RYE & BOURBON

It's time again for the whiskey group's annual excursion into American whiskies...

* FLIGHT ONE *

Expression 1
 Whistlepig 12 Year Rye - Amburana Finish

Wade's Wines Store Pick

Background: The Old World series consists of Rye sourced from MGP in Indiana which is then usually finished in some sort of ex-wine cask(s), like Port, Madeira, and/or Sauternes.  More experimental finishes, like this one, yield small out-turns and usually only get offered as select store exclusives.  Amburana is a type of wood used for aging cachaca in Brazil.

Stats:  Alcohol By Volume (ABV) = 43%.

Tasting Notes: Immediately hit with sandalwood notes and then a spectacular gingerbread finish.  An ideal rye for the holidays. No wonder Whistlepig used this type of finish on their 2020 Boss Hog release!

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Pour?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 2
 New Riff Straight Rye

Background: New Riff, one of the newest distilleries in Kentucky, has only been around since 2014.  But they are getting a lot of buzz quickly for their affordable bourbons and ryes, especially single barrels.

Stats: ABV = 50%.  NAS. 

Tasting Notes: Jumping on the bandwagon with the small batch rye.  The nose is fairly sweet and not as much of a spice punch as anticipated for this young rye - and that's a good thing for my palate.  Nice daily drinker.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 3
 Michters Barrel Proof Toasted Rye

Barrel No. 17C540

Background: Michter's sources some of the best whiskies around.  Soon, they'll even be distilling their own spirit.  In 2014, their first Toasted Barrel Finish bourbon launched to much success, so a rye edition was inevitable.  A big difference between the two, though, is that the rye is at barrel proof.

Stats: ABV = 55.1%. Bottled 2017.

Tasting Notes: You instantly get that toasted marshmallow smores nose.  Tastes like burnt Bananas Foster.  With water, an added note of dark chocolate presents itself.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 4
 Willett Family Estate 6 Year Rye 

aka "Jungleland"

Background: Founded just after prohibition ended, Willett was primarily a bottler for the past few decades.  In 2012, they started distilling again, proving they can create some amazing ryes and bourbons just as well as they were sourcing whiskies in the past.

Stats: ABV = 58.1%. Barrel No. 2518.  

Tasting Notes: Cotton candy nose.  Dense dark chocolate on the taste and a variety of baking spices on the finish.  This is the real deal.  Big and bold.  A bit of water helps open everything up, but not necessary even at this high of proof.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

* FLIGHT TWO *

Expression 1
  Heaven Hill 7 Year Bourbon Bottled in Bond

Background: A fairly recent addition to the Heaven Hill core line up, and successor to the green label 6 Year Old that was only available in Kentucky for the longest time.  Mash bill breakdown is 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley.

Stats: ABV = 50%. 

Tasting Notes: Nutty and woody on the taste.  I would have assumed this one had a higher rye content.  Not nearly as sweet as its bourbon brother, Elijah Craig.  Black Cherry rounds out the finish.  Not what I was expecting, but very much a new daily drinker for the rotation.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 2
   George T Stagg 15 Year Bourbon (2019)

Background: This year's infamous GTS was released at its lowest alcohol by volume (ABV) since its inception in the early 2000s.  So was Buffalo Trace trying to get a greater yield of bottles, or was it to cut the proof for optimal taste?

Stats: ABV = 58.45%. Bottled 2019. 

Tasting Notes: Past Stagg's have been uncannily exceptional right out of the bottle even at 120-140+ proof. But this release is probably the best balance of flavor and smoothness that would appeal to hardcore bourboners and newcomers alike.  Caramel butterscotch early, then finishing with classic coconut.  No water required.  I have to admit, they were going for optimal taste.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 3
Old Carter Single Barrel 12 Year Bourbon

Bottle No. 30 of 169

Background: The owners of Kentucky Owl Whiskey sold that brand to a big corporation.  They then used the proceeds to repeat the same formula by starting a new company, Old Carter, and continuing to  source top bourbons and ryes and releasing high-end small batches and single barrels.

Stats: ABV = 60.0%.  Barrel #39.

Tasting Notes:  Nice even butterscotch nose.  The taste on this one is sweet, lots of caramel and vanilla.  Dry finish.  Cost is anywhere from $200-$300 and for that price, I'd probably rather have 3-4 bottles of Elijah Craig 12 Year Barrel Proof.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	NO

Expression 4
 Willett Family Estate 6 Year Bourbon

aka "Pac Edge
Family Selection"

Background: Family owned and operated since its inception, Willett, or Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD), also releases a wide variety of bourbons under different brand names like Johnny Drum, Noah's Mill, and Old Bardstown, the last one named after the city in which they operate.

Stats: ABV = 65.9%.  Barrel No. 4817.

Tasting Notes: At 131.8 proof, this one definitely benefitted from the taste buds being primed by the previous selections.  The baking spices on the nose continue to the taste and finishes with DENSE dark chocolate.  A little water is a must to open this one up if it's your first pour of the party.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

[Tasting conducted with the Sneaky Trips Tasting Group which consists of Whisk(e)y Enthusiasts ranging from Beginner to Advanced.  Tastings are held monthly and are usually 8 Expressions based on a particular theme.]

SPRINGBANK

Whatever route you take on your single malt journey, all roads eventually lead to Campbeltown.

* FLIGHT ONE *

Expression 1
 15 Year

Background: Part of the core range since at least 2005.  Distilled two and half times like all Springbanks: some of the distillate goes through the copper still twice, while some goes around a third time. Then, the spirit is aged, separately, in ex-sherry and ex-bourbon casks.  

Stats:  Alcohol By Volume (ABV) = 46%. Bottled 2019.

Tasting Notes: The perfect balance of medium peat and the classic Scotch doublewood of sherry and bourbon.  An ideal daily drinker.  Salty and Malty sweet.  Green apple bubblegum.  While the 10 Year is the standard entry point for Springbank, just go straight to the 15.  It costs a bit more, but it's worth it, and you'll thank me.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Pour?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 2
 21 Year Single Cask

Background:  This 21 Year has been part of the core line up for years.  Until recently the composition had been the classic doublewood seen above.  Since 2017, other cask types were introduced to the mix, including port and rum.  This bottling, however, is one of the single cask editions that Springbank released in lieu of the standard version in 2016.

Stats: ABV = 49.8%
.  Bottled 2016.  Oloroso Sherry Butt.

Tasting Notes: Lovely soft and fruity nose.  Taste is well-balanced sherry notes that you would expect like raisins and maple syrup, with a hint of peppery peat on the finish.  On the second sip, the peat has subsided and malty soft fruit comes to the forefront.  

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 3
 12 Year Cask Strength

Batch #19

Background:  The current iteration of Springbank's 12 Year expression has been around since 2010.  They produce an average of two separate batches per year.  Unfortunately, the batches are not numbered on the label.  You can tell them apart by ABV in most cases. Also - the elements of each batch varies from batch to batch.  Early batches were often a mix of fresh and refill Sherry, while more recent editions are varying ratios of ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry, like this one.

Stats: ABV = 57.1%. Bottled 2019.  

Tasting Notes: Big Peat on the nose!  Nice balance of vanilla and milk chocolate notes.  Adding water didn't enhance anything, but if this was the first pour of the night, then it might be a consideration.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 4
 9 Year Local Barley

 

Background: The legendary Local Barley series returned in 2016 after a 15 Year hiatus. Springbank is the only Scottish distillery where every step of the whisky making process is done on site:  From malting to distilling to aging to bottling.  And in the case of these expressions, all the barley is sourced from farms around Campbeltown.  How all whisky should be made.

Stats: ABV = 57.7%. Bottled 2018.

Tasting Notes: Every release in this series has been amazing.  Rich and complex.  Peppery Peat.  Burnt Banana.  It evolves into an effervescent tingle of the taste buds - honeycomb, kiwi, dark chocolate.  Too much good stuff!

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

* FLIGHT TWO *

Expression 1
  SMWS 27.111 - 22 Year

Background: Scotch Malt Whisky Society Single Cask bottling codenamed, A Coal Bucket of Marshmallows.  The Society provides their usual notes from the Duke of Hyperbole including: "charcoal pencil dipped in honey mingled with lamb roasted with rosemary."  

Stats: ABV = 48.8%.  Vintage June 9 1995. Bottled 2017. Refill Sherry Hogshead

Tasting Notes: A  little more oily and buttery compared to the previous single cask.  Again, well balanced. Notes of leather, fruit, and peat.  The finish is a little tame compared to the others, but that could just be due to the drop in ABV.  Didn't get any  roasted lamb or honey pencil, but I'll keep trying!

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 2
   1993 Florentine's Private Single Cask 24 Year

Cask #409

Background: It was a tough time for whisk(e)y in the 80s.  Sales were down, distilleries were closing - even Springbank was operating intermittently.  Things didn't improve much in the early 90s, so it was the perfect time to buy Private Casks - they were available and relatively inexpensive. So, that's just what Florentine's uncle did for his niece.  It would be bottled only when she became of age.

Stats:  ABV = 49.0%.
 Bottled 2017. Fresh Sherry Cask.

Tasting Notes: Light malt and heavy raisin on the nose.  The raisin note continues on the taste and evolves into burnt sugar.  This tastes darker than it looks.  Bursting with sherry influence in all the right ways.  Heavy fruit syrup flavor without the oily mouthfeel.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 3
The Whisky Exhange 16 Year Retro Label

Background: Springbank is one of the few remaining family owned single malt distilleries in Scotland.  The Mitchell family maintains the same whisky making traditions as they did in the 1800s for all their brands which include Longrow and Hazelburn.  As far as this release goes, it's a bit of a mystery.  An exclusive to The Whisky Exchange - perhaps this was a precursor to their annual Christmas Malt release?

Stats: ABV = 56.5%. Bottled 2012. 1995 Vintage.

Tasting Notes:  Reminiscent of the distillery 15 Year with enhanced notes of confectioners sugar and soft fruit, like Asian pear. But not getting as much peat as anticipated.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	NO

Expression 4
 Cadenhead Warehouse Tasting 14 Year Single Cask

Background: Cadenhead, Scotland's oldest independent bottler, has been under the ownership of the Mitchell family since the early 1970s.  So while they release their fair share of the single malts of Scotland, they also bottle and sell one-off casks from the Springbank distillery itself in their Campbeltown shop, like this one.    

Stats: ABV = 57.0%.  Bottled 2018. 2003 Vintage.

Tasting Notes: A growing number of single malts are aged in Rum casks and I've never had one that lived up to expectations.  Until this one.  Not super peaty, this delivers on the banana rum notes I was anticipating.  Mouthfeel is oily, with an emphasis on sweet and salty butter.  

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

[Tasting conducted with the Sneaky Trips Tasting Group which consists of Whisk(e)y Enthusiasts ranging from Beginner to Advanced.  Tastings are held monthly and are usually 8 Expressions based on a particular theme.]

KAVALAN

The award-winning whisky distillery located in Taiwan where whisky ages approximately 3x faster than in Scotland due to intense climate and humidity.  So, these young whiskies are actually a force to be reckoned.  Don't confuse age with maturity.  

* FLIGHT ONE *

Expression 1
 Distillery Select

Background: A recent addition to Kavalan's core line-up.  Note that this bottling is for the United States at 43% Alcohol By Volume (ABV), and not the 40% version that is available in the rest of the world.  

Stats:  ABV = 43%. Age = No Age Statement (NAS)

Tasting Notes: Similar to the Kavalan Classic, but this expression has a little more range of flavor. Typical ex-bourbon cask notes.  Vanilla nose. Taste is malty with a little bit of baking spice and a pleasant melon finish.  Nice, easy drinking here - not a lot of complexity, but a good warm up for the single casks to come.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Pour?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 2
 KavaFan Solist Bourbon Cask

Background:  Initial and Exclusive bottling for a Kavalan Fan Club.  While these Solist Single Casks do not have an age statement, you can figure out the age by reviewing the the cask number and the bottling code.  The first two digits after any lettering equals the year the spirit was barreled (08 = 2008). Then the back label will have the bottling date (2017 for this one).  Then, math. More than 8 years is pretty old for a Kavalan, especially an ex-bourbon cask.  These usually get bottled by the time they reach 6 years.

Stats: ABV = 55.6%
.  Cask #B080828075. Age 8+. 2008 Vintage.

Tasting Notes: Forget 'sherry bombs', what we have here is the most intense 'Bourbon Bomb' ever!  Big time butterscotch.  

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 3
 Pedro Ximenez Cask Strength

Background:  Part of their premium Cask Strength series which also includes spirit aged in other types of ex-Sherry casks like Moscatel, Amontillado, and Manzanilla.

Stats: ABV = 56.3%. Cask #PX100630020A. Age = 5+. 2010 Vintage.  One of 498 bottles.

Tasting Notes: For such a high ABV, the nose is subtle, yet complex.  That subtleness continues on the palate with oily mouthfeel and notes of maple syrup and cocoa.  Very well balanced.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 4
 Vinho Barrique Cask Strength

 

Background: The casks for this expression are sourced American Oak casks that previously held red and white wine.  They are then shaved and toasted before aging. In 2015, a single cask Vinho Barrique like this one won best single malt at the World Whiskies Awards. This cemented Kavalan's status as a world class whisky maker.  Pretty amazing considering that the distillery's first release of any kind was at the end of 2008.  

Stats: ABV = 57.1%. Cask #W090220034. Age 5+. 2009 Vintage.

Tasting Notes: Again, a subtle nose, this time with a bit of spice.  Then the taste is this wonderful combination of black currant and dark chocolate.  Always complex, never disappoints.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

* FLIGHT TWO *

Expression 1
  Sherry Cask Strength

Background: The Solist series of single cask strength bottlings includes sherry, bourbon, vinho barrique, port, brandy, Fino sherry, rum, and a peaty cask, plus the premium sherry casks mentioned above.  The 'Solist' designation does not appear on US releases due to a branding conflict with an established entity, most likely Soliste Wines of Northern California.

Stats: ABV = 57.8%.  Cask #S100127022A. Age 5+. 2010 Vintage.

Tasting Notes: The combination of milk and dark chocolate on the taste results in less of a sherry bomb than expected from the powerful nose.  And that's a good thing, for my palate at least.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 2
   Fino Cask Strength

Background: Fino is a dry white wine made from palomino grapes.  Like most sherry production, the solera system is utilized, so over time, the cask can absorb a wide range of aged wines. 

Stats:  ABV = 57.8%.
 Cask #S060814026. Age = 7+. 2006 Vintage.

Tasting Notes: The nose offers a more buttery note, compared to the other types of ex-sherry single malts from this tasting.  That element continues over into the taste with a light oily mouthfeel.  The Fino has a much wider range of flavor. Kiwi mango early on, followed by a spicy cinnamon finish.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 3
SMWS 139.5 Port Barrique

Background: The Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottled its initial single cask releases of Kavalan in 2019, giving them the distillery code of 139.  Two were Vinho, two were bourbon, and two were port.  The Society has branches worldwide and members can purchase not only single malt Scotch, but single malts from around world, like this one.

Stats: ABV = 57.8%.  Age and Vintage Unknown. Limited to 181 bottles worldwide, of which the USA 750ml allocation was 60.

Tasting Notes: Fruity black cherry nose.  The range of flavors is spectacular and incredibly balanced with its coffee notes and powdered dark chocolate.  Light warming heat on the finish.  I actually wrote 'wow' in my tasting notes.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 4
 KavaFan Solist Port Cask

Background: The ABV of these single casks ranged from mid to high 50s.  Certainly, there must be some 60+ powerhouses out there, right?  Very few actually, and those are well in the past.  Taxation on alcohol 60% and higher jumps significantly in Taiwan, so they keep their releases under 60% now. (59.5 might get rounded up to 60, so the ceiling is 59.4)    

Stats: ABV = 58.6%.  Cask #O090706042A. Age 8+. 2009 Vintage.

Tasting Notes: The nose has similar dark berry and dark chocolate notes to the previous port offering, but they're bigger here.  Same with the palate.  Where this falls a bit, is the balance.  Even with water, the range does not expand, although the mouth feel is improved.  Port Bomb!

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

[Tasting conducted with the Sneaky Trips Tasting Group which consists of Whisk(e)y Enthusiasts ranging from Beginner to Advanced.  Tastings are held monthly and are usually 8 Expressions based on a particular theme.]

Epic Bourbon + Big Time Rye

Ah, memories.  Can't live with them, can't live without them.  Let's harken back to the dog days of last summer with its outdoor BBQ and sipping American Whiskey on the back porch.

* FLIGHT ONE *

Expression 1
 Orphan Barrel Barterhouse 20 Year Old

Bottle No. 36989

Background: Basically, Orphan Barrel from Diageo positions itself as a brand that rescues forgotten, abandoned whisk(e)y with a heart of gold and then graciously bottles it for the eager consumer.  The line debuted in 2014 with Old Blowhard 26 Year bourbon as well as this expression.  The former was a one-time offering, but the Barterhouse 20 came out periodically until about 2017-ish.  It is believed to be spirit distilled from the last incarnation of the Bernheim Distillery.

Stats:  Alcohol By Volume (ABV) = 45.1%.  Mash Bill: 75% corn + an even balance of rye and malted barley.

Tasting Notes: With the 'creative' marketing, expectations were low.  However,  this is a well-balanced, spicy and sweet bourbon.  Love the butterscotch notes.  Factor in that suggested retail was around $100 and it's a no brainer... if you can still find it.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Pour?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 2
 Elijah Craig 23 Year Old

Barrel #124

Background:  In 1996, a tremendous fire at Heaven Hill destroyed many bourbon warehouses as well as the distillery itself.  From 1996-99, the company basically outsourced their new make spirit from Old Forester and Jim Beam.  Additionally, they chose not to rebuild their distillery in Bardstown.  Instead, the aforementioned modern Bernheim Distillery in Louisville was acquired in 1999.  Aging and bottling in Bardstown was never interrupted, however.

Stats: Barreled 03-30-90. ABV = 45%
.  Mash Bill: 78% corn with even balance of rye and malted barley.

Tasting Notes: What you're looking at here is much sought-after 'Pre-Fire' whiskey. And while it has a strong, pleasant corn nose, the taste is thin on sweetness and complexity.  Woodier notes, as expected, from the age.  Money is probably better spent on the Elijah Craig 18 Year.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	NO

Expression 3
 Hirsch Selection 28 Year Old

Background: One of the best bourbons I'll probably never taste is the AH Hirsch 16 Year.  Same goes for the 20 Year.  Both of those legendary whiskies were distilled in 1974 at the old Michter's Distillery in Pennsylvania, utilizing a comparatively unique mash bill.  This 28 Year Old is completely unrelated, however.  The only thing in common is the Hirsch name.  This bourbon hails from Bardstown, Kentucky.  So, Willett or Heaven Hill or Barton or ??

Stats: ABV = 43.4%.  
 Mash Bill: unknown

Tasting Notes: Definitely woody on the taste and light on sweetness.  Overall thin and a little oily.  The finish does yield some nice spice on the tip of the tongue, but bourbon really shouldn't be aged this long.  An interesting experience, but not essential.  

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	NO

Expression 4
 George Dickel Bottled in Bond 13 Year Old

 

Background: The other Tennessee whisky that began operations in 1878, just a few years after Jack Daniels. Closed due to Prohibition and didn't re-open until 1958, albeit in a new location.  For years Dickel has been known for their No. 8 and No. 12 expressions. Note: those are recipes, not age statements.  This is their very first bottled-in-bond release.

Stats: 2005 Vintage. ABV = 50%. 
 Mash Bill: 84% corn with a relatively even balance of rye and malted barley.

Tasting Notes: Nose is cotton candy cake batter.  Nice mouthfeel with taste of suble butterscotch.  Impressive age statement and love the high proof.  Originally retail was around $40, but that will probably jump since it won Whisky Advocate's Whiskey of the Year.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

* FLIGHT TWO *

Expression 1
  Old Forester Rye

1 Liter Bottling

Background: Old Forester is the only distillery that produced whiskey before, during, and after Prohibition.  Until this release in 2019, they hadn't produced a rye in over 40 years.  The recipe comes from Normandy Rye, a brand that parent company Brown-Forman purchased in 1940.

Stats: ABV = 50%.
 Mash Bill: 65% rye / 20% malted barley / 15% corn.

Tasting Notes: Much anticipated and did not disappoint.  Truth be told, I purchased this expression well in advance of this particular event.  By the time the actual tasting was held, I had already gone through two bottles.  It was that good.  For what I have to assume is a younger No Age Statement (NAS) rye, the mash bill is what must have done it for me.  Younger spirit + low rye + more malted barley than corn = delicious daily drinker.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 2
   Thomas H Handy Sazerac Rye

Limited to ~14000 Bottles

Background: Antoine Peychaud created the very first cocktail, dubbed The Sazerac, in the mid-1800s in New Orleans. It became so popular that a local bar named itself after the intoxicating concoction.  Later, Mr. TH Handy purchased said bar and eventually grew that into the Sazerac Company we know today.  One of their distilleries, Buffalo Trace, has been producing this rye as part of their annual limited edition Antique Collection since 2006. 

Stats:  2011 Vintage. Bottled 2017. ABV = 63.6%.
  Mash Bill: 51% rye / 10% malted barley / 39% corn.  Non-Chill Filtered.

Tasting Notes: Expectations ran high again as this won Jim Murray's 2019 Rye of The Year.  He wasn't wrong.  Big and bold. Rich and Oily.  Complex.  Nice mouth feel.  Boom!

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 3
Re:Find Single Barrel Rye

Lot 2 Batch No. 6

Background: A distillery in central California producing vodka, gin, and world class rye...whaaat?  Collaborating with craft beer brewers to create a unique mash bill, they age the spirit in quarter casks.  A regular 46.5% ABV edition is in general distribution, but cask strength expressions like this one are exclusive to Wade's Wines in northwest Los Angeles County.

Stats: 2017 Release. ABV = 64.3%. Mash Bill: rye / malted barley / wheat.

Tasting Notes: Sweet on the nose, but not on taste where dense dark chocolate permeates. A drop or two of water helps open it up, but not necessarily required.  Sandwiched between two heavy hitting ryes, Re:Find definitely held its own and then some!

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 4
 Booker's Rye 13 Year Old

"Big Time Batch"
Bottle No. 4182

Background: Another whiskey of the year from Jim Murray.  This was the first, and only (so far), rye to be released from the Booker's lineup. Considered Booker Noe's swan song as this was some of the last spirit he filled a barrel with before passing in 2004.

Stats: Bottled 2016. ABV = 68.1%. Mash Bill: Undisclosed.

Tasting Notes: Reminds me of a hazmat edition of George T Stagg where the alcohol content is very high, but instead of ethanol on the nose, all you get is richness in aroma.  The taste is so smooth at this ABV, it's uncanny.  Complex spice and citrus.  Big flavor! Caps off with a long lingering finish.  The only setback is the price which was $300 at release and 2x-3x that after being proclaimed Best Whiskey by Murray.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

[Tasting conducted with the Sneaky Trips Tasting Group which consists of Whisk(e)y Enthusiasts ranging from Beginner to Advanced.  Tastings are held monthly and are usually 8 Expressions based on a particular theme.]