OHLQ Exclusive - BourbonSphere

OHLQ Announces George Dickel 15 Year Single Barrel Exclusives – Arriving Week of April 29

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced 11 barrels worth of George Dickel 15 Year Single Barrel hitting stores starting today (April 29) for a price of $69.99 + tax. BROWN SUGAR & CINNAMON HAND PIE – Barrel #04C04-1516 – 96.2 …

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced 11 barrels worth of George Dickel 15 Year Single Barrel hitting stores starting today (April 29) for a price of $69.99 + tax.

BROWN SUGAR & CINNAMON HAND PIE - Barrel #04C04-1516 - 96.2 Proof - Notes of cherry hand pies sprinkled with cinnamon entice the nose before flavors of chocolate-covered cherry and milk caramel candy please the palate.
BUTTERED RED CURRANT CRUMBLE - Barrel #04B27-2965 - 80 Proof - Luscious molasses and brown sugar aromas on the nose open to a complex, earthy palate of leather, raspberry, red currant, and dark cherry, with a buttery finish that coats the mouth.
CITRUS-VANILLA ZINGER - Barrel #04C04-1497 - 84.4 Proof - A floral ensemble of fresh dough, lemongrass, and a sweet spritz of citrus tempt the nose while the tongue is treated to notes of graham cracker with a black tea finish.
CLOVE-SPICED HONEY CAKE - Barrel #04C26-2943 - 80 Proof - Bakery aromas delight the senses with notes of caramel, butterscotch, and honey on the nose and a dense palate of butterscotch, clove, and banana.
DARK CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHERRY - Barrel #04C04-1544 - 101.2 Proof - Aromas of honey and caramel swirl together into the nose before the palate is treated to a rich dessert of chocolate-covered cherries, dark cocoa, and dark-sweet cherries.
FIRESIDE MARSHMALLOW BLONDIE - Barrel #06C31-13011 - 104.6 Proof - A sugary nose of cherry and brioche bread leads into an equally smoky and sweet palate of toasted marshmallows.
MAPLE GLAZED MARKET PASTRY - Barrel #04C04-1548 - 101.2 Proof - Reminiscent of a scrumptious breakfast pastry; brown sugar and maple delight the nose, while sweeter tones of brown sugar please the tongue.
POPCORN & PEANUTS NOSTALGIA - Barrel #04A20-21093 - 80 Proof - The subtle and savory dry nose opens to light notes of sweet popped kettle corn and salted peanuts.
TOASTED MARSHMALLOW HOT CHOCOLATE - Barrel #04B18-1606 - 93.4 Proof - A floral and peppery nose with rich aromas of milk chocolate combines with a sweet palate of smoked sugar.
TOASTED PINEAPPLE PARADISE - Barrel #04B27-21026 - 80 Proof - A vibrant nose of cherry, coconut, and chamomile prepares the palate for the tropical taste of paradise with pineapple-forward flavors accentuated by malty tones of bran and wheat.
SPICED FRUIT STRUDEL - Barrel #06C31-23501 - 104.6 Proof - Smoky aromas of grass captivate the nose, while a bold and spicy palate opens to a delightful dance of brûléed plums, raisins, and dark cherries.

You can check availability in your area here.

My Take

I'm not a huge Dickel fan, but this is a good opportunity to get your hands on a 15 year whiskey. The price is fine. It's online for a bit cheaper, but these are barrels exclusive to Ohio so I wouldn't balk at the price. Overall, this is one I wouldn't go out searching for, but if I saw it on the shelves, I'd give it a hard look.

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

Source: OHLQ

OHLQ Announces Lux Row Distillers Exclusives – Arriving This Week (September 11th)

The Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) has announced the availability of 18!!! exclusive Lux Row expressions, hitting shelves this week (Week of September 11th). The two expressions are Rebel Cask Strength (10 barrels worth @ $54.99 + tax) and Ezra …

Rebel Cask Strength Barrels

Barrel #5703 - 126 Proof - Aged 4 Years - Fresh, woody nose; caramel leads on the palate, with spicy undertones, before it returns in style for a caramel explosion on the finish.
Barrel #5709 - 126 Proof - Aged 4 Years - Tropical aromatics with notes of banana bread; baking spice meets a hint of sweetness on the palate bringing a slight burn with an ideal finish.
Barrel #5713 - 124 Proof - Aged 4 Years - Sweet nose with notes of fruit; raisin, vanilla, and caramel commingle on the palate with a short finish.
Barrel #11290 - 120 Proof - Aged 4 Years - Caramel on the nose; mellow, syrupy flavor with a nice hit of spice on the back of the palate.
Barrel #11407 - 124 Proof - Aged 4 Years - Woody nose; sweet cinnamon pleases the palate with a long, warm finish.
Barrel #11408 - 124 Proof - Aged 4 Years - Toasty on the nose; vanilla and caramel notes on the palate with nuttiness on the finish.
Barrel #11409 - 124 Proof - Aged 4 Years - Bright and fragrant aroma; sweet tasting notes on the front palate with a medium finish.
Barrel #7756243 - 124 Proof - Aged 5 Years - Citrus and apple aromatics; cinnamon and clove light up the palate prior to a long spicy finish.
Barrel #7757171- 126 Proof - Aged 5 Years - Citrus and licorice on the nose; cinnamon flavor with a hint of sweetness rides through to a short finish that’s spicy and sweet.
Barrel #7757233 - 126 Proof - Aged 5 Years - Minty aroma; flavor profile features mellow spice and a buttery mouthfeel with a long finish.

Ezra Brooks Cask Strength Single Barrel

Barrel #14423 - 126 Proof - Aged 4 Years - Caramel and honey on the nose; spicy cinnamon on the palate with a medium finish revealing hints of pepper.
Barrel #14761 - 124 Proof - Aged 4 Years - The nose has notes of honey and citrus; caramel flavor with a touch of acidity leads to lemon on the finish.
Barrel #14763 - 124 Proof - Aged 4 Years - Leathery and toasted wood on the nose; spicy rye and clove on the palate with a light and smooth finish.
Barrel #14780 - 126 Proof - Aged 4 Years - Nutty and woody aromatics; buttery mouthfeel and a smooth finish with cinnamon and maple undertones on the palate.
Barrel #14796 - 126 Proof - Aged 4 Years - Light on the nose with sweet honey and vanilla tones; vanilla extract defines the flavor profile.
Barrel #15107 - 124 Proof - Aged 4 Years - Grassy notes in the aroma; notes of vanilla and undertones of spiciness on the palate pivot to a mellow finish with a hint of syrup at the end.
Barrel #15123 - 126 Proof - Aged 4 Years - A nutty nose with notes of licorice; the flavor leaves you rye and dry before mild spice and cinnamon on the finish.
Barrel #15454 - 126 Proof - Aged 4 Years - A complex nose with notes of fresh wood, honey, and baking spice; hints of sweetness and licorice on the palate move on to a medium finish with rye spice.

You can check here (Ezra Brooks, Rebel) to see if there are any available where you live.

My Take

This is the second year in a row with a Rebel Cask Strength release. The good thing is that the price didn't go up so that's a positive. Additionally, the State has 10 barrels this year compared to 7 last. This is also a repeat of the Ezra Brooks Cask Strength Single Barrel with the same price, but additional quantities this year (8 barrels compared to 6 last year). Given the sheer quantity, these bottles should be pretty easy to track down. The price seems fine for a 4 or 5 year single barrel at cask strength. My issue is that Ezra Brooks and Rebel don't move the needle enough for me to hunt this down. If this was an Old Ezra release, I'd be refreshing hourly to see if any pop up near me.

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

Source: OHLQ

A Peak Behind The Curtain… My Experience Selecting an OHLQ Exclusive

I was recently asked to participate in one of the OHLQ exclusive releases. The release was for an Old Pepper Rye Single Barrels. I know there is a lot of unknowns around how the barrels are selected so I thought it would be fun and insightful to write …

It started when I received a Facebook message asking if I would ever be interested in being one of the panelists at an OHLQ barrel selection. I was very interested because I've always wondered how the process worked. I wasn't available to do the original data, but we later found a different OHLQ exclusive date that worked.

The tasting happened on April 13th in a conference room at Heidelberg Distributing in Columbus and was for a still coming OHLQ exclusive release of Old Pepper Rye Single Barrel. The exclusive picks were made by myself, a representative from OHLQ, and two bourbon podcasters. Additionally, the owner of James Pepper (Amir Peay) was present. We did intros and got started.

On the table was an assortment of a deli and cheese tray and some chips we could use to reset the palate between drinks. We were all given a sheet with the details on the whiskey we'd be tasting so we could make notes. We went one by one and offered our tasting notes and opinions. Our task was to select 4-6 of the barrels for release in Ohio. The OHLQ rep took notes and facilitated the tasting.

As with any tasting, there wasn't universal agreement, but it was a fun discussion to rank and pick our top selections. In the end, we reached consensus. If I recall, I had stars by barrels 19-181 and 19-186 as my top two and both will make it Ohio when the Old Pepper Single Barrels are announced and available. I was impressed with how smooth everything went and was honored to be selected to participate (I'm such a famous influencer!!!).

As always, if you have any questions that I didn't answer or address, drop a note in the comment box below.

OHLQ Announces Single-Day Maker’s Mark Exclusive Release – November 18 @9am

The Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) has announced the one-day release of Maker’s Mark Private Select “Cellar Session” series tomorrow, November 18 at 9am at over 50 OHLQ locations.The Cellar Collection is made up of the following:Creamy Pumpkin P…

The Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) has announced the one-day release of Maker’s Mark Private Select “Cellar Session” series tomorrow, November 18 at 9am at over 50 OHLQ locations.

The Cellar Collection is made up of the following:

Creamy Pumpkin Pie - Flavors of Holiday Spices, Pumpkin Custard and Whipped Cream
Warm Apple Cider - Flavors of Bright Orchard Fruits, Toasted Brown Sugar and Cinnamon
Red Velvet - Flavors of Cocoa Powder, Toasted Vanilla and Rich Buttercream
Cask Chai Latte - Flavors of Rich, Creamy, Roasted Tea Spices Like Cinnamon and Anise
Toasted French Spice - Flavors of Dark Dried Fruit, Cherry, Hints of Tobacco and Leather

These five selections were picked by OHLQ and the Maker's Mark distillery team. They come with a price of $69.99 + tax and will be available at the following locations:

Southwest

Jungle Jim's, Cincinnati
Kings Mills Wine & Spirits, Mason
Beckett Wine & Liquor, West Chester
Kroger in Hyde Park, Cincinnati
O'Bryan's Wine & Spirits, Loveland
Liberty Wine & Liquor, Hamilton
Spirits of Madeira, Madeira
Air City Wine & Liquor, Dayton
Springboro Spirits, Dayton
Arrow Wine & Spirits, Dayton
Kroger, Lebanon

Northwest

Joseph's Beverage Center, Toledo
Glass City Beverage, Toledo

Central

Northwest Wine and Spirits, Columbus
1837 Wine and Spirits, Gahanna
Giant Eagle, Upper Arlington
Giant Eagle, Hilliard
Chateau Wine & Spirits, Dublin
Ale Wine and Spirits, Powell
Giant Eagle on Stelzer, Columbus
Kroger on Chambers, Columbus
Kroger, Worthington
Giant Eagle on Sawmill, Columbus
Giant Eagle at Grandview Yard, Columbus
Kroger in Brewery District, Columbus
Kroger on Sawmill, Dublin
Kroger on Bridge, Dublin
Giant Eagle, Gahanna
Giant Eagle, Dublin
Giant Eagle, Grove City
Arena Wine & Spirits, Columbus
Kroger on Sunbury, Columbus
Giant Eagle on Broad, Columbus
Kroger at Polaris, Columbus
Kroger, Delaware
Weiland's Market, Columbus
Kroger, Marysville

Northeast

Top Shelf, Canton
Silver Spirits Liquor Agency, Akron
ACME, Hudson
World Wines And Liquor, Mentor
Giant Eagle, Brunswick
Minotti's Wine and Spirits, Fairview Park
Buehler's, Medina
Giant Eagle, Broadview Heights
Royal Park Beverage, North Royalton
Downtown Liquor, Cleveland
Giant Eagle, Cleveland
Grafton Crewsthru, Grafton
Giant Eagle, Strongsville
Giant Eagle, Amherst
Giant Eagle, Solon
Buehler's - North Court Beverage, Medina
Ross Wine and Liquor, Berea
Minotti's Rocky River Wine Shop, Rocky River

My Take

At this price point, these make great Christmas and Holiday presents. Definitely worth checking out and I like how there are a lot of locations to choose from.

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

Source: OHLQ

OHLQ Announces New Riff Single Barrel (Bourbon and Rye) – Arriving Week of 10/17

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the release of eight barrels of single barrel selection of New Riff Rye and Bourbon appearing in stores this week (week of October 17) for $52.99 + tax for the bourbon and $57.99 + tax for the ry…

The eight barrels were selected by New Riff and the OHLQ Team exclusively for Ohio.

Since these are single barrels, each barrel should be slightly different. The tasting notes and age statements for each barrel is:

Rye (2 barrels)

Barrel #9337 - Aged 4 years, 5 months
A baker’s dream aroma of cereal and rye bread with notes of cinnamon invites a fruity profile of peaches and black pepper that finishes strongly at the back of the palate with plenty of bold spice.
Barrel #10733 - Aged 4 years, 3 months
Cinnamon, butterscotch, and allspice create a balanced aroma that opens to an oaky, fruity flavor with notes of pear and vanilla. A front-of-palate sweetness transitions to the back of the palate with delightful rye spice.

Bourbon (6 barrels)

Barrel #8200 - Aged 4 years, 6 months
Aromas of light orchard fruit, lemon meringue, nutmeg, and hints of butterscotch introduce satisfying stone fruit and black tea flavors that lead to sweetness at the front of the palate, and a lingering finish of fresh oak and light smoke.
Barrel #8546 - Aged 4 years, 6 months
The sweet aroma of maple and cinnamon opens up to boldly spicy notes of black pepper and orange, and finishes with bready flavors at the front of the palate.
Barrel #9431 - Aged 4 years, 4 months
Hints of molasses and dark fruit create a smooth aroma that develops to a cinnamon, spearmint flavor; a leather and white pepper finish lands at the mid-to-back palate.
Barrel #10150 - Aged 4 years, 3 months
A bold aroma of baking spices and black tea welcomes a sweet pecan and clove flavor that blossoms to a smooth cinnamon finish and lingers at the mid palate.
Barrel #10205 - Aged 4 years, 3 months
With a caramel aroma enlivened by notes of fresh plum, the flavor of rye spice and hints of cinnamon lead to a dry, warming, lasting finish.
Barrel #10959 - Aged 4 years, 2 months
A sweet honey and toffee aroma opens a rye-accented flavor profile, nuanced with notes of muddled mint, clove, and stone fruit. A bold finish of cracked black peppercorn lands at mid-to-back palate.

You can use the links below try to track down a bottle:

My Take

New Riff is actually the next review I'll be doing for the site so this release is timely in that regard. The price is solid for a single barrel selection and it comes with an age statement. I love the New Riff bottles as they look distinguished and great on the shelf. For those reasons, if you see this out and about, you should not think twice about grabbing a bottle immediately.

What are your thoughts? Drop a note in the comments below.

Source: OHLQ

OHLQ Announces Four Roses Single Barrel / Barrel Strength Selections – Arriving Week of 9/26

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the release of ten barrels of Four Roses Single Barrel / Barrel Strength Selections appearing in stores this week (week of September 26) for $74.99 + tax. The ten barrels have the follo…

The ten barrels have the following details (note: for details on the Four Roses recipes, they have created an entire page to break it down):

Barrel #RS 24-2 A — Recipe: OBSQ — 119.2 Proof — Age: 11 Years, 3 Months
A semi-sweet nose with soft hints of mint and lemon zest complements citrus and mint flavor notes to arrive at a refreshing finish reminiscent of summer sipping.
Barrel #TS 85-2 U — Recipe: OESQ — 114.0 Proof — Age: 10 Years, 6 Months
Notes of buttercream frosting on the nose cascade to a mouth-watering dark fruit flavor with an oily, viscous texture and a long, floral finish.
Barrel #QN 51-4 K — Recipe: OESK — 119.7 Proof — Age: 10 Years, 4 Months
Aromas of citrus, meringue, and tobacco open to a smooth, sweet flavor, featuring notes of toffee and dark spice and subtle undertones of vanilla and tobacco, that ushers the palate to an extra smooth, cordial finish with an oily, viscous texture.
Barrel #HE 36-3 F — Recipe: OESO — 117.3 Proof — Age: 9 Years, 3 Months
The after-dinner vibe of the nose, with notes of jam, marmalade, bread pudding, and burnt sugar, builds to a balanced, soft oak profile, with a juicy, fruity middle of the palate, and a sweet finish with hints of dark fruit and figs.
Barrel #RS 79-3 H — Recipe: OESF — 117.2 Proof — Age: 11 Years, 3 Months
A bouquet of light, fresh-squeezed citrus and baking spices teams with a flavor profile of fresh oak, marmalade, and baking spice on its way to a finish rich with notes of tobacco, citrus, spice, butter mint, toffee, and caramel.
Barrel #PN 29-2 I — Recipe: OBSO — 113.4 Proof — Age: 10 Years, 5 Months
A soft, buttery nose, with intimations of vanilla, segues to flavor notes of marshmallow fluff, vanilla, and subtle cordials anticipating a warm cordial finish with a nice Kentucky hug.
Barrel #RS 24-2 K — Recipe: OBSQ — 113.8 Proof — Age: 11 Years, 3 Months
Creamy aromas of light sugar, orchard fruit, vanilla, and tobacco, with tinges of leather and semisweet chocolate, enhance a mild flavor profile highlighted by easy-drinking caramel and a great mouthfeel with a soft, dry finish.
Barrel #QN 51-4 F — Recipe: OESK — 119.2 Proof — Age: 10 Years, 4 Months
The cakey aroma with notes of demerara brown sugar precedes a fruity flavor profile of light apple with slight hints of deep, dark caramel spice and cherry that crescendos to a vanilla finish from front to mid-palate.
Barrel #RS 76-6 B — Recipe: OBSF — 125.3 Proof — Age: 11 Years, 3 Months
Apple pie drizzled in caramel and cinnamon on the nose preludes a distinctive palate, well-balanced by notes of dark-fired tobacco and a semi-sweet finish of orchard fruit and hints of Bordeaux.
Barrel #PN 16-2 P — Recipe: OBSK — 111.4 Proof — Age: 9 Years, 4 Months
Undertones of dark fruit and a naked Manhattan form the complex nose on a balanced flavor profile that features notes of bread pudding and a whisper of spice on its way to a warming lingering finish from front to mid-palate.

You can use this site to try to track down a bottle.

My Take

This is the second time this year that OHLQ has announced Four Roses Single Barrel selections. The first time was twelve barrels in March for the same price. As with the previous release, all selections are aged at least 9 years making the $75 price point pretty solid. This is a buy for me if I come across any.

What are your thoughts? Drop a note in the comments below.

December 2021 - Four Roses Opens Expanded Distillery Visitor Center (lots of pictures!)

December 2021 - Four Roses Bourbon Review

February 2019 - A Short Trip Through the Bourbon Trail - Four Roses Distillery

Source: OHLQ

OHLQ Announces Old Forester Exclusives – Old Forester Single Barrel 100 Proof and Barrel Strength

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the release of five barrels worth of Old Forester starting this week (week of July 11th) at select OHLQ locations across Ohio. The Single Barrel 100 Proof is for $49.99 plus tax while the Barrel …

The tasting notes for the five barrels are:

Old Forester Single Barrel 100 Proof

Barrel #6281, Location: Warehouse K, Floor 6
Tasting Notes: Maple syrup, apricot, and plum nose with pepper spice throughout
Barrel #6357, Location: Warehouse L, Floor 3
Tasting Notes: Long, well-rounded vanilla and caramel nose, bold oak and light spice on the palate

Old Forester Single Barrel - Barrel Strength

Barrel #6269 - 131.0 Proof, Location: Warehouse K, Floor 6
Tasting Notes: Rich nose, long, bold yet approachable spice
Barrel #6345 - 128.1 Proof, Location: Warehouse G, Floor 7
Tasting Notes: Confectionary, caramel-vanilla nose, peripheral spice, easy and smooth
Barrel #6261 - 130.9 Proof, Location: Warehouse K, Floor 6
Tasting Notes: Buttery, maple-waffle nose, chewy on mid palate with balancing spice

To locate a bottle, you can use the OHLQ bottle finder at the following links: 100 Proof, Barrel Proof.

My Take

It feels like the State has run out of things to do and brings in single barrels as something to do. This one doesn't excite me. I don't know why these have to be exclusive releases and can't randomly show up. I'd also like to see the State approving more brands and stocking shelves so we have more variety and actually have product available when consumers want it instead of focusing on bringing 5 barrels into Ohio.

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

Source: OHLQ

OHLQ Announces Bulleit Single Barrel Exclusive

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the release of sixteen barrels worth of Bulleit Single Barrel available starting this week (week of June 27th) at select OHLQ locations across Ohio for $59.99 plus tax. As mentioned, th…

As mentioned, this is a single barrel, but not a barrel proof... meaning the bourbon in the bottle comes from a single barrel, but it is adjusted with water to create a standard proof (102 proof (51% alcohol)).

The tasting notes for the 16 barrels are:

Barrel #2-E3-1230 - Creamy, fruit profile with raspberry and blackberry creates a smoothie-like flavor, followed by clove on the back end
Barrel #2-E3-1232 - Oaky and aged yet bright, with wood and tobacco on the finish
Barrel #2-E3-1267 - An herbaceous nose with dill and a softer, shorter, minty flavor
Barrel #2-E3-1268 - Pear on the nose, with juicy fruit flavors and a soft, round, smooth finish
Barrel #2-E3-1271 - Leathery and balanced, with sweet-tart flavor and dusty notes
Barrel #2-E3-1273 - Sweetness on the nose with a complex taste featuring caramel and baking spices
Barrel #2-E3-1275 - Stone fruit on the front end and herbal, white pepper notes on the finish
Barrel #2-E3-1276 - A balanced smokiness, with cherries jubilee, dried fruit flavors, and a cognac-like notes
Barrel #2-E3-1277 - A minty nose and flavor with a notable wood influence and concentrated floral-herbal aromatics
Barrel #2-E3-1278 - Flavor of orchard fruits like apple and pear with a creamy, candy-like quality
Barrel #2-E4-1302 - Mellow flavors of dark chocolate and orange with a clove finish
Barrel #2-E4-1303 - Leathery nose with flavors of scotch, toffee, caramel, and a nuttiness reminiscent of a honey nut cereal — a sweeter front end followed by a hotter, spicier finish
Barrel #2-E4-1307 - Cherry on the nose with a floral, earthy taste, and sweetness from start to finish
Barrel #2-E4-1314 - Classic high-rye spiciness with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a long finish
Barrel #2-E4-1316 - Herbal, black licorice taste with a crème brûlée finish
Barrel #2-E4-1317 - A nose of dark fruit and fruit leather with a taste of figs

To locate a bottle, you can use the OHLQ bottle finder.

My Take

Another good release by the State with 16 barrels worth. Personally, I've been avoiding Bulleit as their namesake has some very serious accusations against him (emotional and sexual abuse). It's not a good look for the brand... Regardless, if you're willing to overlook this, this is a good opportunity to pick up a single-barrel for $60.

Source: OHLQ

OHLQ Announces Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Exclusive

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the release of eight barrels worth of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon available starting this week (week of June 20th) at select OHLQ locations across the State. Since these are barre…

Since these are barrel proof, each barrel will have a different proof. The proofs for this release are:

Barrel #6327755 - 129.4 Proof (64.7% alcohol)
Barrel #6327863 - 126.7 Proof (63.35% alcohol)
Barrel #6100740 - 125.9 Proof (62.95% alcohol)
Barrel #6090608 - 119.9 Proof (59.95% alcohol)
Barrel #5794591 - 114.7 Proof (57.35% alcohol)
Barrel #5793140 - 117.3 Proof (58.65% alcohol)
Barrel #5774992 - 120.4 Proof (60.2% alcohol)
Barrel #6025483 - 124.4 Proof (62.2% alcohol)

Each barrel will taste slightly different, but all should have the following:

Rich vanilla, caramel and butterscotch with notes of black pepper and cinnamon at the back of the palate

The bottles will cost $79.99 + tax. To locate a bottle, you can use the OHLQ bottle finder.

My Take

It's nice to see that the State has eight barrels worth of this. Hopefully, that will be enough to allow the people who really want one to be able to purchase and not just the people who hoard these releases with the sole intent of reselling for a profit. Elijah Craig Small Batch scored a 71.5 when I reviewed it. That's a solid score, but not enough for me to go searching for the single barrels.

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

Source: OHLQ

OHLQ Announces Exclusive Jefferson’s Reserve Limited Edition Releases

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced a collection of Jefferson’s Reserve Limited Edition bottles at select OHLQ locations available the week of May 16th. The selections are single-barrel selection of Jefferson’s Reserve Old Rum Cask…

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced a collection of Jefferson's Reserve Limited Edition bottles at select OHLQ locations available the week of May 16th. The selections are single-barrel selection of Jefferson’s Reserve Old Rum Cask Finish, Jefferson’s Reserve Pritchard Hill Cabernet Cask Finish Single Barrel, and Jefferson’s Reserve Twin Oak Single Barrel

There are six barrels of product available exclusively in Ohio and will retail for $69.99 - $79.99 (plus tax). The selections are:

Old Rum Cask Finish - 90.2 Proof - Matured in American white oak casks before being transferred into specially selected old rum casks that previously held Goslings Family Reserve for 15 additional months.

Barrel #2 - A mild sweet rum influence with caramelized sugar and caramelized banana on the nose. Cinnamon toast, caramel corn, vanilla extract, and almonds flavor on the palate. A long finish of baking spices, vanilla, and toasted marshmallow.
Twin Oak Single Barrel - 90.2 Proof - Jefferson’s exclusive “wave barrel” creates a unique environment to finish their fully mature, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The proprietary, flash-charred, toasted grooved-staves increase the surface area of the barrel allowing more bourbon to come in contact with the oak. The result is a seasoned, double-barreled whiskey that is both smooth and well-balanced.

Barrel #30 - Aromas of butterscotch, and cherry pie with a hint of campfire. Classic baking spices up front followed quickly by notes of cinnamon cracker and toasted almonds and a hint of apple cider on the palate. Long finish of butterscotch candy, allspice, and white pepper.

Barrel #31 - Butterscotch pie, candied cherries, and charred wood on the nose. Flavors of vanilla creme brulee, macadamia nuts, and a hint of sparkling cider on the palate. Long finish of baking spices dissipating into cinnamon candy.
Pritchard Hill Cabernet Cask Finish Single Barrel - 90.2 Proof - This is Jefferson's bourbon aged an additional 12 months in French Oak casks that once matured Pritchard Hill® Cabernet Sauvignon.

Barrel #79 - Stone fruit, blackberry, and baking chocolate on the nose. Black cherry, Medjool dates, dried lemons on the palate. Lingering finish of stone fruits and cherry tart.

Barrel #80 - Sweet aromas of vanilla smoke with peach cobbler. Flavors of cherry pie, orange rind, and fresh-baked buttered rolls on the palate. Long smoky finish of baked fruit pies and maple.

Barrel #81 - Aromas of toasted sourdough with cinnamon and sugar, opening to flavors of dark cherries and oatmeal cookie dough, finishing with lingering warm baking spices.

You can check out inventory at this link.

My Take

One of my perceptions of Jefferson's is that some of their stuff can be a bit gimmicky. Especially the aged at sea. It's a fun concept, but the results that I've tasted don't back up the effort involved to create the different variations. The Prichard Hill and Old Rum seem like they are the next iteration of this. I'm going to do a hard pass on both of those. The one I would be excited about would be the Twin Oak Single Barrel... but even that is slightly confusing... if it's single barrel... why are they calling it a double barrel in the description? Is it the same barrel that is messed with and then reapplied to the same barrel? It's definitely confusing.

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

Source: OHLQ