Review - Willett Family Estate Bottled Small Batch Rye
One of those whiskeys that hides its true character until you get a taste of it…..Worth every penny so buy it when you see it and don't look back.
Rating 4 Glasses
Distillery: Willett Distillery (Bardstown, KY)
Years Aged: 3
Proof: 111.2
Local Price (USD): $64.90
Availability: Uncommon
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Light Caramel (aka... the soft supple fur of the Grizzly), slow thin legs due to the high alcohol content (aka happiness).
Nose: Do we dare nose at 111.2 proof? Astringent grainy sweetness and not overly complex.
Taste: A complete 180 from the nose. Leather, oak & rye spice. Just imagine a swift kick to the gonads delivered by Satan himself while riding an all black thoroughbred stallion straight out the heart of Kentucky.
Finish: A fleeting infatuation. The Jezebel affect. Like a temptress in the night it escapes you as quickly as it arrived.
Conclusion: One of those whiskeys that hides its true character until you get a taste of it. Perfect pairing with a Connecticut wrapped cigar. It’s not over the top as far as the proof goes, but with the rye spice and somewhat young nature it packs a good punch to the senses. Worth every penny so buy it when you see it and don't look back.
Review - Little Book™ Chapter 2: Noe Simple Task
Full bodied and uncharacteristically smooth for its proof, the second release of Little Book™ - Chapter 2: Noe Simple Task makes a perfect dram for the holidays or any day for that matter. Full of oak, spices and dried fruit notes, this is definitely one bottle you would want to seek out. Look for it to be released yearly just ahead of the holiday season. Noe Simple Task is a cliffhanger and we look forward to what Freddie has written for Chapter 3.
Rating 4 Glasses
Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co. - Clermont, KY
Years Aged: NAS
Proof: 118.8
Local Price (USD): $99.95
Availability: Uncommon
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Amber waves of honey, Mobile 1 10W-30
Nose: Astringent & takes a bit to open up. Ethanol up front with caramel, toffee, oak & dried apples.
Taste: If you thought it might be akin to Booker’s you’d be wrong. It’s like a awesome party in your mouth with vanilla, oak & cinnamon rolls.
Finish: Medium but slightly dry with lingering oak and spices to round it out.
Conclusion: A perfected blend of: 8-Year Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, 40-Year Canadian Whisky & 18-Year Canadian Rye Whisky, the second annual limited release of Little Book™ is again curated by Frederick “Freddie” Booker Noe IV.
The 8th generation Beam distiller & Grandson of the legendary Booker Noe, Freddie chose the name “Little Book” to pay homage to the nickname given to him by his grandfather.
Full bodied and uncharacteristically smooth for its proof, the second release of Little Book™ - Chapter 2: Noe Simple Task makes a perfect dram for the holidays or any day for that matter. Full of oak, spices and dried fruit notes, this is definitely one bottle you would want to seek out. Look for it to be released yearly just ahead of the holiday season. Noe Simple Task is a cliffhanger and we look forward to what Freddie has written for Chapter 3.
Review - Ardbeg Grooves Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Grooves is groovy but definitely a lighter Ardbeg release that is more approachable for the casual Islay fan. We would compare it to a blend between AN OA and Ardbeg 10 . It’s really good overall and better than Kelpie with less in your face brininess and a little bit o' peat & little bit o' smoke. Great committee release for 2018.
Rating 4 Glasses
- Distillery: Ardbeg Distillery
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 92
- Local Price (USD): $99.99
- Availability: Rare
- Local Price (USD): $99.99
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Rich lusciously dark caramel and although the color may portray a beautifully aged specimen they haven't fooled us a bit. Slower thin legs.
- Nose: Rich pipe tobacco, like smoking a pipe during a cool misty morning sitting on a bench overlooking the sea with the subtle sound of bagpipes playing in the distance.
- Taste: Tastes like an an Ardbeg should and that's not a bad thing. Smoke, lighter on the peat than other Ardbegs, definitely meaty and not as briny but she's still sea worthy. Slight caramel & toffee notes.
- Finish: Shorter than its brothers. Mild oiliness with smoke and a little bit of peatiness.
- Conclusion: Grooves is groovy but definitely a lighter Ardbeg release that is more approachable for the casual Islay fan. We would compare it to a blend between AN OA and Ardbeg 10 . It's really good overall and better than Kelpie with less in your face brininess and a little bit o' peat & little bit o' smoke. Great committee release for 2018. Jeff said that he would buy anything Ardbeg after enjoying this dram. Even thought we ranked it highly it feels slightly overpriced leaving us to knock it a little bit on glass rating.
Review - Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength Irish Whiskey
Smoothest cask strength we've ever had. It was a great introduction to the brand and now we know why everyone has such high opinions of Redbreast. It's flippin' good (did I happen to mention the pancakes?). Great Irish for an over-proof lover and if we could find it again we would buy it just the same.
Rating 4 Glasses
Distillery: Midleton Distillery
Years Aged: 12
Proof: 114.4
Local Price (USD): ~$99.00
Availability: Uncommon
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Dark amber syrup. Great on pancakes.
Nose: Even though high ABV not a heavy burn. Turkish delight. Candy, mild citrus, very sweet.
Taste: Vanilla and smooth as a babies bottom. Toasted oak and cherries
Finish: Decently long. Good oily lingering and caramel corn.
Conclusion: Smoothest cask strength we've ever had. It was a great introduction to the brand and now we know why everyone has such high opinions of Redbreast. It's flippin' good (did I happen to mention the pancakes?). Great Irish for an over-proof lover and if we could find it again we would buy it just the same.
Review - Slane Irish Whiskey
Like getting an allergy shot in the middle of summer and then, because you were such a good boy, stopping at a Tastee-Freez for a creamsicle. Smooth thanks to triple distillation but complex due to the different casks (Virgin, Seasoned & Sherry) used in maturation.
Rating 4 Glasses
- Distillery: Sourced
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 80
- Local Price (USD): $34.95
- Availability: Widespread
- Local Price (USD): $34.95
Background
In 2015 Brown-Forman purchased all shares of Slane Castle Irish Whiskey Limited. Brown-Forman also owns a multitude of other brands such as Jack Daniels, Woodford Reserve & Old Forester to name just a few.
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Bright brass. Fat and chunky slow legs.
- Nose: Tangerine, alcohol, medicinal & toasted oak
- Taste: Sherry, alcohol & caramel
- Finish: Long and good. Sherry comes through at the end and creamy. Slight bit of oakiness.
- Conclusion: Like getting an allergy shot in the middle of summer and then, because you were such a good boy, stopping at a Tastee-Freez for a creamsicle. Smooth thanks to triple distillation but complex due to the different casks (Virgin, Seasoned & Sherry) used in maturation. We were surprised to experience a good spicy burn even though the ABV is no higher than most other standard Irish whiskeys. We are of the opinion that Slane could potentially best Jameson or Jameson Black in a head to head competition. For the complexity and the depth of flavor the value is off the charts for us and it just goes down easy. Slane will most definitely be a staple in our liquor cabinets.