When Schenley Distilleries failed in their attempt to purchase the Jack Daniel Distillery and brand in the 1950s, they decided to rebuild the pre-Prohibition Cascade Hollow Distillery and make George Dickel Tennessee Whisky for themselves. I have writt…
When Schenley Distilleries failed in their attempt to purchase the Jack Daniel Distillery and brand in the 1950s, they decided to rebuild the pre-Prohibition Cascade Hollow Distillery and make George Dickel Tennessee Whisky for themselves. I have written a brand... Continue Reading →
By Richard Thomas Rating: A- Last month saw Beam Suntory build on their revamping of the Baker’s brand, long the most neglected of the four brands of Jim Beam’s famed Small Batch Collection of the early 1990s (Blanton’s, Basil Hayden, Knob Creek and Baker’s). Following their conversion of Baker’s to a single barrel expression, they …
By Richard Thomas
Rating: A-
Baker’s Exclusive Selection Single Barrel Bourbon (Credit: Beam Suntory)
Last month saw Beam Suntory build on their revamping of the Baker’s brand, long the most neglected of the four brands of Jim Beam’s famed Small Batch Collection of the early 1990s (Blanton’s, Basil Hayden, Knob Creek and Baker’s). Following their conversion of Baker’s to a single barrel expression, they have now released and extra aged, limited edition version of that 107 proof, single barrel bourbon. Whereas the standard Baker’s has been a 7 year old whiskey for almost 30 years now (now I feel old), this Exclusive Selection is 11 years, 8 months old.
The Bourbon
I found the scent of this middle aged Beam bourbon surprisingly airy, especially in view of light aromas not being a quality I often associate with what comes out of Clermont. I wondered what some airing might do, so I left the glass out for 20 minutes and then returned to it, only to find it as airy as at the start. I gathered hints of vanilla and cookie spice, but little more.
The palate, however, is some very well-aged Beam. That benchmark sweet vanilla bourbon character opens the ball, but this is soon overtaken by a current of nutty, almond and peanut tinged oak and a parallel current that mixes dried mint and tart, dried berries. I found the flavor to be quite barrel-driven, but in a mature and distinguished sense, very far from being over-oaked. The finish ran dry, spicy and a touch woody.
The only thing missing from this experience was a nose I could properly enjoy, and I am left scratching my head as to why that was the case. Otherwise, this spin on what was long Beam’s most overlooked classic gives it some truly enjoyable character. Snag a bottle while you can.
The Price
A bottle of Baker’s Exclusive Selection will set you back $99.99. Keeping in mind that Baker’s still isn’t at the forefront of any casual bourbon drinkers imagination, bottle hunters should find it an easy and worthy score at that price point.
Cold-weather is setting in and with its arrival comes the annual releases, like this Little Book Chapter 5 “The Invitation”. Headed up by Freddie Noe, this whiskey has quickly become an anticipated yearly release. Not just because it’s usually pretty good, not just because it gets some good marketing, but because we’re all curious what […]
Cold-weather is setting in and with its arrival comes the annual releases, like this Little Book Chapter 5 “The Invitation”. Headed up by Freddie Noe, this whiskey has quickly become an anticipated yearly release. Not just because it’s usually pretty good, not just because it gets some good marketing, but because we’re all curious what Freddie has concocted and what whiskeys he’s been playing with.
This year’s release plays with young whiskeys and age as a theme, as well as some malted rye whiskey. The playing of young whiskey with old whiskey reminds me of early High West and has me, once again, thinking about what’s happened to them over the years.
It’s fantastic to see folks like Freddie and the crew at Barrell picking up the torch and running with what High West started (well, restarted), but I can’t help feel a bit sad for HW and their missed opportunity to still be the dominating voice in blended American Whiskey. Though it does make me happy that Barrell and Freddie are both doing an amazing job.
And on that high note, let’s get to dirnkin’ and see what The Invitation is all about.
Little Book Chapter 5 “The Invitation” Blend
2-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
3 year Kentucky Straight Malted Rye Whiskey
5-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
15-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Little Book Chapter 5 – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Style: American (Blended) Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Jim Beam Mash Bill: Corn, Rye, Malted Rye, Malted Barley Cask: New Charred Oak Age: NAS (2 Years) ABV: 58.4%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
“Little Book Chapter 5 is a blend of four different liquid streams with a vast range of ages, flavors and distillation styles.” – Jim Beam
Little Book Chapter 5 Tasting Notes
EYE
Amber
NOSE
Coppery herbal, caramel, hay, honied graham cracker, touch of olde candy, overripe fruit and peanuts.
I feel a similarity in delivery to Book 1, but this is a bit darker. More peanuts and copper as it opens/with water.
PALATE
Oak, copper, caramel icing, herbal spice, leather, hazelnuts, peanut brittle and bits of overripe fruit, vanilla candy and leather.
A bit dry and tannic on its delivery, but everything about what’s delivered is nice.
FINISH
Long -> Herbal spice, caramel, oak all fade
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Well balanced, full body, with a heavy, slightly dry-tannic feel.
Little Book Chapter 5 – Overall Thoughts and Score
Water helps knock down the tannins a bit and opens up more of the darkly sweet and underlying earthy notes, so if you’re having a touch of trouble with this one try a bit of water, it helps. Setting that aside, the overall profile is very nice. It’s like an X-mas cake with a thin layer of caramel frosting and some vanilla whipped cream on the side… and some oak. There’s a lot of oak here.
The depth, complexity and overall level of oak in this whiskey makes me think there’s a significant amount of the 15 yo bourbon in here. Though as we’ve seen with Booker’s, you can get a ton of oak in bourbon sitting around the 6 year mark. It all depends on where it’s pulled from in the rick house, so who knows. Freddie obviously does, but you know what I mean.
All-in-all, I’m enjoying Little Book Chapter 5 “The Invitation” more than any of the releases since the Book 1 and is tied for the best in the series so far. The overall profile of being warm, darkly sweet and oak driven, that lovely sweet-meets-rustic essence, is perfect for this time of year.
*Disclosure: The sample for this whiskey review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Little Book Chapter 5 "The Invitation" Review
$125
Summary
Sweet meets rustic in the perfect fall/winter combo. This is fireplace/campfire whiskey that can only be made better with the addition of friends to share it with.
This year’s expression marks the 17th release of the Master’s Collection. This limited-edition Master’s Collection is 90.4 proof and is available in select U.S. and global markets with a suggested retail price of $129.99 for a 750ml bottle. Credit to Master Distiller Chris Morris and Assistant MD Elizabeth McCall – they’re not afraid to get […]
This year’s expression marks the 17th release of the Master’s Collection. This limited-edition Master’s Collection is 90.4 proof and is available in select U.S. and global markets with a suggested retail price of $129.99 for a 750ml bottle.
Credit to Master Distiller Chris Morris and Assistant MD Elizabeth McCall – they’re not afraid to get creative.
In Kentucky, a fermented grain mash is traditionally called “distiller’s beer.” Distillation converts this “beer” into a spirit that will become a “whiskey” once barreled. The Five-Malt Stouted Mash is Morris’ and McCall’s take on crafting a spirit that has flavors of a traditional heavy-style beer.
“Five-Malt Stouted Mash is an expression unlike any other we’ve released before. The rich, roasted malty stout flavors mingle with bright touches of baked fruit, crisp spices, and orange zest for a unique Woodford Reserve experience.”
Chris Morris, Master Distiller
“Woodford Reserve’s distillery was constructed by Irish stonemasons in 1838,” McCall said. “That history, plus the fact that we distill in the “Irish” style with triple pot stills, inspired us to mash and distill this year’s Master’s Collection.”
Elizabeth McCall, Assistant Master Distiller
Today’s press release from WR noting that Five-Malt Stouted Mash is a rich and darkly robust expression of Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey.
Aroma: Dusky notes of roasted malt, toasted nuts all sweetened with hints of milk chocolate and brightened with a touch of orange zest, spearmint, and warm baking spices. Oak, cherry cobbler, and shortbread round out the malt and barrel influence.
Taste: Malty with toasted hazelnut and cocoa highlights atop a layer of baked fruit, crisp spice, and zest bounce about the depths.
The New Riff Distillery has gained a reputation for making some very interesting whiskeys. This latest expression is no exception. It is a 100% malted rye whiskey that has been aged six years and Bottled-in-Bond. There have been a few… Continue Readi…
The New Riff Distillery has gained a reputation for making some very interesting whiskeys. This latest expression is no exception. It is a 100% malted rye whiskey that has been aged six years and Bottled-in-Bond. There have been a few... Continue Reading →
And we’re back! I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving! I know that mine was fantastic. It started out with a ton of dogs in my house. On Thanksgiving itself we had our traditional pan of Lasagna (neither my wife or I like turkey in it’s domesticated form), home made pumpkin pie made from pie pumpkin from our garden, and of course a glass or two of Wild Turkey. As the weekend progressed and the number of dogs began to dwindle, my beloved Minnesota Golden Gophers walloped our hated rival the Wisconsin Badgers in an upset to take possession of Paul Bunyan’s Axe.
It was a glorious weekend.
Of course as the weekend started to draw to a close, I took a look at the calendar to see what was on the docket for tastings this week. I’d been not so patiently waiting for this pair of Ezra Brooks store picks’ turn to come since I picked them up. See, I’d found this pair, and their brethren with the Rebel label, while wandering around Tennessee and Kentucky. I’d had a vague recollection of reading about a single barrel store pick brand on the market, but that’s all it was just a vague recollection. So when I saw that there were two different labels for sale at the various stores, I figured it would be best to buy them both and figure it out when I got home.
So once I got home, I reached out to my PR contact for Lux Row and asked what was going on. According to the information he passed along, there are two main differences between these two labels. The first is the proof. Ezra Brooks Distiller’s Collection store picks are bottled at 107° proof while Ezra Brooks Cask Strength store picks are bottled at 120° proof. The other difference is in how the picks occurred. Distiller’s Collection picks are allocated and are done via samples sent to the retailer. There are no in-person barrel picks for these barrels. On the other hand, Ezra Brooks Cask Strength picks are not allocated and are only done at Lux Row Distillery.
So what each label tells you, the consumer, is whether your retailer went to the distillery to pick the barrel or whether it was sent to them via samples. I’m sure there is a reason for this that I am not seeing since I do not work in either a distillery or a liquor store.
So let’s check out a couple of store picks. Both from Kentucky.
Ezra Brooks Single Barrel Store Picks: Distiller's Collection and Cask Strength
Distiller's Collection: Total Wine, KY PJ #2
Purchase Info: $35.99 for a 750 mL bottle at Total Wine, Louisville, KY
Nose: Vanilla, honey, orange julius, and baking spice.
Mouth: Spicy warmth with notes of baking spice, mint, citrus, and cocoa.
Finish: Spicy, warm, and of medium length- Notes of cinnamon and chocolate.
Thoughts: These are both very good. Glad I stumbled across both of them. The Total Wine bottle is sweeter whereas the Liquor Barn bottle is much more baking spice forward. If trying to define the major difference between the two, I'd say that the Liquor Barn bottle is "Beam-ier" than the Total Wine (Jim Beam and Heaven Hill being the suppliers for Lux Row as I learned from Cheif Marketing Officer and Lux family member on my tour of the facility). Saying that they are both in the Ezra Brooks flavor profile. I like them both. A lot. I am hoping my local stores can get in on these programs soon.
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Once only available if you “knew a guy”, this dram with the well-worn ABV is now available to the general market: Maker’s Mark 101 Proof. Sitting in a comfy spot between the standard Maker’s and the Maker’s Cask Strength, this could be seen as a middle ground or a stepping stone between the two. Almost […]
Once only available if you “knew a guy”, this dram with the well-worn ABV is now available to the general market: Maker’s Mark 101 Proof. Sitting in a comfy spot between the standard Maker’s and the Maker’s Cask Strength, this could be seen as a middle ground or a stepping stone between the two. Almost perfectly so.
The standard Maker’s Mark clocks in at 90 proof (45% ABV) and the Maker’s Cask Strength hovers around the 112 proof (56%) mark. 90 to 101 is an 11 proof (5.5% abv) step and 101 to 112 is another 11 proof step. The CS does shift up and down a wee bit, but generally, it comes in close to 56%.
Whether this is just a happy accident or specifically designed, I can’t say. What I can say though, is if you’re looking for a way to see how proof plays into a whiskey release you and some friends can pick up this, the CS and the regular MM and conduct a boozy experiment. Or, if you’re down for doing some math, you could just grab a bottle of the CS and water down to 101 and 90.
That’s enough experiment talk, let’s get to drinkin’ and settle into this bourbon review.
Maker’s Mark 101 Proof – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Style: Bourbon Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Maker’s Mark Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 26% Red Winter Wheat, 14% Malted Barley Cask: New Charred Oak Age: 4+ Years ABV: 50.1%
Maker’s Mark 101 Proof Price: $40
“Bill liked to tuck a little 101 aside for friends and special occasions. And for a long time, this was the only way you could experience these intensified notes of caramel and spice brought on by the higher proof…” – Maker’s Mark
Maker’s Mark 101 Proof Tasting Notes
EYE
Reddish caramel
NOSE
Oak, caramel corn, vanilla fondant, dried dark fruit, leather, roasted nuts and some citrus peels and baking spice.
The aroma is quite warm and full with an even pairing of sweet and earthy notes.
PALATE
Oak, caramel corn, vanilla fondant, honey, dried dark fruit, leather, roasted nuts, baking spice and some hints of citrus peels and cocoa.
In essence, it’s the same as the aroma but with some added, darkly sweet, notes of honey and cocoa.
FINISH
Med-long -> Oak, baking spice, and dried cherries fade out to caramel and spice.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Well balanced, med-full body and a warm oily feel.
Maker’s Mark 101 Proof – Overall Thoughts and Score
This is really quite good. It’s a warm tasty glass of bourbon and comes across as at least a step, if not two, above the standard Maker’s Mark. There’s a lot more going on with this whiskey, most notably the spice quality. As it sits, the baking spice quality expands and gets more prominent, more complex and stretches deeper into the finish.
A splash of water brings up more of the darkly sweet notes and broadens the oak across the palate giving it a deeper sensation. On the aroma very little changes – it seems to mute it a tad, but really nothing major or dram-changing.
This Maker’s Mark 101 Proof is quite tasty and is equally fun to sip as it is to mix with, making it a versatile drinker. I made a Sazerac with it over the Thanksgiving weekend and then ended up making a couple more as the weekend went on. Dangerously easy to drink no matter what form it’s in.
This limited edition release is well worth seeking out. Tasty, sippable, mixable whiskies that won’t break the bank are seemingly difficult to come by these days, but this Maker’s Mark 101 Proof manages it on all fronts.
It may be hard to believe, but as of today this blog is officially five years old. Was I confident I had five years of Wild Turkey articles in me when I began? No, but it was fun. Thankfully, it’s still fun and very much rewarding. I’ve come a long way…
It may be hard to believe, but as of today this blog is officially five years old. Was I confident I had five years of Wild Turkey articles in me when I began? No, but it was fun. Thankfully, it’s still fun and very much rewarding. I’ve come a long way since 2016. Wild Turkey […]
Have you ever had a Stagg Jr. bourbon ? Big Chief was able to snag a bottle of Stagg Jr. Batch 16 this bourbon hunting season. Stagg Jr. is the little brother of the 15-19 year old George T. Stagg bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery’s antique collection . Don’t be fooled though, it is
Big Chief was able to snag a bottle of Stagg Jr. Batch 16 this bourbon hunting season.
Stagg Jr. is the little brother of the 15-19 year old George T. Stagg bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery‘s antique collection . Don’t be fooled though, it is highly sought after.
We hope you enjoy Jim and Mike’s review. Be sure to listen to the podcast episode on your favorite platform to hear more. Cheers!
Tasting Notes: Stagg Jr. Batch 16
Vital Stats:Batch 16 is non age stated but it is a batch of 7-9 year old barrels. It comes in at a whopping 130.9 proof and the mashbill is believed to be 75% corn, 10% rye and 15% malted barley. It has an MSRP of $49.99
Appearance: Worst bottle in the business, but the amazing dark amber bourbon inside makes up for it.
Nose: Heavy with a chocolate covered cherry with a little cinnamon. Strong oak with vanilla and caramel. All you would want in a bourbon.
Palate: Thick and heavy that will make your mouth water. Deep cinnamon richness with burnt toffee and chocolates. It has a Kentucky wildcat inside that will grab hold of your tongue and then beat it with a barrel stave.
Finish: Medium to long with a deep Kentucky hug.
Overall: Wow this is for grown folk with such a high proof. It’s a buy all day long and we never pass up a bottle at retail. Don’t walk past this one.
This year’s expression marks the 17th release of the Master’s Collection. This limited-edition Master’s Collection is 90.4 proof and is available in select U.S. and global markets with a suggested retail price of $129.99 for a 750ml bottle. Credit to Master Distiller Chris Morris and Assistant MD Elizabeth McCall – they’re not afraid to get […]
