Category: Buy It Again

Smashed blackberries, cassis liqueur, cherry pie, strawberry shortcake. The nose alone is enough of a dessert. On the palate, tingling rye spice with more dark fruit, cloves, cinnamon, raisin, and almond butter. Watch out Midwinter, this will give you a run for your money.

“BRT” or Maker’s speak for “barrel rotation” is the 2022 Wood Finshing series’ attempt to highlight “high” rickhouse flavor profiles (01) vs. “low” floor rickhouse flavor (02). This paricular bottling starts off with intense and rich floral aromas, with sorghum, molasses, and a subtle nuttiness. On the palate lots of chocolate notes, baked cinnamon, and a long creamy finish make this a rich dessert worthy whiskey. I’ve always thought bottom floor barrels tasted maltier and this is no exception. Big, round, and juicy!

So much history with this brand, it’s almost impossible to summarize in a short review, so let’s stick to the basics. This is a non-age stated Tennessee Whiskey which undergoes the Lincoln County process (new make dripped through charred sugar maple) then aged a minimum of 4 years, and bottled at 80 proof. It’s arguably the most valuable whiskey brand in the world. The nose is soft woodsy oak, banana runts, and brown sugar. The palate is light oak, slightly sweet, slightly spicy. Jack is great as a premium everyday drinker as it’s not going to overhelm your palate (if you drink a reasonable amount) but it also just tastes good. Smooth and flavorful at the same time. All things being equal, a Jack Daniel’s on the rocks, whether it be a friend’s open bar wedding, random hotel in Europe, or high rise in Asia is a little familiar piece of American liquid history that’s still going strong today. You can’t go wrong.

Six year old, Buffalo Trace mashbill #2 at cask strength. In this case, a 124.6, and as always from Warehouse H. Rich walnut and caramel with woody, nutty, spice notes. Hint of lemon merangue. On the palate, a force of nature. Hot and sweet in the best way. Buttescotch, maple syrup, oat cakes, and chocolate/caramel swirl.

Delicious citrus vodka with orange liqueur, cranberry, and lime. Bottled at 73 proof this is a refreshing party-ready cocktail!

Built to compete against the likes of bottlers like “Smoke Wagon” Stellum is no nonsense, no frills barrel proof MGP. This particular single barrel bottling of the 21% rye mashbill bourbon weighs in at 117.96 proof and it’s a pure BBQ sandwich. Soft butter and spice on the nose then a moutfull of char, spicy sweetness, and a long cunchy dill spiced finish. This would be perfect for a smoked old fashioned or on the rocks with a freshly sliced brisket.

Smashed blackberries, cassis liqueur, cherry pie, strawberry shortcake. The nose alone is enough of a dessert. On the palate, tingling rye spice with more dark fruit, cloves, cinnamon, raisin, and almond butter. Watch out Midwinter, this will give you a run for your money.

Since MGP bourbon is sold in a thousand different brands, it’s good to check in with the brand that actually takes its stock DIRECTLY from the famed Indiana distillery. George Remus, a famous bootlegger was a brand created by Jake Wurm out of Cincinatti and eventually sold to MGP. Barreled at 94 proof and aged 6years this is a perfect Blanton’s alternative. Maple syrup and vanilla aromas with a nice rye kick.

Hot off of Kentucky Owl, Dixon Dedman has reconstitued his whiskey career into “2xO” or Two Times Oak, the first in a collection of small batch “blends” focusing on straight Kentucky Bourbon. Each of the new blends will be named and a one off for now, with this first one called “The Phoenix Blend” Punched up Kentucky nose of vanilla bean, toffee, and caramel syrup on ice cream. Bolder red fruit with oak emerging mid-palate. The Phoenix is a combo mid-rye and high-rye bourbons. The finishing in secondary NEW oak provides a dusting of baking spice and a pleasant woodsiness enhanced by the 104 proof bottling. Lots of character in this first go around and worth a shot to see what the still realtively young blender comes up with next.

Aged in barrels from each of Jim Beam’s Small Batch Bourbon Collection and blended together, this complex yet balanced expression showcases the heritage and legacy of both brands.