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 - Wild Turkey Rare Breed 116.8
Wild Turkey Rare Breed 116.8 is a solid barrel proof bourbon that is readily available and reasonably priced. Steadily increasing in proof over the years, this most recent release at 116.8 is the best yet… Rare Breed delivers a flavor packed punch that can hang with the other big boys in the category …
Rating 3.5 Glasses
Distillery: Wild Turkey
Years Aged: NAS
Proof: 116.8
Local Price (USD): $39.95
Availability: Widespread
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Dark caramel with drippy legs that are slow to develop.
Nose: Fir trees, vanilla, spices, pipe tobacco and alcohol.
Taste: Charred oak, lemon zest, vanilla, caramel & a burn that just don’t quit.
Finish: Oak, sour cherries, pepper, bitter dark chocolate. The heat remains long after everything else fades.
Conclusion: Wild Turkey Rare Breed 116.8 is a solid barrel proof bourbon that is readily available and reasonably priced. Steadily increasing in proof over the years, this most recent release at 116.8 is the best yet providing way more flavor and boldness above the previous 112.8 which was kind of a dud. Purportedly comprised of 6-12 year old whiskey, Rare Breed delivers a flavor packed punch that can hang with the other big boys in the category such as Booker’s and Elijah Craig. The price is on point but the only thing that knocked it down a bit on the glass rating was that the alcohol was a bit too forward and wiped out some of the more nuanced flavors that might have been present had it been better balanced.
Review - Old Grand-Dad 114
…Old Grand-Dad uses a mash bill of 62% Corn, 28% Rye & 10% Malted Barley. This unusually high Rye content and high proof makes this pour an especially potent one. Basically like pouring 10lb of sugar into a bucket of kerosene and setting it ablaze…
Rating 3 Glasses
Distillery: Jim Beam
Years Aged: NAS
Proof: 114
Local Price (USD): $29.95
Availability: Widespread
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Amber paraplegic
Nose: Oak and rye spice hits you right upside the head.
Taste: Lemon, alcohol and dark cherry sweetness. This is where it’s high proof really shines through.
Finish: Molasses with a burn that seems to last forever but finally fades leaving just an essence of ethanol.
Conclusion: Named after Basil Hayden Sr. a famous distiller known for being the “King of High Rye”; Old Grand-Dad uses a mash bill of 62% Corn, 28% Rye & 10% Malted Barley. This unusually high Rye content and high proof makes this pour an especially potent one. Basically like pouring 10lb of sugar into a bucket of kerosene and setting it ablaze. All joking aside it is a bit harsh overall and could use a little smoothing around the edges but we can’t really knock it too hard as it’s a decent one to have on the shelf and definitely can’t complain about the price.