Review - Michter's US-1 Limited Release Barrel Strength Straight Rye Whiskey 2019
Bottled at 108.4, this particular selection from barrel No. 18F829 is truly a wonder to behold. Familiar but with a depth of flavor and ABV punch that you won’t get from Michter’s std US-1 Rye.
Rating 4.5 Glasses
Distillery: Michter’s Distillery
Years Aged: NAS
Proof: 108.4
Local Price (USD): $79.15
Availability: Rare
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Caramel with rich long legs.
Nose: Pepper and rubbing alcohol leaning into butterscotch and cherries.
Taste: Rye spiciness and buttery smooth charred vanilla with a warming heat that rises slowly.
Finish: Oak and rye spice that lasts well into overtime.
Conclusion: Luckily we were fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time to snag a bottle of this limited 2019 release. Barreled at a lower 103 proof allows the higher water content distillate to take on more of the flavors of the barrel and makes for a fuller-bodied whiskey. Bottled at 108.4, this particular selection from barrel No. 18F829 is truly a wonder to behold. Familiar but with a depth of flavor and ABV punch that you won’t get from Michter’s std US-1 Rye. It’s hot and spicy like a good rye whiskey should be and we can only hope to come across another in the future. For the money if you happen to see this one on the shelf at your local liquor outlet, grab it and don’t look back, you won’t be disappointed.
Review - Blanton's Original Single Barrel Bourbon
Light oak and vanilla that wants to stay for a while. Somewhere in between your brother-in-law jetting out before the end of the 1st quarter …and your great uncle just hanging around long after the final buzzer, watching re-runs of The Price Is Right and reciting for the 26th time the story about how he was “that close” to making it on the show…
Rating 3.5 Glasses
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Years Aged: 6-8
Proof: 93
Local Price (USD): $59.95
Availability: Widespread
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Straw honey with medium legs
Nose: Caramel Apple Pops and Josh screaming “I smell prunes! I smell prunes!”. Lime with a little corn, a little oak and caramel to round it out.
Taste: Oak and dark charred sweetness of brown sugar that has been left on the stove just a bit too long.
Finish: Light oak and vanilla that wants to stay for a while. Somewhere in between your brother-in-law jetting out before the end of the 1st quarter because your sister gave him a 7:37pm curfew and your great uncle just hanging around long after the final buzzer, watching re-runs of The Price Is Right and reciting for the 26th time the story about how he was “that close” to making it on the show.
Conclusion: Introduced in 1984 by Elmer T. Lee to honor Albert B. Blanton, former master distiller of George T. Stagg distilllery (previous name of Buffalo Trace Distillery). Blanton’s was the first single barrel bourbon sold commercially and interestingly enough, the mash bill #2 used to produce Blanton’s is the same one used in Elmer T. Lee Bourbon. Unfortunately we can only get the 93 proof variety here in the States but there are higher ABV offerings exported that if one could get a hold of would be worth it.
We feel Blanton’s is a bit like Lil’ Sweet from the Diet Dr. Pepper Commercials with some vanilla, citrus and oak sprinkled on top. A good single barrel bourbon just not quite elevated enough to hang with other newer, higher proof and just plain better offerings in its price range.
Even being slightly overpriced, Blanton’s makes a great gift as the bottle is truly unique and the toppers are even more unique with 8 completely different caricatures available of a jockey riding a horse.
3.5 glasses from us but go grab a bottle, give it a pour and make your own determination. ↓
Review - Elmer T Lee Bourbon
You can’t beat Elmer T. Lee for the flavor and value… ETL is pretty darn rare so grab it when it’s available as you won’t find a better or more consistent single barrel bourbon for the price. Earned all of its 4.5 glasses and we will definitely be picking up every bottle we come across.
Rating 4.5 Glasses
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Years Aged: NAS
Proof: 90
Local Price (USD): $37.95
Availability: Rare
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Caramel covered Goldylocks, clings to the glass
Nose: Apple, clove, caramel & sour patch kids with a slight burn
Taste: Green apple, lemon, light oak, smooth & light spice. Nice to have enough heat to cut the sweetness.
Finish: Nice and long while retaining the warmth.
Conclusion:
From Buffalo Trace - “Named after Master Distiller Emeritus Elmer T. Lee, this whiskey is hand selected and bottled to the taste and standards of Elmer T. Lee himself. Perfectly balanced and rich, as declared by the man who knows how great bourbon should taste.”
You can’t beat Elmer T. Lee for the flavor and value. This particular barrel that we sampled gave us quite a different profile than what would be considered “standard” but still was exquisite. ETL is pretty darn rare so grab it when it’s available as you won’t find a better or more consistent single barrel bourbon for the price. Earned all of its 4.5 glasses and we will definitely be picking up every bottle we come across.
Review - Rebel Yell 10 Year Single Barrel Bourbon
We would call this your Triple B... Bread & Butter Bourbon. Liken it to a better version of Port Chilkoot with all of the oakiness.
Rating 3 Glasses
- Distillery: Rebel Yell Distillery
- Years Aged: 10
- Proof: 100
- Price (USD): $49.95
- Availability: Widespread
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: If Oak trees could bleed. Finally understand what AC/DC meant when they sang "Knocking me out with those American thighs"
- Nose: Imagine a carpenter covered in sugar wating to be seen in the ER at the local hospital
- Taste: Marginally smooth but akin to a random coctail with Irish whiskey and a hint of Fireball
- Finish: Tangy, perfume & short
- Conclusion: We would call this your Triple B... Bread & Butter Bourbon. Liken it to a better version of Port Chilkoot with all of the oakiness. Definitely makes a good mixer but none of us shed a tear when Josh accidentally knocked his glass over. Jeff initially wanted to mix it with pop rocks for whatever reason and after what seemed an eternity of silence apparently mulling over his thoughts on the matter simply stated, "Tastes like Bourbon."
Review - Four Roses Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon 2014
This should be a staple in anyone's liquor cabinet.
Rating 4 Glasses
- Distillery: Four Roses Distillery LLC
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 100
- Price (USD): $49.95
- Availability: Widespread
- Price (USD): $49.95
Tasting Notes
- Color: Dark Amber
- Nose: Floral, vanilla, maple & spice
- Taste: Classic bourbon flavor. Sweet, caramel &maraschino cherries
- Finish: Tang, citrus & clove with a decent amount of heat
- Conclusion: 2014 Release. Master distiller Jim Rutledge retired in September of 2015. Compliments a Connecticut wrapper perfectly. Awesomeness in a bottle and definitely worth buying. Better yet buy two just in case you loose (or drink) one. This should be a staple in anyone's liquor cabinet.