By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ I first became acquainted with Cedar Ridge Malted Rye back in 2017, following a visit to the Iowa winery and distillery. That expression was the basis for what is their current Straight Rye. This is a 51% malted rye, 34% normal rye mash, with 12% corn and 3% malted barley …
By Richard Thomas Rating: B My first acquaintance with Iowa’s Cedar Ridge Distillery was 7 1/2 years ago, one of those things that serves to remind me just how long I have been writing about whiskey. I had traveled to Iowa to visit a different distillery, invited for the bottling and launch of a different …
Lebanon, Kentucky-based brand Yellowstone Bourbon has made a permanent brand extension in adding Yellowstone Small Batch 107 Bourbon. Small Batch is aged six years and the only variety in the Yellowstone portfolio to feature an age statement on packaging. Bottled at 107 proof, the expression is one of the highest proof everyday offerings from Yellowstone. …
By Richard Thomas Rating: B Louisville’s Rabbit Hole Distillery is both one of the newcomers to Bluegrass whiskey and at the same time part of its new class of medium-sized distillers (distinct from both the legacy and new “Kentucky Majors” and the small producers typically associated with craft whiskey). Considering the company went from foundation …
The Baltimore distillery Sagamore Spirit has two new expressions coming out soon, including their oldest yet. Sagamore 9-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey, and the Sagamore Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey, both part of the brand’s Reserve Series. Sagamore 9-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey exemplifies the craft of long-term aging, proudly representing Sagamore’s oldest age statement to …
For its third expression in its single rickhouse concept line, Wild Turkey has released Russell’s Reserve Camp Nelson B. This follows the 2022 release of Camp Nelson C and 2023’s Camp Nelson F, and is the highest proof release of the entire brand to date. Each release in this series is crafted from a small …
Kentucky’s sole “brewstillery,” Lexington Brewing & Distilling (also known as Town Branch Distillery and Lexington Brewing Co.) has a new release: Town Branch Imperium MMXXIV Kentucky Straight Bourbon. This special annual release features a new wheated bourbon mash bill, comprising 50% of the blend, along with only the finest barrels hand-selected for this year’s blend. …
Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers is expanding its Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey family with the release of Lux Row Small Batch PX Sherry Cask Finish. The new release is crafted from small batches of 4-year-old ryed straight Kentucky bourbon finished for six months in casks that held PX Sherry, an intensely rich and sweet wine …
Cream of Kentucky proudly introduces its latest offerings: the 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon and the 2024 Small Batch Bourbon. These releases mark a new chapter for the brand, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and delivering distinctive bourbon experiences. 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon The 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon features a bold proof of 114, offering a rich, uncut …
By Richard Thomas Rating: A- Both as an enthusiast and as a writer, I’m grateful that not all of American Whiskey’s annual bottle hunter targets come out in the white hot autumn release season. Summer, for example, sees the release of the very popular Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition. This year’s release is a …
