Review - Maker's Mark Private Select Kentucky Bourbon - Troutdale Liquor
10 individual custom wood finishing staves were hand selected by Troutdale Liquor in Troutdale, OR creating this kick in the pants….It isn’t for faint of heart at 109.8 proof and is definitely not in the price point for just anyone either. This is top-shelf hand-crafted Kentucky Bourbon and fits the bill.
Rating 3 Glasses
Distillery: Maker’s Mark Distillery, Inc - Star Hill Farm, Loretto, KY
Years Aged: NAS
Proof: 109.8
Local Price (USD): $67.95
Availability: Uncommon
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Rusty Caramel borderline copper. Slow and thick.
Nose: Rubbing alcohol and cough-syrupy sweetness with a corny allspice.
Taste: Hot like someone lit a fire in your mouth but super sweet at the same time.
Finish: Caramel and vanilla notes linger but HOT as the bowels of the deepest pits of hell.
Conclusion: 10 individual custom wood finishing staves were hand selected by Troutdale Liquor in Troutdale, OR creating this kick in the pants. Maker’s Mark Private Select starts off as cask strength fully matured Maker’s Mark. Custom wood finishing staves are added to the barrel and it is then left to age for 9 weeks in their limestone cellar to create the unique flavor profile.
Available Staves for Selection (information from Maker’s Mark Website):
P2
Virgin American oak and French oak are the woods of choice for Private Select finishing staves. P2, or Baked American Pure, is made from American oak and is the first stave sampled in the program. It adds notes of brown sugar, vanilla, caramel and spice.
Cu
Next in the tasting order is Cu, also known as Seared French Cuvée. Cu is made from French oak that's ridge-cut and seared with infrared heat. It gives off toasty notes of oak and caramel.
46
The next finishing stave is the one used to finish Maker's Mark 46. It's made from seared French oak and delivers dried fruit, vanilla and spice. A barrel fitted with 10 of these staves would give you a cask-strength version of Maker's Mark 46.
Mo
The Roasted French Mocha stave, or Mo, is French oak toasted at high heat in a convection oven. Mo adds pleasant traces of char, maple and cacao.
Sp
Sp, or the Toasted French Spice stave, is also French oak that's toasted in a convection oven, first at high heat and then low heat. Sp has a flavor profile of smoke, coumarin and spice.
Out of these options Troutdale Liquor chose 5 P2, 2 Cu, 1 46 & 2 Mo.
Staves Picked By Troutdale Liquor
Based on the heavy influence of American Oak in the finishing of this whiskey we understand why it comes across as being very hot on the palate. It isn’t for faint of heart at 109.8 proof and is definitely not in the price point for just anyone either. This is top-shelf hand-crafted Kentucky Bourbon and fits the bill. The waxed top doesn’t give you any extras and there are definitely a few competitors available that could go toe-to-toe (namely Stagg Jr., Wild Turkey Rare Breed & Elijah Craig Barrel Proof) but we would recommend taking the plunge if you dare.
Review - Basil Hayden's Two By Two Rye
More and more coming to the conclusion that Basil Hayden’s is the Lacroix of bourbons. Basically whiskey infused with essential oils… It's pretty pricey for what it brings to the table … confused. Two By Two Rye doesn’t give us anything to hate but nothing to bring us back.
Rating 2 Glasses
Distillery: Jim Beam Distillery, Clermont, KY
Years Aged: NAS
Proof: 80
Local Price (USD): $44.95
Availability: Uncommon
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Amber thin legs.
Nose: Rye leading to light vanilla.
Taste: Water flavored with rye and bourbon. Not cohesive, spice rolls to sweet.
Finish: Waterproof band-aids, very fast to run away and leave you relived the confusion is over.
Conclusion: Limited Release. More and more coming to the conclusion that Basil Hayden’s is the Lacroix of bourbons. Basically whiskey infused with essential oils and all over the map as far as flavors go. It's pretty pricey for what it brings to the table and there’s really no reason to pay any money to be confused. Two By Two Rye doesn’t give us anything to hate but nothing to bring us back. If you are looking for a decent Rye check out Michter’s Rye or High West’s Double Rye
Review - Wild Turkey Longbranch Bourbon
…The main component of what makes the profile of this whiskey unique is the proprietary dual-charcoal filtration process…that makes you want to fire up the Traeger® with every sip.
Longbranch is a good value for an 8 year small batch and a great whiskey for someone being introduced to Bourbon and American Whiskey.
Rating 3.5 Glasses
Distillery: Wild Turkey Distillery
Years Aged: 8
Proof: 86
Local Price (USD): $39.95
Availability: Widespread
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Golden fast and fat thunder thighs.
Nose: Vanilla, apple & caramel. Tastes like a whiskey flavored Now and Later.
Taste: Smooth charred oak and spices.
Finish: Medium to long finish. Light with a touch of Mesquite smoke.
Conclusion: A collaboration between Wild Turkey Creative Director Matthew McConaughey and Master Distiller Eddie Russell, this 8 year small batch bourbon is a culmination of 2 years of testing between the duo. The name Longbranch was “inspired by the friends that form the longest branches of our family trees” as McConaughey and Russell share ties to both Kentucky and Texas. The main component of what makes the profile of this whiskey unique is the proprietary dual-charcoal filtration process in which the whiskey is first filtered through American White Oak and then a second time through Texas Mesquite. This helps the whiskey achieve a smoother feel and imparts that wonderful light Mesquite smoke that makes you want to fire up the Traeger® with every sip.
Longbranch is a good value for an 8 year small batch and a great whiskey for someone being introduced to Bourbon and American Whiskey. It would go well along side any plate of BBQ but especially well with a nice big slab of smoked brisket. Enjoyable neat and all the components are there for even the aficionado to enjoy. Why not grab a bottle and check it out for yourself?
Review - Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey
This one is unique in that it is the only Irish Peated Single Malt Whiskey widely available today. Connemara Original is perfect for those scotch lovers that would like something just a bit lighter to enjoy on a hot day or with light dinner. Pour a big glass and call it good as this is one you could sip on all evening.
Rating 3 Glasses
Distillery: Cooley Distillery (Beam Suntory)
Years Aged: NAS
Proof: 80
Local Price (USD): $47.95
Availability: Widespread
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Straw colored with slow legs.
Nose: Peat, grass, butterscotch, light smoke & buttered popcorn.
Taste: Very thin on the tongue, almost watery. Earthy sweetness with light spice.
Finish: Lingering light spice with just a touch of peat and toasted oak.
Conclusion: This one is unique in that it is the only Irish Peated Single Malt Whiskey widely available today. Double distilled (instead of the more common triple distillation for Irish whiskeys) in two small copper pot stills with large necks at the famous Cooley Distillery (Part of the Kilbeggan Family and owned by Beam Suntory, Inc). This causes the distillation process to take twice as long and is thought to produce a more refined product with greater flavor. Connemara Original is perfect for those scotch lovers that would like something just a bit lighter to enjoy on a hot day or with light dinner. Pour a big glass and call it good as this is one you could sip on all evening. For us Connemara fits in a unique space, being a lightly peated and soft whiskey at only 40% but if what you are looking for is that peat & smokey hit, you’re better off spending your Benjamins on a Highland or Islay Scotch.
Review - Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Extremely Rare Single Malt Scotch Whisky
This is a very subtle and subdued whisky with flavors that are pleasant. It is well blended but just wish there was a little more ponch to it… we really wanted Chris Hemsworth but got Tom Hiddleston.
Rating 3 Glasses
Distillery: Glenmorangie Distillery
Years Aged: 18
Proof: 86
Local Price (USD): $115.95
Availability: Widespread
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Golden honey with medium, thin and slightly runny legs.
Nose: Light hints of vanilla, hand sanitizer, and very floral. Kind of like walking into a hospital gift shop.
Taste: Mellow and balanced but hard to pick out individual flavors. Lightly charred oak & dried fruits.
Finish: Light, warm & dry with just a touch of smoke at the very end.
Conclusion: This is a very subtle and subdued whisky with flavors that are pleasant but nothing that stands out as spectacular. If you enjoy Johnnie Walker then you will definitely enjoy Glenmorangie 18. It is well blended but we just wish there was a little more ponch to it. Probably wouldn't seek it out at the price point as you are better off putting your money towards a good bottle of Highland Park or Aberlour. To analogize it… we really wanted Chris Hemsworth but got Tom Hiddleston.
Chris Hemsworth
Tom Hiddleston
