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 - Hudson Baby Bourbon Whiskey
…Tuthilltown ages their Baby in “special small American Oak Barrels” which explains how they achieve such a dark color and heavy oak influence from such a young whiskey. The other unique thing…is their use of sonic maturation by playing loud music to agitate the whiskey inside the barrels....
The oak is really the front man of the band…Definitely makes a killer (albeit expensive) whiskey & coke and would feel right at home in an old fashioned…
Rating 2.5 Glasses
Distillery: Tuthilltown Spririts (Gardiner, NY)
Years Aged: < 4
Proof: 92
Local Price (USD): $49.95
Availability: Widespread
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Honey with medium legs and pretty close to the consistency of fresh motor oil.
Nose: Rubbing alcohol, burns pretty good, citrus, oaky. Peeled the phlegm off the back of Russ' throat.
Taste: The initial hit burns just like the nose followed by dark fruits, red grapes and raisins.
Finish: A bit weak with tanniny sweetness and hints of charred oak and maple.
Conclusion: Year 2016, Batch 13, Bottle 3973, non-chill filtered, 100% New York Corn and the “first legal pot-distilled whiskey made in New York since prohibition”. Tuthilltown ages their Baby in “special small American Oak Barrels” which explains how they achieve such a dark color and heavy oak influence from such a young whiskey. The other unique thing about Hudson Baby Bourbon apart from aging in 3-gallon instead of 53-gallon barrels and the fact that it’s 100% instead of the required 51% corn, is their use of sonic maturation by playing loud music to agitate the whiskey inside the barrels instead of moving the barrels themselves for the liquid to interact with the wood.
The oak is really the front man of the band but feels just a bit sharp in this particular batch. Definitely makes a killer (albeit expensive) whiskey & coke and would feel right at home in an old fashioned but we would hold off seeking this one out and stick to your local watering hole for a short pour. It’s balls still haven’t dropped and feels too young despite its forced aging to demand a $50 price point. All this along with the acquired flavor profile brought the glass rating for us down to 2.5.
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 - 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 - 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.
