Category: Buy It Again

A good Old Fashioned is both simple and complicated…booze, sugar, bitters, orange, and cherry, but getting the booze to sweet ratio with just the perfect touch of fruit and bitters is harder than you might think, and even harder when you’re doing it in a pre-batched cocktail that will need to account for varying levels of ice cubes. On the Rocks Old Fashioned is one of the OGs of the craft cocktail RTD scene which is only a few years old but growing like crazy. And they happen to be at the top, EXACTLY because they have the balance correct.

From Jason Brauner, owner of Louisville’s Bourbons Bistro, the original OG Louisville Bourbon bar and restaurant, comes Buzzard’s Roost, an incrementally innovative and relatively straightforward and transparent bourbon brand utilizing mostly MGP juice and bottling unfiltered whiskies. Their #1 Char bourbon is finished in the LOWEST level char possible and presents a sweet nutty nose with hints of Sweetarts candies and orchard fruit. On the palate the perfectly drinkable 105 proof drops the chewy, grainy, sweet caramel apple note that was WAY better than I expected.

This special edition of Elijah Craig is finished in toasted European oak casks to bridge the divide between the US and Europe, hated rivals in the rowdiest international golf tournament in the world. The bottling starts with regular Elijah Craig 94 proof, and then is finished in toasted oak barrels made to mimic the barrels used in the Lazio wine region which contains Rome, the host of the 2023 tournament. The nose is highly perfumed with almond paste replacing the normal herbal notes of EC, soft orange and apple fruits as well. On the palate, more rich nutty notes with chocolate covered almonds along with roasted coffee notes, raisin, and honey.

An old DSP (distilled spirits plant) and an old brand (Green RIier) have finally reunited! Green River wheated bourbon at 21% wheat excludes lots of warm fruit, cereal notes, and light oak spice. On the palate it’s one of the lightest, sweetest, and dare we say “smoothest” bourbons on the market. Soft vanilla, fresh cut oak, a touch of caramel as well. If you like Maker’s Mark but want something even easier to sip on, give Green River a try!

Since the announcement of Coors Whiskey Co buying Blue Run, we thought it would sneak a preview taste of Coors very own “Five Trail” Blended American Whiskey. Three straight bourbons and a Colorado single malt, all from undisclosed locations combine into a pretty darn drinkable profile. This ain’t whiskey for the super nerds, but something different, an every day drinkable American Blend. Soft spice on the nose, light fruit, and a touch of oak, definitely traditional bourbon flavor forward. On the palate, peaches, apples, and oranges with a chewy, malt driven core. Tastes like peach preserves on a biscuit and goes down really well with a yellow jacket!

This is Bourbon World’s first Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye single barrel and it’s a doozy, bottled at 117.9 proof uncut and unfiltered from the barrel, it exhibits notes of maple candy, pine, sweet earth, and ripe peaches. On the palate the pine and spice notes explode with a rich mid-palate that’s fairly reminiscent of scotch. It definitely drinks smoother than the 117.9 proof, and provides a tapestry of fruit not found in more traditional or legacy rye whiskies. Did this with an Old Fashioned as well and loved it, especially the interaction with the Luxardo cherry.

Made by the Medley family from a mashbill of 77% corn, 10% rye, and 13% malted barley and bottled in Fairfield California, this at least 4 year old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel selection from Bourbon World is bottled at 94 proof (same as Blanton’s) and exudes mixed nuts, leather, red fruit, beeswax and vanilla on the nose. On the palate, a pillowy soft fruit note with pear, peach, banana, and vanilla custard. Just about the SOFTEST and SWEETEST drinking single barrel selection we’ve had in a while.

This single barrel of Canadian Whistlepig rye bottle at 106 proof exudes freshly cut oak, pepper, oak spice, licorice, cinnamon sprinkled bananas, and massive florals. On the palate, chewy malt notes reminiscent of Stranahan’s with honey, lemon, and sugar pie throughout. Quick hit of spice on the finish to leaving you wanting more.

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH ALERT…this new Bourbon World selection of Whistlepig Piggyback 100% rye bottled at 112.7 proof, distilled in Vermont and aged 6 years is a KNOCKOUT! Oily peppermint and graham cracker on the nose, fresh cut oak, grassy rye and a huge spice KICK! Load this thing up with ice and let it mellow down. I had it as an Old Fashioned and loved every spicy minute of that drink! Finally a spice level that rivals MGP”s 95/5 rye.

Made with an MGP recipe that’s not readily available on the bulk market, this single barrel is about as “high rye” as they come, with a mashbill of 51% corn, 39% rye, and 10% malted barley. Bottled at 113.2 proof, the nose is straight forward spice with a touch of orchard fruit and citrus. The palate is an explosion of tropical fruit and spice. This is like an OBSK from Four Roses on steroids with even tertiary tropical flavors emerging like pineapple, and fresh coconut shavings. Diamond hard rye spice at first, then a blast of sweet spice to finish. Warming throughout. Really fun!