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 - Wanderback Whiskey Batch No. 2
…Wanderback's second release sets itself apart by first aging in new American oak barrels then finishing its last 6 months in Nicaraguan ex-rum and Heaven Hill ex-bourbon barrels. In our opinion Batch No. 2 is a notch above its older sibling and delivers a smoother, more balanced and flavorful experience overall….
Rating 3.5 Glasses
Distillery: Westland Distillery (Bottled by Wanderback)
Years Aged: 3 (website says 4)
Proof: 100
Local Price (USD): $64.95
Availability: Uncommon
We want to thank the the good folks over at Wanderback for providing this sample for review. Our reviews are objective and without bias regardless of how the whiskey was obtained.
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Golden amber with skinny turtle legs.
Nose: Floral and buttery rum cake drizzled with grenadine and lightly singed around the edges.
Taste: Sweet, spicy, rummy. Less smokey than Batch No. 1.
Finish: Smooth but medium fade. No smoke but instead hints of cherry brandy and rum.
Conclusion: Made from the same mash bill as Batch No. 1, Wanderback's second release sets itself apart by first aging in new American oak barrels then finishing its last 6 months in Nicaraguan ex-rum and Heaven Hill ex-bourbon barrels. In our opinion Batch No. 2 is a notch above its older sibling and delivers a smoother, more balanced and flavorful experience overall. As far as rating this whiskey, we would give it 4 glasses based on flavor and experience but the higher price point holds it back a bit. Yet still a very strong performance for only their 2nd release to date. Mash bill: Washington Select Pale Malt, Pale Chocolate Malt, Munich Malt, Crystal Malt. Bottles Released: 2,500 Based on how the current progression has been, we can't wait to see what Wanderback has in store for us with Batch No. 3 set to be released in the fall of 2019. You can check out our review of Batch No. 1 here. And when it's released our review of Batch No. 3 here.
Review - Wanderback Whiskey Batch No. 1
The first release from Wanderback Whiskey, Batch No. 1 was made in collaboration with Westland Distillery in Seattle, WA….This solid whiskey is full of oak and smoke and perfectly at home enjoyed neat in a Glencairn.
Rating 3 Glasses
Distillery: Westland Distillery (Bottled by Wanderback)
Years Aged: 2 (Website says 3)
Proof: 90
Local Price (USD): $59.95
Availability: Uncommon
We want to thank the the good folks over at Wanderback for providing this sample for review. Our reviews are objective and without bias regardless of how the whiskey was obtained.
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Golden Honey. Slowly developing thin legs.
Nose: Smokey bacon, toffee and maple with a hint of vanilla.
Taste: Buttery toffee gives way to spice and charred oak. Reminds me of Lagavullin.
Finish: Long smokey dry finish with remnants of charred oak and spices.
Conclusion: The first release from Wanderback Whiskey, Batch No. 1 was made in collaboration with Westland Distillery in Seattle, WA. Aged in new American oak barrels, this great single malt contains a mix of Washington Select Pale, Pale Chocolate, Munich & Crystal Malts. Released in Summer of 2017, Wanderback's Batch No. 1 took home the 2018 double gold medal from the The American Distilling Institute. This solid whiskey is full of oak and smoke and perfectly at home enjoyed neat in a Glencairn. If you liked this review of Batch No. 1 go check out our review of Batch No. 2 here and we can't wait for the release of Batch No. 3 which is slated for Fall of 2019. Bottles Released: 2160
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 - IWAI Tradition Japanese Whisky
Mash bill consists of 75% malt & 25% corn which is a flip from the standard release and a blending of sherry, bourbon & wine casks probably wasn’t the best move. Definitely not worth the $60 as it doesn’t hold up to many other Japanese whiskys on the shelf hanging out in the same price range. Unless you are a Japanese whisky enthusiast we would steer you clear for sure.
Rating 2 Glasses
Distillery: Mars Shinshu Distillery
Years Aged: NAS
Proof: 80
Local Price (USD): $59.99
Availability: Widespread
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: A copper penny that went through wash a few too many times. Slow and thin legs.
Nose: Musky and oakey nose, odd sweetness, hint of citrus.
Taste: Oak, tannins, sherry & moldy mushrooms.
Finish: Fades pretty quickly but the tannins stick to your tounge causing a funkiness that hangs on and just won’t let go.
Conclusion: Mash bill consists of 75% malt & 25% corn which is a flip from the standard release and a blending of sherry, bourbon & wine casks probably wasn’t the best move. Definitely not worth the $60 as it doesn’t hold up to many other Japanese whiskys on the shelf hanging out in the same price range. Unless you are a Japanese whisky enthusiast we would steer you clear for sure. Interesting that it is the highest elevation distillery in Japan in the mountain ranges of Nagano. For the many reasons stated previously we would most likely not buy it again and could only give it a two on the glass rating.
