt Gleann expression and other bottlings. Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength is released at 61.1% ABV and will be available in selected world markets, plus at the distillery shop on Skye. A bottle will cost £75/ €85/ $US89.  

The Torabhaig distillery was founded in 2016 by Mossburn Distillers. It is housed in old farm buildings dating back to the 1820s and located in the village of Sleat on the south western tip of Skye. Production started in January 2017 and the visitor centre opened a year later in March 2018. They use barley peated to level of 55-60ppm (phenol parts per per million), which puts it on par with some of the heavier Islay malts. Batch Strength features barley with a higher level of 78ppm in the barley. The annual capacity is half a million litres, but they are currently operating around the 400,000 litre mark.

Our Tasting Notes

The colour is vibrant pale gold and the nose is a mix of sweet and smoky aromas. The peat smoke feels sooty and shy, while the sweetness is confected. Aromas of damp moss, dried grass and bonfire embers mingle with marshmallow, honey and vanilla icing sugar. Something mineralic also sits in the background.

On the palate this whisky feels instantly oily in texture and mineralic in feel. The smoky and peaty notes are to the fore and dominate early proceedings. There are plenty of charred and sooty notes. They are supported by dying bonfire embers, hot charcoal, damp moss and dried hay or grass. There are also softer smoky notes in the background, which are reminscent of burnt heather.

Some much needed sweetness battles through the smoke and provides some welcome balance. The confected notes from the nose are evident, especially the icing sugar and marshmallow, and are joined by some lovely butterscotch and heather honey characteristics. There is also a good shot of vanilla essence and this seems to bind the elements together. A late hit of white pepper gives further power, as does some tart green apple.

The finish is spiky, hot and spicy. The white pepper increases and is joined by some green chilli-like heat. The sweet characteristics go rapidly to leave the mineralic, spicy and peaty notes to do battle. This gives you plenty to think about as the finish becomes incresingly dry, ash and hot.

What's The Verdict?

This Batch Strength version of the Torabhaig Allt Gleann certainly packs a seriously peaty punch. It is youthful and full on, but with plenty of character and potential. Torabhaig is one of the new artisanal distilleries in Scotland that is on our radar and the couple of whiskies that we have tried to date have not disappointed. It will be interesting to see what a bit of extra age and time in oak does to these whiskies. We look forward to finding out.


NEW RELEASE: Heaven’s Door “Homesick Blues”, Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon

heaven's

Heaven’s Door Spirits, the award-winning collection of American whiskeys founded by Bob Dylan, announced this week the launch of “Homesick Blues” Minnesota Wheated Bourbon. This limited release offering pays homage to Dylan’s birthplace of Duluth, Minnesota and commemorates the debut of the definitive Dylan biography, Bob Dylan: Mixing Up The Medicine. This cask-strength wheated bourbon has […]

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heaven's


Heaven’s Door Spirits, the award-winning collection of American whiskeys founded by Bob Dylan, announced this week the launch of “Homesick Blues” Minnesota Wheated Bourbon. This limited release offering pays homage to Dylan’s birthplace of Duluth, Minnesota and commemorates the debut of the definitive Dylan biography, Bob Dylan: Mixing Up The Medicine.

This cask-strength wheated bourbon has been aged for seven years in the extreme temperature fluctuations of Minnesota’s North Country, imparting (per the brand) distinctive flavors of honey, caramel, dried fruit, vanilla and nutmeg, all culminating in a long, mellow finish.

heaven's

Bob Dylan: Mixing Up the Medicine is the landmark tome that Bob Dylan fans have been waiting decades for. Spanning the life and career of the Nobel prize–winning musician, artist, and writer, this magnum opus provides unprecedented access to the hidden treasures found within the Bob Dylan Archive,” said Mark Davidson, Senior Director of Archives and Exhibitions at the Bob Dylan Center.  This extraordinary book contains unprecedented insights into Dylan’s creative evolution.

Marc Bushala, co-founder and CEO of Heaven’s Door Spirits, enthused, “We are thrilled to introduce ‘Homesick Blues,’ a heartfelt tribute to Bob Dylan’s Minnesota roots and his journey to find home. This unique limited release expression stays true to Dylan’s desire to create a collection of whiskeys which each tell their own story.”

“Homesick Blues” is available now for pre-order individually or in a limited-edition book bundle with the first 100 orders receiving a 1st edition version. The limited-edition bundle is $149.99 and features the book and bottle, complete with a custom box with a copy of Bob Dylan’s original handwritten lyrics to Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door. The pre-orders will ship on October 24th to align with the official release of the book.

For the latest in Bourbon, visit www.thebourbonreview.com

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NEW RELEASE: Bardstown Bourbon Co.’s Cask Strength ‘Collaborative Series” is Finished in Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Barrels

Bardstown

This just sounds fascinatingly yummy!…Bardstown Bourbon Company announced today the newest upcoming release of their award winning and highly acclaimed COLLABORATIVE SERIES – Bardstown Bourbon Co. Goose Island Collaborative Series. The makeup – a Kentucky Straight Bourbon blend finished in Goose Island’s coveted Bourbon County Stout barrels. This limited release features a bespoke blend of […]

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Bardstown

This just sounds fascinatingly yummy!…Bardstown Bourbon Company announced today the newest upcoming release of their award winning and highly acclaimed COLLABORATIVE SERIES – Bardstown Bourbon Co. Goose Island Collaborative Series. The makeup – a Kentucky Straight Bourbon blend finished in Goose Island’s coveted Bourbon County Stout barrels.

This limited release features a bespoke blend of 6- and 7-year Kentucky bourbon aged an additional 12 months in freshly emptied Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout barrels. These barrels were not rinsed so the stout soaked staves could immediately mingle with the Kentucky bourbon once filled. The finished blend was then married with a beautiful 9-year Kentucky bourbon, creating an expression bursting with chocolate malt and dried cherry.

This will hit starting Sept 8th at the gift shop at BBCo with nationwide reach following in 24 states.

Per BBCo (Tasting Notes): Dark chocolate, honey, toasted almond and vanilla cream create an enveloping and decadent aroma. On the palate, roasted malt, cacao and allspice lead to a lasting balance of exquisite flavor. 

“Goose Island is the perennial trailblazer of craft brewing and a perfect partner for collaboration,” said Dan Callaway, VP of Product Development for Bardstown Bourbon Co. “I adore their Bourbon County Brand Stout and jumped at the opportunity to explore flavor together. This bourbon accentuates the depth of stout while maintaining beautiful fruit, malt, and honey. A true team effort!”

bardstown

Goose Island is known across bourbon and beer as the pioneer of barrel-aged stouts and have a history of collaboration with some of the most sought-after bourbon brands in the world. Since 2010, Goose Island has released Bourbon County Brand stout original and limited, variant releases each Black Friday. The Original Bourbon County Brand stout boasts deeply developed flavors of fudge, vanilla and caramelized sugar with a rich, decadent mouthfeel.

Unlike traditional barrel-finishing, the barrels were not rinsed after emptying the stout. Instead, Bardstown Bourbon left the residual liquid in the barrel. The stout barrels were emptied in Chicago in the morning and filled in Bardstown the same afternoon. The result is a spirit that bursts with authentic flavor that will delight both spirits and beer enthusiasts.

The Goose Island Collaborative Series release is presented at a cask strength of 100 proof (50% ABV) and offered at an SRP of $159.99. Roughly 3,500 9L cases of the finished bourbon will be available through the Bardstown Bourbon Co. gift shop, at retailers in 24 states and online at Seelbachs.com.

Two Exclusive Dinners: Chicago and Bardstown

In celebration of the collaboration, Bardstown Bourbon Co. and Goose Island will host two events celebrating the art of cask finishing. A paired dinner will take place on Thursday, Sept 21 from 6-9 p.m. in the Goose Island Barrel Warehouse in Chicago. The event will feature The 2020 Bourbon County Brand Stout, and explore unique offerings from Bardstown Bourbon Company. Tickets for the Chicago event are available for $150 per person. More information is available here

On September 27, Bardstown Bourbon Co. Executive Chef Stu Plush will prepare a one-time special prix fixe menu to celebrate the collaboration. More information and tickets for this four-course paired dinner are available here

About Bardstown Bourbon Company

Founded in 2014 by Peter Loftin in the heart of Bourbon Country on 100 acres of active farmland, Bardstown Bourbon Company is one of the country’s most modern and technically advanced whiskey distilleries. Celebrating the art of making high-quality, authentic bourbons, the innovative distillery produces custom rye, whiskey and bourbon for prominent brands including Jefferson’s, Blue Run, Belle Meade and many others through its one-of-a-kind collaborative distilling program. Bardstown Bourbon Company honors tradition and drives innovation with their exceptional destination experience for visitors, including The Kitchen and Bar at Bardstown Bourbon Company. In addition to their flagship Origin Series, BBCo. offers limited releases throughout the year including the Discovery Series, which showcases the art of blending, and Collaborative Series, which celebrates partnership and transparency across multiple spirit categories. Bardstown Bourbon Co. also owns Green River Distilling Co, located in Owensboro, Kentucky. Learn more at BardstownBourbon.com.

For the latest in Bourbon, visit www.thebourbonreview.com.

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NEW RELEASE: Rabbit Hole’s “Rabelo Double Barrel” Distillery Series Limited Edition. What You Need To Know

rabbit hole

Some things are just worth chasing down the rabbit hole, speaking of which…Rabbit Hole Distillery recently announced the newest addition to its Distillery Series Limited Edition lineup – “Rabelo”. This liquid beaut is a cask strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon “double barreled” meaning finished in ruby port casks. MSRP of $49 (375ml). The Distillery Series is […]

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rabbit hole

Some things are just worth chasing down the rabbit hole, speaking of which…Rabbit Hole Distillery recently announced the newest addition to its Distillery Series Limited Edition lineup – “Rabelo”. This liquid beaut is a cask strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon “double barreled” meaning finished in ruby port casks. MSRP of $49 (375ml).

The Distillery Series is an exercise in Rabbit Hole’s commitment to originality and innovation. Each release is a Limited Edition, Small Batch, Cask Strength whiskey offered in 375 mL bottles with the Batch and Bottle number printed on a custom-designed label.

Quick Facts

  • Cask Strength: 100.8 Proof (50.4% abv)
  • 375ml
  • Bourbon Aged: 3+ Years
  • Ruby Port Cask Finish (4 months)
  • SRP $49
  • Mashbill: 65% Corn, 25% Wheat, 10% Malted Barley

Namesake Backstory: Rabelo

Rabelo, which means ‘little tail,’ was the name given to boats with long timber projecting off the rear which was used to steer the vessel. Traditionally, these Portuguese wooden cargo boats were used for centuries to transport people as well as goods along the Douro River. Although not in commercial use anymore, these vessels still can be seen today. Mainly, belonging to several port wine companies
along the river in Porto and Gaia.

SOLD OUT ONLINE: Only 100 bottles were offered were offered for sale via Rabbit Hole’s website. Notice past tense usage as the site reads Sold Out now. Keep your eyes peeled for this one onsite at the Louisville based Rabbit Hole Distillery.

rabbit hole

About Ruby Port: If you’re like me, you may not be a wine guru. In this day and of age of increasingly new barrel finishes, it’s not a bad thing to know more about what was in the barrel before the finish. Per Total Wine Spirits, here is a brief overview of Ruby Port: Ruby Port is the freshest and least complex of fortified wines, deep red in color and filled with sweet flavors of red fruits. Ruby Port is made from wine produced from a blend of red grapes, fortified and aged no more than three years to maintain its fresh flavor and brilliant color.

We hope to get our palate on this one for a dance!

For the latest in Bourbon, visit www.thebourbonreview.com

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NEW RELEASE: Maker’s Mark Debuting Its OLDEST AGED Bourbon in Company History – “Cellar Aged”

maker's mark

Maker’s Mark has dropped some deliciously big news this week. The red wax darlings of Loretto, KY are embarking in a brand new chapter in releasing their oldest Bourbon to date – Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Bourbon. And not just a new release, but an altogether new annual release theme. Cellar Aged will be an […]

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maker's mark

Maker’s Mark has dropped some deliciously big news this week. The red wax darlings of Loretto, KY are embarking in a brand new chapter in releasing their oldest Bourbon to date – Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Bourbon. And not just a new release, but an altogether new annual release theme.

Cellar Aged will be an annual, limited release available in specific markets around the world. The unique maturation approach of Cellar Aged will be consistent every year, but the specific blend of aged bourbon will vary based on which barrels are ready, by taste. 

The upcoming inaugural release of Cellar Aged is a marriage of 12-year-old and 11-year-old whisky – 87% and 13%, respectively – bottled at cask strength (115.7 proof).

Cellar Aged will be available for a suggested retail price of USD $150.00 in the United States in September 2023; in London, Munich and select Global Travel Retail accounts in October 2023; and in Tokyo and Singapore in early 2024.  

The theme Maker’s wants to convey is that aging is not just about time in the barrel, but the environmental surrounding the barrel itself and how that strongly influences flavor. Essentially, how that time is actually spent and used.

To become Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged, barrels of the distillery’s classic distillate first spend approximately six years aging in traditional bourbon warehouses, where they endure the Kentucky climate and its temperature swings season after season until they reach full maturity and can be called “Maker’s Mark.” Barrels are then moved into the distillery’s proprietary whisky cellar for an additional five to six years of aging before being blended to taste and bottled. Built into the natural limestone shelf of the Kentucky hills, the cellar’s consistently cool environment slows down the tannic impact that occurs during maturation. The intent being the bourbon to develop a deeper, darker flavor with hidden depths, but no bitterness.  

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Maker’s Mark “Cave” Limestone caverns at Loretto, KY homeplace. Courtesy
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“Cellar Aging”. Courtesy
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STATEMENT FROM THE BRAND: Since its founding in 1953, Maker’s Mark has aged its whisky to taste – not time – to achieve the vision set by its founders: bourbon without the bite that’s always smooth, soft and creamy. Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged stays true to this philosophy, delivering a richer, deeper and more complex older bourbon, free from the harsher tannic effects commonly found in extra-aged American whiskies, as a result of our innovative maturation process that starts in traditional Kentucky warehouses and finishes in the distillery’s one-of-a-kind limestone whisky cellar. 

“For more than 65 years, aging our whisky for a decade-plus wasn’t something we did,” said Rob Samuels, 8th generation whisky maker and grandson of the founders at Maker’s Mark. “It’s not that we didn’t believe in it; we simply hadn’t found a way to do it that didn’t compromise on our taste vision – until now. Cellar Aged embodies an older whisky that’s distinctly Maker’s Mark. One rooted in challenging convention, delivering new flavor experiences from the environment that surrounds us, and building on a taste vision that’s been generations in the making.”

This innovative and taste-led approach in pursuit of an older Maker’s Mark expression continues the boundary-pushing mindset that has shaped the brand since the beginning. Founders Bill and Margie Samuels challenged category norms when they burned their 170-year-old family recipe, choosing to use red winter wheat instead of rye in their mashbill for a softer, smoother bourbon. This spirit of asking “what if?” was present in the introduction of Maker’s Mark 46, which is crafted using a proprietary wood-stave finishing technique, and in Maker’s Mark Private Selection, which became the industry’s first custom barrel program upon its launch in 2016. 

This is an exciting new chapter from Maker’s as we are excited to see how this whiskey turns out and what will be next on the red wax horizon!

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The post NEW RELEASE: Maker’s Mark Debuting Its OLDEST AGED Bourbon in Company History – “Cellar Aged” first appeared on The Bourbon Review.